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

Newsletter - Help wanted

By Webmaster • January 17, 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 12, 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 17, 2026
20th:St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, St. Sebastian, Martyr; 21st: St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr; 22nd: St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr;  24th: St. Franceis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

Holy Rosary Group:

By Webmaster • January 17, 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.

Legislative Consent Motion on Assisted Suicide Bill

By Webmaster • January 17, 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.

Crib Offerings 2025

By Webmaster • January 11, 2026
This year's Crib Offerings will be shared between Aid to the Church in Need and projects helping homeless people within the Archdiocese. If you would like to donate electronically there is a QR code ,which you can scan next to the crib.

Our Lady's lamp

By Stephen Nessman • January 11, 2026
Our Lady’s Lamp - Intentions week commencing 11th January 2026 Blessed Sacrament No intentions 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

Reflection - The Epiphany

By Webmaster • January 4, 2026
 Reflection for the Epiphany – Year A The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the nations, symbolized by the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12). It is a moment of divine revelation — God’s light breaking into the world, not for a select few, but for all peoples. In Year A , the Gospel invites us to see ourselves in the Magi: seekers who journey through uncertainty, guided by a light they do not fully understand, yet compelled to follow. Their perseverance leads them not to a palace, but to a humble home — a reminder that God’s glory often appears in unexpected places. The Magi’s gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — are more than treasures; they are acts of worship, acknowledging Jesus as King, God, and the One who will suffer for our salvation. Their encounter transforms them, sending them home “by another way,” symbolizing the change that true meeting with Christ brings. Reflection Points: • God’s light is for everyone — no one is excluded from His love. • The journey of faith requires trust, humility, and openness to surprise. True worship leads to transformation and a new way of living. Prayer: Lord Jesus, Light of the world, guide my steps as You guided the Magi. Help me to seek You with a sincere heart, to recognize You in the humble and unexpected, and to offer You the gift of my life. Amen.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

By Webmaster • January 4, 2026
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on Tuesday 6th January 2026 and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses as follows: Monday 5th January 26, Vigil Mass in St. Bride’s Church, Pontarddulais at 5pm;  Tuesday 6th January 26, Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church, Gorseinon at 9.30am.

Clergy Appointments

By Webmaster • December 27, 2025
• Canon Benedict Koledoye will move from St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Swansea to Canton/Fairwater as Parish Priest and will be in situ for the weekend of 7/8 February 2026. St Mary’s Priory, Canton will also become an “Induction and Formation House” for all priests arriving from abroad. • Fr Phillip Harries will move from Carmarthen to St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral and will be in situ for the weekend of 21st/22nd March 2026. Fr Phillip will be on sabbatical from the beginning of January until that date. • Fr Carlito Reyes will remain at Holy Cross Abbey, Whitland for these next months and will provide cover for Carmarthen, from the beginning of January until the beginning of February, 2026. • Fr Solomon Ugwummadu will move from Canton/Fairwater to Carmarthen as Priest-in-Charge and will be in situ for the weekend of 7/8 February 2026. • Fr Clement Oloruntoba OP is appointed as Priest-in-charge at Gorseinon/Pontarddulais with immediate effect. He will retain chaplaincy at Swansea Prison and Singleton Hospital. • Fr Anthony Nwosu will move to Tenby/Saundersfoot as Priest-in-Charge, with immediate effect and this will be reviewed in the Summer 2026, given his newness to the diocese and the local pastoral situation.