New Translation of the Scriptures at Mass

Webmaster • September 2, 2023

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has confirmed the approval of the new Lectionary by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.


The new Lectionary, which includes the Scripture readings for Mass and the Sacraments, will come into use in Catholic parishes in England and Wales from Advent 2024. Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery said: “The use of the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition, already in use in India, along with the Abbey Psalms and Canticles will help to ensure that the Word of the Lord reaches God’s holy people without alloy”.


Since 1969, the Church in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland has used the Jerusalem Bible translation of the readings and the Grail translation of the psalms. From Advent 2024, England, Wales and Scotland will use the Anglicised English Standard Version – Catholic Edition (ESV-CE). Copies of the Anglicised ESV-CE are available for purchase from Eden https://www.eden.co.uk/bibles/esv-bibles/esv-ce-catholic-black-bible/ and other book sellers. New Lectionaries and Mass Booklets will be published between now and Advent next year ready for the start of the use of the new Lectionary.


Archbishop Emeritus George Stack of Cardiff, Chair of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Christian Life and Worship, welcomed the dicastery’s ‘confirmatio’ for the Lectionary: “The new Lectionary gives us an opportunity to hear the Word of God with fresh ears, as we engage with a text which is intended for public proclamation and reflects up to date biblical scholarship. “I hope that parishes and other communities will engage in preparation for the Lectionary so that all the faithful will hear the word of God with deepened faith and understanding.”


The new Lectionary will be in use from Advent 2024 and will be published by the Catholic Truth Society (CTS)

The Great Awakening

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
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.

Assisted Suicide Debate – A Joint Statement

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
On Tuesday, January 27th, the Senedd will vote on whether Wales should consent to Westminster's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise assisted suicide. Archbishop Mark and Bishop Peter Brignall of Wrexham have issued a joint statement ahead of this vote. It will be read at all Masses this weekend.

Baptism Preparation Course

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
Baptism Preparation Course The next Baptism Preparation Course takes place at Christ the King Church on Saturday, January 24th and completes on Saturday, January 31st 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 Brigid Lee on brigidlee63@icloud.com

Knit and Natter - Can you help?

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
The number of knitted and crocheted blankets we hold has been vastly reduced as these items were donated to families/schools who are part of the Parish Reaching Out Initiative. The group are looking for knitted or crocheted squares, measuring 6" by 6", to make up blankets. If any parishioner can help, it would be really appreciated. Should there be any adventurous crafter that can produce completed blankets theses would also be really welcome. Wool, hooks and needles can be provided by the group. Please leave any blankets or squares at the back of the Church after any of the Sunday Masses.

Toiletries Appeal for the Reaching Out Project

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
Did you receive any unwanted toiletries this Christmas? If so, we’d be grateful for your donations to support those in need. Items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste and deodorant are always in demand. Please drop off your donations in the usual place at the back of both churches. Thank you for your continued generosity in helping those in our community.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year (18th to the 25th of January) is: “One Body; One Spirit”. • Churches Together in Whitchurch have three services arranged to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: • Sunday, January 18th at 4.30pm, we will gather for the opening service at St. Teilo’s at 4.30pm • Wednesday, January 21st at 11.30am, we will gather for prayer at Whitchurch Methodist Church • Sunday January 25th at 4.30pm, the concluding service of the week will take place at Ararat Baptist Church, Whitchurch. Please make every effort to support the community of Churches Together by attending as many of the services as you are able.

Parish Rosary Prayer Group

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
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, January 29th . All are welcome to attend.

Coffee and Tea after Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
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 21st January 2026 . 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 • January 16, 2026
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.

Yr Offeren yn Gymraeg

By Webmaster • January 16, 2026
Dydd Sul nesaf bydd y gymuned Gymraeg yn dathlu Offeren yn Gymraeg am 4.30pm.  Next Sunday, we welcome the Welsh language community who will be celebrating Mass in Welsh at 4.30pm. Croeso!