The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
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.
Clothes donations for the SVP – This Weekend The Parish St. Vincent De Paul (SVP) Conference undertakes a monthly collection of clothing for the SVP Charity Shop. Clean, good quality clothing, books and toys are very welcome. Donations may be left outside the confessionals at the rear of St. Teilo’s this weekend. The clothes will be removed early on Monday morning, so please ensure that donations are brought to the Church by the end of the evening Mass this weekend or kept at home until the Second Sunday of November when we will have another collection. Thank you from the parish SVP
Refreshments will be served in the Hall after the 10 o’clock Mass today. All are welcome. Why not come along and meet your fellow Parishioners.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The RCIA programme continues in the Parish Hall at St. Teilo’s on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. 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.)
The latest Archdiocesan newsletter is now available and is full of interesting articles about the activities throughout the Archdiocese. It invites us to answer Pope Leo's call to pray the Rosary for peace throughout October. It also features Bishop Vaughan School's Festival of Peace, the Spiritus conference in Rome, a golden jubilee for two Sisters of St Joseph, and the new Archdiocesan WhatsApp channel. You are able to read and/or subscribe to the Archdiocesan Newsletter at https://rcadc.org/sign-upfor-our-monthly-newsletter/
The Archdiocese, in collaboration with the Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio, has established a Catechist Formation Track to help catechists deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and grow in confidence and skill for their ministry. As part of the Archbishop’s ‘Heart speaks to heart’ initiative current catechists are invited to take part in this valuable opportunity for ongoing formation, spiritual growth, and preparation to accompany others in their journey of faith. The Formation Track is completed at your pace from the comfort of your own home and you will be assigned a formation companion to accompany you on the journey. For information about the programme and enrolment, please contact Canon Michael Doyle or Fr. Bernard Sixtus by emailing CI@cardiffmenevia.com
Please note that Mass on Saturday morning will be at the earlier time of 8.30am. This is to enable Canon to attend the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council which is meeting that morning in Port Talbot at 10.30am. There will be no confessions on Saturday morning due to Canon’s attendance at this meeting.
Please note that Mass on Tuesday morning will be at the earlier time of 9.30am , preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.10am. This is to enable Canon to attend the Council of Deans meeting.
We will have coffee and tea in the St. Pope John Paul II Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes after the 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.
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.
Last Friday we marked CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day in the Parish. Following that there will be a retiring collection at all Masses this weekend for CAFOD. CAFOD is part of Caritas, the global Catholic aid network that brings love, hope and practical help to our neighbours experiencing poverty. Why not put your faith into action and share the Lord’s love by supporting our global neighbours experiencing shortages of food and safe water. Your gift can support children in Zimbabwe and elsewhere to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens. A basket will be at the back of the Church for you to donate to CAFOD. You can also donate to CAFOD using a debit or credit card at the Electronic Donation Station at the back of St. Teilo’s or online at https://donate.mydona.com/st-teilo-our-lady-of-lourdes You can also donate to CAFOD via Mobile phone by scanning the QR code with your phone’s camera and clicking on the link which appears. Then selecting the option - CAFOD