Prayer Intention for June

During the month of June, Pope Francis invites us to join him in praying for those fleeing from their own countries: “Let us pray that migrants feeling from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities in their host countries”. To hear the Holy Father himself introduce this prayer intention, go to https://thepopevideo.org.

Happy Retirement, Rosie!

After more than four years as our parish secretary, Rosie retired on Friday. Though very sad to see her go, we wish her every blessing for new adventures ahead. She was always a welcoming presence in the parish office and an understanding voice on the end of the ‘phone. We give thanks for her dedicated service to our parish community. That said, we are delighted to know that, even if no longer the parish secretary, Rosie will continue to play an active role in parish life.

Coffee Mornings and a Musical Afternoon Tea

Please put the dates for these regular events to raise funds for the internal fixtures of the rebuilt St James into your diaries:

• Wednesday 5 June, 3.00-5.00pm, April and John, Musical Afternoon Tea, Greenbank, Old Tiverton Road, Bampton, EX16 9DP.

• Thursday 27 June, 10.00am-12noon, Christine and Babs, 51 Rackenford Road, Tiverton, EX16 5AF.

• Wednesday 24 July, 10.00am-12noon, Monika and David, Holmelea, 7 Blundells Avenue, Tiverton, EX16 4DL.

• Saturday 10 August, 10.00am-12noon, Margaret and Sarah, Stylehurst, Ashley, Tiverton, EX16 5PA.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Boniface

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Boniface, the Principal Patron of our Diocese, in his birthplace of Crediton, will take place next Sunday 9 June, presided over by Canon Paul Cummins. Everyone from around the Diocese is warmly invited to gather from 4.00pm at the church in Park Road, Crediton, for Vespers and Benediction. Light refreshments will be provided.

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)

Caritas Diocese of Plymouth invites you to a Zoom event on Thursday 13 June, 6.00-7.00pm, to reflect on Refugee Week which, this year, has as its theme “Our Home”. Pope Francis calls on us to WELCOME, PROTECT, PROMOTE and INTEGRATE people fleeing from conflict and persecution. To reflect and explore what this can mean in practice, you will hear from someone who has been through the asylum system, sustained and supported by her Catholic faith, and from people who have answered the call to help and support in different ways. We all have the opportunity to make a positive difference: from the power of prayer to the warmth of a welcome, to practical support, to donations, to supporting campaigns, to short-term hosting. Together we can improve the lives of people forced to flee danger.

Please come and join in this event to reflect upon how we can make our churches and parishes places of welcome and support for those forced to leave their homes in search of peace and freedom. Please click to register https://forms.office.com/e/18ddAqE40F or email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk.

Diocese of Plymouth Summer Camps 2024

Applications are now being taken for places at the Plymouth Diocese Catechetical Summer Camps to be held at Grangehurst, Buckfast Abbey. Three Camps are being run: Junior Camp (Years 3-6, 4-8 August), Senior Camp (Years 7-10, 28 July-2 August) and St Petroc’s Camp (Years 11-12, 31 July-2 August). Summer Camps are a great opportunity to meet other young people in the Diocese and to get to know each other through games, quiz nights, treasure hunts, days out and much more! For further information, see leaflet in church, contact summercamps@prcdtr.org.uk, or speak to Siobhan Gilroy or Canon Kristian.

General Election 2024

A general election has been called for Thursday 4 July. There is a range of guidance on key issues of importance to us as Catholics. Gospel values inform how we look at the world and these values can also offer a different way of looking at politics.  The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has guidance on issues such as criminal justice, poverty, migration, education, life issues and the environment:  https://www.cbcew.org.uk/election24/. CAFOD and SVP have also produced a joint resource ‘Year of Encounter’, with a range of questions to ask potential candidates https://svp.org.uk/encounter.

If you have not yet registered to vote, you must do so by 11.59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024. If you are eligible, you can do so at: gov.uk/register-to-vote. You may also be able to apply for a postal vote.  Photo ID is necessary in order to be permitted to vote. This link gives more information: gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Called to be Peacemakers

A new document on disarmament and the ethical use of weapons has been issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Called to be Peacemakers argues that, if we are to take up Christ’s call to be peacemakers in our troubled world, an integral part of this mission involves working to limit the proliferation of weapons and to advance the cause of global disarmament.

Diocesan Newsletter

June’s Newsletter can be accessed at https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-DDEC36E5B2498C6A2540EF23F30FEDED.