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The Synod prayer

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Dear friends and parishioners

This is the official Synod prayer. Today marks the beginning of the Synod across the world and so it will be used at all Masses in our deanery this weekend. Next week we will explain how our deanery will open up the Synod process to everyone.


We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.

With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;

Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.

Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life,

and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever,

Amen.

The Synod

newsletter,

Dear friends and parishioners

Pope Francis launches the Synod process for the worldwide Church this weekend in Rome. Archbishop Stack has appointed Madeleine Walter of St Teilo’s as coordinator for the diocese, and the clergy of Cardiff deanery meet on Thursday to plan the way ahead for the city and area to involve the maximum number of people.

The word Synod comes from Greek and means “Walking Together” or “The Way Together”, and the theme for this Synod is ‘For a synodal Church: communion, participation and Mission’.

Fr Matthew

Do you need a break from the status quo?

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L’Arche is an international federation of Communities that support individuals with Learning Disabilities. Here in the UK, L’Arche has a network of 11 Communities which provide high quality care, allow members to explore and participate in faith activities and create environments where people with and without Learning Disabilities can achieve mutual transformation through meaningful relationships. 

One of the ways in which they facilitate this is by inviting individuals to spend time living in one of their Communities. Live In Assistants usually spend a year (although many stay a part of the L’Arche family for decades!) sharing life in a home with people who have Learning Disabilities. This can look like sharing a cup of tea together, relaxing on the beach, going to the cinema, cooking together and any number of fun activities.

Live In Assistants are also trained to deliver a degree of personal care that empowers their Community friends to live life to the full. In return, Live In Assistants receive food and lodging, the opportunity for trips and retreats, a modest monetary allowance, and (hopefully) life-transforming experiences. 

Nationally, care vacancies are at an all-time high (owing in part to the effects of the pandemic). It won’t surprise you to learn that L’Arche, too, is feeling the impact of this recruitment struggle.  

If you or someone you know would benefit from spending some time in a L’Arche Community, you can find out more from the information pack which gives greater detail about what being a Live In Assistant looks like. You can also find out more information and how to contact them from the L’Arche website.

L’Arche assistants come from all walks of life. Some are not yet 20, others are in their 60s. Some are taking a gap year, others are in retirement. Some are looking for care experience, others are in need of a career break. Others still are using time at L’Arche to reflect and consider their spiritual vocation. What qualifies somebody most is a willingness to get ‘stuck in’ with Community life, to value people with Learning Disabilities and support them to flourish physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Clearly this is a very unique and niche opportunity, and one which simply won’t be the right fit for everybody. Even if you don’t think you would be a good fit for L’Arche, you are invited to pray for them. L’Arche UK’s core team are taking time to discern wise steps in the organisation’s future, particularly in light of recruitment issues. Please pray that L’Arche make decisions that support and benefit its Communities well. Please pray that God would bring an influx of fantastic new assistants, who can contribute well to the life of L’Arche, and receive spiritual nourishment in return.  

Thank you.