Join us
Would you like to receive this page as a weekly newsletter by email each week?
Sign up to our mailing list to join our community of catholic students and staff.
Your email address will only be used to send you our weekly newsletter and will not be used for any other purpose or passed onto anybody else.
The newsletter is only emailed during term time.
Week : 2nd February at the Catholic Chaplaincy
Please note that this page is only updated during term time.
MONDAY 2nd February
The Presentation of the Lord
(Candlemas)
Rosary, cake and Lectio Divina 7pm
TUESDAY 3rd February
Mass 7pm
followed by Pro-Life talk by SPUC
WEDNESDAY 4th February
Adoration 5.30pm
Angelus 6pm
Evangelium Course (RCIA) 6.15pm
THURSDAY 5th February
Mass 12pm
followed by free lunch
CathSoc women's baking event 7pm
FRIDAY 6th February
Bake sale fundraiser for "Mary's meals"
on the Forum (Streatham Campus) 11am-3pm
SATURDAY 7th February
COLWAY retreat 10am-4pm
Mass 12pm
SUNDAY 8th February
Mass 11.30am
followed by free lunch
SAINT OF THE WEEK: ST. AGATHA (c.231—c.251 A.D.) – Agatha was born most likely around 231 A.D. in Catania, Sicily, in a rich and noble family, and at a very early age she decided to dedicate her life to Jesus by remaining a virgin. During the persecution of Emperor Decius, she rejected the advances of the Roman prefect Quintianus, who tried to force her to marry him by having her imprisoned and tortured. According to the legend her breasts were removed with tongs, but she had a vision of Saint Peter who comforted her and healed her wounds. Hence in religious art she is usually depicted with tongs or breasts on a plate.
Feast Day: 5th February.
Patronage: breast cancer patients, bellmakers, and Catania.
Words of Wisdom: "I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil".
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Fr. Michael is normally available to hear Confessions before or after Mass. Otherwise, you can arrange an appointment with him by talking to him in person or emailing him at Michael.Wheaton@prcdtr.org.uk. “In the life of the body a man is sometimes sick, and unless he takes medicine, he will die. Even so in the spiritual life a man is sick on account of sin. For that reason he needs medicine so that he may be restored to health; and this grace is bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance". (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Presentation of the Lord – On Monday 2nd February we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord, aka Candlemas. On this Feast Day there is usually the traditional blessing of candles at Mass.
COLWAY Retreat at the Chaplaincy – On Saturday 7th February some Religious Sisters from the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham will lead a retreat at the Chaplaincy open to any young people aged 18-30. The retreat will take place from 10am to 4pm, Mass will be celebrated at noon by Fr Michael. Tickets are £10 per person and can be purchased from https://fixr.co/event/colway-day-retreat-tickets-479098201.
Bible Reflection – A Bible Reflection led by young adults takes place every Saturday from 2.30pm to 4pm in the Lower Room at the Sacred Heart Church. For further information, you can contact Hanny at hhanny1358@gmail.com or Krystal at krystaljovanandrea@gmail.com.
Day for Victims of Human Trafficking – Sunday 8th February, the date of the feat of St. Josephine Bakhita Patron Saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, marks the day for victims of human trafficking and those who combat this evil. To find out more please visit https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Digital-Modern-Slavery-Newsletter-2026-1.pdf.
Theology of the Body Online Course – Would you like to discover more about the Church’s teaching concerning what it means to be human?
Join the new Buckfast Institute’s online course on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and deepen your understanding of how God’s plan to make us both physical and spiritual beings is key to learning about our dignity as human beings. The cost is £60 per person for the four-part course, for a student discount please email contact@buckfastinstitute.org.uk. The course will take place on 20th–27th January and 3rd–10th February from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Silent Ignatian Retreats – Some Silent Ignatian Retreats will be held at the St. Rita's Centre in Honiton in the month of February during the following dates: 13th–15th February (Friday–Sunday) Weekend Retreat, 13th–17th February (Friday–Tuesday) Extended Weekend Retreat, 16th–20th February (Monday–Friday) Midweek Retreat, 13th–20th February (Friday–Friday) Six-day retreat. For further information please email diocesan-ignatian-retreats@prcdtr.org.uk.
Lenten Book Club – As we journey towards Easter, we will delve into the true freedom that Christ has won for us. Join us as together we share the book "Unbound; A practical guide to deliverance" by Neal Lozano. Unbound prayer ministry is the model for inner healing most widely endorsed by Catholic bishops and priests throughout the world, you can read more about Unbound on https://www.unboundprayer.com/ and https://heartofthefather.com/. Every Friday during Lent, starting on Friday 20th February, we will gather between 2-3pm in the Blessed Sacrament’s Richard Reynolds Centre, 29 Fore Street, EX1 2QJ. The book can be bought on Amazon. Please read the first chapter before the first session and come and share your thoughts. For more information contact Tanya Trevena or Clare Simpson on 07710326882 or email unboundstboniface@gmail.com. All are welcome.
Save the date : Laudato Si' Day for Creation at the Chaplaincy – We encourage all who are in the Exeter area to come and join Caritas for a day of reflection and discussion looking at Catholic social teaching on the present climate and nature crises which will take place at the Chaplaincy on Saturday 7th March from 10am to 4pm. With speakers Canon Kristian Paver, the Judicial Vicar and Chancellor of the Diocese of Plymouth, and Kirsty Wright Head of Property who will speak on our diocesan response. There will be a free simple lunch provided and Fr Michael will celebrate Holy Mass before lunch. There will also be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of the day. To register your attendance please use this link: [http://Laudato Si' Day for Creation]Laudato Si' Day for Creation.
Inspire Festival – The Diocesan Youth Events would like to welcome young people aged 12-24 to Inspire. Inspire is a festival of musicians, speakers and workshops encouraging young people to explore how Christ is rooted in their lives. Details on the bands, speakers and workshop will be released over the coming week. Tickets are £30 per person (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult). For further information please talk to Maria or contact her at m.g.giannone@exeter.ac.uk.
Light a Candle at the National Shrine of St. Boniface – Lighting a candle at the National Shrine symbolises prayer, devotion, and our connection with the Lord. To take part, please visit our website: https://catholicchurchcrediton.org/index.php/support-us/light-a-candle, make a donation (£2 suggested), and email crediton@prcdtr.org.uk to let us know. Candles will be lit upon request: Wednesdays before the 4pm Mass and Sundays before the 9.30am Mass. Thank you for your support, we deeply appreciate it!
Catholic Chaplaincy Instagram page – The Chaplaincy has an Instagram account, follow us on @exeter_catholic_chaplaincy!
Chaplaincy Offertory – We no longer have a cash collection, but if you would like to make an offertory donation, we now have a contactless card machine which you will find on the right-hand side of the entrance to the Chapel on Sundays. Our Catholic Chaplaincy plays a vital role in nurturing the spiritual lives of our university students. We are dedicated to continuing the mission of the Church, providing a space for worship, community, and personal growth. So, we ask you to please consider making a donation by following this link: https://givealittle.co/c/6OFkjhzCGMB0RMNcqxB1B7. Your support, no matter the amount, makes a significant difference. "Give back some of God's gifts to God, that you may safely enjoy the rest". (St. John Henry Cardinal Newman)
Keeping in touch with the Chaplaincy – For further details about the Chaplaincy and our events please go to www.exeter.ac.uk/students/chaplaincy/catholic/.
You can also follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ExeterUniversityCatholicChaplaincy and CathSoc Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ExeterUniCatholicSociety/ and our Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/exeter_catholic_chaplaincy/.
Mirtha Mangone is our Safeguarding Rep and can be contacted on exeter-university@prcdtr.org.uk.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, we all play a part in protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm. By staying informed, vigilant and supportive, we can create a safe and caring community. Let us take this responsibility seriously and ensure everyone feels valued and protected. If you have any questions please speak out to our Safeguarding rep.