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


Lenten Station Mass

By Stephen Nessman • February 6, 2026
Our Lady of the Rosary, Ammanford.

Archbishop Outlines His Vision for the Archdiocese

By Webmaster • January 31, 2026
Archbishop Mark has published a pastoral letter, 'Heart speaks to heart', calling the Archdiocese to become a missionary and synodal diocese built on prayer and four pillars: youth and vocations, evangelising zeal, formation in faith, and loving service. The letter challenges Catholics to encounter Christ more deeply and share that encounter with others, and will be broken into six pieces for study during Lent or Eastertide. Read the full pastoral letter on the Diocese website. ( https:// tinyurl.com/nmj5ppxk )

Help in the Office

By Webmaster • January 31, 2026
We have had no concrete offers of assistance with Health & Safety or the Parish Newsletter over the past few weeks the advert has been in the newsletter. This work is all part of keeping the parish running smoothly and as they say ‘Many hands make light work’ . So if you can help in any way please speak to Stephen.

Newsletter - Help wanted

By Webmaster • January 31, 2026
We are in need of a volunteer to assist in the production of our newsletter This entails working opposite a current parishioner every other week. The newsletter needs to be completed in time for mass at St. Bride’s church, Pontarddulais each Saturday. The volunteer would need to be familiar with Microsoft office as we use Word and Publisher to produce the newsletter. If you are interested speak to Stephen

Health & Safety - Help wanted

By Webmaster • January 31, 2026
We are in need of a volunteer to keep our Health & Safety programme up to date. This work is not arduous and entails using a software programme to keep risk assessments up to date. But it does need to be done regularly. If you have relevant qualifications in Occupational Health & Safety e.g. Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, and can spare some time each week please speak to Stephen for more information.

Solemnities, Feasts and Memorials this week

By Webmaster • January 31, 2026
2nd: The Presentation of the Lord; 3rd: St. Blaise, Bishop & Martyr, St. Ansgar, Bishop; 5th: St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr;  6th: St. Paul Mikl and Companions, Martyrs.

Holy Rosary Group:

By Webmaster • January 31, 2026
This new group has being formed by a parishioner to enable those who would like to come together to pray the rosary. The group will meet on the first Saturday of the month. Next Rosary Group meeting will be on Saturday 7th February 2026 at 11am. Everyone is welcome. If you haven’t got rosary beads they are available in the repository.

Our Lady's lamp

By Stephen Nessman • January 31, 2026
Our Lady’s Lamp - Intentions week commencing 1st February 2026 Blessed Sacrament William Stocking & Stocking Family RIP (PS) St Bride’s No intentions 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

Men's Rosary Rally

By Webmaster • January 25, 2026
First Saturday of the month in Swansea Centre, outside St David’s Priory at 1pm.

Legislative Consent Motion on Assisted Suicide Bill

By Webmaster • January 25, 2026
As the Senedd prepares to debate whether to give legislative consent to Westminster's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Archbishop Mark and Bishop Peter Bignall wish to express their deep concern about legalising assisted suicide in Wales. International experience shows that where assisted suicide is legalised, eligibility criteria expand over time and subtle pressure is placed on those who are elderly, disabled, or who fear becoming a burden. True compassion means accompanying those who suffer and ensuring no one feels abandoned, not ending life. They urge Members of the Senedd to withhold consent and focus on strengthening palliative care. On Monday 26th January, those who can are asked to observe a day of fasting in solidarity with the vulnerable. Please also engage respectfully with your Member of the Senedd to make your voice heard on this important decision for Wales.