World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

This Sunday is the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which takes for its theme: “Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71:9). Pope Francis concludes his Message for today saying: “On this Fourth World Day devoted to them, let us show our tender love for the grandparents and the elderly members of our families. Let us spend time with those who are disheartened and no longer hope in the possibility of a different future. In place of the self-centred attitude that leads to loneliness and abandonment, let us instead show the open heart and the joyful face of men and women who have the courage to say, “I will not abandon you”, and to set out on a different path”.

Prayer Intention for August

During the month of August, Pope Francis invites us to join him in praying for political leaders. We pray that political leaders may be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their
jobs. For a video of the Holy Father introducing this intention go to: www.popevideo.org/.

60^th Wedding Anniversary Congratulations

Our warmest congratulations go to Pauline and Clive Murphy, who celebrated the Diamond Anniversary of their wedding on 18 July. We wish them every blessing for the years to come.

Coffee Mornings

Please put the following Coffee Morning date to raise funds for the internal fixtures of the rebuilt St James into your diaries:

• Saturday 10 August, 10.00am-12noon, Margaret and Sarah, Stylehurst, Ashley, Tiverton, EX16 5PA.

If you would like to host a Coffee Morning or other similar event (or to host another one, if you have already hosted one!), please have a word with either Margaret Found or Maggie Pulford.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons

This Tuesday, 30 July, is the annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, an event to raise awareness and increase prevention of people-trafficking and modern-day slavery. The theme this year is: ‘Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking’.  One in three victims of trafficking including forced labour, criminality or begging, online and sexual abuse and exploitation, and being trafficked for illegal adoption is a child, with girls being disproportionately affected.  Children are also twice as likely to be subjected to violence during trafficking than adults. 

If you need support, or you are concerned about someone else, please contact: the Diocesan Safeguarding Office on 01364 645430, Monday to Friday, from 9.00am to 4.30pm, the UK Charity Unseen, which provides safe houses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery (https://www.unseenuk.org/working-with-survivors/), or the 24/7 Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700.

CHAT – Become a Giver of Hope

CHAT which, next year, will celebrated its 30^th Anniversary, held its AGM last Thursday. We learnt of the magnificent work done by the staff, together with an army of volunteers, to help people out of food poverty, to advocate for those with housing needs and to assist people in managing their debts. Sadly, there has been a significant rise in both food poverty and homelessness over the past year in our area, and CHAT is dependent on having a steady stream of income in order to carry out its work on our behalf. They would particularly like people to become regular donors as Givers of Hope by setting up a Standing Order. A copy of the form is attached to the newsletter and will be available at church.

National Eucharistic Congress

The National Eucharistic Congress will take place on Saturday 14 Sept at Oscott in Birmingham. A coach will leave our diocese to take pilgrims from across our five deaneries to this faith-affirming national event. It will include talks, Mass and a Eucharistic Procession. Please ring (01202) 746539 or email christopher.findlay@prcdtr.org.uk  ASAP if would like to go along.

Confirmation 2025

Next year is a Confirmation year for the parish, so if there are any young people, aged 14 or over, who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please complete the attached form and return it to the Parish Office as soon as possible, so that we will be able to make plans to start the preparation programme in the Autumn.

SVP National Raffle

Over the next few weekends, members of the SVP will be selling raffle tickets at church to raise funds for the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul nationally. Tickets cost £1 each or £5 for a book. The first prize is £5000 and the second one is £1000. There are 15 additional prizes of £100. 

SVP Parish Skittles Evening

The SVP will be holding its annual parish skittles evening on Friday 30 August at the Racehorse Pub, Wellbrook Street, Tiverton. Further details will follow.

Diocesan Youth Rally

Join other young people from across the Diocese at St Rita’s in Honiton for the Youth Rally on Saturday 28 September 2024. There will be many activities for all to join in, including the obstacle course, penalty shoot-out and various inflatable activities. Young people from 6 – 16 years of age are welcome to form teams of 6. Teams can be formed on the day if a parish does not have six young people at the Rally. The suggested donation is £10 per person. For booking or further questions please contact, Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk