Parish of Our Lady & Saint David, Cwmbran

The Bishops of England and Wales have issued the following advice for the
Church in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic we are currently enduring:
The Public Celebration of Mass should cease from the evening of 20 March 2020.
This includes Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. The obligation for
the faithful to attend Mass on these days is removed until further notice owing
to the extraordinary circumstances. Priests will continue to celebrate Mass
privately, without a congregation.
Mindful of the Lord’s call to “love our neighbour” we look to one another for
support in these heart-breaking times. But we also remember his call to trust;
to trust in his mercy for all people and we seek his protecting hand.

My prayers, good wishes and blessings go to you all at this time. Let us pray together as we have never prayed before.
With every blessing,

Archbishop of Cardiff

Our Lady of the Angels R.C. Church
The church will be opened from Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday 9.30am-12noon for private prayer

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CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES – A letter from the President and Vice-President on behalf of all the Bishops of the Conference

Posted on 18/03/2020 by admin

2020.03.18-PUBLIC-LETTER-FROM-THE-PRESIDENCY-CBCEW

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that, following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20 th March 2020, until further notice.

Our churches will remain open. They are not closing. They will be a focal point of prayer, where you will find solace and strength. In visiting our churches at this time, we will observe with great care the practices of hygiene and the guidance on social distancing.

However, the celebration of Mass, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, will take place without a public congregation.

Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.

We want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.

You will find more details about the pathway of prayer and sacramental life we are now to take in the accompanying document and on the Bishops’ Conference website (www.cbcew.org.uk). Your own bishop and parish priest will provide further support, encouragement and information about our way of prayer together in the coming weeks. The second vital aspect of these challenging times is our care for each other. There are so many ways in which we are to do this: being attentive to the needs of our neighbour, especially the elderly and vulnerable; contributing to our local food banks; volunteering for charitable initiatives and organisations; simply keeping in touch by all the means open to us.

During these disturbing and threatening times, the rhythm of the prayer of the Church will continue. Please play your part in it. The effort of daily kindness and mutual support for all will continue and increase. Please play your part in this too. For your commitment to this, we thank you.

‘The Lord is my shepherd, There is nothing I shall want.’

May God bless us all.

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Third Sunday of Lent

Posted on 15/03/2020 by admin

PARISH LITURGY AND DEVOTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
16th March 2020

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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

St David’s: Tuesday 10.30-11.30am
Our Lady’s: Friday 8am-9.50am, 10.30am-1pm, 4pm-5pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Our Lady’s: Saturday 11-11.30am
St David’s : Saturday 4.15-4.45pm

Stations of the Cross

Our Lady’s: Wednesday at 6pm
St David’s: Thursdays after Mass

Parish Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with wisdom, love and courage make us more like Christ in our works and actions.

Bless the work of your Church. Renew us all in the desire to make Christ known and loved in the world today.

Bless the work of our Parish. Guide all that we do

so that our church is a place of mercy and service

for all who are seeking you.

Deepen our love For the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and guide us in prayer and action as we journey towards Discipleship to become the Church you are calling us to be.