Gospel Sharing: I am the vine, you are the branches

 Gospel Sharing: I am the vine, you are the branches

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31 Paul is accepted by the apostles at Jerusalem.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22:26-27,28,30,31-32 The whole world shall praise the Lord.

Second Reading
1 John 3:18-24 God commands us to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another.

Gospel Reading
John 15:1-8 Jesus teaches that he is the vine and that his disciples are the branches.

Jesus said: I am the vine, you are the branches 
What does it mean to be a branch?
How do we stay connected to the vine?

Gospel Share: I am the good shepherd

 Gospel Share: I am the good shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12
Peter announces an act of healing in the name of Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:1,8-9,21-23,26,28,29
A prayer of thanksgiving to God for his kindness

Second Reading
1 John 3:1-2
God revealed his love for us by calling us children of God.

Gospel Reading
John 10:11-18
Jesus says that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep.

The image of the good shepherd is on that Jesus used to help explain to the people of his time how much he loved them and looked out for them.  He also talks about how he knows his sheep and they know him.  We might think what image we might use today to describe that same message of God's loving care. 

A Message from Fr Steve

 A Message from Fr Steve. 

When Bishop Paul Swarbrick our current Diocesan Bishop was consecrated here at St Peter’s in 2018, I had been here as Cathedral Dean for about four years. Very soon after that happy event he and I were chatting and he posed the question to me: “How long would you like to stay at the Cathedral?”. I was ,and am, very happy at the Cathedral parish, so my reply was “I think I can give you ten years in all...so another six”? He seemed happy with the reply, and in May 2024 my 10 years completes. 

Fr Steve on his arrival in 2014 - click see his welcome message

This is a circuitous way of telling you that I am to leave the parish on May 19th, after 10 very happy but often challenging years as Cathedral Dean (parish priest). Ten years on, and 10 years older this responsibility now needs to pass to another priest and to someone younger than I am. I am to swap responsibilities with Fr John Millar, who is currently parish priest at Holy Family Freckleton (with St Anne’s Westby). I am to be parish priest for them, and Fr John is to be the new Cathedral Dean here at St Peter’s. The timing of my departure means that I can see through the Confirmation programme, and more importantly I can oversee the Deanery Mass of Confirmation on May 19th (at 2pm). To have asked Fr John to take this responsibility on would have been a step too far for someone new to the Cathedral. 

On May 20th I depart the Cathedral for a brief holiday before taking up my new responsibility on June 1/2. I have loved my time at the Cathedral parish. I have been blessed to be a part of your lives in their peaks and troughs and in their “everydayness”. We have done so much together which has been of benefit to the local community (including life with our wonderful primary school) to the Diocese (because our mother church is looking so cared for) and to our two Eucharistic communities (the Cathedral and St Thomas More) as well as our ecumenical connections across this fine city. Truly so much for which I am deeply grateful . 

Long may the Cathedral parish prosper in God’s grace. With prayers, gratitude, and much love. Fr Steve.

Gospel Reflection: Sharing OUR story and God's gift of peace

 Gospel Reflection: Sharing OUR story
& God's Gift of Peace  

The Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter is Luke’s account of the evening of that first Easter Day. Our reading starts with the two disciples who had met Jesus, the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus where he had helped them to understand the scriptures. Just like John's Gospel account last week, Jesus appeared and greeted the disciples with those words of reassurance 'Peace with you'.  Understandably the disciples were frightened and wondered if they had seen a ghost, but again Jesus reassures them and showed them his wounds, and then to show them he wasn't a ghost he asked to have something to eat.  

 

Jesus then explained to the disciples what had been written in the scriptures.  Like the disciples we also need help understanding the scriptures and what they mean to us today.  Since the pandemic something I have found helpful is meeting with other parishioners at the Gospel Share which is open to everyone (See Gospel Share page). We use Lectio Divina which is sacred reading - it's always interesting to hear what people say and then come on Sunday and listen to what our priests have to say in their homily.  The homily is when they break open the word. Helping with Children's Liturgy is also another way of deepening my understanding as thinking about how to share the word with the children and hearing their response offers real insights. 

 

Dove a symbol of peace

What has stood out last week and this was Jesus' greeting of Peace be with you.  As we hear about the troubles in our world it is important to remember that Jesus came to bring peace to all.  He says to each one of us, Peace be with YOU. We all need peace and we are all called to share God's peace. The greeting and words Peace be with you we also share every time we come to Mass. The Church Jesus founded was universal and in our parish we are fortunate to have people who come from around the world. At the sign of peace in Mass we not only say peace, but gesture signs of peace including a smile and an acknowledgement of others in our Church family. 

 With a special greeting of peace to those whose language isn't listed, please let me know if your word / language is missing. For now, see if you can find someone who you can greet with the words of: peace, Barış, Eiríni,  Frieden,  Kapayapaan,  kedamaian,  Mier,  Myr,  Pace, Paix,  Pax, Paz, Pokój, Ramybė, Śānti, Shanti, síocháin.  AMH 

Our Lady's Catholic College: Chaplaincy News

 Our Lady's Catholic College: Chaplaincy News

OLCC School Logo

The Spring Term newsletter 2024 shares some of the highlights of the Lent Term including the Year 7 Savio Retreat, a visit from Bishop Paul Swarbrick to those involved in the Uganda Project, International Women's Day, Fairtrade Fortnight and Holy Week Services.  Plus details of upcoming events including the schools Charity Concert for the Uganda Project.  For a copy of the Chaplaincy Newsletter

Charity Concert in aid of St John's Hospice and
Our Lady's Catholic College Uganda Project

19th April 2024 at Our Lady's Catholic College starting at 7.00pm.  

Tickets £6 with £4 concessions.

Poster of the Charity Concert. 

Gospel Reflection: “My Lord and my God”.

 Gospel Reflection: “My Lord and my God”.

Original painting of the Divine Mercy
 (by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934) 

The Second Sunday of Easter is traditionally called “Low Sunday” and more recently “Divine Mercy Sunday”. The gospel extract in the Mass is a heartening resurrection account from St John’s gospel. We are told that the apostles and some disciples are gathered in a room (possibly the room of the Last Supper). They are fearful , not only because of possible repercussions from the trial and execution of the Lord, but now confused because of the news brought by Mary of Magdala that she had seen the Lord alive and spoken with him. What were they to think in either case? They were anxious and afraid. What if the High Priest’s guards were to come looking for them as they had for Jesus...after all for all they knew Judas Iscariot could very well lead them to this location just as he lead them to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Fear and Confusion...a lethal combination.

Into this locked room, into this fear and confusion, comes the risen Jesus in person. His risen body still has the marks of his passion but he is new and transformed yet still recognisably the Lord Jesus. “Peace be with you" are his significant word to them, repeated twice. This settles them and they can start relating to the life of resurrection which he had spoken of in his preaching. But now, no longer an abstract description in words, now flesh and blood amongst them.

The apostle Thomas, at this point not with this gathering, does not believe what the others tell him of that encounter. He wants proof of this being Jesus, proof even to the point of rudeness. A week later the proof is given: the Lord invites him to believe. And Thomas speaks the act of faith many of us speak when receiving Holy Communion at Mass: “My Lord and My God”. We too receive the same invitation to faith as Thomas did. We may have our doubts and fears, but the answer is to trust deeper in Jesus rather then look for his hands or side. It is said that the apostle Thomas went on to preach the gospel in India and that is where he died. Syro-Malabar Catholics secure the origin of their faith in the witness of the Apostle. With them, in the words of Thomas, let us renew our faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour. “My Lord and My God”. Fr Steve

Gospel Share: My Lord and My God

 Gospel Share: My Lord and My God

My Lord and My God
window St Peter's 
Cathedral Lancaster

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35
The first Christian community shared their possessions, and no one was needy.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24
The Lord’s mercy endures forever.

Second Reading
1 John 5:1-6
Those who love God keep his commandments.

Gospel Reading
John 20:19-31
Thomas believes because he sees Jesus.

And below an art reflection on the famous painting entitled The Incredulity of Thomas by Caravaggio