Cardinal Vincent - Message
Webmaster • December 26, 2020
Cardinal Vincent Nichols called on society to “build back better” after the pandemic, in remarks that were reminiscent of Pope Francis’ recent calls for new communities to form founded on social justice.
The Cardinal drew attention to the many acts of selflessness and kindness that characterised society’s response to the virus. These, he said, could function as “signposts” to direct humanity towards a brighter future. Catholic Bishops welcomed the rule that Churches can remain open in the new level 4 restrictions which have just been imposted. The new measures are to combat the spread of the virus and the new variant that has been discovered. In all our Churches great caution should continue to be observed so that we may all remain safe. During Christmas we were so happy to be able to Celebrate the Feast with so many Parishioners.

A Conversation with a Religious (1) What made you want to become a Sister? Because of Jesus' Love for me and I want to be His bride. I was born in a Catholic family, and when I was little, my father used to play the cassettes of the lives of Saints for us to listen. I was particularly touched by St Thérèse of Lisieux's story and I wanted to follow her footsteps. Later on, there was a short period when I felt God's Call for me, it was not a whisper in the ear but a feeling of fallen in love, although I did not see anything but strange enough I know it was Jesus, and I knew at that time He is the one and no one else. I even want to drop everything and run to a convent straight away. But because I got some family considerations, I stopped myself. But you eventually became one? Yes, but it was many years later. To cut a long story short, after experienced a lot of unhappiness in life, one night for some reason I looked at the Crucifix in my room and I realised that although I have turned my back on Jesus, He is still here, ever waiting for me, to go back to Him. I hugged the Crucifix and cried for a long long time that night. Since then I changed. I said to myself: I have left Him once, I don't want to leave Him again. Because He is the One who deserves all my love.

Back in January this year, Pope Francis gave us his message for this Day, he said: “...Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred. All too often it simplifies reality in order to provoke instinctive reactions; it uses words like a razor; it even uses false or artfully distorted information to send messages designed to agitate, provoke or hurt...Hope, in fact, is not something easy...Hope is a hidden virtue, tenacious and patient. For Christians, it is not an option but a necessary condition...I dream of a communication capable of making us fellow travelers, walking alongside our brothers and sisters and encouraging them to hope in these troubled times. A communication capable of speaking to the heart, arousing not passionate reactions of defensiveness and anger, but attitudes of openness and friendship...Be meek and never forget the faces of other people; speak to the hearts of the women and men whom you serve in carrying out your work. Do not allow instinctive reactions to guide your communication. Always spread hope, even when it is difficult, even when it costs, even when it seems not to bear fruit. Try to promote a communication that can heal the wounds of our humanity. Make room for the heartfelt trust that, like a slender but resistant flower, does not succumb to the ravages of life, but blossoms and grows in the most unexpected places…All this you can do, and we can do, with God’s grace, which the Jubilee helps us to receive in abundance. This is my prayer, and with it, I bless each of you and your work.” (CBCEW) There is a Second Collection for the World Communications Sunday this weekend 31st May/1st June to help support this work.

“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:22-23) Graciously hear our supplications, O Lord, so that we, who believe that the Saviour of the human race is with you in your glory, may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, his abiding presence among us. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The diocesan Catholic Charismatic Team invites you to a Saturday with praise & worship, Mass and small group sharing at Jubilee shrines across the Archdiocese. Each day runs 10 am - 3pm, please bring packed lunch. 14 June - Sacred Heart Centre, Swansea SA6 6HX 28 June - Belmont Abbey, Hereford HR2 9RZ 5 July - St Non’s Retreat, SA62 6BN

National flags On this Solemnity, we would like to decorate the Church with different national flags that represent all the nationalities that make up our Parish Community. If you have a national flag, can you please bring it to the Church before Friday 6 June . There will be a box in the porch (please label the flag with your name for returning). *************************************** Nationalities in the Parish We wish to celebrate the diversity of Parishioners in our Parish on Pentecost. Please add your own Nationality or Ethnicity to the list in the entrance THIS WEEKEND. The list will be typed up and attached to the newsletter on Pentecost Sunday *************************************** Bidding Prayers on Pentecost Sunday THIS WEEKEND, we will be looking for parishioners to volunteer to say one bidding prayer in their own language on Pentecost Sunday *************************************** National Dress To celebrate the diversity in our Parish and if you have an ethnic costume, perhaps you may wish to wear it at the Pentecost Sunday Mass. *************************************** The Our Father At the Pentecost Mass, we will ask parishioners to say Our Father Prayer in their own language (all at the same time) if they wish.

On Thursday, we meet the parents of the First Communion class for the third time At the weekend we will be just 2 weeks away from Pentecost Please find below a short introduction for parents/ carers and parishioners to a taster session based on the Sycamore programme It gives joining details for a Zoom session on Wednesday 4th June It provides a short reading from Acts as well as a chance to view the kinds of questions that we could use in Breakout rooms. I have downloaded the three Pentecost films. Each last 5-7 minutes. People who join the Zoom session will watch each followed by a short breakout session,The breakout will be facilitated [ parishioners/ teachers ]