Happy and Blessed Easter!
We have come to the joyful celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. It is traditional in many Christian countries of the world and in the ancient
Churches of the East for the faithful to greet each other with the words: “Christ is risen!”, to which the reply in given “He is risen indeed!”. It is very fitting that we too might adopt this custom amongst ourselves as an exuberant proclamation of, and witness to, the central spiritual belief and reality of our faith.

As Christians we die and are buried with Christ and rise to new life with Him in and through the cleansing, life-giving waters of Baptism. Not only
will we all be invited to renew our commitment to our baptismal promises this Sunday, but as a parish community we have the great blessing of celebrating the baptism of Indrė Navardauskaite and the reception into full communion with the Catholic Church of Simon Green at the Easter Vigil. We pray for them and for all those throughout the world who will become members of the Church through Baptism or who will be received into full communion with the Church this weekend.

Please take a copy of “Walk with me” and “Day by Day” with you this weekend to help you with your daily prayer and reflection throughout Eastertide. There are also booklets and calendars for our children.

Divine Mercy Service
Next Sunday, 7 April, a Divine Mercy Service will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Heavitree, Exeter. There will be confessions at 2.30pm
and the Service will start at 3.00pm, followed by refreshments in the St Richard Reynolds Centre. All are very welcome.

Easter Draws
Easter Hampers were won by Camilla Lawson, Max Jolliffe, Margaret Stanley, Virginia Shaw, Kate Stevens, Vonnie, Simon Coombs, Chris Roberts, Monika and Chris (phone number ending 382). Peter Scurr won the Simnel Cake and Margaret Haxton guessed the name of the Easter Bunny, which was “Chobi”. All the prizes can be collected from the Hall. Congratulations to our winners!

Hope & Healing for Christians in the Holy Land
In Gaza, over 800 Christians are sheltering in churches. Every day involves fear, prayers and one piece of bread to eat. International aid cannot reach them. In Bethlehem, 80% of Christians have lost their income as tourism has collapsed. If you can, please give to the Hope & Healing Fund of the Friends of the Holy Land: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/hope or call 01926 512980. A few leaflets with more information are available at church.

Youth Adventure Residential Weekend
This year’s Youth Adventure weekend will be at Grangehurst, Buckfast Abbey, 24–26 May. Changing the location has meant that different adventure activities, such as caving, can be offered. This year’s theme is ‘I am with you’ (Mt 18:20). In between the activities and games, young people will have the chance to explore the Scriptures and consider ways to communicate with God. This weekend of aimed at those between10-13 years of age. Cost £100. To book: https://forms.office.com/e/DkVzq6hTJB Further questions please contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk

Visit the Bishop of Exeter’s Garden
The garden of the Bishop’s Palace is one of Exeter’s best kept secrets. It covers three acres and is one of the most ancient in Devon. Bounded by the
old Roman bank and city wall to the East and by the cathedral to the West, it is a haven of peace in the middle of the city. The garden will be open to the public on Sunday 14 and 28 April, 2.00-4.30pm. Entrance fee is £5.00 and will be collected in aid of the Devon Historic Churches Trust.

Aging in the Southwest
Caritas Diocese of Plymouth, in partnership with the Society of St Vincent de Paul, is hosting an event in the St Cuthbert Mayne Parish Rooms in Launceston, Cornwall, on Saturday 20 April, 10.00am-3.30pm, entitled: “Aging in the Southwest: Challenges and Opportunities”. All are welcome to come along and join in the day of prayer, discussion and reflection to explore the theme of an aging society and how we can respond. A light lunch is included. Scan the QR code, phone 01364 645360 or email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk to register.

Parish St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Group
The Parish SVP group (called a “Conference”) is twinned with a Conference in Nellore, India, and sends them an annual financial contribution to help the poor and needy in their area. In recent correspondence, our twin has told us how the money has been used to provide scholarships to poor students, to make regular visits to adopted families and to visit the elderly. In addition to visiting the sick, elderly and needy, the Parish SVP
Conference with the help of the national SVP organization has also recently been able to provide fridge freezers to two local people referred by CHAT, along with a microwave for one of the beneficiaries. We are always open to welcoming parishioners to be new members of the SVP group to share in its important work, so please speak to Simon Coombs for further information.

Let’s celebrate Easter with colour!
Parishioners are invited to bring either bunches or arrangements of Spring flowers of any colour on Good Friday or Holy Saturday morning to decorate St James for Easter Sunday. If you are using vases, please put your name on the base so that they can be returned afterwards. Thank you in advance for your contributions – they really helped at Christmas to enhance the celebration.

Celebratory Banquet at the Mumbai Kitchen
A banquet will be held at the Mumbai Kitchen in Tiverton on Tuesday 16 April to celebrate the United Nations Award for Sustainable Development awarded to friends in the Sundarban region of Bangladesh at COP 28. Suggested cost per person is £10.00. If you would like to come along and take part, please email bridgetmtosh@gmail.com.