NEWSLETTER
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sunday 30th July, 2023
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
Dear sisters and brothers
Despite the usual unpredictable British weather, we are entering the height of the summer period, when the Southwest receives many visitors from other parts of the country and from abroad. As a result, it is also a time when we notice a larger number of new faces at Mass. No one is ever really a “visitor” to the Christian community and so the way we welcome at Mass those who are staying in our area is an important part of our Christian witness and life. All belong in Christ, so our open, warm and willing interaction with those who are joining us for a week or two is a manifestation of this core belief. Hopefully, they will then naturally feel that they are “family”, part of God’s Pilgrim People.
Many of our own parishioners also go on holiday or travel to visit family and friends over this period too. Let us wish them safe and pleasant journeys and a time of enjoyment and relaxation whilst they are away. We will miss them, of course, and look forward to their return to us. Please note that both Rosie, the parish secretary, and I will be taking some break days this coming week, so the Parish Office will be closed. If there are any emergencies, I will hopefully pick them up. However, if I am not available, and it is a true emergency, please do contact one of the surrounding parishes for help.
It was a privilege to host the AGM of CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) at St James this last week. It is always so impressive to hear about the committed work to the poorest of our area by those motivated by the teaching of the Lord in the Beatitudes and in other parts of the Gospel. Despite the enormous amount of work the Team of dedicated employees and volunteers has done with those who are in housing crisis, ensnared by debt or in food poverty, the statistics about the increasing numbers of people in crisis seeking help over the last year were truly shocking in a country like ours. In particular, the need for food parcels from the Foodbank has increased so much that the Foodbank is struggling for the first time to have enough stock of basics available to give the necessary help. I have included more information in the Newsletter about how we might help to respond to this need. It is a social sin that the need for Foodbanks has become “normalised” in our country, with the relative abundance/excess that we enjoy compared to many places in our world even in the present economic crisis. No one willingly turns to a Foodbank for the necessities of life. Indeed, most feel shame. We should be working for the day when such Foodbanks will be unnecessary.
Along with the Newsletter I attach:
- the weekly guide to a prayerful meditation of the Sunday Gospel, offered to us by Monika Manser
- No 82 of Inspire, offered by Deacon Peter. Deacon Peter will be taking a well-earned break from producing his weekly contribution. I am sure we would like to express our gratitude for the thought-provoking content he has shared with us.
- further information about the CAFOD “Fix the Food System” Campaign.
- the latest News from the National Catholic Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham
Let us remember those parts of the world which are presently suffering from the extreme consequences of climate change, whether that be uncontrollable wildfires or destructive floods and inundations. Our own recent unpredictable weather, though noticeably more unstable than we are used to, is as nothing compared to the life-threatening weather-related situations in other parts of the world. If nothing else, this situation should bring to the forefront of our minds the teaching of Pope Francis about the need for each of us to take concrete action for the Care of our Common Home as an integral part of our following of Christ.
Be assured of my prayers for you all.
God bless
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St James & St Boniface
40 Old Road
Tiverton EX16 4HJ
August Prayer Intention
In the month of August we are invited by the Holy Father to join in his prayer intention for World Youth Day: “We pray that the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to live and witness the Gospel in their own lives. Visit www.popevideo.org to watch a video of Pope Francis himself introducing this month’s intention.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
T his Sunday, 30 July, is the annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the evil of trafficking and to call upon governments, law enforcement, public services and society to improve their efforts to prevent trafficking by identifying and supporting victims. The theme this year is: ‘Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind’.
For more information about trafficking and modern-day slavery and how to notice some of the signs that this is taking place, please visit: https://www.unseenuk.org/about-modern-slavery/spot-the-signs/. If you would like support, or you are concerned about someone else, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Office on 01364 645430, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm. Unseen, a UK charity that provides safe houses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery, has a 24/7 Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline 08000 121700. Visit their website at https://www.unseenuk.org/working-with-survivors/.
World Youth Day – Lisbon 2023
Prepare for an extraordinary adventure as millions of passionate young people from around the world, including a group from our own diocese, come together for World Youth Day in Lisbon from 1-6 August. This unforgettable event offers inspiring talks, transformative workshops, powerful prayer sessions, and vibrant performances that are sure to leave a lasting impact. You can now be a part of this incredible event without leaving the comfort of your home. Shalom World is bringing World Youth Day directly to your screen, providing access to all the excitement and spiritual enrichment. Visit www.shalomworld.org/wyd2023 or scan the QR code on the poster on the noticeboard to download the free App.
tand in Solidarity with Small Farmers
A ttached to the Newsletter this week is some further information about the present CAFOD “Fix the Food System” Campaign in support of small farmers around the world. This weekend, there will be an opportunity to sign a copy of the letter that will be sent to the head of the World Bank.
Dementia Awareness Session for Parishes
If you have not registered for the following event, you still have time to sign up for the 1-hour Dementia Awareness Session for parishes which is taking place this Tuesday, 1 August, at 12noon. This introductory session, hosted by Caritas Diocese of Plymouth with Plymouth Age UK, is aimed at parish priests, parish secretaries, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, pastoral workers and welcomers, members of the SVP and all those whose lives are touched by dementia. It will focus on understanding dementia and the practical aspects of how to respond but will also offer advice about resources to understand how to accompany in their spiritual journey those whose lives have been touched by dementia.
People are welcome to bring their lunch and listen in. You are also welcome to join as a parish group. You can register here https://forms.office.com/e/1DijnZkMQk.
CHAT Foodbank Needs Stocks Urgently!
D ue to increased demand, the stocks at the CHAT Foodbank are greatly reduced. For the first time ever, it even ran out of tinned soup this week! If you can, please remember to use the receptacles for your donations at the checkouts in the major supermarkets in our area or deposit your donations in the CHAT box at church. Remember, if you have a smartphone, you can download the BankTheFood App, choose the CHAT Foodbank and find out in real time what our local foodbank urgently needs. At the moment these priority needs are: biscuits, coffee, tinned meat, tinned fruit, soup, tinned tuna, tinned vegetables, tinned sweetcorn, tinned stew/curry/chilli/meatballs and fruit squash.
Ewelina Żychlinska, and her daughter, Zofia, are doing a 1000km walk over three months to raise funds to support the work of CHAT. If you would like to support them, you can do so online at Ewelina Żych is fundraising for Churches Housing Action Team (Mid Devon) Ltd (justgiving.com) or by giving your donation to them directly.
Book”/Lunch Club
This Thursday, 3 August, the “Book”/Lunch Club will be meeting at the Bluebell Restaurant for lunch at 12.30pm. If you are not able to come, please let Sheelagh know on 07791 802009.
SVP Parish Skittles Evening and SVP Draw Tickets
A Skittles Evening will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 18 August at the Racehorse Pub in Wellbrook Street, Tiverton. Adult tickets £10 each, with donations for children, includes a buffet supper. Please let Simon Coombs (07761420703) know by 10 August if you would like to attend. The members of the SVP Group are also selling tickets for the National SVP Raffle. Tickets £1 each, first prize is £5000, second prize is £1000, 15 prizes of £100.
200 Club Draw
Canon Kristian will make the draw for July after 6.00pm Mass this Saturday. If you are not a member of this fund-raising initiative and would like to join, please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Teresa Cummings at St Boniface.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 30th July – Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
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Saturday 29 July – Sts Martha, Mary and Lazarus
- Baptism of Kai Kristupis at 11.00am
- Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm Pro Populo
Sunday 30 July – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
- Holy Mass at 10.00am Sam Pennie RIP (anniv)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)
Monday 31 July – St Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
- Singing to Remember today at 2.00pm in the Hall
Tuesday 1 August – St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor
- Holy Mass at 10.00am
Wednesday 2 August – Weekday
- Service of the Word and Holy Communion at 12noon (St Boniface)
Thursday 3 August – Weekday
- “Book”/Lunch Club meets at 12.30pm at The Bluebell Restaurant
- No Mass
Friday 4 August – St John Mary Vianney, Priest
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
- Holy Mass at 12noon
- Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm Pro Populo
Sunday 6 August – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
- Holy Mass at 10.00am
- Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)
NEWSLETTER
Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)
World Communications Day
Sunday 24 May 2020
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
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Masses and Events this week
Sunday 24 May – Seventh Sunday of Easter
- Holy Mass without a congregation at 10.00am
