All posts by 3 churches

St Francis, Nature’s soul – and Cardiff

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Role models come in all varieties. In October we remember St. Francis of Assisi, a shining example to us all, both in the way that he lived and for his love of nature. In his Canticle of the Creatures, this patron saint of ecology, says:
‘Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.’

Nature is more than a pretty view, birdsong or wild flowers swaying in the breeze. It is estimated, for example, that one in four of us will suffer from some form of severe stress or depression in our life time. Studies and our everyday experience have shown that time in nature can heal, improve our well-being and uplift our spirits. In these cost conscious times, it can also save the NHS and us money.

Nature, however, is in trouble. Did you know that…

  • We have lost 97% of our wild flower meadows since the 1930’s
  • 60% of our bird and wild life species have declined in the last 50 years
  • We have lost half of our 27 bumble bee species in recent times and pollinators are responsible for one in three mouthfuls of food that we eat
  • The RSPB has 200+ reserves in the UK (17 in Wales) that protect 80% of our bird and wildlife species yet this only covers an area enclosed by the M25

We ignore nature and God’s creation at our peril. In a time of tweeting, texting and technology is it any surprise that only 1 in 8 children in Wales, under-12 years old, has any real connection with nature?

We can make a difference, and follow St. Francis’ example, by recognising the central spiritual, emotional and physical role that nature plays in our lives. One way to do this is to vote on-line for Cardiff and a project called ‘Discover The Diff’, that has just been short-listed for a public vote to decide who will become the Kew Gardens Grow Wild Flagship project for Wales.

If successful, the project will involve: creating a bug and native flower rich boardwalk, adjacent to the Millennium Stadium, interspersed with community and graffiti–based artwork; a vibrant wild flower welcome at five gateways to Cardiff, and inspiring events in Bute Park, along the Boardwalk and in primary schools, for 1500 children, throughout the City – from wacky performance art in trees to the Big Draw and wild life safaris!
The heart of the project is to tell the story of nature in Cardiff – past, present and future – and the positive difference it makes to our lives. You can make this a reality and, like St. Francis, help to inspire a world richer in nature, by making a difference and voting for the project. Watch the video and vote at http://votewales.growwilduk.com/ #site/discoverthediff

Phil Burkhard,
Christ the King parish

Farewell to Fr Tomy

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This week Fr Tomy leaves us after five years ministry here. He followed Fr James back in 2010 (who is now a parish priest in Jacksonville, Florida, by the way). I find it hard to imagine what Fr Tomy faced when he came. His ministry had been in schools, not in parishes, he had not lived ever with fewer than six or seven people, came from a different cultural background, and close to his family. Now he was in the UK, far from his relations, serving in a parish, and living with just me! How different it must have all been…

He slowly settled in and got to know everybody, and has found a special place in our 3 Churches. He made strong contact with others from his home state of Kerala, particularly those who, like him, belong to the Syro-Malabar Rite. We must remember that we belong to just one Rite of the Catholic Church, the so-called Latin Rite. There are many others, such as the Maronite Rite centred in Lebanon, and the Chaldean Rite, centred in Iraq. Fr Tomy was not at all used to celebrating Mass in our rite, and that was, as they say, a steep learning curve for him.

The Sacraments have been central in his ministry here – the Mass, Confessions, Communion to the Sick. We have shared all the Baptisms and Funerals, again an area where local traditions have to be taken onboard.

Now he leaves us for the Merthyr Tydfil group of parishes where he will work with Fr Barry English (a very distant relation of mine). The group comprises St Mary’s in Merthyr itself, where Fr Barry lives, St Illtyd’s in Dowlais, where a permanent deacon lives in the house much of the time, St Benedict’s in Merthyr Vale, which covers the village of Aberfan, known to all of us, and St Aloysius in the Gurnos area, where he will be resident.

So another new environment awaits him, but he can be assured of our prayers and best wishes as he moves on Friday. I hope that many will be able to attend his farewell Mass and bring-and-share supper on Thursday evening at 7.30pm.

Fr Matthew

The word and the signs

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Question: What did Jesus spend most of his time doing during his three years of public ministry? Answer: preaching the Word and healing. Over the next few weeks we have chances to share in the Church’s ongoing ministry of the Word and the Signs.

Next weekend we welcome Fr Pat Collins to our 3 Churches.
On Saturday 10th he is a main speaker at our diocesan “Proclaim” meeting at St David’s College, that we have been advertising (for details see inside the newsletter).
Before that, on Friday evening he will lead a Healing Service in St Brigid’s Church at 7.00pm at which all are welcome. Then on Sunday evening he will speak on ‘Listening to the Voice of God’ at our regular “Sunday Praise” gathering in St Brigid’s at 7.30pm, at which, again, all are very welcome. Following this the Healing Cafe opens for business at St Brigid’s hall on Fridays 16th and 23rd October 7-8pm. (also see details inside).
Fr Pat Collins is one of the most gifted and experienced speakers that I have heard. He was born in Dublin in 1945. He joined the Vincentians and was ordained in 1971. He taught in Northern Ireland where he got involved in the Charismatic Renewal and the Ecumenical Movement. Next he trained as a counsellor and spiritual director, and spent several years preaching in parishes around Ireland. To date he has spoken in 26 countries in four continents.
In the early 90’s he joined the staff in All Hallows College, Dublin, gaining an M.A. in spirituality and also taught the subject. In 1991, he had his first two books published, and in recent years has published many more books, written hundreds of articles, recorded many tapes and CDs/DVDs, and participated in numerous radio and T.V. programmes in various countries. More recently he gained a degree in the New Evangelisation in Detroit, graduating in 2008. Since then he has been trying to devote as much time as possible to the New Evangelization. Find out more at www.patcollinscm.webs.com