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)) 

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

By Webmaster • April 27, 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

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.

Eucharistic Adoration

By Webmaster • April 26, 2026
Eucharistic Adoration from Monday to Friday after 10am Weekday Mass until 11.30am On Friday is the Rosary for Life 11am - 11.30am

Holy Rosary in May

By Webmaster • April 23, 2026
Holy Rosary will be held in Our Lady’s Garden at St Peter’s every Sunday beginning 3rd May at 10.45am All are welcome to join!

2026 Senedd Election

By Webmaster • April 18, 2026
Archbishop Mark O’Toole’s Letter The Archbishop has written to Catholics in Wales urging them to vote in the upcoming Senedd Election. His letter called on Catholics to “participate actively in these elections and to fulfil their civic duty by voting for candidates who will best uphold the dignity of the human person and the common good.” He also wrote: “This is your opportunity to shape the future of Wales through a Catholic lens for the good of all. As you discern among the candidates and their approach to these and other important issues, I encourage you to pray for those who are seeking election and those who govern. May their decisions be always guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and a true desire to serve the people of Wales, especially the most vulnerable.” Five Key Areas of Importance Ahead of the election, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has issued a document outlining the work of the Catholic Church in Wales as well as the Catholic community’s main policy requests. The document highlights five key areas of importance for the Catholic Church in Wales: Education, Life Issues, Historic Churches, Healthcare and the Environment. To read/download: www.cbcew.org.uk/2026 -senedd-election/ Guide for Catholics Caritas Cardiff-Menevia has produced a guide – The Senedd Election 2026: Every Vote Counts – to help explain the new electoral system, who can vote, and how to make an informed choice. Every Catholic in our Diocese to read the guide, reflect carefully, and use their vote. Visit: https://rcadc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2026/03/Caritas-The-Seneddelection-2026v3.pdf

Holy Hour for the Dignity of Human Life

By Webmaster • April 18, 2026
Holy Hour for the Dignity of Life Sunday 19th April 4:30pm The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales will hold a Holy Hour to pray for the dignity of life. This is an opportunity for the Catholics of our two nations to unite and pray for the promotion of a culture of life in our lands. While peers in the House of Lords continue to debate whether to make Assisted Suicide law, please join the Bishops in prayer so to offer this petition to Our Lord for the dignity of life from conception to natural end and to pray that assisted suicide will not become law. CBCEW have produced a PDF that can be printed and used to pray in this Holy Hour. But if you wish to observe a personal Holy Hour at home (i.e. where the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed), then the use of readings and reflections in the document can help guide this. Visit: www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ sites/3/2024/11/HH-Dignity-of-Life.pdf

Sunday 19th April 2026

By Webmaster • April 18, 2026
When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ (Luke 24:30-32) May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. 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.