Thursday 19th March Mass at 10am All are welcome! St Joseph, Pray for us!

The Passion of Christ I finally understand what Simeon’s prophesy that ‘a sword will pierce through your own soul’ mean. My Divine Son, You received all of Your human substance solely from me, which made me connect to You more than any other mother can be to her child. Your Pain is my pain. Your Sufferings are my sufferings. Your Sorrows are my sorrows. Even when we are physically separated, my spirit is always with You. From the tribunal of the high priest to the tribunal of Pilate, You didn't protest, You didn't defend Yourself. From being clothed in the fool’s garment in Herod's palace, to being put on the purple cloak, to being stripped off Your clothes again and again, like a plaything in the soldiers hands without dignity. You were silent like a lamb being led to the slaughter, patiently bear with everything and offered them to God for our salvation. From slapping by the official to the most barbaric form of scourging, You didn't uttered a single complaint in those humiliation and extreme cruelty; but returned them with Your mild but deep groans, and Your prayers and supplications. Your enemies' insulting, mocking, jeering, despising, accusing, reproaching, blaspheming words fired like rains of arrows towards You. Most Pure and Holy God, not only You didn't shy away from being hurt, You continued to turn Your Face towards them, and forgave them 'seventyseven' times. From giving You the crown of thorns on Your Head and the reed in Your Hand to putting the Cross on Your Shoulder, how much You have suffered when not a single part of Your Sacred Body is not in great Agony! I can never forget the moment when I can embrace and meet You face to face, when our eyes looked upon each other with ineffable tenderness yet with unspeakable sorrow…But I have to let You go, I will not let myself hinder the Will of God. Ah my Beloved Son, it broke my heart into pieces when I see You suffered so. If I was not strengthened by divine power, the vehemence of my interior sorrow and anxiety would certainly have ended my life long ago. I survived this heart-wrenching grief countless times, so I can accompany and continue to participate Your Sufferings with You on this Work of Salvation. Although my tears sometimes blurred my vision, but I followed You as close as I can on this Way of the Cross. I want to venerate every place of Your peculiar sufferings, driven by the love to mankind. And every drop of Your Most Precious Blood that shed along the way, were the Signs of Love and Mercy which point us the way to the open gates of Heaven. Reflection: God's single Word would be sufficient to save this world, but in His Divine Plan He came down from Heaven, took our human flesh and dwell amongst us, suffered all His Life and die on the Cross. Although we cannot fully understand this whole Mystery, but could we not sense the Love for us behind all these? God not only wish to forgive and save us, He also wish to know and realise how much He Love us. Our relationship with God is not merely a Creator and the Created, nor a Master and the servant, but like Father and son, like friends, like lovers...

So they said to him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” So I went and washed and received my sight.’ (John 9:10-11) O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. 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 Latin "laetare" means "to rejoice", as the opening antiphon said: "Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her." But what is the reason for this joy?  Pope Francis in his 2018 homily told us: "The reason is God's great love for mankind… ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’ (Jn 3:16). These words...summarize a theme that lies at the heart of the Christian proclamation: even when the situation seems desperate, God intervenes offering man salvation and joy.” On this Sunday the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. Laetare also reminds us of the event we look forward to at the end of the penitential season and the joy in anticipation of the resurrection.

On the Way of the Cross (1) I was just passing by with my children on the way back home after finished work. But my journey was halted by this big crowd and procession, which I was told that was due to three men is going to get executed. I do not know any of them. Before I knew it, a soldier roughly pulled my clothes and ordered me to carry the cross for one of the prisoners. I quickly refused as I want nothing to do with it. My children also got frightened and started crying, but some kind-hearted women took care of them for me. Eventually out of fear I was forced to comply, but I was so annoyed and unwilling to walk with someone who is so dejected and full of dirt and blood. Yet, this ‘prisoner’ wept and cast a look at me from the ground which touched the bottom of my heart. Out of pity, I helped Him to rise, carried the cross and walked behind Him. Along the way, I observed this Man. He was not like a typical prisoner who curses, shouts, hot-tempered, or looked cruel or calculated. Instead, He bore all the insults, hard blows and sufferings patiently. To the women who cried for Him, He even consoled them instead. There was also a woman who dared to confront the enraged crowd in order to refresh Him by wiping His Face! Who is He really? My compassion towards him increased as I carry the cross behind Him, and I felt my heart was deeply touched by grace. My logic told me He is a good man, He is innocent and definitely did not deserve to die. I was then more than willing to help Him in every way I could. I could not remain in silence with all these abuse by the Pharisees and guards towards Him. And I did exclaimed to His torturers that if they continue this brutality, I will throw down the cross and carry it no further… This road certainly was difficult, as well as carried the extremely heavy cross, I also let this poor Man to lean on me so to support Him and saved Him from falling to the ground. Despite I was exhausted when we reached Calvary, I still wished to remain so I might assist Him, but I got driven away, I could not stay. However, I do not want this unforgettable experience to become just a memory. I want to find out about this Man, I want to know everything about Him.  Reflection : We fast during Lent, because we want to repent from our sins thus turn our hearts back to God, and voluntary selfdenial like fasting is a form of penance. However, when we are determine to fast, sometimes we may find ourselves battled with temptations (e.g. felt extreme hunger as if not eaten for days, suddenly received a party invite) and find them hard to resist. Then think about the Passion of Christ when you carry your cross (i.e. fasting), walk behind Jesus like Simon of Cyrene and pity Him, because it is for your sake that He suffered. Follow Him, Our Lord will surely give you grace and strength to carry on, and bring your heart closer to His Love again.

Solemnity of St David Patron of Wales Monday 2 March Mass at 10am All are welcome! Happy St David’s Day! Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus!

O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your 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.

This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10. Family Fast Day envelopes and cash will be collected at the end of Mass this weekend.

"Healing through the Penitents Path" Every Tuesday throughout Lent at 7:30pm in St David's Chapel of St Peter’s Church (Entrance through Bedford St) A potentially life changing Includes talks, prayers, sharing, testimonies, and prayer ministry. See poster in Church porch for more info. A must for those seeking God!