Diocesan Catholic Children’s Society Annual Appeal

This weekend is the annual appeal for the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Society. Believe, Love, Share – Transforming Lives – Putting All Children First: please give generously towards the work of the Catholic Children’s Society and keep them and their beneficiaries in your prayers.  Your love, kindness and generosity will make a difference to many children and their families.  Envelopes for your donations are available, so please remember to Gift Aid your donation if you can. If you would like to make an online donation, please scan the QR code and follow the instructions.

Please visit the Catholic Children’s Society website at www.ccsplymouth.org.uk where you will find more information about the work they do and the difference your donation will make and pray that this vital work will continue to make a difference.

ADoRE Spiritual Retreat on Zoom

A free online spiritual mini-retreat will take place next Saturday 31 August 10.00am-1.00pm, sponsored by the Alton Day of Renewal. The theme is “Bear the Fruits of the Spirit – Our Transformed Lives will help other People.” Please register for the Zoom meeting in advance at //bit.ly/ADOREAUG2024. More information about the retreat, the charismatic renewal and the history and mission of ADoRE can be found at www.altonrenewal.com/this_month.

Funeral Details for Canon Philip Dyson and Fr Gabriel Arnold OSB

Sadly, two well-known priests in our diocese died this week. Canon Philip Dyson was the parish priest of Holy Family Parish in Cornwall – which includes Penzance, St Ives, Hayle and the Isles of Scilly – right up until his death last Sunday evening. His Requiem Mass will be in the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, Penzance, on Thursday 26 September at 12noon.

Fr Gabriel Arnold, a monk of St Mary’s Abbey, Buckfast, died on Thursday at the age of 93. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated in the Abbey Church on Friday 13 September at 11.00am. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual life shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

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.

Coffee Morning and Musical Afternoon

Please put the following dates in your diary:

• A Coffee Morning, hosted by Alan and Nina Newsome, in the St James Hall on Wednesday 11 September, 10.00am-12noon

• A Christmas-themed Musical Afternoon, hosted by April and John Golding in Bampton, on Wednesday 11 December, 3.00-5.00pm.

If you would like to host a Coffee Morning or similar event in October or November, please have a word with Maggie Pulford or Margaret Found.

Caritas Diocese of Plymouth Newsletter

Here is the link to the latest Caritas Diocese of Plymouth Newsletter with information about upcoming events: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-589813B3E881A5132540EF23F30FEDED.

Parish Youth Group Important Notice

Tony and Anne Doble have really enjoyed welcoming children between 8 and 14 years of age to the parish youth group and getting to know them better.  Hopefully, those who have come have enjoyed themselves and will keep coming back for more.  As part of our duty of care we need to ask parents to sign their child/children out at the end of the session so that we know that care has been handed over. We are not able to let children leave on their own but, to make life easier for parents, we are happy to release them to an adult nominated by their parents so that parents might be able to share that responsibility with friends who might live nearby.  We also need to have a contact number in the unlikely event that we need to contact you during the session.  A form is attached to the Newsletter for this information, and there will be some available at the next session for you to fill out on arrival. Tony and Anne look forward to welcoming the children at the next session at St Boniface Hall next Saturday 31 August, 11.00am-12.30pm.

Youth Rally

The infamous Youth Rally will take place at St Rita’s, Honiton, on Saturday 28 September 2024. Cost £10 per participant which include pizza. As usual there are many activities for all to join in, including the obstacle course, penalty shootout and various inflatable activities. Young people from 6–16 are welcome to form parish teams of 6 to compete against others. A parish group of less than 6 can be combined with another parish. For booking and information, please contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Coffee Morning at St Andrew’s

As we contemplate our upcoming move to St Andrew’s whilst St James is being rebuilt, we would like to show support for their community events. They will be holding a Coffee Morning on Saturday 7 September in St Andrew’s Church Hall, 10.30am-12.30pm, in support of the New Vine Education and Training Centre in Eastern Uganda, which now has over 100 pupils. Do go along and show your support if you can.