"Catholics in Wales are few and far between, so when we meet together to celebrate Mass on Sundays and at other times, it is always a joyous occasion.
There are quite a number of Catholic students in the College, and other than Sunday Mass we meet together on Tuesday evenings to pray the Rosary.
The Rosary is a very popular prayer rooted in Scripture that helps us contemplate the face of Jesus through the eyes of Mary, his Mother, and our Mother. We also meet for social occasions from time to time, such as going for a meal or a drink.
Mass is celebrated most days in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, and on every second Sunday of the month, there is Mass in Polish for the Polish workers in the area.
For Catholics, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest prayer we can offer to God. Everything else flows from the Mass.
Lent is a time of sorrow, contemplation, and sacrifice for Catholics; when we prepare for the greatest feast of the Church's year - the Easter Triduum.
May is my favourite time in Lampeter, because it is the month of Mary, and there is a solemn procession and crowning of her statue held at Cardigan. Last year, we were lucky enough to have the Papal Nuncio offer the Mass.
One way I communicate and celebrate my Catholic faith is through Blogging. Blogging has become very popular over the last few years, and I have been doing it since August last year, when my friend Royston persuaded me.
Aside from matters of faith I Blog about Lampeter life, College life, and anything else that comes to my mind. There is a new culture of Catholic Blogging developing. There is a wide range of Bloggers too, from priests to nuns, and students to married people. People are Blogging from all parts of the world, illustrating the universality of the Catholic Church."
Article by John Browne
your comments
Paul Glover from Buxton
well done john ,your article was most interesting: i too studied for the preisthood: but in the order of mount carmel, in durham. alas when i had one of those all too often reflective internal thoughts making me realise i would be responsible for all souls not just christian souls well being , i felt unable to comprehend such an awsome responsibility: as a preist you must not become single minded focusing just on your faith as a catholic the whole human picture in its foulest state as well as its most pleasant side must be taken on board by the preist of today. i am happily married now with three lovely blessed children all grown up now. i am due to retire from my place of work and feel ready to start studying at lampeter for a theology degree to go onto maryvale to begin studying for the married deaconate god bless you brother john you will now be in my prayers for life may our lady of mount carmel guide you.
Wed Oct 8 09:26:18 2008
Martin van Aalst
I am a catholic and I used to visit the church in Lampeter when father Fritsgerald was there some 40 years ago.Could you let me know what "blogging"means.Is it writing a blog on the computer?
Wed Jun 18 09:05:56 2008
Ann Couper-Johnston, London/Kent borders
It sounds like Catholic life in Lampeter is a little more lively these days!I converted while I was at College (you can tell how long ago that was, because it hasn't been 'College' for some time now) and graduated in German (and I'm not going to say when!). Now I am studying again, part-time, to fulfil an ambition that dates from my time at Lampeter, studying theology at Maryvale. As I have a degree in German I could indulge in oneupmanship and read Ratzinger in the original ..... but he's hard enough work in English!!I wish you well in your studies and hope you will be much blessed as you go on to study for the priesthood.
Mon Dec 10 15:14:41 2007
Mugizi Wilberforce from Kigali - Rwanda.
I believe Frank Ssentongo is a good and committed catholic, and I too concur with him. Please people, keep up the faith in Christ. Be blessed as we wait to meet Him when he comes again.
Mon Nov 26 07:58:36 2007
Frank Ssentongo from Arusha-Tanzania.
I agree with Joe. I have been a Catholic since my childhood and honestly i am in formation to the priesthood. Catholicism entails many mysteries of faith that are misunderstood or even totally not understood. The Catholic faith demands belief in revealed truth, thus dogmas pronounced which confuse many non-(practicing-catholics. And though Catholicism has been criticised often especially about her honor of Mary, God still perfoms BIG signs and wonders through Our Mother Mary-mother of the Church. The universality of the Catholic Church is seen more in her not condemning her "fallen children" who condem! n and judge her teachings (i use 'fallen' to mean those who are deserting her), but always calls them back, and keeps them at heart, thus ecumenism, inculturation and inter-religous dialogue. This clearly show how the Catholic-Universal Church of Christ is Inclusive other than exclusive. The catholic church seeks unity of the whole body of Christ other than division. And because of the diversity of her children and the enormous gifts of the Holy Spirit, she in the third Eucharistic Prayer prays for all, even those whose faith is known to God alone. How i love my faith-Catholicism!
Fri Nov 16 10:38:42 2007
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