Prayer Intention for February

During the month of February, the Holy Father invites us to join him in praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life: “Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.” Go to https://popevideo.org to watch a video of Pope Francis himself introducing this month’s intention.

Laudato Si’ Group Newsletter and Pilgrimage of Hope

The latest newsletter of our parish Laudato Si’ Group is attached to this newsletter. The group is planning a Pilgrimage of Hope to the Shrine of St Boniface in Crediton, which will include planning for some accessible ways of getting there, as walking the whole way is not for the faint hearted! A flyer giving more information about the Volunteers Evening, sponsored by Sustainable Tiverton, on Friday 28 February, 5.30-8.30pm in St Andrew’s Church Hall, is also attached.

An Invitation to Survivors of Abuse

We have two survivor groups in the diocese that have now been running for over a year, which provide an opportunity for anyone with lived experience of abuse to share their thoughts and ideas about survivor support work in our diocese.  We are grateful to all those who so generously give of their time to attend these meetings.  The diocese would welcome the opportunity to hear from others who have a lived experience of abuse, so that we can involve them in the work we are doing to support survivors.  If you would like to help us with this work, or perhaps you would like to find out more, please contact: Sophie Scagell (Survivor Support Caseworker) on 01364 645436 or sophie.scagell@prcdtr.org.uk.

Young Adults Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome

Do you want to deepen your faith and engage more fully in your Catholic community?  Come and encounter the breadth and depth of the Catholic Church with a Pilgrimage to Rome from 28 July-4 August 2025 for 20-35 year olds.  As well as Mass with Pope Francis, you will experience the vibrancy of the Church as you are surrounded by thousands of young pilgrims from around the world, glorifying God.  You will then be able to share this unique experience by giving back to your community from the riches that God wills to give to you.  For more information and to register your interest by 17 February, please follow the link:  https://forms.office.com/e/fhZ8zmvLy6.

Palms for Ash Wednesday Ashes

We are only a month away from the beginning of Lent! Now is the time to start bringing last year’s palm crosses back to church, so that they can be burnt to provide the ashes for use on Ash Wednesday.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

The next session of our Confirmation Preparation Programme will take place this coming Thursday, 13 February, at 7.00pm in St Boniface’s Hall, Cullompton.

New Missals

Parishioners are still asking to order new Missals with the new translation of the Mass readings. The cost for a Sunday Missal is £18.95, whilst a Weekday Missal costs £66.49. If you would like to order one, please put your name and contact details on the sheet at the back of church, indicating whether you would like the Sunday or Weekday version.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for February after the 6.00pm Mass this Saturday.  We are looking for more parishioners to join this on-going fund raiser. If you would like to join 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.

“Grease”

Tiverton Junior Operatic Society is putting on a production of the musical Grease at the New Hall, Barrington Street, Tiverton, from Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 February at 7.30pm, plus a matinee performance on Saturday 22 February at 2.30pm. Tickets are £12.00, Concessions £10.00. Several young members of our parish are taking part and Lydia Fitton is the Musical Director, so do come along, give your support and enjoy the show!

Gather Conference 2025

Come and share a weekend of faith, formation and friendship at the annual Gather Conference from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 March at the Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay.  David McLoughlin, a theologian and lecturer, will offer keynote presentations on the four great Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council: Dei Verbum, Sacrosanctum Concilium, Gaudium et Spes and Lumen Gentium.  The Booking Form is attached to the Newsletter and is also available on Facebook. Email plymouthgather@yahoo.com for more information.

Lent Talks on Zoom

Following on from the last four Lents, Fr Mark Skelton will be offering a series of talks on Zoom for all those who might be interested. The themes in 2025 will reflect on some of the Holy Father’s signs of hope in this time of Jubilee. The series will be on a Thursday at 7.00pm and the link to join will be made available nearer the time. The timetable is as follows: 13 March – Fr James Barber on ‘Commitment to others’; 20 March – Rev Brian Bargent on ‘Debt Cancellation’; 27 March – Rev Lizzi Green on ‘Recognizing Hope’; 3 April – Fr Gerard Barry on ‘Peace’; 10 April – David Mcloughlin on ‘Pilgrimage’.

ADoRE Catholic Charismatic Renewal Mini-Retreat

An ADoRE spiritual mini-retreat, entitled: “Pilgrims of Hope: the Holy Spirit is our Guide” will be held on Zoom on 22 February, 10.00am-1.00pm including Mass, Adoration, praise, prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and guest speaker Gerry Penfold. Please register for the free Zoom meeting in advance at https://bit.ly/ADOREFEB2025. More information at www.altonrenewal.com