A Parish of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, registered charity No 242380

Parish Contacts

The Priory 67 Talbot St. Canton, Cardiff

tel: (029) 20 230 492

Parishes of St. Mary’s and Holy Family new email address is: canton@rcadc.org

Canon Peter Collins

e-mail: peter.collins@rcadc.org

Fr Nick Williams

e-mail: nicholas.williams@rcadc.org

Deacon Professor Maurice Scanlon

e-mail: maurice.scanlon@rcadc.org

tel (029) 2021 2651

Deacon Christian Mahoney

Contact details to follow

Retired Priest in Residence:

Monsignor Canon John Maguire

Website: cardiffwestcatholics.org.uk

Bank details for standing orders, which are directly linked to the respective parish accounts are as follows:

Account name: Archdiocese of Cardiff

Sort code: 20-18-23 (for both)

St Mary’s Acc No: 03285375

Holy Family Acc No: 63656861

St Mary’s SVP contact number 07731847622.

Parish Safeguarding Reps

Mrs Ellery Hennessy (Holy Family)

Mr Jack Meggitt-Phillips (St Mary of the Angels)

Primary Headteachers:

Holy Family

Mrs Louise Mills Tel: 20565354

St. Mary’s

Miss Claire Russell Tel: 2022 5680

Secondary Headteachers:

Corpus Christi

Mr Patrick Brunnock Tel: 20761893

Mary Immaculate

Mr Huw Powell Tel: 2059 3465

St David’s 6th Form College

Readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent

II Samuel7:1-5, 8-12, 14-16. King David said to the prophet Nathan, “Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the Ark of God dwells in a tent.” For many years David cherished his intention to build a Temple for the Lord. Nathan’s first reaction is to concur with David’s wish, for the Lord had undoubtedly blessed David. However, the Lord soon instructed Nathan to proclaim that David was not the man to build a Temple. David had been called by God to leave his pastures so as to stand at the head of God’s ‘Chosen People’. King David led the people to victory over their enemies and established for them a secure dwelling place. Pride and lust, however, caused David to sin grievously against the Lord. Despite this, God was merciful and promised that David’s House would enjoy an enduring sovereignty. The original script of today’s extract from the Second Book of Samuel was edited on a number of occasions through the centuries. God’s promise of an enduring sovereignty for the House of David had to be defended and explained to account for the division of the nation, the degeneration of the monarchy, repeated invasion and exile. Over many generations, Israel had to learn that the inheritance promised to David would be fulfilled not through an earthly monarchy but through the establishment of a messianic kingdom. Psalm 88. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord. Romans 16:25-27. The conclusion of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans sums up his entire message, that the mystery kept secret for seemingly endless ages has now been revealed in Jesus Christ. We have been privileged to know this mystery, privileged to have received an invitation to enter into its depths. Although the Church has 1.5 billion members, the current popu-lation of the Earth is around 8 billion. When we consider the history of world, as well as the current scenario, we should be struck by how few have heard yet alone embraced the Gospel. As Christmas approaches, let us re-dedicate ourselves to the task of evangelisation. We must jour-ney to the horizons of human experience across the expanse of space and time. Until the last day dawns, the Gospel must be proclaimed. The call goes out, ‘Come and behold the One long promised, the One long awaited, the Light of the World.’ Luke 1:26-38. “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.” Today’s Gospel text is laden with symbolism taken from the Hebrew Scripture, the Old Testament. The fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecy is but one strand of what is revealed. There are allusions to other ‘annunciations’ regarding the births of Isaac, Samson and Samuel. The angel’s greeting – “Rejoice, so highly favoured!” – is rarely employed across the Scriptures and is reserved for messianic passages. This special favour brings a special mis-sion. In times long past. God overshadowed the ‘Tent of Meeting’. The time has come when God overshadows a young woman, inviting her to become the Mother of God. Mary was a faithful child of the Old Cove-nant but she was being invited to become the Ark of the New and Eter-nal Covenant. Mary did not fully understand the implications of what was being asked of her, but by faith she fully embraced the vocation being entrusted to her. Through her very humility, Mary would come to know the full majesty of what was being revealed. She would accept and cradle the Divine Word in her heart, in her womb and then in her arms.

Holy Family: David Rogers, Catherine Driscoll, Kay & Paul Parris, Sheila Ferriter, Bernard Perry, Collette Griffin, Vivian Miller, Valentine, Brian Webster, Henry Fernandez, Hanna Marenghi, Mary Bodman, Susanna, Martin, Gary Sutton, Chris Collins, Louise Macpherson.

St Mary’s: Fr Christopher Delaney, Bethan Williams, Jean Allen, Madison Lane, John & Marian Lamb, Jean Hayman, Nadasiri Ifada, Cecily Hughes, James Church, Anthony Jackson, Margaret Griffiths, Tom Hopkins, Joanne Coakley, Helen Ward, Doreen Utley, Carina Foster, Ben Foster, Maria Sullivan, Thomas Hyde (now living in Canada), Ivan Sadka, Mary D’Alpa, Richard Watson, Robert Partridge.

Prayer for the Sick

Holy Family & St Mary of the Angels Keyston Rd, Fairwater CF5 3NP Kings Rd, Canton CF11 9BX

MASSES FROM SUNDAY 20th DECEMBER TO MORNING MASS ON THURSDAY 24th DECEMBER. MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS CAN BE FOUND ON THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER. Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent (20th Dec.) 10am Sam Cross 12pm Intentions for the Thomas Family 6pm Pro Populo (For the People of the Parish) Monday of the 4th Week of Advent (21st Dec.) 9.30am Jackie Cogh / Ints of Hilary Coulson 11.00am Funeral Mass for Mr Richard Fleming Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent (22nd Dec.) 9.30am Graham Jones 12.15pm John & Renate O’Malley 7-8pm Adoration & Benediction Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent (23rd Dec.) 9.30am Antonino & Joseph D’Alpa 12.15pm NO MASS Thursday of the 4th Week of Advent (24th Dec.) 9.30am Mario Azzopardi / William ‘Billy’ Brown 12.15pm NO MASS THE SEASON OF ADVENT CONCLUDES The Holy Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays will resume on 12th January. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be cele- brated on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11am.

St Mary’s Masses

20th-27th December 2020 4th Sunday of Advent Cycle B

Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent (20th Dec.) 6pm Vigil Mass Lily Faggin 11am Joseph O’Leary

Holy Family Masses

Please pray for the eternal repose of the following:

Mr Richard Fleming R.I.P. - The Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Mary of the Angels on Monday 21st December at 11am.

Ms Elzbieta Lebiest R.I.P. – The Funeral Ser-vice will be celebrated at Cardiff and Glamorgan Crematorium on Wednesday 23rd December at 10.00am. Mrs Mary Molloy R.I.P. – The Funeral Service will be celebrated at St Mary’s on Wednesday 30th December at 12.00pm. Mrs Mary Protheroe R.I.P. – The Funeral Ser-vice will be celebrated at St Mary’s on Thursday 7th January at 11.00am.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Amen.

Recently died

I recently had a telephone conversation with Carina Foster who informed me that her youngest son Ben had suffered a stroke. Ben is just 40 years of age. As many of you will know, Carina herself suffered a stroke earlier in the year. Please keep them in your prayers.

We extend our best wishes to our sick and housebound parishioners and once again offer them the assurance of our prayers.

Please see the separate Christmas newsletter for all of the Masses from the Christmas Eve Vigil Masses up to the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday 10th January.

A Prayer by St Alphonsus Liguori.

My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

A Prayer by St Thomas More.

Give me, good Lord, a longing to be with You … give me warmth, delight and quickness in thinking upon You. And give me Your grace to long for Your holy sacraments, and specially to rejoice in the presence of Your blessed Body, Sweet Saviour Christ, in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

ACTS OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me of my sin. I acknowledge my offence; my sin is before me always. Psalm 50:4-5.

Father, I have sinned against you and am not worthy to be called your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner. Luke 15:18; 18:13.

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do pen-ance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

O my God, because you are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you, and with the help of your grace I will not sin again.

LET US DAILY OPEN OUR HEARTS IN CONTRITION TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND REMIND OURSELVES HOW ESSENTIAL IT IS TO GRANT MERCY IF WE EVER EXPECT

TO RECEIVE MERCY.

PRAYER OF SORROW / ACT OF CONTRITION

PRAYER FOR WALES

O Almighty God, who in your infinite goodness have sent your only-begotten Son into this world to open once more the gates of heaven, and to teach us how to know, love and serve you, have mercy on your people who dwell in Wales. Grant to them the precious gift of faith, and unite them in the one true Church founded by your divine Son: that, acknowledging her authority and obeying her voice, they may serve you, love you, and worship you as you desire in this world, and obtain for themselves ever-lasting happiness in the world to come. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady, Help of Christians, pray for Wales.

Saint David, pray for Wales.

Saint Winefride, pray for Wales.

COULD I ASK FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS TO STEP FORWARD

TO ASSIST IN BOTH OUR PARISHES. The necessary training can now be undertaken on-line, though we will provide on-site training for those who cannot access the internet. Could new volunteers please contact Fr Nicholas or myself for details.

MORE STEWARDS REQUIRED

Please keep Baby Jack and his family in your prayers following his Baptism at St Mary’s on Saturday 19th December.

Baptism news

PRAYERS WITH PARTICULAR RELEVANCE DURING THE SEASON OF ADVENT

THE ANGELUS V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary:

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, … .

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

R. Be it done unto me according to your word. Hail Mary, … .

V. And the Word was made flesh:

R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, … .

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of

Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and Cross be

brought to the glory of his Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MAGNIFICAT My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her low-liness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed. The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy his name! His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him. He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted. He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly. He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty. He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy, the mercy promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

St Mary’s Would all holders of red Mission boxes please count and bag the contents of your boxes, writ-ing your name, parish and the total amount on a slip of paper in the bag, then return them to church after Mass or directly to the Priory. Many thanks for your assistance. Holy Family Please either bring the boxes, or ideally the counted contents to Mass on Saturday or Sunday up until Christmas, or contact Phil Smith on 07305571513, 02920306210 or pwsprint@hotmail.co.uk and he will collect them from their homes, following Covid guidelines. Anyone wishing to become a box hold-er should contact Phil. If any one should wish to make a one off donation it would be gratefully received.

MISSION ‘RED BOX’ MATERIAL.

There are two items available on the tables located near the exit of St Mary’s Church for those who host a Mission ‘Red Box’ at home – a 2021 Calendar and a Mission Prayer Card.

If you wish to join the ‘Red Box Family’ then please collect one of the information leaflets that are avail-able at the same location.

RED MISSION BOXES

Parish Offertory Collection at St Mary’s amounted to £ 406.75

St Mary’s Standing Orders per week amount to £ 600.00

Parish Offertory Collection at Holy Family amounted to £ 474.17

Holy Family Standing Orders per week amount to £ 250.00

WHY NOT GIFT-AID ALL YOUR PARISH DONATIONS?

FINANCE & PROPERTY

2021 EDITION OF THE ARCH-DIOCESAN AND PROVINCIAL DIRECTORY AND YEARBOOK

Copies of the 2021 Directory and Year-book are now on sale for £3.00. Every Catholic home should have a copy!

ST VINCENT'S, THE SVP COMMUNITY SHOP in Tremorfa, is seeking volunteers to help with several tasks but mainly sorting donations of clothing, toys, books and household objects. Any volunteer with an ability to help with minor 'odd-jobs' would also be welcome. If you are able to give a few hours or more per week, please phone the manager, Anna Styles, on 029 2049 0124.

CHRISTMAS MASSES We are now at capacity at both parish churches, though some places are being reserved for the house-

bound who may not yet have registered. The schedule of Masses will be as follows: *** Thursday 24th December – Christmas Eve.

6.00.pm Mass at St Mary’s.

6.00.pm Mass at Holy Family.

9.00.pm Mass at St Mary’s.

N.B. All three Masses will be celebrated with the texts of the Night Mass.

*** Friday 25th December – Christmas Day.

10.00.am Mass at St Mary’s.

10.00.am Mass at Holy Family.

12.00.pm Mass at St Mary’s.

12.00.pm Mass at Holy Family.

N.B. All four Masses will be celebrated with the texts of the Day Mass.

*** The Mass schedule for Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th will be as normal.

We ask that, as the primary point of reference, parishioners kindly check their seating allocation with

the stewards at the back of Masses if possible. For those unable to check their name themselves after

Sunday Mass, we would be grateful if you could kindly email Fr Nicholas or leave a message via tele-

phone or voicemail and we will endeavour to get back to you with confirmation. In which case, we

would kindly ask you to be patient in awaiting a response, since both priests are extremely busy at the

moment. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all.

CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES

Christmas Offering Envelopes are available for collection at both churches. The Christmas and Easter Offerings constitute half of the annual income of your priests. Due to the Lock-Down in the Spring, Fr Nicholas and myself (together with our fellow priests across the Archdiocese) lost the contribu-tions that would normally have been offered last Easter, though we were most grateful to those parishioners who delivered donations directly to The Priory. We are both very conscious that many people are suffering financial constraints. May I simply thank you for your consideration and continuing generosity.

I am most grateful to Fr Nicholas, who has coordinated our allocation of places across the Christmas Masses in both parishes. He has ensured that we are accommodating as many people as possible. The grouping of family bubbles enables us to expand the provision beyond our normal Sunday capacities. It will be necessary to arrive in good time for whichever Mass you are attending and I invite you to be patient with our stewards as they welcome you and guide you to your place. May I take this oppor-tunity to express my gratitude once more to our cohort of stewards for the generosity displayed through their service that has enabled both parishes to function during these extraordinary times. Each and every one of them will receive a little Christmas present from the parish in recognition of their contribution.

ARRIVAL AT CHRISTMAS MASSES AND SEATING ALLOCATION

Over recent months, Pat discovered a number of unusual outgoings from the St Mary’s account. Her enquiries highlighted the fact that these outgoings were via the parish debit card. Having assured Pat that I was not syphoning off funds via some American company, further investigation was undertaken with forensic enthusiasm. Pat accumulated all the relevant information, which we then shared with Barclays Bank. With the help of a very cooperative adviser, during a two hour phone call, we were able to identify and disentangle the pattern of fraudulent activity. Happily we have been reimbursed for our losses and the investigation will be carried forward by the bank. I had not realised that Pat’s second surname was Marple. My thanks to Pat for her diligence and persistence.

A Word of Thanks to our Parish Secretary

Mr Christian Mahoney was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Archbishop Stack on Sunday 13th December in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Although the number of people able to join the congrega-tion was limited due to the pandemic restrictions, the celebration was joyful and dignified. One of Deacon Christian’s two daughters, who is reading medicine at Cardiff University, sang the ‘Ave Maria’ during the ceremony. His wife, Esther, presented the diaconal dalmatic to the Archbishop and then assisted her husband to vest. As I mentioned last week, Christian has been undertaking formation over the past three years and I have been serving as his tutor. He is a solicitor, in partnership with his father. For many years Chris-tian has served as Chair of the Governing Body at St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College. He has been strongly influenced by Jesuit spirituality and has maintained strong links with the Society of Jesus. With the close cooperation of his wife, Esther, Christian has coordinated many Days of Recol-lection within the Archdiocese. In advance of the recent National Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool, Archbishop Stack called on Christian to coordinate our archdiocesan preparation and participation. Christian is a member of the Episcopal Conference Committee for Spirituality. Through the vocation of his marriage and by his service to the life of the Archdiocese in many arenas, Christian has already contributed greatly to the local Church. Sustained by the sacramental grace of his ordination, Christian’s ministry as a deacon will further expand the horizons of his service. After his many years of enquiry and discernment, we give thanks that the day of his ordination has dawned. I CAN NOW ANNOUNCE THAT DEACON CHRISTIAN WILL BE JOINING OUR PASTO-RAL TEAM HERE AT ST MARY’S AND HOLY FAMILY. I AM DELIGHTED THAT THE ARCHBISHOP HAS MADE THIS APPOINTMENT IN RECOGNITION OF THE GROWING PASTORAL DEMANDS ACROSS THE WEST OF CARDIFF. WHEN WE EVENTUALLY EMERGE FROM THE RESTRICTIONS BEING IMPOSED UPON US AS A RESULT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES TO DISCUSS AND AD-DRESS. AS YOU KNOW, THE BUILDING OF 6,000 HOMES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF HOLY FAMILY PARISH PRESENTS A GREAT CHALLENGE TO OUR CAPACITY TO WELCOME NEWCOMERS AND TO EVANGELISE THE MANY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD THE GOSPEL.

THE REVEREND DEACON CHRISTIAN MAHONEY

As previously announced, the Archdiocese was recognised by the Heritage Lottery Community Fund as a valued partner in the effort to distribute financial support to those who are experiencing signifi-cant hardship as a result of the pandemic. Our parishes have received over £10,000 from the Archdi-ocese for application to a number of projects. With the energetic involvement of pupils and staff from Mary Immaculate Catholic Hight School, our network of parish volunteers have distributed some 300 Christmas Hampers and will soon be distributing a significant number of food vouchers to families in need.

In response to the invitation from Deacon Maurice, many parishioners having been contributing funds to the ‘Feed the Hungry’ Project, supplementing the sums channelled to us by the Archdiocese. The Society of St Vincent De Paul has also been involved in the project in addition to its own estab-lished pattern of supporting those in need. The work will go on into the New Year. I wish to thank our network of volunteers from both parishes who have helped in so many ways. Many of the volun-teers are those who would have helped with the Homeless Shelter had it been operational. A particu-lar word of thanks to Deacon Maurice for his great efforts in coordinating the project so successfully.

A WORD OF THANKS TO DEACON MAURICE AND TO THE NETWORK OF OUR PARISH VOLUNTEERS

As many of you will be aware, I am the Clergy Advisor on Safeguarding for the Archdiocese. The Independent Inquiry on Safeguarding, that was established by the Government a few years ago, has been publishing a sequence of reports regarding the safeguarding record of various national institu-tions, including religious bodies. A few months ago the Commission published its report on the Anglican Church and then a few weeks ago there came its report on the Catholic Church in England and Wales. This report was highly critical of some individuals and also described some systemic fail-ures.

Whilst acknowledging the Commission’s findings, it is necessary to state that the Catholic Church in England and Wales has achieved a great deal over the past twenty-five years in matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. Back in 1995 I was nominated as the Bishop’s Dele-gate for Safeguarding when I was sent to attend the first national Catholic conference on safeguard-ing. Later that year two other priests were appointed to join me in the task of fashioning our archdi-ocesan response to the recommendations that emerged from that first conference. Fr John Maguire was one of those priests. Fr John and I have worked closely together on these matters ever since, in cooperation with our Archdiocesan Safeguarding Commission that itself has evolved over these years.

The members of the Commission bring a vast amount of expertise and experience to the essential task entrusted to them. The membership consists of a retired District Judge, a Solicitor, a Medical G.P., two Social Workers who practice within the Court and Probation Service, a Canon Lawyer, to-gether with representatives of male and female Religious Orders and Congregations. Our recently ap-pointed Safeguarding Co-ordinator is a retired Police Inspector who in recent years has delivered safeguarding training for the Lucy Faithful Foundation and the NSPCC. Fr John had the experience of dealing with a perpetrator within St Mary’s Priory (Jordan) and I had the experience of succeeding another perpetrator (Lloyd) as Parish Priest of Chepstow. In that instance, only two of my parishion-ers came forward to identify themselves as victims of Lloyd within the context of the two court tri-als, but I was personally aware of sixteen others and these told me that there were many more.

In the new year I will be co-ordinating the writing and publication of a full statement for dissemina-tion across the Archdiocese. This statement will provide details of what is being done, day in and day out, across the network of our parishes and religious communities. The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has already published a report on how to further improve our structures so as to ensure a safe environment.

I will end by simply thanking our two current Parish Safeguarding Representatives, Ellery and Jack. Another word of thanks to Patricia McCormack who served so effectively as P.S.R. at St Mary’s for many years.

SAFEGUARDING WITHIN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CARDIFF

A NOTE FROM DEACON MAURICE

1) I am hoping to raise money to help those in need in our community over the winter months. The fund will be used for such things as food parcels, Christmas hampers, children’s toys and food vouchers. We are also looking into the possibility of starting a temporary food bank based at St Mary’s to comple-ment that which is already in operation through Phil Smith and Neil O’Toole (‘Feeding Fairwater’) at Holy Family. If you are willing and able to contribute to this fund please contact me on 07747038274 or email: mfscanlon@hotmail.co.uk or contact either Canon Peter/Fr Nick.

2) If you can donate food items (Tinned meals, soup, vegetables, chopped tomatoes and/or cereals, long

life milk, biscuits, crisps, squash etc) please contact us as above or Phil Smith on 07305571513 or 02920306210 or bring along to St Mary’s Priory. With many thanks for your ongoing generosity in these troubled times. God bless you all and keep safe and patient.