NEWSLETTER

Thirty third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

World Day of the Poor

Sunday 16th November, 2025

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters

This is the penultimate Sunday of the Church’s year so, as we might expect, the liturgy leads us to focus on “endings”, particularly on the Coming of Christ at the end of time. Whilst much of the imagery contained in the readings is somewhat apocalyptic and therefore perhaps frightening, the underlying message is that, amidst all this turmoil, God continues to surrounds us with love and protection, which is consoling to hear! Endings in life are often times of major transition, involving not a little disruption and change, leading to new beginnings. The same applies to the ending of our earthly life in death and the dawning of the fullness of God’s Kingdom at the end of time. The liturgy takes the opportunity to remind us that a part of these final transitions will be a moment of accountability for the way we have chosen to live out our baptismal dignity as daughters and sons of God, motivated by the teaching of the Gospels, especially the way of the Beatitudes. Notwithstanding our frequent failings in this regard, as long as we are honest and open in our ongoing relationship with God, relying not on our own efforts but on God’s grace and mercy available to us above all in the Sacraments, we are assured of the compassion of God, who loves us precisely because we carry that “treasure” of the divine image and divine light in fragile and flawed “jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Even in the midst of trial and persecution, those who persevere in faith and fidelity are given the promise that “not a hair of your head will perish” (Luke 21:18), a promise of love and protection which thankfully applies equally to those of us who are “folliclely challenged”!

Next weekend will be a big weekend for our parish community as we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 17 of our young people at the 11.30am Mass on Sunday in St Andrew’s. The gathered community is likely to be very large, so those who find crowded spaces difficult might want to go to either the 6.30pm Mass on Saturday or the 9.30am Mass in St Boniface on Sunday. I want to thank our amazing young people and their families for their commitment to the preparation and our magnificent catechists who have put so much time and effort into the preparation sessions.

Along with the Newsletter this weekend, I attach:
the weekly guide to a prayerful reflection on the Sunday Gospel, from Monika Manser
the latest number of Inspire, from Deacon Peter
a document from the Parish Palestinian Support Group together with a flyer for the next Peace Vigil.

Please keep in your prayers those who are sick, particularly Deacon Peter, who will be undergoing a serious operation this week, and Ruby Whitton – Fr Bill Kiely’s old housekeeper – who is very frail and presently in the RD&E.

May God keep all our hearts in peace.

Canon Kristian

Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

World Day of the Poor

This Sunday is the annual World Day of the Poor. In this year’s celebration we are invited to reflect on the words of Pope Leo XIV’s message for the World Day of the Poor and his recent Apostolic Exhortation: Dilexi te (“I have loved you”). In this, his first teaching document, he reminds us that true faith in Christ cannot be separated from love for those who suffer, and that the Church is called to recognise in the poor not simply recipients of our help, but also our teachers in the Gospel.

Safeguarding Sunday

This Sunday is also Safeguarding Sunday, an initiative spearheaded by the charity Thirtyone:eight, which invites communities to come together to reflect on their safeguarding journey, and highlight all the good work that is being done to create safer places. Defending the rights of vulnerable people is integral to Christian faith and teaching, but recent history has shown that, sadly, the Church hasn’t always done this well. However, the Church is taking steps to take the responsibility to safeguard those in their care seriously and that is why this year’s theme is: Action speaks louder. The time has come to move beyond just talking about creating safer places and to take action towards doing it! It is a day to thank our Parish Safeguarding Team for all the work that they do throughout the year to ensure that our parish community is a safe place for all.

Taxation and Catholic Social Teaching

In July, the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales published Render unto Caesar, a major publication on taxation and Catholic social teaching. A webinar chaired by Bishop Richard Moth will held this Thursday, 20 November at 6.00pm, in time for the Autumn Budget Statement on 26 November. This event will bring together three of the document’s authors: Prof. Anna Rowlands, Ruth Kelly and Prof. Philip Booth. Each will present their thoughts on taxation and Catholic social teaching and then take questions from the participants. To register to take part in this webinar on Zoom, click on this link.

Diocesan Newsletter Letter

For the latest Diocesan Newsletter for November, which includes details about the Installation of Bishop Nicholas Hudson as Bishop of Plymouth, go to https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-80114A1E3743F9BF2540EF23F30FEDED

Vigil for Peace

A second Vigil for Peace in Palestine will be held in St Andrew’s Church, Tiverton, on Tuesday 25 November at 7.30pm. A selection of Palestinian goods will be on sale afterwards.

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

At the 11.30am Mass next Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with 17 of our wonderful young people. This is a moment of great grace and thanksgiving for our parish community, so do please keep these young people and their families in your prayers during this week leading up to this unique moment in their faith journeys.

November Prayers for the Dead

During the month of November, we traditionally pray more intensely for those who have died. A receptacle is placed in front of the altar in both our churches for the names of your family, friends and others who have died. These will be remembered by name during the Mass on Friday 28 November at 12noon at St Andrew’s.

200 Club

Congratulations to Joe Cuddy who won the £30 prize and to Terry Mitchell who won the £20 prize in the November draw. If you would like to join this on-going fundraiser for as little as £1 a month, please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St Andrews or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.

Scottish Brunch

Monika Manser is hosting a Scottish Brunch to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on Monday, 1 December, 10.30am-12noon, in St Andrew’s Hall, featuring Scottish cuisine including Lorne sausage in a roll, haggis on toast, porridge, tattie scones and oatcakes. A selection of homemade jams, jellies and chutneys will also be on sale. All proceeds will go towards the interior fittings for St James’. 

Luxury Liberty Advent Calendar Raffle

A luxury reusable Liberty Advent Calendar filled with treats for all the family is being raffled. Tickets are £1 and the winner will be drawn at the end of November. It is available to view at the back of St Andrew’s Church, although the drawers have not yet been filled. All proceeds towards the interior refurbishment of St James Church.

Big Christmas Raffle

The tickets for the Big Christmas Raffle are on sale from this weekend. There are three impressive hampers to be won, filled with high quality produce and products from the Southwest. Tickets cost £5.00 each.

Christmas Carol Service

There will be a Christmas Carol Service on Friday 19 December at 7.30pm. Anyone who would like to join our group of singers is invited to come along to the rehearsals on Saturday mornings, 11.00am-12noon, in St Andrew’s.

Christmas Tree Baubles

Tony and Ann Doble have been given a number of good quality Christmas tree decorations from Hillersdon House. They will be selling these after Sunday Mass at St Boniface. All proceeds will go to the Church funds to support the refurbishment of St James and the pending works on the church and presbytery at St Boniface.

St Boniface Christmas Party

The annual Christmas Party held in St Boniface’s Hall will take place on Saturday 13 November, 2.00-4.00pm. If you would like to take part, please put your name on the list at the entrance to St Boniface’s church.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 16th November – Thirty third Sunday in Ordinary time (C)

  • Saturday 15 November – Weekday

    • First Holy Communion Preparation, 10.00am, St John’s School Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 16 November – Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (c)

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Christopher Sharpe RIP (FM)
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo

    Monday 17 November – St Hilda of Whitby, Religious, and St Hugh of Lincoln, Bishop

    • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall

    Tuesday 18 November – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Wednesday 19 November– Weekday

    • No Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 20 November – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Friday 21 November – The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

    • Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon Alan Cross RIP (anniv)
    • Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
    • Society of St Vincent de Paul Meeting at 12.45pm
    • Confirmation Preparation, 7.00-9.00pm, in St Andrew’s

    Saturday 22 November – St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

    • Friends of St James and St Boniface, 9.00am, in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 23 November – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (c)

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass with the Sacrament of Confirmation at 11.30am