The Baptism of the Lord

On Tuesday we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Epiphany, a Holiday of Obligation. Masses on Tuesday will be at 10am at St. Teilo’s and 6pm at Our Lady of Lourdes.  On this feast day, the Church celebrates the shining forth of Jesus to the world. The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” Historically, several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including His birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, His baptism by John, and His first miracle at Cana. On this day the Liturgy of the Church focuses on the visit of the Magi. As we celebrate the coming of the Magi, may we bring ourselves, our hearts, and lay them before the Lord Jesus, that He can use them as He wills. We are to be gifts of faithful service to Him.

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, January 11 th, 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.

Many thanks for your ongoing support for the homeless at the Night Shelter at St. Mary of the Angels, Canton, the St. Peter’s night shelter has also reopened recently. The team still needs a lot of boxer shorts (around 32”), plus hats, gloves, socks and jackets for the people who use the night shelters, they 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. Sleeping bags and haversacks are also very welcome. The team also needs 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.

This month’s craft session takes place in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s next Saturday, January 10th after Mass, from 10.45am - 12.30pm. The session is suitable for absolute beginners to experts. The session is free. Hope to see you there! Any enquiries please contact simplycraft@btinternet.com or speak to Erica.

Refreshments will be served in St. Teilo’s Hall after the 10am Mass next Sunday 11th January . All are welcome.  Why not come along and meet your fellow parishioners after Mass next weekend.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual White Flower Collection next weekend. Please be as generous as you can to help the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children to defend unborn babies and their mothers. The success of the White Flower Collection is founded on the compassion and generosity of faithful churchgoers in parishes across the United Kingdom. SPUC is grateful for the unapologetic defence of unborn babies and vulnerable people that the teaching of the Catholic Church provides.

Preparation for First Holy Communion will start on January 18th at St. Teilo’s, with children receiving the Sacrament on Sunday, May 10th. The deadline for enrolment on the programme is this Monday. To enrol your child on the programme please e-mail whitchurch@rcadc.org with the completed enrolment form or drop it into the presbytery. There is an expectation that if your child is enrolled on the Programme that they will make their First Holy Communion at St Teilo’s.

We will have coffee and tea in the St. Pope John Paul II Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes after the 10.00am Mass on Wednesday 7th January 2026 . If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.

Many thanks also to the volunteers who did such a great deal of work to enable us to celebrate Christmas in style this year. Much of the work is done quietly while no one else is around: the Crib prepared, the brasses polished, the flowers arranged and the rest of the Church cleaned and decorated. None of these things happen by themselves. They take time and effort and I would like to thank all those, who gave of their time to do this work for the benefit of all of us who worship in the parish. Thanks too to the Altar Servers, Readers, Musicians and other Ministers of the Mass who enabled us to have a wonderful celebration of the Birth of the Lord. I would like to thank all of you who have ministered in any way, especially those whom I have forgotten to mention above.  Canon John