NEWSLETTER

Twenty fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Season of Creation

Sunday 22nd September, 2024

Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.

Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters
This is the last weekend of Masses at St James before the move to St Andrew’s.  We had a really enjoyable time yesterday evening at our “Last Supper” to share memories about parishioners and parish events which have taken place at St James, and to give thanks for all the prayer that has been poured out here before God, both privately and together in worship, in times both of happiness and of sorrow.  Thank you to the Friends of St James and St Boniface and other members of the parish who prepared the social space so beautifully and provided the delicious Middle Eastern inspired food for the great number of people who came to take part.  Thanks to Deacon Peter for collecting and displaying over 100 photographs from various occasions, featuring many parishioners and priests from former times.  It was also a joy to have with us for the celebration some members of St Andrew’s, as well as members from St Peter’s, Tiverton, and St John the Baptist, Sampford Peverell.
This coming week we will be packing and moving the contents of St James; some items will be taken to St Andrew’s and others will go into storage.  Many of the wooden items which came from St John’s, including the Rood and the Stations of the Cross, will be going off for professional restoration.  I myself will be moving to my temporary accommodation in Castle Barton within the grounds of Tiverton Castle this week too.  As a result, there will not be any Masses during the coming week.  Please remember, that from next weekend, 28 and 29 September, the revised timetable for Sunday and weekday Masses will come into force.  The revised times can be found at the end of the Newsletter.
Since the appointment last week of Bishop Philip Moger as our Bishop-elect, he was recorded an interview to speak about his reaction to his appointment and his vision for his ministry among us.  This lovely interview can be found at https://youtu.be/2rLGyDTpVfg.
You may also recall that Lifepath Tiverton put on a week for local school children in July based on the life and work of the Wesley family, which has a connection with this area.  Our children from St John’s took part in the event and they feature in the video that Lifepath Tiverton have made about the week.  It is really worth having a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7izpSolpwgU.
As we are nearing the end of September, could I remind all those who have children to be prepared for First Holy Communion and young people for Confirmation to please complete the attached application forms if they have no already done so.
Along with the Newsletter,  I attach:
  • the weekly guide to a prayerful reflection on the Sunday Gospel, offered by Monika Manser
  • the most recent Newsletter from The Lighthouse Cafe and Bookshop in Tiverton
  • the form to become a “Giver of Hope” for CHAT
  • the application forms for First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Let us continue to pray for peace around the world, especially in the Middle East, where the threat of war is raising its ugly head, and for those places, such as Ukraine and Yemen, where war is already a death-dealing reality.  We also ask the Holy Spirit to be with us and guide us during this time of considerable change for our parish community, that we may remain strong and united and may be strengthened in our mission to be Christ to the world and to see Christ in the world.  Finally, do please remember those parish members who are seriously sick or frail at the time.
As we give thanks for the Harvest during this Season of Creation, may we experience an abundance of blessing from God, who is the source of all life and growth.
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

CHAT – Share the Harvest

CHAT is our joint Churches charity in Tiverton. They are there to help people locally and throughout Devon, offering free support and advice on housing, debt and money. They can also help with practical support from their foodbank and help with household items. Do get in touch if you are needing some help in these areas. In addition, this year is a desperately bad year for income, so we’re asking for your help. As we celebrate the Harvest, please have a thought about becoming a regular “Giver of Hope”, signing up to donate some money every month. If you already are, then huge thanks – you’re really keeping us going this year. A “Giver of Hope” is attached, but it is also quick and simple to set up a direct debit online https://www.chatmid.org/donating.

Finally, there is also a vacancy for a Trustee for the charity. If you’re interested, please contact the Chair, Clive Williams, to find out more about what is involved: Clive.williams@chatmid.co.uk.

The Journey to 2030

Caritas Diocese of Plymouth invite you to take part in “Journey to 2030: An Event on Care for Creation”, being hosted by our own Parish Laudato Si’ Group in St Andrew’s Church Hall, on Saturday 19 October, 10.30am-3.00pm. The purpose of the day is to find out how to rejuvenate and incorporate environmental and social themes into the mission of the parish. A light lunch is included. Registration is essential as places are limited. Bookings can be made here https://forms.office.com/e/3RC4JjmRQ3.

Listening with the Heart

You are invited to a Synodal day exploring “Conversations in the Spirit”, which is one of the fruits to have emerged out of the current synodal journey. The day will be held at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre on Saturday 26 October, 10.00am-3.15pm, and will be facilitated by Sarah Adams, the Director of Adult Education and Evangelisation for the Diocese of Clifton. Sarah has been involved in the synodal journey at diocesan, national and international levels and will take you through both the methodology and practice of Conversations in the Spirit and how you might apply it in a variety of settings. For more information email Fr Paul Keys at synod@prcdtr.org.uk. The day is free, but you need to register by 30 September using this form.

Tough Times Support Group

The Tough Times Support Group meets this Tuesday, 24 September, at 7.00pm in the hall at St Boniface in Cullompton, and aims to provide a safe space to share, vent and find solace in navigating life’s storms. It will provide a friendly space to find strength in shared experiences and in the comforting embrace of our faith. We are not alone; we can walk this journey together, leaning on the hope found in Christ. All welcome.

Music at St Boniface

D o you play an instrument? If so, we would love to have you join us in the music group corner at St Boniface. Our little group has got smaller as people have moved away for their next stages in life, so a couple more people to play instruments would really help us out. You don’t have to commit to every week; we can work out how often is good for you! If you can help, please let Jane or Siobhan know and we can get together for a practice.

Parish Craft Fair

C alling all crafters and creators! We will be holding a Parish Craft Fair on Saturday 23 November in St Andrew’s Church Hall. Would you like to contribute to, or help out at, this event? Do you make goods we could sell? Would you like a stall? Interested? All profits and proceeds will go to the new St James Church building fund. Get in touch with Siobhan on 07522 338897 or at siobhanewarne@yahoo.co.uk.

First Holy Communion 2025

Parents with children 7 years and older who are due to prepare for the reception of First Holy Communion next June are asked to complete the attached form and return it to the parish office as soon as possible.

Confirmation 2025

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.

200 Club

Congratulations to Tony Reynolds who won the £30 prize and to Pauline Alderman who won the £20 prize in the September draw. If you are not a member, please consider joining for as little as £1 a month. Speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 22nd September – Twenty fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

        • Saturday 21 September – St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

          • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm Norman Pennie RIP (anniv)

          Sunday 22 September – Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

          • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
          • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface) Angela née Clemenson RIP

          Monday 23 September – St Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

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

          Tuesday 24 September – Our Lady of Walsingham

          • No Mass
          • Tough Times Support Group at 7.00pm in St Boniface Hall

          Wednesday 25 September – Weekday

          • Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

          Thursday 26 September – Weekday

          • No Mass

          Friday 27 September – St Vincent de Paul, Priest

          • No Mass

          Saturday 28 September – Weekday

          • Youth Group, 11.00am-12.30pm in St Boniface Hall
          • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm at St Andrew’s

          Sunday 29 September – Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

          • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
          • Holy Mass at 11.30am at St Andrew’s
          • United Service at 6.30pm at Tiverton Baptist Church

          New Mass Times from Saturday 28 September

          Vigil Mass of Sunday 6.00pm (Sat) St James at St Andrew’s
          Sunday 9.30am St Boniface
          11.30am St James at St Andrew’s
          Tuesday 9.00am St James at St Andrew’s
          Wednesday 12noon St Boniface
          Thursday 9.00am St James at St Andrew’s
          Friday 12noon St James at St Andrew’s
          Friday (2nd in month) 9.00am St James at St Andrew’s

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