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[ WELCOME FROM †REVD FATHER MARK PARIS †]
May you be blessed by the amazing grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God the Father, and the everlasting fellowship of the Holy Spirit!
I am Father Mark, a Catholic priest and rector of St. David's Parish in the picturesque and historic city of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
On behalf of the members of St. David's Catholic Parish, I offer you this website to tell you more about myself and the enriching and enjoyable life of our vibrant Catholic community.
Being about the business of God is what the Church is called to do. Continuing the teachings and fellowship of Jesus Christ and His apostles, the breaking of the bread and prayers--these are the main ways in which we feel that we can move nearer to God, and we encourage you to join in. The realm of God includes all of us, and the Lord truly loves us all.
It is frequently suggested that if the Church did not exist, someone would invent it. The God we believe in reveals himself through his Creation and supremely through the human race. Our aim is to make sense of him through all our activities, whether worship or interaction of any other sort.
One of the many joys of a team benefice and working in a team ministry is the variety of communities, each distinct, and yet with resources to share. Our parish is at different stages of growth and expectation. We are full of joy and hope, alive in Jesus Christ and reaching out in love to transform the community around us.
I hope that you will find this page and the websites of St. David's Parish and the ArchConfraternity of Our Lady of Victories interesting, informative and helpful.
If you come to visit St. David's Parish, please introduce yourself and tell me where you are from. I look forward to meeting you. You are most welcome to come and worship with us and to enjoy our warm hospitality, whether or not you feel called to participate in any other way in the community.
Thank you for visiting my MySpace. Do make yourself at home and feel free to leave a comment, send me a message and/or an ADD request. Please come back often as I occasionally update the content on my MySpace, including blogs.
Yours for the reign of God,
†The Reverend Fr. Mark Paris â€
Rector
St. David's Parish
ArchConfraternity of Our Lady of Victories (AOLV)
Part of the Worldwide Family of Traditional Roman Catholics
[ FATHER MARK'S FAQ ]
WHY DID YOU BECOME A CATHOLIC PRIEST?
It might sound corny if you do not believe in God, but I become a priest because I felt a personal call from God. That does not mean I had an experience with thunderbolts and voices or the phone rang one evening. Instead, I had an inner feeling and I grew to know myself better, recognising my talents and abilities.
Over time and with prayer, I came to believe this was the right path for me. I decided to at least give it a try by beginning the initial formation process to enter priesthood.
HOW DID YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACT TO YOUR DECISION TO BECOME A PRIEST?
That depends. I found that my family and friends were supportive and encouraging. But not everyone experiences that same support.
HOW IMPORTANT IS PRAYER IN YOUR LIFE?
Because I have chosen a way of life which says that God is most important, prayer is central to my life. Think of it as a deep level of communication with God similar to the kind of communication which happens between any two people who love each other. My relationship with God grows and deepens with prayer.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A DIOCESAN PRIEST?
Generally it takes five or six years of seminary study. A seminary is a college run by the a Church for educating and preparing men and women to be priests.
HOW OLD MUST YOU BE TO ENTER THE SEMINARY?
Today most men enter the seminary after college, university or after working for a number of years. Some people can start as early as 18 or 19 years old and others in their 50’s.
ARE YOU EVER ATTRACTED TO OTHERS IN A ROMANTIC WAY?
Of course! We still experience normal human needs, feelings and desires.
WHAT IF YOU, AS A PRIEST, FALL IN LOVE?
It happens, just as it could happen to someone who was already married! .
Obviously falling in love can be a painful situation for a priest. Yet we know all Christians eventually face pain in their lives.
ARE YOU EVER LONELY?
Never. Being ordained within the Traditional Roman Catholic Church (an autocephalous Catholic Church not in communion with Rome) I can have a happy relationship and do my calling to work with God.
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