November – Month of Prayer for the Dead

November is the month during which we remember in our prayers in a special way those who have died, commending them to the abundant love and mercy of God.  In both of our churches in front of the altar there is a receptacle for the names of the dead for whom you are praying and for whom you would like the parish to pray.  A form is available for these names, but any paper will do, or you can submit your list using the online form on the parish website. Please write the names clearly as they will all be remembered by name at Mass on 30 November.

Requiescant in Pace

Please pray for those members of our parish who have died recently, especially for Septimus Waugh, Jo Pennie, whose Requiem Mass will take place this Friday 19 November at 11.00am, Waldemar Smigocki, whose funeral will take place on Monday 29 November at 11.00am in St Boniface, and for Beryl Webb who died this week.  May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory.  Let us also have a special prayer for their loved ones at this difficult time.

World Day of the Poor 2021

This Sunday is the fifth World Day of the Poor, initiated by Pope Francis in 2017. The theme for this year’s World Day of the Poor is “for the poor you have always with you” from the words of Jesus at the Anointing in Bethany just before his Passion.  We are called to follow the example of Jesus in loving God and neighbour, especially the most vulnerable. Pope Francis reminds us, “If we truly wish to encounter Christ, we have to touch his body in the suffering bodies of the poor.”

The full text of the Pope’s Message can be found on the Vatican  website and a recording of a reflection from Bishop Mark  given to the diocesan day to prepare for the World Day of the Poor can be found here here.

Mary’s Meals – Double the Love!

 From November to January, every gift given to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to the sum of £1.6m. This means a gift of just £15.90 will feed not one, but two children – a life-changing daily school meal for a whole school year! Your kindness brings joy to more than two million children around the world who we serve – including those affected by natural disasters, conflict and the ongoing Covid pandemic. For more information please see the flyer attached or visit www.marysmeals.org.uk.

“Walking Together” in our Parish – Our Synodal Journey

During the Advent Season, together with all the parishes of our Diocese, we will be taking part in the Synodal Process, that deep listening exercise asked of us by Pope Francis, focused around the four themes of “Listening”, “Mission”, “Celebrate” and “Let Us Dream”.  In our parish, our four facilitators, Vivienne Brewster, Monika Manser, Eduarda Santos and Jane Wardle, will be helping us to listen and reflect prayerfully on these themes.

In order to enable as many people as possible to take part, there will be gatherings after the Sunday Masses at St James and St Boniface, a gathering after the Tuesday morning Mass at St James, a weekly gathering on Zoom on a Wednesday and an event for our young people in the week leading up to Christmas.

These sessions flow out of the main scriptural themes for Advent and are based on questions proposed by the Holy Father and applied to our diocese. You are invited to respond to these questions boldly and from the heart, freely and without fear of being judged or criticised.  The contribution of everyone is equally valid and important.  Please make this a priority and a key part of your Advent preparation for Christmas.

Walking Together – Diocese of Plymouth Synodal Journey

All are invited to an online event this Tuesday 16 November at 7.00pm where Austen Ivereigh will explore the topic “Behind the global synod; why Pope Francis wants you to speak boldly and listen carefully.” Austen Ivereigh is a UK-based writer, journalist and commentator best known for his books on and with Pope Francis, and for his role in the media explaining the convictions of the Catholic Church. He is a Fellow in Contemporary Church History at Campion Hall, Oxford and a regular contributor to The Tablet, America magazine and Commonweal, among others. The link to register for this free online talk is https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/behind-the-global-synod-a-talk-by-austen-ivereigh-tickets-196421952347

Regular Ecumenical Prayer in Tiverton

There will be a meeting at the Lighthouse Christian Bookshop and Café every Tuesday lunchtime from 12noon-1.00pm and early every Thursday morning from 6.00am-7.00am to pray with local Christians from other Churches for our town of Tiverton and for other intentions. All are welcome. For further information, please see the poster on the noticeboard or contact Patrick Barker – contact details available from the parish office.

Parish Christmas Fair

We are delighted to announce that, after the enforced break due to the pandemic, we will again be holding our annual Christmas Fair next Saturday in the Hall at St James from 10.00am-1.00pm.  All are welcome!

Christmas Draw and Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake Draw

Tickets for Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake are now on sale and the draw will take place on 12 December.  There will be a Christmas draw too and so donated items for the prizes are needed.  Your donation can be left at church. The draw will take place Sunday 19 December.

Parish Services and Events This Week 

Saturday 13 November – Weekday

• Fundraising Committee at 9.30am in the Hall
• Baptism of Clara and Violet Roach at 12noon
• Holy Mass at 6.00pm (Vigil Mass) Pro Populo

Sunday 14 November – Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Remembrance Day and World Day of the Poor

• Holy Mass at 10.00am In Thanksgiving (Pulford)
• Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface) Waldemar Smigocki RIP

Monday 15 November – Weekday

• Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in the Hall

Tuesday 16 November – St Edmund of Abingdon, Bishop

• Holy Mass at 10.00am Beryl Webb RIP
• SVP Meeting at 7.45pm in the Hall

Wednesday 17 November – St Hilda, Religious, and St Hugh, Bishop

• Holy Mass at 12 Noon (at St Boniface) Christopher Sharp RIP (FM)
• Facilitators Meeting for the Parish “Walking Together” at 6.00pm

Thursday 18 November – Weekday

• Holy Mass at 6.00pm
• Reception of the Body of Jo Pennie RIP at 4.30pm

Friday 19 November – Weekday

• Requiem Mass for Jo Pennie RIP at 11.00am

Saturday 20 November – Weekday

• Christmas Fair at 10.00am in the Hall
• Baptism of Florence Harris at 2.00pm (St Boniface)
• Holy Mass at 6.00pm (Vigil Mass) Stephen Riley RIP

Sunday 21 November – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

• Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
• Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)