Short Reflection on Lent
Parishioner: Teresa O'Driscoll • February 24, 2023
Thinking about Lent...
We have now entered Lent. But what does “entering Lent” really mean? Pope Benedict XVI explained it this way. “It means we enter a season of special commitment in the spiritual battle to oppose the evil present in the world, in each one of us and around us. It means not off-loading the problem of evil onto others, onto society or onto God but rather recognising one’s own responsibility and assuming it with awareness.”
As practicing Catholics we commonly, throughout Lent, either give something up that is dear to us, or do something extra that is probably difficult. What we choose is personal. Yet, we really do have a responsibility to do something.
You could heed those crucial words of Pope Benedict, making them central to anything else you do for Lent, through the following prayer.
“Dear Lord, reading Pope Benedict’s words starkly show the reality of what is happening on earth. Please guide and strengthen me to identify evil and to fight it. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Parishioner Teresa O’Driscoll, author of Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God
Due to recent circumstances the planned Refreshments and sale of Christmas items after Mass on Sunday morning will not now take place.
Rest in Peace Please pray for those who have died recently, especially Brian Bryant and Anne O’Brien both long standing and faithful members of the Parish. Brian’s Funeral Mass will be at St. Teilo’s on Thursday, November 19th at 10.30am. Anne’s funeral details will be announced once they are confirmed. Please also pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Archbishop John Aloysius Murphy, Canon Thomas Dunne, Fr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, Thomas K. Griffiths, William James Lane, Mary Teresa Tomas, Jeanne Macdonald, Audrey Higgins, Peter Donovan, Winifred Huntley, Anton Mikuz, John Azzorpardi, Kathleen A’Herne, Elizabeth Morgan, Edward Michael Carey, Minnie Elizabeth Ingram, Winifred Emily Reynolds, Frederick Duggan, Dennis Edward McCarthy, George Albert Brookes, Charles Peter Francis Williams, Valerie Margaret Evans, Lilian Doris Doherty, Ralph Herbert Whiddett, Patrick Anthony Forde, Rose Bridge, George Stevens, Pamela Wait, Nicolina Anita Elizabeth Anzani, John Madden, Maud Isabel Davies, Mary Agnes James, Cyril Kelly, Norman Spratt, Mary Dartnell, Bridget (Betty) Morgan, Jeremiah Mahoney, Harold William James, John Richard Patrick Grace, Herbert Davies, Adam Letman.
The Parish will be celebrating a Service of Memories at St. Teilo’s Church on Wednesday, November 18th . An invitation has been sent out to all parishioners who have experienced a bereavement in the period November 2025 to November 2026 to attend the service. In addition to those invited, all family members and friends are most welcome to attend. The service will be an opportunity for families to light a candle for their loved ones and to offer a personal prayer. All who have experienced loss at any time are also warmly welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served in the parish hall at St. Teilo’s following the service.
This weekend there will be the annual retiring collection for the Archdiocesan Sick and Retired Clergy Fund. The fund makes a vital contribution to the cost of providing our priests with a secure and dignified retirement. Donating is one way in which we can simply say ‘thank you’ for their years of service. A basket will be at the back of the Church for you to donate to for the Archdiocesan Sick and Retired Clergy Fund. You can also donate to the fund using a debit or credit card at the Electronic Donation Station at the back of St. Teilo’s or online at https://donate.mydona.com/st-teilo-our-lady-of-lourdes You can also donate to for the Archdiocesan Sick and Retired Clergy Fund via Mobile phone by scanning the QR code with your phone’s camera and clicking on the link which appears. Then selecting the option - Sick and Retired Clergy Fund.
Canon John will be operated upon on Monday to remove the cataract in his left eye and have a new lens implanted. Due to the operation and the period of recuperation there will be no Mass or Adoration during the coming week. Please keep Canon John in your prayers at this time.
The Parish Christmas Bazaar will take place in St. Teilo’s Hall on Saturday, November 14th , beginning at 10.30am, entry is free. There will be homemade cakes, homemade chutneys, crochet blankets, hand kitted baby wear, assorted crafts, handmade cards, Piety stall and Refreshments.
During the month of November, we will pray for the Faithful Departed at Mass every day. We will remember especially those included on the November Dead List in Church. Envelopes and sheets for your family’s Holy Souls’ list and your donation to the priest are available at the back of the Church. They can be handed in to the sacristy, dropped into the presbytery or placed in the collection plate. If you are unable to go to the Church, you can email your list of the deceased to whitchurch@cardiffmenevia.org
Clothes donations for the SVP – Next 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 welcome. Donations may be left outside the confessionals at the rear of St. Teilo’s next weekend, November 8th, and on the weekend of the Second Sunday of each month. Please ensure that donations are brought to the Church only on the specified Sundays, as we do not want the Church to become cluttered during the week. Thank you from the parish SVP
Baptism Preparation Course The next Baptism Preparation Course takes place at St. Teilo’s Hall on Monday, November 19th and completes on Monday, November 26 th 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
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The RCIA programme continues in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. Please come along and discover more. Attendance does not commit you to completing the programme but is designed to allow you to reflect on God’s call for you. (The Parish Hall is accessed from the back of the Church building, between the Church and the Priest’s House.)