International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians

T he International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians is celebrated annually on the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Christians from all over Europe, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and India will join together in solidarity on 14 May to pray that Eastern Christians may be strengthened in their faith so that they can continue to steadfastly give witness to Jesus Christ.

At Mass during Easter, Western and Eastern Christians hear the Acts of the Apostles which witness to the first preaching of the Gospel. These readings remind us of the origin of the Eastern Churches and the history of the first Eastern Christians, who brought the Gospel to us. Nowadays, many of these Eastern Christians are oppressed and persecuted, and struggle to survive and to pass on our faith to their children, in their own lands where Christianity was born and first spread.

Fellowship and Aid to the Christians of the East (FACE) is a Christian charity which draws on 170 years’ experience of helping Eastern Christians to remain in their homelands – the biblical lands – where Christianity was born and first spread. Visit www.facecharity.org to find out more.

Memorial Mass for Bishop Christopher Budd RIP

The Canons of the Chapter of the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Boniface, Plymouth invite you to the Memorial Mass for Bishop Christopher Budd. This Mass will be an opportunity for us as a Diocese to celebrate his life and his considerable contribution to the Plymouth Diocese during his time as our Bishop from 1986 until 2014, as well as a chance to offer up prayers for the repose of his soul. This Mass will take place at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 May at Plymouth Cathedral and will be followed by a barbecue in the Cathedral grounds.

I t has been suggested that there may be enough parishioners who would like to go to this Mass in Plymouth to hire a coach. If you would like to go to this Mass and go by coach, please put your name on the list at church TODAY. If there are enough takers, we can look into hiring a coach.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

This Thursday, 18 May, is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. This is a Holy Day of Obligation for us, a day on which we are expected to come together for Mass. To enable as many people as possible in the parish to get to Mass, there will be a Vigil Mass on Wednesday 17 May at St Boniface at 6.00pm and Masses on the day at 10.00am and 6.00pm at St James.

St Rita of Cascia’s Feast Day

The Feast of St Rita of Cascia takes place on Monday 22 May 2023. There will be a Mass at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton, celebrated by Monsignor Canon Daniel McHugh, at 12noon followed by the blessing and distribution of roses for the sick. Hot drinks will be available all day but visitors should bring a packed lunch. The day will conclude with Benediction at 3.00pm Two shops will be open that day for the sale of religious articles

CHAT Urgent Appeal

C HAT’s foodbank is seeing more people each month who need urgent help for necessary items. The stocks are running low and your help is needed. Please consider whether you can help by donating.

• You can drop food at church, at the CHAT Office, or any of the supermarket drop off points. 

• You can order a supermarket delivery directly to the CHAT Office or shop from the CHAT Amazon “wish list” if this is more convenient for you.

• You can send a financial donation and then CHAT can purchase the things they most need.

• Downloading the Bank Food App will alert you to the most needed items.

• Follow the CHAT Facebook page (CHATMidDevon) and spread the news with others

More people are also needing help with basic household items when setting up home. There is more information on the CHAT website about the sort of things that are needed. Please see https://www.chatmid.org/donate  in particular for more information about the various ways you can donate.  

CHAT is also currently recruiting more trustees, so if this is something that is of interest to you, please visit https://www.chatmid.org/volunteering for more information or contact the Team for an informal chat.

Environmental Day of Reflection

A Day of Reflection on Laudato Si’ and the Diocesan Environmental Policy will be held at Sclerder Abbey, near Looe, this Wednesday 17 May. Contact caritas@prcdtr.org.uk if you would like to go. St Mary’s University, Twickenham, has produced a document setting out Catholic parishioners’ responses to the ecological crisis. A copy is attached to the Newsletter.

World Communications Day

Next Sunday is World Communications Day, focussing on the right use of the media. There will be a retiring collection to support the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.

Plymouth Diocesan Catechetical Camps 2023

The Summer Camps are a long-standing part of the youth activities of the Diocese of Plymouth. This year the theme is “Leap of Faith: Having the Courage to Journey like Mary”. The Junior Camp (Years 3-6) will take place from 30 July-4 August and the Senior Camp (Years 7-10) from 6-11 August at Grangehurst, Buckfast Abbey. The St Petroc’s Camp (Years 11-12) will be held at St Rita’s, Honiton, from 14-18 August. The cost per participant is £230 and bookings can be made at https://forms.office.com/e/pJQuB8Rhk5. Financial assistance may be available for those who would struggle to pay this amount.