Author Archives: Dean Atkins

following the sad death of Mohamud Mohammed Hassan, and all that has happened since. At St Mary’s we have a ministry of daily prayer.  It’s a subtle, often unseen, maybe overlooked ministry – but quietly, day by day, we pray. We pray for the world and the local community, for those who are sick andContinue reading “A response to recent sadness”

Rejoice! Our weekly e bulletin is now live with news of worship for the week to come, the launch of a new daily prayer resource, and information about the Diocesan Vision for South Cardiff. Check it out at https://sway.office.com/xC7jviDX0yWl3M0a?ref=Link&loc=play

As we launch a new online Bible and Prayer resource, we reflect on an image from the life of St Anthony of Padua whose own prayer was attentive to Christ. On one of his many journeys, St Anthony of Padua took lodging with a man who kindly allowed him the use of a room inContinue reading “Day by Day”

“The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse” is a beautifully illustrated and written book by Charles Mackesy, described by the author as a book for “everyone, whether you are eighty or eight.” His work describes the wanderings of a boy who is lonely and a mole who loves cake. They meet a mainlyContinue reading “Grateful to have a glass”

Happy New Year! Our most recent e-bulletin with news of our Epiphany celebrations is now available online. Check out: https://sway.office.com/aPyMc5J2CSRt4sf3?ref=Link

On January 4, we commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Fr Graham Francis, a beloved former parish priest of St Mary’s. In memory of him, here’s the homily preached at his funeral by Fr Dean Atkins Let me take you away, for a while at least, from the hill country of Judah whereContinue reading “Graham Francis, priest”

The final ‘O’ Antiphon for Advent seeks the light of Christ even (especially) during lockdown. O Morning star, radiance of eternal light, sun of justice, come and enlighten those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. With an early lockdown, the five day window of relaxation at Christmas has been removed, andContinue reading “Light in the Lockdown”

What did she think along the way, as she walked to the hill country of Judah? Mary is the first Christian pilgrim, journeying with the growing presence of Jesus, and today’s gospel reading at Mass stirs us to poetry and song, and an “everyday, effortless verse.” “And I was travelling, lightly, barefoot / over bedrock,Continue reading “An everyday, effortless verse?”

Today’s reflection on the Advent ‘O’ Antiphon for December 22nd takes us from here to eternity!

In the midst of our Christmas celebrations there is, of course, some sadness, frustration and fear. We reflect on what it has meant to be able to create a safe and sacred space at St Mary’s, and how our Christmas celebrations, wherever we are, can bring us closer to Jesus, a safe harbour. Some prayersContinue reading “Safe and Sacred”