The Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
Webmaster • January 20, 2024
The Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed from January 18th to the 25th each year. This year the theme is: “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself” (Lk 10:27). These words challenge Christians from all denominations to stop and tend to the wounded and, in so doing, to recognise our own wounds as churches and as communities. Facing the reality of our own brokenness helps to connect us to the suffering of others from a place of humility and deep empathy, creating a sacred space of encounter inspired by Christ’s healing love.
Churches Togther in Whitchurch, Rhiwbina and Llandaff North are marking the Octave of Prayer with a service at Ararat Baptist Church on Sunday, January 21st at 5pm. All are welcome to attend and pray together with our fellow Christians. The preacher will be Rev. Jonathan Vaughan-Davies of Bethal Baptist Church.
The Parish Lenten Sessions this year will begin this Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm in St. Teilo’s Hall. The sessions will run for five weeks. The theme, based on the recent Pastoral Letter by Archbishop Mark is the Foundation and Four Pillars of the Archdiocesan Vision.
Baptism Preparation Course The next Baptism Preparation Course takes place at St. Brigid’s Church on Saturday, March 21st and completes on Saturday, March 28th at 4pm. 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 Cath Wieser on c.wieser@btinternet.com .
Mel Hopkins, a parishioner at St. Teilo’s, well known to many in his roles as Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Welcomer and Baptism Catechist, is raising funds for Velindre Cancer Care by walking to the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Granada region of Spain in June. Mel has a just giving page which is https://www.justgiving.com/page/mel-hopkins-1 . He will be grateful for any support, however large or small.
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta offer an open invitation to a day of recollection at Belmont Abbey on Saturday, March 7th from 10am to 4pm. The day will be led by Rev Dom Alexander Kenyon, the Prior of Belmont. Please contact Andrew Grant for further information at andrewgrant2026@btinternet.com or 07976 982742
The Deanery Lenten Station Mass for St. David’s (Cardiff) Deanery will take place at St. Cadoc’s Church, Llanrumney this Friday Evening at 7pm. Please make every effort to attend this Lenten gathering of the Catholic Community in Cardiff, led by Archbishop Mark.
St. Teilo’s Friends of Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets on Saturday, February 28th at 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to pray for the parish and the intentions of the parishioners.
Anyone interested in helping to do the Flower arrangements at St. Teilo’s Church is asked to contact Gail Gerrard on 07765581206 or speak to Canon John. A regular arranger has recently had to drop out due to ill-health, so we really need someone to take on this role, the more the merrier. You would be part of a rota with at least three others, so would do the flowers at most, once every 4 weeks. The cost of the flowers can be reclaimed from the parish.
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, February 26th . All are welcome to attend.
While the young people are preparing for First Holy Communion it has become apparent that a number of Mass attendees who were baptised as children but for various reasons missed making their First Holy Communion. It doesn’t matter if you are a teenager or of a more mature age, if you didn’t make your First Communion you are welcome to join the preparation sessions which will begin after Easter. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions please speak to Canon John or email whitchurch@cardiff-menevia.org
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 25th February 2026 . If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.