Pray with the Pope – Prayer Intention for March

The Holy Father’s prayer intention for March is for disarmament and peace: Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence. Join with him in prayer by going to https://www.popesprayer.va/praywiththepope/. Since 2016, Pray with the Pope has had more than 247 million views across all the Vatican’s social networks, and is translated into more than 23 languages, receiving press coverage in 114 countries.

Products for Dignity – Household Cleaning Products for CHAT

A s one of the themes of Lent is that of cleansing and purification, the Friends of St James and St Boniface thought that it would be appropriate that we should focus our Lenten support for CHAT on asking parishioners to bring offerings of household cleaning products – washing up liquid and scourers, kitchen/bathroom/toilet cleaner, cleaning cloths and dusters, washing powder or capsules and laundry softener.  The Foodbank has a great need of these things, which are essential to enable individuals and families to clean their accommodation and their clothes, both external acts which recognise and enhance the dignity of every person.  The cleaning Products for Dignity collection will last the full 40 days of Lent.  Please leave donations at the back of church.

Lent Talks on Zoom

Fr Mark Skelton, the parish priest in Newquay, is opening up his parish Lent Talks based on the parables of Jesus on Zoom to anyone across the diocese who would like to take part. The Meeting ID is 895 7188 9251 and the Password is 125755. The talks are as follows: Thursday 12 March, 7.00pm, Fr Mark Skelton – The Parable of the Good Shepherd; Thursday 19 March, 7.00pm, Sr Bernadette Reis – The Parable of the Prodigal Son; Thursday 2 March, 7.00pm, Mr Simon Giarchi – The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Tea, Coffee and Cake

Come and enjoy tea, coffee, cake and more, 2.00-4.00pm, on St Patrick’s Day, Tuesday 17 March, in St Andrew’s Hall. There will also be a not-to-be-missed talk on “How to make an icon”. Donations will go towards the internal furnishings of the rebuilt St James and St John.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for March 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 Andrews or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface.

Parish Palestinian Supper and Social

Last Tuesday, 3 March, a parish Palestinian-themed Supper and Social was held in St Andrew’s Hall. Around sixty people attended, including Storyteller David Heathfield together with a wonderful musician and an Exeter University mature student who is now a refugee from Palestine. Delicious vegetarian foods were provided by parishioners and, in addition to parishioners from both Tiverton and Cullompton, there were people from St Andrew’s and from Amnesty International. Along with stories told by David, written or told by Palestinian children, there was also a short film of a young Palestinian telling a traditional story of the land. Some images of the evening can be seen on the Parish Facebook page. A significant sum of money was raised for Medical Aid to Palestine; the final sum will be declared soon. Thank you to all who helped make this special event possible and for all who came along to support it.

Lent Station Masses with Bishop Nicholas

Throughout Lent, Bishop Nicholas will be celebrating Station Masses across our diocese. The idea of the Station Mass originated in Rome in the time of Pope Gregory the Great and continues to the present: daily Lenten Masses are held at forty different, “station” (from the Latin “statio” for outpost) churches around the city. The next Station Mass in our deanery will take place in St Mary’s Church, Barnstaple, on Tuesday 24 March at 7.00pm.

Parish Pilgrimage

Following the success of the Holy Year Parish Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Boniface in Crediton, the Parish Laudato Si’ Group are in the process of arranging another Pilgrimage of Hope on Saturday 13 June. This year, it will start at the Shrine of St Boniface, Crediton, and end with Holy Mass at 6.00pm at the Church of St James and St John, Tiverton. More details will be issued in the coming months.

Vigil for Peace

A vigil for peace will be held on Tuesday 24 March, 7.00pm, at St Andrew’s Church in Tiverton. As previously, the time of vigil will still focus on peace in Palestine but, as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, there will also be a wider intention of pray for peace throughout the world.

Brenda & Barry Burrington’s Big Bible Bonanza

You are invited to take part in a fun evening being hosted at Cullompton Community Centre to raise money for St Andrew’s Anglican Church next Saturday 14 March at 7.00pm.  The quiz does not require a great deal of Bible knowledge, so is also suitable for any non-Christian friends. Tickets, which are priced £6 per person, can be pre-ordered by sending an email to sarahstuchbery@standrewscullompton.com, by calling the church office on 01884 33249 or just by coming along on the night.

Great Tommy Sleep Out

Our parishioner, Ewelina Zychlinska, will be taking part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out on Saturday 21 March to raise funds for Royal British Veterans Enterprise. If you would like to support her, please go to her JustGiving page, which can be found here.

Saying Goodbye – Baby Loss Remembrance Service

On Saturday 21 March at 11.00am, in Exeter Cathedral, there will be a Saying Goodbye Service. This Service is for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members’ or friends’ loss.  Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. The service also welcomes anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven’t had children for whatever reason. Babies and children are also invited to come with their families, as the Saying Goodbye Service is truly a family event for all.