NEWSLETTER
Twenty third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sunday 6th September, 2026
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
Dear brothers and sisters
The countdown to our return to the soon-to-be consecrated Church of St John and St James in Tiverton has started! Much still needs to be done to ready the building for the Solemn Mass of Dedication at 2.00pm on Saturday 26 September, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to all those who are helping in various ways to prepare for the opening of the church, be they practical preparations for the day, preparations for the liturgy or preparations for the celebrations afterwards. There are many strands to be brought together, but I am sure that it will be a magnificent celebration of our whole parish community, whether we live in Tiverton, in Cullompton or in one of the many surrounding villages and hamlets. The Solemn Mass of Dedication of the Church and Consecration of the Altar will be presided over by Bishop Nicholas and will be open to any member of the parish to come and take part. Obviously, there is a limit to the number of people that the building will physically seat, but we will try to fit as many people in as we can safely do. However, by way of early warning, the Solemn Mass of Dedication necessarily includes the use of a considerable amount of incense, so anyone who might be adversely impacted by this will need to decide whether it will be wise to attend or not. Thankfully, the whole Mass will be livestreamed so that those who cannot be physically present at the celebration will still be able to take part in it in real time.
Whilst all these preparations are underway, life in the wider parish continues as usual. With the arrival of the beginning of September, schools and colleges are starting their new academic term. We have a special thought for those young people who are facing the transition from primary to secondary school, from secondary school to college or university or from the academic world to the world of work. These transitions mark a major change and a new stage of life for our young people, and it is important that they feel supported by the community. The Children’s Liturgy at both of our churches will also recommence at the Sunday Masses. Our thanks go to the small band of catechists who devote time to prepare and lead these liturgies with and for our younger children. It is such an important ministry. If there is anyone who would like to be considered for appointment as a catechist/leader for the Children’s Liturgy, please do have a word with me or with one of the existing catechists. We are always looking for more volunteers so that the responsibility can be shared across a greater number of people.
The advertisement for a new parish secretary is included in the Newsletter this weekend, and and it will also be advertised in the surrounding parishes. The role of parish secretary is not only a vital post for the on-going coordination of the pastoral life of the parish, but it is becoming increasingly important as the administration of the parish becomes more complex, due not least to compliance with the growing amount of civil regulation.
Along with the Newsletter, I attach:
the weekly guide to a contemplative reading of the Sunday Gospel from Monika Manser
the application form for preparation for Holy Communion 2027
the job advert for the Parish Secretary
a flyer for the free Trauma-Informed Practice training being offered by the diocese to all interested parties.
Let us continue to pray for each other, and especially for those most in need, whether in the parish or beyond.
As this Sunday’s liturgy focuses, amongst other times, on reconciliation, let us pray and work for reconciliation in our relationships between one another and particularly between those in our world who are at war or who are fighting.
God bless
Canon Kristian
September Prayer Intention
The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, invites us to join him in prayer this month “for the care of water”. Water, he says, “quenches thirst, nourishes the earth, and heals wounds,” as well as serving for Christians as a symbol of God’s grace and love for us and our renewal in Baptism. “Forgive us for turning it into a commodity, forgetting that it is a universal gift, a right without borders, meant for all your children,” he prays. “We see with pain so many brothers and sisters who lack clean water, who walk for miles to find it, who become ill due to its scarcity.” Pope Leo goes on to pray that the Holy Spirit may make Christians “pilgrims of the essential,” who are able to live simply and avoid all waste or pollution. He encourages us to defend everyone’s right to water, so that all may drink “without fear and without inequality”, concluding his prayer: “May our care for water be a sign of love for the Creator and a commitment to the lives of the poor, educating new generations to value and protect the Earth’s resources”. Go to https://www.popesprayer.va/praywiththepope/ to watch a video and pray along with the Holy Father.
Job Vacancy – Parish Secretary
The Diocese is recruiting a Parish Secretary for this parish, based at the rebuilt church of St John & St James in Tiverton, and reporting to the Parish Priest. The purpose of the role is to manage the administrative and secretarial support alongside the office resources to ensure the smooth running of the Parish and to enable the Parish Priest to carry out his ministry and parish responsibilities. If you have good knowledge of and experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook and Teams, along with excellent organisational skills and the ability to act as a key representative for the Diocese of Plymouth, the Diocese would love to hear from you.
-
Hours: 16 hours a week (Tuesday-Friday)
-
Location: St John & St James Church, 40 Old Road, Tiverton, EX16 4HJ
-
Salary: £14.50 an hour
-
Closing date: Wednesday 16 September 2026
To apply, please contact recruitment@prcdtr.org.uk to obtain an application form and job description. Applications are by covering letter and application form to recruitment@prcdtr.org.uk.
Parish Palestinian Support Group
Come along to St Andrew’s hall this Tuesday 8 September at 7.00pm for a meeting of the Parish Palestine Support Group. The Group will be planning and asking for volunteers to help with two fundraising projects: 1) Knitted Squares, and 2) a Puddings for Peace evening. This year the aim is to raise funds for the Amos Project and more information about that will be given at the meeting.
First Holy Communion 2027
It is that time of year again for those parents with children in Year 3 or above to register them for preparation to receive the First Holy Communion in 2027. An application form is attached to the Newsletter, or a copy can be picked up at church.
Thank You Cream Tea for St Andrew’s
As a big “Thank You” to the community of St Andrew’s for welcoming and hosting us so warmly over the last two years, we will be holding a special Cream Tea for them in St Andrew’s Hall next Saturday, 12 September, 2.00-4.00pm. Please sign up on the sheet at the entrance to church to give us an indication of the number for whom we need to cater.
Mass for Marriage 2026
Next Saturday, 12 September, at 12noon, Bishop Nicholas will be celebrating the annual Mass for Marriage at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface in Plymouth. Marriage enriches us all. All are welcome to come and take part, including those whose spouses are no longer with them here. Do let the diocese know your anniversaries or intentions, or your planned wedding date. Contact Deborah at deborah.vankroonenburg@prcdtr.org.uk.
Trauma-Informed Practice in Faith Settings – Free Training Day
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is hosting a new second training event on Saturday 31 October. This training day focuses on Trauma-Informed Practice within Faith Settings and is particularly aimed at anybody involved in working within ministry roles, but all are welcome if you have an interest in developing knowledge and understanding around this topic. The training is being held at St Boniface House on Saturday 31 October, 10.00am-4.30pm. Lunch is provided, and it is hoped to see as many of you there as possible! Click here to book a place.
200 Club
Canon Kristian will make the draw for September after the 6.00pm Mass this Saturday. If you would like one or more numbers in this parish fund raiser for as little as £1 a month, please let Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon know at St Andrew’s or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.
CHAT Sleepout September
CHAT is organising a sponsored Sleepout on Friday 18 September, 7.00pm onwards, at Tiverton Town Football Club, Ian Moorcroft Stadium, in Tiverton, to raise much needed funds for the people of Mid Devon. As Alison Padfield, CEO of CHAT says: “For many people, a night on the streets is their ‘normal’. While taking part in a sleepout for one night can’t truly replicate that reality, it does help to gain a glimpse of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. The money raised really will change lives, so thank you, whether you are choosing to sleep out or supporting someone who is”. Taking part is free (under 18’s must attend with a responsible adult), but please get a ticket by going to https://www.chatmid.org/events/sleepout-september-2026, set up a JustGiving page or download a sponsorship form.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 6th September –Twenty third Sunday in Ordinary Time
-
Saturday 5 September – Weekday
- The Friends of St James and St Boniface, 9.00am in St Andrew’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm Pro Populo
Sunday 6 September – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am
Monday 7 September – Weekday
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm
Tuesday 8 September – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Parish Palestinian Support Group, 7.00pm, St Andrew’s Hall
Wednesday 9 September – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)
Thursday 10 September – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
Friday 11 September – Weekday
- Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass at 12noon
- Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
Saturday 12 September – Weekday
- Thank You to St Andrew’s Cream Tea, 2.00-4.00pm, St Andrew’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm Pro Populo
Sunday 13 September – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am