Come home at Christmas....

The crib at The Church of the Sacred Heart, Morriston


MASS SCHEDULE

• Christmas Eve (Midnight Mass - St Therese of Lisieux, Sandfields, Nr Port Talbot
• Sunday 29th December - 3pm The Sacred Heart, Morriston
• 31st December (New Year's Eve, 4pm Low Mass followed by reception and then exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - The Sacred Heart Morriston
• 4th January (Vigil Mass of The Epiphany) 5pm Low Mass at The Sacred Heart Morriston

On behalf of the members of the Confraternity we wish our Bishop, our priests who offer the EF Mass and all the priests of the Diocese, a Holy, Happy and Peaceful Christmas

And special thanks to Fathers Burke, Brophy and Jones who have provided us with the Latin Mass throughout the year. God bless and ad multos annos!

Please note: We hope to draw the raffle prizes after Mass on 4th January

Your chance to attend Mass in the Extraordinary Form

If you live in or around Swansea, this coming Sunday, 22nd December, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, you may attend a Latin Mass at 12 noon at St Joseph's Cathedral. The celebrant will be Fr Michael Burke.


You will see, from the video below, that you do not have to be 'ancient' to attend the Latin Mass, some of the nuns who feature in the clip are barely out of their teens.

So, if you have never been to a Latin Mass before, this is your chance, carpe diem!

Blessing of cribs and crib figures

Please bring any cribs or crib figures to the 3pm Mass at Morriston tomorrow (15th) when Father Jason will bless them.

It is most important to ensure that all holy objects are blessed, none more so than Christmas Cribs.

Gaudete Sunday, 15th December

Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated at 3pm at The Church of the Sacred Heart Morriston.

                                               Drop down dew, ye Heavens from above....


And, Masses for the rest of the month and the Christmas period are as follows:-

• Sunday 22nd December - 12 noon at St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea
• Christmas Eve 24th December - Midnight Mass at St Therese of Lisieux, Sandfields, Nr Port Talbot
• Sunday 29th December - 3pm at St Benedict's, Sketty
• 31st December (New Year's Eve) - 4pm Low Mass followed by reception and then exposition, Te Deum and Benediction at The Sacred Heart, Morriston
• Saturday 4th January, 5pm Vigil Mass of The Epiphany at The Sacred Heart, Morriston

The Immaculate Conception

              O Mary born without sin, pray for 

                us who have recourse to thee

Gaudens gaudebo...I will greatly rejoice in the Lord......

Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th

                       

Latin Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent

Will be at 5pm on Sunday 8th December (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) at St Therese of Lisieux at Sandfields, Port Talbot.

There is also a Missa Cantata at the Poor Clares Monastery at Much Birch near Hereford at 6pm

Missa Cantata in Morriston

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent and a Missa Cantata will be celebrated at The Sacred Heart Church Morriston at 3pm.

This is a great opportunity to begin to make ready for Christmas the Catholic way.

  Unto you I have lifted up my soul (Ad te levavi)

Latin Mass on Sunday 24th November...

...will be at St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea at 12 noon.

And, the following Sunday, 1st December is the First Sunday of Advent.
There will be a Missa Cantata at The Sacred Heart, Morriston at 3pm

A few words on Advent from The Fisheaters website:

The focus of Advent is preparation for the coming of the Lord -- both in commemoration of His Nativity and His coming again at the end of time. Though most Protestants -- and far too many Catholics -- see this time of year as a part of the "Christmas Season," it isn't; the Christmas season does not begin until the first Mass at Christmas Eve, and doesn't end liturgically until the Octave of the Epiphany on January 14. It goes on in the spiritual sense until Candlemas on February 2, when all celebrations of Christ's Childhood give way to Septuagesima and Lent. The mood of this season is one of sombre spiritual preparation that increases in joy with each day, and the gaudy "Christmas" commercialism that surrounds it in the Western world should be overcome as much as possible. The singing of Christmas carols (which comes earlier and earlier each year), the talk of "Christmas" as a present reality, the decorated trees and the parties -- these things are "out of season" for Catholics; we should strive to keep the Seasons of Advent holy and penitential, always remembering, as they say, that "He is the reason for the Season."

The Hands of a Priest

A tip of the biretta to Father Marcus Holden....

Thanks to all of our priests in Menevia and remembrance of them in our prayers

Just a few facts about this blog

Some of you may, at times wonder why the Confraternity of the Holy Cross operates this blog.

First and foremost, of course, because it is a useful means of communication.

A means of letting Confraternity members aware of the dates and times of EF Masses in the Diocese.

But, you may not be aware of the numbers of people beyond Menevia, who view with interest (hopefully) all that is taking place here in Wales.

One interesting facet of blogs is that they are subject to interrogation; you can audit the numbers of people who view each 'post', you can tell which countries they come from.

You may even, if you have such a deep interest, subscribe to Stat Counters that will tell you the addresses of those who view the posts.

But, since we have been operating this form of information giving, you may be surprised to learn that we have had over 12,000 people coming to read our blog and, hopefully, taking heart from the development of the Latin Mass in Menevia.

This is not big in blogging terms, in fact, it is rather small.
But, for a blog aimed at giving out information to a small and specific audience, it is actually doing quite well.

Here is a breakdown of where they all came from, taken from 13th November 2014:-

United Kingdom	5463
United States	3008
Russia	1006
Germany	382
Latvia	134
Ukraine	118
Canada	100
Netherlands	99
France	97
Indonesia	90

Latin Mass for Sunday 1st December - 1st Sunday of Advent

Please note: The Saturday Vigil Mass has been moved from 30th November to Sunday 1st December at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Morriston at 3pm.

This will be a Missa Cantata with the Newcastle Emlyn Schola, all are welcome as are any male volunteers to serve on the altar.

Latin Mass, Sunday 17th November.....

...will be at 3pm at The Sacred Heart Morriston near Swansea.


Please remember prizes for our raffle, ticket sales to commence at the end of the month (for seminarian funds).

So far we have......




1 bottle of whisky     



1 bottle of wine            

1 bottle of Cava

Prizes do not have to be alcoholic......you could donate a tin of biscuits, lunch for two at Verdi's or a trip on the Orient Express! - (Boxes of chocolates also welcome).

Please pass any contributions, however small, to Sally after Mass, thank you.

Latin Mass Sunday 10th November

Will be at 5pm at the Church of St Therese of Lisieux, Sandfields, nr Port Talbot

The fresco painted by St Therese
in the Carmel Chapel at Lisieux

Oh! how I love Thee, Jesus! my soul aspires to Thee —

And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!

Come reign within my heart, smile tenderly on me,

To-day, dear Lord, to-day.

From the poem "My Song of today" by St Therese de Lisieux

All Saint's Day - and beyond

A schedule for Latin Masses (EF) in the Diocese of Menevia.....

Friday 1st November 1200 - Sacred Heart, Morriston All Saints Day (Holyday of Obligation)


Saturday 2nd November 5pm - Sacred Heart, Morriston

Sunday 10th November 5pm - St Therese of Lisieux, Sandfields, Nr Port Talbot

Sunday 17th November 3pm - Sacred Heart, Morriston

Sunday 24th November 1200 - St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea

Saturday 30th November 5pm - Sacred Heart, Morriston Vigil Advent 1

Please remember to bring any raffle prizes you may wish to donate - thank you.

Tempus fugit....

....Just a little reminder.....on the Feast of Christ the King.....

CLOCKS GO BACK - 27th OCTOBER

Missa Cantata begins at 3pm - Rosary at 2.45pm

O BACK

A little bit of Christmas cheer

Anything to be raffled?

The Church needs more vocations and the Confraternity is making an effort to assist in this good cause by raising money to be donated to an EF seminarian.

We are planning a New Year Raffle with tickets being available from 1st of December.

If you could please donate a small non perishable item or two for the cause, it would be greatly appreciated.

Bottles and other items for the raffle will be collected by Sally after Masses between now and December.

And....in the New Year we are launching our Chartres Pilgrimage Fund.

The aim is to send four of our young people to join the Chartres 2014 Pilgrimage.

We already have circa £300+ in the kitty but we need to double that - more news on this after Christmas.

Feast of Christ the King

There will be a Missa Cantata (Newcastle Emlyn Schola) to celebrate this great feast on Sunday 27th October at 3pm (preceded by the Rosary at 2.45pm) at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Morriston, Nr Swansea.

Fr Miguel Pro SJ, martyred for the Faith in Mexico in 1927.
He died with the words: "Long live Christ the King" on his lips

Hail Redeemer, King Divine

Hail Redeemer King divine!

Priest and Lamb, the throne is thine,

King, whose reign shall never cease,

Prince of everlasting peace.

Angels, saints and nations sing

"Praised be Jesus Christ, our King;

Lord of life, earth sky and sea,

King of love on Calvary."

King, whose name creation thrills

Rule our minds, our hearts our wills

Till in peace each nation rings

With thy praises, King of Kings. (to chorus...)

King most holy, King of Truth,

Guide the lowly, guide the youth

Christ thou King of glory bright

Be to us eternal light.(to chorus...)

Shepherd King, o'er mountains steep

Homeward bring the wandering sheep;

Shelter in one royal fold

States and kingdoms, new and old. (to chorus...)

WERDE MUNTER,

J. Schop, c. 1664.

20th October - Mission Sunday

Mass in the Extraordinary Form (22nd Sunday after Pentecost) will be at the Sacred Heart, Morriston at 3pm (Rosary at 2.45pm)

St Therese de Lisieux - Patron Saint of the Missions


A MORNING PRAYER WRITTEN BY ST. THERESE

O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity.

The Miracle of the Sun - October 13th 1917

The statue of Our Lady of Fatima at
the Church of The Sacred Heart, Morriston


"I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honour. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes."

The words spoken by Our Lady of Fatima on October 13th 1917.

Sunday October 13th....

....EF Mass at Sandfields at 5pm .................and the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima....

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

External Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary - Sunday 7th October at 4 p.m.

Holy Mass will take place  Mass - Saturday 7th October at Sacred Heart R.C Church, Morriston.

the Holy Rosary will be said 15 minutes before Mass begins.

There will be the opportunity for confession and refreshments will be served in the Sacred Heart Centre after Mass

From our friends in Cardiff

A message referring to an evening Mass at the Catholic Chaplaincy in Cardiff University.....just in case anyone is in the area......

Just to let you know that there will be a low Mass this Thursday (today) at Cardiff University Catholic chaplaincy at 7pm, celebrated by Fr Antony Tumelty OSB. Please do spread the word - it would be lovely to get our numbers up. The mass usually happens every week but we have had a small break because Fr has not been able to celebrate mass for 3 weeks. Fr Tumelty always delivers a wonderful homily and of course the Mass of All Ages is like no other!

We always take a small collection to cover Fr's travelling expenses as he comes from Hereford and is in poor health at the moment, God bless him. Not more than a couple of pounds each though, of course, it's not obligatory. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to 'phone me on 07837687344. 

Also, a friendly reminder that 40 Days For Life is beginning again tomorrow at 8am outside the abortion clinic on St Mary's street. As ever, volunteers are always needed to help to keep the prayer vigil going. Please be generous with your time, if you can. 

The Dedication of St Michael the Archangel

St Michael in the Japanese style*

The Mass in the Extraordinary Form next Sunday (29th September) will be at St Benedict's Church, Sketty, Swansea at 3pm.

It is the feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel and Holy Mother Church, being under attack on all sides, needs his intercession perhaps more now than at any other time in history.

St Michael is, of course, next to Our Lady, the main opponent to Satan and this prayer is the one to pray....

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperat illi Deus; supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen

Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle, be our safeguard and protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down into hell Satan and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

* From the works of US based artist, Daniel Mitsui. Please remember the Mitsui family in your prayers as they struggle with a serious pregnancy issue.

Daniel's cards, original drawings and limited edition prints may be purchased online and make excellent gifts.

What it means to be an Altar Server

               For any young man who wishes to serve the Lord....      



           

Menevia's Latin Mass - Sunday 22nd September

St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea at 12 noon, XVIII Sunday after Pentecost, celebrant, Fr Michael Burke to whom Confraternity members are duly grateful.

Give peace, O Lord, to them that patiently wait for Thee, that Thy prophets may be found faithful: hear the prayers of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel.

Psalm: I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: 

We shall go into the house of the Lord.

Mass at Morriston, Sunday 15th September

EF Mass at 3pm at The Sacred Heart Morriston.....all are welcome!

To Jesus' heart all burning......a good old hymn!

Vigil Mass - Saturday 31st August

Please note, this Latin Mass will be at The Sacred Heart, Morriston, near Swansea at 5pm.

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of Expectant Mothers, Newborn Babies

The saint of the day for 31st August is St. Raymond Nonnatus.

Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain in 1204, the son of wealthy parents. He was delivered by caesarean section when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus(not born). In his childhood, he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. His father, sensing that Raymond was drawn to religious life, ordered him to manage one of the family farms. Raymond readily obeyed but spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father abandoned the idea of making his son a worldly success.

Raymond later joined the Mercederians, which was founded by St. Peter Nolasco, who devoted to ransoming Christians captured by the Moors. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hostage for several slaves when his money ran out and was sentenced to be impaled when the governor learned that he had converted several Mohammedans. He escaped the death sentence because of the ransom he would bring, but was forced to run the gauntlet. He was then tortured for continuing his evangelizing activities but was ransomed eight months later by Peter Nolasco.

On his return to Barcelona, he was appointed Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX. He died the following year in 1240 and was canonized in 1657.

Patronage: childbirth; children; expectant mothers; falsely accused people; fever; infants; midwives; newborn babies; obstetricians; pregnant women.

Extract from:Catholic Fire blog

And please pray for peace in Syria and an end, not a beginning, to the bombing...

God of Compassion,

Hear the cries of the people of Syria,

Bring healing to those suffering from the violence,

Bring comfort to those mourning the dead,

Strengthen Syria’s neighbors in their care and welcome for refugees,

Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,

And protect those committed to peace.

God of Hope,

Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies,

Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,

And give us hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,

Prince of Peace and Light of the World,

Amen.

Petition: For the people of Syria, that God may strengthen the resolve of leaders to end the fighting and choose a future of peace.

We pray to the Lord…

How a young person discovered the Latin Mass

H/T New Liturgical Movement

Please print this off or forward to any young Catholics you know:-

Praying in the Language of the Saints - by Blanca Morales



Sheer curiosity is what led me to first attend Mass in the Extraordinary Form. I had heard of the terms Missa Cantata, High Mass, Tridentine Rite or Traditional Latin Mass, but didn’t know they all referred to the same thing: Mass as celebrated in the time-honored tradition of centuries past.

I knew very little about the Traditional Latin Mass, which had fallen into disuse after the Second Vatican Council. I also didn’t know that in 2007, Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI made it easier for priests to celebrate the Latin Mass in his motu propio Summorum Pontificum. In this apostolic letter, Pope Benedict XVI noted that the form of Mass which had nourished the faith of so many generations should be made more widely available, though the newer form of the Mass, as celebrated in most of our parishes today, must continue to be recognized for its value and holiness. It would be inconsistent, he said, to exclude the new rite as illegitimate. 

Being a part of what many call “the JP2 generation,” my only association with Mass has been in the post-Vatican II “ordinary” (normal) form, which introduces a lot of youth-friendly modernisms such as contemporary praise music.

Looking to explore something new and different, I entered the quaint Spanish-revival church, the Mission of Sts. Francis and Clare, with preconceived notions of Latin Mass that had been given to me by the media.

Great was my surprise when a great majority of attendees were people of my own generation. Indeed, Pope Benedict noted the demand for greater use of the 1962 missal was not just made by those who grew up with it, but by younger generations who felt an attraction to it and found in it a “a form of encounter with the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist which suited them particularly well.”

The moment Mass began, I was swept into this very mystery in more ways than one. 

Being completely unacquainted with this form of the Mass, I stumbled through the Missal, trying to follow in Latin and translating in English. I began to grow a bit frustrated. I knew the new rite like the back of my hand, and now I felt like many a convert must feel when attending their first Mass: confused.

In a time and age when we like to have control of our surroundings, I didn’t like the feeling of not knowing what to do. I was unused to surrendering, but that was exactly what I needed to do.

I closed the Missal and put it aside. I decided to just experience the Mass. That’s when it all changed.

As I listened to prayers chanted in Latin, saw trails of incense floating in the air, and observed the priest offer up the Mass, I realized, this is exactly how centuries of Catholics celebrated Mass. Suddenly, I felt transported outside the constraints of time and space.

I always knew we Catholics are united in the Eucharist, but now, at Latin Mass, the term “universal church” carried a fuller, deeper meaning.

At a Mass like this one, St. Therese of Lisieux or Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati recited the same Credo, prayed the same Pater Noster, responded with the same “et cum spiritu tuo.” Now, more than ever, I felt united with the communion of saints: I was praying in the same language they prayed in. They no longer seemed so distant.

As I continued to enjoy the mystery of it all, no greater sense of surrender came than at the time of Communion. In Latin Mass, it is tradition to kneel for Communion and receive the host on the tongue.

I was in a bit of a panic. I had only been taught to receive Communion by hand. And here, there was no option for reception of Communion. I couldn’t have things “my way” as if Mass were a fast-food joint.

As I made my way down the center aisle toward the altar, I felt as jittery as a bride on her wedding night, receiving her groom for the first time. And that’s exactly what was happening: I was receiving the Bridegroom in a way I had not experienced.

At that moment, I stopped thinking and let my focus be on Him alone. I refused to worry about my surroundings, or whether I knew what I was doing. “Let go and let God,” was on my mind and I did the only thing I could do: submit.

And I did. It was not the awkward situation I thought it would be, and the feeling of surrender from that first experience was so liberating that I find that this is how I now prefer to receive communion.

I returned to Latin Mass in the weeks that followed, being attracted to the indescribable beauty of tradition, sacred music, and reverence.

Slowly but surely I am learning the prayers and responses, my Latin vocabulary increasing with each new visit. I am learning deeper truths about the celebration of the Lamb’s Supper. I also now know why the priest in my Children’s Missal was “facing the wrong way,” as I had observed as a child.

I cannot say whether or not I will become a traditionalist Catholic; I am in no way foregoing the novus ordo which has brought Mass to the nations in the language they know. I can say, however, that attending Latin Mass is a bit like finding a hidden treasure box and discovering all the beauty that lies within. It is in every way extraordinary.

Latin Mass this Sunday, 25th August....

.....will be at St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea at 12 noon

I was sorry to miss the Mass for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but here is the video clip from last year's Missa Cantata, also celebrated, at The Sacred Heart, Morriston.

A novena for the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady

Remember, there is a Latin Mass at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Morriston at 12 noon on 15th August (and please bring a plate of food to share afterwards).

From Tuesday 6th August we have a novena to Our Lady asking her intercession to enable the Old Rite Mass to be made more readily available throughout the world.

NOVENA

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, you received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. 

Therefore, we humbly beg of you, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under your command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. “Who is like unto God?”

     With firm confidence we present ourselves before you, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg you to let us understand the love you have for us by placing this petition at the feet of your beloved Son, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation:(to aid the spread of the EF Mass throughout the world)).

     Good and tender Mother, you shall ever be our hope and the object of our love. Mother of God, send forth the Holy Angels to defend us and drive far from us the cruel foe.
Holy Angels and Archangels, defend and keep us.

Amen.

To be recited daily from August 6th to 14th

August Latin Masses in Menevia Diocese

Saturday 3rd August Sacred Heart, Morriston  5pm Vigil Mass 

Sunday 11th August  Morriston 3pm

The Feast of the Assumption Thursday 15th August Missa Cantata Morriston 12 noon followed by Buffet Lunch Bring a plate of food to share.

Sunday 18th August Morriston 3pm

Sunday 25th August St Josephs Cathedral 12 noon

Please note: There are no EF Masses at St Therese of Lisieux, Sandfields this month.

Vigil Mass 5pm Saturday 3rd August....

....a Tridentine Latin Mass at The Church of the Sacred Heart, Morriston.

 Our Lady's Saturday....

Following the cancellation of the Latin Mass planned for 16th July at Aberaeron we hope and pray that Fr Neil Evans will kindly grant us the use of the Church of the Holy Cross once more, possibly at the end of October.

Please remember Fr Evans, Fr Burke, Fr Brophy, Fr Jones and all the clergy of the Diocese and our Bishop in your prayers.

And remember also, Fr Mansel Usher who was ordained in July and is now curate at St Benedict's Church, Sketty.

O Jesus, our great High Priest, Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, 

Father Mansel. Give him a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of his priestly life. 
In his loneliness, comfort him In his sorrows, strengthen him In his frustrations, point out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show him that he is needed by the Church, he is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption. 
O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your son who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because of the power which he has received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much. 
Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength, and especially help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
Amen.