Laetare Sunday – Mothering Sunday

The fourth Sunday of Lent has the title “Laetare Sunday” taken from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon to the Mass for this Sunday: Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. We are reminded at this midpoint of the Lenten Season that our Lenten observance and our response to the Lord’s invitation to repentance is always undertaken with the joy of the new life of Easter in view. This Sunday is also the annual day in which we honour, pray and give thanks for all mothers, whether they are still with us or they have gone before us on the path of life.

Easter Cards for Orchard Lea Residential Home

The children and young people in St James are invited to make Easter Cards for the residents of Orchard Lea. after the 10.00am Mass this Sunday, 10 March.

St Patrick’s Day Afternoon Tea

T o celebrate St Patrick’s Day, we will be holding an Afternoon Tea Party next Sunday 17 March in the Hall at 3.00pm. There is a list at the entrance to the church for those who would be willing to help make cakes for this special occasion. The Tea will include some singing and some storytelling. It would be lovely to see many of our parishioners, families and children there. If you would like to come, please put your name down on the list provided so that we will have an idea of how many to cater for.

“At the Supper of the Lamb” – A Commentary on the Mass

Canon Kristian will be leading a weekly session looking at the different parts of the Mass. The remaining dates are as follows: Wednesday 13 March – The Communion Rite, and Wednesday 20 March – The Concluding Rites. The sessions will take place at 7.00pm in the Hall.

Diocesan Lenten Offerings

Individuals from around the Diocese are producing weekly “Lenten Offerings” – prayers and reflections – to help nourish, inspire, support and uplift us on our spiritual journey. The link for the Fourth Sunday of Lent is: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-EDAC5E04E68FD8C92540EF23F30FEDED.

Safeguarding our Children at Church

In order to safeguard our children whilst at church, parents are asked to ensure that any child under the age of 12 is always accompanied by a trusted adult if they need to leave the church during Mass to go to the toilet or into the hall/entrance area.

“Tough Times” Support Group

A new “Tough Times” support group is starting in the parish to provide a safe space to share, vent and find solace in navigating life’s storms. It will provide a friendly space to find strength in shared experiences and in the comforting embrace of our faith. We are not alone; we can walk this journey together, leaning on the hope found in Christ. The group will meet on the last Tuesday of every month at 7.00pm in the hall at St Boniface in Cullompton, starting on 26 March.

Health and Safety at St James

It has been great to see St James full to capacity for the Sunday morning Mass over recent weeks. In order to ensure that there is room for everyone and that the aisles are kept clear, please stow bags and other items under your pew rather than in the aisle or on the pew itself and, if possible, could those with young children leave any buggies and strollers in the hall.

Easter Draw and “Name the Easter Bunny”

The tickets for the Easter Draw go on sale this weekend, £1 ticket. Donations of Easter Eggs, chocolates, biscuits and bottles would be greatly appreciated. Please leave them at the entrance to church. We are also fortunate to have another 1kg chocolate Lindt Easter Bunny to help with our fundraising for the new church in Tiverton. Guess the name of the bunny, which Canon Kristian has selected from the list available, £1 a name!

Catholic Children’s Society – Sporting Bundle Prize

The Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) has teamed up with three local sporting clubs and grounds to offer a one wonderful prize for one lucky winner.  The lucky winner will receive the following sporting bundle:

• EXETER CHIEFS – 2 standing tickets in the North Terrace for the game against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday, 23 March 2024

• TORQUAY UNITED – 4 seats in the family stand for the game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 20 April 2024

• EXETER RACECOURSE – 2 complimentary tickets for a race day of your choice in the 2023/24 season.

V isit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-sporting-bundle to purchase tickets: £10 for one entry or buy two entries for £20 and receive a third entry for free.  Alternatively scan this QR code to be taken directly to our Crowdfunding Prize Draw page. All proceeds raised from the prize draw will enable CCSP to continue to support families of all faiths and none living in our Diocese. The closing date for the purchase of tickets is this coming Thursday, 14 March.

200 Club

Congratulations to Dorothy Yates who won the £30 prize and to Anne Doble who won the £20 prize in the March draw. The 200 Club is an ongoing fund raiser 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

The Friends of St James and St Boniface

The Friends of St James and St Boniface, the parish group which plans both social and fundraising events for our parish community, meets this coming Friday at 1.00pm in the hall at St James. This is an important part of our parish life, especially in view of the impending rebuilding of St James. The Friends is an open group and so any parishioner is warmly welcome to come along, become a “Friend” and participate in its work.