NEWSLETTER
Easter Sunday (Year A)
5th April, 2026
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Message from Canon Kristian
Dear sisters and brothers
We are in the midst of the most sacred time of our year – the Holy Paschal Triduum. It has been such a joy to see so many of you at the Masses last Sunday to mark the beginning of Holy Week which were standing-room only, at the rather unique celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper yesterday in St Andrew’s Hall and at the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord this afternoon, which we shared as much as we could with our Christian brothers and sisters of St Andrew’s Parish, whilst recognizing the painful divisions which still afflict the Body of Christ. Whilst celebrating the ceremonies of the Sacred Triduum in a church which is not our own brings with it many challenges, it does make us reflect more deeply on our shared baptismal dignity which is so fitting, given the Liturgy of Baptism that takes place during the Easter Vigil and the invitation to renew our baptismal promises during the Easter Day Masses. Through the life-giving waters of baptism we have all been buried with Christ so as to share in his resurrection. We all share the dignity of being adopted daughters and sons of God, redeemed by the Sacrifice of Christ and set free by the Holy Spirit to live and love in Christ’s way. Before our differences, what a truly profound bond unites us! In today’s increasing fractured and divided world, our Christian witness to the call to unity and communion with God, with each other and with the whole of creation is needed more than ever.
The increase in our community in recent times, both in Tiverton and in Cullompton, has been wonderful to see, together with the growing, rich diversity of our parish family. With all the building that is taking place right across our parish, I am sure there are still many people on these new estates who we still have to reach! We will need to give some real thought to how we might do this over the coming months. That said, a downside of our increased numbers, especially in Tiverton, is the associated difficulty of find somewhere to park cars whilst we are being hosted at St Andrew’s. This week, I was approached by a resident of Blundell’s Avenue complaining, quite rightly, that cars are being parked on pavements and across driveways, impeding other people’s rights of way. I do understand that it is difficult to find parking, but could I please ask you all to make sure that you park your vehicles with courtesy towards local residents and pedestrians. It would be a pity to undermine our good relations with those around us due to careless parking.
Your generosity this Lent through the Cleaning Products for Dignity for the 40 days of Lent and the New Commandment of Love Food Collection during yesterday evening’s Mass has been amazing, and I am sure the CHAT Food Bank is now well-stocked. In addition, there have been some very generous financial donations to support CHAT’s work across Mid Devon too. However, there is one more call on your generosity this weekend and that is to support the Palestinian Christian Community in Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Whilst this collection, traditionally called “For The Holy Places”, always takes place at the end of the Good Friday Service, the need is now so great, there will be an extra opportunity to support our Catholic brothers and sisters in their increasingly desperate circumstances at the end of the Masses this weekend. I know that money is tight for many of you due to the rising cost of living, so please don’t feel pressurised into giving what you can’t. A donation, however small, counts.
Thank you to those who have sent me cards and gifts for Easter. Your thoughts, love and prayers are always gratefully received.
Along with the Newsletter, I attach the weekly guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel and an updated poster for the Ladies Swish event in St Andrew’s Hall next Saturday.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Easter Vigil at St Andrew’s tomorrow evening at 8.00pm.
May you all have a blessed and joyous Easter when feast arrives!
God bless
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Χριστός Ανέστη (Christos Anesti) – Christ is risen!
Αληθώς Ανέστη (Alithos Anesti) – He is risen indeed!
To this day, Eastern Christians continue to use the ancient greeting of Easter. To the acclamation: Christ is risen!, the joyful reply is given: He is risen indeed. In more recent years, the Christians of the West have recovered this ancient tradition as a practice which emphasises the importance and centrality of the resurrection of Christ for us as individuals and as a Christian community, and for the whole world. The resurrection is the foundation and the source of our hope of new life; Christ has conquered the powers of darkness, sin and death. The Light of Christ is unquenchable and eternal!
Pray with the Pope his Intention for April
In the life of the Church, priests are called to accompany, support and serve their communities. But they themselves can go through difficult moments in which they need closeness and support. With this in mind, Pope Leo XIV, in his prayer intention for the month of April, invites us to pray for priests experiencing a crisis, that they might experience the nearness of God and his people, and rediscover hope and joy in their vocation. In this month’s intention, the Holy Father thinks especially of priests “when loneliness weighs heavily, when doubt clouds their hearts, and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.” He prays that they might rediscover that “they are not mere functionaries or lonely heroes, but beloved sons…and pastors sustained by the prayer of their people.” Likewise, he invites the entire community to care for them through being near, sincere listening, and constant prayer, recognizing that they too need to be supported on their journey: https://www.popesprayer.va/praywiththepope/.
Good Friday Collection for the Holy Places
The situation of Christians in the Holy Land, in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank, is even more desperate this year, so please be as generous as you can to the traditional Good Friday retiring collection for the Holy Places, our annual offering to support them.
Blessing of Easter Food
The Central and Eastern European traditional blessing of Easter Food and Easter Baskets will take place in both St Andrew’s and St Boniface’s at 12noon on Holy Saturday.
Easter Raffle Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Easter Draw: Barbara Gorlo, Barbara Hodgson and Peter Vanstone!
Holy Thursday “New Commandment” Collection for CHAT
Many thanks to all those who contributed to our Holy Thursday “New Commandment of Love” Collection for CHAT. Four trolley-loads of food were taken to the Food Bank and a money collection of almost £1000 was also donated!
The Tough Times Support Group will be meeting in St Andrew’s Hall, Tiverton on this Tuesday, 7 April, at 7.00pm. If you are going through a challenging time at the moment or still struggling with something from the past, please come along, experience a warm welcome and find some support. Those who take part greatly value it, not only the meetings themselves, but also the ongoing support and care through the connected WhatsApp group.
Ladies’ Clothes Swish
Friends of St James and St Boniface are holding a Ladies’ Clothes Swish next Saturday 11 April, 10.00am-12noon, n St Andrew’s Hall. Pay £10 and fill a shopping bag from the ladies’ clothes and accessories on display. Additional bags are £10 each. Bags provided on entry. Tea, coffee and cake will be available. The last date for clothing and accessory donations is Friday 10 April. All clothes must be clean and in a saleable condition. ALL WELCOME and all proceeds to the refurbishment of the new church.
CHAT Aviva Community Fundraiser
CHAT is currently raising funds through the Aviva Community Fund to provide money and debt advice to people across Mid Devon. This funding allows CHAT to offer practical, one-to-one support to people who come every day to CHAT with overwhelming financial pressure. With early advice, families can avoid court action, eviction and mounting debt. Until Saturday 18 April donations are being matched through the Aviva Community Fund. Every £1 that is donated is doubled. Any donation, however small, makes a difference! Please go to https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/early-help-money-advice-before-crisis to make a donation.
Catholic Children’s Society Newsletter
The latest edition of the Catholic Children’s Society Newsletter, “Children First”, is available this weekend. Please take one with you.
Young People’s Weekend
A Residential Weekend, “Go make disciples of all nations”, at Heatree Outdoor Activity Centre on Dartmoor will take place from 15-17 May. The weekend is open to those aged 9-12 (school years 5-7). Whilst enjoying high ropes and raft building (amongst other activities), young people will have the chance to explore the Sunday readings through discussion, crafts and games. Cost £90. To book, follow the link: Heatree 2026 15th-17th May – Fill in form. For further information, email Saskia or Ruby at youth@prcdtr.org.uk.
Marriage Support
From relationships that are ‘Just in a Rut’, needing some refreshment or more serious issues, if you are open to try again, Retrouvaille could be the solution. Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples get their relationship back on track as they rediscovered hope and trust in the marriage. To find out more, go to www.retrouvaille.org.uk or call 07973 380443.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 5th April – Easter Sunday
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Saturday 4 April – Holy Saturday
- Office of Readings and Morning Prayer at 9.00am
- Blessing of Easter Food at 12noon at St Andrew’s and St Boniface
- The Easter Vigil at 8.00pm
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am Filip Szpara (18th birthday ints)
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
- NO Singing to Remember
Tuesday 7 April – Easter Tuesday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am Chrissie Doyle RIP (anniv)
Wednesday 8 April – Easter Wednesday
- NO Mass at St Boniface
Thursday 9 April – Easter Thursday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am Peter Moy RIP (anniv)
Friday 10 April – Easter Friday
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass at 12noon Deirdre Anderson RIP
- Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
Saturday 11 April – Easter Saturday
- Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 12 April – Second Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo