Download the 3 churches newsletter for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare), Issue 13/19
Lent reconciliation
Our renewal, our conversion, our turning back to God, is a central part of our Lenten journeys. This Sunday and next we hear the wonderful Gospel episodes of the Prodigal Son and the Woman Taken in Adultery. Each speaks to us of a healing and forgiving encounter with the Lord. I have found them to be two of the most powerful passages in my ministry, capable of transforming people’s lives in themselves.
To express and put into words the Lord’s desire to make us whole, we have the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation (also known of course as Confession or Penance), which flows from Our Lord’s promise to Peter and the Church that whatever we bind is bound in heaven, whatever we free is freed from heaven.
As announced in recent weeks, the priests of the Cardiff deanery have arranged for local parishes to set aside in a special way 8 – 12 April for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Therefore each weekday there will be Confessions in one of the churches of our deanery in the afternoon 2 – 3pm and the evening 7 – 8pm. At each session there will be a minimum of 2 priests in the afternoon and three in the evening. The places are as in the table below. In some locations there will simply be private confessions, in others there may be a very brief liturgy to help us recollect ourselves, as at St Brigid’s.
This is a very special opportunity. For some it may be quite a time since you celebrated this Sacrament. Is it a long time since you celebrated this Sacrament? Visit aleteia.org/2017/08/12/how-to-go-to-confession-when-you-havent-gone-in-years. Have no anxiety – the priest will be there to help you, and has already heard it all before!
| Afternoon 2-3pm | Evening 7-8pm | |
| Monday 8 April | St Joseph’s | St Philip Evans |
| Tuesday 9 April | St Peter’s | St Mary’s |
| Wednesday 10 April | St Teilo’s | St Brigid’s |
| Thursday 11 April | University Chaplaincy | St Cadoc’s |
| Friday 12 April | St Patrick’s | St Helen’s, Barry |
Christ the King Bidding Prayers for the 4th Sunday in Lent, 2019
PRIEST – Confident of the mercy of our God we place before Him the needs of the Church, the world and ourselves.
READER – The response to our petitions is – “Merciful Lord ………… Listen favourably to our prayers”
Let us pray for the Church that she can put behind her the scandals of recent years and be a source of love and mercy to all, leading us closer to God…..pause……. Merciful Lord………..Listen favourably to our prayers.
There is too much conflict, inequality and oppression in our world and so we pray that those leaders and politicians who are in a position of influence will work more effectively to bring about change for the better….pause…Merciful Lord………..
We pray for the leaders of the U.K. and Europe that the current negotiations will involve compromise and result in a solution which is beneficial to all……pause…..Merciful Lord……
Let us pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died including Julia Churchhouse and Anne Cronin, whose funerals are on 9th and 11th April respectively…..pause……Merciful Lord………
In a few moments of silence, let us listen for the voice of the Lord and put before Him our own needs…….longer pause…Merciful Lord….
We ask Mary our Mother to join with us in our prayers, as we say… Hail Mary….
PRIEST – We make all our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour…. Amen
3 churches newsletter, 24 March 2019
Download our 3 churches newsletter for the 3rd Sunday in Lent.
A gift to our church
Archbishop George Stack writes: “For nearly 2,000 years Christianity has been present in Wales. As geographical, social, cultural and religious boundaries have changed the Catholic Church has been a constant presence responding to changing times and needs.
In 2016 the Archdiocese of Cardiff celebrated the Centenary of its formation from the roots of the former Diocese of Newport. I am humbled and privileged to serve as the 7th Archbishop.
Whilst my role is to shepherd and lead the Archdiocese, I am very aware that role is not restricted to the present. Shepherds are called to look ahead when leading the sheep. Planning for the future is vital for the Church to grow and thrive, to continue to respond to the changing times and needs. Parishioners have been generous in providing financial support through regular gifts or by leaving a Legacy that has helped form the Archdiocese we are all part of today. Our circumstances change as we move through life. The importance of making a will is recognized but often neglected.
If you are considering making a Gift to the Church our diocesan website details some examples of our commitments as a Diocese and how we would ensure a lasting gift is best used. I would strongly urge you to speak to one of the team at Archbishop’s House so that we update you on progress of our current projects and to take professional advice before making such a commitment.
In working together our Church has a positive future and will remain the firm foundation of our daily lives despite the seemingly increasing speed of change in other areas. Any Gift that you wish to consider will help the Church continue the good you do during your life. ‘Let the good you do live after you.’”
Please visit rcadc.org/a–gift–to–our–church/ (Please note that there will be much more about remembering the Church in your will in coming months)
(Please note that there will be much more about remembering the Church in your will in coming months)
Christ the King Bidding Prayers for the 2nd Sunday in Lent, 2019
Priest: The Lord is our light and our help, let us call on him for our needs and the needs of the world.
Reader: Let us pray for the Church: for all the holy people of God, and for those preparing to be received into the Church at Easter.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reader: Let us pray for our leaders, that in these uncertain times they will choose to work in the interests of the most vulnerable in our society.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Reader: Let us pray for victims of war and terrorism, remembering especially those killed in the attacks in New Zealand this week. We pray that the hearts of men and women are turned away from violence and hatred and towards justice and reconciliation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Reader: We pray for our 3 churches, and especially remember our young people preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist and for the Catechists who teach them. May they all receive inspiration and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Reader: We pray for family and friends who have died. May they rest in peace in their homeland in heaven and see Jesus in all his glory. We remember especially Lilian Dyer.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We ask for the intercession of Our Blessed Lady as we say – Hail Mary.…..
Let us pray for a while in silence.
Priest: Heavenly Father, in your goodness, listen to our petitions and answer our prayer of faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.