Pope Benedict XVI wishes every success to the Mass in honour of Saint John Roberts in Cymer Abbey

This summer the hallowed ruins of Cymer Abbey near Dolgellau will host one of the largest open-air events to be held in Wales during 2010. Three choirs, the massed voices of up to one thousand people and distinguished guests will gather on Sunday, the 6th of June at 2:30pm in a Mass to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of one of Wales’ greatest religious figures - St John Roberts. ‘This promises to be a very moving and emotional tribute’, says Archbishop Peter Smith, the Archbishop of Cardiff. ‘It’s a sad but undeniable truism that a genuine prophet is hardly ever honoured in his own country but I’m hoping that this magnificent Mass will help make St John Roberts as famous in his native Wales as he is in countries like France and Spain’. St John Roberts was born at Rhiw Goch farm near Trawsfynydd and it is believed that he received his early education from a monk at Cymer Abbey before moving to Oxford to study Law. On the completion of his studies he travelled to France and it was here that he converted to Catholicism. He moved to Valladolid in Spain where he trained as a Priest, and returned to London to care for the poor but was exiled many times by the anti-catholic authorities before eventually being sentenced to death in Tyburn on December 10th, 1610. He was canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1970. 'Cymer Abbey is such a perfect location to commemorate the martyrdom of St John Roberts’, said Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, Presiding Officer of the Welsh Assembly. ‘This was one of the many institutions of the Order of the Cistercians which received so much support during the days of the Welsh princes from Llywelyn the 1st and 2nd. They helped develop fishing and sheep farming in Meirionydd and their eventual downfall was a major blow, both in spiritual and social terms. It was St John Robert’s conversion to Catholicism which led to his being created the first prior of the Benedictine college St Gregory and the order’s first martyr in Britain four centuries ago’. Three choirs – St Joseph’s Schola from Pwllheli, the Wrexham Diocesan Choir and the Newcastle Emlyn Choir - will be present under the musical supervision of Gillian Williams FRCO and, in addition, the Mass will attract a distinguished ecclesiastical presence including Monsignor Brian Udaigwe - First Consellor to the Apostolic Nuncio, who will be making a special journey from the Vatican to represent His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. On behalf of His Holiness Pope Benedict, Monsignor Brian Udaigwe, First Counsellor to the Apostolic Nuncio, wishes every success to the Mass in honour of St John Roberts in Cymer Abbey on 6th June, 2010. Monsignor Brian will be representing the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz at the Mass. ‘We are delighted that the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain will be represented at the celebration by Monsignor Brian Udaigwe, First Consellor to the Papal Nuncio’, says Archbishop Peter Smith, ‘this will be a very special ecumenical occasion in which we will be able to celebrate the life and sacrifice of a very remarkable man’. ‘For us in Dolgellau’ says the town’s Member for Parliament Elfyn Llwyd, ‘St John Roberts is more than a local hero- he was a national and, indeed- as the tremendous interest this event has inspired tends to suggest- an international hero too. I am looking forward to attending the Mass and honouring his memory.’ In recognition of St John Roberts’ period of study in Spain the Mass will welcome inhabitants of the city of Valladolid together with representatives of the Abbeys of Belmont and Downside of the Benedictine Congregation (St John Roberts founded Downside Abbey in 1605). Non-ecclesiastical dignitaries will include the Mayor of Dolgellau, the Chairperson of Gwynedd Council and numerous local dignitaries. It is also hoped that a 100 year old replica of the Cymer Abbey Chalice and Patten from the National Museum of Wales will be on display on the altar during the Mass. Following the open-air Mass St John Roberts will be further honoured between the 15th and 18th of July with a pilgrimage from Wales to London where- on the 10th of December 1610 - St John Roberts was martyred at Tyburn. The highlight of this pilgrimage will be a multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 17th July attended by the heads of all the Churches including The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams and The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nicholls. Both Archbishops will be addressing the event (Archbishop Rowan in Welsh and Archbishop Vincent in English) and all the Archbishops and Bishops of Wales, Catholic and Anglican, will be present. During the service, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas will unveil a newly-commissioned mosaic of St David and the Most Reverend Peter Smith will host a reception after the service. ‘By recognizing and celebrating our religious heritage’, says Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, ‘we recognize also the unfortunate divisions and prejudices that lie within religions both in the past and in the present age. I am hopeful that we can come together in prayer and hope for greater understanding between communities and religious convictions- understanding which can benefit us all both today and well into the future’. Find more photos like this on Americymru Images of Cymer Abbey by Jeffrey L. Thomas

An interview With Elly Roberts of Calon FM - Wrexham Community Radio

AmeriCymru member Elly Roberts has been a local and international DJ for over 30 years, having performed in Greece, Holland, Spain and Los Angeles, USA. He has been a music lover since he was a child, and considers himself a lapsed musician since giving up playing the piano as a teenager. His love of music has never waned, and by having his own show on Calon FM, he’s realising a life-long ambition to be a presenter. AmeriCymru spoke to him about his work on Calon FM and elsewhere. Americymru: Calon FM is a community radio station. Care to tell us a little about the way the station serves the local community? Elly: Calon FM offers all kinds of support to the local community, from free open access training courses for anyone with an interest in radio (provided in conjucture with Glyndwr University), to supporting a multitude of local businesses and, crucially, giving airtime to local and national charities. Calon works with people from a huge range of backgrounds and skill sets. From complete novices to to experienced journalists and the technically minded, from university graduates to those just beginning their training. Being part of this environment is one of the many joys of being involved in community radio – we’re always approachable and can usually offer something for everyone. Americymru: What kind of programming does the station put out? Elly: Many, many different kinds. There’s currently at least 80 hours going out live every week and this is really only limited by the imagination of the presenters. Cookery, comedy, local news, multi-lingual shows, poetry, local interest (very important), whilst every genre of music is represented throughout the week. Finding free time to put out all of the programming is definitely a challenge. Americymru: Do you broadcast in Welsh? If so what proportion of your broadcasts are in the Welsh language? Elly: The station puts out shows not just in Welsh but a variety of languages that include Spanish, Chinese, Polish, and German. Calon FM are always on the lookout for Welsh language presenters and our current bilingual host Michelle Murphy broadcasts for 4 hours each week. The terrific thing about Michelle’s style is her inclusion of the English audience too. As a result the overwhelming majority of listeners understand what’s being discussed and can get involved with the programme, and in doing so pick up elements of the Welsh language. Americymru: Can you tell us something about your show "The Plug". Elly: THE PLUG - My mission. The Plug name itself was purposely designed to be short and memorable, like the television music show The Tube back in the 80s. I chose the name because the programme is designed to ‘plug’ (good) music that may not necessarily be heard on the radio. At one time a ‘plugger’ was employed by an artist or band, and even by record companies themselves, to go around the radio stations across the UK , promoting their artists, persuading stations to air their music. On The Plug playlist itself, it includes both new ( and pre-release) singles by up-and-coming artists and album tracks. Each week there’s an Album of the Week, where I play 2 (or sometimes 3) tracks from it. Older music can be used as a ‘hook’ (a musical term) to reel-in the listener at the beginning on the show, generally something anthemic. During the 2 hour show there can be two features, like Dusted Down, that includes a back-catalogue classic, forgotten gem, or an obscure song. Another feature is Flashback, where I play a song that (hopefully) brings back happy memories, but sometimes sad ones too. Music has a knack of taking people back to a certain time, place and event, creating a soundtrack to our lives. Depending on time etc, other mini- features may be explored in the future, building-up a considerable body of work that appeals to both younger and older listeners. By definition, the PLUG is a no boundaries show that aims to be the most eclectic on the airwaves, where one minute you’ll hear rock, then jazz, then soul, then folk, etc. all sitting nicely next to each other, due to careful planning. There are possibilities of including genre ‘specials’ like a soul, rock, jazz, Americana, and country theme. In addition, topical themes can be introduced like, say Mother’s Day selections, or a dedicated show to a recently deceased artist, paying homage to their work. Americymru: You also appear on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. When can our readers listen to you on those stations? Elly: This is a tricky one. Since 2004 I have been making freelance contributions to BBC Radio Wales, and BBC Radio Cymru since 2005. Due to the nature of those contributions, I can be called at any time in advance about a musical topic, say The Beatles for example, and I will then do the link nationally (Wales) from the BBC’s studio here in Wrexham. Unfortunately, I never know when I will receive the ‘call’, so it’s totally unpredictable. The same applies with BBC Radio Cymru, but their contributions are normally done on the telephone. BBC Radio Cymru has also given me the chance to make ‘none-music’ contributions such as local or national issues. The latter brought me the opportunity to guest on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show on 12 April this yea, with a listening audience of approximately 8.5 million, the largest in Europe. I was contacted by producers in London, who said they had been ‘tracking’ my contributions on both of the Welsh channels. Americymru: We read in your bio on the station website that you have been "a local and international DJ for over 30 years" and that you have performed in Greece, Holland, Spain and Los Angeles, USA. Care to tell us something about your experience in the US? Elly: Yes, I have performed in all those countries, and in most cases just ‘one offs,’ like my friend’s wedding party in Enschede, Holland, in 2000. But by far the most thrilling experience of all was in LA and Santa Barbara, California. It was dream come true. I was invited over to LA, by my old friend, to back-up his then embryonic new musical Rock venture, a favour I was more than happy to oblige. He needed an experienced DJ that could handle anything thrown at him, in this case me. Due to my vast CD collection, I can pretty much handle any type of gig, tailored to specific needs, though they are few and far between nowadays, and tend to be favours for friends. Before leaving for LA I carefully selected the relevant CDs. The plan was to top ‘n’ tail the gig with back-up during the participant switch over during the presentation. Initially, we did two house party warm-ups in Beverly Hills, leading to a proper public performance in Santa Barbara, 90 miles north of LA. During my three week vacation, I met several actors, musicians and show-biz types. I have been invited back to LA, sometime in the future, with a planned visit back to Holland this summer. Americymru: Where can listeners go to tune in to Calon FM? Elly: Locally with an approximate radius of 15-20 miles from Wrexham in north-east Wales, CALON FM can be found on the 105 FM band. Globally, or even locally, using a computer, it can be found at www.calonfm.com My show can be heard between 2 – 4 PM each Monday via the Listen Live link, with a Listen Again facility up-and-running by Wednesday afternoon, which can then be heard any time if you miss the Monday slot. If your readers go to the CALON FM homepage at www.calonfm.com they’ll find my showpage under Shows. Americymru: Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru? Elly: Yes. Via the internet, I genuinely hope that listeners in America will follow all shows on CALON FM at www.calonfm.com because the station can provide listeners with a flavour of what the station is all about and keep abreast of events in our thriving community here in Wrexham, and surrounding area. Despite Wrexham’s close proximity to the English border - about 5 miles away - there continues to be a an ever present and long established Welsh speaking community in and around the town, particularly in my own native village of Rhosllannerchrugog, barely 3 miles outside Wrexham. Calon FM also provides a bi-lingual (Welsh-English) programme fronted by presenter Michelle Murphy, a show called ‘Hanner Reis Hanner Chips’ ( Half Rice Half Chips) on a Friday afternoon between 2 – 3PM UK time, again with a Listen Again facility for anytime listening. This show will be invaluable for Welsh learners and fluent speakers in America. One final request. I would very much appreciate if your readers could SPREAD THE WORD about both the radio station and my show, which is now listened to online, in USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, Holland, Japan and the UK. The Plug feedback is more than welcome at the CALON FM email addresses – info@calonfm.com or the studio directly at studio@calonfm.com Your readers, if they wish, can contact me directly now at either my new email address ellyr@ellyr.co.uk (and/or elly2000@freenet.co.uk for the next 6 months) As I have a string family connection with Wisconsin and America, I hope your readers will follow my show on a regular basis. If you ‘Google’ Elly Roberts, you’ll learn a lot more about what I get involved with. Thank you for your kind interest. Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

Last night's unique mass at Dolgellau launches a year-long celebration for Wales Saint

Last night, Thursday 10th December 2009, a unique bilingual Mass was held in a small Church in Dolgellau, launching a year of celebrations for Saint John Roberts, of Trawsfynydd, who was executed 400 years ago at Tybyrn . The year of celebrations will run from the 10th of December 2009 until the 10th of December 2010. The sequence of events taking place throughout the year will lead up to a landmark event to be held in Westminster Cathedral, London on 17th July 2010 where, for the first time ever, the Head of the Catholic Church, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, and Head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, will unite with Wales’ religious leaders to celebrate the life of one of Wales’ Saints. Last night, the 10th of December, at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Dolgellau, Bishop Edwin Regan celebrated a bilingual Mass where people from all denominations, and of no denomination, gathered. A number of priests from Wales and beyond concelebrated the Mass alongside Father Joshy, the Parish Priest who originates from India, and who is learning Welsh. Father Joshy also took part in the opening service at this year’s National Eisteddfod in Bala. Sue Roberts, Vice-Chairman of the Catholic Circle (Cylch Catholig), who is organising the year-long celebrations alongside the Saint John Roberts working group said: “The Mass is a very special one, with Dolgellau’s Nuns of the Carmelite Order receiving special permission to leave the Convent to join us. This is a very rare event. Only once before have the Nuns been in the parish church, despite the Convent being only a few hundred yards from the church”. Amongst those attending the launch last night was Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, who said “The remembrance of the martyrdom St John Roberts is an opportunity to reflect on the devastating effect of mixing religions and political prejudice and the lack of tolerance among people of different beliefs. Being present at this special Mass in Dolgellau is a chance to remember the importance of our Catholic tradition in Wales and our vital relationship with the rest of Europe”. Also attending were Delwyn Evans - the Mayor of Dolgellau, and a number of County Councilors from the town and Meirionydd. Canon Andrew Jones - the Rural Dean of Llyn and Eifionydd - represented the Bishop of Bangor - the Right Reverend Andrew John, and Brother Dewi Jones attended from Ireland, a fluent Welsh speaker (full name: Alun Idris Jones). In addition to this, His Honour Huw Morgan Daniel, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, a representative of the Royal Family was also present at the launch. The music on the evening was in the capable hands of Paul Booth, former Director of Music at Liverpool Cathedral, who had put the words on Saint John Roberts written by Father David Jones to music. They were performed by Tim Hughes for the first time during the service. A banner commissioned by Mrs Sue Booth made specifically for the year of celebrations, was carried for the first time during the church’s procession at the beginning of the Mass. The banner will appear at each event throughout the year. Also present in the congregation was Marian Rees of Tal-y-Llyn whose relations built the Church. The remarkable stonework of the church matches some of the town’s ancient buildings. Following the Mass, a reception was held for all attendees where Keith O’Brien (an expert on the history of Saint John Roberts) gave a presentation on the life of the Saint. Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols sends greetings to honour Wales’ Saint “Dear friends in Christ, It gives me great pleasure to send greetings from Westminster on this feast day of St John Roberts at the beginning of the year long celebration in honour of the 400th anniversary of his martyrdom. St John Roberts was a man who showed his great love for Jesus Christ in the courageous way he spent himself tending to the spiritual and physical needs of the people in that turbulent time. It is good to know that he is praying for us as we follow Christ in our challenging world. As I send these greetings I look forward with great expectation to the celebrations in Westminster Cathedral on 17 July next year. May God bless you all”. Bishop Edwin Regan said “Although the name St John Roberts isn’t as well known today, he is a major figure in our religious history”. “In fact, he is better known across the continent in France and Spain (and also in North Wales). He founded an important monastery in Douai in France before returning to Britain. He was the first Monk to return to Britain following the Protestant Reformation”… “The hostility between the Catholics and Protestants was at it’s height at this stage” he continued. “A Catholic priest could only expect to live for approximately 2 years in Britain during that period”....”It's so positive to see so many Christians from varying churches unite to honour This Holy Man". Sue Roberts continued: “John Roberts was one of our boys”….. “He was only 33 years old when he was executed. His courage and dedication is still a beacon for everyone here in Wales, and it is important that we remember him. He is a Saint for the whole of Wales”. The highlight of the year-long celebrations will be the pilgrimage from Wales to Tyburn in July 2010, which will culminate in a magnificent service in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday the 17th of July. A number of prominent and important people from Wales will be taking part in the service, with every Archbishop and Bishop of Wales in attendance, both Catholic and Anglican. In addition to this, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, will be giving an address in Welsh This will be the first time the Welsh language has been officially used in Westminster Cathedral. Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas will be unveiling a mosaic for Saint David and the Cathedral Choir, The London Welsh Chorale, Huw Edwards, Dafydd Iwan, Rhys Meirion, Guto Harri, Mali Fflur, Alwena Roberts and others will also be taking part in the celebrations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A message from the Archbishop of Wales for the launch of the 400th year anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint John Roberts: My brothers and sisters within Christ, It is encouraging to know that the memory of St John Roberts has brought together Anglicans, Nonconformists and Catholics together during the past year, as co-pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela (Spain). It was also suitable preparation for the year of celebrations which we officially launch here tonight. It is a privilege for us as Anglicans across Wales to share these celebrations and pray for our Catholic brothers and sisters. I’m sending my best wishes and regards and I look forward to being with you at Westminster Cathedral in July. In the name of Christ Barry Cambrensis (The Most Reverand Dr Barry Morgan) Archbishop of Wales ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A message from the Bishop of Bangor for the launch of the 400th year anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint John Roberts: My fellow Christians here in this part of Wales, During the past year - my first year as Bishop of Bangor - it has been a privilege to learn about St John Roberts and in particular his life as one of the first generations of Anglicans in Trawsfynydd and as a Catholic man in Europe. One of the notable benefits of his lasting presence is the way his memory here in North Wales brings Christians together - especially Catholics and Anglicans. My heart warms knowing that Welsh Christians from many denominations began the celebrations last year in Spain and tonight I pray that the launch of the year of celebration of his martyrdom is one of blessing and encouragement. I offer my best wishes and my blessing. In the name of The Risen Christ The Right Reverend Andrew John Bishop of Bangor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ More Images From the Mass Find more photos like this on Americymru

Drinking for Wales! New Book Charts Antics of Legendary Welsh Tipplers

Wales is renowned for its sheep, male voice choirs and rugby players. In a new book published this week Aubrey Malone makes a case for the legendary status of Welsh drinkers. In the introduction to Welsh Drinkers he mentions the boozing antics of amongst others Rhys Ifans, Charlotte Church, Dai Llewellyn, Tommy Cooper and Hugh Griffiths, however the bulk of the book is dedicated to four world famous Welsh celebrities whose lives fell apart due to their addiction to alcohol.

Welsh Drinkers examines how Richard Burton, Dylan Thomas, Rachel Roberts and Anthony Hopkins coped with celebrity as their lives became ruled by the demon drink, with Anthony Hopkins being the only one to recover. Author Aubrey Malone said,

“Their stories are presented neither to entertain or frighten; merely to state how it was for them on the greasy pole of celebrity before and after their lives become ruled by the substance they once imagined would save them from themselves.”

Aubrey Malone, a proud Irishman, sees many similarities between the Welsh and the Irish’s relationship with drink.

“I see a great affinity between Ireland and Wales in the sense of two small nations who were colonised by England and perhaps as a result of this developed a rebellious defiant streak, which led to colourful personalities who were sometimes unbalanced and sought either escapism through drink to make their poor circumstances bearable or dutch courage to try and do something about them. For every Dylan Thomas there's a Brendan Behan, for every Richard Burton a Richard Harris and for every Anthony Hopkins a Peter O'Toole.”

Welsh Drinkers (£4.94 / $7.50 approx ) is published by Y Lolfa and is available on www.ylolfa.com and in Welsh bookshops.