South Cardiff Ministry Area

Who’s the greatest?

In today’s reflection from the Daily Mass readings, Fr Dean asks how great is God to us—really.

You can discover the readings for Monday in the 28th Week of the Year, here:

Earlier this year, there was great excitement around the world amongst music fans when the band, Oasis, performed the first of their reunion concerts at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

People travelled from all over the world to see them. Oasis had come to define what became known as the BritPop movement of the 1990s, with guitar driven songs and lyrics focussed on British culture, identity and society. At the time, there was great public rivalry between Oasis and another band called Blur. There were many debates in the media and in the pubs about who was the greatest, Oasis or Blur.

In the gospel reading today, Jesus provides an interesting and harsh judgement on society. “This is a wicked generation,” he says. You’d think that was hardly a way to win friends and influence people. Why are they so wicked? They keep asking for a sign. Yes, as Jesus reminds them, there have been many signs, and he mentions both Solomon and Jonah. In fact, Solomon was so great that the Queen of the South came from the ends of the earth just to hear his wisdom. She was willing to travel all that way, and yet Jesus’ audience can’t even see what is right in front of them: something greater than Solomon and Jonah. God has already provided a sign.

Sometimes, in our busy lives, with our minds focussed on so many things (some important, others frivolous) we can overlook the presence of Jesus in our midst and what he means for the world today. We know that for so many people, God is an irrelevance, a make-believe construct and they may regard us as foolish for leading such a life. But even as Christians, we can treat God as a kind of disruption to our daily routine, or as an “add-on”. However, with so many options to fill our day, it is important to prioritise what is of greatest importance: that Sunday morning shop or going to Mass? Finding time to flick through reels online or having a few minutes of prayer or bible study? Reaching out to someone in need, or indulging in a TV Boxset? None of those options are bad, and all of them can be good for us. But which is the greatest? Where does God fit into our lives or, like St Paul in his greeting to the Romans, can we ever say that our whole lives are “set apart for the gospel of God?”

Mass today is at Ss Dyfrig and Samson, Grangetown at 630pm

The Kingdom of God has come upon you

In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard reflects on the nature of God’s Kingdom, and the challenge inherent to all of us in being part of it.

Readings: Joel 1.13-15 & 2.1-2; Luke 11.15-26 [Friday of week 27 of Ordinary Time, year 1]

In today’s readings, both the prophet Joel and Jesus speak to us about moments of crisis — moments when darkness seems to close in, when God’s presence feels distant.

Joel describes a “day of darkness and gloom,” calling the people to repentance. His message is urgent: “The day of the Lord is near.” It is a wake-up call — not meant to terrify, but to awaken hearts that have grown dull. The people are invited to return to God so that his reign — his kingdom — might take root again among them.

In the Gospel, Jesus confronts another kind of darkness — the accusation that His power to cast out demons comes from evil itself. He answers clearly: “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is not some distant event. It is breaking into the world now — wherever Christ drives out fear, restores peace, and reclaims what is lost. The kingdom is God’s rule of love, pushing back the shadows.

But Jesus also gives us a warning. If we let our hearts remain empty after being cleansed, if we do not fill them with God’s presence, the darkness can return even stronger. The kingdom of God must not only visit us; it must dwell in us.

So today’s readings invite us to vigilance — not fear, but readiness. The kingdom is not just coming; it is here, in every act of mercy, every moment we choose light over darkness.

Let us open our hearts, not only to be freed by Christ, but to let His kingdom truly reign within us — so that through us, the world may glimpse the light that no darkness can overcome.

More in Common

In today’s reflection, Fr Dean explores what it means to live in a divisive society, and how we are called to stand in the space where friendships can begin.

Friday 10 October | 27th week of the Year | Luke 11:15-26

You can find the Bible readings for today’s reflection here

Today’s world seems so polarised, with one political party pitted against the other, issues driving people apart, and difficult and divisive debates happening in pubs and the public space.

Sometimes, Parliament is as rowdy as the pub, and pubs as ineffective as Parliament sometimes is. And some global political leaders care little about how their words can divide people and cause harm—as long as they remain popular and in the public eye.

In the gospel reading today, Jesus is accused of siding with the enemy. He is casting out demons but surely, say some, he is in cahoots with the devil. Fake news is nothing new. Rumours and conspiracy theories are present in every generation. So Jesus’ reputation is derided as the public try to cancel him. Jesus speaks to this divisive narrative. “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste,” he says.

Jo Cox, the MP murdered in 2016 said, “We have more in common than what which divides us.” As Christians it is our duty to seek the peace which Christ alone can give, and to reach out to those from we are divided. We are called to stand in that space where friendship can begin but it means abandoning the “them and us” narrative and beginning to work together so that, in time, we become a “we.”

We are called to recognise what we have in common, building trust and, together, searching for a way in which all can flourish and become the people God has created us to be. After all, a kingdom divided against itself is always laid waste.

Today’s Mass: Our Mass on Friday is at St Saviour’s Splott at 10am

Preach the truth, with love

In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers the life of St John Henry Newman, and how he fiercely proclaimed the truth of the Gospel but never neglected the importance of Christian love.

Readings: 2 Timothy 4.1-5; John 15.9-17 [Feast of St John Henry Newman]

St John Henry Newman, whom we honour today, was well known for many things. One of them was his determination to stick to what he believed was right, no matter how popular or unpopular that might be with others.

It was this characteristic which led him to convert from the Anglican church, the very epitome of the establishment in the 19^th century, to the Catholic church, then viewed with suspicion by many. And yet, for Newman, what drove him was a seeking after the truth, and it did not matter what anyone else thought.

We see this principle in our first reading today. Paul was another figure from church history for whom the truth mattered above all else. He is writing to his protégé Timothy, and stresses to him the importance of this. “Preach the word”, Paul says. “Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort…” In other words, simply say what it true about the things of God, regardless of whether it is popular or not. The Church of today could learn a thing or two from both Newman’s approach and Paul’s words. So often we seek to make the Gospel enticing through gimmicks, and the danger is that we water down its essence. Let us be bold in preaching the truth of God’s message to the world.

If that approach sounds harsh and unbending, then it is perhaps tempered by today’s Gospel, where the focus is on love. At the Last Supper, about to give up his life, Jesus talks movingly about the Father’s love for him and his love for each disciple. This mutual love between the Father and the Son becomes the model for every Christian as we are told to “love one another as I have loved you.” And in a radical turn, Jesus even calls us friends, so regarding us as his equals. Newman too, though he sometimes seemed stern and fierce, knew the importance of Christian love. “This is our real and true bliss”, he wrote. “Not to know, or to affect, or to pursue, but to love, to hope, to admire, to revere, to adore”. As we give thanks for St John Henry Newman today, let us be bold in upholding the faith in and out of season, whether it is popular or unpopular. But let us do so with love, knowing that we are loved by God, and are sent by him to love the world.

Listen amidst the bustle

In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers the importance of listening in the midst of a busy world, and the difference this can make to our lives.

Tuesday of 27th week of Ordinary Time [Our Lady of the Rosary]

Readings: Jonah 3.1-10; Luke 10.38-42

In our increasingly frenetic, busy and non-stop world, it can be incredibly difficult to find the space to listen to what really matters. The importance of being able to do this is outlined, in different ways, in our readings today. In the passage from Jonah, we pick up the story after the title character has survived being swallowed by the fish (and being vomited out!). Having failed to run away from the mission God had given him, Jonah finally makes his way to Nineveh and preaches repentance to the people. Then, we are told, a remarkable thing happens: they listen to God’s message, and change their ways. “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands”, the king commands. This they do, and sure enough God spares them from disaster and ruin.

Our Gospel today is the charming story of the sisters Mary and Martha welcoming Jesus into their home. Mary is sitting at the Lord’s feet listening to his teaching, while Martha is busy entertaining her guests. Martha complains to Jesus about her sister, and asks him to tell her to lend a hand. Jesus seems to side with Mary, and many commentators have seen this as implying that the contemplative life is superior to the active. However, there need not be quite such a stark divide between the approach of the sisters. For Mary, in that moment, listening to Jesus was the right thing for her to be doing – after all, it’s not every day that the Son of God comes to your home. Indeed, other commentators have said that both Mary and Jesus were enabling something radical to happen – it was unusual in their day for a woman to sit at a rabbi’s feet to learn from him. The active side of Christian discipleship is not being denigrated; but surely it must start with the approach of Mary, of making time to sit and listen to the Lord. It’s that which prompts us to action. If we don’t listen first, then our actions will simply be adding to the frenetic busyness of the world. Listening to God is important, but it should lead to something. Like the people of Nineveh, it might prompt us to change our life in some way. Or we might sense that God is wanting us to do something in his sevice. Let us make that space to listen to him, and then have the courage to act.

Now, Listen!

We all like to get things done and be productive but in today’s reflection, Fr Richard reminds us of the importance of making space to listen to God

Tuesday of 27th week of Ordinary Time [Our Lady of the Rosary]

Readings: Jonah 3.1-10; Luke 10.38-42

In the passage from Jonah, we pick up the story after the title character has survived being swallowed by the fish (and being vomited out!). Having failed to run away from the mission God had given him, Jonah finally makes his way to Nineveh and preaches repentance to the people. Then, we are told, a remarkable thing happens: they listen to God’s message, and change their ways. “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands”, the king commands. This they do, and sure enough God spares them from disaster and ruin.

For Mary, in that moment, listening to Jesus was the right thing for her to be doing – after all, it’s not every day that the Son of God comes to your home. Indeed, other commentators have said that both Mary and Jesus were enabling something radical to happen – it was unusual in their day for a woman to sit at a rabbi’s feet to learn from him. The active side of Christian discipleship is not being denigrated; but surely it must start with the approach of Mary, of making time to sit and listen to the Lord. It’s that which prompts us to action. If we don’t listen first, then our actions will simply be adding to the frenetic busyness of the world. Listening to God is important, but it should lead to something.

Like the people of Nineveh, it might prompt us to change our life in some way. Or we might sense that God is wanting us to do something in his sevice. Let us make that space to listen to him, and then have the courage to act.

Today’s Mass is celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 630pm

See what you are

We’re back with our daily reflections from the readings at Mass. Today, Fr Richard takes us from a vomiting fish to a world without barriers where everyone can know they are children or God.

Monday of 27th week in Ordinary Time (Year 1)

Readings: Jonah 1.1-17; 2.10 and Luke 10.25-37

To many people outside of the Christian faith, the Bible is probably viewed as a very traditional sort of book, containing rules and regulations about how to live. For those us who are more familiar with the Bible, we know it to be so much more than that.

Tonight’s reading from Jonah, for example, is quite comical, with the image of Jonah himself being thrown overboard from the ship, swallowed by a great fish, then after three days vomited out onto the land! But our reading from Jonah, and today’s Gospel, reveal that the Bible can be very radical, and offer a profound challenge to common ways of thinking.

The reason Jonah was on the ship in the first place was because he was running away from God. He didn’t want to carry out the mission God had given him, which was to go and preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. The fact that God is wanting to send him there at all, to a people outside of the nation of Israel, is very striking. For it tells us that God’s love, mercy and compassion extends to all peoples everywhere, not just a select few. In other words, God’s love is profoundly inclusive.

We see this theme of radical inclusivity in the famous parable of the Good Samaritan. The religious insiders, the priest and the Levite, fail to help the man who has been robbed. They pass by on the other side. It is the Samaritan, the traditional enemy of the Jewish people, who does the right thing and shows the man something of God’s love and compassion. The message is clear: everyone, regardless of who are they are, can be channels of God’s grace. Throughout the course of human history, people have been inclined to put up barriers, and view some folk as better than others, or divide people up into “insiders” and “outsiders”. Perhaps we need a little more the radical inclusivity that we find in the Bible to permeate modern society, so that those barriers can be broken down, and every person can be seen for what they truly are: a beloved child of God.

Diamond Priest

Cardiff priest celebrates 60 years of ministry

A Cardiff priest will celebrate 60 years of ministry this week, marking his Diamond Jubilee with a special mass on Friday 13 June at St Mary’s Church Butetown.

The Venerable Martin Innfeld Williams, 88, was ordained priest in 1965 and has served communities across Wales and England. Since retiring in 2004, Fr Martin continues to be active in the church, co-leading worship in South Cardiff churches of Butetown, Grangetown and Splott with Fr Dean Atkins, Ministry Area Leader and vicar Fr Richard Green.

Close friend and colleague Fr Dean says, “It is a joy and privilege to have Fr Martin’s gentle and prayerful presence in the Ministry Area. His faithfulness is an inspiration.”

Fr Martin’s guidance has inspired many people who have since entered the priesthood, including Canon Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St David’s Cathedral, “Fr Martin was on my discernment panel, 30 years ago – and I remember having a delightful and stimulating discussion. I offer him my congratulations and assurance of prayers and he celebrates 60 years as a priest.”

Canon Sarah Rogers, Diocese of Llandaff added, “Fr Martin was a steady presence by dad’s side, a good and faithful priest, always gentle and affirming.”

David Lewis adds his own tribute, “Fr Martin was a big influence on me growing up when he was Parish Priest in Merthyr. His knowledge and spirituality are second to none and the more time I spent with him I grew as a Christian exploring paths I had never gone down before. His total devotion to the church and his love of God and the liturgical and sacramental life of the church shone through ,and he always made sure that Mass was always available daily despite having a busy schedule as Archdeacon.

“Getting to know Fr Martin as a man and priest was amazing, and he never really liked titles such as Venerable but unfortunately that came with the territory. When he retired I felt a light had gone out, but we always kept in touch especially via Llangasty Retreat House and going to visit him in Brecon.

“I value Fr Martin greatly as a priest and a friend. I will always be grateful to him for the person I am today and I pray that God will continue to richly bless him in his continued Ministry as he is one in a million.”

About Fr Martin Williams

Born in 1937, Fr Martin was educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he earned his BA in 1962 and MA in 1992. He completed his theological training at Chichester Theological College in 1962.He was ordained as a deacon in 1964 and as a priest in 1965. Fr Martin served as curate at Holy Cross Church in Greenford, London, from 1964 to 1970.

He then worked as a tutor at Chichester Theological College from 1970 to 1975, and then as Vice-Principal from 1975 to 1977.In 1977, Fr Williams moved to Wales when he was appointed Vicar of St German’s Church, Roath, in Llandaff. He held the post for 15 years until 1992.

From 1992, he took on a number of senior roles. He served as Treasurer of Llandaff Cathedral from 1992 to 2004 and as Vicar of St John the Baptist Church, Penydarren, from 1992 to 2004. He was appointed Archdeacon of Margam from 1992 to 2001, and his final role was as Archdeacon of Morgannwg from 2002 to 2004.

Fr Martin’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Mass takes place at 7pm on Friday 13 June at St Mary’s Church, Butetown, Cardiff.

For more information please contact Fr Dean Atkins: deanjatkins@outlook.com

Holy Week 2025

Enter the mystery of Christ’s saving death and resurrection this Holy Week in the churches of South Cardiff Ministry Area

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 13 April
Blessing of Palms and Procession and Sung Mass in all churches at the usual Sunday times.

Monday 14 April
6.30pm	Mass at Ss Dyfrig and Samson

Tuesday 15 April
6.30pm	Mass at St Mary’s

Wednesday 16 April
10am	Mass at St Paul’s
11am	Mass at St Mary’s
6.30pm	Mass at St Saviour’s

THE HOLY TRIDUUM
Maundy Thursday 17 April
7.30pm	Sung Mass of the Lord’s Supper 	with Washing of Feet and Watch 	until Midnight at St Saviour’s

Good Friday 18 April
10am	Children’s Stations of the Cross
	at St Paul’s
3pm	Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at Ss Dyfrig and Samson 

Holy Saturday 19 April
8pm	Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter at St Mary’s

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 20 April
Sung Mass in all churches at the usual Sunday times.

Connect (30 November 2024)

Connecting you to the churches of South Cardiff Ministry Area across Butetown, Grangetown and Splott. Our vision is to be a creative and resourceful community which is welcoming, faithful and just!

(You can subscribe to this weekly news bulletin and receive other updates straight into your inbox by adding your email address at the bottom of the page.)

Homeless Memorial Service

On Wednesday, as we gathered for a Memorial Service for all those who have died when homeless, working together with Salvation Army’s Ty Gobaith and The Choir with No Name.

It will be featured in a BBC Radio Wales broadcast of ‘All Things Considered’ on Sunday December 8 at 9am. You can listen live or catch up on BBC Sounds

African Celebration

Join us for an authentic African celebration with food, music and culture organised by some of our Nigerian family at St Saviour’s.

The event is free although donations are welcome. You can book your place in person at St Saviours or using the booking form here:

African Celebration

Advent and Christmas 2024

Check out our celebrations throughout December across the Ministry Area as we celebrate Advent and Christmas

Christmas 2024

Advent Sunday

Tomorrow (December 1st) is the First Sunday of Advent as we begin a new year in the Christian calendar.

Advent is a beautifully rich season, full of deep symbolism and it has some lovely liturgical celebrations and devotions, from the Advent Wreath to the Jesse Tree, from Las Posadas to St Lucy’s wheat. You can check out some of out Advent and Christmas resources for prayer and devotion here:

Advent Resources

Las Posadas

Can you host an image of Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem?

This is a beautiful devotion of hospitality and welcome, as we attend to the presence of Jesus. Check out our Christmas celebrations pages

A vision to end homelessness

Our Advent and Christmas Charity is Llamau which has a vision to end homelessness and who work in particular with young people and vulnerable women.

You can donate in various ways in each of our churches and online at our Just Giving page:

Llamau

Christingle at St Paul’s

Join us for a wonderful celebration of light, suitable for children and families and all on Sunday 8 December at St Paul’s Church

Worship for the Week Ahead

Mass is celebrated each day across our churches. Here’s our pattern of prayer for the week ahead.

Sunday 1 December 
9.30am:  Sung Mass at Ss Dyfrig & Samson
9.30am:  Sung Mass at St Saviour’s
11.00am:  Sung Mass at St Paul's
11.00am: Solemn Mass at St Mary's

Monday 2 December
6.30pm:  Mass at Ss Dyfrig & Samson

Tuesday 3 December 
6.30pm:  Mass at St Mary’s

Wednesday 4 December 
10.00am: Mass at St Paul's
11.00am: Mass at St Mary's

Thursday 5 December 
10.00am:  Mass at St Dyfrig & St Samson

Friday 6 December 
10.00am Mass at St Saviour’s

Saturday 7 December 
11.00am: Morning Prayer & Rosary at St Mary's
11.30am Mass at St Mary's 
12 noon: Sacrament of Reconciliation

You can discover more about our regular pattern of worship through the week at

WORSHIP

United in Prayer

WE PRAY FOR Llamau and its vision to end homelessness, and its work with young people and women.

WE PRAY FOR those who serve and
minister to the bereaved, for our local
Funeral Directors, and all who are grieving
at this time.

WE PRAY FOR our vision to be a
community which is welcoming, faithful and
just.

For more prayer resources, check out our ‘Day by Day’ pages which includes prayers for various times and occasions.

Day by Day

Funerals

ST MARY’S:

Fri 6 December at 11.30am (Wayne Tulloch)

Fri 13 December at 12 noon (Usaf Mohamad)

ST PAUL’S

Tuesday 3 December at 11am (Robert Allen

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