RIP:

 

Please pray for the soul of Bishop Mark Jabale, who has died recently. His body will be received into St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Swansea for a Mass of Remembrance on Friday30th May, 11am. This will be followed by a Requiem Mass at Belmont Abbey on Thursday5th June, 12 noon. May he rest in peace.

 

Safeguarding:

 

The Archdiocese Safeguarding Team are seeking to recruit a number of volunteers to act as 'Support Persons' across the area of Cardiff-Menevia.

 

Full training and support will be given, as well as out of pocket expenses paid. You will need to apply for the role, attend an interview in June and training in September. Further details on the notice board or from the safeguarding office  safeguarding@rcadc.org

 

 

May - The Month of Mary:

 

Before Mass each Sunday during May, we will pray the Rosary. Please come and join us.

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/catechesis/may-the-month-of-mary/

 

 

An Exhibition on the SHROUD of TURIN:

 

This will take place at St Francis Xavier's Church, Hereford on Sunday 15th June running until Sunday 29th June.

It opens with a talk from international expert, Pam Moon, at 3pm on 15th June.

Do come along to learn about the burial cloth of Jesus which was mentioned in all four Gospels. Is the Turin Shroud one and the same shroud? A life-size photograph of  the shroud which has confounded experts, been venerated by Popes, studied by scientists and survived four fires forms
a part of the Exhibition.

 

Parish pilgrimages welcome, by arrangement, with refreshments provided and a talk by local expert.

 

https://www.sfxhereford.org.uk/contact

 

 

Support Jack on His Pilgrimage to Rome:

 

We are excited to share that one of our young parishioners, Jack Scammells, has been given the wonderful opportunity to attend the Young Adults Catholic Pilgrimage to Rome (Leaving July the 30th ).

This journey promises to be a powerful experience of faith, community, and spiritual growth. During this pilgrimage, there will be the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door and also be present at the canonisation of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati.

 

https://rcadc.org/sign-up-for-our-summer-young-adults-pilgrimage-to-rome-and-assisi/

 

As financially, it can be difficult to commit to these events, and to help make this pilgrimage possible for Jack, the parish have offered to sponsor him. A collection will be taken as you exit the Church on Sunday, 18thMay. Your support, no matter the size, will help Jack take this important step in his faith journey. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

 

In addition, we will be holding a Cake &Coffee Morning on Sunday, 1st June after Mass to raise further funds. Donations of cakes—whether home-baked or shop-bought—will be very welcome and gratefully received nearer the time. Our parish is always so supportive, and we thank you in advance for helping Jack take this important step in his faith journey.

 

Jack sends his apologies he can’t stay after Church this week to meet everyone who has made him so welcome (as he has a baptism celebration to attend at 11am in Blaenavon), however he sends his thanks and gratitude and looks forward to meeting everyone over the coming months.

 

 

Helping your Parish:

 

We are always looking for new offers to lend a helping hand with the various tasks essential to the life of our parish community.

 

Many of these responsibilities are not only important—they are mandatory to ensure that our church operates smoothly, safely, and in accordance with diocesan guidelines. Many however, are the simple day to day tasks such as cleaning, preparing flowers, gardening, small maintenance jobs, social media updates etc…

 

You could get involved by being a reader on a Sunday/be on the rota to take up the offertory or be part of the Parish Evangelisation Team/Prayer Group/Children’s Liturgy. You could fundraise, help with the hall or at the Hot Food Kitchen – so many opportunities!

 

By stepping up to serve, you help foster a spirit of unity and shared purpose in our parish family.

 

Let us know if you’re able to help—your support is truly needed and deeply appreciated; please speak to one of your Parish Council members, their names are on the noticeboard in the Church Porch.

 

 

Prayer for the Parish – Through St. Thérèse of Lisieux

 

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, beloved Little Flower,
you showed us how holiness can be found in the simplest acts of love and service.
In your “little way,” you taught that every soul has a unique place in God’s plan.

 

We ask for your intercession for our parish family.
Help us to serve with quiet joy, to love without counting the cost,
and to find beauty in the ordinary tasks that build up the Body of Christ.

 

May our parish be a garden where all feel welcome,
where hearts are nurtured in faith, and where every person finds a way to offer their gift—no matter how small—for the glory of God.

 

St. Thérèse, teach us to trust in God's mercy, to walk in humility,
and to let love be the heart of all we do.

 

Little Flower of Jesus, pray for our parish.
Amen.

 

 

A date for your diary:

 

The next Jubilee event will take place at Belmont Abbey on  Saturday 31stMay to celebrate the Jubilee for Families.  

 

This is an opportunity to come together (take a Pilgrimage) as an Archdiocesan Family, and share an afternoon of fun with fellow Pilgrims of Hope.

 

Bring a PICNIC and the Family, or come on your own, to an afternoon of FUN free flow activities including games, information and reflection … and a Pilgrims Treasure Hunt.

 

Arrivals from 11am, Mass of the Visitation at 11.30am, free flow activities & picnic, opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and departures before or after the Sunday Vigil Mass at 4pm.

 

 

Usk Open Gardens - June the 28th & 29th appeal:

 

Once again our parish is supporting this wonderful event in our town and as is our custom we will be selling tea, coffee, cakes and sandwiches in the hall. Donations very welcome nearer the time. There are lists at the back of the Church to let Carmel know if you can help either with the preparation and help during the two days, or the provision of cakes.

 

We will also again be selling plants to raise money for the parish during this time. Donations of plants to sell would be very welcome. Just any pieces you trim off whilst tidying your garden. They do not have to be potted up, just in a plastic carrier will be fine and can be collected from you. Contact Frank,  Tel: 672466.

 

Both events are very social and happy for our parish in which we meet many different people and also raises funds for various projects and charities as well as our own parish.

 

 

Pontypool and Blaenavon Website:

 

These are Canon Paul’s other parishes:

St. Alban’s R.C. Church, Conway Road, Pontypool. NP4 6HL 01495 762280

Sacred Heart & St, Felix R, C, Church, Ellick Street. NP4 9HR

Please see below for their newsletters and Mass times.

www.pontypoolparish.co.uk

 

 

Catholic Press:

 

Some links of interest to various Catholic Press and websites. There are always new articles each week for you to read, so although the link looks the same, it is updated.

 

Catholic Herald

 

Catholic World

 

Catholic News Agency

 

Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales

 

RCADC

 

Vatican News

 

SPUC NEWS

 

Right to Life

 

Our Lady and St Michael’s Church - Abergavenny

 

Belmont Abbey

 

 

Grave Rota:

 

St David Lewis Grave Rota for May is Katie McLoughlin.

 

 

Livestream:

 

If you can’t be with us at Mass, remember you can always listen and watch via the livestream pages of the website - this is not a recording, it is simply a live camera all the time and when Mass is being said, Canon Paul turns on the sound element so you can hear proceedings. Feedback is that the sound comes through clearly for those who attend virtually.

 

Link to Livestream:

 

 

Grange Hospital:

 

Fr. Peter McClaren is the Roman Catholic Chaplin of the Grange Hospital. If you or a family member are in the Grange and would like to receive the sacrament of Eucharist and/or Confession please contact him on:

07561 469 343

 

Jubilee Year of Hope:

 

The Holy Father has decided that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25  years.  The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”.

 

“In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring… may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.”

Pope Francis,

 

Our Church is a designated Pilgrim Church during this year and we hope to welcome many visitors.

 

Link to Archdiocese information

 

Jubilee Prayer:

 

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/jubilee-2025-prayer/

 

Please pick up a prayer card at the back of the Church.

 

Jubilee Hymn:

 

This is a beautiful hymn and is shown on You Tube below with the lyrics as it is being sung:

 

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/hymn-for-the-2025-jubilee/

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