A Message from Cardiff Foodbank
October 10, 2025
Thank you for your donations.
I am writing to thank you for the donation of 197 Kg of food in the period July to September 2025 from St Philip Evans RC Church Llanedeyrn, which will provide a 3-day parcel of food and other essentials for 17 people.
In 2024-25 Cardiff Foodbank fed 12,726 people, of whom 4,871 were children under the age of sixteen. This year demand continues to grow. In these times of economic pressure and uncertainty the Foodbank is continuing to support those in financial crisis across Cardiff not only with food and toiletries but, where necessary, signposting people to further support.
We are privileged to partner with 170 referral agencies who are engaged in supporting people in and through their crises. With the help of over 150 volunteers, and donations of food and finance from our wonderful supporters, we are working together to ensure people in crisis have not only enough food, but also hope.
Thank you for your support.
Banc Bwyd Caerdydd | Cardiff Foodbank
November is the month when we traditionally remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and particularly our deceased loved ones.Throughout November, we will have a Book of Remembrance in the church. Envelopes & paper will be available in the Narthex for Parishioners to write the names of deceased relatives & friends. These lists will be placed on a small table on the Sanctuary. Those who have died will be prayed for at Masses throughout the month of November.
Next Sunday, 19th October, the Holy Father invites all Catholics to support Missio – his charity for world mission – through a special collection. This day of prayer, solidarity and giving unites Catholics worldwide to share the Good News of God’s love which has the power to transform lives and heal our world. To donate, use the Missio envelopes, call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or visit missio.org.uk/wmsdonate to give a gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible.
Thank you so much for your generous contributions to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal. Your donations in our parish collection and online are helping families like Waré’s in Ethiopia. CAFOD’s local partners worked with Waré’s community to build an underground water tank that now provides safe water for 300 families. Your support this Harvest will help more communities have better access to safe water. You can read more about Ware’s story here: cafod.org.uk/harvest
Finally, our card reader is back in action and we are able to take card payments in the parish again! The card reader is available in narthex after any Mass.
Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection to share God’s abundant gifts with our global neighbours as they find lasting solutions to poverty and climate challenges. Your generosity offers “signs of hope” in this Jubilee Year, helping build more water tanks in communities like Waré’s in Ethiopia where women have to walk for hours to get water. Ways to donate to CAFOD Family Fast Day Use the envelopes at the back of church for our parish collection. Donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope . Donate by phone: Call 0303 303 3030 and make a card payment over the phone. Donate by post: CAFOD, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB . Please make cheques payable to CAFOD and do not send cash in the post. You can also text CAFOD to 70560 to donate £10. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from CAFOD. If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from CAFOD, please text CAFODNOINFO instead.
The university chaplaincy is a great way to build strong connections between local parishes and the Church's mission to evangelize. Many Catholic students choose to study at Cardiff University, Cardiff Met, South Wales University, and The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama . For these students, this is a challenging yet exciting time as they transition from living with their families to living on their own. During this time, students can re-examine their faith while being exposed to many different beliefs, including those who have no faith. The chaplaincy is there for both students and university staff. The chaplaincy is a safe haven for everyone associated with our universities, regardless of their background or beliefs. It is a place where they can feel the true hospitality of the Gospel. While our reach is wide, it is not always deep. That is why I'm inviting members from our parishes to help us build a stronger chaplaincy team. A Chaplaincy Team The team's main duty is to work with the Chaplain to coordinate the chaplaincy's outreach and services across the Cardiff, Treforest, and Newport campuses. The central chaplaincy building is in Cardiff. The following areas are key to making the Gospel's hospitality effective: Hospitality: Create a welcoming, safe, and non-judgmental environment where visitors feel respected. The most fundamental way to do this is by providing meals. A Welcoming Space: Maintain a warm and inviting place where people can relax, unwind, and enjoy each other's company. Serving Others' Needs: Moving away from home is both exciting and challenging. Students often need mentoring and guidance on practical matters like cooking, budgeting, and balancing work, social life, and downtime. Serving these needs not only helps them but also allows grace to shape and form those who serve. Spirituality: Forming relationships can be difficult, as how we interact with others is shaped by our past. Prayer is a key area that requires guidance, much like the apostles' request to Jesus, "Teach us how to pray". Our prayer life reflects how we live. Days of recollection and reflection can help students and adults develop a spirituality that both reflects and shapes their lives in the Spirit. RCIA and Catechesis: Catechists have the chance to encourage and guide those who come to the chaplaincy with questions about the Catholic faith. Social Teaching in Action: The chaplaincy supports student-led groups like Pro-Life, SVP, Pax Christi, and Young Christian Workers. These groups are an important way to put the Church's social teachings into practice and grow in faith. As the saying goes, "the harvest is great, but the labourers are few". I know these are ambitious goals, and that big things take time. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Of course, I will need to request references and a DBS check for anyone who volunteers. If you are qualified and interested in these areas, please contact Fr John Patrick Thomas at john.thomas@rcadc.org .
