God's love for you - 22nd December

Webmaster • December 20, 2024

A Christmas Meditation (2)


Once again, let our thoughts return back to the scene inside the Cave. Joseph already prepared it as comfortably as he can for Mary. As Jesus' Birth soon approached, Mary begged Joseph to do all he can to receive the Child with honour, and invited Joseph to unite his prayer with hers for all those who didn't give Him a place to stay. They bore no hate, no grudges towards others who did not accept them nor complained about the situation they were in. But to prepare with all their hearts and mind for the soon coming of Our Saviour into the world. On that Holy night, Mary was deep in her prayers, supernatural light streamed out from her and filled the cave, her body raised above the ground...then Mary gave birth to the Holy Child. There was no pain, no distress, no tainting of Mary's Virginity. What a lovely sight to see Angels prostrated around Mary who was holding Baby Jesus. And Joseph was so happy yet so humble and full of devotion that it was until Mary urged him again then he embraced the Sacred Infant. Beholding this Baby sweetly lying in the Crib, Mary and Joseph sang praises to God and shed tears of joy... Quite some distance away from the Crib, this silent night became an unforgettable night to some shepherds, as they saw magnificent light shining on the Crib, Angels appeared and spoke to them, and heard the Angels singing the Gloria. Note that the first group of people who received the news of this great Mystery is not the powerful, rich or intelligent ones, but the simple and poor ones, as God Loves the humble and lowly. How blessed are the shepherds who has the privilege to listen to the sweet and beautiful voices of the Angels singing! Yet they are even more blessed that they believed and went to the Crib Cave, and became one of the first people to adore Baby Jesus with their very own eyes! They offered Him gifts of little animals, food etc. What would you like to offer Him this Christmas? May be as Christina Rossetti wrote in her poem: "what I can I give Him, — Give my heart." Dear all, He was born because His Love for you, love Him back is the most pleasing gift you can give Him. May you be united in love with Him this Christmas, have a very Merry Christmas!


(Reference: • Luke 2:8-16 • The life of Jesus Christ and biblical revelations, Volume I, Ven Anne Catherine Emmerich, Tan Books & Publishers, 1986 • The Sermons of St Francis de Sales for Advent & Christmas, "The coming of the Divine Infant", 24 December 1613 • A Christmas Carol, Christina Georgina Rossetti (1872)) 

St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) appeal

By Webmaster • May 11, 2026
PLEASE CONSIDER donating the following base ingredients as needed by the St Vincent de Paul Society: Sugar Oil Flour Tea Coffee Dried beans, Chickpeas, Peas Pasta & Rice  Thank You

Are You Being Called to the Priesthood?

By Webmaster • May 11, 2026
Archbishop Mark is inviting all unmarried men who feel drawn to explore this possibility to join him for Evening Prayer at St David’s Cathedral, Cardiff, on Sunday 31 May at 3.30pm . Afterwards, there will be a chance to meet with the Archbishop and other men who are discerning a call. To register, email Fr Matt Roche-Saunders, at: vocations@cardiffmenevia.org

Community Cuppa

By Webmaster • May 10, 2026
For the over 55s in the Community Hall, Bedford Street. Wednesdays 1.30pm - 4pm Community Cuppa afternoon involves entertainment (organised by parishioners and guests), quizzes, bingo, raffle and plenty of cake and beverages.

Welsh National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper, Cardigan

By Webmaster • May 10, 2026
Sunday 17th May 1.30pm – 5.45pm Led by Rt Rev Peter Brignall – Bishop of Wrexham Event includes Confessions, Rosary Procession, Mass, Benediction & Blessing of the Sick  For further information contact Canon Pius Augustine on 01239 612 615

Pentecost

By Webmaster • May 10, 2026
National flags On this Solemnity, we would like to decorate the Church with different national flags that represent all the nationalities that make up our Parish Community. If you have a national flag, can you please bring it to the Church by Sunday 17 May . There will be a box in the porch (please label the flag with your name for returning). Nationalities in the Parish We wish to celebrate the diversity of Parishioners in our Parish on Pentecost. Please add your own Nationality or Ethnicity to the list in the entrance THIS WEEKEND . The list will be typed up and attached to the newsletter on Pentecost Sunday. Bidding Prayers on Pentecost Sunday NEXT WEEKEND , we will be looking for parishioners to volunteer to say one bidding prayer in their own language on Pentecost Sunday. National Dress To celebrate the diversity in our Parish and if you have an ethnic costume, perhaps you may wish to wear it at the Pentecost Sunday Mass. The Our Father At the Pentecost Mass, we will ask parishioners to say Our Father Prayer in their own language (all at the same time) if they wish.

The Ascension of the Lord

By Webmaster • May 8, 2026
Join us on the 14th May for Holy Mass and the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord.

The Verona Fathers’ Mission Appeal

By Webmaster • April 27, 2026
Comboni Missionaries will be visiting St Peter’s Next Weekend 2nd / 3rd May  There will be a Second Collection for their Missions.

Vocations Sunday 26th April 2026

By Webmaster • April 27, 2026
Pope Leo XIV said in his Papal message: "...The Lord of life knows us and enlightens our hearts with his loving gaze.” Indeed, every vocation begins with the awareness and experience of a God who is love (cf.1 Jn 4:16). He knows us profoundly; he has counted the hairs of our head (cf.Mt 10:30) and has envisaged for each person a unique path of holiness and service...God dwells in our hearts. A vocation entails an intimate dialogue with the One who calls and invites us to respond, despite the deafening noise of the world, with true joy and generosity...“Do not go outside yourself. Return within yourself. Truth dwells in the inner person.” Once again, Saint Augustine reminds us how important it is to learn to pause and to create space for interior silence, so that we may hear the voice of Jesus Christ. Dear young people, listen to this voice! Listen to the voice of the Lord who invites you to a full and fruitful life, calling you to put your talents to use (cf.Mt 25:14-30) and to unite your limitations and weaknesses with the glorious cross of Christ. Make time, then, for Eucharistic adoration; meditate faithfully on the word of God, so that you may put it into practice each day; and participate actively and fully in the sacramental and ecclesial life of the Church. In this way, you will come to know the Lord. Through the intimacy of his friendship, you will discover how to give of yourselves, whether through marriage, the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, or consecrated life. Every vocation is an immeasurable gift for the Church and for those who receive it with joy. To know the Lord means above all learning to entrust oneself to him and to his providence, which is abundant in every vocation…”

Torchlight Procession at Belmont Abbey

By Webmaster • April 26, 2026
Torchlight Procession Belmont Abbey, Hereford Wednesday 6th May 9pm

Priest Training & Discipleship Appeal

By Webmaster • April 26, 2026
Priest Training & Discipleship Appeal 25th/26th April This weekend there is a second collection for this Appeal. The annual appeal supports work fostering a deeper culture of vocation and discipleship within the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia and the Rosminian Community. Alongside supporting seminarians, the appeal also funds youth ministry, catechetical formation, leadership training, and other evangelisation initiatives. Please support this appeal to the best of your abilities. Online donations can be made via the Good Hub Priest Training Fund webpage ( www.goodhub.com/go/ archdiocese-of-cardiff ) or by scanning the QR code.