Sacrament of Ordination - Bishop, Priest and Deacon

Deacon Simon wearing a
dalmatic a Deacon's vestment.

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. 

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. 

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

Black History Month: St Kizito

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. 

Saint Kizito 

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

St Kizito stained glass window

Prayer by Father Samuel Ofia, Missionary Society of St Paul 

Let us pray: 

God of infinite goodness, you said that children should be allowed to
come to you.
We pray for children all over the world, especially for those in danger.
through the intersession of St Kizito, you will give voice to the voiceless
and protection to our children,through Christ or Lord, Amen.

If readers have a favourite Black Saint perhaps one they chose as their confirmation saint then please get in touch 

October Month of the Holy Rosary

Feast of the Holy Rosary

Mary
Stained Glass
Wondow

This month traditionally is given over to the promotion of devotion to the rosary. On 7th October we will celebrate the feast of the rosary. This recalls the Christian victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto following the rallying cry to say the rosary by Pope Pius V.

This simple prayer, which many of us have learnt as children, is not simply a devotion to Mary but rather a meditation on the life of Christ in the company of His mother. Why not reconsider this month our use of this prayer? How often do I say the rosary? Do I rush it? Do I pray with my family?

“With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.” John Paul II

In children's liturgy we are looking at each of the Joyful mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple and Jesus in the Temple.

Joyful Mystery: Visitation

For an online opportunity to pray the joyful mystery of the rosary with others. Takes 15 minutes

Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral

In every church that has been consecrated or dedicated there is kept an annual feast on the anniversary of that dedication in thanksgiving to God. The feast of the dedication of the cathedral is kept in every church in the diocese. For us here in Lancaster Diocese the feast of the Cathedral’s dedication is kept on 5th October except in the Cathedral itself where it is kept on the nearest Sunday.

The consecration of a church and an altar sets them aside forever for the worship of God alone. It makes them a sacred place, a privileged place to encounter God and to be filled with His grace. When our cathedral was consecrated on 4th October 1859 a series of rich prayers and ceremonies drawn from the Old Testament and the Book of the Apocalypse made visible and tangible this setting aside of the Cathedral as a holy place.

The altar at Lancaster Cathedral

The walls themselves would have been anointed with the oil of Chrism in 12 places. In the last book of the bible we find the New Jerusalem (both a symbol of the Catholic Church and of heaven) built on the 12 foundation stones which are the apostles of the Lamb. These 12 anointings remind us that our Cathedral is an image of this New Jerusalem, a symbol of the Catholic Church in physical form and a reminder of heaven. Today 12 candles burn on the walls of the Cathedral at these places that were anointed.

SS John Fisher and Thomas More

Relics of saints (especially martyrs) are buried in a consecrated altar. In the main altar of the Cathedral are enclosed relics of SS John Fisher and Thomas More who gave their lives in the persecution of Catholics by Henry VIII. Again, in the book of the Apocalypse, we see those who ‘have washed their robes clean in the Blood of the Lamb’, in other words the martyrs, under the altar. The gift of their lives is an echo of Christ’s sacrifice offered on the Cross and made present on the altar during Mass.

The anniversary of the consecration of a cathedral has a special significance because it is a focus of unity for the diocese. It is the seat of the bishops teaching authority (the Greek word for a teachers chair is cathedra, the name we give the bishop’s throne). It is the centre of the solemn worship of God for the diocese where the Bishop leads His people in prayer and praise.

In thanksgiving to God for the gifts and graces He has given to His people in this place there will be Vespers (evening prayer) and Benediction at 4pm this afternoon.

O God, who year by year renew for us the day when this your holy temple was consecrated, hear the prayers of your people and grant that in this place for you there may always be pure worship and for us, fulness of redemption. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

St Therese of Lisieux

St Therese statue in cloister
St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster

Today is the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux, it is 15 years since the relics of St Therese came to the Cathedral as part of a national tour. To revisit some of the images from that event see the Relics of St Therese visit Lancaster, 2009.  

Roses with acts of kindness 

St Therese is known for her Little Way.  On Sunday the children in children's liturgy thought about what acts of kindness they could do in the coming week and shared their ideas on roses a symbol linked to St Therese who said:  

"My mission - to make God loved - will begin after my death," she said. "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses."

Welcome to Fr Philip Wrigley:

Fr Philip meeting one of the 6.30 readers

It is lovely to have my second appointment here in this Parish. I am slowly settling into the busyness of Cathedral life. Over the last two years I was appointed as Assistant Priest to Christ the King & St Kentigern’s Parish, Blackpool. This was my first appointment after being ordained here in this Cathedral two years ago.

It was a busy parish with two churches, two primary schools, and a hospital. I was also appointed by Bishop Paul to be the Priest Chaplain for St Mary’s Secondary School in Blackpool.

Weekly life at the parish was busy with visits to the schools, hospital, and my Holy Communion rounds to the sick and housebound, as well as evening catechesis sessions.

All ministries are very rewarding, however, I found hospital ministry extremely special. Being there at the last moments of someone’s life and administering the Church’s Sacraments in order to prepare their souls for eternal life with the Father, was very moving. A duty only a Priest can do, that is why vocations to the priesthood are so important.

Here at Lancaster, Bishop Paul has appointed me to continue with my hospital ministry, as I become the new RC Chaplain to Lancaster Infirmary. It is so important that the priest knows that you are in hospital, in order for you to receive regular visits and the Sacraments. Just let the hospital staff know and they will follow the procedure to contact the on-call priest.

Another responsibility I have on my shoulders is the ‘Data Protection Officer’ for the Diocese. I am currently involved in rolling out a new ’Microsoft Office 365’ email system throughout the Diocese, in accordance with the latest Data Protection & Safeguarding legislations. As you can imagine this will be challenging and will take some time. However, there is a good team behind me, to make this project a success.

I am looking forward to my time here at the Cathedral Parish of St Peter and St Thomas More, and I pray that it will be fruitful. Please keep me in your prayers, as I will keep you in mine.

God bless, Fr Philip.

Fr Philip on his day of ordination
16th July 2022
Lancaster Cathedral

Season of Creation

 

This year we celebrate the season of creation from the 1st September through to 4th October.  In his letter for World Day of Creation Pope Francis writes:

6. To hope and act with creation, then, means above all to join forces and to walk together with all men and women of good will.

This short video helps explain what the Season of Creation is all about. 

During September our Monday meditation group will open with sounds of nature 'God's natural music' this will be followed by a short talk by Fr Lawrence Freeman then our time of silent meditation finishing with a prayer / reflection linked to the Season of Creation and closing music relating to an aspect of creation.  All are welcome, for further details see Christian Meditation.