Reflection - Forth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Webmaster • January 27, 2024

The theme for Racial Justice Sunday          “Seeing one another in the life of the Church”.


Bishop’s Message for Racial Justice Sunday


Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Racial Justice, offers a short message for Racial Justice Sunday. This year’s day is celebrated in England and Wales on Sunday, 28 January 2024. Bishop Paul explains the theme and offers Catholics suggestions to mark the day. One key focus is for us to look at our ‘saints of colour’, men and women who made their life’s work to oppose racism and to promote equality and justice.


Hello. My name is Bishop Paul McAleenan. The theme of Racial Justice Sunday in England and Wales in 2024 is ‘Seeing one another in the life of the Church’. There are different ways that the theme could be approached. I would like to suggest one particular way.


In the history of the Church, there have been those who looked at the society in which they lived, and responded to what they saw. They looked, made a decision based on what they saw, and acted. Alert and sensitive as they were to the commandments of Christ, when they saw justice being denied to someone because of their racial origin or colour, they were prompted to act. Their actions of opposing racism, promoting equality and justice, became their life’s work. Following this path, sometimes they encountered hostility, rejection, and attempts to overturn what they were doing.


However, they persevered and became instruments of change, agents of progress, and some are acknowledged as saints of the Church. There are many, many saints in the Church. Each is different. Each chose to follow a particular aspect of the person of Jesus.


Some saw Jesus as a teacher and devoted their lives to teaching. Some followed Jesus as one who loved the sick, and opened hospices and hospitals. Others saw Jesus as the friend of the poor and gave witness to that. Among the saints are those who remembered the words of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right. They shall be satisfied.” And then they spent their lives working that everyone would be treated justly, with fairness and without discrimination.


For Racial Justice Sunday this year, can I suggest that you explore the lives of those great men and women – those who devoted their lives to the pursuit of racial justice, those who emulated God’s passion for justice, which we read about in the scriptures.


They will inspire us, teach us, and make us sensitive to the importance of racial justice and why we work for it.


May we too, like them, see one another in the life of the Church

Blessing of the Graves

By Webmaster • October 26, 2026
St. Bride’s Church: After 9.30am Mass on 2nd Nov 26 at Rhydgoch Cemetery.  Blessed Sacrament Church: After 10.30am Mass on Sunday 8th Nov 26 at Kingsbridge Cemetery.

Parish Clean up

By Webmaster • October 26, 2026
On Tuesday 3rd November after 9.30am mass some parishioners are meeting to undertake a clean up of the parish hall kitchen.  If anyone else is free more people would be quite welcome. There will be coffee and cake afterwards.

Sick & Retired Clergy Fund: 31st Oct/1st Nov.

By Webmaster • October 26, 2026
Next weekend there will be a second collection for the Diocese’s Sick & Retired Clergy Fund. The fund makes a vital contribution to providing our priests with a secure and dignified retirement. Making a donation is one way in which we can simply say ‘thank you’ for the service these priests have given to Christ, the Church and our parish communities. Please support them to the best of your abilities .

NOVEMBER DEAD LIST – MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS

By Webmaster • October 25, 2026
November is traditionally the month of the Holy Souls, when we remember and pray for our deceased loved ones. Envelopes are available at the entrance of the church. Please write the names of those you wish to be remembered at Mass and return the envelope to the church.

Date for your Diary

By Webmaster • October 25, 2026
Saturday 12th December 26 . A fundraising cabaret. Further details nearer to the time.

African Night Celebration

By Webmaster • October 25, 2026
What are you doing on Saturday 21st November 26 , between 5pm and 9pm? Well what about coming along to our African Night Celebration? There will be African dishes and treats, Cultural dresses and presentations as well as bingo and a raffle. Tickets are available to purchase from the following people:  • Dr Vivian Osuchukwu • Dr Maria Adeboboye The tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children under 15. Proceeds go to the church. We are also looking for donations for the raffle.

Our Lady's lamp

By Stephen Nessman • October 25, 2026
Our Lady’s Lamp - Intentions week commencing 25th October 2026 Blessed Sacrament Nancy & Ron Powell RIP (SM) St Bride’s No Intention If you wish Our Lady’s Lamp to be lit for a loved one or an intention, please let us know. A donation of £5 is suggested and the candle will be lit all week in the church

Diocesan Newsletter October 2026

By Webmaster • October 17, 2026
Archdiocesan Newsletter is now available for October at: https://mailchi.mp/rcadc/july-2026-newsletter-archdioceseof-cardiff-menevia-12939030 -

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

By Webmaster • October 17, 2026
Today is World Mission Sunday Today, parishes worldwide celebrate World Mission Sunday. By supporting Missio – the Pope’s charity for world mission – we stand united as God’s global family, in prayer, solidarity and action. The Holy Father has chosen the theme ‘One in Christ, united in mission’ to celebrate 100 years of World Mission Sunday and encourages us to unite with missionaries as they strive to reach out with God’s love to communities in need. Please pray for the work of mission and give what you can to this vital collection.  To donate, use the Missio envelope, call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or visit missio.org.uk to give a gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible. Today’s Second Collection will be for Missio.

Parish Contact List

By Webmaster • October 17, 2026
We need to update our parish contact list to ensure we have your names, address, email and telephone numbers in case we need to contact you. So please take a census form from the porch , complete it and put it in the box in the porch once complete. None of the information you give is given to anyone outside of the church. ( This applies to Blessed Sacrament only. St. Bride’s will be updated in November)