Third Scrutiny and the Giving of the Our Father

This Sunday we celebrate the third and last scrutiny with Levi, who will be baptised at the Easter Vigil. We continue to pray that God will strengthen him and purify his mind and heart as he approaches the Baptismal Sacrament of New Life. He will be reborn as a child of God and will have the right to call God “Abba, Father”. Therefore, on this last Sunday of Lent before Holy Week, he will formally be entrusted with the text of the “Our Father”, another of the treasures of the Church.

Communion under Both Kinds

The Bishops of England and Wales have decided that the re-introduction of Holy Communion under both kinds, ie under the form of bread and under the form of wine, will take place from the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on 6 April 2023. However, the reception of Holy Communion under both kinds is not obligatory, as our Catholic faith teaches that the totality of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord is received in either or both kinds. Therefore, it will be for each person to choose whether she or he wishes to receive Holy Communion from the chalice. Please note that it is NEVER permitted for anyone in the congregation to “intinct” or dip their Host into the chalice when they come to receive Holy Communion. The Precious Blood must be drunk directly from the chalice or Communion received in one kind only.

Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Confession

After Mass on Thursdays at St James during Lent, from 6.30-7.30pm, there will be a time of silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as well as another opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession in addition to 11.30am-12noon on Fridays.

Welcome the Stranger – Our Response to Refugees and Migrants

As was highlighted in last weekend’s Newsletter, on 14 March the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, published Love the Stranger: A Catholic Response to Migrants and Refugees. This document sets out a number of key principles, including:

• The dignity of the human person at the root of our response to migrants and refugees.

• The right of a state to control its borders, but not based on economic factors alone: we have a responsibility to the wider world.

• Avoiding the use of immigration detention, arbitrary expulsion and other practices which violate human dignity.

• The need to fulfil our obligations under international frameworks protecting migrants and refugees, such as the Refugee Convention.

Canon John Deeny, the Chair of Caritas Diocese of Plymouth, has written to parishes this week to say that Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and Caritas Plymouth are profoundly concerned about the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 7 March 2023. This Bill, if passed, will not only deny those people fleeing war and persecution their right to seek safety in the UK and apply for asylum, but will punish them, based on how they came here, not whether they need protection. This would amount to an asylum ban. The Bill would remove the right to seek refugee protection in the UK for those who arrive irregularly; breach the UN Refugee Convention, of which the UK is a founding signatory; fail to provide the safe routes we need now; leave thousands of men, women, and children in limbo, detained, and denied a fair hearing.

We are therefore being encouraged to heed Bishop Terrence Drainey’s call on the Catholic community to write to our MPs, asking them to protect rather than punish refugees and create an effective asylum system which is just and compassionate. CSAN have produced a template letter to MPs and further guidance which can be found on their website https://www.csan.org.uk/news/csan-statement-on-the-illegal-migration-bill/.

Youth Residential Event at Heatree

Young people aged 11- 16 are invited to join together at Heatree Activity Centre from 26-28 May to explore John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you”. The weekend will comprise of activities that encourage our young people to explore their faith. There will be the opportunity to join in outdoor activities on site such as high ropes and raft building (activities may vary).  Cost: £120, which can be paid in instalments. To book, please follow the link: https://forms.office.com/e/Bhd7xDUksE For further information, please contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Easter Draw and “Name the Bunny”

Easter Draw tickets are on sale, £1 a ticket. Donations of chocolate, bottles and other goodies would be very welcome. Please leave them at the entrance to church. Canon Kristian has chosen a name at random from a list of 234 names for a 1000g Lindt chocolate bunny. Pick a name from the list for £1 and perhaps be the lucky winner of this magnificent Easter Bunny! Winners for the draw and the bunny will be announced on Thursday 6 April.

Great Big Diocesan Quiz

Our parish will be taking part in the Great Big Diocesan Quiz on Friday 28 April at 7.30pm. You are invited to form teams of four people to take part in the Quiz which we will hold in the hall at St James. Please give your team a name and let Rosie know the details of your team at the Parish Office. This event really does help raise much needed funds for the Catholic Children’s Society.

“Book”/Lunch Group

There will not be a meeting in April. However, on Thursday 4 May, the group will meet at 12.30pm at Fordmoor Farm Shop and Café, on the Honiton Road as you leave Cullompton, near Mole Valley. For further information, contact Sheelagh on 07791 802009.

Procession on Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Weather permitting, we will begin the Sunday Masses at St James and St Boniface next weekend outside in the carpark and process into church. Please note that the Mass in St Boniface will start at 12noon.