NEWSLETTER
First Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Sunday First December, 2024
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
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the weekly contribution from Monika Manser to assist with a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel
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the November Diocesan Newsletter
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the November Newsletter from the National Marian Shrine at Walsingham
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the latest Newsletter from our parish school, St John’s.
“Walk with Me” and “Day by day” Booklets
To help with our spiritual preparation from the celebration of the Incarnation of Christ, “Walk with me” and “Day by Day” booklets are available free for those who would like to take them this weekend. These booklets help to ensure that we have a daily pause to pray and reflect on the Advent Season.
Advent Service of Light
The congregation of St Andrew’s invites us to join them at 4.00pm this Sunday for their Advent Service of Light, with the In Ecclesia Choir from Taunton. The Service will be followed by refreshments in the Hall.
Advent Reflection Group
Join Monika Manser at 7 Blundell’s Avenue after 9.00am Mass each Tuesday in Advent to reflect on the daily meditations in the book “Advent and Christmas Wisdom” by Henri J.M Nouwen? The daily Advent Action at the end of each reflection will help focus on living the Advent and Christmas message in our daily lives. The book is published by Redemptorist Publications and is readily available from various on-line bookshops.
Tree of Hope for CHAT
We are hosting a CHAT Tree of Hope in the narthex at St Andrew’s. Each tag on the tree contains the option of either making a financial donation or purchasing a specific item to be dropped off at CHAT, who will ensure it goes to people in need in the community. Choose a tag and either donate on your own behalf or perhaps as a thoughtful gift for that person who seems to have everything and then present them with the tag so that they can see the impact of the contribution made on their behalf.
Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation
The introductory meeting for parents of those children who will be preparing to celebrate First Reconciliation and to receive First Holy Communion in 2025 will take place in St John’s School Hall, Melbourne Street, Tiverton EX16 5LA, next Saturday, 7 December, at 9.30am.
The meeting for the parents of our young people who will be preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation next year will be held in St Andrew’s Church Hall, Blundell’s Avenue, Tiverton EX16 4DL on Saturday 14 December, at 11.00am.
Advent Retreat Day
An Advent Retreat Day will take place at St Rita’s, Honiton, next Saturday 7 December, 9.30am-3.30pm. The day will be led by Fr Jonathan Bielawski on the theme “Jesus Is Coming: Why?”. The charge for the day, including lunch, is £25 Booking can be made by phone, email, or online (ADVENT RETREAT DAY – “JESUS IS COMING: WHY?” ). Payment can be made on the day.
Thanks x 3
Sheelagh Bourdon would like to thank all those who made Christmas Shoeboxes this year. A driver from Ukraine has taken 7,476 boxes from the South West back for the children in that war-torn country.
Thank you to all of those who purchased toasters and kettles for CHAT as part of our harvest thanksgiving. Twenty of each have been donated to help those who will be setting up home with little or nothing by way of household basics.
Finally, thanks to everybody who supported the Christmas Craft Fair last Saturday. Thank you to all those who prepped, set up and tidied up, created and baked, to those who look after a stall, to St John’s Starmakers and their teachers for the excellent performance and finally to those who came and shopped.
Polish Evening
You are invited to come along and celebrate the culture and food of the Polish members of our parish community this Friday, 6 December, at 7.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall. Our parish is so blessed to have parishioners originating from Poland as an integral part of our community.
Christmas Draw Tickets
The tickets for the Christmas Draw are now on sale. This year the prizes are different from previous years. Instead of multiple prizes, there are only three large hampers, filled to the brim with luxury or local products for Christmas! Tickets are £5.00 each.
Musical Afternoon Tea
April and John Golding will be holding another Musical Afternoon Tea at their home in Bampton on Wednesday 11 December, 2.45pm for 3.00-5.00pm, to raise funds for the interior of the rebuilt St James. So that they can ensure that there is space for all would like to take part, please let them know if you are planning to come by emailing jodol@me.com.
Christmas Get-Together at St Boniface
The annual Christmas Get-Together at St Boniface Hall will take place on 21 December. Finger food will be on offer and some desserts too. If they can, people are asked to bring a plate of food along to share. Carols will be sung, and “Goody bags” and selection boxes will be given to the children.
Quiz Night for CHAT Cancelled
Due to a lack of interest, the Quiz Night has been organised by Ewelina Zychlinska to raise funds for CHAT has been cancelled. However, raffle tickets are still on sale for £1 each. These can be bought via Ewelina’s Justgiving page. Just email her via the page and she will reply with your ticket numbers. At St Boniface, tickets can be bought with cash. The draw will take place on 22 December. You can also continue to make donations via her fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/page/ewelina-ych-1731777385365?newPage=true .
Heating, Repairs and Redecoration of St Boniface
Following the installation of the new heating system in St Boniface, there is now need to repair the walls where the plaster has lifted. Once this has dried, this will be followed by a complete internal redecoration. As a result, there will only be Mass celebrated on Sunday at 9.30am from now until the week before Christmas to enable the work to be carried out throughout the week. There will not be any Mass on a Wednesday until further notice.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 1st December – First Sunday of Advent
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Saturday 30 November – St Andrew, Apostle
- Youth Club, 11.30am-1.00pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm
Sunday 1 December – First Sunday of Advent (C)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am
- Advent Service of Light at 4.00pm
Monday 2 December – St Osmund of Salisbury, Bishop
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
Tuesday 3 December – St Francis Xavier, Priest
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Advent Prayer Group at 9.45am at 7 Blundell’s Avenue
Wednesday 4 December – Advent Weekday
- No Mass at St Boniface
Thursday 5 December – Advent Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
Friday 6 December – Advent Weekday (St Nicholas, Bishop)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass at 12noon
- Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
- Polish Evening at 7.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
Saturday 7 December – St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor
- First Holy Communion Parents Meeting at 9.30am in St John’s School Hall, Tiverton
- Parish Property and Finance Committee at 9.30am in St Andrew’s Hall
- Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
- Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm
Sunday 8 December – Second Sunday of Advent (C)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am