NEWSLETTER
Twenty Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)
Mission Sunday
Sunday 18th October, 2026
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Message from Canon Kristian
Dear brothers and sisters
Works are now well underway on the church of St Boniface. One section of the roof tiles has already been removed, revealing some rotten woodwork beneath that probably accounts for the ingress of water which we have experienced on and off over the past few years. As the church is almost 100 years old, it is not surprising that we should be encountering issues with the building, which has served the community well. Obviously, having just spent a lot of money on necessary renovations to the former presbytery and taking account of the rather parlous condition of the wooden hall, we will need to think carefully about how the parish might begin raising money to assist towards these expenses. The Friends of the Parish is a group which already exists to plan social and fundraising events across the parish and, although latterly the group has been focussed primarily on providing funds for the internal fittings for the new church in Tiverton, it is a group for the whole parish community. Since its inception, it has struggled to have representation from those parishioners who worship at St Boniface, so now would be a good time to encourage some parishioners from St Boniface to become active members of The Friends of the Parish in order to give some momentum to the fundraising now needed for St Boniface. I have been told that there used to be a small group of people who concerned themselves with fundraising before Cullompton was joined to Tiverton to form one parish, so it would be great for a new group of parishioners from St Boniface to join forces with The Friends of the Parish to discuss ways to raise the much-needed funds for the buildings which serve that part of our community which gathers at St Boniface. Teresa Cummings will speak about this at the end of Mass at St Boniface this weekend.
Lest we become overly focussed on buildings, the occurrence this weekend of World Mission Sunday reminds us that the Church, that is, the gathered People of God, exists primarily for mission, to proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Back in 1965, in its Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church, Ad Gentes, the bishops of the Second Vatican Council taught that: “The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance with the decree of God the Father” (AG 2). So, being missionary is not an optional extra for those who might feel called to such work, but something that belongs to the nature and very reason for existence of the Church. That means that all the baptised, whoever they are and whatever vocation in life they are called to, are also by their very nature called to be missionaries. We are ALL SENT BY CHRIST to bring the good news of salvation to those we encounter. We should be grateful to God that our parish community continues to grow and be vibrant, not least due to the arrival of our sisters and brothers from overseas. However, we should also remember that there are both those in many parts of the world who have yet to hear the Message of the Gospel for the first time – and we have a responsibility to support spiritually and financially those missionaries who answer the call to be sent to those places on our behalf – and those within our own parish area who, in our secularised and materialistic world, either themselves have not yet hear the Gospel message or who have heard it but the flame of faith within them has grown weak and the practice of the faith become lukewarm. The mission before the Church Universal remains pressing, as does the mission of the Church in our own parish. It is our shared responsibility, and our buildings exist to enable us to be nourished and formed for this mission to others. I encourage each of you to read Pope Leo’s Message to the Church for this World Mission Sunday, which is attached to this email.
There will be some adjustments being made to the lights in the carpark at St John and St James this coming Tuesday, so could those who drive to Mass on that day please park their cars away from the hedge where the lamp posts are and park along side of the grassed area instead.
Do remember that next weekend, during Saturday night, the clocks go back one hour to Greenwich Mean Time – otherwise you might be a bit early for Mass on Sunday!
Along with the Newsletter this week, I attach:
the weekly guide to a contemplative reading of the Sunday Gospel, from Monika Manser
the Message of Pope Leo for World Mission Sunday
the latest Newsletter from the Lighthouse Cafe and Bookshop in Tiverton.
We remember in prayer those of our community who are sick and, of course, we include Pope Leo in our prayers in a special way. The funeral service for Jan Wissink takes place this week, so we pray for the repose of his soul and keep Nora and their sons in our prayers at this time.
May the Lord fill you all with the joy of the Gospel and bless you with peace
Canon Kristian
World Mission Sunday 100th Anniversary
This Sunday, parishes worldwide celebrate World Mission Sunday. By supporting Missio – the Pope’s charity for world mission – we stand united as God’s global family, in prayer, solidarity and action. The Holy Father has chosen the theme ‘One in Christ, United in Mission’ to celebrate 100 years of World Mission Sunday and encourages us to unite with missionaries as they strive to reach out with God’s love to communities in need. A copy of his Message for this Sunday is attached to the Newsletter. Please pray for the work of mission and give what you can to this vital collection. To donate, use the Missio envelope, call 020 7821 9755 (office hours), click on the QR code, or visit www.missio.org.uk to give a gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible.
Funeral for Jan Wissink RIP
A Funeral Service will take place for Jan Wissink, who died recently, in St Boniface Church at 11.00am this Tuesday, 20 October. Jan was a much loved and respected member of our parish community, so please do come along and support him and Nora with your presence and prayers.
Prayers for Pope Leo
Catholics around the world were concerned to hear the news that Pope Leo had to undergo an operation at the start of last week to remove a cancerous growth from one of his lungs. Although we have been told that this tumour has been caught early, the bottom lobe of one of his lungs had to be removed. He is still in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome but is recovering well from the operation. He is still intending to undertake his planned Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6-17 November if at all possible, so please do keep him in your prayers for a full and speedy return to health.
Tarsisio Nyatsanza RIP
We were very saddened to hear that Tarsisio, one of our parishioners, died suddenly whilst visiting relatives in York. It was Tarsisio’s wish to return to his native Zimbabwe to be buried. If you would like to help with the cost of his repatriation, a Go Fund Me Page has been created by his family. May he rest in peace.
Parish Altar Servers
Canon Kristian received a lovely email this week for a parishioner to express their thanks and admiration for our altar servers. The way they look out for each other and show concern was particularly noted. “The parish is witnessing them growing up in front of our very eyes and I believe they deserve our wholehearted thanks and appreciation”. Canon Kristian is sure you will concur with these sentiments. We are extremely proud of all our altar servers. They are a real credit to their families and to the parish. We always need more altar servers, so it is an opportune moment to encourage any young person who has made their First Holy Communion to come forward and offer themselves for this importance service for our community. It would be great to see youngsters from all the different cultural backgrounds in our parish represented on the altar. Please speak to Canon Kristian over the next couple of weeks and training can then be arranged.
200 Club
Congratulations to Mike Ingersent who won the £30 prize and to Rosie Croker who won the £20 prize in the October draw. Any parishioners wishing to join this parish fund raiser should speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St John and St James or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.
SVP Skittles Evening
The SVP Skittles Evening will be held at 7.00pm this Friday, 23 October, at the Racehorse Pub, Wellbrook Street, Tiverton. The cost is £10 per person, which will include a buffet supper. Please let Simon Coombs (07761 420703) know by this weekend if you are attending.
Youth Volunteers Training Day
There will be a Youth Volunteers Training Day (18+) next Saturday, 24 October, at Exeter University Catholic Chaplaincy. Join a group of volunteers from across the Diocese to explore accompanying young people through the transition of the childhood faith to take ownership of their own faith journey. Kate from Million Minutes will talk about their project, Agents for Change, and how they proactively gathered a group of young people to hear their voices and encourage them to be heard in the church. Booking essential: Volunteers Training Day October 24th 2026 – Fill in form.
Vocation as Permanent Deacon
Are you being called to serve as a permanent deacon? An Enquirers’ Day will be held on Saturday 31 October 2026 at St Boniface House, Ashburton, TQ13 7JL, 10.30am-1.30pm. For more details or to book a place, please contact Deacon Nick Johnson on 07768 622343 or by email at nick.johnson@prcdtr.org.uk.
Keys from St Andrew’s
Please would anyone who still holds keys for St Andrew’s church and/or hall, please either give them directly to Margaret Found or leave them in the sacristy for collection.
World Day of the Poor Event – The Lord is the Refuge of the Poor
Join Caritas Diocese of Plymouth to celebrate the 10th World Day of the Poor on Saturday 14 November, 11.00am-4.30pm, at our newly dedicated St John and St James Catholic Church. Bishop Nicholas will open the day and close it with the celebration of the 6.00pm Mass. The keynote speaker, David Wells, will reflect on Pope Leo’s Message and Canon Kristian will give a brief introduction to the new church. A simple lunch will be provided. Registration is essential for this free event and early booking is advised. To register, click 10th World Day of the Poor Event: Tiverton – Fill in form, email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk or tel: 01364 645440.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 18th October –Twenty Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time
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Saturday 17 October – St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm Pro Populo
Sunday 18 October – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.00am Marcin Gorlo (birthday int)
Monday 19 October – Weekday
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm
Tuesday 20 October – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Funeral Service for Jan Wissink RIP at 11.00am (St Boniface)
Wednesday 21 October – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)
Thursday 22 October – St John Paul II, Pope
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
Friday 23 October – Weekday
- Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass at 12noon
- Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
- SVP Skittles Evening at 7.00pm at The Racehorse Pub, Tiverton
Saturday 24 October – Weekday
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
***CLOCKS GO BACK ONE HOUR***
Sunday 25 October – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.00am