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)) 

World Youth Day (WYD)

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
28th July - 9th August Seoul, South Korea For aged 18-30 Join Archbishop Mark and a group from the diocese to the next summer’s WYD! With Pope Leo and a million other young Catholics, there will be a full schedule of activities and formation, in a country with a vibrant and growing Catholic community. There will also be opportunities to meet up before travel. Cost is £1500 per person plus the cost of flights (TBC - in the region of £800 to £1200). Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For more information contact Fr Matt Roche-Saunders at wyd@cardiffmenevia.org .

God's Love for You - Sunday 16th August 2026

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
The Miracle of the Devoted Lambs of the Eucharist & St Francis of Assisi, Italy, 13th Century Franciscan historical chronicles told us that “during a trip to Rome, St Francis kept a little lamb with him, due to the inspiration of his devotion to Christ - his most beloved Lamb. Before he left, he entrusted it to a noble matron, Lady Jacopa of the Sette Soli, so she could take care of it in her home. And the lamb, as if spiritually taught by the saint in matters of the soul, always stayed by the woman’s side when she went to Church, when she stayed or returned. When the lady woke up late in some mornings, the lamb would nudge her with its little horns, and woke her with its bleats, encouraging her with its gestures and expressions to hurry to Church. The lady thus quite love and admire this lamb - disciple of Francis and teacher of devotion... Another time, at Santa Maria della Porziuncola, some people brought a sheep as a gift to St Francis, whom accepted it with gratitude, because he loved the sheep’s nature of innocence and simplicity. St Francis advised the little lamb to praise God and definitely not to bother any brothers. And the sheep sensed the piety of this man of God, so it carefully put his teachings into practice. When it heard the brothers singing in the choir, it would enter the Church, bend its knees, and bleat tenderly and harmoniously in front of the altar of the Virgin Mother of the Lamb, as if yearning to greet her. During the Mass celebration, at the moment of elevation, it would bow down, knees bent, as if this devout little animal wished to reprove people of little faith for their irreverence and encourage devout people for their reverence towards the Blessed Sacrament.” (Reference: www.miracolieucaristici.org )

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
On 1 November 1950, Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the glory of heaven, definitively forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the Apostles.  To avoid all that is uncertain the Pope did not state either the manner or the circumstances of time and place in which the Assumption took place—only the fact of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, into the glory of heaven, is the matter of the definition. The Assumption completes God's work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption. The Assumption is God's crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. The feast turns our eyes in that direction, and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

Sunday 16th August 2026

By WEbmaster • August 14, 2026
Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory.  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

Divine Mercy Prayer Group

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
Divine Mercy Prayer Group Next meeting is on Thursday 20th August 2.30pm - 3.30pm in St David’s Chapel (Entrance via Bedford Street) Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Consecration prayer, Divine Mercy image veneration. All are welcome

Bell Tower Fundraising

By Webmaster • August 14, 2026
Bell Tower Fundraising Guess the Amount & Win It! We need your participation for this fundraiser. Weekends 22/23 & 29/30 August : Please can you add any lose change to the jar in the porch. Weekend 5/6 September: Your chance to Guess the Amount & Win It! £1 per guess Bell Tower Fundraising £103.00 Parish Picnic Raffle £1203.99 Tabletop Sale £2000.00 Private Donation St Peter's Parish value your every effort, whether it is big or small, in helping with the Bell Tower fundraising. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to support. Thank you to those who attended the Bell Tower Fundraising Coordination Group meeting. The meeting was very constructive.

Bereavement Talk time/Cuppa

By Webmaster • August 1, 2026
Bereavement Talk time/Cuppa Would you like a chance to talk about the loss of a family member or friend? Whether it was recent or historical, the bereavement group was set up for this. We meet next Sunday 9th of August 2.30pm - 3.30pm at St David’s Chapel Please use the back gate in Bedford Street. Or you can make an appointment by phoning 07881 634 075

Assisted Suicide

By Webmaster • August 1, 2026
There will be a Second Reading and vote in the House of Commons for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Bill) on 11 September. As Catholics, we oppose this legislation in principle as it attacks the innate dignity of every person. It is also very poorly written and gives no safeguards to healthcare staff, nursing homes, or hospices all of whom will be pressured to implement the bill if the legislation is passed. I encourage all Catholics to write to their MP. The Bishops' Conference has produced has a scannable QR code, available on its website at: www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assistedsuicide/ . On the page, there are various resources, copies of statements and guidance on writing to your MP, and please, please do so, to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Many thanks, +Mark, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia.

God's Love for You - Sunday 2nd August 2026

By Webmaster • August 1, 2026
St John Vianney’s quotes on the Eucharist “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us!” “What is our Lord doing in the tabernacle? He is awaiting us!” “Our Lord is hidden there waiting that we come to visit Him and give Him our petitions. See how good He is! He accommodates Himself to our weakness. If He appeared in glory before us, we would never have dared approach.” “When we want to obtain something from the good God, after communion, we offer Him His beloved Son with all the merits of His Death and Passion. He will not be able to refuse us anything.” “Are we not happier than Simeon? We can hold Him always if we want. He doesn’t come only into our arms but into our heart.” “He rested with us not only to console us, but to give Himself to us, so that He would no longer only be with us.” “Our soul is so precious in the eyes of God that, in His Wisdom, He didn’t find nourishment worthy enough for it except His adorable Body, which He made our daily bread.”  “Don’t say that you’re not worthy. It’s true: you’re not worthy, but you have need of Holy Communion.” “If one could understand all the goods contained in holy Communion, there would be nothing left for our hearts to be happy. The greedy person would not run after treasure, the ambitious after glory; each one would leave the earth as dust and would fly toward heaven."

Feast Day of the Transfiguration of the Lord

By Webmaster • August 1, 2026
Feast Day of the Transfiguration of the Lord Thursday 6th August Mass at 7pm All are welcome!