More News of Bishop-elect Christopher
It was announced this week that the Ordination of Canon Christopher as the 10th Bishop of Plymouth will take place on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, 22 February 2024, at 12noon in the Cathedral in Plymouth. Please keep our Bishop-elect in your prayers over the coming weeks as he prepares to take on this challenging ministry among us. Bishop-elect Christopher has sent us all a beautiful Christmas Message, reflecting on the significance of the Christmas Crib. This Message can be found at https://vimeo.com/896311805?share=copy. Canon Christopher also recorded an interview for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in which he shares his joy at the news of his appointment by the Holy Father as Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Plymouth. He also gives us an insight into how he finds his peace and the ways in which he prays. He includes a special message for the priests, religious and people of the three counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-elect-of-plymouth-shares-thoughts-afterappointment-announcement/.

Christmas Message from Canon Paul Cummins
Canon Paul, our Diocesan Administrator, shares with us a Christmas Message (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR_7RoJIGAgh) which he recorded prior to receiving the news that Canon Christopher had been appointed as our Bishop-elect. Canon Paul will continue to lead our diocese until Canon Christopher’s episcopal ordination at the end of February 2024.

Diocesan Advent Reflection
The final Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, focussed on the theme of “love”, can be found at https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t2D9E4575C1E1A8302540EF23F30FEDED.

Carols at St Boniface
This Sunday, after the 11.30am Mass at St Boniface (and tea, coffee and cake!), the music group will be having an informal sing-through of favourite
Christmas hymns and carols. All are welcome to stay behind and sing along.

Putting Children First – Crib Offerings
Please take some time to visit the crib in our churches over the Christmas period. There is a basket in which to leave an offering and these offerings will be donated to the Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) as it works across the Diocese spreading God’s love and giving families hope in times of crisis.

Homelessness – How are we called to respond?
Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that housing is not a valueless system, but a core part of what it means to live a dignified human life. Cardinal
Vincent Nichols has said that ‘“the provision of secure, decent housing for all is a hallmark of a good society”. Yet, on any given night, tens of thousands of families and individuals are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness across the UK. This includes more than 200,000 households in England alone. This online event of prayer and reflection, which will take place on Wednesday 17 January 2024, 6.00-7.00pm, will include presentations from organisations working on the frontline of homelessness, including St Petrocs in Cornwall and Routes to Roots in Dorset. They will share their response to the enormous challenge of homelessness and provide suggestions about how we
can best respond. All are welcome to take part. Please register to receive the Zoom invitation at https://forms.office.com/e/VVp5t5qU7F.

Modern Slavery – It’s happening near you.
Modern slavery is a serious crime being committed across the UK in which victims are exploited for someone else’s gain. It can take many forms, including trafficking of people, forced labour and servitude. Victims are often hidden away, may be unable to leave their situation or may not come forward because of fear or shame. This two-hour event will hear from a range of speakers about modern slavery in our Diocese and what response we can give. There will be practical advice about what to look out for and what we can do if we have concerns. The event will take place on the Feast of St Bakhita, Patron of victims of modern slavery, on Thursday 6 February, 10.30am-12.30pm at the Church of the Assumption Parish Rooms, Abbey Road, Torquay TQ2 5NJ, and will be followed by a free light lunch. Please register here or email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk.

Mid Devon Mobility National Awards
Mid Devon Mobility, a charitable organisation tucked away in a corner of the multistorey car park in Tiverton, has been growing for over three decades thanks to being powered by the goodwill of its great team of volunteers. It provides services way beyond Tiverton, such as having a centre in Crediton, and operates multiple services in and around Barnstaple up in North Devon. Last month it won three national awards from the Community Transport Association. Congratulations! Further information is attached to the Newsletter.

November Parish Giving
Loose: £917.41 Contactless: £290.00 Standing Orders: £2882.00

“Name the Bear”
A Harrods Millenium Teddy Bear, which has been generously donated to the parish, needs a new home! For just 50p a go, you can try to guess the bear’s name from a list of possible names. The name has been chosen by Canon Kristian and the winner of the bear will be announced on 2 February.