NEWSLETTER

Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Sunday 18th April, 2026

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters
As I write the covering email for the weekly Newsletter, the Spring sunshine is teeming through the office window and I can hear the birds accompanying it with their song.  The garden at Castle Barton is also budding into life and the blossom has appeared on the apple tree, promising an abundant crop of fruit in the not-too-distant future.  All these are signs of the new life of Spring but, up in the sky, there are also some large and looming black clouds, which will block out the sun for a time and which herald the coming of rain.  These, too, are all part of the Spring season since, without the rain, new life will not grow.  In a way, the journey of Easter faith reflects this natural reality, and can be seen in the experience of those disciples on the Emmaus road, which we hear about in the Gospel this Sunday.  Cast down in their sadness, disappointment and grief at the traumatic death of Jesus on the Cross, they were unable to perceive the signs of new life around them.  It was only when the Lord walks them through the darkness and light found in the writings and prophecies of the Scriptures, which foreshadowed his passion, death and resurrection, that they began to sense ever more strongly the Presence of the Risen One, who brings new life, finally recognising him in the Breaking of the Bread.  We, too, are often cast down, with our eyes firmly fixed on the ground, by the challenging circumstances of our individual lives and by the seeming ever-growing brutality and chaos in the wider world.  It is hard, almost impossible perhaps, to see the footsteps of God in these realities, but the Risen Lord walks alongside us, speaking to our hearts and encouraging us to lift up our eyes, so that we might start to perceive him hidden in the darkness and be ready to glimpse the light of his Presence, and in a unique way in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.  This is the firm anchor that always gives us hope, our heartfelt faith that, just as the dark clouds of winter always give way to the light and life of spring, so too, the passion and death of Jesus was the way to his Resurrection to new life not only for him and, through him, for us who are his adopted sisters and brothers.
Some of these thoughts are reflected in the attached Newsletter from the Parish Laudato Si’ Group, with the invitation to honour this budding new life around us by buying at least one seasonal vegetable from a local business or market this month. Likewise, the message in the Parish Newsletter from the Parish Palestinian Support Group, which sets out the terrible realities of the on-going war and oppression in the Middle East, ends with the courageous proclamation of the Gospel of peace by Pope Leo as he continues his apostolic journey through Africa.
Next Saturday is a very significant and important day for our children who are preparing to receive Holy Communion later on in the year, as they will be celebrating individually the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation through their First Confession.  In this precious Sacrament, the life-giving grace of forgiveness is freely offered to us, as we trustingly acknowledge the areas of darkness and sin in our lives.  Please do keep these children and their family in prayer.
Those who pass the site of our new church in Tiverton regularly will see the great transformation that is taking place.  Much of the perimeter fencing has been removed as the landscapers carry out their important work.  The two portacabins which functioned as an office and rest space for the builders were removed this week, so that that part of the car park could also start to be landscaped.  All this activity is a sign that the day of our return is on the horizon!  Likewise, in Cullompton, the rotten and dilapidated wooden fence along the end of the carpark has now been replaced, and the area is looking brighter and more loved.  This is but the first stage of a major renovation which will shortly take place of the former presbytery, which will include the necessary replacement of the roof of both the presbytery and that of the church.  So, there will be a fair bit of transformation taking place over the next few months in both churches of our parish!
Along with the Newsletter this week, I attach the weekly guide to a contemplative reading of the Sunday Gospel prepared by Monika Manser and the April Newsletter of the Parish Laudato Si’ Group.
May we all sense the presence of the Risen Lord walking alongside us at this time, particularly those who are sick and who are feeling vulnerable in any way.
God bless
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Next Sunday, 26 April, is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is an opportunity to pray for vocations and to encourage those who may be considering ordained or religious life. The Diocese of Plymouth also asks for your assistance in supporting our seminarians through their training and formation, both through prayer and financial support. If you are able to contribute to our Seminarians’ Fund, we would be grateful for your donations at the retiring collection or you can donate online at https://priesthoodplymouth.co.uk/donate.

First Reconciliation

In preparation for their First Holy Communion in June, our First Communion children will be celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for the first time next Saturday, at 10.00am in St Andrew’s Church, Tiverton. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

200 Club

Congratulations to Terry Starkey who won the £30 prize and to Terry Ellis who won the £20 prize in the April draw. If you would like to join this on-going fund raiser for as little as £1 a month, please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St Andrews or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface. 

Parish Monthly Lunch

The next Parish Monthly Lunch will take place on Tuesday 28 April, 12noon-2.00pm, in St Andrew’s Parish Hall. All welcome.

The Friends of St James and St Boniface

The Friends of St James and St Boniface, the parish group that plans both the social and fund-raising events, which support and enhance our parish community, will next meet on Saturday 2 May, at 9.00am in St Andrew’s Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to this meeting.

“Rise to Our Cause”

This year’s Catholic Children’s Society ‘Rise to Our Cause’ event will be held at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Torquay on Thursday 14 May. The event will start with Holy Mass at 12.00 noon, followed by a two-course hot lunch. After lunch, the Guest Speakers will be John and Myfanwy Quine. Tickets cost £15 and can be ordered by emailing vicki.dunstone@ccsplymouth.org.uk or by calling the CCSP office on 01364 645420. All proceeds will go towards helping vulnerable children and families living in our Diocese.

Fundraiser for Cancer Research UK

On Saturday 16 May, Ewelina Zychlinska will be taking part in the Ultra Jurassic Coast Challenge. She will be walking 36 miles, which she hopes to complete within 16 hours. Each mile will be dedicated to someone who has lost their life to cancer, is currently fighting the disease or who has survived it. If anyone would like to dedicate a mile to a name, do get in touch with Ewelina. You can also sponsor her by going to her JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ewelina-ych-5?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL.

Meeting and Message from the Parish Palestinian Support Group

The recent Palestinian Supper event raised £816 for Medical Aid for Palestine, and several £100s in direct support to a Palestinian student stranded in the UK. This is a good time to reflect on what is now needed and could be done by the Parish Palestinian Support group. To this end, there will be an open meeting on either 19 May or, more likely, 2 June. More information will follow.

As some background for that meeting, in Gaza alone, the death toll for Palestinians since October 2023 currently stands at 72,344, of which perhaps 20,000 are children and which doesn’t include the bodies yet to be retrieved from demolished buildings. Some 765 Palestinians have been killed since the “ceasefire” in October 2025. In the West Bank, over 1100 violent deaths have occurred since October 2023 and the number continues to rise, with widespread intimidation and violence from Israeli “settlers”, frequently supported or protected by the Israeli Defence Force. In Jerusalem, some Palestinians have also been killed, but the main concern is the continued destruction of homes and agricultural buildings on the basis that the government has not granted planning permission. Some of these homes were erected as far back as 1970, and planning permission to build for Palestinians in either Jerusalem or in the occupied West Bank is hardly ever given! Gaza itself has been split, with more than half now in Israeli hands and all residents living in tents or makeshift accommodation on a thin strip near the coast.

In nearby Lebanon, since 2 March 2026, the violent death toll is in excess of 1500. More than a third of its land has been taken as a “military buffer” by Israel, with the south of the country cut off from the north by the destruction of bridges.  None of the above figures include the tens of thousands who have been injured and maimed.

On top of all this, the negotiations between the USA and Iran, that were within a whisker of reaching a new Nuclear Agreement, were broken off as Israel and the USA attacked Iran on 28 February 2026. Currently, there is a fragile ceasefire, whilst both Iran and the USA block the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has managed to upset many Christians with the self-posted image of himself as Jesus and his verbal attacks on Pope Leo. This behaviour has been supported by Vice President JD Vance, who has tried to throw doubts on the Pope’s understanding of theology and especially of the Just War theory, presumably because Pope Leo is an advocate of non-violence and negotiation.

The Archbishop of Southwark, John Wilson, has defended Pope Leo as a courageous bridge-builder and peacemaker: “Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV is showing the world that in the face of war, God demands peace. As Pope Leo has made clear, we cannot stand by and allow the message of the Gospel to be abused. As bishops, we are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers. But as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know that each of us is called to be a beacon of His peace. We know that, in the face of war, where so many innocent lives will be lost, we must be clear that God demands peace. Please join me in praying for peace and for Pope Leo XIV. May we all be as courageous as our Holy Father in proclaiming the truth that God demands peace.”

St Rita of Cascia’s Feast Day

The celebration for the Feast Day of St Rita of Cascia will take place on Friday 22 May 2026 at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton. The day will begin with Mass at 12 noon, presided by Fr Jose Romero OAR, followed by the blessing and distribution of roses for the sick. Hot drinks will be available all day, but visitors should bring a packed lunch. The day will conclude with Benediction at 3 pm. Early arrival is advised as car parking can be difficult if you arrive after 11.30 am.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 18th April – Third Sunday of Easter

  • Saturday 18 April – Easter Weekday

    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 19 April – Third Sunday of Easter

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am

    Monday 20 April – Easter Weekday

    • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm

    Tuesday 21 April – St Anselm, Bishop and Doctor

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Wednesday 22 April – Easter Weekday

    • Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 23 April – St George, Martyr, Patron of England and Protector of the Realm

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Friday 24 April – St Aldabert, Bishop and Martyr

    • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass with Prayers for Healing at 12noon Howard Hooper RIP
    • Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm

    Saturday 25 April – St Mark, Evangelist

    • Celebration of First Reconciliation at 10.00am
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 26 April – Fourth Sunday of Easter

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am Peter Moy RIP (anniv)