The Most Precious Blood of Jesus (1)  When it comes to the word 'blood', what does it make you think of? Pain? Wound? Life? Death? Whatever it be, it is certainly not meant to be dealt with lightly (especially if there is a lot of them). And do you know, our God has shed His Own Blood too? Not accidentally, but purposely. Not just a few drops, but all of it to the very last drops...for Whom He Love. Who has this privilege? Look no further, it is you, me and every single human being who was, is and will be on this earth. Wow, is it because we have done something 'great'? Indeed we have, but instead of being good to Him, we have sinned against Him... But God never wants to abandon us, thus He sent His only Son, the Word Incarnate, as the Lamb of God - this innocent Victim, poured out His Blood as an Eternal offering for the atonement of all our sins and through It we obtain our forgiveness and Heaven was re-opened for us. How can it be so? As Bishop Fulton Sheen explained that it is written in the Book of Leviticus the life of man is in the blood, therefore the higher the life, the more precious the blood; and so when we come to the Life of Christ who sheds His Blood we get the total remission of sin.

“...Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’” (Luke 10:36-37) O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray, so that they may return to the right path, give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honour. 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.

Stella Maris Cares for Seafarers Far from Home This weekend we celebrate Sea Sunday, and Stella Maris (the largest ship-visiting network in the world) has an aim to improve the lives of seafarers and fishers through our network of local chaplains and seafarer centres, expert information, advocacy, and spiritual support. Today the Gospel reminds us about the love and care that the Good Samaritan showed to the stranger that he found upon the road. For seafarers and fishers, Stella Maris is that Good Samaritan. Robert King, Stella Maris Regional Port Chaplain, recalled when a fisher fled his boat after allegedly being abused by the captain, and ended up stranded at Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow. Robert was informed of his plight and went to find him. “I quickly identified the fisher, who was from Ghana, sitting on a bench looking scared and lost. He had no money and was so grateful to see a friendly face. By now it was after 6 pm and a storm was raging. Stella Maris paid for a hotel room for the fisher to spend the night. He was glad to be away from the bus station and in the comfort of the hotel. I made sure he had a phone charger so he could keep in touch with his family and myself, and I gave him some money for essentials. Because of the storm, he had to spend a second night in the hotel. Acting on advice from the International Transport Workers Federation, I persuaded the fisher to return to Campbeltown, where his boat was anchored, to report the alleged abuse by the captain to the local police station, which he did.” A resolution was reached, and the fisher has now started working on a different vessel in Scotland. “He was very grateful for the assistance that I gave him,” said Robert. These simple acts of kindness by Stella Maris port chaplains and ship visitors mean so much to seafarers who are far from home and feeling isolated. Let us also on this Sea Sunday pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris. More stories can be read from the Archdiocese’s website:  www.rcadc.org/a-good-samaritan-at-sea-how-stella-maris-cares-for-seafarers-far-fromhome/ There is a Second Collection for Stella Maris this weekend

Christian Family Life When Jesus came to this world, He did not chose to suddenly appear in the midst of people or no one knows where He came from, and began His Mission and Ministry that the Father have given Him. Instead He chose to born in a humble family, grew up in a family, and was subject to His parents. This shows us the importance of a good family life, since family is meant to be a place of nurturing the future of our next generation. The example of the Holy Family at Nazareth showed us the fruit that it will bear when the Holy Child was raised in a family that was in union with God, abided to the Law, and loved each other and their neighbours. St John Vianney said in one of his Sermons: "The family received from God a threefold mission: The care of the material life, the spiritual life and the supernatural life." Not only the child's physical body requires its tender loving care, but the soul also needs to be 'cultivate' - parents has the responsibility and necessary to bring God into their family and which in turn will bring God into their children's life. And this is the best gift that parents can ever give to their children. Since luxury food, clothes and toys are temporal, only good for a period of time. Yet God is Eternal, Whom can affect the rest of their life, even eternity. And God is Love, which means you are also bringing love into the family, and from love there will be joy, peace, patience, kindness, protection, trust, hope... So how to bring God into our lives? Pray together, especially the Rosary. Have you ever heard that 'The family pray the Rosary together, stays together'? Read the Word of God with your children, set some time aside everyday to read the Bible. Attend Mass as a family, at least every Sunday and worthily receive the Holy Communion. Whatever the parents did, often stayed in the children’s memories, and whatever you feed their thoughts with, they absorb like sponge. Therefore, fill your children with the knowledge about God, Who is the source of all Goodness. In Him, they will find true happiness, and one day their happiness will also become your own happiness.

“Our hope is grounded in the knowledge that the Lord never abandons us: He is always at our side.” Pope Leo XIV expressed this at the Mass for the ordination of the 32 new priests that took place in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 27 June, which also marks the Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. Pope Leo continued, “At the same time, we are called to cooperate with Him, above all by putting the Eucharist at the centre of our lives, in as much as it is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’” Also the Pope recalled that in the first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel describes God as a shepherd who watches over his flock, counting his sheep one by one, seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, and strengthening the weak and sick. “He thus reminds us, in this age of vast and devastating conflicts, that the love of God has no limits...We are called to let ourselves be embraced and shaped by that love, and to realize that in God’s eyes—and our own as well— there is no place for division and hatred of any kind.” Towards the end, the Pope reminded that from the earliest communities on, the Church has raised up priests who have been martyrs, tireless apostles, missionaries, and champions of charity. “Cherish this treasure: learn their stories, study their lives and work, imitate their virtues, be inspired by their zeal, and invoke their intercession often and insistently!... Keep their memory alive by your own example of fidelity.”  (Read the full article on: www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-leo-xiv-at-ordinationmass-may-priests-be-shaped-by-gods-love/ )

“‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest...” (Luke 10:2) O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. 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.

This Sunday 6th July 3 pm Join Archbishop Mark, clergy and fellow pilgrims for the Procession through the streets of Cardiff. The procession begins from the University Chaplaincy on Park Place. We will walk together along Gorsedd Gardens Road, past the Museum  and City Hall, then cross Greyfriars Road to the Friary, continues along Queen Street and finishes at the Cathedral with Benediction. Followed by refreshments at The Cornerstone. All are welcome!

TODAY there is a second collection for Peter’s Pence What is Peter’s Pence? It is an offering that may be small, but is of great symbolic value: It expresses the sense of belonging to the Church and love and trust for the Holy Father. It is a tangible sign of communion with Him, as Peter’s Successor, and also of attention to the needs of the most disadvantaged, for whom the Pope always cares. Peter's Pence's aims ● To support the Holy Father’s mission, which extends throughout the entire world. ● To support the numerous charitable works in aid of people and families in difficulty, populations afflicted by natural disasters and wars,  or who are in need of humanitarian assistance or support for development.

Come to the Quiz ! The Parish is holding a quiz in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association Wednesday 9th July The Community Hall, Bedford Street 6.30pm Admission fee: £5 Please support this charity. For more information contact Peter on 07906 101015