On Sunday during children's liturgy we listened to the story of the people giving their offertory gifts at the temple. The rich made a big show of giving their money, but a widow came somewhat embarrassed and gave two tiny coins. Jesus explained that she had given more, because she chose to give all she had.
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| Lots of generous gifts from our children |
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| Generous gifts |
Listen to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, explaining why it's so important to inform ourselves about assisted suicide, to be fully engaged in the debate and to write to our MPs to oppose assisted suicide being rushed into law.
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For further please see Cathedral Catholic Primary School Website
This year, we have started a GIFT team. GIFT stands for Growing In Faith Together and the team of staff and pupils lead activities to help us to fulfil the mission of our school. Their first activity this half term is to prepare our Tree of Remembrance.
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| Tree of Remembrance |
On Friday 1st November we celebrated the Feast of All Saints
On Saturday 2nd we celebrated the Feast of All Souls
On 11th November we remember those who have died in war, we also remember them on Remembrance Sunday.
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| Box for November Holy Souls |
There are envelopes at the back of the
churches for you to enter a list of names of your loved ones to be
prayed for during the month of November (labelled ‘Holy Souls’). An
offering for Mass to be offered for them can be included in the envelope.
Please either place in the box marked Holy Souls or in the offertory
basket.
The Mass is the greatest prayer we have as Catholics. It is a
great act of charity to pray for those who have gone before us, especially
for those who have no one to pray for them.
grant unto them O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon them,
may they rest in peace, Amen.
Yesterday was a great day for the Cathedral, Lancaster Diocese and our new priest Fr Simon Marley and all his friends and family.
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| Fr Simon Marley at his First Mass |
Today Fr Simon celebrated his first Mass and was joined by four priests and Fr John acting as MC and offering support throughout, a reversal from previous weeks when Fr Simon as Deacon was serving and supporting Fr John and Fr Philip.
The homily focused on a very familiar sacramental of the incensing. There are so many things that happen during Mass that we can take for granted or not realise the importance of but sense they are important. Incensing is one such action. We incense the altar, the Gospel, the priest and the people.
The General Instruction § 276 Thurification or incensation is an expression of reverence and of prayer, as is signified in Sacred Scripture (cf. Ps 141 [140]:2; Rev 8:3).
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| Incensing during Mass - altar, priest and concelebrating priests |
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| Incensing the people |
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| Fr Simon Marley with Fr John Millar, Dean of Lancaster to his right |
At the end of Mass, Fr Simon reminded us all about the importance of praying for vocations and for those who are preparing for priesthood. As is the custom Fr Simon gave first blessings to those who had not been able to attend the ordination the previous day.
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| Fr Simon giving first blessing to one of the Cathedral Families |
As we know, the sacraments are outward signs of inward spiritual
gifts that God gives to His people. The sacrament of Holy Orders is
an important one not just for those who receive it but for the
whole Church because it is there precisely to be at the service of
the Christian people. 
Deacon Simon wearing a
dalmatic a Deacon's vestment.
On Saturday 19th October we celebrate the ordination of our deacon Simon Marley as a priest.
The sacrament of ordination consists of three grades (bishop priest, deacon), each of which makes the recipient able to represent Christ in a specific way in service of the people. These three grades fulfil the Old Testament figures of High Priest, priest and Levite.
Deacons are ordained to proclaim the Gospel, to minister at the altar and witness to Christ as servant of all.
Right, is Fr John in a Chasuble which is the vestment worn by a priest when celebrating Mass. Both deacon and priest are wearing green a sign of ordinary time
Priests are ordained to offer sacrifice (the Mass) and to forgive sins (in confession and anointing of the sick). They are an image as Christ the High Priest who intercedes for His people and Christ the Good Shepherd who cares for and nourishes them.Bishops are consecrated to confer the sacraments of ordination and confirmation. They are tasked with the role of teacher of the faith and shepherd of the flock over which they are called to rule in gentleness and love.
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| Bishop Paul Swarbrick accompanied by two deacon incensing the altar during the Chrism Mass where priests from the diocese renewed their ordination vows. See also the jugs of oil right which are used for sacraments throughout the year, including Deacon Simon's priestly ordination on Saturday 19th October |
October is identified as Black History Month a time to recognise and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of people of African decent. The Catholic church is universal and this month we take some time to learn more about some of the many black saints in the Catholic Church who have inspired the faithful in their devotions.
Kizito is the patron saint of children and primary schools. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and canonised by Pope Paul VI on 18 October 1964. To read more please see St Kizito on the Bishops of England and Wales website
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| St Kizito stained glass window |
God of infinite goodness, you said that children should be allowed to If readers have a favourite Black Saint perhaps one they chose as their confirmation saint then please get in touch