Praying for Dead in November

November is the traditional month of prayer for all those who have died. As has become the custom, a receptacle is placed in front of the altar in both of our churches to receive the names of your loved ones, family, friends and acquaintances who have died and for whom you ask the prayers of the parish community. At the 12noon Mass on Friday 1 December these names will be read out and prayed for publicly, so please write the names clearly so that they can be transcribed.

Hands Across the Generations

Tony and Anne Doble invite those from 5 years of age to older teenagers to stay behind after 11.30am Mass at St Boniface this Sunday for between 30-40 minutes to start making Greeting Cards to send from our Parish to the patients in Tiverton Hospital.

Music and Singing Afternoon

We will be holding one of our regular music and singing afternoons this Sunday at 2.30pm. It is the weekend of the World Day of the Poor, so there will be an attempt to focus on music with that theme in mind, as well as celebrating the end of the Church Year. Everyone is warmly welcomed to come along and play or sing.

World Day of the Poor 2023

T he annual World Day of the Poor takes place this Sunday with the theme: ‘Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor’ (Tobit 4:7). A copy of Pope Francis’ Message to us for this Day is attached to the Newsletter. We are invited to make every effort at this time to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance with those who are poor. The Holy Father’s message is a clear call to us not to turn our face away from the poor so that God’s face will not be turned away from us. The recent Synodal Assembly message to the people of God reminds us that to progress in our discernment, the Church absolutely needs to listen to everyone, starting with the poorest. We are invited at all times, but particularly on this Sunday, to reflect on how we can draw close to those who are poor and bring hope and dignity to all who are in need both at a personal and parish level. You can find more information on the Plymouth Diocesan website: www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/wdp23/.

Safeguarding Sunday

This Sunday is also Safeguarding Sunday.  We will be joining other Churches across the UK in highlighting the importance of protecting children, young people and adults at risk.  This is also an opportunity to celebrate those who work behind the scenes to make our Church a safer place for all.  

Safeguarding Sunday Prayer

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.

Confirmation Sunday

Next Sunday, the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, at the 10.00am Mass, 12 of our young people will be confirmed. This is a great blessing for our parish, so please do keep them in your prayers. Please note that the Mass in St Boniface will take place at 12noon next Sunday as a result.

A “Lament and Light” Service

An ecumenical Service will be held on Thursday 30 November at 3.00pm at Holy Family Church in Plymouth (Beacon Park Road, PL2 3LR).  The Service is in response to the 16 days of action against gender-based violence (25 November – 10 December), which is a campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.  The Service will be led by Fr Mark Skelton and Rev. Lizzi Green, followed by tea and coffee in the hall.

Switch On Support

This year’s parish winter project for CHAT – Switch On Support – is to purchase kettles, toasters and slow cookers to give to people moving into temporary or new accommodation, who are setting up home with a minimum of cooking appliances. Though these appliances are ordinary, they are vital in the process of creating a home. Items can be left at the entrance to church.

Parish Christmas Draw

Tickets for the Christmas Draw are now on sale, £1 each. Contributions of chocolates and biscuits to add to the prizes would be very welcome. Please leave them at the entrance to church.

Advent Retreat Day

An Advent Retreat Day – “Prepare a Way for the Lord: Faith and Works” – will be held at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton on Saturday 9 December, led by Deacon Nick Johnson.  The day begins at 9.30am and conclude with Mass at 3.15pm. There will be an opportunity for Adoration and Confession during the day. The cost, including lunch, is £25.00. Booking can be made by phone, email or online (www.stritascentre.org/events). Payment can be made on the day.

Red Mission Boxes

If you have a Red Mission Box that needs to be emptied, please return them to church before the end of November so that Maggie Pulford can finalise the contributions for 2023 to support the work of Missio.

200 Club

Congratulations to Lydia Perry who won the £30 prize and to Tony Reynolds who won the £20 prize in the November draw. The 200 Club is an ongoing fund raiser for the parish and subscriptions start at £1 a month for one number. If you would like to join please speak to either Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Teresa Cummings at St Boniface.