DIOCESAN NEWS ARTICLES

All parishioners are warmly invited to a Torchlight Procession for Peace which will take place at Our Lady of Peace Church, Newbridge at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 25th . The event, arranged by Fr. Kevin Payne and the Parish of Our Lady of Peace, includes prayers for Peace, especially important at this time of conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere. Bishop Tom Burns, Emeritus Bishop of Menevia will preach at the Torchlight Procession.

The Chrism Mass, at which the Oils for the Church's Sacraments throughout the year are blessed, and at which the priests of the Archdiocese renew their promises, is celebrated at the Cathedral in Cardiff on Tuesday at 11.30am. The Chrism Mass is the central occasion of the Archdiocesan Year and is a great celebration of the life of the Archdiocese. Once people have been to the Chrism Mass, it tends to become a pivotal part of their practice of the faith. So, if you have not been before, why not go along and try it for yourself? The Chrism Mass will be the Parish Mass on Tuesday. There will be no Mass at St. Teilo’s.

St. Joseph’s, New Zealand Road is having a Lenten Retreat led by Deacon Christian Mahoney on Saturday, March 16th after the 9.15 am Mass until 12 noon. It will include a talk; a short break for refreshments; Adoration and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  All are welcome!

The Rite of Election for Easter Baptism and the Call to Continuing Conversion for those, who are baptised in other Christian traditions and are asking to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church, took place in Saint David’s Cathedral at 3pm this Sunday afternoon. Congratulations to Samuel Macdonald currently preparing for baptism at St Teilo's this Easter.

The Archdiocese is sharing a series of Lenten Reflections for each of the weeks of Lent. The videos are released each Wednesday and are available on the Archdiocesan Website. The first reflection is entitled “The Importance of Prayer” and is presented by Archbishop Emeritus George Stack - https://rcadc.org/the-importance-of-prayer-a-lenten-reflection-by-archbishop-emeritus-georgestack/ 

As announced in the Archbishop’s pastoral letter on December 17th, a listening process is taking place in the early months of this year to discuss the possible unification of the Dioceses of Cardiff and Menevia. This is so that we can become better equipped and more directed to the spreading of the Gospel and serving those in need here in South Wales and Herefordshire. This sense of ‘outreach for mission’ should be behind all that we do as the Catholic Faithful in this part of the Lord’s Kingdom. The Archbishop believes that this is the best option to enable us to do this. As he said in his message, the decision has not yet been made – it is ultimately a decision for the Holy Father – and that is why he would like to consult us, the people of the two Dioceses. Please do participate with the Archbishop in this process. You may be aware that this open listening process, coincides with the next phase of the “Synod on Synodality”. At the heart of this next consultation period is the question, “How can we be a Synodal Church in mission?” Providentially, this is central to the question that we need to reflect on as we contemplate the union of the two Dioceses. So, the open listening process is how we are taking the synodal process forward at local level in the Dioceses. It is why it is vital for as many people as possible to take part. The first Open Listening Session for all the people of the Archdiocese is taking place on Monday, February 19th at 5pm at All Hallows Church Hall, Miskin. All are welcome and indeed encouraged to attend. If you are not able to attend the Archdiocesan gathering you are encouraged to come along to St. Teilo’s Hall on Thursday, February 22nd at 7pm for the Parish Listening Session which will feedback into the Archdiocesan process.

The Rite of Election for Easter Baptism and the Call to Continuing Conversion for those, who are baptised in other Christian traditions and are asking to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church, will take place in Saint David’s Cathedral at 3pm this Sunday afternoon. Please keep in your prayers Samuel MacDonald from our parish, who is currently preparing for Baptism at Easter. Sponsors and families of those who are being received are encouraged to attend and all parishioners are welcome at the Rite of Election which will be celebrated by Archbishop Mark. The Rite of Election will be live-streamed on the Cathedral Website - https://www.cardiffcathedral.org.uk/

The Justice and Peace Group at St Peter's Church, Roath is holding a Candlelit Rosary for Peace at 7.00pm on Wednesday, January 31st . All parishioners from across Cardiff and Penarth parishes are very welcome to attend and pray for peace at this time when conflict is increasing around the world.

If you are planning to be married in the Catholic Church, you will be required to attend a marriage preparation course, please see the details of the courses below: 1. FOCCUS© marriage preparation sessions take place throughout the year, with the day and time of the sessions being agreed between the couple and their facilitator. 2. In-person ‘Preparing Together’ days are being delivered on the following dates: • Saturday, 10th February at St. Michael’s Centre, Abergavenny • Saturday, 20th April at St. Helen’s Church Hall, Caerphilly • Saturday, 15th June at St. Illtyd’s Church Hall, Dowlais Couples can book a place on the aforementioned courses online by going to the Marriage Care website at https://www.marriagecare.org.uk/marriage-preparation-2/