Celebrating St David's Day

On a glorious spring morning Bishop Mary and Dean Jason joined the Most Reverend Mark O’Toole, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia in St John Baptist Church in the City Centre for the Lord Mayor’s St David’s Day Civic Service.

The church was beautifully decorated with daffodils, and thanks to a band of St John’s bell-ringers, plus friends from local towers, the sound of church bells resounded around the city centre to celebrate our Patron Saint.

The service began with Calon Lan, before Rev'd Canon Sarah Jones welcomed the congregation giving thanks for

"people through the generations whose vision and labour have helped to make our land a fit place to live in."

Scripture readings from Isaiah and Matthew's Gospel were read in English and Welsh respectively by the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Helen Jones and Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council.

Musical interludes were offered by Steffan Rhys and Gwenan Jones of CF Music singing Cilfan Y Coed and Suo Gan. In his address Archbishop Mark reminded the congregation of St David’s instructions to ‘do the little things’ because

“holiness is found not just in grand gestures, but in day to day acts of kindness and love.”

The collection was taken for the work of the Parish Church of St John the Baptist and the Cardiff Foodbank, which is the Lord Mayor's chosen charity. Rev'd Canon Stewart Lisk, the Honourary Chaplain to Cardiff Council led the intercessions alongside representatives from civic, religious and military life.

The blessing was offered by Archbishop Mark in English and Bishop Mary in Welsh before the service ended with Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and God Save the King.

Thanks to Rev’d Canon Sarah Jones and Rev’d Canon Stewart Lisk and the wardens and congregation of St John’s for the warm welcome they offered ecumenical visitors from across South Wales.