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SACRED HEART
CATHOLIC CHURCH EXETER

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MASS TIMES
Please note: These are the usual Mass times, please check the newsletter for weekly changes

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

10.00am

10.00am

10.00am

7.00 pm

10.00am

10.00am

First Mass of Sunday 5.30pm Saturday evening

9.15 am

11.15 am

1.15 pm - Mass in Polish

Sacrament of Penance

Usually Sat - After 10am Mass and 4pm-5pm

and on reasonable request

Please see the Newsletter For this Week's Mass times

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QI Report - Sacred Heart, Exeter[12255].

PARISH NEWS

All Masses and Liturgies are now being live-streamed
CLICK HERE

Newsletter 26.03.2023 CLICK HERE

King Charles III Address to Faith Leaders.  CLICK HERE

Dipping into the Catechism 26.03.2023  CLICK HERE

 

A Message from the Diocesan Administrator 23.10.22 CLICK HERE

Baptism Preparation Forms CLICK HERE

Marriage Preparation forms CLICK HERE

Parish Synodal Feedback CLICK HERE

GIFT Leaflet 2021 CLICK HERE

GIFT  Leaflet Polish 2021  CLICK HERE

Parish Pastoral Council Minutes 07.09.2022 CLICK HERE

Quick Survey Form Direct Link CLICK HERE

Safe Spaces CLICK HERE

Chatter Café News CLICK HERE

 

A Precious Place of God's Grace  CLICK HERE

Diocese of Plymouth Environmental Policy CLICK HERE

To make your weekly Loose Plate Offering or any other donation, please click DONATE HERE

                           (Please Note - All donations are anonymous)

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SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

BAPTISM

 

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life; the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.  Through Baptism we are freed from sin, reborn as children of God and become members of the Church.  We also begin to share in God's life.  This is why the church obliges parents to have their child baptised as soon as possible.

At the beginning of the baptism ceremony, the priest or deacon speaks to the parents of the child about their important role as teachers of faith.  A special blessing is also given to the parents at the end of the ceremony.

Parents commit themselves to forming and bringing up their children in the practice of the faith.  Thus they are committing themselves to the practice of the faith.


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

 

The preparation for First Holy Communion is based on the main parts of the Mass - to nurture in the children a love for Jesus and the Mass and to give the children a good experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sessions are held in a relaxed, loving and fun atmosphere, where the children are encouraged to share and build on their previous knowledge. The files contain a substantial amount of material and the parents are expected to work alongside their children and to nurture the child's friendship with Jesus through example and daily prayer.


CONFIRMATION

What is Confirmation?

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)

Baptism, the Eucharist and Confirmation are the sacraments of Christian initiation. The Church teaches that Confirmation binds the baptised more perfectly to the Church, enriching them with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. It helps us to be true witnesses of Christ, encouraging us to defend the Faith by word and deed. The essential rite of Confirmation is the anointing of the forehead with sacred chrism and the laying on of the Bishop's hands with the words: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

Who is eligible to join the programme?

Young people from Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart parishes in Exeter who will be 14 years or older by Easter 2014 are welcome to join the confirmation programme. Those who join the programme will be known as candidates.

What will it involve?

The Confirmation Programme will be run on a series of Saturdays, approximately once a month, with a few additional sessions here and there. The will also be 2 overnight retreats, one at the beginning and one at the end. All the dates will be arranged in advance and will be confirmed in due course.

We are delighted to be able to provide a really engaging programme, which will include:

  • an opportunity for candidates to meet other young Catholics from Exeter and to make new friends.

  • space to talk about what is important to them and to share their faith.

  • time to explore interesting and engaging areas of Church teaching.

  • a chance to get involved in pactical social action and to experience different forms of prayer.

We also hope to be able to provide a few opportunities for parents of candidates to gather, both to obtain practical information regarding the programme and also to meet one another, socialise and have an opportunity to reflect on their experience of being a parent.

When will it start and how long is it?

The programme usually starts in the autumn of each year and continues until the celebration of Confirmation in Eastertide - the date for the celebration will be confirmed in the autumn.

Who is running the programme?

The confirmation programme will be run by a team of catechists, all of whom are looking forward to meeting the candidates.​

Other people will also be involved during the course of the programme, including of course Fr Kieran Kirby and Fr Jonathan Stewart.

Candidates will also be invited to choose a sponsor who will be a source of spiritual support for them during and after the programme.  This might be a godparent, relative, family friend or fellow parishioner.  Help will be provided at the beginning of the programme in choosing a sponsor. Where possible the catechists will be looking to involve sponsors in the programme.

How much will it cost?

Candidates will be asked to contribute to the costs of the 2 retreats, which the catechists will endeavour to design as cheaply as possible! For those less able to pay however, financial assistance will be available from the parishes. Cost will be confirmed in due course.

I have some questions; whom can I ask?

If you have any questions or concerns you can speak to your parish priest, one of the catechists, or enquire at the parish office.

How do I sign up?

Fill in a sign-up sheet and hand it in to the parish office, or email your details to: exeterconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk

 

MARRIAGE PREPARATION

Congratulations! We share in your joy!  This is a very special time in your lives, Just as the Church supports people preparing for baptism, first communion or confirmation, we also support couples preparing for marriage. There is more to this than organising the ceremony and reception,  Catholic Marriage Preparation Exeter (CMPE)  would like to assist in the spiritual preparedness of this Sacrament. Fully-trained facilitators provide engaged couples with the opportunity to explore relationship skills in a confidential and non-judgemental way.  The topics covered include communication, conflict, commitment and spirituality.
The half-day courses take place twice a year, in May and October.  Engaged couples should contact the priest at least 6 months before they would like to get married and apply for the preparation course immediately after their initial meeting with the priest, who will provide them with application details. For further information, please contact  the Parish Office  exeter-sacredheart@prcdtr.org.uk, or  01392 272815

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PARISH GROUPS

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Parish Pastoral Council

Fr Kieran Kirby - President

Fr Albert Lawes

Fr Anil Gundabatina

Philippa Smallwood - Chair

Coral Saunders-Mortier (Secretary)

Michael Quinn 

Delian Bower 

Martin Overy 

Ken Cheek 

Monica Overy

Rosalba Villarreal 

Eduardo Villarreal 

Federico Caprotti 

Maria Quinn 

Kelvin Russell 

PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Rev Fr Kieran Kirby

(Members - to await decision by Fr Kieran)

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY

If you are going into hospital, or if you have a relative or friend in hospital, please make sure that the Parish Team knows - under the provision of the Data Protection Act, the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital no longer automatically informs us of patients who are Catholic.

Special Ministers of the Eucharist are sent out after the 9.15 am Mass on Sunday to take Holy Communion to those who are sick or housebound, so that all may share in the Body of Christ.

Hospital Chaplains:   Fr Albert Lawes & Fr Kieran Kirby - 01392 272815

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist offer a valuable service to their communities.  Their work is practical and witnesses to their faith.  They have the privilege of sharing Christ with others and so help to build up the body of Christ, his Church.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist:

  • help to give Communion at Mass,

  • take Communion to the sick at home, in care homes, or in hospital,

  • offer a witness to the community by their service.

READING AT MASS

The proclaiming of the scriptures is an integral part of the Mass and we would like everyone within the community to feel they can take part in this ministry.  We have a rota system in place and aim to give everyone a chance to read at least once a month.  There is also the opportunity to read within the weekday masses.  We have regular training sessions and guidance given on how to use the microphone. 

WELCOMING AT MASS

Welcoming at Mass is as important a ministry as any of the ministries in the church.  At a practical level it involves the handing out of Hymn Books, Mass cards and the Parish Newsletter to parishioners attending Mass.  It also means a friendly greeting and welcome to all those entering the church.

The 5:30 pm Saturday Vigil Mass and the 9:15 am and 11.15am  Sunday Masses have rotas for welcoming but we are always looking for new helpers. During the pandemic normal welcoming has been replaced by Covid Stewarding.

GUILD OF ST STEPHEN

Altar servers play an important part in the Church's liturgy.  Good servers enable us all; bishops, priests, deacons and laity to celebrate the Mass and the other sacraments with a spirit of prayer.  Building up the Body of Christ and making sure that it works well is a job directed by the Holy Spirit.  All people in the church are given a gift, a talent, which can be used for the benefit of the church. Serving at the Altar is one of those gifts. Training at various times is scheduled and announced in advance.

THE CHILDREN'S LITURGY

The Children's Liturgy takes place every Sunday during the 9:15 am Family Mass. This enables children and young people to celebrate the work of God at their own level of understanding.  This is up to and including Year 6 children.

To accompany children on their faith journey is most enriching - join us and find out for yourself!

Contact Maria Quinn: exeter-pastoral-assistant@prcdtr.org.uk

TEA AND COFFEE AFTER SUNDAY MASS

Tea and Coffee is served after 9:15 Sunday Mass in the lower room - a chance for parishioners to meet socially.  We use only FAIRTRADE products.  All profits go to support the work of WAYmakers.  WAYmakers are aiming to resettle a refugee family in the Parish and need to raise £9000 to support their application to be a Community Sponsor.  

Additional helpers are always welcome - please contact: 
Martin Overy on 01392 436740; email mkovery@gmail.com

THE 9:15 MASS MUSIC GROUP

Music at the 9:15 am Sunday Mass is led by our Family Music Group.  We are a friendly group who welcome instrumentalists and singers of all abilities and ages; we are very proud of our younger musicians!

We play a mixture of contemporary and traditional music and meet once a month to practice and plan.  We welcome parishioners to join us for as much or as little as their time commitments allow.  We play at other parish celebrations throughout the year; carolling at Tesco's for Cafod is one of our favourite invitations!

If you would like to join us, come chat with us on a Sunday or drop us an email:
Dorf Ruscoe: ruscoe@talktalk.net; Helena Withers: helena.wilding@bnc.oxon.org

THE 11:15 MASS CHOIR

The Sunday Masses are supported by two music groups, who join together to lead the music liturgy at major festivals and celebrations. At the 11:15 am Mass, the music, accompanied by the organ, tends more toward the traditional and uses music by a wide range of composers, both ancient and modern.  The group is keen on the reasonable regular use of ancient melodies such as plainsong.

For information contact Tegwyn Harris tegwynharris@hotmail.co.uk

CATHOLIC WOMENS' LEAGUE

The CWL is a National Organisation, meeting with others countrywide. We welcome any lady of the parishes to the CWL.
The CWL hold monthly women's meetings with occasional speakers, on the the Third Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm at the Sacred Heart Parish Room. Any changes are notified in the Parish Newsletters.
We give support to our Parish Priests and Churches. We also serve tea and coffee after the Sturday 10:00 a.m. Mass to fundraise for local Charities ones.

THE CREATIVE ARTS GROUP

The Sacred Heart Arts Group, through drama, music, and various forms of visual displays, seek to demonstrate how the creative arts can enhance Parish life.   Recently, we have undertaken some adventurous projects such as:

“Change and Continuity” – a dramatized history of the Catholic Church in Exeter.

“Blitz” – a re-enactment of the night of the Exeter Blitz in 1942

“Murder is Served”- with audience participation and plentiful food.

Throughout the year, we

·         set up regular visual displays, according to the liturgical calendar

·         help decorate the church for Christmas

·         build an Easter Garden

·         assist with the co-ordination of special celebratory events


New members are always welcome (especially younger ones). You do not need to be especially artistic or creative.  We are a friendly group with a very informal approach. 

Contact Dorf Ruscoe on 01404 822689 or ruscoe@talktalk.net

CAFOD

Our main work is fundraising and campaigning.  It is the care and use of all that we have been given by God, in terms of talent, treasure and time, that underpins our work in the Sacred Heart Church.

  • There are two main fundraising Family Fast Days - Lent & Harvest.

  • Coin collection tubs at back of Church

  • Carols supported by the Music Group at Tesco.

  • Various campaign issues as they arise.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an international Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to anyone in need.

By joining our SVP group you can help to support individuals and families in need.

Volunteering with the SVP is an opportunity to make a difference to people's lives.  Loneliness has been described by Mother Teresa as the great western disease and a large part of activities is visiting the sick, the lonely, and the elderly.  You don't need to have experience, an obvious skill, or come from a particular social background.

Our meeting takes place on the first Thursday of each month at the Conference Centre, Mount St Mary Convent, Wonford Road, from 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

Contact: Peter Schranz at pschranz5@gmail.com  or  07762 251641

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ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

St Nicholas is a Catholic Primary School.  The first St Nicholas school was opened in 1895 at the Mint, which was part of the site on which St Nicholas Priory had stood; this was also the site of the first post Reformation Catholic church in Exeter. Due to ever increasing pupil numbers, the school moved to Holloway street in 1959, to the Matford Lane site in 1974, and to the current new building on Ringswell Avenue in 2007.  The school serves the needs of Catholic children living in the city of Exeter and its surrounds, and keeps close links with the parishes involved.  The school's long and continuous history has given it many valuable traditions and has provided the community with the best of Catholic education for over 100 years.  The present school aims to continue this work by providing a full range of religious, educational and social opportunities.  In July 2010 St Nicholas School became the first school in Devon to be awarded accreditation for its Foundation Stage Unit.  St Nicholas School is now part of Plymouth CAST (Catholic and Anglican Schools Trust).  The headteacher is Mrs Angela Folland.

St Nicholas Catholic Primary School,
Ringswell Avenue,
Exeter,
EX1 3EG

Telephone: 01392 445403

Email: admin@stncs.uk

Website: www.st-nicholas-exeter.devon.sch.uk

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