Bishop Patron of World Apostolate of Fatima England & Wales

Webmaster • May 13, 2023

On 13th May 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared for the first time to three young children and began to share with them a message which was not just for them, but for all of us. Our Lady spoke to the children about conversion from sin and about prayer: prayer for those who were far from God, and prayer for peace in the world. These encounters with Our Lady totally transformed the lives of the shepherd children through giving them an overwhelming experience of the love of God, as well as a deep desire to bring others to him.

 

The important work of spreading the message of Fatima is continued today particularly by the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) for “we would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete” (Pope Benedict XVI). I am delighted that the Bishops Conference have appointed me as a Bishop Patron of The World apostolate of Fatima England and Wales I have been blessed personally through various pilgrimages to Fatima, and have already been pleased to support the work of the World Apostolate in the Dioceses of Cardiff and Menevia, and formerly in Plymouth, and I very much looking forward to working with members throughout England and Wales to help develop the mission of the WAF.

 

The Holy Year 2025 will also be the centenary of the apparition of Our Lady to Sister Lucia in which Our Lady revealed her desire for the Five First Saturday devotion in order to make reparation for sin and to obtain peace in the world. During this year, it is hoped that the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be visiting each of our Cathedrals throughout England and Wales. 

 

One of the Fatima seers, Sister Lucia, said that the purpose of Our Lady’s apparitions “was to help people to grow more and more in faith, hope, and love.” The work of the WAF is focussed on this growth both through offering ongoing formation to help us develop our relationship with God and with Our Blessed Lady, as well as through efforts of evangelisation, in bringing the message of God’s love to those who have not yet experienced it. May Our Lady of Fatima, whose memorial we celebrate today, obtain for all of us abundant graces to help us respond ever more generously to her invitation and so become closer to her Son.


Archbishop Mark O’Toole

Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia

Catholic Renewal Jubilee Days

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
The Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Team invites all parishioners in the Archdiocese to a Saturday with praise and worship, Mass and small group sharing at Jubilee shrines across the Archdiocese. Each day runs from 10 am to 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch. The dates and venues are as follows: • Saturday June 28th – Belmont Abbey, Hereford HR2 9RZ • Saturday July 5th – St. Non’s Retreat, near Haverfordwest SA62 6BN

Knit and Natter Group

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
The Knit and Natter group have recently produced 13 Angel blankets which will be donated to the local Neonatal Unit. These handmade blankets have been especially made to honour and cradle the tiniest of lives, those born too soon or have passed away before or shortly after birth. These blankets provide safety, warmth, dignity and comfort during a profoundly tender moment - This is an ongoing Reaching Out Project

Mass on Saturday – Change of time

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
Please note that Mass on Saturday 28th June will be at the earlier time of 9am to enable Canon, as Dean, to attend the Deanery Children’s Liturgy Training Session

The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
On Tuesday, we celebrate the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Tuesday’s feast honours St. John as the forerunner of Christ. John’s birth, announced by the angel and greeted with acclaim and promise, parallels that of Jesus. An angelic annunciation prepares the way, as the Angel Gabriel visits Zechariah to tell him that his wife Elizabeth is with child. The doubting father finds himself unable to speak, until the scene described in today’s Gospel. There, Zechariah confirms in writing that the new-born child will be called John. Zechariah’s tongue is loosed and he begins to praise God, causing fear and marvelling among all who hear the story. On this feast, six months before the birth of Jesus, we prepare ourselves to welcome the Lord anew in our life, as Zechariah and Elizabeth welcomed their son John.

Corpus Christi – The Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Corpus Christi. This beautiful Solemnity gives the whole Church on earth the opportunity to praise God for the blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Parish Rosary Prayer Group

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
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, June 26th . All are welcome to attend.

Coffee and Tea after Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
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 June . If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.

Tuesday Evening Adoration

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
Each Tuesday evening, the parish has an hour of silent Adoration at St. Teilo’s from 7pm to 8pm. The primary intention for the period of Adoration is vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Feel free to come for all or part of the hour to pray for the Church in its need for faithful ministers to continue the Mission of Jesus.

The National Jubilee Walking Pilgrimage of Hope opens for day pilgrim registration

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
The Pilgrimage of Hope is a national walking pilgrimage for England and Wales with four main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St. Barnabas, Nottingham, on Saturday, September 13th, the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is an initiative of the Hearts in Search of God project. The Ways start at the Catholic cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and London and will bless our nations with a Sign of the Cross. The routes use established hiking routes and are off road as much as possible. A small group of 'perpetual pilgrims' will walk the full distance of each Way, with up to 20 day pilgrims joining for day stages. It is now possible for pilgrims to register for day stages. For details see this link: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/become-a-pilgrim-for-a-day

Children’s Liturgy Training Session

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
St. David’s (Cardiff) Deanery is running a training session devoted to children’s liturgy on Saturday, June 28th from 10am to 12noon at St. Philip Evans Church Hall. It offers those already involved in running groups an opportunity to share experiences and resources as well as providing valuable help and support for anyone thinking of setting up a new group.  Further details can be found on the Archdiocese’s website https://rcadc.org/childrens-liturgyworking-together-to-make-it-a-success/
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