Reflection - Forth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Webmaster • January 27, 2024

The theme for Racial Justice Sunday          “Seeing one another in the life of the Church”.


Bishop’s Message for Racial Justice Sunday


Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Racial Justice, offers a short message for Racial Justice Sunday. This year’s day is celebrated in England and Wales on Sunday, 28 January 2024. Bishop Paul explains the theme and offers Catholics suggestions to mark the day. One key focus is for us to look at our ‘saints of colour’, men and women who made their life’s work to oppose racism and to promote equality and justice.


Hello. My name is Bishop Paul McAleenan. The theme of Racial Justice Sunday in England and Wales in 2024 is ‘Seeing one another in the life of the Church’. There are different ways that the theme could be approached. I would like to suggest one particular way.


In the history of the Church, there have been those who looked at the society in which they lived, and responded to what they saw. They looked, made a decision based on what they saw, and acted. Alert and sensitive as they were to the commandments of Christ, when they saw justice being denied to someone because of their racial origin or colour, they were prompted to act. Their actions of opposing racism, promoting equality and justice, became their life’s work. Following this path, sometimes they encountered hostility, rejection, and attempts to overturn what they were doing.


However, they persevered and became instruments of change, agents of progress, and some are acknowledged as saints of the Church. There are many, many saints in the Church. Each is different. Each chose to follow a particular aspect of the person of Jesus.


Some saw Jesus as a teacher and devoted their lives to teaching. Some followed Jesus as one who loved the sick, and opened hospices and hospitals. Others saw Jesus as the friend of the poor and gave witness to that. Among the saints are those who remembered the words of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right. They shall be satisfied.” And then they spent their lives working that everyone would be treated justly, with fairness and without discrimination.


For Racial Justice Sunday this year, can I suggest that you explore the lives of those great men and women – those who devoted their lives to the pursuit of racial justice, those who emulated God’s passion for justice, which we read about in the scriptures.


They will inspire us, teach us, and make us sensitive to the importance of racial justice and why we work for it.


May we too, like them, see one another in the life of the Church

Date for your Diary

By Webmaster • October 5, 2026
Saturday 12th December 26 . A fundraising cabaret. Further details nearer to the time.

One Heart Drummers

By Webmaster • October 5, 2026
The One Heart Drummers would like to invite you to a free afternoon of wellbeing drumming for Third Sector workers. It is on Thursday 15th October from 1-3.30pm at the Ocean Room in the Waterfront Museum. Our Wellbeing Drumming session for the 3rd sector is free afternoon to connect with others, and drum away some stress! Our Community Wellbeing Drumming session is a free opportunity for those involved in the 3rd sector, charities, CIC etc. to come together, connect and drum away some stress. For more information and to book a spot go to:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-wellbeingdrumming-session-for-the-3rd-sector-tickets2001875650961?aff=oddtdtcreator

Pilgrimage to Lourdes

By Webmaster • October 3, 2026
Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2027 - The dates for the 2027 pilgrimage have now been announced 18th to 24th July 2027 . Clergy and parishioners are warmly invited to save the date and register their interest. Further information is available on the pilgrimage poster/link www.welshnationalpilgrimage.com . Whether you have travelled with us before or are thinking about Lourdes for the first time, you are very welcome to join us.

Parish Contact List

By Webmaster • October 3, 2026
We need to update our parish contact list to ensure we have your names, address, email and telephone numbers in case we need to contact you. So please take a census form from the porch , complete it and put it in the box in the porch once complete. None of the information you give is given to anyone outside of the church. ( This applies to Blessed Sacrament only. St. Bride’s will be updated in October)

“CALLED TO LOVE”

By Webmaster • October 3, 2026
'Who is my neighbour?' Pope Leo is calling everyone to take a fresh look at what it means to be human, especially in this age of AI. What are the implications for us as Christians? Come and find out more at the Caritas archdiocesan event at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bridgend, CF31 3HS on Saturday 10th October, 9.30 – 3.30 . Registration essential. For more information and how to register, see the poster in your church or email caritas@cardiffmenevia.org .

SVP News

By Webmaster • September 28, 2026
The Annual Sponsored Walk took place on Sunday 13th Sept to raise money for the Ursuline Sisters Mission in Madagascar, feeding and educating abandoned street children. The walk started at the Stella Maris Convent, reached Mumbles and then returned. Conference Members from the Blessed Sacrament made a Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Taper in Cardigan on Sunday the 20th Sept for Mass and to renew their formal commitment to membership and its spiritual dimension.  Food Parcels will be provided for those in need, please inform a member of the SVP if you know any person in need. Thank you.

HOME MISSION SUNDAY

By Webmaster • September 21, 2026
Today is HOME MISSION SUNDAY A day for us as the Catholic community in England and Wales to celebrate our faith in these lands, and our shared commitment to communicate the beauty and the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. Celebrating the Holy Father’s first encyclical, the theme for this year is “Magnifica Humanitas” as the heart of mission. We can celebrate together the call the Holy Father has placed before us to live out our authenticate humanity which finds it’s fullness in Christ. More details about this can be found on the Bishops’ Conference website - Home Mission Sunday – Click here Catholic Bishops' Conference The Second Collection this weekend is to support the work carried out by the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate. Through the Mission Directorate, we support our Church in a wide field of service and mission here in England and Wales. Please hold this important work in your prayers and give as generously as you can.

Scripture Study Group

By Webmaster • September 20, 2026
Meet Tuesday at 5pm in the Parish Office.

Tea and coffee

By Webmaster • September 20, 2026
Please join us for tea, coffee and a chat after mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month in Gorseinon

Filipino Night

By Webmaster • September 20, 2026
There will be a Filipino Night on Saturday, 26th September between 6 – 9pm in the parish hall. Tickets £8 Adults, £5 children under 13. price includes Food, Drinks, plus 3 free bingo cards. Raffle £1 a strip. All proceeds go to the church. See Myrna for further info.