Reflections on the Vietnam visit
Webmaster • July 14, 2023
A simple parish shrine to four of the many thousands of Vietnamese Martyrs
Fr Marco, our superior general, bishop Charles from New Zealand and myself were so happy to be in Vietnam about the centre of the very green country near the city of Vihn. In this area is the home of Sean who is our student staying at St Peter’s. We visited Sean’s family as well as that of Khuong and Cong. I have written about the Festival of the first Mass of Khuong’s brother Thien which was a grand affair in the grounds of the parish under a large marquee. Mass then refreshments. The music and singing was most uplifting and there were many priests and the local bishop. Our friend from New Zealand bishop Charles was also there along with our Father General of the Rosminians Fr Marco. The weather was inviting so in the early evening a group went to the beach 15 miles away for a warm swim. The Vietnamese people give us a warm welcome everywhere and the local churches in this rural area are large and beautiful. In one part of a village the Catholic homes will often fly a papal flag and the communist homes a red one. Living in a controlled state seems to keep the Faith very much alive. ‘Look at the flags’, says Khuong’s brother to us, ‘we know our enemy but you in the west do not know yours.’ And perhaps he is right that silent secularism is all around us and as such is much more powerful.
Fr. Chris
National flags On this Solemnity, we would like to decorate the Church with different national flags that represent all the nationalities that make up our Parish Community. If you have a national flag, can you please bring it to the Church by Sunday 17 May . There will be a box in the porch (please label the flag with your name for returning). Nationalities in the Parish We wish to celebrate the diversity of Parishioners in our Parish on Pentecost. Please add your own Nationality or Ethnicity to the list in the entrance THIS WEEKEND . The list will be typed up and attached to the newsletter on Pentecost Sunday. Bidding Prayers on Pentecost Sunday NEXT WEEKEND , we will be looking for parishioners to volunteer to say one bidding prayer in their own language on Pentecost Sunday. National Dress To celebrate the diversity in our Parish and if you have an ethnic costume, perhaps you may wish to wear it at the Pentecost Sunday Mass. The Our Father At the Pentecost Mass, we will ask parishioners to say Our Father Prayer in their own language (all at the same time) if they wish.
Join us on the 14th May for Holy Mass and the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord.
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
Comboni Missionaries will be visiting St Peter’s Next Weekend 2nd / 3rd May There will be a Second Collection for their Missions.
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 Belmont Abbey, Hereford Wednesday 6th May 9pm
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 from Monday to Friday after 10am Weekday Mass until 11.30am On Friday is the Rosary for Life 11am - 11.30am
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!
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