November – Month of Prayer for the Dead

 Throughout the month of November it is customary for us to pray in a more focussed way for those who have died. From 2 November there will be a pot in from of the altar for the names of family, loved ones and friends who have died. Mass on Friday 25 November will be celebrated for all these people and each will be prayed for by name at the Mass.
Many people we know – our neighbours, friends and work colleagues who are not Catholics or even people of any explicit faith at all – have also lost someone precious to them. This month is an opportunity for us to ask them sensitively whether they would like us to pray for that person. This is a gentle way of opening up a conversation about questions of death and life after death, and provides a context in which to share our Christian faith in the reality of the resurrection. These names can be added to the pot. A form is attached to the Newsletter for names, but any suitable piece of paper can be used.
World Day of the Poor Novena and Reflections

The sixth World Day of the Poor will be celebrated by the Catholic Church next Sunday, 13 November, with the theme of “For your sakes Christ became poor” (2 Cor 8:9). Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the Bishops’ Conference agency promoting domestic social action, in collaboration with Redemptorist Publications, has produced a booklet including a novena and daily reflections, which start on 1 November. Raymond Friel, CEO, CSAN, said: “The resources we have gathered here are offered to the Catholic community as a way of deepening our encounter with those who are poor, of examining our own conscience about our lifestyles and how our faith is expressed in loving action.”

Chocolate Making Workshop Youth Event

In line with Pope Francis’ teaching in Laudato Si’, a chocolate making workshop will be held at Holy Cross Church, Yelverton, next Saturday 12 November, 9.30am-3.30pm during which young people will have a chance to reflect on the importance of how food and packaging is made and their impact on our world and the living creatures on it. Everyone will have a chance to make their own chocolate from ethically sourced raw ingredients and design and create their own packaging. There is a suggested donation of £5. To book: https://forms.office.com/r/zc3rLmC5Un.

Parish Pastoral Council Membership

Many thanks to all those who agreed to have their names put forward as potential members of the Parish Pastoral Council. It was heartening to see a wide cross-section of the parish community offering their services. A selection has been made which encompasses the different geographical areas, cultural backgrounds and roles within the parish, and those chosen will be notified in the next few days. Thank you once again to everyone who volunteered.

Homes for Ukraine Matching Service

Caritas Social Action Network, in partnership with St John of God Hospitaller Services, have launched a service to bring together Ukrainian people displaced by the brutal war in their country with people in the Catholic community willing to host them in their homes for six months. Once the match is confirmed, the Ukrainian guest can apply for their visa. Coping with the cost-of-living crisis will be the main concern for many people this winter, but if you have room in your home and your heart to consider welcoming a stranger displaced by war, then CSAN and SJOG would love to hear from you. Please visit https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/ for more information.

Parish Showing of “The Letter: A Message for our Earth”

The recently released and deeply moving 80-minute documentary on the impact of climate change on different parts of our world and on the lives of real people entitled “The Letter: A Message for our Earth”, sponsored by Pope Francis, will be shown in the parish hall on Tuesday 15 November at 7.00pm.

Advent Retreat Day

An Advent Retreat Day, led by Canon Mark O’Keeffe and entitled: “Our Deepest Gifts: The Four Themes of Advent” will be held on Saturday 3 December at St Rita’s Centre in Honiton. The charge for the day, including lunch, is £25.00. Booking can be made by phone 01404 42635, email admin@stritascentre.org 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.

200 Club

Congratulations to Pat Kennedy who won the £30 prize and to Janet Robson who won the £20 prize in last weekend’s draw. The 200 Club is an ongoing fundraiser for the Parish and new members can join for as little as £1 a month. Please speak to either Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Teresa Cummings at St Boniface.

Parish Singing Afternoon – “Remembering and Waiting”

We will be holding another Parish Singing Afternoon followed by Tea and Cake on Sunday 20 November at St James, this time centred on the November theme of “remembering” and the Advent theme of “waiting”. Please do give your suggestions of hymns and songs to Bridget Tosh.

Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake Draw

Draw tickets go on sale at church this weekend for this year’s draw for Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake. You have to be in it to win it!

Donations for the Big Christmas Draw

Donations of bottles of wine, spirits and other drinks, chocolates and Christmas themed items are wanted for this year’s Big Christmas Draw. Please leave items at the entrance to church.

Operation New Warm Clothes

There is a particular need for clothes, especially underwear and nightwear from boys, aged 6-9. Please leave donations in the designated box at church.