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Pastor Gareth Leyshon

I love Jesus, Jaffa Cakes and science – in that order. I fell in love with science when I discovered an astronomy book, aged 7. But I discovered Jesus was real when I said the first serious prayer of my life, when I was 11. Since the universe had a head start, I got as far as completing a PhD in Astrophysics at Cardiff University before entering seminary. I was ordained priest in St Dyfrig’s on 5 May 2007 and served there until 2012. I was then parish priest in two Cardiff city parishes, St John Lloyd and St Philip Evans, until I left parish ministry to become a full-time missionary with the Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism in 2018. Archbishop Mark called me back to become Parish Priest over our four pastorate parishes in January 2023. At seminary I discovered I was mildly on the autistic spectrum – my key weaknesses is in reading body language. I do care about how all my parishioners are feeling, but you may need to use words to tell me. Thank you for your understanding and prayers.

Sister Berenice O’Dwyer SSJA

Alan de Ste Croix (in formation for the Permanent Diaconate)

Áine-Zélie Popplestone (Mrs) – Pastorate Engagement Officer

I am passionate about God, the Bible, history, hair, singing and extreme sports! I have been married to the wonderful Tim for nearly 10 years, who I met at a Bible study and bonded over our shared passion for rock climbing and hiking. I am an experienced Bible teacher and catechist and love building people up in the faith. I have over 8 years church youth work experience and previously co-ran a student chaplaincy. I have served in many capacities in churches over the years, including running visual and sound systems aged 12, children’s liturgy, youth and activities coordinator at a previous church, reading, cantoring, welcoming, filling whatever gaps that has needed filling.

My career background is broad and diverse having worked in business, academic research, teaching/lecturing and working with adults and teenagers with SEN and ALN. I love my history and Biblical trivia, which often come out at the most random of times and due to my obsession with historical anthropology people often joke that I am a few hundred yeas old.

As the engagement officer I love connecting with people, identifying needs and supporting people to grow in faith. I do a broad array of things from setting up new ministries and new opportunities. I support people to engage in church that helps them use their gifts and talents. I mentor catechists and support them to grow in sharing faith with others. I also do a lot of other things, but its hard to keep track!

Revd Laurence Bryce (in residence)

Fr Laurence is currently assigned to study Canon Law in Rome 2025-28, but when in Wales lives at the All Hallows Presbytery and occasionally assists in parish services.

Pastorate Leadership Team

The Pastorate Leadership team is a small group of key volunteers drawn from across the parishes who meet every fortnight to reflect on the pastoral and spiritual needs of our communities. Here we plan events open to all members of the Pastorate, and work out how to share resources and timing of more local events without clashing. We also reflect on the Scriptures for the coming Sunday Masses and this often informs Pastor Gareth’s homilies. Membership is by invitation of Pastor Gareth and is currently:

Joe Biddulph (St Dyfrig’s)

Teresa Bressington (All Hallows)

Christina Canale (the Rhondda Parish and All Hallows)

Alan de Ste Croix (St Dyfrig’s – member by e-correspondence)

Erica Surcombe (All Hallows)

Sr Berenice O’Dwyer (the Rhondda Parishes)

Áine-Zélie Popplestone (Pastorate Engagement Officer)

Other Leadership Groups

The Pastorate Pastoral Advisory Council (PPAC):

Pastor Gareth Leyshon ex officio – Parish Priest

Sr Berenice O’Dwyer ex officio – Parish Sister for the Rhondda Parish

Áine-Zélie Popplestone ex officio – Engagement Officer

Douglas Philp [chair] All Hallows’ Church Rep [appointed]

Cath Carroll [secretary] St Dyfrig’s Deanery Rep [appointed by Archbishop Mark]

Joe Biddulph St Dyfrig’s Parish (Settled Community) [elected unopposed] – Rep to Deanery & Diocese [appointed]

Teresa Bressington [appointed by Pastor Gareth to previous Pastorate Leadership Team]

Christina Canale [appointed by Pastor Gareth to previous Pastorate Leadership Team]

Alan de Ste Croix ex officio as parishioner preparing to be ordained deacon

Pam Harding All Hallows’ Deanery Rep [appointed by Archbishop Mark]

Cheryl Hensley All Hallows’ Member nominated by the Church Management Committee

Peter Herbert All Hallows’ Deanery Rep [appointed by Archbishop Mark]

Lynne Lewis Ss Gabriel & Raphael Church Rep [appointed] / Rhondda Rep to the Deanery Council [appointed +Mark]

Katrina Rees Rhondda Parish Rep to the Diocesan Pastoral Council [appointed by Pastor Gareth]

Erica Surcombe All Hallows’ Parish Rep to the Diocesan Pastoral Council [appointed by Pastor Gareth]

Germaine Unumen St Dyfrig’s Parish (Student Community) [elected unopposed]

Representatives to the DIOCESAN Pastoral Council: Joe Biddulph (St Dyfrig’s) | Katrina Rees (Rhondda) | Erica Surcombe (All Hallows)

Representatives to the DEANERY Pastoral Council: Cath Carroll & Joe Biddulph (St Dyfrig’s) | Marilyn Liddon & Lynne Lewis (Rhondda) | Peter Herbert & Pam Harding (All Hallows)

The Rhondda Parish CMC (Ss Gabriel & Raphael and St Mary Magdalene share a bank account and have been a single parish since 2024): Pastor Gareth (Chair – Parish Priest) | Sr Berenice vice-chair (Parish Sister) | Suzanne Mainwaring (Gift Aid Co-Ordinator) | Paul Pristavec | Paul Laybourn | Katrina Rees (Secretary)

St Dyfrig’s Community Hall Committee: Roy Mayo (Chair) | Liz Mayo | Andy Viney (Operations)

St Dyfrig’s Resilience Committee (overseeing implementation of the Resilience Plan for Parish Development): Roy Mayo (Chair) | Pastor Gareth | Jay (Shiran) Peiris | Andy Viney

Canon Law requires every parish to have a Finance Committee (PFC). Diocesan policy is that a PFC must approve all expenditure on projects costing between £2,500 and £9,999 and recommend projects £10,000 and above for approval by the Diocesan Trustees. The Parish Priest and the Gift Aid Co-ordinator are ex officio members of a PFC. In two locations we have Church Management Committees (CMC) which exercise the duties of a PFC but also co-ordinate other practical tasks.