Repairs and Redecorations at St. Teilo’s update
Webmaster • September 24, 2023
Progress during the last week has not been as positive as had been hoped. Due to the change in weather the external decoration of the Church has been delayed, which means that the external scaffolding will still be in place for a while longer! In addition, two of the team who were to undertake the second project, the new lighting for the Church, are now suffering from Covid, so the start of the work has been delayed. The Internal Redecoration of the Church will not be completed during the current period. It is likely the team will be starting work on Monday, October 23rd. Weekday Mass arrangements for that week will be announced nearer the start of the work.
Four projects which will be undertaken over the next few months:
a) Repairs and redecoration of the external concrete walls which are suffering from steel reinforcement failure,
b) Creation of a ladder and safety walkway access system to enable access to the Church roof for repairs and maintenance,
c) New Lighting for the Church and
d) Internal Redecoration of the Church and Parish Hall
These are the first major works in the Church since the re-ordering of the Sanctuary and addition of the Parish Hall which took place 18 years ago. Over the coming weeks, we will explore fundraising approaches to cover the costs of these works.
Please note: Due to the works and Canon’s holiday St. Teilo’s will be closed on weekdays from August Bank Holiday until the end of September. There will be no weekday Masses in the Parish during this time. Weekend Masses will continue as usual.
The Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference takes place from August 10th to 14th in Solihull. Centred on the theme “Return. Receive. Rejoice.”, the conference offers five days of worship, teaching, healing and renewal in the Holy Spirit. Speakers include Deacon Larry and Andi Oney, Terry Quinn, and Ros Powell, with Bishop Timothy Menezes celebrating the Opening Mass and Fr. Eamonn Corduff leading the Healing Service and Closing Mass. All are invited to join this Spirit-filled gathering for inspiration, deeper faith and renewal. This fiveday gathering is more than a conference - it is an opportunity to: Experience vibrant, Spirit-led worship; Receive life-giving teaching rooted in Scripture; Encounter God’s healing and renewal; Deepen your faith and relationship with the Holy Spirit and Be inspired and equipped for mission Join Catholics from across the UK and beyond for a truly Spirit-filled event that will renew hearts, strengthen faith, and ignite purpose. For more information or to book a place at the conference please visit: https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Event/birmingham-catholic-charismaticrenewal-conference-2026
The Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia produces a free monthly newsletter, bringing you news, events, and reflections from across our Catholic community - as well as a foreword from within our religious community and links to talks and videos to nourish your faith. Signing up is free and takes just a moment by visiting: https://rcadc.org/newsletter
The Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality at the Carmelite Priory, Oxford to mark the 300th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint John of the Cross and the 100th anniversary of his proclamation as Doctor of the Church, is offering a two day Spirituality summit on the theme of “Contemplative Creativity and Human Flourishing” on July 10th and 11th. The event can be attended in person at the Carmelite Priory, Chilswell Lane, Boars Hill, Oxford or online. We not come and join thirteen international speakers, including Cardinal Anders Arborelius OCD, Dr. Susan Muto, and Fr. Iain Matthew OCD, for a two-day exploration of how contemplative wisdom can renew creativity and restore the human spirit. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.carmelite.uk.net/spirituality-summit-2026%20(1).html
One of our parishioners, along with a group of likeminded people, has begun to provide food for the young, and not so young, men and women who are homeless and live on the streets of Cardiff City Centre. To support this work the team are in need of food supplies and clothing. Boxer shorts (around 32”) and socks are in great demand. There is also a need for hats, gloves and jackets. Those concerned are also in need of jeans or trousers (also 32” waists). Please note that the young people are medium size at most. Please do not donate large clothes items. Pre-used items are welcome. Sleeping bags and haversacks are also very welcome. The team also needs Energy Drinks, supplement drinks (like Ensure, Complan, and Fortisip), fizzy drinks, chocolate bars, crisps, sweets and cakes. If you are able to help by donating any of these items, please drop them at the back of either Church.
St. Teilo’s Friends of Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets on Saturday, May 9th at 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to pray for the parish and the intentions of the parishioners.
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.
The centenary year of St. Teilo’s Parish will conclude with the 10am Mass today. The Mass intention will be 'Thanksgiving for 100 Years of Worship at St. Teilo's.' Refreshments after Mass – Today Following the Mass of Thanksgiving for 100 years of worship at St. Teilo's today, which concludes our centenary celebrations, and to mark the occasion, everyone is welcome to join us in the Hall after Mass, where our social events team will serve light refreshments. 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
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.
This weekend the Church celebrates World Communications Day. This year, the theme is: “Preserving Human Voices and Faces”. Pope Leo, in his message for today, highlights the importance of ensuring that technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence, serves the human person rather than replacing or diminishing human dignity. The full text of Pope Leo’s message for World Communications Day can be read here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-leos-message-for-world-communications-day-2026/ To mark World Communications Day, there will be a second collection at all Masses this weekend to support the communications work of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. You are also able to donate using debit or credit card at the Electronic Donation Station at the back of St. Teilo’s or at this address – https://donate.mydona.com/st-teilo-our-lady-of-lourdes
Rest in Peace Please pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Canon John Rohan, Father Austin Pozzi, Father John Coffey, Richard Lawson, Veronica (Vera) Thomas, Cyril Bernard, Daniel Kidrey, Thomas Collins, Betty Thomas, Norman Bale, John Fitzharris, Charles McCarthy, John Ekland, Florence Owen, Daniel Rooney, Albert Pearce, Margaret Rees, Catherine McNeil, Patrick Coulan, George Smith, James Samuel, Margaret Doolan, Marie Barker, Bernadette Carslake, Dolores Freeman, Shirley Summers, Mabel Foley and Janet Parsons.