New Lectionaries As was mentioned a few weeks ago from 1st Sunday of Advent 2024 (1st December) the translation of the Lectionaries we use at all our services is changing. From that date on we will be using the New English Standard Version (ESV) Catholic Edition and the Abbey Psalter for the psalms. This is a change that affects the whole of the English-speaking Church. To that end we have pre-ordered the new Lectionaries from the publishers The Catholic Truth Society. The cost for the new lectionaries is substantial. Fr John Patrick is asking for donations towards the set of lectionaries that will be used in both parishes. Blessed Sacrament Parish: Lectionary (Ambo Edition) (4 volumes) £695.00 Book of Gospels (Processional Edition) £395.00
The Holy Ghost (der heilige Geist) used to be the forgotten person of the Trinity. Perhaps from being a spirit, since for many people today, only tangible, material things are the whole of reality ... Read more within the newsletter
Advert for Executive Headteacher. The Mary immaculate and St Teilos Catholic Primary Schools Federation is now recruiting to appoint a permanent Catholic Executive Headteacher. Interested parties can contact the Chair of Governors Mr P Mansfield - contact here . The closing date is the 10th June 2024
Are you in years 9-13? Do you want to spend some time getting to know other young Catholics? The Cardiff and Menevia Youth Council is offering you the opportunity for a few days away in beautiful St. David’s, Pembrokeshire, to relax, pray, talk, walk, eat and have fun together. July 24th – 28th. The cost £250 for four nights at St. David’s Bunkhouses, including coach travel and all meals.
Saturday 18th May at 11.00 am . Last month a small number of St Bride’s parishioners joined members of the local Anglican and Methodist communities in a walk of Witness to the church of St David Penllergaer, Church in Wales. The fruit of which is that Fr John Patrick is organising a Whitsun Walk of Witness from the Church of St Bride’s, Pontarddulais to the Blessed Sacrament, Gorseinon. Everyone who is able is encouraged to participate. Invitations to our fellow local churches are being issued.
There will be a family quiz night on Friday 24th May at 7pm . Tickets are £5 each (children free). There will be a bring and share buffet and a glass of wine. Soft drinks will also be available. We have a great quizmaster lined up and in promises to be a fun night! There is a list of food items in the porch, please choose what you would like to bring and sign your name beside the item.
Gift Aid As you appreciate, we are enduring a tough time as the cost of living is increasing. Many are struggling to put food on the tables and are resorting to Foodbanks on a regular basis. If you are a taxpayer the Gift Aid Scheme enable charities such as ours to claim the tax on the contributions you make to the parish, small or large. It costs you nothing but is a lifeline for us. Thankfully quite a number of parishioners are signed up but it is important that where possible we try to take full advantage of this scheme to benefit our parish’s needs. And thanks go to all those in the Blessed Sacrament parish and St Bride’s parish who currently gift aid and on last years contributions we reclaimed nearly £3000 and £180 respectively from the Inland Revenue. If you are a taxpayer and willing for the parish to claim the tax you have already paid on your parish contribution, then please complete a Gift Aid Form at the back of the church and return it to Fr John Patrick. Standing Orders We abolished the use of weekly collection envelopes in the wake of the COVID Pandemic simply because the cost of the envelopes with diminishing users was becoming unviable. At the time I asked if parishioners would be so kind and set up a Standing Order with their bank to assure a regular income and also to cut down on administration of the Gift Aid scheme. This has proven to be very helpful. Therefore, I invite you (if you haven’t already set up a Standing Order) to consider doing so. This would be of great help to the parish.
It is a long-held tradition within the Church that a priest is asked to offer up the Sacrifice of the Mass for specific intentions. This tradition has in recent memory tended to fade a little. To have a mass offered is to give thanks and praise for a blessing that has been received or to ask that the freedom and grace won by Jesus’ death of the Cross and celebrated in his resurrection be imparted for someone who is sick or has died. Praying for the Holy Souls is a great act of charity and reminds us that the Lord is the Lord of all, living or dead. When requesting a mass, it is usually accompanied by a stipend which is an offering to the priest. If he does accept the request, he enters a contract to celebrate a mass or series of masses if a stipend is given. He is at liberty to accept or decline the request. In some cases where he has too many mass intentions, he may send the surplus to fellow priests who have fewer or no mass stipends. It is to be noted that the stipend is taxable as it forms part of the priest’s means of income. While there is no set amount for a mass stipend as it is an offering it is suggested that £10 be sufficient. Kindly note that at present dates up until mid-June are no longer available as all have masses booked.
Reflection - Last Will and Testament In the gospel we have just heard Our Lord’s final instructions, his Last Will and Testament. Just before leaving them, he reminds them of what he expects of them. Earlier he had sent them out to spread the Kingdom of God. Those who go in his name, do so with his authority. The authority goes with the mission, so to speak. In Matthew’s version he now adds this great promise, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Mark says that the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it”. And Luke emphasises that they will be “clothed with power from on high”, that is, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is very definite about what he has to say. Like any gathering of people, the feelings of his disciples were varied. But he sends them out to speak and act in his name. Their mission was both easy and hard: easy to understand but hard to carry out. It was to teach others all that he had taught them. Just as he asked them to follow his way, they were to ask that others should follow that way too. Has a doctor ever put you on a course of antibiotics. The most basic guidance about antibiotics is to complete the course. Even if the patient starts to feel well after a few days, to discontinue taking the medicine can let their condition grow worse. Similarly, the message of salvation must continue to be shared until the end of time. With all the changes in the church and in society, neither Jesus nor his message have changed. His Gospel remains a call to live our lives to the full. You write a new page of the gospel each day, through all that you do and whatever you say. Others read what you write, be it faithful or true. So what is the gospel according to you? He is with us always. This can be a real help against loneliness. Being alone is not the same as being lonely. One can feel lonely in a crowded street; or alternatively, like Cicero, never less alone than when alone ( “minus solum, quam cum solus”). This applies especially to those who believe the promise, “l am with you always.” Talking with him doesn’t even need words. If we are open to His presence in our heart, and treasure it, we can experience fully that “Joy of the Gospel” so warmly described for us by our good Pope Francis. © Irish Association of Catholic Priests.
The Church Grounds at the Blessed Sacrament Church Each year the parish has been paying near £1000 for a local company to maintain the grass and trees at the Blessed Sacrament Church. Given the need to raise funds for the renovation of the church Fr John Patrick is asking for volunteers to step in and take on the task as he is trying to save money. Will you be willing to help? Please contact him as soon as possible. Teas and Coffees This year we began making available Teas and Coffee every two weeks after the Sunday morning mass. It has proven to be a great time for us to get to know each other in a social gathering. The teams who organise them would appreciate a few more helpers to assist. Please speak to them if you are willing. Parish Film Club This continues to be greatly enjoyed by those among us who come regularly. The team that organise this afternoon out are also looking for a helper or two this month as members of the team are taking a holiday. The task is not onerous by any means. If you are a film buff and willing to help, please see Anna Bruty, Sue, or David Doherty. Collection Counters We have two volunteers who regularly assist in the counting of the collection. We need a few more volunteers to help in this task to ensure the ongoing integrity of accountability in matters financial. It is hoped that we can build up a sufficient team to start a counters rota. Please see Kevin Boyt, Trevor Jones, or Fr John Patrick if you would like to volunteer.