Weekday Masses
Please note there will be a Vigil Mass on Wednesday and a Mass on Thursday
to celebrate The Ascension of the Lord.
Live Streaming of Mass from St. Mary’s: Sunday at 9.30 am
Sunday Mass is live streamed from St Mary’s, Barnstaple at 9:30am. This can be found on the Barnstaple Parish Facebook Page.
The Recently Deceased
A memorial service for John Aylett will be held at St Mary’s Church on Wednesday, 25th May at 10am. All welcome.
Office Closed
Please note that the parish office will be closed from the 23rd to the 27th May. If you need to speak to Fr Peter, please telephone or email him directly. Contact information on the front cover.
Second Collection - Plymouth Secular Clergy Fund (22/05/22)
For the sick and retired clergy in the Plymouth Diocese.
Book Group
Book Group are meeting on Wednesday 25th May at 7pm in the Presbytery to discuss "The Betrayal" by Kate Furnivall. All welcome.
Receive our Parish Newsletter by E-mail
Please contact the office if you would like to have the parish newsletter emailed to you each week. It is an excellent way to find out what is happening in our churches, and will keep you up to date with any changes to our regular Mass times.
Retuning to Mass at Pentecost: An Invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales
‘Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply.
We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation.’
For the full statement, please click here or find copies in the Narthex.
Mass of Thanksgiving (30/05/22, 12:00) - Plymouth Cathedral
Bishop Mark will be celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Cathedral, marking his time in the Diocese. You are invited to join him for Mass, followed by a Reception.
Flower Arrangers Needed
Please contact the parish office if you would like to volunteer to help with the flowers arrangements at St Mary’s Church.
Mary’s Meals: Pray in May
Mary’s Meals is a global charity, serving nutritious school meals to over 2 million children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future. Throughout the month of May Mary’s Meals are inviting Churches and Schools to pray with them as part of their "Pray in May" campaign. Praying that their work continues to flourish and grow, and that more children throughout the world will see their lives transformed by receiving a daily meal in a place of education. www.marysmeals.org.uk
Sunday Coffee
Sunday morning coffee has started again after the 9.30am Sunday Mass in the Red Room in the presbytery. All welcome.
Freedom Centre / Food Bank Collection
The next collection for the Freedom Centre/ Barnstaple Foodbank will take place on Sunday 29th May. Please leave any donations in the labelled red box in the Narthex.
Care For Our Common Home: Online Event (24/05/22, 17:00 - 18:00)
Caritas Plymouth with CAFOD Plymouth is organising an online event from 5-6pm on Tuesday 24 May during Laudato Si’ week 2022, to reflect on how we care for our common home and respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to create a new kind of solidarity and a spirit of integral ecology. The event will offer an opportunity to think about the challenges and opportunities facing us and how we are called to act.
People can register at Caring for Creation Online Event Tuesday 24th May 5pm-6pm (office.com)
Helping Our Brothers and Sisters in Ukraine
As part of Caritas Internationalis, the global Caritas family, Caritas Plymouth has been asked to provide guidance to the parishes in our diocese about how we can donate to support those in crisis.
We would encourage anyone wishing to donate to give online to CAFOD, who are working to support Caritas partners in communities that are affected:
https://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/Ukraine-crisis
Altar Servers
We are in need of altar servers in order to ensure our liturgy is celebrated in proper and dignified way. If you would like to help with this ministry then please contact Fr. Peter. We are looking for both adults and children.
Plymouth Diocese: Catechetical Summer Camps
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Junior Camp. 7th - 12th August. Grangehurst. School Years 3-6
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Senior Camp. 31st July - 5th August. Grangehurst. School Years 7-10
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St Petroc’s Camp/ 31st July - 5th August. St Rita’s, Honiton. School Years 11-12
Camp fee: £210. More information to follow after Easter. If you would like to book early, please use the online booking form located via the QR code below:
The Summer Camps are also looking to recruit staff, including Camp Helpers, a Treasurer, an Administrator and a Junior Camp Catechist. If you are interested in finding out more, please email Deacon Michael Turnbull: michael.turnbull@pcrdtr.org.uk
Gift Aid Envelopes
Gift Aid envelopes are now available to pick up from the table in the Narthex. For those tax payers interested in registering as Gift Aiders, please speak to the parish office.
First Holy Communion
If you wish your child to make his/her First Holy Communion this year and haven't registered their name with the parish, please contact the office by email so we can send you the form. Contact information can be found on the front page.
Stamp appeal
Please bring any old stamps to the parish office. They are being collected by a parishioner to help raise money for North Devon Hospice.
Hospital Visits
If you are taken to hospital and would like a priest to visit, please contact the parish office or ask a member of the hospital staff to get in touch. Priests are allowed to visit patients while they are under hospital care but unless you inform us in some way, we have no way of knowing you are there.
Financial Support of the Parish
Parishioners who wish to contribute to the financial support of the parish can do so in the following ways:
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Placing a donation in a collection basket when the church is open.
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Posting cheques or money to the presbytery.
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By Standing Order or BACS Transfer (please contact the parish office for details)
