NEWSLETTER
Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)
World Communications Day
Sunday 24 May 2020
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
Dear brothers and sisters
First of all, apologies if you do not always receive the weekly Newsletter. This is because some email providers are flagging it up as spam. Therefore, you will need to change your settings to allow it to be delivered to your inbox. Please pass this on, if you know someone who normally receives the newsletter and has not been doing so over the last few weeks.
Whilst keeping a keen eye on the local statistics regarding the presence of Covid and ready to take further precautionary steps if directed to do by the Bishops’ Conference, parish life continues to open up and flourish once again in many areas, as you will see in the newsletter. In particular, it was a delight to see over 30 children come to the initial First Holy Communion preparation session on Saturday. What a blessing it is for the parish to have such a large group of children in preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist!
Although it is not yet clear whether the circumstances at the end of November will permit us to hold the annual Christmas Fayre, we will still be making preparations for it and collecting donations for the Christmas Draw. If you can help either at the workshop on 5 November or by donating something for the Draw, that would be most gratefully received. Even if it turns out that we will not be able to hold the Fayre, we can still sell gifts in the hall and do the Draw.
After the formal opening of the worldwide Synodal Journey 2021-23 in Rome a fortnight ago and in our own diocese last weekend, our “walking together” and deep listening sessions will be starting in a few weeks times in the week leading up to the First Sunday of Advent. This is an important and challenging initiative, which will inform decisions made at diocesan level and at the level of the Universal Church about how we can remain faithful to our mission as heralds of the Gospel of Christ in this present era and as we navigate the unknown waters of the future following the pandemic and in the face of the serious challenges of material secularism, particularly in our continent of Europe and in North America, and of catastrophic environmental degradation. This process concerns each and every one of us and so I hope that you will make your voice heard.
Along with the Newsletter and the weekly aid to praying with the Sunday Gospel, I attach the October Newsletter from Caritas Plymouth which is packed full of ideas and information about who we are exercising the ministry of charity in our diocese and how to get involved.
Please remember those in our parish who are unwell at this time, particularly those who have contracted Covid. It is important that we kept them in prayer in what is a frightening time for those who are most vulnerable. Remember in prayer also those who are working on the “frontline” – all those working in hospitals and Care Homes, the Emergency Services, GPs and community nurses and carers, and teachers – we owe them so much for their service and commitment.
May God bless you all and keep you safe
Canon Kristian
World Mission Sunday
World Mission Sunday is being celebrated in every Catholic parish around the world today! It supports missionaries who work alongside communities that are poor or in need, regardless of their background or belief. By supporting Missio, the Pope’s charity for world mission, you will help missionaries like Sister Veronica build peace in Nigeria and share the love of Christ with those most in need. Please pray for the mission of the Church throughout the world and give what you can to this very important collection which will sustain the future of our Church. There is a basket at the entrance to church for your donation, with some envelopes for those who can Gift Aid their donation. Alternatively, please call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or visit Missio’s website to give a single gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible: www.missio.org.uk.
Monthly Lunch
The Monthly Lunch will be restarting this Tuesday 26 October, 12noon-2.00pm. Helpers are required on the day to serve and tidy up. Please have a word with Margaret Found for further information or contact the parish office for her email address.
“Book”/Lunch Group
At long last the “Book”/Lunch Group will be returning to the College Café on Thursday 4 November at 12.30pm. If anyone is unable to come, please let Sheelagh know (phone number from parish office).
Preparations for the Christmas Fayre and Christmas Draws
There will be a workshop at 7.00pm in the church hall on Friday 5 November to get items ready for the Christmas Fayre planned for Saturday 20 November. Anyone is welcome to come and help. There will be a Christmas draw too, and so donations are needed for that. The draw will take place Sunday 19 December. Tickets for this draw and for Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake will be on sale in November.
Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth)
In the entrance to St James there is a box for items which can be recycled to raise money for the Catholic Children’s Society. The following items can be recycled: jewellery, coins and currency, phones and gadgets, and stamps.
Christmas Shoe Boxes
Just a reminder that filled shoe boxes must be returned to the church hall by the weekend of 6/7 November. If you have any queries, please contact Sheelagh Bourdon (phone number available from the parish office).
Parenting for Faith
Want to help the children you love find God in everyday life? CELEBRATE is running the Parenting for Faith course on Zoom. It’s not just mums and dads who long for children and teens to know God for themselves. Whether you are a parent, guardian, grandparent, family member, friend or catechist, you can help the young people in your life develop a vibrant and connected relationship with God – whatever their age!
The course dates are: Block one: 2, 9, 16, & 23 November 2021 with an optional evening on 30 November 2021 with Rachel Turner, Parenting for Faith Pioneer; Block two: 11, 18, 25 January & 1 February 2022. During the sessions there will be opportunity to discuss the content in small groups online. These will be organised in regions, so that you can get to know other families in your area. Watch the trailer for the course here. To book your free place on the course, register here: www.celebratetrust.org/parentingforfaith.
Prayer of Invocation for the Worldwide Synodal Journey
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.Do not let ignorance
lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen
Journey to 2030
The Diocesan Education Service, CAFOD and Caritas recently held an event looking at how individuals, schools and parishes can respond to Pope Francis’ call to put Laudato Si’ into action to help our communities thrive, at the same time as tackling huge world issues on the Journey to 2030. The issues can feel daunting, but small steps are so important – the little things add up!
There is a new website https://journeyto2030.org/ which offers a parish guide to Laudato Si’ and an online encyclopaedia for individuals and parishes trying to respond to the Pope’s teaching on care for our common home, pulling together inspiring stories and practical actions, wisdom and goals in one place. There are also lots of resources on our Diocesan website. If you would like any more information on environmental issues, please contact caritas@prcdtr.org.uk
Parish Services and Events This Week
Saturday 23 October – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 6.00pm (Vigil Mass) Anthony Cooper RIP
Sunday 24 October – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
- Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface) Anouchka Baudena (sick)
Monday 25 October – Weekday
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in the Hall
Tuesday 26 October – St Chad and St Cedd, Bishops
- Holy Mass at 10.00am Walter Gore Allen, Sydney William Letcher Richards and their Relatives (FM)
- Monthly Lunch at 12noon in the Hall
Wednesday 27 October – Weekday
- Funeral Service for Kathleen Chilcott RIP at 10.00am (at St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 12 Noon (at St Boniface)
Thursday 28 October – St Simon and St Jude, Apostles
- Holy Mass at 6.00pm
Friday 29 October – Weekday
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions at 11.30am
- Holy Mass with Prayers for Healing at 12noon
Saturday 30 October – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 6.00pm (Vigil Mass)
*****CLOCKS GO BACK ONE HOUR*****
Sunday 31 October – Solemnity of All Saints (transferred)
- Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)
