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)) 

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

Priest Training & Discipleship Appeal

By Webmaster • April 18, 2026
Priest Training & Discipleship Appeal 25th/26th April Next weekend there will be 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.

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.

Divine Mercy Sunday 2026

By Webmaster • April 11, 2026
Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April 2026 On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.  The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment…” (Diary 699)

Sunday 12th April 2026

By Webmaster • April 11, 2026
Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:27-28) God of everlasting mercy, who, in the very recurrence of the paschal feast kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. 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.

Happy Easter

By Webmaster • April 3, 2026
The Rosminian Fathers in St Peter’s Parish would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Sunday 6th April 2026

By Webmaster • April 3, 2026
“So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together… Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.” (John 20:3,4,8,9) O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life.  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.

Lenten Taizé Service

By Webmaster • March 28, 2026
Palm Sunday 29 March at 6pm St Peter’s Church  Peaceful service of music & Lent readings led by the 9.30am Sunday Mass music group

Holy Week Liturgy 2026 in St Peter’s

By Webmaster • March 27, 2026
Mass Times Palm Sunday (29th March) 9:30am 11:30am Maundy Thursday (2nd April) 7pm Good Friday (3rd April) Children Station of the Cross 10.30am Liturgy at 3pm Station of the Cross at 6pm Holy Saturday Vigil Mass (4th April) at 8pm Easter Sunday (5th April) 9:30am 11:30am