NEWSLETTER

The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B)

Sunday 7th January, 2024

Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.

Message from Canon Kristian

Dear Sisters and Brothers

Happy New Year!

Although the external signs of Christmas have all but disappeared from our towns, villages and shops, we are still within the Season of Christmas and, this weekend, celebrate the fundamentally important event of the Epiphany – or Manifestation – of the Lord to the Magi.  These seekers from the East represent the non-Jewish people to whom the message of salvation in Christ is also proclaimed along with the Jewish people.  This Solemnity reminds us that what could have just been seen as a minor event which took place in a particular part of the world for a particular group of people was in fact a profoundly significant event meant for the whole world.  Far from being “parochial” in the negative sense of that term, our faith turns us outwards, has a vision which is global and inclusive.  As the angels sang at the time of the birth of Jesus, we have a message of peace for all people of good will – and we know just how much that message of peace still needs to be heard in the lives of individuals and around the world today in so many places.

After Monday, which is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the last day of the Christmas Season, we enter into a few weeks of so-called “Ordinary Time”, until the start of the Holy Season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on 14 February.  Shortly after that, our new bishop will be ordained and installed on 22 February, so do continue to keep Canon Christopher Whitehead in your prayers as he prepares himself for his apostolic ministry among us.

It is hoped that, at the beginning of February, it will be possible to put the plans for the rebuilding of St James out for tender.  This will be an important stage in the realisation of our new church building in Tiverton, which will also mean that we will need to increase and focus our efforts to raise funds for the new internal fixtures and fittings which will largely fall to the parish to fund.  As a first step along this path, parishioners are being asked in the Newsletter this weekend to offer to host Coffee Mornings to help augment our funds.  Thank you in advance for those who volunteer to hold one of these events.

As usual, the weekly guide to praying the Sunday Gospel from Monika Manser and the latest number of Inspire from Deacon Peter are attached to the Newsletter.  In addition, there is a flyer regarding the GATHER Conference in Torquay at the end of February.

Please remember those in our community who are sick, especially those who are extremely unwell in hospital. May they feel the healing presence of God and our loving concern giving them both strength and peace.

May God bless you all in the year ahead.

Canon Kristian

Canon Kristian Paver

Parish Priest

Parish of St James & St Boniface

40 Old Road

Tiverton EX16 4HJ

Crib Offerings
This weekend is the last chance to leave an offering at the crib. These donations will go to the Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) as it works across the Diocese spreading God’s love and giving families hope in times of crisis.

Parish Pastoral Council
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council will take place this Thursday 11 January at 7.00pm in the Hall.

Homelessness – How are we called to respond?
Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that housing is a core part of what it means to live a dignified human life. Yet, every night, tens of thousands of families and individuals are experiencing homelessness across the UK.

This online event of prayer and reflection on Wednesday 17 January 2024, 6.00-7.00pm, will include presentations from organisations working on the frontline of homelessness. All are welcome to take part. Please register to receive the Zoom invitation at https://forms.office.com/e/VVp5t5qU7F.

Burns’ Night Celebration
O n Friday 26 January, starting at 7.00pm, we will be holding our Burns’ Night Celebration in the Hall at St James. Last year it was a tremendous success. So, come and enjoy Cullen Skink, a Piper to greet guests and to pipe in the Haggis for the main course of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, followed by Cranachan, with the odd whiskey to taste. Due to limited numbers, this will be a ticketed event and for adults only. Tickets cost £20 and are on sale from this weekend. If you would like to take part, it is important to get your ticket as soon as you can, as they will soon run out! Please advise of any special dietary needs at the time of purchase of ticket.

Name the Bear”
A Harrods Millenium Teddy Bear, which has been generously donated to the parish, needs a new home! For just 50p a go, you can try to guess the bear’s name from a list of possible names. There are only 10 names left to choose and we hope that these names will be chosen this weekend, so that the draw can take place next weekend.

Unwanted Gifts Stall
On the weekend of 27/28 January there will be an Unwanted Gifts Stall after both Masses in Tiverton. Any donations would be very welcome. Please leave them in the Hall.

Modern Slavery – It’s happening near you.
Modern slavery is a serious crime being committed across the UK in which victims are exploited for someone else’s gain. Victims are often hidden away, may be unable to leave their situation or may not come forward because of fear or shame. Caritas Diocese of Plymouth has organised an event will include speakers on modern slavery in our Diocese and what practical response we can give. The event will take place on Thursday 6 February, 10.30am-12.30pm at the Church of the Assumption Parish Rooms, Abbey Road, Torquay TQ2 5NJ, followed by a free light lunch. Please register here or email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk.

Coffee Mornings for the New Church
As the work on the rebuilding of the church in Tiverton edges closer, in order to raise funds for various items that will be needed in the new building – eg altar linen, processional cross and candles – we are asking parishioners to start holding Coffee Mornings in the different areas of the parish. If you would like to offer to host a Coffee Morning, please let Canon Kristian, Maggie Pulford or Margaret Found know.

Inspire Music Festival
The Inspire Music Festival will take place on Saturday 2 March at the Schiller Hall, Buckfast Abbey, 11.30am – 6.00pm. Open to those aged 13-25, join fellow Christians from across the diocese to enjoy inspiring talks by speakers, including Daniella Stephens, and listen to the sounds of One Hope Project, Jozzy, Falmouth Vineyard and Crossbeam. Tickets cost £25. The booking form can be found at https://forms.office.com/e/SLhtRkyqDZ. For further information, contact Saskia at youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Easyfunding
A simple and pain-free way to help raise funds for the rebuilding of our church in Tiverton is via the Easyfunding app which can be downloaded from your usual app store. Once you have created an account, the app will guide you to online shops and vendors which donate a percentage of the cost of an item to good causes. The name of our cause is “St James Church Development Fund – Tiverton”.

200 Club
Canon Kristian will make the draw for January after the 6.00pm Mass this weekend. Those parishioners who pay their annual subscription at this time of year can do so either by card using the contactless machine at church (please let either Simon Coombs or Margaret Found know if you use this method) or by cheque – made payable to “PRCDTR Parish of St James and St Boniface” – and left in an envelope addressed to either Simon Coombs or Margaret Found.

GATHER 2024
The annual GATHER Conference unites people from across the Diocese of Plymouth for a weekend of faith, formation and friendship. This year, once again, GATHER will be held at the Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay, 23-25 February. Speakers include Avril Baigent from the Diocese of Northampton, artist Colin Bentley, Sr Mary Magdalen from Lynton and David Wells. Jo Boyce from CJM Music will be leading the liturgies. Go for the whole weekend or as a day delegate. To book use the QR code on the poster or this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FvkAtifpACGwz3CvLBQG0VR59brlyHxY08DvB6YViwM/edit.

Ministry Rotas at St James
New rotas for the ministries of Welcomer, Reader and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St James are on the noticeboard in the hall. Please put your names down on the dates when you are able to carry out your ministry.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 7th January – The Epiphany of The Lord

  • Saturday 6 January – Weekday of Christmas before Epiphany
    • Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in the Hall
    • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm

    Sunday 7 January– The Epiphany of the Lord (transferred)

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Popolo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)

    Monday 8 January 2024 – The Baptism of the Lord

    • Sing to Remember at 2.00pm in the Hall

    Tuesday 9 January – Weekday (First Week in Ordinary Time)

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am
    • SVP Meeting at 7.30pm in the Hall

    Wednesday 10 January – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 11 January – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 6.00pm
    • Parish Pastoral Council at 7.00pm in the Hall

    Friday 12 January – St Aelred of Rievaulx, Abbot

    • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon

    Saturday 13 January – Weekday

    • First Communion Preparation at 10.00am in the Hall
    • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm

    Sunday 14 January– Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Popolo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)