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)) 

CAFOD DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

By Webmaster • July 5, 2026
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.

God's Love for You - Sunday 5th July 2026

By Webmaster • July 5, 2026
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)

The Joy That Poverty Could Not Steal

By Webmaster • July 5, 2026
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.

Sunday 5th July 2026

By Webmaster • July 5, 2026
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.

SPUC 52nd Annual Sponsored Walk

By Webmaster • July 4, 2026
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

Peter's Pence

By Webmaster • June 26, 2026
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

St Peter's RC Primary School - nursery applications

By Webmaster • June 26, 2026
Nursery applications for 2027 intake are now open for St Peter's RC Primary School. Families with children born between September 1st 2023, and March 31st 2024, are encouraged to submit their applications via the school's website - www.stpeters.wales . St Peter's has just been rated EXCELLENT in every area of their latest Catholic School Inspectorate Report. Call to arrange to view the fantastic facilities 029 20497847.

God's Love for You - Sunday 28th June 2026

By Webmaster • June 26, 2026
What is a Miracle of the Eucharist? Miracles of the Eucharist are miraculous divine interventions that are aimed at the confirming faith in the real presence of the body and blood of the Lord in the Eucharist. We are familiar with the Catholic doctrine relating to this real presence; with the Words of Consecration, “this is my body” and “this is my blood,” the substance of the bread becomes the body of Christ and the substance of the wine becomes his blood. This awe-inspiring change is known as transubstantiation, in other words, the transition of the substance. Only the appearances, or species, of the bread and wine remain; these are known by the philosophical term “accidents”. The dimensions, colour, flavour and odour remain, as do the nutrients, but the substance, or rather the true reality, does not remain because it has become the body and blood of Christ. Transubstantiation can in no way be experienced by the senses; faith alone makes certain of this miraculous change. Miracles of the Eucharist are intend to confirm this faith, which is based on the words of Christ, according to which what seems like bread is no longer bread, and what seems like wine is no longer wine. Flesh and blood, or one or the other, appear in Miracles of the Eucharist, depending on the case. The aim of miracles such as these is to demonstrate that we should not look at external appearances (bread and wine), but at the substance, at the true reality of things, which is flesh and blood…The Lord carries out these miracles to give a sign that is easy and visible to all, that the real body and blood of Christ are present in the Eucharist. But this real body and this real blood are not those that appear, rather they are substantially contained beneath the species or appearances, species or appearances that were those of the bread and wine before the miracle, and after the miracle are those of flesh and blood. Christ is truly and substantially contained beneath the appearances of flesh and blood, just as he was before the miracle. This is why we can worship Christ in his real presence beneath the species of the flesh and blood. Fr Roberto Coggi O.P.

Sunday 28th June 2026

By Erica Evans • June 26, 2026
O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. 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.

Solemnity of St Peter & St Paul 28th June 2026

By Webmaster • June 26, 2026
Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith. ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo Saints Peter and Paul are considered the foundational pillars of the Church. Peter represents the stability of the Church and the office of the Vicar of Christ. Paul represents the mission of evangelization that was entrusted to the Church by Jesus Himself. He was also the Church’s first theologian, which is seen in his numerous letters that expound on the Gospels. Though unlikely, one tradition states that they were both martyred on June 29, in Rome, making them twin martyrs. Their twin martyrdom reminds us that the Church must be both stable and mission-oriented. It must remain grounded in the ancient Truth, yet grow and flower with an ongoing understanding of the mysteries of faith.  As we honor these two pillars of the Church, recall the fact that, though they are great saints, they were also ordinary men called to extraordinary vocations. They responded and God used them in ways they could have never imagined. Ponder your own calling in light of theirs and resolve to lay your life down for the Church, joining yourself to these two men so that God can continue their holy mission through you.