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.
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
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
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.
4th St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop 6th St Illtud, Abbot 8th All Saints of Wales 9th Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
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
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.
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
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
The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. St. Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful, "even as others who have no hope ... For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven ... and the dead who are in Christ shall rise. The Church has always taught us to pray for those who have gone into eternity. Even in the Old Testament prayers and alms were offered for the souls of the dead by those who thought "well and religiously concerning the resurrection." It was believed that "they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them" and that "it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." We know that a defiled soul cannot enter into heaven. Excerpted from Liturgical Meditations, The Sisters of St. Dominic If you wish your loved ones who have gone before us to be remembered at masses for the Holy Souls then please make a list of their names and place your list in the Holy Souls envelopes at the back of the church. It is customary that an offering is made and this too can be placed in the same envelope. These envelopes are collected and placed on the altar during the month of November. Should the number of masses exceed the available days of November masses these will be celebrated throughout the following year.