CAFOD Lent Fast Day – Growing In Strength Rooted In Love

CAFOD’s Lent Fast Day Appeal took place last Friday, 3 March. Your donations will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our Church network can quickly respond to emergencies like the recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey. You can give using the Fast Day envelopes which are still available today, via our contactless giving machine or at cafod.org.uk/give.

Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Confession

After Mass on Thursdays at St James during Lent, from 6.30-7.30pm, there will be a time of silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as well as another opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession in addition to 11.30am-12noon on Fridays.

LOUDfence and Working with Survivors

Thank you to everyone who visited the LOUDfence at Christ the King Church in Plymouth, which was held as a visible display of support and solidarity with those who have been affected by abuse.  Many thanks to everyone who came to tie a ribbon or write a message, as well as all those who sent in a virtual message of support.  A summary of the event can be found on the diocesan website.

If you have been affected by abuse and would like some help or support, you can contact the Safeguarding Office on 01364 645430 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm) or e-mail safeguarding@prcdtr.org.uk.  You can also find the contact details for local and national support organisations on the diocesan website at: https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/the-diocese/how-we-work/vicariate-for-safeguarding-and-pastoral-care/help-and-support-for-victims-and-survivors/.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is very interested in speaking to survivors so that they can involve them in the work they are doing.  The plan is to form a survivors’ advisory group to give survivors the opportunity to provide input to, and feedback on, safeguarding policies and initiatives, and to work together with the Diocese to help create support and services for survivors.  If you would be interested in participating in this initiative, or you would like to find out more, please contact Sophie Scagell (Survivor Support Caseworker) on 01364 645436 or sophie.scagell@prcdtr.org.uk.

CHAT Foodbank Donations Needed!

The CHAT Foodbank urgently needs donations, especially tins of meat, of fruit and of vegetables, and all cleaning products. The Foodbank is struggling to meet the increasing demand.

Communion under Both Kinds and the Sign of Peace

As we become more used to living with Covid and continue to re-establish our parish and liturgical life, the Bishops of England and Wales have decided that the re-introduction of Holy Communion under both kinds, ie under the form of bread and under the form of wine, will take place from the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on 6 April 2023. However, it must be stressed that the reception of Holy Communion under both kinds is not obligatory as our Catholic faith teaches that the totality of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord is received in either one or both kinds. Therefore, it will be for each person to choose whether she or he wishes to receive Holy Communion from the chalice. As before Covid, if you are aware that you are suffering from a cold or similar respiratory symptoms, you are asked to refrain from receiving Holy Communion from the chalice out of respect for others. Please note that it is NOT permitted for anyone in the congregation to “intinct” or dip their Host into the Chalice when they come to receive Holy Communion. The Precious Blood must be drunk directly from the Chalice or Holy Communion received in one kind only.

Likewise, whilst respecting the wishes of those around you who may still not feel comfortable physically touching another person, we are now being encouraged once again to extend our hand to those nearest to us when we offer the Sign of Peace.

Easter Draw and “Name the Bunny”

Tickets for the Friends of St James and St Boniface Easter Draw go on sale this weekend, £1 a ticket. Donations of chocolate, bottles and other goodies would be very welcome. Please leave them at the entrance to church.

Also, Canon Kristian has chosen a name for a 1000g Lindt Chocolate Bunny from a random list of 234 names. You can pick a name from the list for £1 and you might be the lucky winner of this magnificent Easter Bunny. The Easter Draw and the announcement of the winner of the Easter Bunny will take place on Thursday 6 April.

Great Big Diocesan Quiz

Our parish will be taking part in the Great Big Diocesan Quiz on Friday 28 April at 7.30pm. You are invited to form teams of four people to take part in the Quiz which we will hold in the hall at St James. Please give your team a name and let Rosie know the details of your team at the Parish Office via email. The winning team will receive a lovely little trophy as a keepsake and this event really does help raise much needed funds for the Catholic Children’s Society.

Diocesan Environmental Policy Annual Report

The annual Report from Caritas Plymouth on the implementation of the Diocesan Environmental Policy is attached to the Newsletter. If you have any comments or questions, please email Deborah Fisher at caritas@prcdtr.org.uk.

Diocesan Youth Events – Annual Review 2022

An abridged copy of the Annual Review of the many Diocesan Youth Events which have taken place in 2022 is attached to the Newsletter. The regular Diocesan Youth Event Newsletter can be accessed here.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for March after 6.00pm Mass this Saturday. New members are always welcome. Please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Teresa Cummings at St Boniface.