The Season of Advent
Webmaster • December 3, 2023
Today we begin the season of Advent, the start of the new Liturgical Year. The Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all of us who follow Christ, the Lord. We are encouraged to use this time as a prayerful preparation for the birth of Christ in our hearts. This season is an opportunity to make Christmas 2023 a worthy celebration of the Lord’s birth, as we welcome Him anew into our hearts.
Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, is also called Gaudete Sunday. This name comes from the antiphon we use at Mass today. The antiphon, in Latin “Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete” or in English “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice” has been used on this day since the ninth century. So today reminds us both of the joy of expectation of the coming of our Saviour at Christmas and of the traditions of our ancient faith which we continue to celebrate in our Mass today. In the spirit of the joy of expectation, the Church marks today with rose-coloured vestments and we light the rose-coloured candle in our Advent Wreath.
Catholic healing and evangelisation service – January 24th The Great Awakening celebration takes place on Saturday, January 24th at Bethal Convention Centre, West Bromwich. Fr. Xavier Vattayil, a priest who is well known worldwide for the charism of healing with thousands of testimonies of healing, physical incl cancer, mental, emotional and spiritual. Other speakers will include Abbot Hugh Allan, Director of Mission for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and Bishop Timothy Menezes, the auxillary bishop of Birmingham. There will be dynamic music, House of the Open Door youth activities, Holy Mass, Adoration, prayer ministry, children and teenage streams. A Bus is being arranged for any one from Cardiff or the environs who wish to attend. Further details are available from Madeleine Jeremy - 07791503857.
The third Advent Discussion Session takes place on Wednesday evening at 7pm in St. Teilo’s Parish Hall. This week we will focus on the meaning of the Nativity Scene as we progress towards Christmas
Thursday, December 18th from 12pm until 2.30pm The staff and students of St. David's Catholic Sixth Form College cordially invite Senior Citizens of the Parish to the ANNUAL COMMUNITY MASS at our Chapel of St. John Paul Il. Seasonal refreshments and festive entertainment will follow the Mass. If you would like to attend, please contact Claire Kelly on ckelly@stdavidscollege.ac.uk or 029 2043 1857.
There will be a retiring collection for the Christmas flowers at all Masses in both Churches this weekend. If you have not brought cash for the collection, you are able to make a donation using your credit/debit card at the Electronic Donation Station at St. Teilo’s or online at https://donate.mydona.com/st-teilo-our-lady-of-lourdes
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 January when we will have another collection. Thank you from the parish SVP.
Readers and Eucharistic Ministers are needed for the Christmas Masses at St. Teilo’s. If you are able to volunteer, please add your name to the list at the back of the Church for the Mass(es) you will be attending.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The Parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme continues. The sessions run in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s on Wednesday evenings at 6pm.
A decorated box will also be af the back of churches for children to post their letters to Santa. Parents, can you make sure full names are in the letters in the event Santa has time to respond ….
A decorated post box will be at the back of both Churches from this weekend. If you would like to give a card to a friend who attends any of our Masses pop it in the box and cards can be collected on Sunday the 21st after Mass. Please, if possible, add surname and what Mass the individual(s) attend.