Christmas Octave
Webmaster • December 23, 2024
The joy that fills the Church at the birth of Jesus is celebrated throughout the Christmas season. The Church, as a continuation of the Christmas Feast, celebrates the Octave of Christmas, that is, the eight days between Christmas and New Year’s Day as a special celebration, with each day celebrated with prayer based on the Angels’ message to the Shepherds, the Gloria. Unlike our society, which seems to see December 25th as the end of the Christmas season, for us, December 25th is the beginning of Christmastime. These days between Christmas and New Year see many people taking leave, which is a great opportunity to spend more time with the Lord and come to a Christmas Octave Mass. During this week, we will celebrate the feasts of St. Stephen on the 26th, St. John the Apostle on the 27th, the Martyrdom of the Holy Innocents on the 28th and the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph next Sunday. This all culminates in the celebration of Mary, the Mother of God, on New Year’s Day.
Parish Christmas Fayre There are now only 8 weeks until Christmas and our Annual Fair is just 2 weeks away. This year the Fayre will be held in St. Teilo’s Hall on Saturday, November 8 th beginning at 10.45am. If anybody is interested in having a table to sell items at the Fayre, please contact Carole on 07747562847
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The Parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme began last Wednesday. However, it is not too late for anyone who is interested to come along. The sessions run in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. Previous Update • Are you someone without a formal religion who wants to be baptised in the Catholic faith? • Are you a Christian from another faith tradition who would like to be received into the Catholic Church? • Are you an interested inquirer who wants to find out more about the Catholic Faith? • Are you an adult who has missed out on the Sacrament of Confirmation? If any of the above applies to you, you are most welcome to join the Parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme which will run in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s on Wednesday evenings at 6pm beginning on Wednesday, October 15th . 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.)
All Saints – Holyday of Obligation As November 1st falls on Saturday this year, in line with the practice in England and Wales when Holydays fall on Saturdays or Mondays, the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints, and the associated obligation to attend Mass, is transferred to the Sunday Masses.
Parish Quiz A Parish Quiz will be held on Friday, November 7th, in St Teilo's Parish Hall. Doors will open at 6.45pm for a prompt start at 7pm. Light refreshments and snacks are available, but if you would like something stronger, please bring your own refreshment of choice. A bottle opener and glasses will be supplied. There is a £3 per person entry fee for the quiz. There will also be a raffle to raise funds for Mary's Meals as part of the Reaching Out Project
Training Session for Eucharistic Ministers On Saturday, November 1st, following the 10am Mass there will be a training session for all Parish Eucharistic Ministers in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s. Anyone who is not yet a Eucharistic Minister, who feels they might be called to this vocation, is also welcome to attend. The session will begin with tea and coffee at 10.30am followed by an input from Fr. John Patrick Thomas, the University Chaplain from 11am to 12.30pm, then from 12.30pm to 1pm we shall discuss the practical aspects of the role in the parish. The session will end at 1pm.
Walk and Talk The Walk and Talk group meets on Wednesday evening at 6pm at the car park in Caedelyn Park. All are welcome to come along and join the group.
November Dead List 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@rcadc.org
Baptism Preparation Course The next Baptism Preparation Course takes place in St. Teilo’s Parish Hall on Monday, November 17th and completes on Monday, November 24th 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 Hopkins on catherinehopkins45@gmail.com
Coffee and Tea after Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes 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. If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.
Safeguarding Audit – Have Your Say The Archdiocese of Cardiff–Menevia will soon be taking part in a safeguarding audit carried out by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). This is part of the ongoing work to make sure that Archdiocesan safeguarding practices are the best they can be. The CSSA would like to hear directly from anyone who has experience of our safeguarding service — whether positive or negative. Feedback will help the team to listen, learn, and continue improving the way they care for and protect everyone in parish communities. If you would like to share your views confidentially, please use this link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=SSQzRY2fT0OpJmB_Xy63KKhlOTKZ5_hBrOC7BYgjzI9UMDhISEdITVI2UEY2TTBHTUJITlpRTlVGMC4u Thank you for helping us build a Church that is safe, welcoming, and caring for all.