NEWSLETTER

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Sunday 8th February, 2026

Message from Canon Kristian

Dear sisters and brothers
As we progress with our reading of the Sermon on the Mount over these last two Sundays of Ordinary Time before Lent, the Lord puts before us this weekend the images of salt and light as ways of expressing the impact that his followers are called to have in and on the world. Our mission is to bring life, vibrancy and flavour to the lives of others and to be those whose very presence shines a light into the darkened areas of the world because of our proclamation of the presence of the Reign of God breaking into our world and of the integrity with which we speak and act in accordance with the values of the Gospel.  Both images emphasise that the faith we have been gifted by God is not something that we keep to ourselves, held tightly inside, but something that of its very nature must be scattered far and wide like salt and light so that it can permeate and really transform the lives of others and the wounded or dying places of the world.  In this way, the taste of the salt and the brightness of the light are passed on to others for them to become salt and light in their turn.
This weekend marks two important areas of life where the transforming salt and light of Christ is needed:
  • The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery and those who work to combat it falls this Sunday.  This yearly reminder of the terrible human abuse and degradation that those who are trafficked and live in slavery continue to experience in our world today.  Slavery is NOT a thing of the past and NOT something that happens elsewhere.  It is a continuing reality within our own towns and neighbourhoods, frequently unseen and unrecognised. People are trafficked most often for sexual exploitation, but they are also trafficked to work in the entertainment or hospitality industries, in sweatshops, in domestic work, as forced labour (e.g. in construction, the fishing industry, and other exploitative forms of work), in forced marriages, as mail-order brides, through the illegal adoption of children, begging, organ transplants and by other criminal acts. The Christian mission is to work for the freedom of the human being from bondage of every kind, whether of soul or of body, and so the duty to familiarise ourselves with the signs (https://www.unseenuk.org/about-modern-slavery/spot-the-signs/) that someone is being trafficked or is enslaved is incumbent upon all of us, as well as to have the courage to act once we have seen the signs.  There are, of course, many agencies, both originating inside the Church and from elsewhere, which do incredible work to respond to this human tragedy, and we pray for them this weekend, but this does not exemption any of us from our responsibility to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery in our own communities.  Visit https://preghieracontrotratta.org/ to watch some short videos and learn more about what the Church is doing around the world to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery.
  • National Marriage Week starts today and runs until 14 February.  The Church teaches that marriage and family life are fundamental to the well-being of the Church and of society as a whole, and so it is fundamental that we pray, give thanks for and support all married couples and families, especially those who are a part of our parish community, having a particular sensitivity to those whose marriages are difficult or have failed and to those families which are struggling or divided. It is always good for married people to be reminded to invest in their marriage. A strong marriage overflows with love and compassion to their own family and beyond.  To help with this reflection , SmartLoving is offering a one-hour micro-course called The Intentional Couple” available free for all married couples. Simply visit: www.smartloving.org/gift.
Along with this weekend’s newsletter, I attach
  • Monika’s weekly guide to a contemplative reading of the Sunday Gospel
  • Information about the Parish Palestinian-themed Supper and Social
  • A leaflet “Enkindling the Romance” for couples on St Valentine’s Day
  • The booking information for the Lent Day Retreat in Honiton and for Gather 2026.
We pray as always for those in our community who are sick and in special need at this time. May we be both salt and light to them!
God bless you
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

Day for Victims of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

On this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Church also marks the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. We are invited to pray for those who suffer as a result of human trafficking through being bought, sold, transported into slavery for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude or forced labour; to pray for those who offer pastoral support to victims who have suffered psychological damage from their traumatic experiences; and to pray for all agencies working in collaboration to combat human trafficking.

National Marriage Week

National Marriage Week runs from 7-14 February, during which we are invited to reflect on the central role marriage and family life play in our Church and in wider society. Please pray for married couples, those discerning or preparing for marriage, those who are suffering in their marriages and those who are grieving, especially in the coming week. A special National Marriage Week Novena can be found here https://www.cbcew.org.uk/marriage-week-novena-26/.

Palms for Ashes

If you have any palm crosses at home, please bring them into church before next weekend, so that they can be burnt to make ashes for the Imposition of the Ashes during Mass on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, on Wednesday 18 February.

Reception into Full Communion with the Church

It is with great joy that we will welcome Terry Starkey into full communion with the Catholic Church during the 11.30am Mass next Sunday. Terry has been a familiar figure at Mass with his wife, Elizabeth, for many years, and actively supports the parish community in a number of different ways. Please keep Terry in your prayers as he prepares for this important occasion next Sunday.

Products for Dignity – Household Cleaning Products for CHAT

As 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, such as polish, washing powder/pods, softener, cleaning sprays, sponges, tea clothes, dusters, toilet cleaner, bleach, bin bags etc.  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 start on Ash Wednesday and last the full 40 days of Lent.  Please leave donations at the back of church.

Cullompton Street and School Pastors

The School and Street Pastor Trustees are holding their AGM on 23 February at 7.00pm in St Boniface’s Hall. Any parishioners who would like to know more about what Cullompton Street Pastors do are invited to come along.

Knitting for the Catholic Children’s Society

Do you love knitting? Over the last few years, parishioners from a number of parishes across the diocese have knitted beautiful baby blankets, cardigans, hats, booties, mittens and teddy bears.  If you enjoy knitting and would like to help families of all faiths and none, please do get in touch with our Essential Grants Manager by calling 01364 645424 or by emailing vicki.dunstone@ccsplymouth.org.uk.

Soul of the City Gospel Choir Concert

CHAT is hosting an uplifting gospel concert with the Soul of the City Gospel Choir filled with soul, harmonies and powerful melodies this coming Saturday 7 February at St Peter’s Anglican Church in Tiverton. It promises to be a joyful evening to raise vital funds for CHAT’s work supporting people across Mid Devon. Tickets cost £15 per person and are available from www.bit.ly/soulofthecityconcert.

Parish Palestinian Supper

A Palestinian-themed Supper and Social Evening will be held on Tuesday 3 March from 7.00pm. Tickets will be on sale shortly. Meanwhile volunteers will be needed to help with selling tickets and the evening, setting up tables, help in the Kitchen perhaps even preparing food. If you would like to help contact: Monika Manser, Sally Chapman, Bridget Tosh, Barbara Hodgeson or Mary Ryan.

Lent Day Retreat

A Lent Day Retreat led by Fr Robbie Low will take place at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton, on Saturday 21 February 2026, entitled “The Sacrament of Liberation”. The charge for the day, including lunch, is £25.00. To register, please complete the application form or register online via our website:  https://www.stritascentre.org/events-retreats-1/lent-retreat-day-the-sacrament-of-liberation. You can contact St Rita’s Centre by phone at 01404 42635 or by email at admin@stritascentre.org.

Inspire 2026

Diocesan Youth Events would like to welcome young people aged 13-25 to Inspire 2026 which will take place at Buckfast Abbey on Saturday 14 March, 11.00am-6.00pm. Inspire is a festival of musicians, speakers and workshops encouraging young people to explore how Christ is rooted in their lives. Details on the bands, speakers and workshop will be released over the coming week. Tickets are £30 per person, and Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult. For further information contact Saskia or Ruby: youth@prcdtr.org.uk or to book go to Inspire 2026 Parish Booking Form – Fill in form.

GATHER Conference 2026

The annual GATHER conference will be taking place between 20-22 March at the Livermead Cliff Hotel in Torquay. This year’s theme is: ‘I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live’, and the speakers include Avril Baigent (School for Synodality) and Fleur Dorrell (The God who Speaks). Pauline Books will be bringing a selection of their excellent range for people to peruse and buy, and you can expect a warm welcome and a wonderful weekend of faith, formation and friendship. Bishop Nicholas will be coming to journey together synodally with the other participants. The Booking Form is attached to the newsletter or can be obtained by emailing plymouthgather@yahoo.com.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 8th February – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

  • Saturday 7 February – Weekday

    • First Holy Communion Preparation at 10.00am in St John’s School Hall
    • Parish Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 8 February – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am

    Monday 9 February – Weekday

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

    Tuesday 10 February – St Scholastica, Virgin

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am Gerhard Henzel RIP

    Wednesday 11 February – Our Lady of Lourdes

    • Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 12 February – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Friday 13 February – Weekday

    • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon
    • Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm

    Saturday 14 February – St Cyril, Monk, and St Methodius, Bishop, Patrons of Europe

    • Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 15 February – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am with Reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church of Terry Starkey

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