THE CARDIFF ORATORY PARISH CHURCH OF ST ALBAN ON THE A Parish of the Archdiocese of Cardiff (a Registered Charity 1177272) Website: www.cardifforatory.co.uk [email protected] Parish Priest: Fr. Sebastian M Jones, GCMOC., SCHLJ., B.Th., JCL., Dip. Iuris Pru., MA., JCD. St Alban's Oratory House: 029 2046 3219. In an Emergency: 07595 372695 For Daily Masses, Rosary and Benediction go to: St Alban's Shield https://www.youtube.com/c/cardifforatory Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/StAlbanontheMoors/ THE MASS LINE Call: 029 2267 0924. (Mass Line is the cost of a local call) THE CHURCH IS OPEN: Weekdays: 10.00-12:noon and 3 - 5:00pm ; Saturday: 7:00am-12:noon & 3-4:45pm; Sunday: 7:30am-12:30pm; 3-3:45pm Sat 19th SS Januarius & Companions 8.00 Mass: Holy Souls 16:00 Vigil Mass: In Thanksgiving Our Lady 17:30 Vespers

Vigil Mass: 18.00: Xiberras & Mullane Family, RIP Sun 20th XVI Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 Mass: Holy Souls 10:00 Mass: Helen Criddle, Int. 25thSunday in Ordinary Time 11:15 Missa Cantata: Mary Wright, RIP (Year A) 16.00 Livestream Solemn Vespers & Benediction Mon 21st 7.30 Mass: Holy Souls St Mathew Evangelist 9.00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9.30am Mass: Mother Damian's Int. *16.00 Livestream Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament Tues 22nd St Thomas of Villanova 7.30 Mass: Holy Souls 9.00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Feria 9.30 Mass: Agnes Williams (Int)

*16.00 Livestream Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament Wed 23rd Ember Day 7.30 Mass: Holy Souls 9.00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament St Padre Pio 9:30 Holy Mass: Sebastiana Moncada, RIP *16.00 Livestream Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament Thurs 24th 7.30 Mass: Holy Souls Our Lady of Ransom 9.00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9.30 Mass: Sr Aquinas, Int *16.00 Livestream Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament Fri 25th Ember Day 7.30 Mass: Holy Souls 9.00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Feria 9.30 Mass: Priest's Int. *16.00: Livestream Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament Sat 26th Ember Day 8.00 Mass: Holy Souls 12:05 Vigil Mass: Pro populo Our Lady 16:00 Vigil Mass: Ann Mariques, RIP

17:30 Vespers Vigil Mass: 18.00: John & Norma Pathy Sun 27th XVII Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 Mass: Holy Souls 10:00 Mass: Catherine Nugent, RIP 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11:15 Missa Cantata: Salomea & John Daniliowicz, RIP (Year A) 16.00 Livestream Solemn Vespers & Benediction CONFESSION TIMES: The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance

Monday – Friday 9am -9:30am & Sundays before / during all Masses

The tradition of the Fathers of the Oratory since the time of St Philip is to make themselves available 15 minutes before daily Mass as well as during Sunday Masses. A door bell has now been positioned in between the two confessionals in the church so that anyone wishing to go to confession outside of these set times you may do so. Please press the bell once. If one of the Fathers is in the Oratory he will come to the confessional box as soon as is possible.

~ST ALBAN'S LIVING HISTORY PROJECT ~

I am most grateful to a Parishioner for sharing this wonderfully revealing photograph of the interior of St Alban's Church (circa 1912). The matters of particular historical interest on account their present position being changed are the statue of St Joseph in the left ambulatory niche (now housing St Patrick's statue, formerly St Gerald Majella); the original position of the stone carved pulpit (without alabaster carved figures of the four Evangelists) accessed via the left ambulatory and subsequently re-positioned on the left hand side of the nave and then latterly in use as a lectern on the right of the nave. The original Confessional with its curtained entrance for the Penitent's side of the Confessional is clearly visible with painted or carved neo-gothic arch decoration forming a pelmet. The choir gallery / classroom above the Sacristy on the left of the sanctuary is open. The stone and carved bath stone Communion Rail is also clearly visible. The lamps in the church are of an interesting design appearing reminiscent of mediaeval lanterns with a somewhat art deco lightness in design. What a pity their present day replacements lack beauty and utility.

If you have any photographs of the interior of St Alban's Church or School please do consider allowing them to be scanned and restored for posterity. Very shortly the collection of original architect's drawings for St Alban's Church and School will be digitized as part of St Alban's Living History Project. Copies will then be made available of the original architects coloured drawings.

Go, Baptise them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that as sures entry into Heaven; this is why the Church takes care not to neglect the Mission She has received from Our Lord Jesus Christ to see that all who can be Baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." “God has bound salvation to the Sacrament of Baptism, but He Himself is not bound by His Sacraments: Catechism of the , 1257) If you have a child or know of an adult who wishes to be Baptised please contact one of the Fathers.

Fr Sebastian M. writes.... Parish life seems always to present new challenges for us as we try to respond to the requests from Parishioners to receive the Sacraments, while maintaining the guidelines and Laws of HM Government and the Welsh Government. As a Catholic people we have a sense of the importance of always having God at the centre of life's events, whether they be the cycle of life's joys: Baptism, Marriage; the longing for spiritual growth and union with Almighty God: Confession and Holy Mass; or being confronted by our own mortality and living with physical or emotional pain: the Anointing of the Sick. Increasingly one is asked to pray for and anoint those who are suffering directly or indirectly as a result of the Covid'19 lockdown. The human toll is far greater than many imagine or society at large acknowledges. The sense of dislocation, rupture, alienation from one's former life and simple homespun truths has been deeply undermining. The turning point challenge for many is the Big Question: What is it all about. The media outlets place responsibility and blame for the social anger and resentment at the feet of the Government or national, local, regional, or on other public bodies. It's easier that way: when one fuels resentment with a daily and hourly drip feed of bad news, one must always ensure the trail leads elsewhere when people snap.. The deeper question though seems to be "what was the course of my life before Lockdown?" What informed my values and my world view? How did I confront the prospect of my own finite existence? The answer of course is simple, believe it or not. If you have a supernatural view of life, then this is a trial and there are sufferings, but we will come through this present moment of history, because God sees all and we are in His hands. Commentators love to employ the expression "existential crisis". Such is the poverty of their education that they hope to convey a sense of gravity and also an inference of their own contemplation of the meaning of existence and our part in it. Most commentators clearly fail to understand the meaning of either word, let alone the "joined up writing" the 30 second soundbite news cycle does give sufficient room for such considerations. For us as a Catholic people there is no existential crisis, as the Commandments and the Gospel, the Sacraments and the Magisterium remain totally and utterly un-challenged or diminished by Covid'19. There is no crisis for the Church as life is not an episode of "Tipping Point". Each time we pray, at home, at St Alban's walking the dog, going to the shops, in the silent moments of the night. Think of the great leap of faith formed into the Great Prayer: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven". This may not be the end of the "Covid'19 Cycle" but to adopt a phrase, it is surely the end of the beginning or even the beginning of the end. If you haven't given your email address or home address to me and wish to be kept in the loop of Parish life please email or drop your details, so that in the event of a localised lockdown you are included in receiving the newsletter and other messages. God bless you all!

ST ALBAN'S PARISH 100 CLUB

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Please remember them when praying the Rosary; in personal prayer: Anthony O'Shea, Muriel Reece, Mark, Lynette Houlston, Martin, Sally Botto, Geoff, Agnes, Michael Coffeey, Billy Page, Alison, Kit Lewis, Sheila Donovan, Eileen, Phoebe Paul, Ruth Pinder, Audrey Bodenham, Dennis Caine, Christian Babu, Olive Bowen, Paul Burns, David Burns, Julie Cale, Irene Casey, Ethan Chichester, John Cowley, Justin Domenico, Alun Edwards, Elle Fine, Mary Healy, Nell Horan, James Hogg, Barbara Hurley, Don James, Anthony Jeremy, Jennifer King, Colin, Shirley & Michael Kingston, Alexandra Micallef, Michael McCauliffe, Betty Murphy, J. Pratt, J. Price, Beatrice Rajanayagam, Nia P- Jones, Fay Simpson, Beatrice O'Brien, Elizabeth Sitole, Shelagh O’Donaghue, Gareth & Ethan Woodberry, Pat Xuereb. The Fathers and Brothers pray for these intentions every morning

REMEMBER:

MASS LINE: 029 2267 0924

The St Alban's Mass Line is Brian McDonagh, RIP During the course of the week I was shocked and

a deeply saddened to learn that Brian had been killed dedicated telephone line in a vehicle accident. Please remember his widow, connecting those without children and family in your prayers. internet access to Sunday Mass. "Thank you so A Requiem Mass was offered for his soul here in the much for the telephone Masses... they have been a Parish last Thursday morning at 7:30am.

'soul' saver."(Letter of 31 August, Hampshire) RIP Remember to share this number with your friends.

THE ST ALBAN'S PLAYERS ST ALBAN'S Present: A One Night Performance Only on Friday 18th December, 2020 CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL at 7:00pm of DIARY OF EVENTS IN THE PARISH CHURCH ~ 9.30 Friday 27th November Blessing and Presenting of Advent Candles to the School.

13:30 Tuesday 15th December School Christmas Nativity and Carols in St Alban's Church. Auditions begin 1st October at 7pm in

St Alban's Parish Hall. 9:30 Wednesday 6th January 2021 Epiphany NB: Auditions and performance will be Mass and the arrival of the Three Wisemen undertaken in accordance with HM with gifts. Government Distancing Guidelines

NEWS AT A GLANCE St Alban's Repository 1. Mass cards, Anniversary Why not treat yourself to some good cards, Spiritual Bouquet cards, reading material? The Guild Bookshop etc., will be available very is a work of the Cardiff Oratory: Prayer soon. We have to ensure that books, Roman missals, Spiritual reading, Church we are observing social History, Lives of the Saints, rosaries Visit us at: distancing directives in the theguildbookshop.co.uk manner of sale.

MY SUNDAY MISSAL 2. Christmas cards and small Newly arrived pocket size Christmas gifts have been ordered from Ireland and will paperback Latin ~ English be available to view and order Sunday Missal for use at shortly. the 8:00am and 11:15am 3. Christmas Raffle Tickets will be available Sunday Masses are now shortly. Books of tickets will be placed in sealed available from the plastic bags. Please remember to keep within your own "social bubble" and observe social distancing. Repository £12.99 (it contains the English This year the monies raised from the Raffle tickets Mass readings and prayers for every will go to defray the costs of installing the Sunday of the Year and also prayers to permanent cameras for streaming the Masses and prepare to make a good Confession, and ceremonies in St Alban's church. So many parishioners have expressed their gratitude at being to prepare to receive Holy Communion; able to watch Mass, Rosary and Benediction during Stations of the Cross and Holy Rosary.) Lockdown and now when unable to walk to the church.

ST ALBAN'S 200 CLUB Popular 8" plaster hand painted statues are available from St Alban's Please renew your 200 Club Membership or Repository join as a new member by sign up using the form included above in this Newsletter. Please (£10 each). return the completed form and your "subs" next week. Membership is a £1 a month per number to win one of the Monthly Prizes.

(All profits go to St Alban's Restoration Fund)

St Jude, Sr Rita, St Philomena, St Clare

St Alban's Welcome the Ordinariate for a Sunday Vigil Mass.

Next Saturday 26th September the Parish welcomes the Ordinariate Group of Our Lady of Walsingham for a 12 noon Saturday St Gerald St Joseph. St Anthony, Sacred Heart. Vigil Mass for the Sunday. This Vigil Mass Did you know? will begin immediately after the praying of St Rita is of difficult situations; St Philomena is patron saint of infants and the Angelus. We welcome Fr Bernard Sixtus children, bodily ills, desperate causes; and the members of the Ordinariate St Jude (patron saint of impossible cases), St community. Please note that you do not have Brigid (patron saint of Ireland) St Anthony to be a member of the Ordinariate to attend (patron of lost things) St Anne (patron of grandparents) St Michael the Archangel. this Mass.

"Contactless Giving": Stewardship of St Alban's Parish Any easy way to donate etc., for candles, holy cards, etc., by contactless card, mobile pay or chip &

PIN (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Union St Michael, St Anne, St Patrick, St Brigid Pay, Diners Club, Discover, GPay).

ORATORY NEWS St Alban's on the Moors Cardiff Oratory in formation on Monday 14th September

(below) Fr Sebastian M speaks to the candidate on the Oratorian life.

(below) Rev Bro David Lewis being clothed in the Oratorian habit.

And on Tuesday 15rth September, the Oratory was delighted to welcome Rosetta as a Lady of the Little Oratory.

Little Brothers and Ladies of the Little Oratory was baptized in prison. On this day in a common celebration are commemorated all one-hundred are invited to oratory any morning; to pray the Little three , who fearlessly bore witness in Office of the BVM; pray five decades of the Rosary Korea to the Christian faith, which was first fervently introduced into this kingdom by certain daily; assist at Solemn Vespers on Sundays and lay catechists, and then nourished and Holy days; serve Mass when possible; involve strengthened by the preaching of missionaries and the celebration of the sacraments. All these themselves in the Oratory's Devotions. athletes of Christ — among whom were three bishops, eight priests, and the rest laypeople, both married and unmarried, elderly, young people, VIGIL LAMPS and children — handed over to capital The Most Blessed Sacrament: punishment, consecrated with their precious Ursula & Ron Perera, Int. blood the origins of the Church in Korea.

The Sacred Heart: Fay Simpson, Int. 21st September. St. Cadoc, Abbot. In the clas, or ecclesiastical settlement, of Llancarfan in South Wales, St. Cadoc, or Cadog, was abbot and Our Lady's Altar: Fay Simpson, Int. famous for learning in the Sixth Century. In his

honor, very many monasteries in Wales and Our Lady of Pity: Jackson Family Brittany were established amongst the Celts. He is said to have mentored St. Illtyd, another Parish Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual celebrated Welsh saint, at his monastery in Help: John Harris Llancarfan. Other saints associated with him include Sts. Canniech of Aghaboe and Caradoc of St Joseph's Altar: Woolf Family, Int. Llancarfan. St. Caradoc authored the principal account of St. Cadoc’s life. He died around A.D. St Alban's Shrine: 580. Patron of Travellers & Defender of 22nd September. Sts. Vincent, Deacon, and Priests: Anastasius, Martyrs. St. Vincent of Saragossa was Brian McDonagh, RIP a Deacon and the protomartyr of . He was born at and martyred under Emperor If you would like to organise a votive candle for in A.D. 304. On the same day, the September ~ October or for your own intentions or an Church recalls St. Anastasius of Persia, who was anniversary, you can do so by dropping the details originally a Zoroastrian soldier. After professing through the Oratory House front door on Cameron faith in Christ and receiving in baptism, he was Street, writing the intention on an envelope or emailing martyred in the Euphrates River valley in A.D. Fr Sebastian the intention with details of how you have 628. donated for the Lamp. 23rd September. St. Pius of Pietrelcina, (Padre The SAINTS of the ROMAN Pio) Priest. Known to the world as Padre Pio, St. Pius was a priest of the Order of Friars Minor CALENDARS Capuchin, who laboured zealously in the spiritual

• SEPTEMBER • direction of the faithful and the reconciliation of penitents in the convent of the little town of San Giovanni Rotondo, taking such extraordinary 20th September. St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, care of the needy and the poor, that on this day he Paul Chung Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs. completed his earthly pilgrimage truly The Martyrs of Korea include Sts. Andrew and conformed to Christ Crucified. He died in A.D. ̆ Paul, together with Sts. Peter Nam Kyong-mun, 1968. catechist; Teresa Kim Im-i, virgin; Susan U Sur -im and Agatha Yi Kan-nan, widows; Catherine Chonğ Ch’or̆ -yom,̆ and Joseph Im Ch’i-baeg, who 24th September. Our Lady of Walsingham. On basilica in their honor was dedicated at the this day is celebrated the title of the Blessed Forum of Vespasian in Rome in A.D. 527. They Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham. In A.D. are also celebrated on September 27. 1061, the pious English noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches is said to have received a vision 27th September. St. Vincent de Paul, Priest. St. from the Mother of God commanding her to Vincent was a priest filled with the priestly spirit. build a replica of the Holy House of Nazareth, He dedicated himself to the poor at Paris in France, promising a miraculous spring would show her recognizing the face of the Lord in everyone where to build the house. The Holy House suffering in any way; to restore the way of life of became a massive center of pilgrimage by the the early Church, he established the Congregation Christian Faithful, with both the humblest of the Mission for the holy formation of the clergy peasants and the highest royal patrons taking and the relief of the poor, and also, with the help the Walsingham Way over the centuries. of Saint Louise de Marillac, the Congregation of Dissolved by command of King Henry VIII in the Daughters of Charity. He died in A.D. 1660. 1538, the Holy House’s statue of Our Lady, He is also celebrated on July 19. which had been constructed based upon Richeldis’ vision, was burned at the stake at ~ A Really Wilde Story ~ Lambeth. In A.D. 1896, another pious Englishwoman, Charlotte Pearson Boyd, High above the city, on a purchased one of the buildings which had not tall column, stood the been destroyed and the modern revival of statue of the Happy devotion to Our Lady resumed by command of Prince. He was gilded all Pope Leo XIII. Later Roman Pontiffs have also over with thin leaves of favored the renewed devotion: in A.D. 1954, fine gold, for eyes he had Pope Pius XII granted a canonical coronation to the statue; Pope St. John Paul II blessed and two bright sapphires, and venerated the statute in A.D. 1982; and His a large red ruby glowed Holiness, Pope Francis, raised the shrine to the on his sword-hilt. He was status of a basilica in A.D. 2015. In A.D. 2020, the very much admired indeed. “He is as beautiful Bishops of England rededicated their country to as a weathercock,” remarked one of the Town Our Lady by a public act of consecration Councillors who wished to gain a reputation for together with some half a million of Christ’s having artistic tastes; “only not quite so useful,” faithful. he added, fearing lest people should think him 25th September. St. Cleophas, Holy Man. St. unpractical, which he really was not. Cleophas is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles Why can’t you be like the Happy Prince?” asked as a disciple of the Lord, whose heart burned when he was making a journey with another a sensible mother of her little boy who was disciple, and Christ appeared to them on Easter crying for the moon. “The Happy Prince never evening and opened for them the Scriptures on dreams of crying for anything.” “I am glad there the way, and who, at the village of Emmaus, is someone in the world who is quite happy,” recognized the Savior in the breaking of the muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the bread. He is believed to have died around A.D. wonderful statue. “He looks just like an angel,” 60. said the Charity Children as they came out of the 26th September. Sts. Cosmas and Damian, cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their Martyrs. These two Arab saints are said to have clean white pinafores. “How do you know?” practiced medicine at Cyrrhus in Syria without said the Mathematical Master, “you have never asking for any payment, and many were healed seen one.” “Ah! but we have, in our dreams,” by their free care. They were martyred during answered the children; and the Mathematical the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian. The Master frowned and looked very severe, for he saints are mentioned in the Roman Canon and a did not approve of children dreaming. One night there flew over the city a little not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite Swallow. His friends had gone away to Egypt clear and bright, and yet it is raining. The six weeks before, but he had stayed behind, for climate in the north of Europe is really he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He dreadful. The Reed used to like the rain, but that had met her early in the spring as he was flying was merely her selfishness.” Then another drop down the river after a big yellow moth, and had fell. “What is the use of a statue if it cannot keep been so attracted by her slender waist that he the rain off?” he said; “I must look for a good had stopped to talk to her. “Shall I love you?” chimney-pot,” and he determined to fly away. said the Swallow, who liked to come to the point But before he had opened his wings, a third drop at once, and the Reed made him a low bow. So fell, and he looked up, and saw. Ah! what did he he flew round and round her, touching the water see? The eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with his wings, and making silver ripples. This with tears, and tears were running down his was his courtship, and it lasted all through the golden cheeks. His face was so beautiful in the summer. moonlight that the little Swallow was filled with pity. “Who are you?” he said. “I am the Happy “It is a ridiculous attachment,” twittered the Prince.” “Why are you weeping then?” asked other Swallows; “she has no money, and far too the Swallow; “you have quite drenched me.” many relations”; and indeed the river was quite full of Reeds. Then, when the autumn came they “When I was alive and had a human heart,” all flew away. After they had gone he felt lonely, answered the statue, “I did not know what tears and began to tire of his lady-love. “She has no were, for I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci, conversation,” he said, “and I am afraid that she where sorrow is not allowed to enter. In the is a coquette, for she is always flirting with the daytime I played with my companions in the wind.” And certainly, whenever the wind blew, garden, and in the evening I led the dance in the the Reed made the most graceful curtseys. “I Great Hall. Round the garden ran a very lofty admit that she is domestic,” he continued, “but I wall, but I never cared to ask what lay beyond it, love travelling, and my wife, consequently, everything about me was so beautiful. My should love travelling also.” courtiers called me the Happy Prince, and happy indeed I was, if pleasure be happiness. So I “Will you come away with me?” he said finally lived, and so I died. And now that I am dead to her; but the Reed shook her head, she was so they have set me up here so high that I can see attached to her home. “You have been trifling all the ugliness and all the misery of my city, and with me,” he cried. “I am off to the though my heart is made of lead yet I cannot Pyramids. Good-bye!” and he flew away. All chose but weep.” day long he flew, and at night-time he arrived at the city. “Where shall I put up?” he said; “I hope “What! is he not solid gold?” said the Swallow the town has made preparations.” Then he saw to himself. He was too polite to make any the statue on the tall column. “I will put up personal remarks out loud. “Far away,” there,” he cried; “it is a fine position, with plenty continued the statue in a low musical voice, “far of fresh air.” So he alighted just between the feet away in a little street there is a poor house. One of the Happy Prince. of the windows is open, and through it I can see a woman seated at a table. Her face is thin and “I have a golden bedroom,” he said softly to worn, and she has coarse, red hands, all pricked himself as he looked round, and he prepared to by the needle, for she is a seamstress. She is go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head embroidering passion-flowers on a satin gown under his wing a large drop of water fell on for the loveliest of the Queen’s maids-of-honour him. “What a curious thing!” he cried; “there is to wear at the next Court-ball. In a bed in the “I have ordered passion-flowers to be corner of the room her little boy is lying ill. He embroidered on it; but the seamstresses are so has a fever, and is asking for oranges. His lazy.” mother has nothing to give him but river water, He passed over the river, and saw the lanterns so he is crying. Swallow, Swallow, little hanging to the masts of the ships. He passed Swallow, will you not bring her the ruby out of over the Ghetto, and saw the old Jews my sword-hilt? My feet are fastened to this bargaining with each other, and weighing out pedestal and I cannot move.” money in copper scales. At last he came to the “I am waited for in Egypt,” said the poor house and looked in. The boy was tossing Swallow. “My friends are flying up and down feverishly on his bed, and the mother had fallen the Nile, and talking to the large lotus- asleep, she was so tired. In he hopped, and laid flowers. Soon they will go to sleep in the tomb the great ruby on the table beside the woman’s of the great King. The King is there himself in thimble. Then he flew gently round the bed, his painted coffin. He is wrapped in yellow fanning the boy’s forehead with his linen, and embalmed with spices. Round his wings. “How cool I feel,” said the boy, “I must neck is a chain of pale green jade, and his hands be getting better”; and he sank into a delicious are like withered leaves.” “Swallow, Swallow, slumber. little Swallow,” said the Prince, “will you not Then the Swallow flew back to the Happy stay with me for one night, and be my Prince, and told him what he had done. “It is messenger? The boy is so thirsty, and the curious,” he remarked, “but I feel quite warm mother so sad.” now, although it is so cold.” “That is because “I don’t think I like boys,” answered the you have done a good action,” said the Swallow. “Last summer, when I was staying on Prince. And the little Swallow began to think, the river, there were two rude boys, the miller’s and then he fell asleep. Thinking always made sons, who were always throwing stones at him sleepy. When day broke he flew down to me. They never hit me, of course; we swallows the river and had a bath. “What a remarkable fly far too well for that, and besides, I come of a phenomenon,” said the Professor of family famous for its agility; but still, it was a Ornithology as he was passing over the mark of disrespect.” But the Happy Prince bridge. “A swallow in winter!” And he wrote looked so sad that the little Swallow was a long letter about it to the local sorry. “It is very cold here,” he said; “but I will newspaper. Every one quoted it, it was full of stay with you for one night, and be your so many words that they could not understand. messenger.” “Thank you, little Swallow,” said “To-night I go to Egypt,” said the Swallow, and the Prince. So the Swallow picked out the great he was in high spirits at the prospect. He ruby from the Prince’s sword, and flew away visited all the public monuments, and sat a with it in his beak over the roofs of the town. long time on top of the church He passed by the cathedral tower, where the steeple. Wherever he went the Sparrows white marble angels were sculptured. He chirruped, and said to each other, “What a passed by the palace and heard the sound of distinguished stranger!” so he enjoyed himself dancing. A beautiful girl came out on the very much. When the moon rose he flew back balcony with her lover. “How wonderful the to the Happy Prince. “Have you any stars are,” he said to her, “and how wonderful is commissions for Egypt?” he cried; “I am just the power of love!” “I hope my dress will be starting.” “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” ready in time for the State-ball,” she answered; said the Prince, “will you not stay with me one night longer?” ST ALBAN'S PARISH

“I am waited for in Egypt,” answered the FINANCE MATTERS Swallow. “To-morrow my friends will fly up to (Last Sunday) the Second Cataract. The river-horse couches there among the bulrushes, and on a great granite Gift Aid: £ 316:55 throne sits the God Memnon. All night long he Loose: £ 133:71 watches the stars, and when the morning star Restoration Fund £ 593:59 shines he utters one cry of joy, and then he is silent. At noon the yellow lions come down to the Shrine Candles £ 234:59 water’s edge to drink. They have eyes like green Direct Debit/Bank Transfers: £ 175:00 beryls, and their roar is louder than the roar of the Contactless Card Giving £ 198:50 cataract.” Total £ 1,651.94 “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the

Prince, “far away across the city I see a young man in a garret. He is leaning over a desk covered with I wish to thank those of you who continue to support papers, and in a tumbler by his side there is a St Alban's Parish in these uncertain time. I can bunch of withered violets. His hair is brown and assure you that we continue to live simply to support crisp, and his lips are red as a pomegranate, and our efforts at economy for the Parish. As you will he has large and dreamy eyes. He is trying to notice the Health and Safety repair work on the finish a play for the Director of the Theatre, but he church is slowly coming to completion. It is important is too cold to write any more. There is no fire in that we be good stewards while the Parish Patrimony the grate, and hunger has made him faint.” is entrusted to us, not only to care for the church, but to ensure that it is in very good condition when the “I will wait with you one night longer,” said the time comes for the next generation to assume the Swallow, who really had a good heart. “Shall I mantle. "My House will be called a House of Prayer take him another ruby?” “Alas! I have no ruby for all Nations." now,” said the Prince; “my eyes are all that I have ~ left. They are made of rare sapphires, which were St Alban's Parish Bank Details: brought out of India a thousand years ago. Pluck out one of them and take it to him. He will sell it to the jeweller, and buy food and firewood, and Please Note: When you donate to St Alban's finish his play.” “Dear Prince,” said the Swallow, “I cannot do that”; and he began to weep. Parish from your Bank, use the details below: “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “do as I command you.” So the Swallow Name: Archdiocese of Cardiff plucked out the Prince’s eye, and flew away to the student’s garret. It was easy enough to get in, as Account: 23099962 Sort Code: 20 18 23 there was a hole in the roof. Through this he Address: Barclays Bank PLC. darted, and came into the room. The young man City of Cardiff Branch had his head buried in his hands, so he did not hear the flutter of the bird’s wings, and when he ~ looked up he found the beautiful sapphire lying God bless and protect you all! on the withered violets. (TO BE CONTINUED) Fr Sebastian M