NEWSLETTER
Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul (Year A)
Sunday 28th June, 2026
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Message from Canon Kristian
Dear brothers and sisters
Because 29 June falls on Monday, the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul is transferred this year, so that we are celebrating it this Sunday. It is a celebration which not only honours these two great apostolic pillars of the Church, but also reminds us of the importance of our communion, through our bishop, with the present Successor of St Peter, Pope Leo XIV and with every Catholic community throughout the world. We are one, universal family, united by bonds of faith, Sacrament and apostolic leadership, called to continue the mission of Christ in today’s world, just as St Peter and St Paul did in the early decades of the Church community as it started to spread beyond the limited borders of the Holy Land to embrace peoples from different cultural and religious backgrounds.
It is, therefore, most appropriate that this Sunday we are also celebrating the First Holy Communion of 14 of our children. Our participation at Mass and our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ express the profound union we have WITH Christ and the profound union we have together IN Christ. We belong to Christ and we belong to each other in the Body of Christ. We pray that this sense of belonging will stay with our children and grow stronger in their hearts as they go forward on their unique paths of being a disciple of the Lord. This celebration also gives us who have being received the Eucharist for perhaps many years the opportunity to renew our reverence and love for Christ who gives Himself as food to sustain us as we “run the race” to eternal life.
The Newsletter also contains the link to a very important Statement from the President and Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales following the publication this week of criminal charges being brought against the Bishop of Northampton concerning two non-recent acts of sexual abuse towards a young female. This news is profoundly shocking and serves to remind us that, as a Church, we still have a long way to go in terms of safeguarding the most vulnerable and that we must continue to do everything to make our communities places which are safe for all. Above all, we have to become a place which enables those who have been abused, whether by members of the Church or by anyone else, to come forward to seek the justice and accountability that is their due. Please do take time to read the Archbishops’ Statement and, if you have any concerns, please do make contact with our parish safeguarding representatives, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team or the Safe Spaces organisation using the contact details in the Newsletter.
Along with the Newsletter, I attach the usual guide to a contemplative reflection on the Sunday Gospel, offered to us by Monika Manser.
I hope that, in these recent days of high temperatures, you have managed to keep cool and well, especially those who are most vulnerable among us. These hot days are a clear sign to us of the impact of human selfishness in the mistreatment of our God-given world and of the need to take urgent action to protect our environment not only for ourselves but, more importantly, for the generations that will follow us.
May God bless you all.
Canon Kristian
First Holy Communion Sunday
A group of our children has been preparing to receive First Holy Communion over the last 9 months. They will receive the Blessed Sacrament for the first time at 11.30am Mass this Sunday. This is a time of enormous joy and thanksgiving for our community. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. We are thankful, too, for Deacon Michael, Elaine Kelly and Monika Manser who so generously give of their time as catechists for the children and their parents.
Peter’s Pence Collection
The traditional annual collection to support the personal ministry of the Holy Father takes place this weekend. There will be an opportunity to donate via the retiring collection at each Mass. Donations can also be given using our contactless machine.
Statement from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales
You may have seen the deeply distressing news of the charges brought against Bishop David Oakley of Northampton. Archbishops Richard Moth and Bernard Langley issued a statement on Thursday https://www.cbcew.org.uk/safeguarding-statement-president-vice-president/. The statement reaffirms the bishops’ commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for abuse in the Church and in wider society. Please be reassured of the continued focus in our diocese on ensuring that our worshipping communities are safe places. The details of our four Parish Safeguarding Representatives are always on the front of the Newsletter, and our Diocesan Safeguarding Team is ready to talk to anyone who may have concerns. The Team also includes a dedicated victim/survivor caseworker to support those who report having been harmed, both inside and outside of the Church. The Safeguarding Office is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm. People can contact the Team on 01364 645430 or email safeguarding@prcdtr.org.uk.
Parish Cream Tea
Next Saturday, 4 July, 2.00-4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall, we will be holding a Cream Tea to raise funds for the internal fittings for the new church. Do come along and enjoy our regional delicacy!
Catechetical Summer Camp
At this year’s Summer Camp at Buckfast Abbey, 27-31 July, young people aged 9-12 will explore Pope Francis and Pope Leo’s Dilexi Te – ‘I love you’. Summer camp has been enjoyed by many generations. It is a great way for young people to meet others from across the Diocese and gain a sense of belonging to the Diocesan and Catholic family. Cost £150 per person. To book: Summer Camp 2026 – Fill in form For further information please contact: summercamps@prcdtr.org.uk.
Adoremus – Third National Eucharistic Congress
The third National Eucharistic Congress will take place in London on Saturday 10 October. The Principal Mass will be celebrated at St George’s Cathedral in Southwark, followed by a procession across the Thames to Westminster Cathedral, concluding with a Vigil of Adoration from Midnight to 6.00am the following day. If you would like to be one of our 50 diocesan delegates, please contact Fr Chris Findlay Wilson on 01202 746539.
Summer Fayre for CHAT
A Summer Fayre at Ashley Court in aid of CHAT will take place next Saturday, 4 July, 11.00am-5.00pm. Come along for an enjoyable afternoon with craft stalls, games, cream teas, refreshments, Pimms, tours of the beautiful grounds and plenty to see and do throughout the day. Every pound raised will help CHAT continue supporting local people facing homelessness, poverty and hardship across Mid Devon. Entry is by donation.
Society of St Vincent de Paul
The parish SVP group continues to help needy clients of CHAT, recently buying a tabletop stove for an individual. If you know of anyone who would like a visit from the SVP, please let Simon Coombs, Margaret Found, Maggie Pulford, Shelagh Eastwood or Sheelagh Bourdon know.
Tough Times Support Group
The next meeting of the Tough Times Support Group will be on Tuesday 7 July. The venue will be confirmed next week.
St John’s Starmakers Production – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The children of St John’s Starmakers will be performing a musical version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the New Hall on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come and watch the show. Tickets cost £6 and will be available on the door, or, if you would like to reserve your seats. contact Catherine Fitton (catherine.fitton@plymouthcast.com) indicating how many seats you would like and for which performance, you will then be able to pay and collect your tickets on the door – cash only please.
Youth Fun Day
Join other young people, 12-17 years of age, from across the Diocese to take part in a series of challenges and games at the Youth Fun Day on Saturday 12 July, 12noon-6.00pm, at St Rita’s, Honiton. See if you can be the fastest team to complete the obstacle course or score the most goals in penalty shootout or netball. There will be bouncy castles, “sumo wrestling”, arts and crafts and many more fun things to have a go at. There is a recommended donation of £5 per participant which includes entry, all activities and simple BBQ food. To book complete the form: Youth Fun Day 2026 A day of challenges, games and sharing faith – Fill in form. For further information contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.
Masses and Events this week
Sunday 28th June – Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul
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Saturday 27 June – Vigil of St Peter and St Paul, Apostles
- Friends of St James and St Boniface, 9.00am, in St Andrew’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm Karol Gorlo (21st birthday ints)
Sunday 28 June – St Peter and St Paul, Apostles
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface) Shauna Mary-Kate Green
- Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo
13th Week in Ordinary Time
Monday 29 June – Weekday
- Singing to Remember at 2.00pm
Tuesday 30 June – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
- Monthly Lunch, 12noon-2.00pm, in St Andrew’s Hall
Wednesday 1 July – St Oliver Plunket, Bishop and Martyr
- Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)
Thursday 2 July – Weekday
- Holy Mass at 9.00am
Friday 3 July – St Thomas, Apostle
- Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
- Holy Mass at 12noon
- Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
Saturday 4 July – Bl John Cornelius and Companions, Martyrs
- Parish Property and Finance Committee, 9.30am, in St Andrew’s Hall
- Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
- Vigil Mass at 6.00pm Pro Populo
Sunday 5 July – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
- Holy Mass at 11.30am with Baptism of Archibald Chanter