PASTORAL MESSAGE FOR ST DAVID’S DAY 01 MARCH 2025

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.