Prayer Intention for February

During the month of February, the Holy Father invites us to join him in praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life: “Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.” Go to https://popevideo.org to watch a video of Pope Francis himself introducing this month’s intention.

Parish Afternoon Tea

Terry and Elizabeth Starkey will be hosting an Afternoon Tea this coming Wednesday, 5 February, 3.00-5.00pm, at 31 Broomhill, Tiverton, EX16 5AR. All welcome. Proceeds will go towards the fund for the interior fittings of the rebuilt St James’.

Global Day of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar -1 February

Saturday 1 February is an important date for Myanmar, marking the beginning of the current conflict in 2021. The country has faced moments of great suffering and challenges over the past years. As a community of faith, we come together on this day to call for peace, justice and reconciliation in Myanmar. Through this initiative, organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and its 23 national offices, the aim is to provide some spiritual consolation to the Burmese people and to pray for the restauration of peace, to show our solidarity and to remind them that even in the darkest hours, hope and faith can be a light for the world. Pope Francis has invited people around the world to pray especially for the country of Myanmar and its people on 1 February. If you can, please support prayer for the people of Myanmar on this day or on a day close to 1 February. Use the following link to find out more information about the Global Day of Prayer for Peace in Myanmar | ACN International.

Feast Day of St Josephine Bakhita – 8 February

St Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.  Josephine Margaret Bakhita was a Sudanese-Italian Canossian religious sister who lived in Italy for 45 years, after having been a slave in Sudan. In 2000 she was declared a saint. On her Feast Day, Saturday 8 February, Catholics are encouraged to pray for all those affected by the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, and for the people who volunteer and work to eradicate this crime. Modern Slavery is one of the social action themes for the Jubilee.  To find out more about this important issue and how you can respond, please visit https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/jubilee2025socialaction/.

New Missals

Parishioners are still asking to order new Missals with the new translation of the Mass readings. The cost of a Sunday Missal is £18.95, whilst a Weekday Missal costs £66.49. If you would like to order one, please put your name and contact details on the sheet at the back of church, indicating whether you would like the Sunday or Weekday version.

Unbound Ministry Diocesan Event

In this Jubilee year when Pope Francis has asked us to be “Pilgrims of Hope”, this day, which will be held at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre (Dart View Room 4), on Saturday 15 February, 10.00-3.00pm, will offer practical guidance on the spiritual battle of life and how inner healing and deliverance can give us true freedom in Christ. The day will be led by Sue Walsh, the National Co-ordinator of Unbound Prayer Ministry UK. There will be an opportunity to go to Mass in the Abbey at noon. The event is free, but bookings need to be done through plymouth-crownhill@prcdtr.org.uk. Any enquiries, please ring 01752 701660.

Lifepath Tiverton 2025

Lifepath Tiverton, which is a joint project of all the churches, will be holding its second year at St Paul’s Church, Tiverton, 3-5 June, based on the life and times of the Wesley brothers. Already almost 300 school children are already signed up to take part in the experience over the three days. The following volunteers are still needed:

• someone to be the ‘sick person’ in the John Wesley area.

• two people to be in charge of moving props on the day.

• someone to help John Wesley’s area with washing up between activities.

• someone to be the vicar’s helper in the second drama 

• someone to give their testimony – as a modern Christian who lives today (possibly been abroad like the Wesleys) 

• a couple of people to be ruffians

• Wesley Family helpers to accompany school groups around the activities.

If you can help, please email lifepathtiverton@gmail.com.

Jubilee Year Diocesan Newsletter

Here is the link for the Diocesan Newsletter with information about the Jubilee Year:https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-2B9E82C9BE809D7E2540EF23F30FEDED.

Post Vacancy – Property Administrator

The Diocese of Plymouth is recruiting a Property Administrator based at St Boniface House, Ashburton. To express your interest in the post, please contact recruitment@prcdtr.org.uk. The closing date for applications is this Monday, 3 February 2025.

Gather Conference 2025

Come and share a weekend of faith, formation and friendship at the annual Gather Conference from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 March at the Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay.  David McLoughlin, a theologian and lecturer, will offer keynote presentations on the four great Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council: Dei Verbum on Divine Revelation, Sacrosanctum Concilium on the Sacred Liturgy, Lumen Gentium on the Church and Gaudium et Spes on the Church in the Modern World.  The Booking Form is attached to the Newsletter and is also available on Facebook. Email plymouthgather@yahoo.com for more information.