Llantwit Major, CF61 1TQ Thursday 29th May to Sunday 1st June This is an opportunity to make a pilgrimage together as an Archdiocesan Family to one of the Jubilee Churches. Journeying together in the light of the Word of God, through conversion, forgiveness, prayer and mercy, can contribute amazingly to restoring the climate of Hope and Trust in the Church that walks in pilgrimage to the light of hope for a brighter future. See poster at Church porch for schedule details

The Virtues of Mary - Poverty Though Mary came of the ancient line of David, was born at a time when the royal house had been brought to poverty. She was espoused to a poor carpenter, and she was poor all her life. But her poverty was not merely the condition of life in which her lot was cast: it was also a virtue loved and practised by free choice. Consider the precious gifts received from the Three Kings, she and Joseph did not keep them all but gave so much away! She also gloried in possessing nothing else than God and magnified Him for His bounty to the poor. "He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away". Moreover, was her great love to Jesus, Who being infinitely rich made Himself poor for our sake, and Jesus praised them: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". But Mary's poverty, though voluntary and most honourable, was not without unspeakable humiliations and sorrows. Because in her time, poverty, like sterility, would seemed as a curse from heaven. Nazareth, Bethlehem and Egypt can tell us what the humble dwellings and bitter exile must have been for Mary. It is true that the love of Jesus gladdened her amid all her pains. But probably there were also moments in which she lamented her poverty and cannot find words to excuse her inability when she couldn't offer fitting hospitality to honour her 'noble guest' whom she reveres and loves. In her poverty she must shelter and support the Son of God for nearly 30 years! She could only give Him a bed of hay at His Birth. His place was a stable, and His cradle a manger. Then she lived with Him in an obscure village, unhonoured, unnoticed, labouring in a humble workshop. Next she must allow Him to be maintained by poor women who followed Him and supplied Him with His daily food. Finally, she hasn't even got a tomb to lay Him, but must be beholden to another for His restingplace. How often must Mary's maternal heart has shared these wounded feelings of the poor ! The world regards wealth with envy and esteem, and it knows nothing of the hidden loveliness of voluntary poverty. But this treasure is appreciated by the Saints. Voluntary poverty, ever since Jesus and Mary made it known and glorified it by their example, has been the wealth of generous souls and the nourishment of virtues. (Reference: 'The Virtues of Mary' by Luigi Lanzoni, Loughborough: John Corah & Son, 1897 The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations, Bl Anne Catherine Emmerich, Vol 1)

Holy Rosary will be held in Our Lady’s Garden at St Peter’s every Sunday beginning 4th May at 10.45am All are welcome to join!

Pope Leo XIV invited the media professionals to promote a different kind of communication, one that “does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition, and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.” The Pope went on to reaffirm the Church’s solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for reporting the truth, and he called for their release. He also thanked reporters for their service to the truth, especially their work to present the Church in the “beauty of Christ’s love” during the recent interregnum period. “The Church must face the challenges posed by the times,” he said. “In the same way, communication and journalism do not exist outside of time and history. St Augustine reminds of this when he said, ‘Let us live well, and the times will be good. We are the times’.” Pope Leo XIV said the modern world can leave us lost in a “confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.” “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred,” he said. “Let us disarm words, and we will help disarm the world.” (Source: CBCEW)

Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,  for ever and ever. Amen.

Join us this Saturday, 17th May , for a day of Awakening Eucharistic Adoration at St. Peter’s Church from 10 am to 5.30pm followed by Holy Mass. Led by St Peter’s Youth Cardiff (Jesus Youth Cardiff), this is a time to serve, pray, and be present for others. All are especially encouraged to join from 4:00 PM onwards, as Fr Matt Roche-Saunder s, Youth Director of the Archdiocese of Cardiff Menevia - Archesgobaeth Caerdydd Myny w, will celebrate Holy Mass at 5:30 PM. Let’s show up, be on time, and make this a grace-filled day for all! 

The Virtues of Mary - Hope Hope, is a joyous expectation of future glory. How was Our Lady's Hope like while she was on earth? From the Gospel, we can easily gather how great was the hope that filled Mary's soul with joy. Whether it was at Nazareth, at Bethlehem, in the Temple, in Egypt, on Calvary, in days of sunshine and in days of gloom, the Gospel shows us Mary ever calm, radiant with peace and full of trust. How did she managed to do so? Because Hope springs from Faith. She believed even she didn't understand, even beyond natural reason. Mary believed readily, simply and with a lively faith, since she knew that with God all things are possible. Therefore, Mary's Hope became more manifest in the bitterest trials of life, and shone forth marvelously in her. Joseph is filled with doubt and anguish about her pregnancy. Yet she said nothing of the secret things she has heard from the Angel. She was silent, trusting in God that He will Himself reveal those profound mysteries to Joseph by other ways. People of Bethlehem refused to give her shelter on the night of her Child's birth but she uttered no word of lament, she hoped in God that He will provide for her the resting-place she needs. During the exile years in Egypt her greatest consolation was her hope that God, despite the fierce hatred of an earthly king, will care for her and bring her back to her homeland. At Cana, Jesus denied her the favour she asked. Her answer was a sublime act of hope in the Goodness of God Incarnate and it is rewarded by a miracle. In her grief for Jesus' sufferings, in her desolation at His Death, while the disciples have lost all hope, Mary rejoiced in the sweet assurance of seeing her Son will risen soon. So, if you are afflicted, embittered and disheartened by problems in lives, think of the example of Our Lady who was the 'blessed among women', and learn from her to hope! Not only that, when we pray the 'Hail, Holy Queen', we also greet her lovingly as "Our Hope". Since all our hope is centred in Jesus, Who is the author of life and happiness. But Jesus was given to us by Mary, thus the Saints have loved to think that all heavenly graces come to us from God through Mary. Let us in this month of May, turn to this 'Mother of holy hope' to pray for us who have recourse to her. (Reference: 'The Virtues of Mary' by Luigi Lanzoni, Loughborough: John Corah & Son, 1897)

“Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.”  (John 10:27-28)

Archbishop Mark said: “I was overjoyed to see the election of Pope Leo XIV. The Catholic community across South Wales and Herefordshire assure him of our prayer, love and fidelity...He will make an outstanding contribution to peace and stability in our world. Long live the Pope.” Thanksgiving Prayer for our new Pope Leo XIV God our loving Father, we thank you that the choice of the cardinals has resulted in Pope Leo. We thank you, Father, for listening to our prayers during the Consistory for a man of the Holy Spirit who will be a good leader for your Church. We ask that he, a pope who is inspired, will in turn inspire his people in the Church of Jesus Christ, entrusted to him. May we all be more deeply people of God, in our love, our trust of one another, and in our hopes for the future. May we also put our energy of greater faith in doing something, each in our small way, to bring your Gospel to the world. We ask this through Jesus our Lord. Amen