World Mission Sunday

This weekend parishes worldwide are celebrating World Mission Sunday. By supporting Missio, the Pope’s charity for world mission, we stand united as God’s global family, in prayer, solidarity and action. We are called to ‘go and invite everyone to the banquet’, for the joy of Christ’s Resurrection is a gift meant to be shared with the entire world. Please pray for missionaries and give what you can to this vital collection, bringing God’s compassion, peace and justice to those in need. To donate, use the Missio envelope, call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or visit www.missio.org.uk to give a gift or set up a Direct Debit, and Gift Aid your donation if possible. A copy of the Message from Pope Francis for this year’s World Mission Day is attached to the Newsletter.

Oppose the Assisted Suicide Bill

T he Bishops of England and Wales are calling on Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action to oppose assisted suicide. In early September 2024, when parliament returned and a Bill on assisted suicide – so-called assisted dying – started its passage through the House of Lords, our Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Bishop John Sherrington, called for Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action. That call is renewed now as, last Wednesday, 16 October, the House of Commons heard the first reading of a new bill on assisted suicide, tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. This is another attempt to legalise assisted suicide and our Bishops are urging us to contact our MPs to voice our opposition.

The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to do this. It takes little more than a few minutes to input your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop assisted suicide being rushed into law. Click here to contact your MP via the Right to Life UK website. A Pastoral Letter from Cardinal Vincent Nichols to all Catholics in England and Wales is attached to the Newsletter.

Special Edition Diocesan Newsletter

The following is the link to the next in the special series of Diocesan Newsletters being issued in preparation for the installation of Bishop Philip Moger as our new Diocesan Bishop: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-7B291EAF23BD8E0F2540EF23F30FEDED. You are warmly invited to sign up here to receive future newsletters, which will include pastoral letters from Bishop Philip: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/h/t/A561A3216C433494.

Big Christmas Raffle

This year the Friends of St James and St Boniface are trying a new approach to the big Christmas raffle. We will have a main prize of a luxury hamper and two smaller hamper prizes, instead of the usual 20 variety prizes. We are appealing for donations for the hampers – items that are luxury or made in the Southwest. There is a list of specific items at the back of church, please put your name next to the item you would like to donate and bring the item in by Sunday 3 November. If you would like to donate a different item or give a cash donation, these are also very welcome. We are also looking for large hamper baskets. Contact Siobhan with any questions on 07522338897 or email siobhanewarne@yahoo.co.uk.

Catholic Children’s Society

The Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) are looking for new members to join their 50:50 Club – Helping Hands. Half of the money raised by subscriptions each month is retained by CCSP and the other half is returned to members as prize money. It costs £12 a year for one entry into all 12 monthly draws and you can enter each draw more than once so £24 for 2 numbers, £36 for three etc.  An application form is attached to the Newsletter. Please call the office on 01364 645420 or email vicki.dunstone@ccsplymouth.org.uk if you have any queries.

The Society has also recently sent a letter to the parish thanking you all for the great sum of £464.33 which donated as part of the Annual Children’s Society Appeal in August.

Christmas Shoeboxes for Ukraine

If anyone would like to fill a shoebox, some boxes and leaflets are at the back of church. This year, the filled shoeboxes are going to Ukraine. Boxes will need to be back at church by the weekend of 9/10 November. Any queries, contact Sheelagh Bourdon on 07791 802009.

Accompaniment Training for Youth Volunteers

Those who currently work with youth in our parishes or further afield within the diocese, or who would like to, are invited to attend training in accompaniment on Saturday 16 November, 10.00am-4.00pm, at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton. We are called to accompany young people through the transition from childhood faith to take ownership of their own spiritual journey. Click the link to book a place: https://forms.office.com/e/iiwHfw2dfN For further information contact, Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Parish Christmas Craft Fair

Save the date! The Parish Christmas Craft Fair will take place on Saturday 23 November, 2.00-4.00pm, at St Andrews Church Hall. Spread the word and get the date in your diary. Contact Siobhan for details on 07522338897 or email siobhanewarne@yahoo.co.uk. If you can display a poster, please take one from the back of church.

200 Club

Congratulations to Mary Cousins who won the £30 prize and to Christine Pickford who won the £20 prize in the October draw. If you are not already a member, please consider joining for as little as £1 a month. Please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James/St Andrew’s, or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.