God's love for you -1st September

Webmaster • August 31, 2024

Eucharistic Miracle of Herentals, Belgium, 1412


A certain Jan van Langerstede went for lodging to a hotel not far from the little city of Herentals. This professional man was stealing sacred objects from churches and selling them all over Europe. The day after his arrival at Herentals, he went to the nearby village of Poederlee. He entered the parish church and, without being noticed, stole the chalice and the ciborium containing five consecrated Hosts. As he was returning to Herentals, in the place known as “De Hegge” (“the fence”), he felt as if pulled by a mysterious force that was keeping him from continuing his journey. So he tried to get rid of the Hosts by throwing them into the river, but his every attempt to do so was useless. Jan was on the verge of despair when he saw a field not very far away with a big rabbit burrow where he straight away hid the Hosts. The task took place without any trouble, and the man was able to peacefully return to Herentals. In the meantime, the city judge, Gilbert De Pape, began an investigation to discover the author of the theft in the church of Poederlee. Among the suspects was also our Jan. The police searched his luggage and found the chalice and the ciborium. Jan then confessed everything except the fact that he had thrown away the Hosts. He was to be immediately hanged, and Jan had already climbed the scaffold when, encouraged by the priest to cleanse his soul before dying, completely confessed his guilt. The judge then suspended the execution and ordered Jan to indicate the exact place where he had left the Hosts. A large crowd followed them. As soon as they arrived at the field, near a rabbit burrow they saw the Hosts surrounded by a bright light and arranged in the form of a cross. Strangely, the Hosts still remained perfectly intact even after eight days and in spite of the rain. They were at once brought back in procession, some to Herentals and some to Poederlee, where they remained until the 16th century. On January 2, 1441, the miracle was declared authentic by the magistrate of Herentals. At the place where the Hosts were found, a small chapel was built, which was visited by numerous prelates, such as Jean Malderus, Bishop of Anvers in 1620, and Pope Benedict XIV in 1749. The daughter of John of Lussembourg, Elizabeth Van Görlitz, paid for the enlargement of the chapel, which later on was transformed into a shrine.



(Reference: The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, by Blessed Carlo Acutis)

By Webmaster March 21, 2026
Palm Sunday 29 March at 6pm St Peter’s Church  Peaceful service of music & Lent readings led by the 9.30am Sunday Mass music group
By Webmaster March 21, 2026
24th March 2026 Begin with Mass at Cardiff Cathedral at 12.45pm. Follow by guest speaker Clare Dixon (Co-Chair of the Romero Trust) and an opportunity for further Q&A. Welcome all parishioners and youths (Year 10+). Please email twarwick@cafod.org.uk if interested in attend
By Webmaster March 21, 2026
Monday 23rd March at 7pm  starting at St Peter’s Hall (behind St Peter’s Church) All Parishioners are invited to view the Parish Hall before the meeting, followed by walking back to the Presbytery to discuss the future of the building.
By Webmaster March 21, 2026
Mass Times Palm Sunday (29th March) 9:30am 11:30am Maundy Thursday (2nd April) 7pm Good Friday (3rd April) Children Station of the Cross 10.30am Liturgy at 3pm Station of the Cross at 6pm Holy Saturday Vigil Mass (4th April) at 8pm Easter Sunday (5th April) 9:30am 11:30am
By Webmaster March 21, 2026
On Mount Calvary I was a robber with my bad companion, we got caught and sentenced together. On this day of our crucifixion, another Man also joined us. Although I knew nothing at all about Him, but I was very touched when I watch this poor Man bearing all the dreadful torture of nailing on the Cross with extreme patience. I can never do the same, if that was me, I will wish that I was never born and would have been dead long ago. He also filled me with awe by His inexpressible look of dignity and goodness, despite in the midst of immense sufferings. Yet what struck my heart most was, when he said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” How could He still pray for his enemies?! At that moment, through His Prayer, something changed inside me, my eyes and mind were opened: I knew who He is, and I knew who I am and what I have been doing all my life! I want to repent! I don’t want to die in my sins! My conscience won’t let me stand anyone insulting my Lord anymore, whether from my companion or onlookers below, I want to defend Him with my words which were all I got left and all I can do, even that means I might die the next minute under their flying stones. So I rebuked them loudly, although I knew I am not worthy to speak up for my Lord. Ah, my Lord, I have sinned my entire life but now I wish to confess all my sins to You, I know that even if You condemn me it will be with Justice. I trust in Your Mercy. I thank God that He still willing to bestow great Graces on me at this very last moment of my life. Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom. And my Lord said to me: “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Reflection: Are you afraid to go to Confession because you have left the Church for too long? Then listen to what Jesus has said to St Faustina: “… I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy…Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” (Diary #699)
By Webmaster March 21, 2026
Good Friday 3rd April at 10.30am Any child who would like to read, please put their name and age and email of the form at the back of church,  readings will be sent out so they can practice at home
By Webmaster March 20, 2026
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Wednesday 25 March This Solemnity recalls the historical event of the Angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary, as found in Luke 1:26–38. It also celebrates the Church’s faith in the underlying reality that took place at that moment in time. It celebrates the Incarnation, making this solemnity not only a Marian solemnity, but first and foremost a Christological one. Most certainly, this solemnity is also a Marian celebration. We celebrate the Virgin Mary’s perfect “Yes” to the plan of the Father. We celebrate her humility, obedience, docility, and especially her motherhood of God and man. Therefore, on this glorious solemnity, seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Ask her to pray for you that you may imitate her “Yes” to the will of the Father in Heaven,  so that you can continue to bring forth His divine Son in your soul, so that He will continue to be made manifest to the world through you.
By Webmaster March 20, 2026
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’ (John 11:25-27) By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God, may we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, you Son handed himself over to death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you In the unity of the Holy Spirit,  God, for ever and ever. Amen.
By Webmaster March 13, 2026
Thursday 19th March Mass at 10am All are welcome! St Joseph, Pray for us!
By Webmaster March 13, 2026
The Passion of Christ I finally understand what Simeon’s prophesy that ‘a sword will pierce through your own soul’ mean. My Divine Son, You received all of Your human substance solely from me, which made me connect to You more than any other mother can be to her child. Your Pain is my pain. Your Sufferings are my sufferings. Your Sorrows are my sorrows. Even when we are physically separated, my spirit is always with You. From the tribunal of the high priest to the tribunal of Pilate, You didn't protest, You didn't defend Yourself. From being clothed in the fool’s garment in Herod's palace, to being put on the purple cloak, to being stripped off Your clothes again and again, like a plaything in the soldiers hands without dignity. You were silent like a lamb being led to the slaughter, patiently bear with everything and offered them to God for our salvation. From slapping by the official to the most barbaric form of scourging, You didn't uttered a single complaint in those humiliation and extreme cruelty; but returned them with Your mild but deep groans, and Your prayers and supplications. Your enemies' insulting, mocking, jeering, despising, accusing, reproaching, blaspheming words fired like rains of arrows towards You. Most Pure and Holy God, not only You didn't shy away from being hurt, You continued to turn Your Face towards them, and forgave them 'seventyseven' times. From giving You the crown of thorns on Your Head and the reed in Your Hand to putting the Cross on Your Shoulder, how much You have suffered when not a single part of Your Sacred Body is not in great Agony! I can never forget the moment when I can embrace and meet You face to face, when our eyes looked upon each other with ineffable tenderness yet with unspeakable sorrow…But I have to let You go, I will not let myself hinder the Will of God. Ah my Beloved Son, it broke my heart into pieces when I see You suffered so. If I was not strengthened by divine power, the vehemence of my interior sorrow and anxiety would certainly have ended my life long ago. I survived this heart-wrenching grief countless times, so I can accompany and continue to participate Your Sufferings with You on this Work of Salvation. Although my tears sometimes blurred my vision, but I followed You as close as I can on this Way of the Cross. I want to venerate every place of Your peculiar sufferings, driven by the love to mankind. And every drop of Your Most Precious Blood that shed along the way, were the Signs of Love and Mercy which point us the way to the open gates of Heaven. Reflection: God's single Word would be sufficient to save this world, but in His Divine Plan He came down from Heaven, took our human flesh and dwell amongst us, suffered all His Life and die on the Cross. Although we cannot fully understand this whole Mystery, but could we not sense the Love for us behind all these? God not only wish to forgive and save us, He also wish to know and realise how much He Love us. Our relationship with God is not merely a Creator and the Created, nor a Master and the servant, but like Father and son, like friends, like lovers...