Help!

Cardiff Council are intending to put an “electronic gate” i.e. cameras on Crystal Glen between St Brigid’s and Fishguard Road to prevent all through traffic 24/7 except residents with permits. This is in response to residents’ concern about “rat run” traffic especially rush hour. While we sympathise with such concerns, this would have a serious effect on vehicles coming to or from St Brigid’s in the north direction via Fishguard Road. The cameras will capture all number plates, and anyone without a resident’s pass will be automatically fined. All services in the church and events in the Hall, plus callers at the Presbytery, would be effected, and most of all those coming for Sunday Mass, Baptisms, Weddings and funerals. We believe there are other options such as timing on the cameras limiting it to weekdays and rush hours.

The Parish Council and I have already responded in a residents’ consultation, now there is a public one. The deadline is 1st April! Access to the consultation is online via either of the routes below. PLEASE TAKE PART IN THIS CONSULTATION! EITHER via www.cardiff.gov.uk > English > (top menu) Resident > Parking, Roads and Travel > (all parking roads and travel menu) Transport Projects > Consultations > Current consultations > Fishguard Road OR a direct link to the survey https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164510002035

Fr Matthew

Bidding prayers for 4th Sunday in Lent (27 March 2022)

Priest:  We come together as pilgrims on our Lenten journey, and we ask the Lord to hear our prayers for the world and for our community.

Reader: The response is;

Lord, graciously hear us

In these uncertain times we pray for those affected by war and famine: we think of the anxious parents of hungry children in North Africa, and the frightened families living in Ukraine.   … … … pause …

Lord hear us

Here at home we pray for our young people who have had a difficult time through the pandemic. May they grow in confidence recognising how much they are valued by society and by the church, and may they generously play their part   … … … pause …

Lord hear us

And we pray for Ceris Dartnell and Adam Williams who were married today / yesterday in Christ the King.  May their lives be filled with joy and peace…… pause

Lord hear us

We remember Frank Callus whose funeral will take place this week.  Frank was a long standing and loved member of our parish.  He contributed so much to the life of the Parish; and to the lives of young people in the area through his role as a teacher.  May he rest in peace, and may Molly and his family be comforted.  … pause

Lord hear us

In silence let us ask God for our needs and the needs of our friends and families………… ………..long pause……………. 

Lord hear us 

We ask Mary, the other of our Lord, to join her prayers to ours saying;

Hail Mary………….

Priest:  We have put our petitions before the Lord. Let us remember that he is with us and will support us as we go about our daily lives.  We ask this through Jesus Your Son who lives in glory with you and the Holy Spirit forever.

Lent

How is your Lent going? Here are some ways to help us celebrate the season.

  • our Stations of the Cross with reflections by parishioners continue from St Brigid’s on Saturdays at 9.30, live-streamed on our website
  • next weekend we will take our Lenten Alms for Ukraine at all Masses – please contribute generously if you can
  • there will be a 3 Churches Reconciliation Service for Lent at St Paul’s on Wednesday 30 March at 7pm with individual Confession

Fr Matthew

Prayers of the faithful for all masses (13 March 2022)

Celebrant: As we reach the two year mark of the coronavirus pandemic, the world’s needs have changed and as Christians, we turn to god in times of fear and uncertainty as we do in times of joy and celebration. We turn to you now Father with our fears and needs.

We pray for our Holy Father Pope francis and all leaders of our church. Give them the courage and determination to show compassion and care for all people of the world. Help amd guide those who are making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families and communities. We pray that they communicate clearly and truthfully with each other and those they serve.

MERCIFUL LORD………..HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Jesus, during Your ministry on earth You showed Your power and caring by healing all people. Be present for those who need Your loving touch because of COVID and may they feel the power of Your healing through the work of medical staff, carers and their families.

MERCIFUL LORD………..HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Take away the fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or quarantining. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.

MERCIFUL LORD………..HEAR OUR PRAYER.

3. Pray for all who are experiencing depression, anxiety, loneliness and bereavement because of the pandemic. Guide people in their new realities and help those who are struggling to recognise their need to find help. Prompt worn out parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children and help our children and young people to find ways to talk with loved ones about their fears and anxieties.

  MERCIFUL LORD………..HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Lord, watch over and protect the members of our three churches community who have struggled over the last two years through loss, illness, uncertainty and isolation. Let them feel your presence in their lives and renew their courage asnd help those who turn to you for guidance and support. We are grateful for all those who continue to work each day so that others are able to resume their normal lives. Help each one of us to accept the responsibility for the lives of our community.

MERCIFUL LORD………..HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We ask you Lord to look with love and compassion on our brothers and sisters who are living in countries where there is unrest and injustice. We think especially of those who have been forced to leave their country, their homes and their families to seek peace and safety in other countries and we pray that they will find people welcoming and accepting of them wherever they settle.

MERCIFUL LORD………..HEAR OUR PRAYER.

As Mary comforted Jesus, we ask now that she take the prayers of theis broken struggling world to her Son as we say… Hail Mary…..

We pause for a moment to think about the struggles and hardships of the last two years and we pray for those things that affect us directly.

(Pause)

Celebrant: Jesus, we thank you for Your faithfulness in guiding and equipping people during times of such difficulty. As people around the world feel the strain during the ongoing uncertainty, bring them comfort and peace, reminding them that You are there for them. All our prayers we ask through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

 

 

 

Ways to the cross

It is two years since the burden of the pandemic came upon us all. For some it has meant bereavement or sickness, for others loneliness or depression – for all of us a time of feeling the weight of the Cross.

So, all our Saturday evening and Sunday Masses are celebrated this weekend in commemoration of all that these two years have brought to us in our 3 churches.

Now another Cross has been laid on our sisters and brothers in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. After our “normal” Family Fast collection this weekend, we will take a special collection for them in a fortnight’s time 26 / 27 March as our very special Lenten Alms.

Fr Matthew