We are delighted to receive this stunning tapestry, designed and created by the talented students of St Peter’s School. Each panel of this artwork reflects the children’s faith, creativity and deep connection to our Church community. The tapestry feature crosses, churches, hearts and symbols, peace and faith along with the inspiring phrase ‘Keys to the Future’. Please remember in your prayers the children from St Peter’s who received their first Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday.
O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. 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.
The Safeguarding Department have released the 2024 Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia Safeguarding Report. In this year’s report, they highlight key actions taken, including: * The establishment of a dedicated victim-survivor support post * A major reduction in DBS backlogs * The development of policies to promote best practices Looking ahead, the report outlines plans for: * Enhanced safeguarding audits * Improved training for clergy, staff, and volunteers * Stronger collaboration with statutory agencies Click the link below to read the report:
The Archdiocese’s Safeguarding Team is working with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to deliver free ‘live’ online training sessions via TEAMS: 1) Professionals / Volunteers Protect (1 April 6-8pm) 2) Digital Resilience (11 June 6-8pm) 3) Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour (24 September 6-8pm) 4) Child sexual exploitation awareness (12 November 6-8pm) To book, please contact safeguarding@rcadc.org – stating which date and your name
Mary meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary Oh most sorrowful Mother, when you heard your Son has been sentenced to death, how your heart grieved at this news. Your Son was not being persecuted by the Roman ruler, but by your very own people! They all wanted Him to die - "Persecuted him! Persecuted him!" Where are all the people whom Jesus has cured, where is everyone whom has seen His Miracles, what about the ones whom He fed? There was nobody there willing to stand up for Him. All the faces you saw was full of anger, criticism, despising. And you, Our Lady, your first reaction was not hitting back those ungrateful ones, neither holding grudges towards them, nor to try to help Jesus to escape from His unjust sentence. Instead, you just want to get closer to Him, to hold Him, to support and console Him in the midst of His Sufferings, as you see God's Will in all these… Even soldiers' chase away, the jeering and scorning, the sight of the torturing instruments cannot deter you from going towards His direction. And behold, who is this figure on the ground? Your Beloved Son was unrecognizable and so frightful to look at. As His face is covered with Blood dripping down from the crown of thorns, His forehead was burning with fever and sweating, His eyes were blurred with Blood and tears as He looked into your eyes so helplessly. You want to hold Him but at the same time you worried that you may hurt Him even more as His Body has been intensely scourged all over and His Head was crowned with sharp thorns. Your eyes, were streamed with tears at this sight. 'My Son!' is what you can uttered. This most sorrowful meeting, would not have happened if it was not because of His Passion for our sake. It is only until John and the women led you away that you have to depart from Him. Your sorrows even moved the heart of a stone, as the impressions from your hands and knees were left on the stone that you sank... (Reference: The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations, Vol 4 Chap 39)
Some young people in our Archdiocese are going to the Canonisation of Bl Carlo Acutis in Rome. We are asked to make a contribution to cover their cost. There is a second collection this weekend.
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Tuesday 25 March Mass at 10am All are welcome “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women!”
“Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” (Luke 13:8-9) O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. 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.
Sunday 13 April 6pm St Peter’s Church Peaceful service of music & Lent readings led by the 9.30am Sunday Mass music group