CAFOD Syria-Turkey Earthquake Appeal

In the wake of the terrible earthquakes in Syria and Turkey on 6 February, CAFOD’s local experts are already on the ground in Syria and responding to the needs of those affected. CAFOD has been working in Syria for years providing humanitarian support to families affected by the 12 year long conflict – families who now face another devastating crisis.   

  Because of the generosity of parishes in recent Fast Days and other donations, CAFOD has been able to make an initial allocation of £100,000 to provide urgent humanitarian support – food, water, shelter, medical assistance and winter kits – in the worst affected areas. CAFOD also set up a Syria-Turkey Emergency Appeal.    For those who cannot donate online, there is a basket in church for cash donations and contactless donations can be given via the “Second Collection” tab on our contactless giving machine.

Ash Wednesday

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. In order to enable as many people as possible to come to Mass and to be marked with the ashes, Masses will be celebrated at 10.00am and 6.00pm at St James and at 12noon at St Boniface. There will also be a Service at St John’s School at 9.00am with the imposition of ashes. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence.

“Walk with Me” and “Day by Day”

To help with our Lenten spiritual preparations for Holy Week and Easter, copies of “Walk with Me” and “Day by Day” are available this week which give the Mass readings for each day of Lent and a daily spiritual reflection. These booklets are free, so please do take your copies home with you. There are also some booklets and calendars especially prepared for children.

Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Confession

After Mass on Thursdays at St James during Lent, from 6.30-7.30pm, there will be a time of silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as well as an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession.

Sharing Hobbies

We are looking at the possibility of arranging some meetings in the hall at St James to share our hobbies. Do you have a hobby that you would like to demonstrate and/or share with other members of the parish community? If so, please email Pauline Pym at sogno265@btinternet.com.

Stations of the Cross

At 4.00pm on the Sundays of Lent the Stations of the Cross will be prayed together in one of our churches as specified in the Parish Diary.

Lives to Inspire Online Lenten Retreat

Starting on Ash Wednesday, the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow is offering an online Lenten Retreat with the theme “Lives to Inspire”. Introducing the theme, the ISC writes: ‘We all know of people whose lives inspire us by their courage, generosity, imagination or brilliance. Christian Churches, either informally or formally, present us with inspiring people that they call ‘saints’. Over Lent this year, we will tell you a little more about the lives of over 40 people, some canonised saints, others renowned for their lives of love and public service. Saints are not perfect people but they do have aspects of their lives that stand out and are worthy of emulation’. Further details can be found at https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk/lent23.html.

Barbara Strong will hold an online “listening and sharing” group on Zoom every Sunday evening to share experiences of sitting with each day’s story. These online meetings will start at 7.00pm on Sunday 26 February. If you would like to know more, please contact Barbara Strong on strongbarbara@gmail.com and she will send you the link.

Lent Retreat Day at St Rita’s, Honiton

On Saturday 18 March, starting at 9.30am, Father José Romero OAR will lead a retreat day on the theme: “Holy Shroud of Jesus – Icon, Relic, Witness”. The cost, including lunch (3 course meal), is £25.00. Booking can be made by phone, email or online (www.stritascentre.org/events). Payment can be made on the day. If you have any questions, please contact Krista Radzina on 01404 42635. Further details are on the noticeboard.

Caritas at Lent: “For your sakes Christ became poor” (2 Cor 8:9)

Caritas Diocese of Plymouth has created a Calendar for Lent (https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/lentcalendar/) to suggest ways in which we can use this time for prayer, reflection and action at the service of the poor.  Just a few small actions each week can make a positive difference. You can also join the Big Lent Walk to support the work of CAFOD by visiting: https://walk.cafod.org.uk/about-the-walk/.

Great Big Diocesan Quiz

Our parish will be taking part in the Great Big Diocesan Quiz on Friday 28 April at 7.30pm. You are invited to form teams of four people to take part in the Quiz which we will hold in the hall at St James. Please give your team a name and let Rosie know the details of your team at the Parish Office via email. The winning team in the Diocese will receive a lovely little trophy, and this event really does help raise much needed funds for the Catholic Children’s Society.

January Parish Giving

Loose Plate: £1352.89 Contactless: £285.00 Standing Orders: £2343.00