NEWSLETTER

Exaltation of the Cross (Year C)

Sunday 14th September, 2025

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters
On rare occasions, various Feasts of the Lord fall on Sundays in Ordinary Time and take the place of that Sunday’s liturgy.  Thus, as this Sunday is 14 September, the we are celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross rather than the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Entrance Antiphon of the Mass sets the tone for this Feast: “We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through him we are saved and made free“.  To glory in the Cross is the paradox at the centre of our Christian faith – that, in the midst of suffering and death, there is the sure hope of resurrection and new life.

Emptying himself of his divinity and giving his life totally out of love for us and all humanity, Christ freely chose to endure the passion and death of the Cross so as to conquer the powers of darkness and to open for us the way into his Kingdom of light. St Paul expresses this profound mystery of transformation beautifully in his Letter to the Church in Colossae, in what scholars believe to be part of a hymn or confession of faith of the early Christian community: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:13-19).

This week has seen yet more deadly violence in Ukraine, Gaza, Qatar and the United States of America.  Amidst the seemingly never-ending divisions and growing conflicts of our world we can easily begin to fall into despair and lose hope.  However, in his address to the people gathered at the Wednesday Audience in Rome this week, in his continuing catechesis for the Jubilee Year focussed on Jesus Christ our Hope, Pope Leo gave a profoundly moving meditation on the final cry of Jesus on the Cross in the Gospel of Mark: “Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last” (Mark 15:37), a cry which was preceded by the heart-rending question: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“, taken from Psalm 22.  The Holy Father’s words are well-worth our reflection, not only because they give us a context in which to live the present reality of the world around us but also give meaning and value to the moments of extreme trial in our own lives.

To cry out, the Pope says: “…becomes a spiritual gesture.  It is not only the first act of our birth, when we come into the world crying: it is also a way of staying alive.  One cries when one suffers, but also when one loves, one calls, one invokes.  To cry out is saying who we are…that we still have something to offer.  In the journey of life, there are moments in which keeping something inside can slowly consume us.  Jesus teaches us not to be afraid to cry out, as long as it is sincere, humbled, addressed to the Father.  A cry is never pointless, if it is born of love. And it is never ignored, if it is delivered to God.  It is a way to not give in to cynicism, to continue to believe that another world is possible“.  I would encourage each of you to read the whole of the Holy Father’s short address.  It speaks directly to the heart and to the healing power of tears; they are words that we need to hear if we are to continue to be Pilgrims and Heralds of Hope in our world at this time: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/audiences/2025/documents/20250910-udienza-generale.html.
Cycle of Catechesis – Jubilee 2025. Jesus Christ our Hope. III. The Passover of Jesus. 6. Death. “Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last” (Mk 15:37). Dear brothers and sisters, Good morning, and thank you for your presence: a beautiful witness! Today we will contemplate the culmination of Jesus’ life in this world: his death on the cross. The Gospels attest to a very precious …
www.vatican.va
It is also Pope Leo’s 70th birthday this Sunday, so I am sure we will all be praying for him, his continued good health and his Petrine ministry to us and to the world.
I continue to encourage those who have yet to complete and return an updated parish census form to do so.  It is really important that I have a true picture of the membership of our parish community and to have the ability to contact you or to find you if I need to.  Additional forms are available at the back of church.
Along with the newsletter, I attach:
  • Monika Manser’s guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel
  • the latest number of Inspire, offered by Deacon Peter
  • the newsletter for the Parish Laudato Si’ Group
  • the application form for First Holy Communion 2026
As always, we keep the frail and sick members of our community in our prayers in a special way, and remember those who have died recently, especially Eduarda Santos’s mother and Sam Magne’s mother.  May they both rest in peace and rise in glory.
May God bless our world and our hearts with peace,
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

Season of Creation

The September Newsletter from the parish Laudato Si’ Group is attached to the Newsletter. You are also invited to join in the Novena of Prayer to St Francis: https://cafod.org.uk/pray/prayer-resources/novena-to-st-francis, and to listen to an online talk by Bishop John Arnold on Peace with Creation this Sunday at 6.00pm: https://www.lcsb.uk/seasonofcreation2025.

Vigil of Prayer for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank

A Vigil for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank which will consist of silence interspersed with prayer, poetry and praise, will take place this Tuesday, 16 September, at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s, Tiverton.

First Holy Communion 2026

Parents who have children who are in Year 2 or older and who wish them to start preparing to receive First Holy Communion next year are asked to complete the attached application form and to return it to Canon Kristian or the parish office as soon as possible.

Fun Quiz Night

Fun Quiz Night will take place this Friday 19 September, 6.30 for 7.00pm start, in St Andrew’s Hall. Tables need to be booked in advance, so please call Terry (07997 805475) or Siobhan (07522 338897). Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Proceeds will go towards the interior refurbishment of St James.

Home Mission Sunday

Next Sunday is Home Mission Sunday. There will be a retiring collection to support the work of the Evangelisation Office of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Memory Bank at Tiverton Museum

The Memory Bank at Tiverton Museum takes place on the third Friday of the month from 2.00-3.30pm. It is a really informal set up, designed to encourage participants to reminisce and to share their memories over a cup of tea. The sessions are suitable for anyone who would like to share their memories, or just to listen to other people’s, including, but not limited to, those living with mild to moderate dementia. Carers and family members are welcome to come along too. Each time the Museum provides objects and photos from its collection to prompt discussion. Sessions are run by volunteers and cost £3.00 per person (£2.50 for museum members), payable on arrival.

Diocesan Newsletter and Diocesan Youth Events Newsletter

The September Newsletter from the Diocese is available here, and the latest Diocesan Youth Events Newsletter can be found here.

Jubilee Online Event: Migrants, Missionaries of Hope

This Jubilee year, Pope Francis chose “Migrants, missionaries of hope” as the theme for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. As the Season of Creation draws to a close, on Thursday 25 September, 6.00-7.30pm, Caritas Plymouth invites you to join speakers from Caritas, CAFOD and the Ecological Conversion Group for an online event exploring how we can respond in faith to the challenges of forced migration, rooted in politics, conflict and climate change. The speakers will be John Paul de Quay (Ecological Conversion Group) on how our daily choices connect to environmental destruction, instability and migration; Richard Sloman (CAFOD, Bangladesh) on projects supporting vulnerable Bangladeshi migrants facing exploitation; and Alex Miranda (Caritas Plymouth) on Love the Stranger, the Bishops’ blueprint for a faith-based welcome to those fleeing persecution and poverty. Together participants will explore how Catholic parishes can be catalysts for positive change, welcoming the stranger and promoting the common good. Registration is essential: https://forms.office.com/e/xLCdVxiBAh.

Fundraising for St James

The roof has now gone onto the new church of St James and, hopefully, it will only be another six months before we can move back to our own home in Tiverton. There is now a greater focus on raising money for the internal re-fitting of the church. Many Coffee Mornings and similar parish events have been held over the last few years and we are grateful for the hard work and generosity of those who have planned and those who have supported these occasions. A fundraising “thermometer” has been placed in the entrance to St Andrew’s Church to show the progress of our fundraising and donations so far. There is also a donations box at the top of the thermometer for any individual donations that you may like to give. Donations can also be made using the parish contactless machine. The Friends of St James and St Boniface, who plan fundraising and social events, meet regularly on a Saturday morning in St Andrew’s Hall. They next meet on Saturday 18 October at 9.00am. Maybe you could consider coming along and joining in this important part of parish life!

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for September after the 6.00pm Mass this Saturday.  If you would like one or more numbers in this parish fund raiser for as little as £1 a month, please let Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon know at St Andrew’s or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.

Diocesan Youth Rally

The Diocesan Youth Rally 2025, aimed at those aged 6-16 years, will take place on Saturday 20 September at St Rita’s, Honiton, 12noon-6.00pm. Come as a team of 6 (over 12’s or under 12’s) or join a team at the rally itself. This is a fun way to meet others from across the Diocese, to have a go at some of the challenges and maybe to win a trophy. To book, go to: https://forms.office.com/e/swtEZ0viqV, and for further information, contact youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Masses and Events this week

14th September – Exaltation of the Cross

  • Saturday 13 September – St John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor

    • Friends of St James and St Boniface at 9.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 14 September – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Joaquina Martins Neto RIP
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo

    Monday 15 September – Our Lady of Sorrows

    • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall

    Tuesday 16 September – St Cornelius and St Cyprian, Martyrs

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am
    • Vigil for Peace in Gaza at 7.30pm

    Wednesday 17 September – Weekday

    • No Mass at St Boniface

    Thursday 18 September – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Friday 19 September – St Theodore of Canterbury, Bishop

    • Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon
    • Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
    • Quiz Night at 7.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall

    Saturday 20 September – St Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, St Paul Chŏng Hasang and Companions, Martyrs

    • Holy Baptism of Liam Apetrii at 11.30am
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 21 September – Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo