World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly - July 23rd

July 14, 2023

Today the Church celebrates the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The Church throughout the world observes the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus’ grandparents, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne. Pope Francis instituted this Day in 2021 since, he believes, grandparents are often forgotten, yet they “are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.” This year Pope Francis has chosen as the theme: “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50), which expresses the links between Grandparents and the Elderly and the World Youth Day being held in Lisbon, Portugal between the 1st and 6th of August. Pope Francis, in his message for the World Day, says: “The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is mean to be a small but precious sign of hope … for the whole Church.” He reminds young people that “God wants young people to bring joy to the hearts of the elderly, as Mary did to Elizabeth, and gain wisdom from their experiences.” The full text of the message is available on the Vatican Website and provides useful reflections for those who are celebrated on the day and all members of the Church:


https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/nonni/documents/20230531-messaggiononni-anziani.html


For the first time this year, the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a special Plenary Indulgence for those who devote adequate time to visit, in person or virtually, through technology, their elderly brothers and sisters in need or in difficulty, such as the sick, the abandoned and the disabled. The Indulgence is also granted to the sick elderly and to all those who, unable to leave their homes for a serious reason, will unite spiritually with the sacred services of World Day, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, their pain and the sufferings of their lives. The Indulgence is under the usual conditions (i.e. Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff). Full details of the indulgence can be found here:


https://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/2023-07/ing-027/plenary-indulgence-on-the-occasionof-the-world-day-for-grandpar.html

Parish Lenten Sessions

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
The Parish Lenten Sessions continue on Wednesday at 7pm in St. Teilo’s Hall. The sessions will run during the weeks of Lent. The theme this year, based on the recent Pastoral Letter by Archbishop Mark, is the Foundation and Four Pillars of the Archdiocesan Vision.

Baptism Preparation Course

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
Baptism Preparation Course The next Baptism Preparation Course takes place at St. Brigid’s Church on Saturday, March 21st and completes on Saturday, March 28th 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 Cath Wieser on c.wieser@btinternet.com .

Fundraising for Velindre Cancer Care

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
Mel Hopkins, a parishioner at St. Teilo’s, well known to many in his roles as Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Welcomer and Baptism Catechist, is raising funds for Velindre Cancer Care by walking to the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Granada region of Spain in June. Mel has a just giving page which is https://www.justgiving.com/page/mel-hopkins-1 . He will be grateful for any support, however large or small.

Lenten Day of Recollection – Belmont Abbey

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta offer an open invitation to a day of recollection at Belmont Abbey on Saturday, March 7th from 10am to 4pm. The day will be led by Rev Dom Alexander Kenyon, the Prior of Belmont. Please contact Andrew Grant for further information at andrewgrant2026@btinternet.com or 07976 982742

St. Philip Evans and St. John Lloyd

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
On Thursday this week, the skulls of the Cardiff Martyrs, St. Philip Evans and St. John Lloyd will be visiting St. David’s Cathedral for prayer and veneration from 10:00am - 4:00pm. The times of events are as follows: 10:00am – Relics arrive at the cathedral 11:00am – Holy Mass 1:30pm – Prayer service with members of the Senedd and the International Prayer Breakfast (all are welcome to join in this prayer) 4:00pm – Relics depart  One of the archivists from Stonyhurst will be present all day with relics on display for private prayer and veneration. All are welcome to attend the Cathedral on this day to honour our local Martyr Saints.

Church Flowers – St. Teilo’s

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
Anyone interested in helping to do the Flower arrangements at St. Teilo’s Church is asked to contact Gail Gerrard on 07765581206 or speak to Canon John. A regular arranger has recently had to drop out due to ill-health, so we really need someone to take on this role, the more the merrier. You would be part of a rota with at least three others, so would do the flowers at most, once every 4 weeks. The cost of the flowers can be reclaimed from the parish.

Did you miss your First Holy Communion

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
While the young people are preparing for First Holy Communion it has become apparent that a number of Mass attendees who were baptised as children but for various reasons missed making their First Holy Communion. It doesn’t matter if you are a teenager or of a more mature age, if you didn’t make your First Communion you are welcome to join the preparation sessions which will begin after Easter. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions please speak to Canon John or email whitchurch@cardiff-menevia.org

St. David’s Day

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
As the Solemnity of St. David, Patron of Wales would normally fall on the Second Sunday of Lent this year, and the celebration of the Sundays of Lent takes precedence over all other celebrations. St. David’s Day is transferred to the following day i.e. Monday, March 2nd . There will be Mass at St. Teilo’s to celebrate St. David’s Day at 10am in English and at 6pm in Welsh. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi – Yr Offeren yn Gymraeg Why not come along to celebrate St. David's Day at Mass in Welsh? Mass will be celebrated by Fr. John Patrick Thomas at St. Teilo’s on Monday, March 2nd at 6pm. Bilingual booklets will be provided. Croeso cynnes i bawb!

Stations of the Cross

By Webmaster • February 21, 2026
During Lent we will celebrate the Stations of the Cross each week at Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Teilo’s. Stations will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes after the 10am Mass on Wednesday.  Stations will take place after the 10am Mass at St. Teilo’s during Adoration on Friday.

First Saturday Devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
Saturday, March 7th, is the first Saturday of February. 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 world?