| Fr Henry
Nevin, SDS (Parish
Priest) |
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Sacred Heart RC
Church Pantyffynon Road , Ystradgynlais , Swansea, SA9 1EU Sacred Heart : 01639 842202 Email : ystradgynlais@menevia.org Diocese of Menevia Reg. Charity No. 234168 In Residence : Canon Pelosi Retired Weekly Mass Times : Friday Night 6:00pm / Saturday : 4:00pm / Sunday : 11:30pm |
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The Fireside ... Our Parish Newsletter Produced on a weekly basis The Fireside contains announcements, important dates & times, reflections and further information. Available here for viewing online and printing with Archive available from menu options above |
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Latest News From Our Parish Here is important news, website updates and please do contact us with any news and stories you may have |
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| Church Barbecue |
This will take place on Sunday 15th May 2022 after the May
Procession and Mass Cost will be Adults £5 Children £2 Please put your name on the list in the church porch Delicious barbequed food provided but bring your own drinks!! A dish of food to share will be much appreciated. All Proceeds to Church Funds |
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| Plant Appeal |
In order to keep our church grounds looking beautiful throughout
the Summer months, and beyond, we are appealing for donations of
Summer bedding, shrubs and plants. If you are able to make a
donation, leave them in the church porch or car park anytime. |
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Month of May Dedicated To Mary |
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Our Lady is centuries old, dating back at least 700 years. Blessed Pope Paul VI wrote an encyclical on the month of May, focusing on the Virgin Mary. He wrote that the piety of the faithful has long dedicated the month of May to the Mother of God. He stated in his encyclical. We are delighted and consoled by this pious custom associated with the month of May, which pays honour to the Blessed Virgin and brings such rich benefits to the Christian people. Since Mary is rightly to be regarded as the way by which we are led to Christ, the person who encounters Mary cannot help but encounter Christ likewise. The reason for dedicating May to Our Lady is associated with the particular season of the year. May is certainly known for its springtime beauty (at least in the Northern Hemisphere). It is associated with flowers and blossoms, with trees which spring back to life, and grass which sprouts. It brings to mind the idea of promise and hope, of new life. |
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| Church Photographs |
Our Church at Christmas : Two photographs of
our church this Christmas
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| A Blessing For 2022 |
A Prayer For A Victorious New Year From Father Henry [Click On The Image For More ....]  |
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| Reflection for the New Year |
Reflection for the New Year : When the clock strikes at midnight, the world status is not going to change. A lot of the devastation caused and experienced will move well into 2022. But by changing your outlook on it all, your thoughts, and feelings, you can change your own world. A New Year; A New You. It’s okay to have bad days. It’s okay to cry about nothing and everything at the same time. It’s okay to find this all hard, even if you know that you are still very fortunate and blessed. Our situations are relative, and we can only truly feel and respond to our own experience. It’s okay to feel exhausted, anxious, scared. But it is not okay to not deal with these moments, so that they do not become the norm in your life. It is okay to have GOOD DAYS TOO, regardless of what is going on around you. Don’t let the heaviness of 2021 weigh your 2022 down. Don’t want to do it alone? Ask for help! The reality is that how you see 2022, and now, how you remember 2021 is completely up to you. Which glasses are you going to wear? Remember, that is the same pair that you will be walking into 2022 with… Make the change. Buy the new glasses. They will suit you! |
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| January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany |
January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany : The Feast of the Epiphany reminds us that in their Gospels Matthew and Mark gather together stories about the childhood of Jesus, each pointing to different aspects of his significance. They both bring out the unique importance of Jesus in God’s plan. He is the Son of God come among us for the salvation of the world. The feast of Christmas in the Western church picks out Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth in the stable when shepherds come to honour him. The liturgy of the feast focus on the mystery of God’s joining us in the vulnerable humanity of Jesus. In the Eastern Church the major feast is that of the Epiphany, which focuses on Matthew’s story of the coming of the Wise men to honour Jesus with gifts. The heart of the feast lies in the revelation of Christ to the non-Jewish world represented by the Magi. It recognises the stages of God’s showing himself to the world, first to the Jewish people and then, through the Jewish Jesus, to all people. It is a feast of light: Jesus is the light of the world and brings light to all who believe in him. The Feast of the Epiphany is important because it reminds us of the different ways in which God has shown himself in the world and shows that these point to God’s greatest gift to us in Jesus. He is our way to God. But the feast also shows us that we do not own God. God speaks to us as he wishes. In the Gospel story God speaks through people whose wisdom came from religious traditions other than those of the Jews, God’s chosen people. Today God continues to speak through the wisdom and religions of our world, and through them draws us closer to Christ in whom is all wisdom. God’s light falls on many places, draws people by many stars. We should bow with respect wherever we find light. Like Christmas the Feast of the Epiphany also points to the way of suffering that the Son of God will take for our salvation. Luke’s Gospel alludes to it in the poverty of Jesus’ birth and in the forecast of a sword that will pierce Mary’s heart. In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus is immediately at risk from Herod’s murderous designs and must go with his parents as a refugee to Egypt. Perhaps, too, the gift of myrrh, an opiate as well as a perfume, hints at his crucifixion. Christmas and the Epiphany dwell on two different aspects of the coming of Christ into the world. That they form part of the one story is shown visually in the presence of both the shepherds and the Magi in the cribs of our churches. Mass is at 6:00pm on Thursday 6th of January |
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| 12th December 2021 |
Reflection - Joy There is a clear note of joy in today’s liturgy. Joy is a blend of laughter and tears. It consists in having a love affair with life. It is having a heart aglow with warmth for all one’s companions on the road of life. It is looking for the happiness that comes in small packages, knowing that big packages are few and far between. It is making the most of the present, enjoying what is at hand right now. Joy is love bubbling over into life. And it can coexist with pain. Joy is the flag we fly when Christ, the Prince of Peace, has taken up residence in our hearts. |
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| 5th December 2021 |
Welcome Canon Pelosi
: A very warm welcome to Canon Pelosi who has joined us
here in the parish. Canon will be living in retirement in the
presbytery. After 47 years loyal service as a Priest, he richly
deserves his retirement. The Salvatorians are pleased to be able
to offer him this accommodation. There will be no expense
incurred by the parish! We hope you settle in quickly and that you enjoy your retirement with us. |
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6th November 2021 CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES |
Friday 24th December - CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30pm "Midnight Mass" - St Benedict's Clydach 7:00pm "Midnight Mass" - Sacred Heart Ystradgynlais 9:00pm "Midnight Mass" - St Benedict's Clydach Saturday 25th December - CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00am "Mass During The Day" - St Benedict's Clydach 9:15am "Mass During The Day" - Sacred Heart Ystradgynlais Sunday 26th December 10:00am "The Holy Family" - St Benedict's Clydach 11:30am "The Holy Family" - Sacred Heart Ystradgynlais  |
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6th November 2021 CHRISTMAS APPEAL |
CHRISTMAS APPEAL :
The Social Services Department of Neath and Port Talbot are
appealing for Christmas donations to help young people who have
recently left Care and who will be spending their first
Christmas living independently. Other young people especially
those socially isolated and estranged from their families will
not have the financial means to celebrate Christmas in the
traditional ways that most families are privileged with. Due to current covid 19 difficulties they are asking for donations in the form of Gift Vouchers. These can be placed in the Weekly Offering Boxes in the Church |
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11th November 2021 REMEMBRANCE DAY  |
REMEMBRANCE DAY : A
Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at the cross in
Ystradgynlais at 11.00am on Thursday 11th November. Fr. Henry
will join Rev. Dewi Roberts from St. Cynog’s Church to mark this
occasion.Everyone welcome. |
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6th November 2021 CHURCH CLEANERS WANTED |
CHURCH CLEANERS WANTED : We need more people to
help clean our beautiful Church. All cleaning materials are
provided. Cleaning the church demonstrates our respect for God’s
house and is a ministry of service to all the community and
visitors coming into the church at any time. Please consider if
you can offer an hour or so every few weeks to support this
important ministry. We would like to begin a rota for cleaning. If you would like to help this very important ministry in our parish please contact Lucy or Fr. Henry. A VERY big “Thank You” to those who have given their love and time to this ministry over many years. You really ARE appreciated. |
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6th November 2021 MONTH OF HOLY SOULS |
NOVEMBER - MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS: November is
a month traditionally dedicated to prayer and fasting for deceased friends and relatives, and for all the faithful departed. Please don’t forget your list of departed loved ones. Return them as soon as possible please. Envelopes can be placed in the weekly donation boxes at the rear of the church. |
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19th September 2021 Home Start Cymru |
Home Start Cymru have many active volunteers supporting families throughout Powys and following a service increase demand, are actively recruiting new volunteers from this area. They work alongside families to give compassionate and confidential support, tailored to each family. Home-Start Cymru offers friendship, emotional support and practical advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons. These could be poor mental health, managing children’s challenging behaviour, disability, domestic abuse, isolation or low self-esteem. Our mission is to give children the best possible start in life, by supporting parents so they grow in confidence, strengthening and enjoying their relationships with their children and widening their links with the local community. Volunteers are fully trained and given expert support from coordinators. For further information please telephone Vicky Critchley on 07871601772. |
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5th September 2021 Summer BBQ |
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6th August 2021 Parish Accounts |
Summary of Ystradgynlais Accounts for Parishioners
2021 / 2022
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| 6th August 2021 |
Blessed Francis Jordan Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan – founder of the Salvatorian Family – was born as John Baptist Jordan on June 16, 1848, in Gurtweil, Germany, a small townin the Black Forest area of the southwestern part of the country, just a few miles fromthe border of Switzerland.
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| 31st May 2021 |
Covid-19 Update from the Bishops’ Conference |
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| 31st May 2021 |
Plant Appeal
In order to keep our church grounds looking beautiful throughout the Summer months, and beyond, we are appealing for donations of Summer bedding, shrubs and plants. If you are able to make a donation, leave them in the car park beside Eamonn’s shed!. |
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| 31st May 2021 |
Marian Shrine
[Ystradgynlais]
Our beautiful and fitting Shrine to our Blessed Lady is now in place. A service of Dedication and Blessing will take place when Covid Regulations permit.  |
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| 27th March 2021 |
May you and families have a joyful and Happy Easter  |
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| 20th Feb 2021 |
Father Henry is now able to confirm
Holy Week Mass Times |
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| 14th Feb 2021 |
Lent is a time for reflection, repentance and restoration. |
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10th Feb 2021 |
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| 10th Feb 2021 |
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| 13th Dec 2020 | Following an increase in website hosting costs we are restructuring the website so please be patient and normal service will resume in the coming weeks | |||||||||||||||
Sunday May 15th
Church Procession & BBQ
St Benedict's RC Church : Click Here For Website
School : St Joseph's RC Primary School in Clydach
School :: Bishop Vaughan RC School in Morriston
School : School : St Joseph's RC School in Port Talbot
