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 front of the altar for the names of family, loved ones and friends who have died. Mass this Friday, 25 November, will be celebrated for all these people and each will be prayed for by name.

Safeguarding Sunday

This Sunday is Safeguarding Sunday.  We will be joining thousands of other churches across the UK to highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable people as part of Safeguarding Sunday, an awareness-raising national campaign organised by the Christian safeguarding Charity Thirty-one:eight. This year’s campaign coincides with the start of National Safeguarding Adults Week (21–27 November). The theme this year is: ‘One church, One day, One message’.

Justice and hope are at the heart of the Christian message. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate those who work behind the scenes to protect children, young people and adults at risk and make our Church a safer place for all.   We thank and pray for those who have stepped up to coordinate safeguarding in each of our parishes across the diocese. We are grateful to all of our Parish Safeguarding Representatives who generously volunteer their time for this vital role. Please join in the prayer for this Sunday:

Dear God,

help us to be a Church that:

loves, welcomes, protects,

listens, learns, serves,

repents, restores, transforms,

values, cares and believes.

God of justice and compassion, hear our prayer.

Help us, heal us, guide us, we pray.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Parish Singing Afternoon – “Remembering and Waiting”

Our Parish Singing Afternoon followed by Tea and Cake will take place this Sunday, 20 November, at 2.30pm at St James, centred on the November theme of “remembering” and the Advent theme of “waiting”. Please come along and enjoy some time together. God has given us all a voice to sing!

Youth Sunday: “Rise Up”

The theme for this Youth Sunday, which is shared with Flame 2023, reflects a call to stand up again, together, to find fresh strength and to help others to rise up too. It reminds the young people in the Church that they are called to commit themselves again to use the energy, gifts, talents they have in new ways.

In November 2020, Pope Francis called for a relaunch of World Youth Day and moving forward asks the global Catholic community to celebrate it locally on the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is a day for the world to recognise and celebrate young people in our local church communities, whether that be through school, at home, or of course in church.

Indian Celebration

This Sunday at 6.00pm in the hall at St Boniface, Cullompton, there is an invite from some of our Indian parishioners to join them in celebrating their culture and food. This is a great way to get to know the growing number of our parishioners originating from the Subcontinent. Parking at St Boniface is very limited and the surrounding streets are usually lined with cars so, if you are able, please use one of the carparks in the town.

YMCA Cullompton and Halberton Chaplain’s Report and Appeal

Attached to the Newsletter is Annual Report and Appeal Letter from Revd Hazel Britton, the Chaplain of YMCA Cullompton and Halberton. In her covering email, Hazel writes: “Dear Tiverton, Cullompton, Willand and Halberton Churches…I was asked to become the first YMCA chaplain in this area in September 2021…There have been many success stories and many opportunities to share God’s love impacting people from, and returning to, the whole area and beyond!”

Mary’s Meals

This weekend we warmly welcome a volunteer speaker from Mary’s Meals who will talk briefly at the end of all Masses to raise awareness of this remarkable Charity which gives hope of a life free from poverty and hunger for thousands of hungry children in our world.

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 (29 November; and 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.

Canon Kristian’s Christmas Cake Draw

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

Big Christmas Draw – Donations and Tickets

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. Tickets for the Draw are on sale at the entrance to church.