THE P RTAL
September 2017 Page 12
They have a Dragon on the flag !
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit SS Basil and Gwladys , Rogerstone , Newport , Wales
Yes , it really is St Gwladys ! She is a sixth century Welsh Saint , the Mother of St Cadoc . We visited this group about two years ago . Then , they were worshipping once a month in the cathedral in Cardiff . It was a positive visit , and we thought it time we went back , especially as they have moved to a church where they can meet every Sunday and at a favourable time .
Ss Basil and Gwladys is a tiny building seating less than one hundred people . But it is beautiful , with everything a Catholic Church should have . The Ordinariate group have added their stunning statue of Our Lady of Walsingham and a very useful organ . The Ordinariate mass is at 1130 every Sunday .
When we last visited Wales , we met Nicky Prichard who was in the process of being received into the Catholic Church . She is now the organist and her husband , David , is a Transitional Deacon . The Sunday we visited was a Bank Holiday weekend , yet there were still twenty seven people present .
Nicky told us , “ We brought the organ from Brighton ! I am still Head Teacher at St Mary the Virgin Primary School in Cardiff . It is a Church in Wales School . I was under instruction when you came before . I was received into the Catholic Church in July 2015 . It was the best thing I ever did . It really is like coming home . I know everyone says that and it is a bit of a cliché , but it is true . My husband is a Transitional Deacon .
Nicki Prichard abd Charlie Jeremy
“ I commissioned a Thanksgiving Mass Mary Roden from my friend Sarah Hendy . We used it this morning . It is simple , singable , but not naff ! It bears the motif “ Fill every heart with love of Thee ” and is named “ The St Cecilia Mass ” after the Patron Saint of Musicians .
mass !
“ Coming here was a brilliant move . At the Cathedral , we met once a month , so if you missed one , and someone else missed one , it could be three months before you saw them . Also 1130 is a wonderful time for us . A lay in on Sunday morning until 0930 , and you can still be early for
“ I have used my Primary School skills to produce this notice board . It tells the Parish here all about the Ordinariate . They have begun to post notices as well .
“ We have been very well received at St Gwladys . A number of the Parish people have started to come to our Mass . Not being in the centre of Cardiff is not a drawback at all .
“ As to growth , well as we get to know people in the Parish , there are some young people around . Some