God's love for you -17th November

Webmaster • November 16, 2024

The Holy Souls


They are the souls in Purgatory who are going through purification. But Purgatory is not just a waiting place for the Holy Souls to go to Heaven, because they do suffer, you may seen burning fire in a lot of images which artists portrayed Purgatory, but how is it like? As St John Henry Newman's poem mentioned 'the flame of Everlasting Love doth burn ere it transform...', it also said the two most painful sufferings for those poor souls are the longing and yearning for God but could not see Him; and at the same time the shame of self at the thought when seeing Him because their being as been so vile and want to hide themselves from His sight. The period in Purgatory is different for each Holy Souls, it could be days, months or even years. And the worse thing is, they can no longer help themselves as they cannot gain any merits once their lives ended. However, we could help them to leave Purgatory earlier by offering our prayers for them, and the best prayer is the Holy Mass - the Eucharistic Sacrifice. We are also encouraged to almsgiving, gain indulgences and do works of penance on their behalf. What is more, Our Lord is also very pleased that we do so, because His Love urges Him to release the Holy Souls. Jesus once explained to St Gertrude that if a merciful king's friend was found guilty and sent to prison because of justice, the king will be longingly waiting for a noble to beg for him and give some offerings for his freeing. So the king will then happily, release him. Likewise, Our Lord is extremely pleased to accept what is offered to Him for the Holy Souls, since He has such great desire to have those souls whom He has paid with such a great price to be close to Him again.


(Sources & References: The Dream of Gerontius, St John Henry Newman, 1865. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs # 1032 http://www.catholictradition.org/Gertrude/saintgertrude7.htm)

Welcome

By Webmaster • June 13, 2025
We welcome Fr Emilian Kibiriti IC visiting our Parish, who is the Rosminian Provincial of East Africa Province.  Fr Emilian is going to speak about the Rosminian Mission in Africa during this weekend Masses, please be generous to support their work

The 2025 National Jubilee Walking Pilgrimage of Hope

By Webmaster • June 13, 2025
A national walking pilgrimage for England & Wales with 4 main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St Barnabas, Nottingham, on 13th September 2025, the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Ways start at the Catholic Cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and London and will bless our nations with a Sign of the Cross. The routes use established hiking routes. A small group of 'perpetual pilgrims' will walk the full distance of each Way, with up to 20 day pilgrims joining for day stages. To register for day stages and for more info: www.pilgrimways.org.uk/become-a-pilgrim-for-a-day

God's Love for You - Sunday 15th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 13, 2025
A Conversation with a Religious (3) How is it like living in a monastery? It is a community life, and we have set daily schedule for prayers, work, rest etc. Our life could be a surprise to some and there will be hardships because it is a very different and constant life routine, but as long as we are on this earth, don't we all have different sufferings too? However, if it really is the Will of God you have this Vocation, and with your love to God, you will persevere and overcome all obstacles. As well as you will find your true happiness and your own meaning of life. Is there anything you would like to tell others who think they may have a Religious Vocation? What I want to say is for all who are discerning, not just women. If you do feel God is calling you to religious life or Priesthood, do not ignore it, do not think too long by yourself. Instead, start praying about this and start talking to a Priest or a Sister in your local Church about it, or if you have an Order or Congregation in mind, get in touch with them. Think of the Apostles, when Jesus suddenly called: "Follow Me", they literally left everything behind and followed Him. At the end of the day, even if you have been granted admittance, it is not like you will become a Sister or a Priest the next day, there will still be a long process of discernment. Do not worry, but pray, pray and pray. Let the Holy Spirit guide you every step of your way. I always remember what St John Paul II said: "Open, open wide the doors to Christ. Be not afraid."

Day for Life 15th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 13, 2025
Pope Leo XIV has sent a special message to Catholics and people of goodwill celebrating Day for Life. “In this Jubilee Year focussed on the theological virtue of hope, it is fitting that your theme, ‘Hope does not disappoint – finding meaning in suffering’, seeks to draw people’s attention to how the mystery of suffering, so prevalent in the human condition, can be transformed by grace into an experience of the Lord’s presence, for God is always close to those who are suffering and guides us to appreciate the deeper meaning of life, in love and closeness (cf. Message of His Holiness Pope Francis’ XXXIII World Day of the Sick). His Holiness prays that, through your common witness to the God-given dignity of every person, without exception, and to the tender Christ-like accompaniment of the seriously ill, all in society will be encouraged to defend rather than undermine a civilisation founded on authentic love and genuine compassion. The Holy Father entrusts your efforts to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and to all supporting this ‘Day for Life’, he cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of fortitude, joy and peace in the Risen Lord.” There will be a Second Collection THIS weekend for ‘Day for Life’ It provides financial assistance each year to organisations working to support the Church’s mission to protect human life from conception to natural death. These range from educational workshops to advocacy campaigns, practical support services to commissioning research.

Sunday 15th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 13, 2025
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine…” (John 16:13-15) God our Father, who by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty.  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.

Mass for Sick and Retired Clergy

By Webmaster • June 13, 2025
Tuesday 17th June 11am St Joseph’s Cathedral, Swansea Celebrated by Canon Benedict Koledoye All welcome

Church cleaning

By Webmaster • June 6, 2025
Volunteers are urgently needed to help keep our beautiful Church clean. If you are able to spare a short time on a Monday morning  to help with this please contact the Church office on 02920 483 394. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Change to Masses this week

By Webmaster • June 6, 2025
There is NO Mass this Wednesday and Thursday (11 & 12 June) because the Priests is having a meeting with the Bishop

God's Love for You - Sunday 8th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 6, 2025
A Conversation with a Religious (2)  Did your parents opposed your decision? I think they have a mixture of feelings. It is more like they worried about me and wouldn't want to part with me than an opposition. But I said to them that I am going to be with someone who is the King of all kings, who is All Mighty, who has everything, and I will be happy to be with Him. I also reassured them that they offered their daughter for Him who is All Powerful, He will also give them abundant Blessings. Knowing that they will be the 'in-laws' of God, how could He not look after them and attend to all their needs in my place. Does one need to have a certain characteristics in order to be a religious sister? We all have different characteristics, coming from all walks of life, and everyone has a story to tell, just like the different flowers from garden, woodland, hillside and vale. But the most important thing is '…the king greatly desire thy beauty...' (Psalm 45:11) This beauty, is not just what we already know about ourselves, but is deeper than what we can't even see within ourselves yet He can see within us. You see, we did not choose Him, instead, He chose us, and out of the thousands He chose us to be His bride. This is such a beautiful and romantic invitation. Because this is not just somebody, He is our God who ask for our love, ask for our hands. This is our answer to His Call. This is our love to His Love.

Sunday 8th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 6, 2025
“Holy Spirit, Lord of Light, From the clear celestial height Thy pure beaming radiance give…. . ..Thou, on us who evermore Thee confess and thee adore, With thy sevenfold gifts descend: Give us comfort when we die Give us life with thee on high Give us joys that never end.” (Veni, sancte Spiritus) O God, who by the mystery of today's great feast sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation, pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers. 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
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