International Day of Prayer

Webmaster • May 13, 2023

International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians Today, Sunday May 14th , the Sixth Sunday of Easter, is the day of prayer for the Christians of the East (FACE).


The International Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians is celebrated annually on the Sixth Sunday of Easter. It offers an opportunity for Eastern and Western Christians together to pray for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East. Christians from all over Europe, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and India will join together in solidarity on May 14th to pray that Eastern Christians may be strengthened in their faith so that they can continue to give witness steadfastly to Jesus Christ. At Mass during Easter, Western and Eastern Christians hear the Acts of the Apostles which witness to the first preaching of the Gospel. These readings remind us of the origin of the Eastern Churches and the history of the first Eastern Christians, who brought the Gospel to us. Nowadays, many of these Eastern Christians are oppressed and persecuted, and struggle to survive and to pass on our faith to their children, in their own lands, where Christianity was born and first spread. Pope St. John Paul the Second said in the document ‘Orientale Lumen’ – ‘Light of the East; that “The venerable and ancient tradition of the Eastern Churches is an integral part of the heritage of Christ’s Church… the first need for Catholics is to be familiar with that tradition. Often, we Western or Roman or Latin Catholics forget that within the Universal Church there are 24 Churches, which are part of the Catholic Church led by the Bishop of Rome, and that our Church is only one, while the 23 other churches are known as Eastern Churches, because their liturgy and history are closer to that of the Easter Orthodox churches, yet they remain in communion with Rome. Hence this day is set aside so that we can know more about the Eastern Churches and their traditions. This article by Ascension Press is a useful summary of the 23 other churches and their traditions - https://media.ascensionpress.com/2019/01/21/the-other-23-catholic-churches-and-whythey-exist/ In the UK the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church are the most common, each having its own Eparch, the Eastern word for Bishop, in the UK. So, today why not find out more about our faith and pray for the wider church throughout the world. You can also support the charity that promotes the day of prayer in this country: Fellowship and Aid to the Christians of the East (FACE) – https://facecharity.org/. If you wish to support its projects under the patronage of the Eastern Catholic Churches,


you can: Donate online at https://facecharity.org/act-of-giving/ or text DAYOFPRAYER to 70450 to donate £10.

By Webmaster May 11, 2026
The children of the parish made their First Holy Communion on Sunday 10th May at the 10am Mass. Please pray for Clara, Finn, Luca, Mafalda, Max, Oliver and Rodrigo. Please also pray for Rudy, from our parish, who will be making his First Communion with his class at Christ the King. 
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
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 June when we will have another collection Thank you from the parish SVP.
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
Baptism Preparation Course The next Baptism Preparation Course takes place at St. Teilo’s Parish Hall on Monday, May 11th and completes on Monday, May 18th at 7pm. Both sessions will last around an hour. All those who wish to have their child baptised need to attend the course before the Baptism. For further information and to book a place, please contact Cathy and Mel on catherinehopkins45@gmail.com
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
Thursday 14th May is the great solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven. It is a Holyday of Obligation on which all Catholics are expected to attend Mass.  Ascension Day Masses will be at 10am at St. Teilo’s and at 6pm at Our Lady of Lourdes on Thursday. The Mass readings and prayers for the Solemnity of the Ascension are on page 272 of the Parish Mass Book.
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
The annual Welsh National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper, Cardigan, led by Rt. Rev. Peter Brignall – Bishop of Wrexham, takes place on Sunday, May 17th from 1.30pm to 5.45pm. The event begins at 1.30pm with confessions, at 2.30pm the Rosary Procession takes place. At 3.00pm The Celebration of Mass and at 5.15pm Benediction & Blessing of the Sick. For further information, please contact Canon Pius Augustine by email at cardigan@cardiffmenevia.org or by phone on 01239 612615
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
During Lent we were only able to meet for five of the six sessions in Archbishop Mark’s programme ‘Heart speaks to Heart’ as part of our Lenten programme. For the sake of completeness the final session, talk 6, will take place on Wednesday at 7pm in St. Teilo’s Hall. The theme of the final session is the Method being used to embed the Four Pillars of the Archdiocesan Vision in the Archdiocese.
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
On Saturday, May 30th there will be a Pilgrimage for young people in Years 8 to 13 to Our Lady of the Taper, Cardigan - The Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady. There will be transport available. If you are interested in attending and want to book a place please email: youth@cardiffmenevia.org or ring 029 2037 9490.
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
As many of you will know, on April 4 th , 2025 we celebrated 100 years of worship as St. Teilo's Parish Whitchurch. The Parish Pastoral Council set up a sub-committee to organise events to celebrate this momentous year, and I should like to offer my sincere thanks to the members of this hard working group, whose skills complemented each other to put together some thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experiences. Many members of the Parish helped out, but it would be remiss of me not to mention the organisers by name. Canon John for his wise counsel and support, Gill Kane , who inspired us with her usual enthusiasm and ideas, Jill Gildersleve and John Steele for their musical contributions and behind the scenes organisation, and Rhiannon Jenkins, co-opted for her skills in events management. The celebrations began on April 4 th with a Mass concelebrated by Canon John and His Grace Archbishop Mark O'Toole, with Dave Roblin at the organ. Other members of the Diocesan Clergy with connections at St. Teilo's also in attendance were Mgr Reardon, Canon Barry English and Fr Allan Davies-Hale. Later, Anne O'Brien and her team provided us with a fine display of tea, cake, sandwiches and wine and we were able to get together with old friends and chat to Archbishop Mark in relaxed surroundings. The Tea Dance on the June 8th was a real success, well attended and catered for by several members of the Parish. Feedback was excellent and the event was deemed by many to be the highlight of the year. On August 2nd a group of parishioners took part in a Pilgrimage to Llandaff. The weather was kind to us and we walked to the Cathedral where were greeted by the Very Rev Jason Bray, Dean of Llandaff, who very kindly gave of his time to show us the tomb of St. Teilo and explain some of the history and activities of our Patron Saint and his peers. The afternoon was concluded at the Maltsters Arms where new friends were made and good fellowship shared. Another highlight of the year was 'A Pie, A Pint and a Song', an evening of music and entertainment held on 10th October, with our very own John Steele as MC, supported by musician Adrian Bold and BBC sports journalist, musician and raconteur Phil Steele, brother of John. John and Adrian entertained us with music and comedy and Phil kept us all laughing and singing with his anecdotes and songs. Clark's pies were served at half time, fitting for a proper Cardiff night out. Our thanks must go to Cara and the staff of Rhiwbina Recreation Club, who provided the venue free of charge and pulled the pints. Our centenary year will conclude with a Mass at St. Teilo's at 10am next Sunday, May 17th. The Mass intention will be 'Thanksgiving for 100 Years of Worship at St. Teilo's.' Light refreshments will be served in the Hall after Mass. Once again, thanks to everyone who helped with the events, and to all parishioners and friends who took part.  Leigh Jenkins - Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
The Parish Rosary Prayer Group normally 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. (Please note, that due to half-term the group will meet a week early this month) 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, May 21st . All are welcome to attend.
By Webmaster May 9, 2026
We will have coffee and tea in the St. Pope John Paul II Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes after the Mass on Wednesday. If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.