NEWSLETTER

Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Sunday 4th December 2022

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters

We are already on the threshold of the Second Sunday of Advent and, although our focus on the birth of Son of God in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago does not properly start until 17 December, this Sunday our readings do begin to speak more directly of the coming of the Messiah – both in the beautiful prophecy of Isaiah in our First Reading and in the wilderness ministry of St John the Baptist in the Gospel. St John the Baptist is a towering figure in Advent with his perennial call to “Prepare the way of the Lord” into our lives and into our world. We are invited to take seriously the task of a disciple to open ourselves to the whole ministry of Christ and to the entirely of his message – which is the task of a lifetime for all of us!

You will read that we have two funerals scheduled over the next two weeks, one for Paula Hubbard RIP and the other for Rosaleen Stephenson RIP. Funerals are always emotionally challenging times for families, but they are even more poignant when they occur around Christmastide. As you commend Paula and Rosaleen to the loving and life-giving embrace of God, please say a prayer for their families and friends, that their grief may be tempered by the great message of hope that we celebrate in the Advent Season.

May God bless you all in the week ahead.

Canon Kristian

The Pope’s Prayer Intentions for December

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network invites us to join in praying with the Holy Father this month for volunteer not-for-profit organisations. To bring the year to a close, the Holy Father brings to the fore volunteer organizations (and all the people who participate in them), which are key agents in society thanks to their commitment to human promotion and to the common good. In his intention, Pope Francis encourages them to continue their labour, working “not just for the people, but with the people,” being close to them, being “artisans of mercy” and always listening to other people’s needs. Aware of the need to “multiply hope” in communities, he asks us to pray “that volunteer non-profit and human development organizations may find people willing to commit themselves to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths of international cooperation”. To watch a video of the Pope giving the reason behind the prayer intention and find information about the importance and numbers of volunteers across the world, please go to www.thepopevideo.org.

Operation Warm New Clothes

Many thanks to everyone who are so generously donating new warm clothes for children. A number of families have already been helped, including one from Ukraine. Coats, girls’ pyjamas and warm jumpers are especially needed.

Children’s Christmas Party

A Christmas Party for all the children of our parish will take place on Sunday 18 December at 3.00pm in the Hall at St James. If there are any parents who would like to help organise it, please let Canon Kristian or Margaret Found know as soon as possible. A meeting to make preparations for the Party will take place this Tuesday, 6 December, in the Hall.

Day Retreats in Advent in Lynton Convent

The Sisters of Mary Morning Star in Lynton are offering free Day Retreats on the Tuesdays during Advent (6, 13 and 20 December), 11.30am-6.30pm. Following Mass there will be a time for adoration, rosary, walk in the Valley of the Rocks, teaching on lectio divina, ending with Vespers. There is no need to book, just bring a packed lunch and a bible! For more information, email srsmarymorningstar@gmail.com or call 01598 753373.

Church Key Survey

We need to undertake a key survey for insurance purposes. So, if you hold any keys for either of our churches, please would you put your name and which keys you hold on the paper at the entrance to church as soon as possible.

Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake and the Main Christmas Draws

Draw tickets are on sale for this year’s draw for Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake and for the main Christian Draw. The draw for the cake will take place next Sunday, 11 December, and the draw for the main Christmas Draw will happen on Saturday 17 December. So, now is the time to purchase your tickets if you haven’t done so already!

The Hour of Grace Devotion

The Hour of Grace is a devotion based on the writings of an Italian mystic, the Servant of God Luisa Piccaretta https://luisapiccarreta.co/. Our Lady asked her to promote an hour of prayer at noon on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. A few of our Polish parishioners will be observing this period of prayer at St James this Thursday, 8 December, and invite anyone who would like to join them.

Epiphany Concert

We will be holding an Epiphany Concert on Sunday 8 January 2023 at 3.00pm in the Hall at St James and want to involve St John’s School, our young people, singers and musicians. It would be great if different groups could prepare something for the concert and make it a really good parish event. Please let Bridget Tosh know if you are able to contribute a song and/or a piece of music to the concert.

Flame 2023 – Special Invitation to our Young People

Funerals

The Requiem Mass for Paula Hubbard RIP will take place at St Boniface this Friday, 9 December, at 10.00am. The Requiem Mass for Rosaleen Stephenson RIP will be held at St James on Friday 16 December at 11.30am. Her body will be received into church on Thursday 15 December at 4.30pm. Pleas keep them and their families in your prayers at the difficult time.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for December after the 6.00pm Mass on Saturday. New members are always welcome. Please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Teresa Cummings at St Boniface.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 4th December – 2nd Sunday of Advent

  • Saturday 3 December – St Francis Xavier, Priest

    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 4 December – Second Sunday of Advent (A)

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)

    Monday 5 December – Advent Weekday

    • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in the Hall

    Tuesday 6 December – St Nicholas, Bishop

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am
    • Preparation for Children’s Christmas Party at 7.30pm in the Hall

    Wednesday 7 December – St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor

    • Holy Mass at 12noon (at St Boniface) Arnold James Whitton BEM RIP

    Thursday 8 December – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

    • The “Hour of Grace” Devotion at 12noon
    • Book”/Lunch Club at 12.30pm at the College, Tiverton
    • Holy Mass at 6.00pm

    Friday 9 December – Advent Weekday

    • Requiem Mass for Paula Hubbard at 10.00am (at St Boniface)
    • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon
    • Christmas Fayre, 3.30-5.00pm, at St John’s School

    Saturday 10 December – Advent Weekday

    • First Holy Communion Preparation at 10.00am in the Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 11 December – Third Sunday of Advent (A) – Gaudete Sunday

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)
    • Shared Christmas Lunch at 12.45pm in the Hall (at St Boniface)