On the Way of the Cross (1) I was just passing by with my children on the way back home after finished work. But my journey was halted by this big crowd and procession, which I was told that was due to three men is going to get executed. I do not know any of them. Before I knew it, a soldier roughly pulled my clothes and ordered me to carry the cross for one of the prisoners. I quickly refused as I want nothing to do with it. My children also got frightened and started crying, but some kind-hearted women took care of them for me. Eventually out of fear I was forced to comply, but I was so annoyed and unwilling to walk with someone who is so dejected and full of dirt and blood. Yet, this ‘prisoner’ wept and cast a look at me from the ground which touched the bottom of my heart. Out of pity, I helped Him to rise, carried the cross and walked behind Him. Along the way, I observed this Man. He was not like a typical prisoner who curses, shouts, hot-tempered, or looked cruel or calculated. Instead, He bore all the insults, hard blows and sufferings patiently. To the women who cried for Him, He even consoled them instead. There was also a woman who dared to confront the enraged crowd in order to refresh Him by wiping His Face! Who is He really? My compassion towards him increased as I carry the cross behind Him, and I felt my heart was deeply touched by grace. My logic told me He is a good man, He is innocent and definitely did not deserve to die. I was then more than willing to help Him in every way I could. I could not remain in silence with all these abuse by the Pharisees and guards towards Him. And I did exclaimed to His torturers that if they continue this brutality, I will throw down the cross and carry it no further… This road certainly was difficult, as well as carried the extremely heavy cross, I also let this poor Man to lean on me so to support Him and saved Him from falling to the ground. Despite I was exhausted when we reached Calvary, I still wished to remain so I might assist Him, but I got driven away, I could not stay. However, I do not want this unforgettable experience to become just a memory. I want to find out about this Man, I want to know everything about Him.  Reflection : We fast during Lent, because we want to repent from our sins thus turn our hearts back to God, and voluntary selfdenial like fasting is a form of penance. However, when we are determine to fast, sometimes we may find ourselves battled with temptations (e.g. felt extreme hunger as if not eaten for days, suddenly received a party invite) and find them hard to resist. Then think about the Passion of Christ when you carry your cross (i.e. fasting), walk behind Jesus like Simon of Cyrene and pity Him, because it is for your sake that He suffered. Follow Him, Our Lord will surely give you grace and strength to carry on, and bring your heart closer to His Love again.

Solemnity of St David Patron of Wales Monday 2 March Mass at 10am All are welcome! Happy St David’s Day! Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus!

This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10. Family Fast Day envelopes and cash will be collected at the end of Mass this weekend.

"Healing through the Penitents Path" Every Tuesday throughout Lent at 7:30pm in St David's Chapel of St Peter’s Church (Entrance through Bedford St) A potentially life changing Includes talks, prayers, sharing, testimonies, and prayer ministry. See poster in Church porch for more info. A must for those seeking God!

Events for young peo ple at Belmont Abbey this March 2026

STATIONS of the CROSS Every Friday during LENT at 6pm Different versions of meditations & prayers will be used

Six Bible Studies on the Lenten Sunday Gospels Starts: Tuesdays 17th February 2026 7pm - 8:15pm Six consecutive Tuesdays: 17 Feb| 24 Feb| 03 Mar| 10 Mar| 17 Mar| 24 Mar Free of Charge. LIVE on YouTube. Registration: comeandsee.org/lent26

Thursday 5th March @ 12noon Community Hall, Bedford Street Two course lunch Cawl / Pudding / Coffee / Tea Wine / Soft Drinks / Music £ 10.00 Tickets available all Masses from this weekend

On the night of betrayal Lord, You know that I love You. Not only I left everything to follow You, I also told You that ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.’, I even have the courage to struck the high priest’s servant with my sword when they tried to arrest You. But then what happened to me? I witnessed silently the utterly unfair tribunal you went through, they chained You like a criminal, but You bore it all patiently and in silence. You got spat on, hit by their fists and sticks, being poured with dirty water, being hurled every imaginable insult; as if there is no bounds to their barbarity, to a point that I could not continue watching. Yet my love for you caused me to stay around in the court of the high priest. Was that a mistake? Three people recognised me and three times I denied. Why did I do that? Where was my courage? Was it because of my instinct to danger? Or my mind was too troubled and grief-stricken? Or was it due to exhaust by the sufferings of this sad night? No, I got no excuse. I went back on my words, I renounced You when I knew You need me most! I know I am no longer to be worthy to walk 'on the water' with You, but in tears I beg You to save me once again as I am drowning in this sea of remorse, do not let me fall into this hole of despair, this hole of no return. I confess that I am a great sinner, I admitted that I have committed this horrible sin in front of You which caused me shudder in fear because I know I deserve eternal damnation. But I remember that You said You came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. I am not afraid of being recognised anymore, and I am ready to proclaim both my fault and repentance to the whole universe. Help me Lord, I trust that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, who has the Power to forgive sin. I boldly ask You to forgive me, because I have this tiny hope and faith that You still Love me, and I trust in your Love. Like a prodigal son in the parable You told us, I now come to you with my contrite heart, because I know that You would also be like the loving father who would never abandon his child. Forgive me, forgive me, Lord, and save me!  Reflection : Lent is a time of repentance. But are we ready to confess our sins? Or do you think you have no sin? Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen told us in his prayer: I see now why Peter was not made Thy first vicar on earth until after he had fallen three times, in order that the Church of which he was the head might forever understand forgiveness and pardon. Jesus, I begin to see that if I had never sinned, I never could call You ‘Saviour’