Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul

T he Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul occurs this Thursday, 29 June. As this is a Holy Day of Obligation, when we are all called to come together to celebrate Mass, there will be a Vigil Mass for the Solemnity at 6.00pm in St Boniface on Wednesday 28 June and Masses on 29 June at 10.00am and 6.00pm in St James.

This Solemnity reminds us of the importance of our communion with the Successor of St Peter and Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. The annual collection, traditionally called “Peter’s Pence”, will be taken at the Masses next weekend. This is our annual opportunity to contribute towards the charitable work of the Holy Father around the world. Lots of important and interesting information about the Peter’s Pence Collection can be found at https://www.obolodisanpietro.va/en.html. Take a look in particular at the short, beautiful video – https://youtu.be/ASp9Qt4bmqw – included on the website.

Volunteering for the Catholic Children’s Society

The Catholic Children’s Society in the Diocese of Plymouth is looking for volunteers to join them either as a Parish Volunteer or as a Trustee to serve on its Board which meets four times a year. The Society is also looking for Youth Trustees to bring the views of young people to our work. If you would like to consider taking on a role, please contact Vicki Dunstone, the Society’s Fundraiser and Communications Officer on 01364 645420 or email vicki.dunstone@prcdtr.org.uk to request an information pack detailing how you could get involved to helping the Children’s Society.

Mission Animation

Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries invite Red Box Holders and all parishioners to a Mission Animation to explore and celebrate mission in the Diocese of Plymouth next Saturday 1 July, 1.00-2.30pm, at the St Richard Reynolds Centre, Blessed Sacrament Church, Heavitree, Exeter. Light refreshments will be available.

“Re-engage” Afternoon Concert and Tea

Re-engage, a charity supporting those – especially the elderly – who would enjoy the opportunity to socialise with others, is hosting a free concert and tea next Sunday 2 July at 3.00pm. It will take place in a beautiful house near Tiverton and transport will be provided. The concert will last for about an hour, with music provided by Lydia Fitton and her friends, followed by tea and cakes. If you would like to come, please email Lydia on lydiafitton1@gmail.com.

Invitation to Survivors of Abuse

The Diocese would very much appreciate hearing from people who have a lived experience of abuse, so that we can involve them in the work we are doing to support survivors.  We would welcome the opportunity to hear survivors’ feedback and ideas, so that we can improve our response to those who have been hurt by abuse.  If you think you might be able to help us in this work, or if you would like to find out more about what we are doing in the Diocese to support survivors, please contact Sophie Scagell (Survivor Support Caseworker) on 01364 645436 or by email at sophie.scagell@prcdtr.org.uk.

“Instrumentum Laboris” for the Synod in October 2023

The Instrumentum Laboris (or Working Document), a document of some 60 pages that incorporates the experiences of local Churches in every region of the world – those experiencing wars, climate change and economic systems that produce exploitation, inequality and waste, those whose faithful suffer martyrdom in countries where they are minorities or where they are coming to terms with an increasingly driven, and sometimes aggressive, secularisation, those wounded by sexual abuse or abuses of power and conscience, those that are fearlessly confronting the challenges by engaging in the synodal discernment without trying to resolve them at all costs – was released on Tuesday morning. This document will be the basis for the work of the participants in the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, which begins in the Vatican in October 2023 and concludes with a second Assembly next year. This document is unique of its kind and is well worth reading and studying. A copy is attached to the Newsletter.

Sponsored Walk for CHAT

Our parishioner, Ewelina Żychlinska, and her daughter, Zofia, are doing a 1000km walk over three months to raise funds to support the work of CHAT. If you would like to support them, you can do so online at Ewelina Żych is fundraising for Churches Housing Action Team (Mid Devon) Ltd (justgiving.com) or by giving your donation to them directly.

Cheese and Wine Evening

We will be holding the popular Cheese and Wine Evening in the Hall at St James on Friday 7 July at 7.00pm. So that we will have a wide variety of cheeses, donations of cheese would be greatly appreciated. A list can be found at the entrance to church to sign up against the variety of cheese you would like to donate.

Vocations to the Priesthood – Day of Reflection

Have you ever asked the question ‘Is God calling me to priesthood or to the religious life?’. This Day of Reflection for men will be held on Saturday 8 July from 10.00am to 4.00pm at Sclerder Abbey in Cornwall. The day will include Mass, a time of Eucharistic Adoration, a short conference, an opportunity for Confession and ‘One to One talks’ with serving priests in our Diocese, and sharing food together (this will be provided, so do make your special dietary requirements known).  Under 18s are welcome to attend with parents’ permission. For further information and to register for the event, please contact Fr Jacek Kostuch on Jacek.Kostuch@prcdtr.org.uk  by 3 July 2023 at the latest.  Arrangements can be made to collect you from Liskeard Railway Starion and return afterwards, if required.