God's love for you - 4th December 2022
Webmaster • December 3, 2022
Crib Innovator
St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene in the small town of Greccio, Italy, on Christmas Eve 1223. Francis used his memories from his Holy Land trip to construct the crib. He asked a friend to assemble the materials and explained, “For I would make memorial of that Child who was born in Bethlehem, and in some sort behold with bodily eyes his infant hardships, how he lay in a manger on the hay, with the ox and the ass standing by.” The friars and townspeople assembled around the scene, illuminating the night with candles. There, Simplicity was honored, Poverty exalted, Humility commended; and of Greccio, there was made, as it were, a new Bethlehem. Mass was said on the altar that was made over the manger.
Francis, who was a deacon, read the Gospel and preached the sermon, calling Jesus “the Child of Bethlehem.” Then he picked up the image of Jesus asleep in the manger.
The Baby awakened in his arms, according to eyewitnesses. In addition, more miracles happened. When sick animals in the region ate some of the hay, they were cured. Moreover women in long and grievous labor were safely delivered by putting some of the hay on themselves, and a crowd of persons of either sex suffering from various ailments gained their longwished-for health at that same place. As a result, over the manger, an altar was reared, and a church dedicated, to the end that … men might thenceforth, for the healing of soul and body, eat the flesh of the spotless and undefiled Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ.
(National Catholic Register)
Saturday 31st January 2026 9:30am - 5:00pm St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College, Cardiff The Catholic Youth Conference will be celebrating the Regional Jubilee of Jesus Youth of 25 years in the UK. Open to all aged 16 and above, this day is for young adults to experience how God is guiding and working through young people. Archbishop Mark will be celebrating Holy Mass on the day. Please show your interest by registering before 25th January using link below or scan QR code: Registration link: https://forms.gle/HqevPZ8KfL2EsyrK6 Come and encounter Christ and be inspired to transform your life.
24th January 2026 Bethel Convention Centre, Birmingham A Catholic healing (& evangelisation) service led by Fr Xavier Vattayil (who is well-known worldwide for charism of healing with thousands of testimonies). Highlights of the day include: Worship, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Children's Stream and Prayer Ministry. All welcome. Bus to the venue from Cardiff will be about 1 hr 40mins depends on traffic. Please contact Madeleine 07791 503 857
Archbishop Mark and Bishop Peter Brignall have issued a joint statement on Assisted Suicide: ‘As the Senedd prepares to debate whether to give legislative consent to Westminster's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Archbishop Mark and Bishop Peter Brignall wish to express their deep concern about legalising assisted suicide in Wales. International experience shows that where assisted suicide is legalised, eligibility criteria expand over time and subtle pressure is placed on those who are elderly, disabled, or who fear becoming a burden. True compassion means accompanying those who suffer and ensuring no one feels abandoned, not ending life. They urge Members of the Senedd to withhold consent and focus on strengthening palliative care. On Monday 26th January, those who can are asked to observe a day of fasting in solidarity with the vulnerable. Please also engage respectfully with your Member of the Senedd to make your voice heard on this important decision for Wales.’
The importance of family We are being created by Love and with love. And we need the same love to grow and develop. What better love we can and should receive on this earth out of all human beings than the love from our father and mother? Parents, do you know your child needs and depends on your love since the moment of their conception? What is this love? It is not about just hugging and kissing, or lavish your child with money and presents; but your sacrifice for them when you look after them. Sacrifice of your me time, of your sleep, of your hobbies, of your job, of your dreams, of your wellbeing... How many are willing to do so? How many realise this love within a family is so important? Not only it sets the foundation of shaping the little one's future nature and belief, makes the parents become more mature, and what is more, it can even change the world! (continue next week)
“John saw Jesus coming towards him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” ( John 1:29) Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. 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.
The Bishops’ Conference encourage us all to use the day to reflect on Pope Leo’s theme message for the World Day of Peace on the 1st January: 'Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace'. We are in a world torn by violence and war; a time of uncertainty; a time when strong leadership can help disperse doubt and show a positive way forward in full hope. It is so easy to feel helpless in a world of violence today. The nonviolent action of Jesus can be our guide in working for peace and justice. Pax Christi is a movement founded 80 years ago in France to pray for reconciliation between two nations, Germany and France, it has since become an International Peace Movement. Bishop John Arnold representing the CBCEW writes: "Pope Leo is telling us that peace should not rely on fear, threats or weapons. Peace should have the capacity to resolve conflicts and open hearts through mutual understanding and hope." Pax Christi tries to respond to this aim through publications, prayer, public witness and nonviolent action. A number of resources have been produced to help us reflect. You can download them from their Peace Sunday 2026 page via www.paxchristi.org.uk Pax Christi also welcome donation to support their work. Please go to: www.paxchristi.org.uk/productcategory/peace-sunday-appeal/ or scan QR code below
The Holy Family You may wonder when the Incarnated Word dwelt amongst us, why He did not appear into the world by Himself? Instead, God sent Angel Gabriel to ask Mary whether she agrees to be the Mother of God and then sent Angel Gabriel again to Joseph to 'persuade' him to stay and be the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Why all these efforts? Do you remember when God first created human, he created a man and a woman, then He said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it..." (Gen 1:28) This is the beginning of human family. We are being created to have the beginning of our human life within a family - a child is to be born into this world with a father and a mother, not with just a mother or just a father (unless circumstances outside human control happened), nor with two fathers or two mothers. Since God desired to be with us, wished to be one with us, thus God's Only Begotten Son took our human flesh to become truly God yet truly human, therefore it is only natural for Jesus Christ to have His Life on earth starting from a family - the Holy Family. “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matt 5:17) Since Jesus came to this world not only to fulfil but also to save us, since He told us that He is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’, and Simeon described Him as ‘a light for revelation to the nations’, therefore everything He did should be a true example for us to imitate, and that means starting from the family
“And when Jesus was baptized...and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16-17) Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. 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.
White Flower Appeal 2026 The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is holding its annual appeal this weekend. SPUC exists to transform culture so that abortion is not only abolished but becomes unthinkable. The Society is actively leading the fight in courts, classrooms and culture to achieve this mission, in order to restore a respect for the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death. This year’s appeal postcards allow supporters to join the fightback campaign against the current threats in Parliament to expand abortion and allow assisted suicide. Your support means everything to them. Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC at this critical time for our country. There will also be a Second Collection THIS WEEKEND
What might the Three Kings think about their visit... On our journey to You - the newborn King whom we wish to pay homage to, no one knows who we are looking for and what we are talking about, they laughed at us, mocked us, looked at us suspiciously, they thought that we are mad…but we hold onto what we believe is true - that a Saviour is born, whom will lead us to the worship of the true God. We keep on searching, we did not give up. We can never forget the joy and excitement we experienced when we first met You, whom our ancestors yearn to see and waited for two thousands years. We can finally see You, our previous hardships and sufferings are all worth it. At the moment we saw You, You wiped away all our doubts, worries, and sadness; and overflowing our heart with Love, Joy and Peace. One of us cannot help but shedding his joyful tears, like a child who has finally found what he loves. We are not your 'chosen' ones, yet You revealed to us that Your Salvation does not exclude anyone. You gave us signs from this nature, You lead us and guide us discreetly, so whoever wish to seek You will surely find You. We praise You with all our hearts for that. You are truly human yet You are truly God, in front of our very eyes. How impossible became possible! What a wonder which surpasses all other wonders that we have ever seen. So amazing in sight but also so touching in heart, that God has came down from His Heavenly Throne so to be with us all. Your appearance did not cause us to worship you in fear, but draw us to love you and then adore you from our hearts. The precious gift offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh we brought could never be worthy enough in Your Eyes, since all things belong to You. But we wish that You will except them as our humble honour to You - our true God, King of all Kings, the Creator of all.