NEWSLETTER
Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Sunday 7th December, 2025
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
Dear brothers and sisters
As we progress along the Advent path, we are invited not only to refresh our watchfulness for the coming of Christ but, since we do not know the day or the hour of his final Coming, to have a renewed focus on ourselves as individuals and preparedness to welcome the Lord at any point and at any time. The great cry of John the Baptist, “Prepare a way for the Lord”, reminds us that each one of us is always in the process of preparation and that that preparation is never done until the day we come face to face with the Risen Christ. Although not a penitential season in the strict sense like Lent, the invitation to “repent” – rethink, review, perceive more deeply, reorientate our lives – is a part of the preparation in the Season of Advent too. What do I need to do to be more aware and open to the coming of Christ? What needs to change in my life? How do I need to “declutter” my life from those things that distract me, take me down other paths? How do I need the healing and forgiving grace of God to be able to see and hear more clearly? Questions such as these form part of our preparation and discernment.
Although we are still in Advent, because it is such a short season, towards the end of this week there are a number of events which already anticipate the arrival of the Christmas Season. At the parish level, there is the annual Christmas Party in St Boniface’s Hall, Cullompton, on Saturday 13 December and the Parish Children’s Christmas Party on Sunday 14 December in St Andrew’s Hall, Tiverton. These social gatherings are really important for the well-being of our community, so I look forward to seeing many of you there. Beyond the parish level, there is the CHAT Feel Good Family Christmas Concert in St Paul’s CofE Church, Tiverton, and the Concert of Polish Carols in the Sacred Heart Church, Exeter, both on Friday evening. Please do support these if you can.
Thank you to everyone who has been so generous over the last few weeks with their donations towards the internal refurbishment of the new St James. Amazingly, we have already reached the initial target on our fundraising thermometer, so the second target has now been put on it. Please do continue to give your donations, not least because we are also looking at a potential bill of £70,000 for essential works to be done on the church and presbytery in Cullompton in addition to what we need for St James.
Together with the details in the newsletter about her sponsored walk planned for the end of December, Bonnie, one of our young people, who is aiming to volunteer on a HCPT pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, also has a GoFundMe page for those who would like to donate that way: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-me-volunteer-for-hcpt.
As we look forward to the dedication of our own church in Tiverton in Spring 2026, on Tuesday this week, Bishop Nicholas will be dedicating the church and altar of the new St Benedict’s Church in Gillingham, Dorset. The Catholic community’s original building was too small for the growing congregation and had no amenities. However, the Methodist community in the town was looking to sell its church and so it was purchased by the diocese. Following a beautiful renovation, the Catholic community in Gillingham will be moving to their new home this Tuesday. We wish them every blessing and a fruitful mission.
Together with the Newsletter this weekend, please find attached:
Monika Manser’s guide to a contemplative reading of the Sunday Gospel
A special edition of the Diocesan Newsletter about the Installation of Bishop Nicholas
the November Newsletter from CHAT
a poster about the Teen Residential in January.
As we get closer to the Christmas festivities, let us not forget those in our communities who find this time of year especially hard due to their daily struggle to make ends meet amidst all the encouragement to excess, or because of their sense of loneliness against the background of the constant publicity about this being a time of togetherness with family and friends, or as a result of their grieving for loved ones who have died recently and whose physical absence will be felt more acutely this Christmastide. In addition, we pray that the peace of the Messiah, who continues to come into our world, may finally beat all swords into ploughshares and the hearts of all away from war and hatred.
God bless
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ
Advent “Walk with Me” and “Day by Day” Booklets
A few copies of the “Walk with Me” and “Day by Day” booklets for Advent are still available this weekend. They are offered to you for free, so please do take copies with you. There are also booklets and calendars for children.
Special Installation Edition of the Diocesan Newsletter
Following the Installation of Bishop Nicholas last Saturday, there is a special edition of the Diocesan Newsletter with pictures and stories of the celebration: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-860B12BD0A8754D92540EF23F30FEDED. All the addresses and homilies can be found on the diocesan website.
HCPT Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026
One of our young parishioners, Bonnie, is raising funds to pay for her participation as a helper on the HCPT Group 141 Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year. She is planning to do a sponsored walk up and down Exmouth Seafront five times on Sunday 28 December 2025, a distance of 10 miles in total. If you would like to sponsor her, please put your details on the sponsor form at the back of church.
Concert of Polish Carols
The Polish Choir, Sounds for the Lord, is doing a tour of the UK which includes churches in our Diocese. They will be giving a Concert of Polish Carols at the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Street, Exeter, this Friday, 12 December, at 7.00pm and at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Mary Magdalene next Sunday, 14 December, at 5.30pm. Entry is free.
Feel Good Family Christmas Concert
You are invited to join the CHAT team and the Take Note Community Choir for a joyful evening of festive music and singalongs to get you into the Christmas spirit next Friday, 12 December, at 6.45pm in St Paul’s Church, Tiverton. Entry is free and refreshments will be available. You are encouraged to wear a festive jumper and to bring along a tin for the food collection if you can.
Parish Big Christmas Raffle
The tickets for the Parish Big Christmas Raffle are on sale. There are three luxury hampers to be won, filled with high quality produce and products from the Southwest. The draw will be made next weekend. Tickets are £5.00 each.
Products and Gifts to support Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
Following our recent Vigil for Peace in Palestine, Zaytoun products and goods from the Palestinian territories will again be on sale after the Masses this weekend. Proceeds will go to support the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Plymouth Diocesan Yearbooks 2026
The new Plymouth Diocesan Yearbook is now available at the entrance to church, priced £5.00 each.
Silent Prayer with St Ignatius
The monthly time of silent prayer with St Ignatius in St Andrew’s Church will now be paused for a few months until the weather and church get warmer.
Parish Children’s Christmas Party
We will be holding our Christmas Party for all the children of our parish who are still are Primary School age or younger next Sunday, 14 December, 3.00-5.00pm, in St Andrew’s Hall. For safety reasons, parents must remain on the premises whilst their children are at the party. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available for the adults. Please sign up on the sheet at the entrance to church if your children are planning to take part or send an email to the parish office. All welcome.
St Boniface Christmas Party
The annual Christmas Party held in St Boniface’s Hall will take place next Saturday, 13 December, 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.
CHAT Newsletter
The latest Newsletter from the Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT) is attached to this Newsletter and includes details about the Reverse Advent Calendar and Christmas food list. Please visit www.chatmid.org/christmas2025 for more information on either of these items and on the Christmas Appeal.
CAFOD World Gifts
Why not donate a life-changing gift to those who are poorer in our world on behalf of a relative or friend this Christmas? CAFOD has a wide range of gifts, ranging from a Happy Queen Bee to a Community Water Supply. Please take a CAFOD World Gift Brochure with you this week if you have not already done so. The brochure also contains some stocking-filler ideas too.
Parish 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.
200 Club
Canon Kristian will make the draw for December after the 6.00pm Mass this Saturday. If you would like one or more numbers in this parish fundraiser 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.
November Parish Giving
Loose: £1007.02 Contactless: £402.00 Standing Order: £3572.02
Residential for Teens
A residential weekend for teens, aged 13-17, will take place from 23-25 January at East Shallowford Farm on Dartmoor focussed on the theme of “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35). The residential is designed to give young people a chance to step back from the busyness of daily life, explore their faith, enjoy fellowship with others their age, and take part in guided reflection, prayer, and activities. They will be invited to explore the lives of people holding refugee and asylum seekers status in the UK. Upon listening to their stories, the young people will be able to form their own opinions and to decide what action they should take. A contribution of £50 per person to assist with costs is requested. For further information, contact Saskia at youth@prcdtr.org.uk.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday7th December – Second Sunday of Advent
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Saturday 6 December – St Nicholas, Bishop
- First Holy Communion Preparation at 10.00am in St John’s School Hall
- St Andrew’s Charity Coffee Morning, 10am-12noon in St Andrew’s Hall
- Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Parish Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 7 December – Second Sunday of Advent (A)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am Victoria Moy and Family (ints)
Monday 8 December – The Immaculate Conception of Our Lady
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
Tuesday 9 December – Advent Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
Wednesday 10 December – Advent Weekday
- No Mass at St Boniface
Thursday 11 December – Advent Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
Friday 12 December – Advent Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am Geoffrey Xavier RIP
Saturday 13 December – St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
- St Boniface Christmas Party, 2.00pm-4.00pm, in St Bonface’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 14 December – Third Sunday of Advent (A) – Gaudete Sunday
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am
- Parish Children’s Christmas Party, 3.00pm-5.00pm, in St Andrew’s Hall