God's love for you - 4th December 2022

Webmaster • December 3, 2022


Crib Innovator


St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene in the small town of Greccio, Italy, on Christmas Eve 1223. Francis used his memories from his Holy Land trip to construct the crib. He asked a friend to assemble the materials and explained, “For I would make memorial of that Child who was born in Bethlehem, and in some sort behold with bodily eyes his infant hardships, how he lay in a manger on the hay, with the ox and the ass standing by.” The friars and townspeople assembled around the scene, illuminating the night with candles. There, Simplicity was honored, Poverty exalted, Humility commended; and of Greccio, there was made, as it were, a new Bethlehem. Mass was said on the altar that was made over the manger.


Francis, who was a deacon, read the Gospel and preached the sermon, calling Jesus “the Child of Bethlehem.” Then he picked up the image of Jesus asleep in the manger.


The Baby awakened in his arms, according to eyewitnesses. In addition, more miracles happened. When sick animals in the region ate some of the hay, they were cured. Moreover women in long and grievous labor were safely delivered by putting some of the hay on themselves, and a crowd of persons of either sex suffering from various ailments gained their longwished-for health at that same place. As a result, over the manger, an altar was reared, and a church dedicated, to the end that … men might thenceforth, for the healing of soul and body, eat the flesh of the spotless and undefiled Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ.

(National Catholic Register)


By Webmaster August 1, 2026
Bereavement Talk time/Cuppa Would you like a chance to talk about the loss of a family member or friend? Whether it was recent or historical, the bereavement group was set up for this. We meet next Sunday 9th of August 2.30pm - 3.30pm at St David’s Chapel Please use the back gate in Bedford Street. Or you can make an appointment by phoning 07881 634 075
By Webmaster August 1, 2026
There will be a Second Reading and vote in the House of Commons for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Bill) on 11 September. As Catholics, we oppose this legislation in principle as it attacks the innate dignity of every person. It is also very poorly written and gives no safeguards to healthcare staff, nursing homes, or hospices all of whom will be pressured to implement the bill if the legislation is passed. I encourage all Catholics to write to their MP. The Bishops' Conference has produced has a scannable QR code, available on its website at: www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assistedsuicide/ . On the page, there are various resources, copies of statements and guidance on writing to your MP, and please, please do so, to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Many thanks, +Mark, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia.
By Webmaster August 1, 2026
Divine Mercy Prayer Group Next meeting is on Thursday 6th August 2.30pm - 3.30pm in St David’s Chapel (Entrance via Bedford Street) Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Consecration prayer, Divine Mercy image veneration. All are welcome
By Webmaster August 1, 2026
Bell Tower Fundraising £103.00 Parish Picnic Raffle £1203.99 Tabletop Sale £2000.00 Private Donation St Peter's Parish value your every effort, whether it is big or small, in helping with the Bell Tower fundraising.  Please keep an eye out for opportunities to support. Watch this space for Park Run & Guess the Amount !
By Webmaster August 1, 2026
St John Vianney’s quotes on the Eucharist “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us!” “What is our Lord doing in the tabernacle? He is awaiting us!” “Our Lord is hidden there waiting that we come to visit Him and give Him our petitions. See how good He is! He accommodates Himself to our weakness. If He appeared in glory before us, we would never have dared approach.” “When we want to obtain something from the good God, after communion, we offer Him His beloved Son with all the merits of His Death and Passion. He will not be able to refuse us anything.” “Are we not happier than Simeon? We can hold Him always if we want. He doesn’t come only into our arms but into our heart.” “He rested with us not only to console us, but to give Himself to us, so that He would no longer only be with us.” “Our soul is so precious in the eyes of God that, in His Wisdom, He didn’t find nourishment worthy enough for it except His adorable Body, which He made our daily bread.”  “Don’t say that you’re not worthy. It’s true: you’re not worthy, but you have need of Holy Communion.” “If one could understand all the goods contained in holy Communion, there would be nothing left for our hearts to be happy. The greedy person would not run after treasure, the ambitious after glory; each one would leave the earth as dust and would fly toward heaven."
By Webmaster August 1, 2026
Feast Day of the Transfiguration of the Lord Thursday 6th August Mass at 7pm All are welcome!
By Webmaster August 1, 2026
Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. 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.
By Webmaster July 31, 2026
The Guild of St Stephen and the Maryvale Institute run a 6-month course for adult Altar Servers, exploring the history of liturgy, the sacraments, scripture, communication, leadership and people skills and the theology of service. It is delivered online in 1-hour monthly evening sessions, with an optional one day in-person session at Oscott College at the end of the course. No pre-requisite education required. Registration deadline is 15th September 2026. For more info, visit: guildofststephen.org/certificate or email Deacon Paul Briers on certificate@guildofststephen.org .
By Webmaster July 24, 2026
We say goodbye to Jimmie (who is the only novice from the UK studying within the Rosminian community).  He is leaving St Peter’s to continue his studies in Rome. We thank him for being an active part of our Parish community since May. May God bless him in his future studies and hopefully we will see him again in St Peter’s.
By Webmaster July 24, 2026
Saturday 1st August Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich  with Fr Xavier Khan Vattayil, famous for healing charism and headlining music from One Hope Project. Great talks, dynamic music, powerful healing service, children and teens ministry, spiritual sharing, Confession, Mass. For bus going from Cardiff & Newport Please contact Madeleine 07791 503857