A Vital Parish Role - Counter

Margaret Meek has just informed us that she wishes to step down from her role as one of our counters, in September. We thank Margaret, and note that we will need another volunteer to assist with counting the collection on a rota basis. The counters currently come in on a Wednesday morning. Could you be one of them?

Before you go on holidays...

If you are on any of our parish rotas - for reading, assisting with communion, Friday adoration, cleaning or children's liturgy duties - don't forget to check the rota against your summer holidays! If you are away when you are rota'd to be present, please arrange a swap or if you can't, contact your ministry leader.

If you don't normally come to adoration on a Friday, but are willing to fill in for a hour for a couple of weeks over July or August, please ring Agnes Hughes.

Help wanted

Have you got green fingers? The Parish needs volunteers to help improve the garden and around the Grotto.

Usborne Books

Excellent range of children's books (0-15 years) available. Ideal birthday and christening gifts available! Fiction/non, fiction, to support the National Curriculum Commission. Donations (from commission) to St Dyfrig's. Contact Kate Mantle tel: [].

Elections 2010

Your Parish Council needs YOU!

The Parish Council is the main body which Fr Gareth consults before taking decisions which affect the life of the parish, and therefore council members act as a representative sample of the whole parish. The council meets six times a year, plus one or two additional meetings for training or to co-ordinate with the Purpose Groups.

At last Wednesday's parish council, one member had a very serious complaint: there was nothing left to grumble at! She had raised the issue of the Annexe flooring; it had been laid. Winners' names of the Friends of St Dyfrig's were being published before the cheques were ready; this has been rectified! So the Parish Council DOES affect what takes place in our parish!

No youth applications having been received there are four vacancies for adult members to serve September 2010 to July 2013.

Nominations for the general Council places will be open until noon on Wednesday 7^th July, with a vote, if required, on Sunday 25^th July.

You may nominate yourself; if nominating someone else, please obtain their consent. All nominations must be seconded. New members will attend their first Parish Council meeting on 8 September.

On St Dyfrig's Day (Sun 14 Nov) this year, Parish Council is planning a special celebration for our whole parish community. The first planning meeting for this is Wed evening.

More info about the Holy Father's trip at:

www.thepapalvisit.com

Parish Fundraising

Parish Council this week also discussed the parish's current financial situation. You will be aware that in recent months, I have been urging all who can afford to do so, to increase what is given in the monthly heating collection. I am very pleased to announce that over the last three months, the heating collection has averaged just under £350 per month - in the middle of 2009, we were averaging £220 per month so this is a very significant increase in your generosity, in the midst of a most difficult economic climate.

If we continue to collect £350 in the monthly heating appeal, and our other income sources remain steady, this will reduce our shortfall to only £5000 per year. Parish Council have suggested that we can achieve this by having four BIG fundraising events each year - not as many as run by the old fundraising team, so less commitment of time and effort. Rather than form a new fundraising committee, we hope that many parishioners - that's you! - will volunteer on a one-off basis to help with a particular event. So if you would like to help run a big parish event before the summer holidays, or in the back-to-school period, or for Christmas, please contact Kate Mantle, who will co-ordinate our fundraising efforts for the next few months, on [].

Please Look After St Dyfrig's!

The Parish requires 3 or 4 volunteers to form a group to help and improve the properties at St Dyfrig's (church, house, hall, car park). The work ranges from undertaking (or arranging for) minor jobs, to organising larger works (when we can afford it!), either by ourselves or through the Diocese. Sometimes this will include administration work (letter writing, form filling) with the respect to Historic Churches Committee, listed buildings consent, grants etc. If you are not sure this is for you but wish to find out more, you can speak to Tony Carroll or to Fr Gareth.

Small Faith Groups

When was the last time you spoke to anyone about your Faith?

The Formation Team was set up last year with the remit of providing opportunities for people to come together to share and grow in faith. From the very earliest days of the Church just after Pentecost, the first believers in Jesus met in each other's houses to break bread and share faith. 'These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.' (Acts. 2:42)

Over the past year, one such 'Small Faith Group' has been meeting together and doing just that while following the journey of two disciples of Jesus to Emmaus on the day of his resurrection. This journey didn't turn out as those disciples expected. Our own group faith journey held surprises too. An unexpected outcome for one of our number is testified to as follows.

I do not have any close family living in the area. My husband and I have raised two children without any family support. I suffered severe Post Natal Anxiety after the birth of both my children. It was a very traumatic time and, sad to say, there were very few people in the church I could turn to for support. I'm not saying they weren't there. I know there will be fellow members of St Dyfrig's who would feel devastated to think they did not have the opportunity to help one of their church family who was so in need of help. The truth is I didn't know where to go or who to talk to. My life was falling apart and most people I saw week in, week out at Mass knew nothing about it. I carried on. I went to Mass. I tried to raise my children as Catholics. I organized social events at church. I helped with First Communion. I led Children's Liturgy. But it was only at home and with a few close neighbours and friends I could admit how terrible I was feeling. Three years ago my husband became entitled to private healthcare through his job and at last I was able to have the professional advice and help I required. I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and prescribed the correct medication. I also received counselling and CBT. Slowly, over many months, my life came back together and now, after 13 years of anxiety and terror, I feel alive again.

So what has this got to do with Small Faith Groups? Over the past 12 months I have been part of St Dyfrig's Small Faith Group. As the name suggests, we are a small group of people who come together once a fortnight in each others homes to pray, to read the bible, to explore our Catholic faith and relationship with Jesus and to share our lives with each other. When one of us is suffering or going through a "bad patch" in their faith or life, we are honest with each other. We listen and we understand. Sometimes, when we feel led by the spirit, we offer advice or inspiration. On a basic level, we are there for each other. We are the body of Christ on Earth and in the Small Faith Group we are the body of Christ for each other.

My story has begun a new chapter. Last September my husband began a journey towards the Permanent Deaconate. In March I found out I was pregnant. Two weeks later my husband was offered the role he has always wanted, but it would require him working in London five days a week. Then the severe morning sickness began. Five years ago, the anxiety of all these changes would have overwhelmed me: sick with a new baby on the way, husband living away from home during the week and studying for the deaconate, plus continuing to run a home and look after my children. Five years ago: anxiety; now it is different. I have a family - the Small Faith Group. They have cooked for the children when my husband was on a Diaconate day. They have shopped for me. They have even offered to do the ironing. And their love and prayers have given me strength to face each day anew. I am not alone. God has given me a family - the Small Faith Group.

This is a wonderful example of the work of the Holy Spirit. In sharing prayer, experiences and faith, this small group has become a small community within a community, where people have felt able to learn from and trust in each other. It is hoped now that we will expand as a group and eventually be able to set up two or even three groups in various parts of the Parish. If you would like to know more please speak to me, or Fr Gareth.

When was the last time you really spoke to anyone about your Faith? Cath Carroll

ALTAR SERVERS

Would you like to serve on the altar? Anyone in the parish, adult or child, man or woman, who wishes to serve, is welcome to do so - the only requirements are that you are a Catholic who attends Mass and receives holy communion regularly, and - if over 18 - pass a Safeguarding (CRB) check.

Children who have made first communion are eligible and welcome to serve. As with all servers, there will be a trial period to ensure that each volunteer can serve with diginity.

Glorious Scriptures

Joe Biddulph writes: "In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and strength. In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them" (Catechism of the Catholic Church). I wonder how much we really know and appreciate these "sacred books" - especially the Old Testament - and gain nourishment and strength from them, even when not present at a liturgy. Please help yourself to a copy of ENJOYING THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTURES. Issue no. 6, available from the back of the church. Copies of Issue no. 5 are also available.

Footage of John Paul II in Cardiff

Do you have movie footage or a personal story from Pope John Paul II's visit in 1982? A new BBC history series would love to hear from you.

Email: Rachel.James-bailey

Website © 2009 Pontypridd Roman Catholic Deanery.
For any Enquiries Contact Us.
Pontypridd Deanery is part of the RC Archdiocese of Cardiff, UK Registered Charity No. 242380.