World Day of Prayer for Vocations

T his Sunday is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is an opportunity to pray for vocations and to encourage those who may be considering ordained or religious life. The Diocese of Plymouth also asks for your assistance in supporting our seminarians through their training and formation, both through prayer and financial support. If you are able to contribute to our Seminarians’ Fund, either as a single donation or through regular giving, please give generously in the retiring collection, using the Gift Aid envelope if you are a tax-payer to increase your donation, or go to https://priesthoodplymouth.co.uk/resources.

Pope Francis has issued a Message for this 61^st Day of Prayer, with the title “Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace”.

Tiverton Churches Together Green Pastures Partnership Project?

T his Monday, 22 April, at 9.30am at The Lighthouse Christian Bookshop and Café (downstairs), there will be a key initial meeting to explore the possibility of a Tiverton Churches Together Green Pastures partnership project. Ali Padfield from CHAT will be present, as well as Rob and Sarah Simons (via zoom) from Green Pastures, who oversee project developments in the Southwest. Those interested are invited to come along or join via Zoom –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82503411258?pwd=dCtUb0RDM1pWVmdqTjBGRW4weW8wQT09 Meeting ID: 825 0341 1258 Passcode: 006785.

For an introduction to Green Pastures partnerships: Working together to house the homeless: https://youtu.be/5a038telO84?feature=shared; Helping you house the homeless: https://youtu.be/IPfgiq1lmiw?feature=shared; Ending homelessness – ethical investment: https://youtu.be/aHtBCJ4AGgk?feature=shared.

Prints for Sale

One of our parishioners, Pauline Pym, has had prints of three pieces of her beautiful artwork made to raise fund for the St James Building Fund. The prints come in two sizes and are available for a minimum donation of £5 a print. The red print is called “Eucharist”, the yellow sky is called “Outward Bound” and the red sky “Homecoming”. These last two pieces of art were created following the loss of a close friend. They go on a new journey and sailaway from us, but the other side of that journey is their homecoming. A boat sails out of our view but appears on another horizon and comes home to God.

Parish Summer Fête

We will be holding our Summer Fête at St James on Saturday 11 May, 11.30am-1.30pm. Please put the date in your calendar and bring your family and friends. This week we are appealing for volunteers to take charge of the stalls. Please sign up on the list in the hall. We, of course, always need help to set up and tidy away, so the more volunteers the merrier! Watch out for further appeals over the next three weeks.

Laudato Si’ Week 19-26 May – Calling all Craft Groups and Creators!

D uring Laudato Si’ week, there will be an exhibition and prayer walk at our Cathedral in Plymouth interpreting Laudato Si’ through artwork and reflections by pupils from local schools.  All visitors to the Cathedral will also be invited to add to a mass participation artwork called the Mossy Carpet. People are invited to make a textile tuft – for example crochet, knit, embroider, plait, pompom – or something else to attach to the carpet! This artwork will help us to consider how our small actions can make a huge change, and how our Christian faith calls us to be part of the restoration of nature.  

There will be drop-in workshops from 12noon-4pm on Monday 20 May at the Cathedral, but the Mossy Carpet will be in place from 18-24 May for people to visit and add their contributions.   If you cannot come to the Cathedral but are able to help us by making some crafts to contribute, please contact caritas@prcdtr.org.uk for some further guidance.  

Youth Adventure Residential Weekend and Youth Events Newsletter

This year’s Youth Adventure weekend will be at Grangehurst, Buckfast Abbey, 24–26 May. This is the third year of running this event. It is aimed at those aged 10–14. Those that have attended the earlier residentials talk about the enjoyment of meeting other Catholics from across the diocese, along with a chance to explore their faith. Many of the friendships have continued to grow since the residentials and the young people often seek each other out at other events. The adventures will include caving and bushcraft, with many other challenges and activities threaded throughout the weekend. There is a recommended contribution of £100 to cover costs. For further information contact, Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

The latest version of the Youth Events Newsletter can be found at: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-1AED89E079A409D42540EF23F30FEDED. This newsletter aims to be circulated weekly. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send an email to the above address. The newsletter is a great way for those who are interested in working with youth, or who are already doing so, to hear about what is happening across our diocese.

Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT)

CHAT sometimes has a need for additional or specific prayer support so, if you would like to be one of their prayer partners, they would love to reach out to you to when those needs arise via email (everything is confidential and anonymised).  Please email theoffice@chatmid.co.uk to let them know you would like to participate in this ministry of prayer.  CHAT is also dedicating some time to look more closely at the impact of food poverty on our community. CHAT’s aim is to support those who need it and guide them towards independence, so they are very grateful for the donations they receive. If you have supported the CHAT foodbank, kindly spare a few minutes to fill out the brief survey at https://bit.ly/CHATfood. During March CHAT fed 530 people and they would not be able to do this without your help so thank you for your time and continued support.