Newman to be canonised

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This is from the official website of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales:

On Tuesday 12 February 2019 Pope Francis cleared the way for the canonization of the much-loved educationalist Cardinal John Henry Newman. The Pope received Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised him to promulgate two decrees on miracles from sainthood, a decree on martyrdom and five on heroic virtues. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has warmly welcomed the news that Cardinal Newman will be declared a saint.

Following the announcement, Cardinal Nichols said: “This is wonderful news which will be greeted with thanks to God by people across the world. Newman’s exploration of faith, depth of personal courage, intellectual clarity and cultural sensitivity make him a deeply admired follower of Christ. He brings together so many of the best of Catholic traditions shared well beyond the Catholic Church. His canonization will be welcomed especially in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.

“For me the truly remarkable nature of this moment is that this is an English parish priest being declared a saint. During his life the people of Birmingham recognized his holiness and lined the streets at the time of his burial. I hope every parish priest in England will hold his head high today knowing Cardinal Newman is declared a saint.”

Cardinal John Henry Newman was beatified –declared a ‘Blessed’ – by Pope Emeritus Benedict VI on his historic state visit to the UK in September 2010.

To learn more about Blessed John Henry Newman, visit the website of Pope Benedict’s visit to the UK when Newman was beatified – thepapalvisit.org.uk/home/cardinal-newman

Fr Matthew

Christ the King Bidding Prayers for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary time, 2019

bidding prayers, Christ the King

PRIEST – Let us turn to God our Father and ask Him to look favourably on all the needs of the world, the Church and ourselves.

Reader – We pray for the Church throughout the world that she may always be true to the teaching of Jesus in guiding your people…………..Lord hear us…….

As this weekend we remember the need for racial justice, we pray that we will always treat others as brothers and sisters irrespective of their race or country of origin………….Lord hear us………..

Let us pray for the repose of the souls of all who have died recently and for the comfort of their families and friends. We remember especially Evelyn Trueman who has died recently.……………….Lord hear us……………

We  remember in our prayers those who are ill, infirm or disabled in any way that they may experience the healing comfort of God and have compassionate care………….Lord hear us…………..

In a few moments of silence we place our own needs before our Heavenly Father……………..Lord hear us

We now ask Mary our Mother to join our prayers with hers as we say……………..

Hail Mary… 

PRIEST – We make all our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,

Amen.

They’re all praying – for us!

newsletter

Two weeks ago I told you about the new prayer scheme in our diocese where each week everyone prays for one parish in the diocese. Well, this week it’s our turn in our 3 Churches. People all over Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Herefordshire (yes, I know that’s the old names, but it’s easier) are praying for Christ the King, St Brigid’s and St Paul’s. They will be praying for the people and priest, but also for schools and other places in the parishes. So maybe it’s a good time to remind ourselves too of what goes on in our very midst.

So – schools. We have three Catholic ones – Christ the King Primary on Everest Avenue, Corpus Christi High School in Ty Draw Road beyond Cyncoed, and St David’s College on Ty Gwyn Road.

Then although we don’t have any hospitals – the Heath is strictly speaking in St Joseph’s – we do have a lot of care homes, sheltered accommodation etc, such as Ty Coch, Gwynfa and Cartref all in Station Road, at one end of our area, through Llys Enfys in Smith Road behind Morrisons, and the other Cartref in Lake Road East, to Oldwell and Penylan House on Penylan Hill and Sunrise right next to St Paul’s, at the other southern end of our area. This is by no means an exhaustive list as there are several other facilities of different kinds, and new ones are appearing, such as Llys Faith in Tyglas Avenue.

Most of all, of course, the parish is you and me, the people. Together we make up the People of God in this particular part of the Lord’s vineyard, with our activities and ministries and, above all, our lives, our words and deeds. This Thursday I celebrated Mass with Year 5 of Christ the King School, and their theme was “Mission”. In the introduction, two of the children told us

“Gospel’ means ’Good News’. The Good News Jesus came to make known is that God loves each of us and that living in God’s Way brings love, justice and peace for the entire world. Jesus carried out his mission by what he said and what he did. Jesus did not carry out his mission on his own, he called people to be with him and they were inspired to work with him. He travelled through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the Good News. Today our mission as Christians is to continue to proclaim the truth of the Gospel in our words and our actions.” Couldn’t have put it better myself!

So it’s good to know that this week people are praying for us – from Chepstow to Porthcawl, from Hereford to

Hirwaun.

Christ the King Bidding Prayers for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2019

bidding prayers, Christ the King

Priest: We turn to the Lord, our help and our refuge, and ask him for all we need.

Reader: We pray for the leaders of the Church, that they will continue to proclaim the word of God to all people, and inspire us to speak up for our beliefs, even though we might fear ridicule and rejection.

Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.

Reader: In these uncertain times, we pray for all who govern, that they will have a special concern to protect the weak, the poor and the most disadvantaged in our world.

Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.

Reader: We pray for the gift of love: that we may love one another as Jesus has loved us and radiate warmth and friendliness to those around us.

Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.

Reader: We pray for the sick, the elderly and housebound, and those in any sort of distress, may they know the healing power of God’s love. We remember especially, Shaun Stone, who will be undergoing transplant surgery this coming week, receiving a kidney from his mother Jane.  May they both make a healthy and speedy recovery.

Lord, hear us, Lord graciously hear us.

Reader: We pray for those who have died, that through their faith in Christ, they may be welcomed into God’s kingdom. We remember especially Gerald Dunleavy who has died recently.

 Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.

Together we ask for the intercession of Our Blessed Lady as we say

Hail Mary.…..

Now we pray for a while in silence for our personal needs.

Priest: Heavenly Father, confident in your saving help, we offer you all our prayers through Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, forever and ever. Amen.