West Vale Catholics - Covering the areas of Llantwit Major and Cowbridge in South Wales.
Return to the Home Page An extensive history of the Parish Locate our Parish and places of Worship A list of the Mass Times in our Parish A list of forthcoming events in our area An overview of groups and establishments in the region View our weekly newsletter Selected articles from our regular magazine Old newsletters and past event details can be accessed here A selection of links to relevant websites Visit our contact page to send us a message Main Menu
Confirmation - 2007 Confirmation - 2007

PARISH LIFE





AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR PARISH

Our parish is part of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, the Metropolitan See for the Catholic Province of Wales and Herefordshire. We are part of the Bridgend Deanery, and deanery events are listed separately on this website.  The parish covers a wide area, being bounded by the sea on the south side, and adjoining the parishes of Barry, south-east; St. Francis in Ely, Cardiff, east; Miskin (Llantrisant) in the north; and Bridgend to the west and north-west.

There are two towns, Llantwit Major (Llanilltud Fawr) and Cowbridge (Bontfaen), each with a Catholic Church. There are a number of large villages, like St. Athan, Llanmaes, Bonvilston, Llanblethian and Ystradowen, together with smaller villages too numerous to mention, hamlets and individual farms and houses.  Located in the Vale of Glamorgan, there is a wealth of history within its boundaries; castles, important churches, manor houses, ancient inns, iron age remains, town walls, holy wells. Those related to our Christian heritage appear on our history pages. Information on secular sites can be found in the relevant websites found on our Links page.

Two very important institutions are situated within and are served by our parish. Atlantic College, the first of the twelve United World Colleges, is housed in the castle at St. Donats village. About 350 Sixth form students from over 70 countries gain places here to study for the Baccalaureate (see their website: www.atlanticcollege.org )

Catholics among them are welcomed to Mass in Our Lady and St.Illtyd each Sunday morning, brought by college minibus, and from time to time they contribute to the liturgy, through reading, singing and for the annual International Mass. Some of our parishioners are link families.  The institution to the east of our parish is R.A.F. St. Athan. When it was much larger it had its own Catholic church and padre, but for many years now it has been served by our parish priest and parish community. Quite a number of R.A.F. personnel have settled in the Vale after retiring from the service.

The parish is already preparing for the challenge of the Military Academy due to be sited at St. Athan, and also the proposed Llandow Newydd, a new village to be built on the old airfield at Llandow. Information can be found on their website: www.llandownewydd.co.uk

There are a number of groups and organisations in our parish, and these are listed and described for your information.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

St. Helen’s R. C. Infant and Nursery School
Maesycwm Street,
Barry. CF63 4EH.
(01446) 732834.
E-mail: sthelensis@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

St. Helen’s R. C. Junior School
Ty-Newydd Road,
Barry.  CF63 8BB
(01446) 740116
E-Mail: sthelensjs@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Saint David’s Catholic College
Ty Gwyn Penylan,
Cardiff. CF23 5QD
(029) 2049 8555
E-Mail: enquiries@st-davids-coll.ac.uk

St. Richard Gwyn R.C. High School
Argae Lane,
Barry. CF63 1BL
(01446) 729250
E-mail: strichardgwyncs@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

St Richard Gwyn is an 11 - 16 voluntary aided Catholic High School which serves the five parishes of the Vale of Glamorgan. Its catchment area extends from Penarth in the east, through Barry and Rhoose into the rural Vale to Cowbridge, St Athan, and Llantwit Major in the west.

A free school bus service is provided by the LEA for pupils from the Llantwit Major, Cowbridge and St Athan area. St Richard Gwyn is the only Faith Based Secondary School in the Vale of Glamorgan and is oversubscribed. An open evening is held each October, and parents and parishioners are invited to various celebrations throughout the year.

The central aim of the school's mission statement is 'to improve the first class education, development and high achievement of our pupils. This will be in a calm, disciplined and caring environment where relationships are based on Catholic values for all pupils, staff, parents and governors.' The School is a very good school. If you are interested in learning more then please do not hesitate to contact the Head teacher, Mr Michael Clinch, on 01446 729250. Informal visits and parental tours can be arranged on request.

PARISH GROUPS



Pastoral Advisory Council

Membership: the Parish Priest, the Parish treasurer, and up to 10 elected members who serve a term of 4 years, plus anyone co-opted for a special reason. Members include the chairpersons of the Administration, Communications and Finance Committees. The purpose of the Council is to oversee Parish Life, initiate new activities, events, groups and to encourage existing groups. Anyone interested in becoming a member, please email or contact the parish priest.

Administration Committee

The functions of this Committee are:

  1. to oversee and action the maintenance, repair and development of Our Lady and St. Illtyd Church, St. Cadoc Church, the Presbytery, the Parish Centre, the grounds, car parks and boundaries.
  2. To run ongoing sources of parish income: including 100 club, 49ers, and sale of Tesco vouchers.
  3. To fund raise, organising events such raffles, race nights, Christmas market, parish walk and any other events that may from time to time be decided.
  4. To organise social activities in addition to the above, which are not classed as fund-raisers like a summer barbecue, Hendrewennol fun day, etc.

Anyone interested in joining or helping with this committee, please contact John Davies via this website.

Communications Committee

This small committee is responsible for communications both within the parish, with the wider church community and the neighbourhood. It produces a quality parish magazine 2 or 3 times in a year. It organises articles for the local paper (The Gem) and for the Archdiocesan Catholic People.

One of the members produces the weekly newsletter. Information leaflets, new parishioner hand-outs and (from time to time) booklets are produced. The committee is responsible for the content of the website. This committee desperately needs more help. Interested? Please email.

Finance Committee

Membership is determined by the parish priest and includes the parish treasurer, and 2 or 3 financially astute members. A quarterly financial return is produced and the parish budget is overseen.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The parish has a small conference which undertakes as much work as possible with the elderly, the sick and any with particular needs. Lifts are provided to Mass, hospitals, doctors, etc. Shopping may be done. The housebound are visited. Mass offerings are given every time a parishioner dies.

With the Ladies Guild, twice a year a Mass and Tea are held. Our Conference is twinned with one in India whom we help with a small annual donation The Society is a registered charity part of the worldwide organisation. The National office can be contacted via the website: www.svp.org.uk

Parish Ladies Guild

This very successful group has been meeting once a month for many many years. Apart from talks and demonstrations, they organise events like the Strawberry Tea and Candles and Cracker evening. At least once a year they run a trip to places of interest, and often a Christmas shopping trip as well.

The Ladies of the Guild are also wonderful fund raisers and over the years have purchased many items for the church. Currently they are completing the equipping of the kitchen in the Parish centre. They provide refreshments are some of the major parish events. See Events for their programme for this year.

CAFOD Support Group

The function of the parish based group for the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is to increase awareness of the needs of the developing world and to highlight ways in which CAFOD and other relief agencies are tackling the problems. The Group organises the annual Carol Service, a special Stations of the Cross, and fund raising activities.

For information on CAFOD worldwide, go to their website: www.cafod.org.uk

Mothers’ Prayer Group

This meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 9.15 a.m. in St.Cadoc: parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can pray for children – includes members of other churches.

A.P.F.

Association for the Propagation of the Faith. Many parishioners have Red Boxes in which they put loose change or regular offerings. These are emptied 3 times a year. Members get the newsletter and a calendar. The moneys raised go to help poor parishes throughout the world.

The Churches

Each church has the following:

  • Eucharistic ministers
  • Readers
  • Altar servers
  • Leaders of children’s liturgy
  • Offertory collectors and counters
  • Choir Groups of flower arrangers, cleaners, care of altar linen
  • Refreshments (Parish Centre)

We are always looking for volunteers in all groups. Please contact us by email or to the Parish Priest.

CATECHISM

There is a comprehensive programme of children’s instruction in the parish, commencing with Parish Angels, then preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. For children who have made their First Communion, the Parish Doves help them to develop their faith until the end of the primary years.

Do you have a child who can attend classes?

Email and a catechist will get in touch with you.

Sacrament of Confirmation

A programme is organised for preparing candidates for Confirmation which is held every two years. All those in Year 8 or over are eligible.

Adult Initiation

For adults interested in leaning more of the Catholic Faith or receiving instruction in order to become Catholics, courses are arranged as and when required. If you are interested, please email or contact the parish priest.

PIETY STALL



There is no need to travel to the CTS in Cardiff for your Catholic devotional cards and gifts, just call into the newly refurbished Piety Stall at Llantwit Major after Mass on a Sunday.

We cater for all your needs with an extensive selection of cards and gifts for any occasion including the Sacraments, also hand crafted olive wood items from the Holy Land.

If you have difficulties getting to Church, a home service can be provided, please call Margaret Hughes on (01446) 774212.

 

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