Serving the  Catholic parish communities of Gorseinon & Pontarddulais

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH, GORSEINON

AND ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH, PONTARDDULAIS


A Parish of the RC Diocese of Menevia

By Webmaster November 16, 2024
Mistakenly because of consumerism focusing on Christmas winter festive celebrations these precious 4 weeks of Advent have lost their purpose and meaning. Advent is about preparing for the Lord’s return at the end of time – as He promised. That preparation is at the heart of the Church’s mission which is captured in the liturgy by our readings at mass. Reading that focus on the importance of the prophecies of the Old Testament which prepared the people of Israel for the birth of Jesus, the ministry of John the Baptist as his herald and the place of Mary in God’s plan of Salvation as announced by the archangel Gabriel. By praying and meditating on these readings in the light of our Christian Faith we can enter more fully into the mission of the Church to be heralds of hope and announcers of the fulfilment of the salvation of the world we work towards. To be Christ bearers and co-workers with him in radiating the love and forgiveness, the joy and the peace of God. At last week’s clergy deanery meeting a few ideas emerged regarding getting into the spirit of Advent. Advent Angels To cut out paper angels, and write the names of parishioners on each angel and put them in a basket. Then ask each parishioner to pick out an angel and over the 4 weeks of Advent to pray for that parishioner (without telling them). Then just before Christmas to tell the parishioner who has been prayed for and give them a small gift. Christmas Tree Petitions Cut out paper squares and thread each card with a piece of cotton. Ask parishioners to write a prayer of petition on each one and hang them on the Christmas Tree. Then pray for all those petitions throughout Advent and Christmas. Blessing the Baby Jesus In many countries there is the tradition of families bringing the Baby Jesus from their family crib to mass of Gaudete Sunday (3rd Sunday of Advent) and having it bless.  Blessing of Christmas Cards Some have the tradition of having the Christmas Cards they send blest before they sent them, as a spiritual gesture of closeness and blessing.
By Stephen Nessman November 16, 2024
Our Lady’s Lamp - Intentions week commencing 17th November 2024 Blessed Sacrament No Intention St Bride’s No Intention If you wish Our Lady’s Lamp to be lit for a loved one or an intention, please let us know. A donation of £5 is suggested and the candle will be lit all week in the church
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
4th St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop 6th St Illtud, Abbot 8th All Saints of Wales 9th Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
The month begins with the celebration of All Saints which reminds us of Christ’s victory over the grave. The name Halloween comes from the eve of All Hallows – All Saints. Interestingly this past week someone asked Fr John Patrick what Halloween was all about. In pagan times this time of year marked the end of harvest time and the beginning of the dark period of the year. It was believed that the division between this world and the Other world was at its thinnest allowing the spirits of the Other world to return during this period in an active way. People used to leave out food for these spirits to appease them and therefore safeguard them and their livestock from the ravages of winter. The souls of deceased relatives were also thought to visit and families would set table places at meal times to welcome them in honour and as a mark of respect. When Christianity came to these lands many of the pagan rituals were adapted and Christianised. The feast of All Saints was initially celebrated at the end of Easter but eventually was moved to November as a spiritual means to re-affirm the message of Easter – that Christ has risen and so too all who have died and believed in him.

Welcome to our parish


I wish all our visitors to this website, great peace and joy.
I hope you enjoy exploring our site and discovering the varied life of our vibrant parish.
If you would like to join us for the celebration of holy Mass, you will be welcomed with open arms.
So too, if you would like to join in any of our events and meetings, it will be a pleasure to see you.
If there is anything I can do to help or support you, please let me know.
With assurance of my prayers and warmest best wishes,


Fr. J. P. Thomas

Welcome to our Communities



Our community here at The Blessed Sacrament and St. Brides parish wish all our visitors a very warm welcome!
We hope that you enjoy exploring our parish website, and invite you to discover the varied life of our parish communities.


Please join us for the celebration of Holy Mass, where you will be  welcomed and encouraged to share in our collective worship. 

It will be a pleasure to share with you the experience of our faith, and if we can help or support you in any way, please do let us know.


Fr. John Patrick Thomas

Parish Priest


THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 24 HR STREAM - VIEW FULL SCREEN

PARISH LIVESTREAM

  • Weekend Mass

    St. Bride's Church, Pontarddulais: Saturday 5pm


    Blessed Sacrament Church, Gorseinon:

    Sunday 10am.

  • Weekday Mass

    Thursday and Friday in Blessed Sacrament Church at 9.30am and Wednesday in St. Bride's Church at 9.30am.


    All weekday masses from Blessed Sacrament Church are livestreamed. Access to the livestream is a tab on the parish website.


    Please check Newsletter for any mass time change

PARISH LIVESTREAM

Divine Mercy  SOS Chaplet  - join this wonderful initiative - More Here

The Pope's Intention

November 2024

For anyone who has lost a child
We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.

Parish News

Parish News

Our very latest news updates and information about Parish activities.

By Stephen Nessman November 16, 2024
Our Lady’s Lamp - Intentions week commencing 17th November 2024 Blessed Sacrament No Intention St Bride’s No Intention If you wish Our Lady’s Lamp to be lit for a loved one or an intention, please let us know. A donation of £5 is suggested and the candle will be lit all week in the church
By Webmaster November 10, 2024
The Flame Congress has been running for nearly 10 years and it provided our young people (16-30 years) the opportunity to gather and support each other in exploring and celebrating the Faith. Each year around 20,000 young people gather for the Congress and f ind it a remarkable occasion in which they draw strength from the faith of their peers. If anyone in that age bracket is interested in participating please make yourselves know to Fr John Patrick. Transport will be provided
By Webmaster November 10, 2024
This year we shall be running a 4 week Advent Course provided by the online Catholic Catechetical Platform Sycamore. The dates for which fall on each of the 4 Sunday’s Advent at 3.00pm. Each segment will last about an hour. No sign up required just turn up – its open to all ages. Hopefully we shall have tea and coffee too.
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
4th St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop 6th St Illtud, Abbot 8th All Saints of Wales 9th Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
Sign up for the Cardiff-Menevia "Catholic Youth Advent Retreat". It will be held at St David's College in Cardiff on Saturday 14th December, where the Archbishop will celebrate Mass, welcoming youth from across the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia. The event is open to those aged 12-19. The day’s programme includes: - Mass with our choir - Inspiring talks and discussions - Prayer and Adoration - Great food - Music and fun activities - The chance to meet new friends The retreat will be led by Father Matt RocheSaunders and Deacon Christian Mahoney. To register, click the link https://forms.gle/ a5cks4e3Jm8R7SRj6
More News

Parish Notices

Important notices and items. These will contain news elements & important requests and parish notices

Divine Mercy SOS Chaplet - A global initiative launched from our home country - Wales - More Here

By Stephen Nessman November 16, 2024
Our Lady’s Lamp - Intentions week commencing 17th November 2024 Blessed Sacrament No Intention St Bride’s No Intention If you wish Our Lady’s Lamp to be lit for a loved one or an intention, please let us know. A donation of £5 is suggested and the candle will be lit all week in the church
By Webmaster November 10, 2024
The Flame Congress has been running for nearly 10 years and it provided our young people (16-30 years) the opportunity to gather and support each other in exploring and celebrating the Faith. Each year around 20,000 young people gather for the Congress and f ind it a remarkable occasion in which they draw strength from the faith of their peers. If anyone in that age bracket is interested in participating please make yourselves know to Fr John Patrick. Transport will be provided
By Webmaster November 10, 2024
This year we shall be running a 4 week Advent Course provided by the online Catholic Catechetical Platform Sycamore. The dates for which fall on each of the 4 Sunday’s Advent at 3.00pm. Each segment will last about an hour. No sign up required just turn up – its open to all ages. Hopefully we shall have tea and coffee too.
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
4th St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop 6th St Illtud, Abbot 8th All Saints of Wales 9th Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
Sign up for the Cardiff-Menevia "Catholic Youth Advent Retreat". It will be held at St David's College in Cardiff on Saturday 14th December, where the Archbishop will celebrate Mass, welcoming youth from across the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia. The event is open to those aged 12-19. The day’s programme includes: - Mass with our choir - Inspiring talks and discussions - Prayer and Adoration - Great food - Music and fun activities - The chance to meet new friends The retreat will be led by Father Matt RocheSaunders and Deacon Christian Mahoney. To register, click the link https://forms.gle/ a5cks4e3Jm8R7SRj6
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
Last weekend Pope Francis closed the Synod on Synodality. He made available the report available immediately and will not be issuing an Apostolic Exhortation. This means that the finds of the Synod have been given the weight of Magisterial approval. In other words they lay the foundations for individual parishes and dioceses to develop those aspects of Communion, Participation and Mission along the spirit of the synod’s finding. You can read an article on the final report at  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/press-conference-synod-final-document-magisterium-women.html
By Webmaster October 27, 2024
The Archdiocese of St Andrew's and Edinburgh have published three YouTube videos on the Lectionary which are useful for formation as to why the text of the Lectionary has changed. These can also be found on the Bishops' Conference website: https:// www.cbcew.org.uk . The links are:  Bishop Hugh Gilbert (Aberdeen) on "Introducing the English Standard Version" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VmjpvOxkWg  Fr Paul Denney on "The New Lectionary" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjCcYGDC5Mk  Fr Adrian Porter SJ on "Proclaim the Word in the Liturgy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shuALIEpUGk
By Webmaster October 5, 2024
Pope Francis’ opening address and request to the Synod participants: Brothers and sisters, we begin anew our synodal path with an eye toward the world, since the Christian community is always at the service of humanity in order to announce the joy of the Gospel. In such a dramatic time in our history, when the winds of war and the flames of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations, there is need for this message. In order to invoke the intercession of Mary Most Holy for the gift of peace, I will recite the holy rosary and make a heartfelt plea to the Virgin in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major this coming Sunday. If possible, I ask all members of the Synod to join me for this occasion. The following day, 7 October, I ask everyone to participate in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world. Let us walk together. Let us listen to the Lord and allow him to guide us by the "breath" of the Spirit.  Our holy Father Pope Francis has extended his request to include all of us to fast and pray for the peace Christ won for us to be manifest in the strive-stridden places of our world today.

Parish / Diocesan
 Events


By Webmaster November 10, 2024
The Flame Congress has been running for nearly 10 years and it provided our young people (16-30 years) the opportunity to gather and support each other in exploring and celebrating the Faith. Each year around 20,000 young people gather for the Congress and f ind it a remarkable occasion in which they draw strength from the faith of their peers. If anyone in that age bracket is interested in participating please make yourselves know to Fr John Patrick. Transport will be provided
By Webmaster November 10, 2024
This year we shall be running a 4 week Advent Course provided by the online Catholic Catechetical Platform Sycamore. The dates for which fall on each of the 4 Sunday’s Advent at 3.00pm. Each segment will last about an hour. No sign up required just turn up – its open to all ages. Hopefully we shall have tea and coffee too.
By Webmaster November 4, 2024
Sign up for the Cardiff-Menevia "Catholic Youth Advent Retreat". It will be held at St David's College in Cardiff on Saturday 14th December, where the Archbishop will celebrate Mass, welcoming youth from across the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia. The event is open to those aged 12-19. The day’s programme includes: - Mass with our choir - Inspiring talks and discussions - Prayer and Adoration - Great food - Music and fun activities - The chance to meet new friends The retreat will be led by Father Matt RocheSaunders and Deacon Christian Mahoney. To register, click the link https://forms.gle/ a5cks4e3Jm8R7SRj6
By Webmaster November 3, 2024
Film Club: Second and fourth Thursday of the month. Doors open at 1.30pm and film starts at 2pm. All welcome 14th November 59 Club: If you wish to have a number please see Margaret Cleveland Meet and Chat: First and Third Sunday of the month after mass at Blessed Sacrament Scripture Group: 5pm every Tuesday in meeting room in Presbytery Men’s Rosary Group:  First Saturday each month near St David’s Swansea at 3pm

More Events

PRAY FOR OUR ARCHBISHOP  - MARK O'TOOLE

As a parish we encourage our community to pray for our shepherd

Diocese News

Global Healing - care for our common home.



A film commissioned by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (33 minutes long).


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