NEWSLETTER

Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Sunday 4th May 2025

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear sisters and brothers
As the nine days of formal mourning for the death of Pope Francis are almost over, the Cardinals will meet in Conclave this coming Wednesday, 7 May, to begin casting their votes to elect the next Successor of St Peter.  What an awesome responsibility that is!  Much has been, and will be, made of the human proclivities  and personal ambition that are an inevitable part of the election process (most recently portrayed in the film “Conclave”) and, indeed, Church history shows us that this has always been the case – we are dealing with a group of human beings after all, no matter how eminent they might be!  However, both the Holy Scriptures and the history of the Church witness to the fact that God always chooses to work through ordinary, frail human beings (just like St Peter himself).  Our Christian faith, too, is an incarnate one, where the Divine works in and through the human, with all the “messiness” that this entails.  Above all, it is our unshakeable belief that, however dysfunctional the institution of the Church might seem to be at times, the Holy Spirit is ultimately at work, enlivening and guiding all the members of the Body of Christ, especially those entrusted with the service of shepherding the flock of God.  Thus, let it be our prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide and purify the minds and hearts of the Cardinals in Conclave, that they may elect the one whom God has appointed to be the Bishop of Rome and the Servant of the Servants of God.
It is most fitting that, in these days of Eastertide, we are reading from the Acts of the Apostles, which recounts the early days of the witness of the Apostles to the Risen Lord and the challenges that brought them, as well as the extraordinary growth of the early Church communities.  Biblical scholars have suggested that this book of the New Testament might better be entitled the “Acts of the Holy Spirit” since, it is clearly the Holy Spirit who is the impetus and protagonist behind the actions of the Apostles.  Indeed, from the first chapter of the Gospel of St Luke, when the Holy Spirit overshadows the Blessed Virgin so that she conceives the Holy One of God, until St Paul’s final statement in the last chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where he invokes the witness of the Holy Spirit speaking through the ancient prophets, the Holy Spirit is the constant thread through Luke-Acts (both books having the same author) empowering “the Way” (note: a dynamic term, not a static one!), as the saving acts of Christ and the teaching of the Gospel were called in these early decades of the Church . That same Holy Spirit has continued to be the heartbeat of the Church and each of her members over the centuries right up until day, sometimes clearly perceived, at other times hidden within the complexities of the human condition. So, we pray that the Spirit, the Breath of God, who hovered over the chaos of the waters in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis and brought forth the creation which was very good, will move powerfully within the Conclave and within each of us as on the Day of Pentecost, so that the whole Church, together with the Successor of St Peter, may be recreated anew, enabling us to witness to the Risen Lord in a way which is both comprehensible and accessible to the people and world of our own day. Come, O Holy Spirit!
An online Book of Condolence has been created for Pope Francis and you are invited to leave a short message, prayer or reflection to celebrate his ministry and massive contribution to the Catholic Church as our 266th pope: https://popefrancistributes.com/.  In addition, those who watched the Funeral Mass for Pope Francis would have been struck by the homily of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, in which he summed up beautifully much of the vision and legacy of Pope Francis.  It is well worth us all taking a careful and reflective read of this homily. The full text can be found here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-francis-funeral-homily/.
Along with the Newsletter this week, I attach:
  • the weekly guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel, from Monika Manser
  • the latest edition of Inspire for Deacon Peter
  • a flyer for the CHAT Quiz Night
  • a flyer for the All Day Music Fundraiser for BOUNCE!
Let us pray that that sick of our parish may receive healing of body, mind and soul through the Spirit’s gift and that those who have died recently may be raised by the same Spirit to the fullness of life.
Easter blessings to you all.
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

Prayers for Pope Francis RIP and for his Successor

A prayer card with prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis and for the election of his successor has been produced by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales. The Conclave to elect the new pope will start on Wednesday of this coming week. It is really important that we keep the electing Cardinals in our prayers that, guided by the Holy Spirit, they will elect a true shepherd for the whole Church to sit in the Chair of St Peter.

“Children First” – Newsletter of the Catholic Children’s Society

The latest Newsletter “Children First” from our Catholic Children’s Society is available at Mass this weekend. Please take one.

Day on Evangelisation

In the light of the death of Pope Francis, we recall that his first major Encyclical to the Church was on the necessity to proclaim the Gospel and the mission to evangelise. The aim of this day is to explore the nature of this mission and how we can put it into practice in our daily lives. This day will be of particular interest to all who are already endeavouring to share their faith or who would like to know how to get started.  This event will be held at Buckfast Abbey conference centre on Saturday 17 May 10.00am-3.00pm. (Dart View Room 4). There will be an opportunity to go to the Abbey Mass at 12noon. Booking is essential and needs to be done through plymouth-crownhill@prcdtr.org.uk. Enquiries: 01752 701660.

All Day Live Music for Bounce!

On Saturday 17 May, 10.00am-8.00pm, in the British Legion Memorial Hall in Tiverton, there will be all day live music to raise funds for Bounce!, a local charity which provides specialist mental health support for children, young people and their families. There will be lots of local instrumental and vocal groups, including St John’s Starmakers, who will be performing at 3.30pm. Entry costs £3.00 for all day and you can come and go as you wish. Tea, coffee and cake will be available all day. Volunteers who might be able to give up an hour or so of their time to help with refreshments and taking donations on the door would be greatly appreciated, as would anyone who would like to bake or buy cakes to donate for the day. Please contact Lydia Fitton if you would like to help in any way, email lydiafitton1@gmail.com.  

March Parish Giving

Loose: £1394.94 Contactless: £520.00 Standing Order: £3142.50

National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima

The World Apostolate of Fatima in England and Wales is arranging for the two National Statues of Our Lady of Fatima to visit the Cathedrals of England and Wales between May 2025 and October 2026. The Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady and the relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco are due to visit our Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Boniface, Plymouth, next Saturday, 10 May 2025. The programme will start at 10.00am.  You can find out more information: https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/pilgrim-visit-of-the-virgin-statue-and-relics-to-plymouth-cathedral-10-may/ or by visiting the Cathedral website https://www.plymouthcathedral.co.uk/.

Heatree Residential Youth Event

The Heatree Residential is open to young people aged 10-12, which will take place between 23-25 May. It is a great chance for young people to meet others from parishes across the Diocese. During the weekend, there will be an exploration of John 14:23, together with trying things like high ropes and raft making, games around the campfire and other activities. Cost is £90 per person. For further information contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk or to book:  https://forms.office.com/e/AzTdSwy1VD.

Feast Day of St Rita of Cascia

The feast day of Rita of Cascia falls on Thursday 22 May. There will be a celebration at St Rita’s Centre in Honiton, starting with Mass at 12noon, followed by the blessing and distribution of roses for the sick. The Principal Celebrant will be Father Douglas Beard OAR. Hot drinks will be available all day, but visitors should bring a packed lunch. The day will conclude with Benediction at 3.00 pm. Early arrival is advised as car parking can be difficult if you arrive after 11.30 am.  Car parking stewards will be on duty to help you, and there will be a small army of volunteers working in various places helping to ensure a smooth running of the day and a happy feast day for everyone. If you have any questions, please contact Krista Radzina on 01404 42635.

CHAT Quiz Night

You are invited to join CHAT for a fun evening of quizzing at St Paul’s Church, Tiverton, on Saturday 7 June. The doors will open at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £12.00, and this includes a Ploughman’s. A bar will also be available on the evening. Quiz Teams can consist of up to 8 people (but these can be allocated on the night if necessary). Tickets for the evening can be purchased at www.tickettailor.com/events/churcheshousingactionteamchat/1649562.

Jubilee Year Mass for Marriage

The Mass to celebrate marriage in the Jubilee Year will take place at 12noon on Saturday 31 May 2025 at our Cathedral of St Mary and St Boniface in Plymouth. Marriage enriches us all, so all are welcome. For further information or to let Deborah van Kroonenburg know your anniversaries or intentions, or when your wedding will take place, email deborah.vankroonenburg@prcdtr.org.uk.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for May after the 6.00pm Mass this Saturday.  If you would like one or more numbers in this parish fund raiser 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.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 4th May – Third Sunday of Easter

  • Saturday 3 May – St Philip and St James, Apostles

    • Parish Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 4 May – Third Sunday of Easter

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo

    Monday 5 May – St Richard Reynolds, Priest and Martyr

    • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall

    Tuesday 6 May – Easter Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Wednesday 7 May – Easter Weekday

    • Service of the Word and Holy Communion at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 8 May – Easter Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Friday 9 May – Easter Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am

    Saturday 10 May – Easter Weekday

    • Friends of St James and St Boniface at 9.00am in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 11 May – Fourth Sunday of Easter

    • Holy Mass at 9.30am (St Boniface)
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am Pro Populo