Christmas Octave
Webmaster • December 19, 2025
The joy that fills the Church at the birth of Jesus is celebrated throughout the Christmas season. The Church, as a continuation of the Christmas Feast, celebrates the Octave of Christmas, that is, the eight days between Christmas and New Year’s Day as a special celebration, with each day celebrated with prayer based on the Angels’ message to the Shepherds, the Gloria.
Unlike our society, which seems to see December 25th as the end of the Christmas season, for us, December 25th is the beginning of Christmastime. These days between Christmas and New Year see many people taking leave, which is a great opportunity to spend more time with the Lord and come to a Christmas Octave Mass. During this week, we will celebrate the feasts of St. Stephen on the 26th , St. John the Apostle on the 27th and the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph next Sunday. This all culminates in the celebration of Mary, the Mother of God, on New Year’s Day.
Clothes donations for the SVP – This Weekend The Parish St. Vincent De Paul (SVP) Conference undertakes a monthly collection of clothing for the SVP Charity Shop. Clean, good quality clothing, books and toys are very welcome. Donations may be left outside the confessionals at the rear of St. Teilo’s this weekend. The clothes will be removed early on Monday morning, so please ensure that donations are brought to the Church by the end of the evening Mass this weekend or kept at home until the Second Sunday of July when we will have another collection Thank you from the parish SVP.
Refreshments will be served in the Hall after the 10 o clock Mass today 14th June 2026 . All are welcome. Why not come along and meet your fellow Parishioners.
There will be no Mass or Coffee and Tea at Our Lady of Lourdes this Wednesday 17th June due to the Funeral Mass of Mrs. Tracey.
St. Teilo’s Friends of Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets on Saturday, June 20th at 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to pray for the parish and the intentions of the parishioners.
WeBelieve - Festival of Catholic Life The WeBelieve Festival brings the Church together in England and Wales. It is an unmissable opportunity to discover the traditions and charisms that flow through the Church, to experience the joy of community, and to encounter personally the Lord Jesus, our salvation. Speakers include Archbishop John Wilson and priests and religious from various orders and congregations. The Festival takes place at St. Mary’s College, Oscott, Birmingham from Friday, July 24th to Monday, July 27th . If you are interested in attending, you can find more information and book tickets at https://www.webelievefestival.com/
The Parish Rosary Prayer Group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 2.00pm in Ty Mair, 19 Heol y Waun CF14 1LB at the junction of Heol Gabriel and College Road. The group members have intercessory prayer, read and discuss the following Sunday's Gospel, pray the Rosary, pray the 3 o'clock prayer and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and have a cuppa! The next meeting takes place on Thursday, June 25th . All are welcome to attend.
Each Tuesday evening, the parish has an hour of silent Adoration at St. Teilo’s from 7pm to 8pm. The primary intention for the period of Adoration is vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Feel free to come for all or part of the hour to pray for the Church in its need for faithful ministers to continue the Mission of Jesus.
Adoremus is the Bishops’ invitation to renew our devotion to the Eucharistic Lord and has two aspects: 1 – A representative gathering of the Church in London with Bishops, priests, and people; 2 – All parishes are encouraged to unite local events with the national gathering from which footage will be available to enable remote participation. On October 10th, the day begins at St. George’s Cathedral Southwark. 10.30am Presentations on Eucharistic Art and Life for those able to arrive early, with refreshments available and some information stands around the campus. At 12.00 noon, there will be the Adoremus Mass, with Archbishop John Wilson, followed by the keynote address by Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe OP called ‘The Eucharist: Our sacrament of hope in dark times’. There will then be time for packed, picnic lunches, before the Eucharistic Procession to Westminster Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood beginning at 3.00pm. This will conclude with Solemn Benediction led by Bishop James Curry at 5pm. For all there will be space to watch the start of the Procession at St. George’s, to follow on line, to watch the Procession as it passes (Stop and Pray) and to join the delegates for Benediction either in the Cathedral or in the grounds of the Cathedral for which a live sound stream will be provided. There will then be Mass at 6.00pm open to all, followed by Holy Hours at 7.30pm, 8.30pm, and 9.30pm led by the Youth Ministry teams of Westminster, Southwark and CYMFed. These will be followed by an all-night Vigil from 12 midnight to 06.00am. All of these times can be booked at https://westminstercathedral.org.uk/adoremus/ to secure places. Further information will be posted at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/adoremus-2026/
Adoration and Exposition – Friday There will be Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am to midday at St. Teilo’s on Friday. Why not come along to spend time in silent prayer and adoration before the Lord?
The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death. In England and Wales, the Day for Life is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year. This year it falls on June 21 st , next Sunday. This year’s theme is: The Wonder of the Child in the Womb. A retiring collection will take place to support the Bishops of England and Wales’ Day for Life Fund at all Masses next weekend. More details here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/day-for-life-fund/