NEWSLETTER

Baptism of the Lord (Year A)

Sunday 11th January, 

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear sisters and brothers
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this weekend brings the short Christmas Season to its conclusion.  From the vulnerable New-born in the manger in Bethlehem we have travelled through the years of growth and maturation to the adult Jesus’s baptism by John in the River Jordan and the start of his public ministry as it is recorded in the Gospels.  There is a uniqueness to Jesus’s baptism in that it was not a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as were the other baptisms that John was performing, since Jesus Christ is the sinless One who came to offer his own life for the forgiveness of the world’s sin.  However, it was that moment in which it is made clear that the Spirit rested upon Him as the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah, and the clarity of this realisation was to drive the Lord forward onwards on to his mission, preaching and making present the Kingdom or Reign of God by his word and through his actions.  The moment of his baptism brought into exquisite focus for him his self-understanding as the Christ, the Anointed One of God, an understanding which had surely been years in the making through the love and guidance of Mary and Joseph, the formation of his religious and wider community, and his own very human search to grow in that divine wisdom which was already his in his divinity.

Likewise, our own baptisms are defining and graced moments for each of us.  As we are washed clean of that deeply-rooted human tendency to want to put ourselves in the place of God and to place ourselves as God over others (what St Augustine called the “original sin” of pride and rebellion against God), at the same time we become beloved daughters and sons of God within the context of the family of the Church. We are chosen by God not simply as isolated individuals, but as integral members of the community of faith.  To be a child of God entails being a member of the family of God – the two realities are inseparable.  This has major implications for how we understand ourselves personally and spiritually, and also how we live out this relatedness and interconnectedness with others both inside and outside of the Church, and indeed with all God’s creation.  This is why belonging to the Church and participating in her life is an essential aspect of what it means to be a Catholic Christian.  However, this is incomplete unless we also choose to share in her mission, spreading the message of salvation in Christ and giving concrete expression to the teaching and values of Jesus which we find in the Gospels.  Inspired teaching related to this later aspect  is to be found in the modern era in the teaching of the Popes from Leo XIII (1878-1903) all the way to our own Leo XIV and in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and is summed up in the title Catholic Social Teaching . Especially against the background of what is happening in our world today, whether in the Americas, in the Middle East or on our own European Continent, it is essential that each of us actively deepens his or her understanding of this Catholic Social Teaching so as to be able to judge wisely and act effectively in accordance with our gifted baptismal status as children of God.  In this regard, perhaps we ought to remember the brutally frank teaching found in the Letter of St James concerning the necessity of putting faith into practice:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have good works? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is naked and lacks his or her daily food. If one of you says to such a person, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat well,” but does not take care of that person’s physical needs, what is the good of that? In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it does not have works. But perhaps someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and by works I will show you my faith. You believe that there is one God. You do well to assert that. But even the demons believe and tremble. You fool! Do you want proof that faith without works is futile? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? Thus, you can see that his faith and his works were active together; his faith was brought to completion by works. Thus, the words of Scripture were fulfilled that say, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You can see, then, that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, Rahab the prostitute, was she not also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them away by a different road? For just as the body is dead without a spirit, so faith without works is also dead. (James 2:14-26)

Along with the Newsletter this week, I attach the weekly guide to a contemplative reading of the Sunday Gospel and information regarding the upcoming diocesan day of reflection on Pope Leo’s recent Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, on love for the poor.

As always, please remember in your prayers all those who are sick and in need at this time.  I ask you, too, to commend to the love and mercy of God Ruby Whitton, Fr Bill Kiely’s housekeeper when he was parish priest of St Boniface, who died this week.
May God bless you all with peace and courage.
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

Pray with the Pope – New Initiative

In his January prayer intention – For prayer with the Word of God – Pope Leo XIV calls on the faithful to rediscover prayer as a source of hope. The Pope inaugurates his new monthly Pray with the Pope initiative not with a speech, but with a moment of prayer, emphasising a quieter, more contemplative way of communicating in an age marked by noise and distraction. From the Chapel of Saint Peregrine in the Vatican to the wider world, Pray with the Pope invites us to share in a common moment of prayer with the Pope. A video in which the Holy Father presents this month’s prayer intention and leads us in prayer can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/s1CBCcEIkME.

Unwanted Gifts Sale

Have you got any surplus gifts? Why not donate them to this sale for the internal furnishings of the new church building? Come and see what you can buy at the sale in the hall after the Masses at St Andrew’s this weekend, 10 and 11 January.

Tough Times Support Group

The Tough Times Support Group will be merging their December and January meetings into one, to be held at 7.00pm this Tuesday, 13 January, at The Coach House, Hillersdon House, Cullompton EX15 1LS. This is about a mile outside Cullompton on the old Tiverton Road. The main gates are next door to Little Tom’s Cottage. Press the intercom button to be let in.

Final Confirmation Session

It might feel like a long time since the beautiful celebration of Confirmation Mass in November, but there remains one final Confirmation session “What next?” for the newly confirmed. The session will take place in St Boniface’s Hall this Thursday, 15 January, 7.00-9.00pm.

Dilexi Te – The Burning Heart of the Church’s Mission

Join Caritas and CAFOD this Lent, on 21 February, 11.00am-4.00pm, Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre, for a diocesan day to reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s powerful Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, which calls us to return to the Gospel and reminds us that love of the poorest of our sisters and brothers is part of the “burning heart of the Church’s mission”. Hear from inspirational speakers: Rt Revd Nicholas Hudson, Bishop of Plymouth, Christine Allen, CAFOD Director, Raymond Friel OBE, CSAN Chief Executive Officer, Fr. Richard Finn OP, University of Oxford. Bishop Nicholas will open the day and also close the day by presiding at Mass. Click here to register or email: caritas@prcdtr.org.uk.

Towards a Synodal Church – Conversations in the Spirit

How do we listen to each other well?  How do we step back from our own agendas to be attentive to where the Spirit is moving?  How can we make better decisions about organising ourselves as Christian communities?  How do we enrich our parish communal life with enriching conversations? The Synod process has emphasised the importance of listening and good conversations in our community life. However, these are not always so easy in practice!  Blessed Sacrament Exeter is hosting a one-day face-to-face training workshop with Fr Matthew Nunes, Director of the School for Synodality.   This Conversations in the Spirit Workshop will run on Saturday 21 February and will introduce the principles of holding prayerful, truthful and safe conversations which value gracious listening and courageous speaking.    It is suitable for all levels of experience, including people who have not been involved in the Synod process so far.  All parishioners from across the diocese are very welcome to attend. Please email exeter-heavitree@prcdtr.org.uk to let them know you’re coming.   They are asking for a contribution of just £10 per person to cover costs – pay on the day.  Please bring a packed lunch! 9:30am tea and coffee for a 10.00am start, 3:30pm finish, at the Richard Reynolds Centre, Blessed Sacrament Church, 29 Fore Street, Heavitree, EX1 2QJ. 

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the draw for January 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. Those parishioners who pay their annual subscriptions at this time of year are reminded to do so. You can either pay by cash or cheque and give it to Simon Coombs or Margaret Found or pay by card on the machine at the back of Church.

Plymouth Diocesan Yearbooks 2026

The new Plymouth Diocesan Yearbook is now available at the entrance to church, priced £5.00 each.

Reader and Extraordinary Minister Rotas

A reminder to the readers and extraordinary ministers at St Andrew’s to sign up on the rotas at the back of church behind the hymnbook stand. Thank you.

Residential for Teens

A residential weekend for teens, aged 13-17, will take place from 23-25 January at East Shallowford Farm on Dartmoor focussed on the theme of “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35). The residential is designed to give young people a chance to step back from the busyness of daily life, explore their faith, enjoy fellowship with others their age, and take part in guided reflection, prayer, and activities. They will be invited to explore the lives of people holding refugee and asylum seekers status in the UK. Upon listening to their stories, the young people will be able to form their own opinions and to decide what action they should take. A contribution of £50 per person to assist with costs is requested. For further information, contact Saskia at youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 11th January – The Baptism of the Lord

  • Saturday 10 January – Weekday of Christmas after Epiphany

    • Friends of St James and St Boniface at 9.00am in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in St Andrew’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 11 January – The Baptism of the Lord (A)

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

    First Week In Ordinary Time (A)

    Monday 12 January – Weekday

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

    Tuesday 13 January – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am
    • Tough Times Support Group at 7.00pm at The Coach House, Hillersdon House, Cullompton, EX15 1LS

    Wednesday 14 January – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 15 January – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 9.00am
    • Final Confirmation Session, 7.00-9.00pm, in St Boniface’s Hall

    Friday 16 January – Weekday

    • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon
    • Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
    • Society of St Vincent de Paul at 12.45pm

    Saturday 17 January – St Anthony, Abbot

    • Fist Holy Communion Preparation, 10.00am, in St John’s School Hall
    • Youth Club, 11.00am-12.30pm, in St Boniface’s Hall
    • Vigil Mass at 6.00pm

    Sunday 18 January – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

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

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