World Mission Sunday

This Sunday is 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 be “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples” as everyone deserves to hear that God loves them and to be strengthened by God’s Spirit. 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 at Mass or visit www.missio.org.uk, completing the Gift Aid declaration if possible.

CHAT Harvest Food Collection

Harvest has always been a time of giving thanks for what we have and sharing with those in need. This year, CHAT would love your support in helping them replenish their stocks. With many households facing food insecurity, your donations can make a real difference. Your donations can either be left at church, placed in the receptacles in some supermarkets or taken to CHAT directly. Visit https://www.chatmid.org/harvest-2025 for more information. Also available at the back of church and attached to the Newsletter is the CHAT “30 for 30 Food Challenge”, celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the founding of CHAT by inviting us to collect and donate a specific item over a 30-day period.

Parish Harvest Supper

Our annual parish Harvest Supper will be taking place this Friday, 24 October, at 7.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall, Tiverton. During the Supper, which will be a Ploughman’s Platter, will be also take some time to reflect on our vision going forwards when we return to St James in April 2026. In order for us to know how many to cater for, please put your name on the lists at the back of church. Tea and Coffee will be provided and feel free to bring your own drinks! At the entrance to church, there is a list of cheeses and other foods that people are being invited to donate. Please put your name next to the item you would like to give.

Parish Palestinian Support Group

The Parish Palestinian Support Group will be meeting at 7.00 pm in St Andrew’s Hall this Tuesday 21 October to discuss where the group goes next in the light of the current ceasefire. Can this opportunity help build reconciliation between Israel and Palestine and build a just peace? Can support once again flow to Palestinian Christians in Gaza? Everyone is welcome.

Last Wednesday, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was interviewed on Vatican Radio about the ceasefire and the future of the Palestinian people, with particular reference to the Christian Palestinian community. The Cardinal spoke of a fragile truce, but also of the shared hope among Israelis and Palestinians that this is not just a “pause,” but rather that “life may resume with a new perspective — one that is not war and violence.” For a full transcript of the interview go to https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-10/cardinal-pizzaballa-patriarch-jerusalem-interview-holy-land-peac.html.

In addition, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem issued a common statement recognising the collective goodwill internationally that they hope will bring a lasting peace to a suffering region, but also highlighting their continuing concern regarding the violence against local communities connected with the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

St John’s Harvest Festival

St John’s School Harvest Festival will take place this coming Friday, 24 October, at 9.30am in the School Hall, Melbourne Street, Tiverton. Parishioners are warmly invited to come along and take part.

First Holy Communion 2026

Parents who have children who are in Year 2 or older and who wish them to start preparing to receive First Holy Communion next year are asked to complete an application form and to return it to Canon Kristian or the parish office as soon as possible.

200 Club

Congratulations to Margaret Found who won the £30 prize and to Alan Newsome who won the £20 prize in the October draw. If you would like to join this on-going fundraiser for as little as £1 a month, please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St Andrew’s or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface. 

Ewelina’s Bake Sale

This coming Tuesday 21 October, our parishioner, Ewelina Zychlinkska, has organised a Bake Sale in aid of FearFree, a charity working to break the cycle of abuse. The event will take place in Barclays Banking Hall in Exeter.
It would be wonderful if people could pop in for a slice of cake or make a donation if they’re able to. The money raised will be match funded by Barclays, doubling the impact of every contribution.

September Parish Giving

Loose: £904.62 Contactless: £375.00 Standing Orders: £3357.50

Young Adults Advent Retreat

Young adults, aged 18-30, from across the Diocese of Plymouth are invited to join a retreat at Sclerder Abbey, Cornwall, 21-23 November, to prepare for Advent. There is a recommended donation of £30 is to help with the accommodation and food costs. For further information contact Saskia; youth@prcdtr.org.uk or click on the following link to book a place: https://forms.office.com/e/se4zasSM7B.