Prayer Intention for May

During the month of May Pope Francis invites us to join with him in praying for the formation of men and women religious and seminarians: “Let us pray that men and women religious and seminarians grow in their won vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel.” Go to www.popevideo.org to hear the Holy Father introduce this intention personally.

Parish Summer Fête and Preparation Session

We will be holding our Summer Fête at St James next Saturday 11 May, 11.30am-1.30pm. Please put the date in your calendar and bring your family and friends. This week we are asking for donations of plants and cakes for the stalls. These can be brought in on the day. All stalls will be set up and ready to run. We, of course, always need help to set up and tidy away, so the more volunteers the merrier! There is a list at the entrance to church. If you did not take one last weekend, please do take a poster with you today to take into your workplace or put in your window. There is a Preparation Session this coming Tuesday 7 May at 7.00pm in the hall at St James. All welcome. 

Parish Laudato Si’ Group Seed Gifts

This weekend the Parish Laudato Si’ Group will be giving away packets of wildflower seeds. These are for you to sow anywhere you want to see bees and butterflies – at home, in the neighbourhood or at work – perhaps as a complement to “No-Mow May”! If you have any spare seedlings you would like to give away/swap/sell for Church Funds, please do bring these along too. In this way, we can start May honouring the Pope’s message “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs” (Laudato Si’ 1).

Laudato Si’ Week 2024 – Seeds of Hope

Laudato Si’ Week begins on Sunday 19 and ends on Sunday 26 May. This year’s theme is inspired by the symbol for Season of Creation 2024, “first fruits.” We are invited to be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love. Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ remains a profound invitation to everyone on the planet to care for our common home. You can find resources to reflect on and respond to Laudato Si’ in the light of faith, including prayers and ideas for practical action relating to climate change, the environment and sustainable development at https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/the-diocese/how-we-work/environment/.This year Caritas Diocese of Plymouth is offering a series of events at Plymouth Cathedral to mark Caritas’ fifth anniversary and Laudato Si’ Week: https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/seedsofhope-3/. A poster giving details is attached to the Newsletter.

World Communications Day

Next Sunday is World Communications Day and there will be a retiring collection to support the work of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in their engagement with the various forms of national media to spread the message of our Faith.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for May after 6.00pm Mass this weekend. If you are not a member of this parish fund raising initiative, please consider joining.  Please speak to Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon at St James or Teresa Cummings at St Boniface.

Parish Rosary Group

The Parish Rosary Group will be praying the Rosary each Friday during the month of May at 12.30pm, after the 12noon Mass. Contact Marian on 07596 317759 for further information.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 26 July to 1 August 2024. Details of the Main Pilgrimage and those for the Youth Pilgrimage are attached to the Newsletter. Contact Fr Chris Findlay-Wilson, the Pilgrimage Director for further information (01202 746539).

Catholic Children Society (Plymouth) Newsletter

The Spring edition of the CSSP Newsletter, “Children First”, is available at church today. Please take a copy and read about the great work the Society does across the diocese, as well as the various ways you can give your support.

Feast Day of St Rita of Cascia

T he Feast Day of St Rita of Cascia takes place on Wednesday 22 May. As usual, there will be a day of celebration at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton, beginning with Mass celebrated by Fr John Dockerty at 12noon, followed by the blessing and distribution of roses for the sick. The celebrations will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3.00pm. Contact Krista Rodzina for further information (01404 42635).

Diocese of Plymouth Summer Camps 2024

Applications are now being taken for places at the Plymouth Diocese Catechetical Summer Camps to be held at Grangehurst, Buckfast Abbey. Three Camps are being run: Junior Camp (Years 3-6, 4-8 August), Senior Camp (Years 7-10, 28 July-2 August) and St Petroc’s Camp (Years 11-12, 31 July-2 August). Summer Camps are a great opportunity to meet other young people in the Diocese and to get to know each other through games, quiz nights, treasure hunts, days out and much more! For further information, see the leaflet in church, contact summercamps@prcdtr.org.uk, or speak to Siobhan Gilroy or Canon Kristian.