Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters

Christmas is almost upon us, but let us give as much time and value to these last days of the Advent Season as we can. I am sure that there will be the rush of last minute preparations, whether you are staying at home or travelling to be with family and friends. Amidst this activity, however, let us make the effort to find some space – even if it must be brief – to focus our hearts and minds and to open ourselves as fully as we can to the coming of Christ into our lives and to accepting the profound transformation this can bring. I have attached to this Newsletter the Joint Statement issued this week by Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham and the now Archbishop-elect Richard Moth of Westminster. Their reflection of what the coming celebration of the Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ means in terms of the witness we as Catholics are called to give to society should also be a central part of our reflection as we approach Christmas.

Christmas celebrates “God-with-us”, born and living in the concrete, complex – and often messy – circumstances of human life. Unless our Christian message and witness speaks to that reality, it does not do justice to the fundamental proclamation of the Gospel that God chose to take flesh so that the world might be saved from within, by ultimately giving his life on the Cross out of redemptive love for us. As the prayer which the priest or deacon says quietly at Mass, when pouring a small amount of water (symbolising our humanity) into the wine (symbolising Christ’s divinity) in the chalice at the Preparation of the Gifts, expresses it so succinctly and profoundly: “By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity”. What an amazing statement of our Christian and “Christmas” worldview! Christ chose to share in our humanity, that we – humans beings (or perhaps, more accurately, “human becomings”) might share in his divinity and, thereby, bring about the new creation, the restoration of all things in Christ.

Quite by coincidence, the successor to Cardinal Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Westminster, was announced on Friday, and it is Archbishop-elect Richard Moth, until now the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton. By custom, the Archbishop of Westminster is usually elected as the President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and therefore often speaks on behalf of the rest of the Diocesan Bishops of England and Wales. Although he is frequently, but erroneously, referred to by the secular media as the head or leader of the Catholic Community in our country, since all diocesan bishops are equals and he is but “the first among equals”, nonetheless he does fulfill a unique role for us at the national level, ensuring that the Catholic voice and presence is heard and acknowledged in matters of national and international significance. Therefore, it is only right that we should keep Archbishop-elect Richard in our prayers, particularly leading up to his Installation in Westminster Cathedral on 14 February 2026. Further information about the Archbishop-elect can be found at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/new-archbishop-of-westminster/.

The party in St Boniface’s Hall last Saturday was greatly enjoyed by those who came, as was the Children’s Christmas Party on Sunday in St Andrew’s Hall, even if the turnout for the latter was disappointing. Thank you to all those who put so much work into preparing for these events. The St John’s Carol Service in St Andrew’s on Thursday evening was a wonderful occasion. The children sang their hearts out as always and read with confidence before a packed church of family, friends and parishioners. Catherine Fitton and Helen Hewson were quite rightly given recognition for the huge amount of work they put in to preparing this Service. It was great to see a good number of members of the St Andrew’s Community joining with us at our own Parish Carol Service which followed on Friday evening. The congreation also included the Mayor and Mayoress of Tiverton, together with members of the wider community. The Service was a lovely mix of traditional carols, sung heartily by all, and some beautiful pieces sung by the parish choir under the dedicated direction of Bridget Tosh and April Golding. We are so blessed by the generosity and giftedness of many within our parish community. All in all, a great way to transition into the Christmas Season!

Along with the above-mentioned Statement, the weekly guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel, offered by Monika Manser is attached to the Newsletter. There will not be a Newsletter next weekend, so I have included all the service times for the next two weeks in the Parish Diary.

As always, we reserve a special prayer for those in our community who are seriously ill at this time, especially Ruby, Dorothy and Dave, and for those who are close to them. May they feel the embrace of our prayers and the healing touch of God.

With every blessing for a Holy and Happy Christmas

Canon Kristian

Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ