NEWSLETTER
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
Sunday 23rd November, 2025
Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.
Message from Canon Kristian
Dear sisters and brothers
This last week of the Church’s year is a momentous one for us. Firstly, this Sunday at the 11.30am Mass we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with 17 of our young people, surrounded by their family and friends. These young people have been preparing for this important stage in their Christian life journey for the past year, a moment when they will be consecrated in their uniqueness by the Holy Spirit as witnesses of the Good News of Jesus Christ and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts. Not only are we, as the parish family, proud of them for their courage and perseverance in presenting themselves to receive this Sacrament in a world which does its best to discourage them and entice them away from faith and Christian values, but they are also a profound blessing to our community and a voice to which we must listen as we look to the future.
Secondly, at the level of the diocese, our new Bishop, Bishop-elect Nicholas Hudson, will be installed as the Bishop of Plymouth next Saturday in the Cathedral during the 12.30pm Mass. Since our cathedral is not that big, and there are many people who need to be present at that Mass, including representatives from all the parishes and other organisations across the diocese, only those who have a ticket will be able to take part. However, Bishop Nicholas will be presiding at a celebration of sung Vespers in the cathedral the evening before, on Friday at 5.30pm, and this celebration is open to anyone who would like to come along and take part. As always, both celebrations will be streamed via the Cathedral YouTube channel for those who would like to take part online. It is a joy for us once more to have a bishop leading us and I am sure the next few months will be an exciting time of getting to know each other, as he moves around the diocese, familiarising himself with the communities across the three counties which form our diocese. Please do keep Bishop Nicholas in your prayers as he undertakes the huge transition from his life in the urban Metropolis of London to the largely rural reality of the Diocese of Plymouth, and as he takes on the responsibility of shepherding the People of God in this part of the world, enabling us to fulfil our mission as pilgrims of hope for all people.
Along with the Newsletter this weekend, I attach:
Monika Manser’s guide to a prayerful meditation on the Sunday Gospel
a flyer about an ecumenical Service in Plympton for the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence
the booking form for the Advent Day Retreat at St Rita’s in Honiton.
We have a number of people who are either still in hospital or have been in hospital this week, so would you remember in your prayers: Ruby Whitton, Deacon Peter Found, Ann McKinney and John Golding. May they feel the embrace of our prayers and experience the Lord’s healing touch.
As we come towards the end of November, we also continue to pray for those who have died. Those whose names have been placed in the receptacles before the altar in our two churches will be commemorated by name at the 12noon Mass this coming Friday.
May Christ reign in our lives and in our loves, and may the Prince of Peace bless each and every one of you.
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ
Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
A t the 11.30am Mass this Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with 17 of our wonderful young people. This is a moment of great grace and thanksgiving for our parish community, so do please keep these young people and their families in your prayers for this unique moment in their faith journeys.
Installation of Bishop Nicholas Hudson as Bishop of Plymouth
This coming week sees the arrival of our new Bishop. Bishop Nicholas will be installed at the next Bishop of Plymouth at a special Mass next Saturday at 12.30pm in the Cathedral. Although, due to the need to limit numbers because of the capacity of the Cathedral, this Mass is a ticketed event, it can be watched live on the Plymouth Catholic Cathedral YouTube channel. The evening before, there will be Sung Vespers with Bishop Nicholas, led by the Buckfast Abbey Choir, at 5.30pm in the Cathedral. This service is open to anyone who would like to attend. Prayer cards for Bishop Nicholas are available this weekend for those who would like them.
Vigil for Peace
A second Vigil for Peace in Palestine will be held in St Andrew’s Church, Tiverton, this Tuesday, 25 November, at 7.30pm. A selection of Palestinian goods will be on sale to raise funds for the Charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
November Prayers for the Dead
During the month of November, we traditionally pray more intensely for those who have died. A receptacle is placed in front of the altar in both our churches for the names of your family, friends and others who have died. These will be remembered by name during the Mass this Friday, 28 November, at 12noon at St Andrew’s.
16 Days
Each year there is an international campaign against gender-based violence that runs from 25 November to 10 December. It aims to raise awareness, strengthen local work against violence, and develop new strategies to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls. The campaign begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concludes on Human Rights Day.
Pop-up Christmas Stall
There will be a stall in St Andrew’s Hall this weekend with lots of interesting items for Christmas. Please drop by the hall after the Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Scottish Brunch
Monika Manser is hosting a Scottish Brunch to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on Monday, 1 December, 10.30am-12.30pm, in St Andrew’s Hall, featuring Scottish cuisine including Lorne sausage in a roll, haggis on toast, porridge, tattie scones and oatcakes. A selection of homemade jams, jellies and chutneys will also be on sale. All proceeds will go towards the interior fittings for St James.
Thanks from Deacon Peter and Margaret
Deacon Peter had his operation last week. Everything went well, and he and Margaret would like to thank everyone for all their prayers and support.
Luxury Liberty Advent Calendar Raffle
A luxury reusable Liberty Advent Calendar filled with treats for all the family is being raffled. Tickets are £1 and the winner will be drawn after the Saturday evening Mass next weekend. All proceeds will go towards the interior refurbishment of St James Church.
Big Christmas Raffle
The tickets for the Big Christmas Raffle are now on sale. There are three impressive hampers to be won, filled with high quality produce and products from the Southwest. Tickets cost £5.00 each.
St Boniface Christmas Party
The annual Christmas Party held in St Boniface’s Hall will take place on Saturday 13 December, 2.00-4.00pm. If you would like to take part, please put your name on the list at the entrance to St Boniface’s church.
Christmas Tree Baubles
Tony and Ann Doble have been given a number of good quality Christmas tree decorations from Hillersdon House. They will be selling these after Sunday Mass at St Boniface. All proceeds will go to support the refurbishment of St James and the pending works on the church and presbytery at St Boniface.
Advent Retreat Day in Honiton
An Advent Retreat Day will take place in St Rita’s, Honiton, on Saturday 6 December, led by Deacon Kelvin Russell and Fr Jose Romero OAR, entitled “From Captivity to Freedom: An Advent Journey of Hope”. The charge for the day, including lunch, is £25.00. To register, please complete the application. You can contact St Rita’s Centre by phone on 01404 42635, by email at admin@stritascentre.org, or register online via the website: https://www.stritascentre.org/events-retreats-1/advent-retreat-day-from-captivity-to-freedom-an-advent-journey-of-hope . Payment can be made in advance or on the day.
Christmas Carol Service
There will be a Christmas Carol Service on Friday 19 December at 7.30pm. Anyone who would like to join our group of singers is invited to come along to the rehearsals on Saturday mornings, 11.00am-12noon, in St Andrew’s.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 23s November –Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
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Saturday 22 November – St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
- Friends of St James and St Boniface, 9.00am, in St Andrew’s Hall
- Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 23 November – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (c)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass with the Sacrament of Confirmation at 11.30am
Monday 24 November – St Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest and Martyr, and his Companions
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
Tuesday 25 November – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Monthly Lunch, 12noon-2.00pm, in St Andrew’s Hall
- Tough Times Support Group (with mince pies!), 7.00pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Peace Vigil for Palestine at 7.30pm
Wednesday 26 November– Weekday
- Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)
Thursday 27 November – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Half an Hour of Silent Prayer with St Ignatius at 12noon
- Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass with Commemoration of Deceased Relatives and Friends at 12noon
- Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
- Sung Vespers with Bishop Nicholas, 5.30pm, in the Cathedral, Plymouth (open to all)
Saturday 29 November – St Cuthbert Mayne, Priest and Martyr
- Installation of Bishop Nicholas at 12.30pm, in the Cathedral, Plymouth (ticket only)
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
Sunday 30 November – First Sunday of Advent (A)
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Pro Populo
- Holy Mass at 11.30am with Baptism of Jacob Green