Bishop-Elect of Plymouth

With joy we received the news last Tuesday that the Holy Father Pope Leo has appointed Bishop Nicholas Hudson, presently an Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Westminster, as the next Bishop of Plymouth. Bishop Nicholas will be installed as our Bishop in the Cathedral on 29 November, the Feast of St Cuthbert Mayne, the secondary patron of our diocese. Please do remember him in your prayers over the coming weeks as he prepares to take on this important and challenging service as our chief shepherd. The newsletter containing the announcement and more information about Bishop Nicholas can be found here.

CHAT Harvest Food Collection

This year, CHAT would love your support in helping them replenish their stocks. Your donations can either be left at church, placed in the receptacles in some supermarkets or taken to CHAT directly. Visit https://www.chatmid.org/harvest-2025 for more information. Also available at the back of church are flyers celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the founding of CHAT which invite us to collect and donate a specific item over a 30-day period.

Love in Action in the Holy Land – Catholic News Podcast

In a recent episode of the Catholic News podcast , with Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem and Fr Elias Tabban, Parish Priest of Zababdeh Parish, near Jenin, we hear about the happy, hopeful but also cautious mood on the ground among the people following the Gaza ceasefire agreement which marks the end of the war and the beginning of the first phase of the peace process in the Holy Land. Fr Elias shares the experiences of local families and the ways the war has affected their lives, including how the local Christian and Muslims communities have been moved to build bridges and work together to overcome the challenges they are facing. We learn how the parish is the heart of the community, serving as a school, pastoral centre and place of entertainment, prayer and solace, not just for Christians, but also for the wider community.

First Holy Communion 2026

Parents who have children who are in Year 2 or older and who wish them to start preparing to receive First Holy Communion next year are asked to complete the attached application form and to return it to Canon Kristian or the parish office as soon as possible. The dates of the first two sessions are Saturday 15 November and Saturday 6 December at 9.00am in St John’s School Hall, Melbourne Street, Tiverton.

Big Christmas Raffle

It’s nearly time to launch the Parish big Christmas Raffle, organised by the Friends of St James and St Boniface. There will be a main prize of a luxury hamper and two smaller hamper prizes. Tickets will be on sale, £5 each. Donations towards the hampers, whether luxury or made in the Southwest, would be really appreciated. There is a list up at the entrance to church of specific items. Please put your name next to the item you would like to donate and bring the item in by Sunday 9 November. If you would like to donate a different item or give a cash donation, these are also very welcome. An additional hamper basket is also needed. Please contact Siobhan with any questions: 07522 338897 or siobhanewarne@yahoo.co.uk.

Parish Monthly Lunch

The coming Tuesday, 28 October, we have our monthly Lunch in St Andrew’s Church Hall, Tiverton, from 12noon-2.00pm. A warm welcome awaits you, as you get the chance to enjoy a variety of delicious homemade soups and desserts in great company!

Call for Flower Arrangers

We are looking for more volunteers to join the small band of parishioners who provide floral decorations to enhance the church environment for our Masses and other Services throughout the year at St Andrew’s (St James). Tiverton. You don’t need to be an expert – all you need is the interest and desire to share your love of flowers and a willingness to work together as part of a small team. Please contact Ellie Williams by sending her an email via the parish email: tiverton@prcdtr.org.uk.

World Day of the Poor Event

Caritas Diocese of Plymouth invites you to ‘Signs of Hope,’ an event on 15 November, 10.30am-3.00pm at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton, marking World Day of the Poor. David McLoughlin will deliver keynote talks, helping us reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s message and explore ways to combat poverty both globally and locally. Simple lunch included. To register, please phone Caritas on 01364 645360 or email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk.

Laudato Si’ Group

Are you concerned about care for our environment and its interface with our faith? Taking its inspiration from the teaching of Pope Francis found principally in his Encyclical, Laudato Si’, on Care for our Common Home, the parish Laudato Si’ Group meets on the last Saturday of each month at 4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall with the aim of keeping this important aspect of our lived faith alive and at the forefront of the minds of our parish community. New members are always welcome. Just come along, meet and work together with like-minded people.

Young Adults Advent Retreat

Young adults, aged 18-30, from across the Diocese of Plymouth are invited to join a retreat at Sclerder Abbey, Cornwall, 21-23 November, to prepare for Advent. There is a recommended donation of £30 is to help with the accommodation and food costs. For further information contact Saskia; youth@prcdtr.org.uk or follow the link to book: https://forms.office.com/e/se4zasSM7B.

Silent Prayer with St Ignatius

This Thursday, the monthly half-hour of silent prayer in the tradition of St Ignatius of Loyola takes place at 12noon in St Andrew’s, Tiverton. Everyone is welcome to come and sit in united silence in the presence of God.