NEWSLETTER
Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Sunday 24th August, 2025
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Message from Canon Kristian
Dear sisters and brothers
Although, for nearly all of us, our most immediate experience of what it means to be “Church” takes place at the parish level, that place where we meet together week by week for the celebration of Mass to worship God and receive sustenance to be sent forth to live the Gospel, for Catholic Christians the two principal expressions of the Church are at the diocesan level, gathered around the Bishop – the living presence and guarantor of the apostolic nature of the Church, and at the universal level, through the full communion of all the Bishops with the Successor of St Peter, the first of the Apostles, the Bishop of Rome. Hence, the significance and importance of having a Bishop as the chief shepherd of our diocese becomes obvious. It is most unusual for a diocese to be without a Bishop for as long as our diocese has been – now over three years. Although Canon Paul has done and continues to do a marvellous job keeping the life of our diocese ticking along during this period without a Bishop, he would be the first to acknowledge that it is not healthy for a diocesan Church to be kept in this position for such a long time. Therefore, whilst we continue to keep Canon Paul in our prayers, let us persevere in asking the Holy Spirit to prompt and guide those responsible for choosing a new Bishop for our diocese, that they may fulfil their duty as soon as possible.
Something of the beauty of the universality of the Church was seen in the recent joyful gathering of over 1,000,000 young people full of faith, hope, prayer and enthusiasm for the Gospel from all over the world in Tor Vergata in Rome together with the Holy Father, Pope Leo, as part of the Jubilee of Young People (and, of course, amongst those one million young people was our own Karol Gorlo!). It was such a wonderful expression of the vibrancy and future of the Church.
This Sunday’s readings speak, amongst other things, of the universality of the call to enter into the Kingdom and Reign of God. Whether it is the people coming from the list of now unknown countries and places mentioned by Isaiah in the First Reading, or the gathering of people from all four corners of the earth spoken of by Jesus in the Gospel, it is clear that, from a Christian standpoint, there is no one nation or people which is specially blessed by God or which has a prior claim to belong to God’s Kingdom before any other. The invitation to belong is a universal one and, indeed, as is often the case, Jesus deliberately inverts the expectations of the religious authorities of his time (and often ours!) by what is call the “Gospel Paradox”. According to his teaching, in the Kingdom of God, the first shall be last and the last first! Similarly, he teaches in other places that the one who wishes to be first of all must make himself or herself the servant of all, and that the one who wishes to save his or her life must lose it for his sake and the sake of the Gospel. It is this willingness to live a humble life of service, especially towards the “little ones” whoever they are in each time and place, with freedom, trust, openness and fidelity to the will of God, that makes a person fit for the Kingdom of Heaven, the Reign of God. Or, to put in it another way, it is those who hear the word of God and practice the will of God who are the Lord’s brother, sister and mother (cf Mark 3:35, Lk 11:28)! The overturning of much of the value system of the modern world by the Lord’s teaching in the Gospels gives us much to reflect upon, not just with regards to the life of the Church and of the world around us, but it should also be our guide in our decisions and concrete actions within the social and political spheres of life, locally, nationally and globally.
I have said on more than one occasion that we are so blessed as a parish to have members from many different ethnic and national backgrounds, as well as members living in different economic and social circumstances. This all adds to the richness of our community, which finds its very unity in its diversity. In a real way, we are a microcosm of the universality of the Church. This week we celebrate the rebirth through baptism and entrance into our community of two new members, Mary Eiga Zerah Jithin and Helen Hewson, who bring yet greater giftedness and diversity to us. Please remember them and their families in your prayers at this time.
Together with the Newsletter I attach the usual weekly guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel from Monika Manser and the latest Newsletter for The Lighthouse Christian Bookshop and Cafe in Tiverton.
As it is the annual appeal this weekend for the Catholic Children’s Society, let us keep its work with families and children of all faiths and none throughout the diocese in our prayers, and also use this as a prompt to remember the suffering children throughout the world, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza.
May God bless you all
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ
Annual Appeal for the Catholic Children’s Society
“Giving Hope to All – Putting All Children First”: this weekend a retiring collection to support the work of the Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) will take place at the end of Mass. Please give generously towards the work of the Catholic Children’s Society and keep them and their beneficiaries in your prayers. Your love, kindness and generosity will make a difference to many children and their families. For those who are able to Gift Aid their donations, there are envelopes available. Donations can also be made via the QR code that can be found at the back of church.
Baptisms of Mary Jithin and Helen Hewson
This Sunday at 2.30pm, we have the joy of celebrating the baptism of baby Mary Eiga Zerah Jithin. We will also have the joy on Tuesday 26 August of celebrating the baptism of Helen Hewson at the 9.00am Mass. Please do come along and support her on this important and blessed occasion.
Silent Prayer with St Ignatius
The next gathering for half an hour of silent prayer in the Ignatian tradition will take place this Thursday, 28 August, 12.30-1.00pm, in St Andrew’s.
Support for Palestinian Christians – World Water Week
For too many Christians in the West Bank, water is a luxury. Access to water is severely restricted. In Bethlehem, mains water supply runs on average two days a month, often lasting 4 or 5 weeks without running water. Residents are forced to use stored water or buy in water from a tanker at more than four times the price to tap water, with some families spending 25% of their income just to purchase water. This leads to economic as well as health challenges. Old Water tanks are no longer hygienic and fail to hold water properly. This World Water Week, 24-28 August, the Friends of the Holy Land want to help families who don’t have reliable and clean water. They have a waiting list of up to 50 families who need help to replace old tanks with new, clean ones. Please go to the FHL web page if you would like to make a donation.
Season of Creation
1st September is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the beginning of the Season of Creation, which ends on 4 October (the Feast of St Francis of Assisi). For more information and inspiration, visit the diocesan website: https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/the-diocese/how-we-work/environment/season-of-creation/.
July Parish Giving
Loose: £1125.53 Contactless: £275.00 Standing Orders: £3572.00
On Saturday 22 August the IPC, the expert agency of the United Nations, has formally and officially declared a man-made famine in Gaza, threatening the lives of tens of thousands. This is the first famine to be declared outside of Africa. To qualify for the status of Famine there has to be at least 20% facing extreme lack of food, 30% or more children suffering acute malnutrition and at least 2 people in every 10,000 die each and every day from starvation.
Amongst the various ideas discussed at the recent meeting of parishioners to look at ways of showing support and solidarity with Palestinian Christians and the wider Palestinian community, some members support the following ways of protest: the weekly Wednesday Vigil at Phoenix Lane in Tiverton, 5.00-5.30pm; the next national march in London on Saturday 6 September at 12noon; the lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 10 September; the boycotting of goods of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements and supporting illegal occupation. Contact Sally: sallychapman81@gmail.com for more details on these initiatives, if these are things you feel you can support. For further information about the wider initiatives of the parish group, please contact Terence: t.mccarthaigh@btinternet.com.
Tough Times Support Group
The Tough Times Support Group is still “on tour” and will take place a week later than usual on Tuesday 2 Sept, 7.00pm, at Jane’s house, 8 Hele Road, Bradninch EX5 4QN. W3W: elects.roost.ended.
Asian Tapas
Come along and enjoy small, flavourful dishes, served as appetisers or snacks, in a communal setting at Fuscia’s house, 2 Blundell’s Avenue, Tiverton, EX16 4DL, opposite St Andrew’s Church, on Saturday 6 September, 12noon-2.00pm. Children welcome. Proceeds will go towards the internal refurbishment of St James.
Diocesan Youth Rally
The Diocesan Youth Rally 2025, aimed at those aged 6-16 years, will take place on Saturday 20 September at St Rita’s, Honiton, 12noon-6.00pm. Come as a team of 6 (over 12’s or under 12’s) or join a team at the rally itself. This is a fun way to meet others from across the Diocese, to have a go at some of the challenges and maybe to win a trophy. To book, go to: https://forms.office.com/e/swtEZ0viqV, and for further information, contact youth@prcdtr.org.uk.
Fun Quiz Night
A fun Quiz Night will take place on Friday 19 September, 6.30 for 7.00pm start, in St Andrew’s Hall. Teams can be up to six people, £5 per person. Tables need to be booked in advance, so please call Terry (07997 805475) or Siobhan (07522 338897). Feel free to bring your own drinks and nibbles. Proceeds will go towards the internal refurbishment of St James.
Jubilee Day for Catechists
A Jubilee Day for catechists and those interested in being catechists – “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me” (Jn 7:16) – will take place at Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre on Saturday 27 September, 10.00am-4.00pm. Speakers include Dr Pat McGovern and the LIFT Team from Truro and Deacon Tim van Kroonenburg. The day will also provide opportunities to connect with fellow catechists and share ideas of fruitful pastoral practice in our challenging times. To register, please email plymouth-crownhill@prcdtr.org.uk.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 24 August –Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
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Saturday 23 August – Weekday
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 24 August – Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo
- Holy Baptism of Mary Eiga Zerah Jithin at 2.30pm
Monday 25 August – Weekday
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
Tuesday 26 August – Bl Dominic of the Mother of God, Priest
- Holy Mass at 9.00am with Baptism of Helen Hewson
- Monthly Lunch, 12noon-2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
Wednesday 27 August – St Monica
- Service of the Word and Holy Communion at12noon (St Boniface)
Thursday 28 August – St Augustine
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Silent Prayer with St Ignatius, 12.30-1.00pm, in St Andrew’s
Friday 29 August – The Passion of St John the Baptist
- Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass with Prayers for Healing at 12noon
- Holy Rosary at 12.45pm
Saturday 30 August – St Margaret Clitherow, St Anne Line and St Margaret Ward, Martyrs
- Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 31 August – Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo