Election of a new Pope
Webmaster • May 2, 2025
Since the last newsletter, two weeks ago, we have mourned the loss of Pope Francis and prayed that he, who died on Easter Monday, will be raised by the Lord to the glory we celebrate through the season of Easter.
The conclave that will elect a successor to Pope Francis will open on Wednesday, May 7th . The conclave follows the traditional nine days of mourning for a deceased Pontiff which began on Pope Francis’ burial day. All Catholics are invited to pray for the success of the conclave and trust in God’s wisdom that whoever is elected will be a worthy successor of the Apostles. The Missal gives a prayer for this time in the life of the Church. May I suggest that each of us prays it daily during the days ahead:
O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Canon John
The Parish Knit and Natter group will meet in St. Teilo’s Hall on Thursday 5th June following the 10am Mass. All are welcome to come along and join in the knitting or the nattering or both!
During Lent, the Parish Lenten sessions focussed on the theme of the Jubilee Year - “We Dare to Hope”. For those who weren’t able to take part in these sessions, the ‘We Dare To Hope’ booklets, developed by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and with a forward by Archbishop Mark, are available for all parishioners to take home and keep as a prayer and reflection aid. The booklet is on the theme of Christian Hope. The relationship between the virtue of hope, our lives and the source of all hope, Jesus, is explored. Wisdom from the saints is offered for the spiritual growth of readers. Quoting St. Claude de la Colombière the book reflects: “My God, I believe most firmly that You watch over all who hope in You, and that we can want for nothing when we rely upon You in all things”. The booklets are provided to the parish for free.
The Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Team invite all those who wish to join in prayer and praise in celebration of Pentecost to a Vigil Mass of Pentecost at St. Dyfrig’s Church, Treforest at 8pm next Saturday, June 7th . The full Vigil Mass of Pentecost with all six readings will be celebrated. Free praise using charismatic gifts will be welcome during the Mass. You don't have to be a 'charismatic' to come but don't be surprised if others who do praise God spontaneously, even in tongues!, during the celebration.
St. Teilo’s Friends of Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets on Saturday, June 7th at 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along to pray for the parish and the intentions of the parishioners.
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 4th June . If you are at Mass on that day, please stay behind and spend some time socialising and sharing with our fellow parishioners.
Saturday, June 7th, is the first Saturday of June. We will therefore celebrate the First Saturday devotions after the 10am Mass. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the devotions and confessions will be available. Why not come along to respond to Our Lady’s call to pray for the whole world?
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.
Adoration and Exposition – St. Teilo’s There will be Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am to midday at St. Teilo’s this Friday. Why not come along to spend time in silent prayer and adoration before the Lord?
St. Teilo’s Centenary Celebrations presents a Tea Dance and Singalong on Sunday, June 8th in the Parish Hall from 2pm until 5pm. There will be music and dancing: through the decades wartime classics, Big Band Sound, 50’s crooners, Showtime favourites, 60’s Jive ,70’s easy listening etc…. Come and take to the floor or sing along. Something for everyone, whatever your age. If you are interested in coming along, please sign up on the poster at the rear of the church or message Jill on 07813322179.
This weekend the Church celebrates World Communications Day. This year, the theme is: “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts”. Bishop John Arnold, the lead bishop for media and communications says: “Pope Leo has picked up where his predecessor, Pope Francis, left off to speak positively about the need to build bridges with our words. Pope Leo was very measured with the media professionals [in a meeting four days after his election]. He presented language as a force for good if used properly. He was clearly critical of those who would want to lead us astray by using aggressive language or spreading misinformation, but he praised those who use language to present the truth in a reasoned way, which isn’t divisive or aggressive, but helpful to us when we’re trying to build that sense of unity and peace. This was so clear in the speech he made from the balcony when he was elected Pope. He used the word ‘peace’ nine times and spoke about building bridges. “The language that journalists use can be a real foundation for building bridges and avoiding those walls of division.” Bishop Arnold goes on to speak of the importance of the Church in England and Wales collaborating in communicating the gospel message in the spirt of Pope Leo. On this World Communications Day, there will be a second collection at all Masses to support the communications work of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. You are also able to donate using debit or credit card at the Electronic Donation Station at the back of St. Teilo’s or at this address – https://donate.mydona.com/st-teilo-our-lady-of-lourdes
