Hot on the heels of our celebration of Confirmation is OMG! an evening for young people from across the Churches of the Ministry Area and beyond. So why not join us on Sunday May 18th at 5pm at St Saviour’s Church in Splott?!
From 5pm you can grab a slice or two (or three!) of pizza, and there’ll also be a fire pit in the gardens where you can get sweet with toasted marshmallows! What’s not to like!
Then we’ll flock into church for a time of worship. Gathered around the altar we’ll spend some time in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
OMG! is a time to get close to God and one another. It’s time for young people to worship and pray and explore what it means to say and believe: OMG!
Everyone is welcome, as long as you appreciate that, whatever your age, you’ll be treading on young people’s territory!
Oh and, since this is the first OMG! event, if you’re able to tell us you’re coming, we can make sure there’s enough pizza for everyone!
Welcome to a new edition of our newsletter, featuring news and updates from the churches of South Cardiff Ministry Area. Discover how we’re getting involved in Churches Unlocked, and all that we are planning for Refugee Week.
There’s also a reflection on the Confirmation Celebration last Thursday with a brand new opportunity for young people called OMG! And don’t forget, it’s Ascension Day this coming week on May 18th. Read on for all of this and more!
Confirmed!
We celebrated the Confirmation of 28 people from the Ministry Area, alongside 9 others.
We reflect on a wonderful evening and look forward to more opportunities for growth, including a gathering for young people on May 28th called OMG! Check out the details here:
Ascension of the Lord
It’s the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday 18th. Join us for Solemn Mass at St Mary’s Church at 7pm.
Christian Aid Week
It’s Christian Aid week (14 -20 May) and there’s an opportunity to donate in our churches for the next two Sundays. Envelopes are available.
Your gifts this Christian Aid Week could help farmers in Malawi plant better seeds, secure a fairer price for the crops, and build happier futures for their children. You can find out more about Christian Aid Week here
St Saviour’s is taking part in the Churches Unlocked Festival alongside dozens of other churches.
You can find out more about all that’s on offer both at St Saviour’s and across the diocese of Llandaff and Monmouth at https://www.churchesunlocked.org/ and you can check out what St Saviour’s has on offer here
Refugee Week
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of people seeking sanctuary
We’re all set for Refugee Week from June 19th – 26th with a full week of activities as we work alongside St Mary the Virgin Church in Wales Primary School. Find out more here:
Coronation Weekend
How did you spend the Coronation weekend? Everyone who gathered at Ss Dyfrig and Samson on Bank Holiday Monday enjoyed a lovely lunch and afternoon Tea. Thanks to all who made it happen!
Daily Reflections
On most days, we publish a quick read based on the readings of the Mass of the Day. You can find these on the News section of our website. Discover more here
Worship for the week ahead
SUNDAY WORSHIPBUTETOWN:
S MARY THE VIRGIN
1100hrs Solemn Mass
GRANGETOWN:
S PAUL THE APOSTLE
0800hrs Said Eucharist
1030hrs Sung Eucharist
SS DYFRIG & SAMSON
0915hrs Solemn Mass
SPLOTT:
S SAVIOUR
0930hrs Sung Mass
MONDAY 15
Sixth Week of Eastertide
6pm Mass (S Mary’s)
7pm Mass (Ss Dyfrig and Samson)
TUESDAY 16
Sixth Week of Eastertide
10.00am Mass at (St Saviour’s)
7.00pm Mass (S Mary’s)
WEDNESDAY 17
Sixth Week of Eastertide
10.00am Holy Eucharist (S Paul’s)
11.00am Mass (St Mary’s)
THURSDAY 18THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
5.45pm Mass (S Saviour’s)
(We’ve maintained this Mass this week because of the need of Foodbank volunteers to attend Mass on this day)
7.00pm Solemn Mass (St Mary’s)
FRIDAY 19
Sixth Week of Eastertide
10.00am Mass (S Mary’s)
SATURDAY 20
Sixth Week of Eastertide
11.00am Morning Prayer and Rosary
11.30am Mass (S Mary’s)
12 noon Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Saturday 13 May, 2023 | Fifth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 99(100):1-3,5; 1-4; John 15:18-21 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
‘The Christian Church is not the product of human wisdom,” said Basil Hume. “It is not primarily motivated by humanitarian concern. It is the guardian and herald of a revelation from God, and so it deals in mysteries.’
Through these weekdays of Easter at Mass, we have heard words of revelation from Jesus, spoken to his apostles on the night before his death, as he prepares them for all they will soon experience. Some of his words are met by questions and confusions, as they attempt to grapple with the mysteries he is revealing. Today, we hear the words that they have been called from the world. They do not belong to the world, and so the world hates them and will persecute them, just as it persecuted Jesus. They are words of warning but also of encouragement. In the days after Jesus’ death and resurrection, they will reflect on all they have heard, and many things will begin to fall into place and make more sense to them. They are on a journey. ‘Remember the words I said to you,’ says Jesus, ‘a servant is not greater than his master.’
Basil Hume continued to say thar ‘Mysteries are profound truths beyond the grasp of our unaided intellect yet yielding their riches to the humble and prayerful.’ We are called to a life of prayer. As we attend to God and place ourselves at his disposal, the mysteries he chooses to reveal will be gradually made known to us and woven through our lives. Meditating and reflecting upon the Bible is an important part of our life as Christians. There will be times of confusion and questioning, but, like those apostles, we can remember and dwell on all that Jesus has said. Through humble and prayerful lives, we can recognise our calling to be guardians and heralds of a revelation from God.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Saturday 13 May, 2023) is celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 11.30 am | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
We look back at a beautiful evening as we gathered for Mass and the celebration of Confirmation in the Easter Season, and look forward to some new opportunities for growth.
He spoke to them gently, with encouragement and guidance, telling them to carve out space each day for God, and to come regularly to Mass which was an animated gospel, the gospel lived out.
On Thursday 11 May, we were pleased to welcome Bishop Rowan Williams to St Mary’s where 37 candidates for confirmation sat before him.
Bishop Rowan preaching on Thursday
After they had renewed the promises made at their baptism, the Bishop prayed over them, and then slowly, one by one, he laid his hand upon each of their heads, and anointed them with Holy Chrism.
This was both a personal and a shared moment of joy, as they were surrounded by hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ who offered prayer for them and shared in their happiness.
28 candidates from across South Cardiff Ministry Area were joined by six from St Martin’s Roath, two from St Theodore’s Port Talbot and one from Pontypridd.
“Confirm, O Lord, your servant…”
It was a joyful occasion which continued after Mass with party time as we shared food together, and Bishop Rowan wandered through the crowds, chatting to people, signing certificates and standing for photographs as a memorial of a moving night.
Many children, teenagers and adults were confirmed that night, and the opportunity for growth continues. You can join us on Sunday 21st May at 5pm at St Saviour’s Church, Splott where OMG! will offer a time for young people to celebrate together with food, activity and worship. Let us know if you’d like to join us – so we can make sure there’s enough pizza for everyone!
Please pray for the recently confirmed: Harriet, Olivia, Caian, Steffan, Isla, Trinity, Eleri, Seren, Morgan, Paul, Alfred, Jamilia, Santino, Sanchia, Monet, Venice, Michael, Joshua, Joel, Akhmaton, Alexander, Albert, Joshua, Justin, Morteza, Aboutalet, Ariel, Darren, Andrew Neve, Jack Houghton, Joseph, Sam, Gregory, Dylan, Charlie, Ellinor, and Catrin (First Communion)
It’s almost here! A whole week of events and activities with compassion at its heart!
Refugee Week 2022, when St Mary’s School received the School of Sanctuary status
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of people seeking sanctuary
It’s been running in the UK since 1998. This year is its 25th Anniversary. The theme is compassionand throughout the week we will be celebrating what compassion looks like in action.
Last year, we worked in partnership with St Mary the Virgin (Church in Wales) Primary School. It was moving, emotional, energetic and fun! This year, we are building on this to bring you something even more amazing!
This programme of events shares some of the things we are doing together but, as a School of Sanctuary, St Mary’s School will be engaging in so many other activities and learning opportunities through the week.
At the heart of their celebrations is the launch of their video poem, ‘A Zig Zag Journey’ which was filmed around Butetown. It movingly expresses the questions and anxieties that children seeking refuge may experience, and provides a compassionate response from the children of St Mary’s School.
After the premiere, the video will be launched on social media. Let’s hope it goes viral! Or, rather, let’s hope that compassion goes viral. Imagine a world where compassion was as easily passed on as a common cold. What kind of world would that create? What kind of epidemic would we have? Imagine a pandemic of love, changing the world, changing lives.
You can download our Refugee Week programme below
During Refugee Week we also celebrate Windrush Day and we are pleased to share the interactive performance, A Journey through Butetown, which tells the story of Tiger Bay through the character of Betty Campbell. Towards the end of the week, we also celebrate The Great Get Together, inspired by Jo Cox, and we’ve been pleased to be part of this network in Cardiff for more than a year.
Saturday 6 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 97(98):1-4; John 14:7-14 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
In his poem called ‘Message,’ RS Thomas writes: “A message from God /delivered by a bird / at my window, offering friendship. / Listen. Such language? / Who said God was without / speech? Every word an injection / to make me smile.” In that poem, we gain an insight into God’s revelation of himself in and through his own Creation, as the writer converses with God, and receives a revelation of who he is. In reading the poem we are allowed to glimpse a brief moment of joy wrapped in the Divine Mystery.
In the gospel reading today, the conversation continues between Jesus and his disciples, like lines of a poem, back and forth. Philip is given a voice to express his longing to see God. ‘Have you been with me all this time, Philip,’ asked Jesus, ‘and you still do not know me. To have seen me is to have seen the Father.’ Only then does Philip begin to see how Jesus reveals God. There and then, he is given deeper insight into the Mystery of God, drawn into the intimate relationship between the Son and the Father. It is a moment of profound revelation which comes after being with Jesus for such a long time.
R.S Thomas’s poem continues the poetic conversation, “I gave you the x-ray / eye for you to use not / to prospect, but to discover / the un-malignancy of love’s growth.’ Our life with God is rarely filled with dramatic moments. Just as with Philip, it is about spending time with Jesus, living life in his presence, listening to him speaking, and being open to those moments of revelation which come from a prayerful and patient attentiveness to God as we seek truth and beauty. We must look with the eyes of faith, seek with an open heart, and yearn to be drawn into God’s loving embrace.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Saturday 6May, 2023) was celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 10am | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
Friday 5 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2:6-11; John 14:1-6 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
On one occasion, when sending out his followers who were faced by a crossroads, St Francis of Assis instructed them to quickly spin on the spot. When they stopped spinning, they were to take the direction in which they were facing. Disoriented and perhaps a little giddy, they moved on in one direction. Rather than standing confused not knowing which way to turn they moved on, trusting in God, travelling through all the crossroads they would meet along the way.
In the gospel reading today, Thomas and the other disciples don’t know which way to turn. They are left restless and spinning, stuck to the spot. Jesus has been talking about his own departure and this leaves them sad and anxious. Their hearts are troubled, their minds confused. ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ asks Thomas. We can feel the sadness and fear in his words, but they are met with the beautiful response of Jesus, who tells them that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We are often troubled or filled with anxiety, and not just with personal difficulties and concerns. There is much in the world which confuses us and fills us with fear. At times we can feel so far from God, we can feel as if we have lost our way. We may feel that the whole world has lost its way. But wherever we are, Jesus is close, and if we are close to him, then we shall always be on the right path. ‘Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you,” wrote St Augustine. Perhaps there will often be a sense of anxiety to our journey of faith, for we are made for God, and our lives will be restless until they rest fully in him. ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,’ said Jesus. These are words for every generation. They can speak to the confusions and fears which fill us and our world as we turn with trust in Christ. The beautiful prayer of St Patrick expresses our need for Christ and his enduring presence along the way. “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Friday 5May, 2023) is celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 10am | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
Thursday 4 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 88(89):2-3,21,22,25,27; John 13:16-20 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
Gerard Hughes, in his book, God of Surprises, asks the question, “Why is it that so many movements and organisations spring up within the Church and within society from a noble and generous purpose… flourish briefly, then become so preoccupied with questions of internal organisation that their original purpose is forgotten, and they die.? The same question could be asked of the Church itself.”
Today’s gospel reading draws us back to the heart of the life of the Church. In the midst of the Passover celebrations when Jesus gave us the gift of the Eucharist, he washed his disciples’ feet. ‘No servant is greater than his master,” said Jesus, ‘no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.” This example of love and service flows from the life of the Eucharist which is the beating heart of the Church. On that night he gave us two commandments: to ‘Do this in memory of me’ and to follow his example “that you should do as I have done for you.’ Sacrament and Service are part of the same thing.
It is very easy to lose a sense of what or who the Church is – but we are called to be a servant people, a humble household, following the example of Jesus. We are called to put our faith into action, and to express our love of God and one another in active service, to put the needs of others before our own, to seek out the lost, serve the poor, raise up all who are bowed down. When we reach out to others, we are reaching out to Jesus himself, obeying what he has called us to do, discovering his presence in the world of which we are a part. We are called to live a Eucharistic life, full of thankfulness for all that God has done, and being alert to his presence everywhere.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Thursday 4 May, 2023) is celSebrated at Ss Dyfrig and Samson, Grangetown at 9.30am, St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 10am, and St Saviour’s Church, Splott at 5.45 pm | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
Tuesday 2 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter |Readings: 1 Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 86 (87); John 10:22-30 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination in the world today according to the organisation Open Doors. Open Doors originated in 1995 when a young Dutchman, who became known as Brother Andrew, started to smuggle Bibles to the persecuted Church in Communist Europe. More than sixty years later, Open Doors supports persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries and who live in the shadow of persecution and death.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we read how those early Christians were persecuted, displacing many people far and wide. Even though they were dispersed in danger, with the death of Stephen fresh in their minds, they continued to share the gospel of Christ. Some of them travelled as far as Phoenecia and Cyprus and Antioch. Whilst most of them only proclaimed the message amongst people of the Jewish faith, some who had come from a Greek background started sharing the good news with the Greeks. Ironically, persecution of their faith meant that the same faith began to reach other parts of the world, and it was whilst in Antioch, where Saul spent a whole year, that the followers of Jesus became known as Christians.
Even when we are faced with difficulties and obstacles, and when things seem stacked against us, God continues to work his purpose out. For those first Christians, the threat of persecution, danger and death meant that the good news of Jesus was taken far and wide. So, too, in our own lives – when our plans in life become unravelled or all is not as we wish it to be – we can continue to trust in God who is faithful. ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me,’ said Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us to pastures green and flowing waters even if, to get there, we travel through the darkest valley. No evil should we fear, for he is there, leading and guiding us .
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Tuesday 2 May, 2023) is celebrated at St Saviour’s Church, Splott at 10am and St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 7pm | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
Saturday 1 May, 2023 | Fourth Week of Easter | St Joseph the Worker |Readings: 1 Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4:1-4,8-9,13-14,17-18; John 10:11-180 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
“We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” These are words from the first speech in parliament of the MP, Jo Cox who was murdered in 2016. Inspired by these words, the Jo Cox Foundation aims to makes meaningful change on issues she was passionate about. Like her, they believe that a kinder, fairer and more connected world is possible. The Foundation works for change by collaborating with others and bringing people together to achieve more than we can alone.
In the gospel reading today, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, the one who gathers his sheep into the fold. He is dependable and trustworthy, brave and loving. “There will be only one flock,” he said, “and one shepherd.” We are, of course, conscious of the many divisions which exist within the Church, and it is our calling to seek that unity which Christ declared and for which he himself prayed, ‘That we may be one as he and the Father are one.’ Whilst we acknowledge the separations, we can also rejoice in all that we have in common. We can continue to collaborate on issues that are important so that by working together we can bring meaningful change to the world, and nurture relationships built on all that we have in common.
Today, we also celebrate the memorial of St Joseph the Worker, as we recognise the dignity of human beings which come from participating in God’s creativity through being able to work. Through work we can contribute to society, for each of us has something important to offer. However, we are not cogs in the wheel but human beings, created and valued by God, acknowledging our need for God and one another, and everyone has the right to be treated justly and with dignity. So today we pray for all church leaders that they may work together for the unity of God’s Church; for governments and leaders that they may seek fruitful collaboration for peace and justice in the world; all for all employers that they may treat their workers with dignity and respect.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Monday 1 May, 2023) is celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 10am | If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button. You can discover more about Worship across the Ministry Area on our Worship page
South Cardiff Ministry Area 