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 Sr Mary who has given her whole life to bring the love and hope of Jesus to situations of extreme poverty and injustice. 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. Please call 020 7821 9755 (during office hours) or visit https://missio.org.uk/wmsdonate/ to give a single gift, set up a Direct Debit and gift aid your donation is possible. Thank you.

Another easy way in which to donate to the work of the Church’s missions is by having a Red Mission Box at home and putting some money or spare change into it on a regular basis. Maggie Pulford is the Red Mission Box organiser for our parish. If you would like to have a Red Mission Box, please have a word with either Maggie or Canon Kristian.

Response to the Conflict in the Middle East

“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate.” Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the Holy Father also said: “War solves no problems,” he said. “It only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future; it erases the future.” He urged all believers to take one side only: that of peace. In this regard, Pope Francis invited everyone to observe a Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Penance for Peace this coming Friday, 27 October. St James’ Church will again be open from 6.00-8.00pm for Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and a Prayer Vigil at 7.00pm.

In do something practical, CAFOD – Israeli-Palestinian conflict: How you can help (cafod.org.uk) – has launched an e-mail campaign asking the Foreign Secretary to work for a cessation of violence and towards more humanitarian aid and to way to donate to the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal. Canon Paul Cummins, our Diocesan Administrator, has issued a video – Pray for Peace: War is always a defeat – YouTube – about our response.

First Holy Communion 2024

If you have a child, aged 7 or over, who you would like to start preparation for First Confession and First Holy Communion next year, please pick up an application form at the entrance to church or download a copy from the parish website, and return it to the Parish Office by the end of October.

Laudato Si’ Group – Responding to the Cry of Creation

A Laudato Si’ Group has been set up in our parish to look at ways of highlighting concrete actions needed to be taken by individuals, the parish and the wider community with regards to the care for the environment, our Common Home. There will be a regular monthly meeting of the Group on the first Saturday of each month at 4.30pm in the parish hall. Please support this important initiative and come along to the next meeting of the Laudato Si’ Group in the parish hall at 4.30pm on Saturday 4 November.

Music and Singing Afternoon

We will be holding one of our regular music and singing afternoons on Sunday 19 November at 2.30pm. It is the weekend of the World Day of the Poor, so there will be an attempt to focus on music with that theme in mind, as well as celebrating the end of the Church Year. Everyone is warmly welcomed to come along and play or sing. If you have any suggestions for hymns and music, please email bridgetmtosh@gmail.com.

Hands Across the Generations

Tony and Anne Doble invite those from 5 years of age to older teenagers to stay behind after 10.30am Mass on Sunday 5 November for between 30-40 minutes to start making Greeting Cards to send from our Parish to the patients in Tiverton Hospital. Older teenagers may wish to take a card and design it at home and then return it back to Canon Kristian. This type of service project, supported by the Parish Pastoral Council, though simple, is an effective way for our parish community, through its young members, to engage with people in the wider community. The same invitation goes to the younger members at St Boniface to gather in the hall there after 11.30am Mass on Sunday 19 November.

Shoeboxes for Christmas

If you are interested in filling a shoebox as a Christmas Gift for a child in places of poverty and war, information leaflets are available at church. If you have any queries, please contact Sheelagh on 07791 802009.

Switch On Support

The year’s winter project for CHAT – Switch On Support – is to purchase kettles, toasters and air fryers to give to people moving into temporary or new accommodation, who are setting up home with a minimum of cooking appliances. Though these appliances are ordinary, they are vital in the process of creating a home. Items can be left at church or taken directly to CHAT.

“Dine for Dignity” at the Masquerade Ball

In order to raise funds for CHAT, a “Dine for Dignity” Masquerade Ball will take place at the Upton Barn and Walled Garden EX15 1RA on Friday 17 November, 7.30-11.30pm. Tickets, which can be purchased via the QR code, include a two-course meal and welcome drink, are £37.50. 18+ only. If you use the code “ZOFIA10” when ordering your ticket, you can get 10% off.

Vocations Newsletter

The Diocesan Vocations Team has recently launched a digital newsletter to keep enquirers and the parishes informed about its work, including the vocations events hosted throughout the Diocese. Please subscribe to the mailing list by visiting https://priesthoodplymouth.co.uk/ to read more about the young men presently preparing for ordination.