Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

This Sunday, the Solemnity of Chris the King, at the 10.00am Mass, 12 of our young people will be confirmed. This is a great blessing for our parish, so please do keep them in your prayers. Please note that the Mass in St Boniface will take start at 12noon as a result.

Youth Sunday

This Sunday is also Youth Sunday, the day on which we celebrate the role of young people and give thanks for their presence within our parish family; we remember that they are the future of the Church, and we pray that they will always know the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It is a day to encourage young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus and explore various opportunities for them within the Church.

The theme for this year’s Youth Sunday is “Come and See”, a welcoming invitation from Jesus to young people, and indeed to the whole Church. It is inspired by words spoken by Pope Francis to young people gathered for the Welcome Ceremony in Lisbon for the International World Youth Day in August of this year: “You are not here by accident. The Lord has called you, not only in these days, but from the very beginning of your days. He called you by name. Let us listen to the word of God that called us by name. Try to imagine these three words written in large letters. Then consider that they were written within you, on your hearts, as if setting the direction of your lives, the meaning of who you are: you have been called by name. Each of us is called by name”. For his full message, go to: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2023/8/3/portogallo-cerimonia-accoglienza.html.

A “Lament and Light” Service

An ecumenical Service will be held this Thursday 30 November at 3.00pm at Holy Family Church in Plymouth (Beacon Park Road, PL2 3LR).  This Service is in response to the 16 days of action against gender-based violence (25 November – 10 December), which is a campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.  The Service will be led by Fr Mark Skelton and Rev. Lizzi Green, followed by tea and coffee in the hall.

Mass for the Souls of those on the November Dead Lists

N ovember is the traditional month of prayer for all those who have died. Mass will be celebrated this coming Friday, 1 December, at 12noon for all those whose names have been placed in the receptacle in front of the altar in both of our churches.

Red Mission Boxes

If you have a Red Mission Box that needs to be emptied, please return it to church before the end of November so that Maggie Pulford can finalise the contributions for 2023 in support of the work of Missio.

St John’s School Christmas Fair

The St John’s PTA School Christmas Fair will take place this Friday, 1 December, 3.30pm-5.30pm in the School Hall, Melbourne Street, Tiverton.

Advent Taizé Service

An Advent Taizé Service of chants, prayers and reflection will take place next Sunday, 3 December, at 3.00pm at St James. All welcome.

Advent Retreat Day

An Advent Retreat Day – “Prepare a Way for the Lord: Faith and Works” – will be held at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton on Saturday 9 December, led by Deacon Nick Johnson.  The day begins at 9.30am and conclude with Mass at 3.15pm. There will be an opportunity for Adoration and Confession during the day. The cost, including lunch, is £25.00. Booking can be made by phone, email or online (www.stritascentre.org/events). Payment can be made on the day.

Switch On Support

This year’s parish winter project for CHAT – Switch On Support – is to purchase kettles, toasters and slow cookers to give to people moving into temporary or new accommodation, who are setting up home with a minimum of cooking appliances. Though these appliances are ordinary, they are vital in the process of creating a home. Items can be left at the entrance to church.

Parish Children’s Christmas Party

The Parish Children’s Christmas Party will take place on Sunday 10 December, 3.00-5.00pm, in the Parish Hall. The invite is attached to the Newsletter. It is important either to contact Margaret on the number provided or to put names on the list at the entrance to church, giving names, ages and any allergies. Please remember that, for children aged 11 and under, parents must remain on the premises at all times.

Parish Christmas Draw

Tickets for the Christmas Draw are now on sale, £1 each. Contributions of chocolates and biscuits to add to the prizes are very welcome.

Catholic Children’s Society Orange Box and Christmas Cards

The last batch of Orange Box sacks raised a fantastic £1445.80 for the Catholic Children’s Society, bringing the total raised so far this year to £4159.77! A couple of posters are attached to the Newsletter giving more information about the items that can be put into the Orange Box and about other fundraising initiatives. Packs of Christmas Cards with designs drawn by pupils in our Diocesan Primary Schools are available for sale at church, £3 a pack. Funds raised go to support families of all faiths and none in these very challenging times.