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))
Christian Art are delighted to launch a national Catholic schools Art Competition in the lead-up to Adoremus this October, organised by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Young people are invited to reflect creatively on themes such as the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Jesus, and the beauty of our cathedrals. Entries will be judged by a professional panel of art experts, with categories for ages 6–8, 9–12, 13–15, and 16–18 . A winner will be selected in each category, along with one overall winner. Archbishop Richard Moth will host a reception for all the runners-up and winners on Thursday 1 October at 2pm at Archbishop’s House. Entries to be submitted by simply sending a photo of the artwork to artcompetition@christian.art Deadline for entries: 15 September 2026 For any queries, please email info@christian.art
Eucharistic Miracles of Buenos Aires, Argentina (Part 2 of 3) It was inflamed human heart tissue due to a compromised blood supply. I realised that when the heart suffers trauma, it looks very different from standard textbook images of normal heart tissue. The scientists that I had engaged thus far were not experts in heart trauma. The next step was to find a world expert who was not only a forensic pathologist, but also a cardiologist. I found him in New York: Dr Frederick Zugibe. On 20 April 2004, a leading Australian investigative journalist, Mike Willesee, accompanied me to New York to present Dr Zugibe with my case samples. Dr Zugibe had been told nothing of the history of the sample or my research. In our presence, as I filmed, he microscopically examined the samples. The only true statements made by Dr Zugibe are contained in what I recorded and documented at that original meeting. They have since become historic: “ I am an expert on the heart. The heart is my business. This is flesh. This flesh is heart muscle tissue, myocardium, from the left ventricle wall not far from a valvular area. It is the muscle that gives the heart its beat and the body its life. This heart muscle is inflamed. It has lost its striations and is infiltrated with white blood cells. White blood cells are not normally found in heart tissue. These cells are produced by the body and they escape from blood and infiltrate the tissue to address trauma or injury. The presence of those white blood cells in the tissue tell me two things: Firstly. This heart has suffered traumatic injury. There has been a compromising of the blood supply to the heart. This is not unlike what I have seen when someone has been beaten severely over the chest in the region of the heart. Secondly. This heart was alive. This heart is from a living person not a dead person. I am looking at a snapshot of a living heart. I can date the injury. I can date when the compromising of the blood supply occurred. It happened 3 days before the snapshot in time captured in the microscopic slide .” (Reference: www.miracolieucaristici.org)
Every year churches around the world celebrate Sea Sunday. It is a day for people to come together to pray for seafarers and fishers, and thank them for the vital role they play in all of our lives. But seafarers often work in difficult and dangerous conditions. Conflicts around the world are increasing risks to their safety, especially for crews travelling through regions such as the Strait of Hormuz. Many also face abandonment by employers, long separations from family, stress, and poor mental health. Since a typical contract for those who call the ocean their workplace lasts several months, often with limited internet access, while working in shifts around the clock. Isolation, exhaustion, anxiety, and uncertainty can weigh heavily on those who work far from home and community. This is why the work of Stella Maris is so important. Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) is the maritime charity of the Catholic Church. Through chaplains and ship visitors, Stella Maris offers pastoral, practical and spiritual support, friendship, and a listening ear to seafarers and fishers in ports of the UK and around the world. A simple visit can remind someone that they are not forgotten. A conversation, a prayer, or help contacting family can become a source of hope in difficult times. Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. There is a 2nd Collection for Stella Maris this weekend
O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray, so that they may return to the right path, give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honor. 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.
You can help our neighbours affected by the 24 June earthquakes in Venezuela with emergency shelter, water and food. CAFOD is already working with local Church partners to support people who have lost their homes, but we need your support to help more survivors. Your donation will provide essential supplies and help families rebuild their lives. Donate today: cafod.org.uk/ Venezuela or call 0300 999 0030 or scan the QR code. Please keep our neighbours in Venezuela in your prayers.
Eucharistic Miracles of Buenos Aires, Argentina (Part 1 of 3) In the parish of St Mary, there has been 3 Eucharistic Miracles that occurred in 1992, 1994 and 1996. After the Mass on Friday 1 May 1992, while preparing the Eucharistic reserve, a Eucharistic minister found some pieces of consecrated Host on the corporal. Following what the Church prescribes to do, the Priest put them in a vessel of water, which was then placed in the Tabernacle to wait for them to dissolve. Several Priests went to check it in the following days, but nothing had changed. 7 days later, on 8 May, they opened the Tabernacle and saw that the Host fragments had become a reddish colour that looked like blood. During the two evening Masses on 10 May, several small drops of blood were noticed on the patens with which the Priests distributed Communion. On 24 July 1994, during the children’s Sunday Mass, while the Eucharistic minister took the pix from the Tabernacle, he saw a drop of blood running along its side. On 15 August 1996, a consecrated Host which fell to the ground during the distribution of Communion in Mass, had to be placed again in a vessel of water so it would dissolve. But days later, on the 26th, a Eucharistic minister opened the Tabernacle and saw the Host had transformed into Blood. An Australian lawyer, Ron Tesoriero, who was central to the scientific investigation on the 1996 miracle, gave the account: “…On 21 October 1999, we presented a sample for DNA testing to Forensic Analytical Genetics laboratory in San Francisco. On 1 May 2000, they reported to me that whilst there was the presence of human DNA, no human genetic code could be obtained. This was unusual. Different scientists had different opinions. Who was right? I proceeded to study forensic pathology and cell biology. For more than one year I researched hundreds of histology images and eventually found one that resembled the Buenos Aires case. (Reference: www.miracolieucaristici.org)
By Fr Benny Dennis Travelling to Uganda with our college students for the outreach programme was a grace-filled experience. As a teacher, I was drawn to the classrooms and the eagerness of the children to learn. As a priest, I found myself reflecting on the quiet ways God is present in people's daily lives. We spent much of our time in schools, and what struck me most was not the lack of resources but the abundance of joy. The children welcomed us with smiles that seemed untouched by the hardships they faced. They celebrated life with a simplicity that challenged many of the assumptions I carry from a more comfortable world. One encounter remains particularly vivid in my mind. A young girl came to school carrying her toddler sibling because her parents had gone to work and there was nobody else to care for the child. She sat in class with responsibilities far beyond her years, yet there was a determination in her eyes whenever she engaged with her lessons. In that moment, I was reminded that the desire for education is often strongest among those who have the least access to it. Throughout the visit, I met people who worked tirelessly to provide for their families. Resources were limited, yet I heard little complaint. Instead, I witnessed resilience, generosity, and a strong sense of community. The experience was a humbling reminder of how easily we overlook the blessings that surround us. It deepened my gratitude to God and renewed my appreciation for the dignity and strength that exist within every human person. As I reflect on our time there, my prayer is simple: that these children may continue to find joy amidst their challenges, that education may open doors of opportunity before them, and that the bonds of faith, fellowship, and mutual care that I witnessed among them may continue to flourish. They taught me far more than I could ever have hoped to teach them.
O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. 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.
Sunday 5th July 2026 3pm Starting from the Lighthouse, Roath Park Lake Colette Jones is our key walker and will walk 11 thousand steps for the 11 million unborn children who have lost their lives under the UK 1967 Abortion Act. Further info or to take part please phone Paul and Diane on 02920 405942
There is a Second Collection this weekend 27/28 June Donating to Peter’s Pence is a concrete gesture of communion with the Holy Father and of solidarity with his mission to bring the Gospel throughout the world. As every year, every offering – large or small – will support the Holy Father in his ministry and in his charitable activities in response to emergencies and needs around the world. Visit: www.obolodisanpietro.va or scan the QR code Join the Pope in His mission of Peace, Hope & Love