Final vespers 2012 ...

Te Deum Window: Lancaster Cathedral

As the final vespers for 2012 has been sung and ended with the Te Deum which is a great hymn of praise and thanks to God for all his goodness.  And as we enter 2013, may we thank the Lord for all his gifts to us, and ask that each new day he gives us grace to make a fresh start to walk in His light again and to fulfill our Baptismal calling. 

A happy and holy New Year
to all our readers.  

For those unable to attend vespers tonight or tomorrow a video below.  


Thank you ...
As the end of 2012 draws to an end we thank all those who have shared their gifts, talents and time to help in all aspects of the life of the Cathedral, and who have responded to the needs of others.  Particular thanks to those who have helped highlight aspects of parish life by supporting the blog by sending in photographs, videos, sharing memories from their faith journey, taken the keys of St Peter on their travels, written Wednesday Words of Witness and allowed us to get a glimpse into some of the behind the scene activities of Lancaster Cathedral as well as the more visible liturgies supported by our priests, servers, readers and choir.

Lancaster Spiritual Mothers

Launch of Lancaster Spiritual Mothers on the Feast of Mary, Mother of God

Tuesday 1^st January the 12.15pm Mass at Lancaster Cathedral will be offered for the sanctification of the priests of the Diocese
Monthly Adoration for priests at Hornby 2^nd Friday of each month will continue all welcome.
The story so far ...

In July we posted a video made by a parishioner and advertised a meeting to learn more about Spiritual motherhood.  On 4th August, the Feast Of St John Marie Vianney (the patron saint of priests) a small group gathered to explore the vocation of spiritual motherhood for priests and to see if there was interest in forming a group of ‘mothers’ to spiritually support the priests of the Lancaster Diocese.  The idea can from a document from the Congregation for the Clergy entitled Adoration, reparation and spiritual motherhood for priests.   

Since then, the group have met for monthly Adoration for the priests on 2^nd Friday of the month at 6.30pm at St Mary’s Hornby and shared the idea of establishing Lancaster Spiritual Mothers, who will pray for priests.  Bishop Michael says that he is very pleased to hear about this initiative and assures us of his prayerful support.  So far there are 35 ‘mothers’ around the Lancaster area and please God in time we will have a ‘mother’ to pray for each priest in the Diocese.

Names of all priests in Lancaster Diocese
Click here for a pdf version for your parish

What is involved for ‘spiritual mothers’?

This vocation is open to both to woman and men, or all ages, married, unmarried, and obviously one doesn’t need to be a physical mother.  The commitment is for a year, renewable on the Feast of St John Marie Vianney (August 4^th), to take account of peoples changing life circumstances. There is no set way to pray, each 'mother' is asked to pray as they can, not as they can't. 

Between now and 4^th August, each ‘mother’ who has committed to pray, will receive a card with the name of 3 priests that they are asked to keep private.  This is between us and God, and we leave the results of our prayers in His hands.

What is involved for priests?

Each priest will receive a card from Lancaster Spiritual Mothers, but not the name of his ‘mother’, to let them know that someone is praying for them and their ministry.  

Further information

If you are interested in becoming a ‘mother’ or want more information, please contact lancasterspiritualmothers@gmail.com  

Friday Photos of Faith: Christmas continues

Compilation of photos of Christmas Eve at Lancaster Cathedral 2012

Today we share some photos from Christmas Eve in Lancaster Cathedral.  As this is the Christmas octave which are the eight days when we continue to celebrate as if it was all one day.  We hope readers are continuing to celebrate the Christmas Octave.

Altar Lancaster Cathedral in candlelight Christmas Eve

Procession to the crib

Blessing of the crib Lancaster Cathedral

St Stephen and the travelling crib

On this second day of our Christmas Octave (eight days) we celebrate the first martyr St Stephen.  Happy Feast day to all Stephen's in the parish and readers of our blog.  Our entry today is taken from the Lancaster Cathedral's website, each week there is information about a saint whose feast we will celebrate in the week ahead.  This provides a chance to learn about different saints and martyrs.

St Stephen

the Proto-Martyr 

Died c.33 Feast Day: 26th December

All that is known of St Stephen is related in the Act of the Apostles. He was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to distribute alms to the faithful and to preach. "…[F]illed with grace and power" (Acts 6:8) Stephen was a man of such great wisdom and learning that his detractors found it impossible to outwit him. While preaching, Stephen was arrested and brought before the members of the Sanhedrin "…who all looked intently at Stephen, and his face appeared to them like the face of angel". (Acts 6:15). He was accused of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). In turn he accused his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit and of killing the Christ as their fathers had killed the prophets (Acts 7:51-53). During his trial he saw a vision: "I can see heaven thrown open" he said "and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God". Stephen was then driven from the city and stoned. As he died Stephen prayed "Lord do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Those who witnessed his martyrdom put their cloaks down at the feet of a young man called Saul who "entirely approved of the killing". (Acts 8:1)

Patronage: Deacons, casket makers, headaches, horses, masons.

St Thomas More's Crib
Below the Travelling crib that has been visiting families throughout Advent made its final resting place at St Thomas More's.  

Wishing you a joyful Christmas

Crib with hearts of love prepared by children's liturgy group

We wish you all 

a joyful Christmas season 

and a very happy New Year

Canon Stephen, Father Stewart and Deacon Jim

Final preparations ...

On this Christmas eve, we see the crib almost ready, missing only the baby Jesus who will be added to the crib when it is blessed tonight just before the Midnight Mass.  Over the coming days we'll be showing cribs from the Cathedral, St Thomas Mores and homes within the parish, please use contact form to send us your offering.  

Crib 2012 awaiting the baby Jesus.

Please note original plans for blessing of the crib have changed.
Behind the scenes
The hard work and preparation for all the flowers that have been prepared over the last few days were revealed last night.  Here we see Jane, one of the florists amongst the red and green and gold displays.  What a transformation to the plain green and absence of flowers during Advent.

Floral preparation in readiness for Christmas 

Advent 4: Love

Preparing hearts as
signs of love for the crib

On the 4th Sunday of Advent the children reflected on the gift of love.  They shared how they had been preparing for Jesus coming at Christmas as they helped to add characters to our Advent calendar.  Then after our Gospel reading, we prepared hearts that will be placed at the crib.  

All welcome to come and join us at 5.00pm 
for Vespers (evening prayer) 

and office of Readings

Final Advent reflection and Advent 4 prayer

Heavenly Father, as Mary and Elizabeth share their joy in the fulfilment of Your promises to them, help us to look forward to the fulfilment of Your promises to us as once again we prepare to greet the birth of Your Son into our lives this Christmas. Amen

23rd December: O God with us

In the past two weeks the objects of faith, on the Cathedral Year of Faith blog, have been linked to Mary, who was told she should call her son Emmanuel, which means God with us.  The objects have been two prayers, firstly the Angelus (the angelic greeting) and the second, the Hail Mary.  See below for a video and link to a third prayer, the Canticle of Mary, known as the Magnificat.  Click here for ideas of how to celebrate with children and to learn about the secret message that the O Antiphons spell out.

Emmanuel means God with us 

Alleliua, Alleliua, 
King of the peoples
and corner-stone of the Church
come and save man
whom you made from the dust of the earth
Alleliua



       

22nd December: O King

Today we remember Christ in the antiphon O King ... depending on the translation it is O king of the gentiles, O king of the nations, O king of the peoples ... and for all a king of peace. As the gospel acclamation reminds us the cornerstone of the Church, the foundation on who we build our lives.  For ideas of how to celebrate with children and a link the the hymn O come Emmanuel which covers each of the O Antiphons click here for last year's post on O King of the nations.

O King of the nations

Alleliua, Alleliua,
king of the peoples,
and corner-stone of the Church,
come and save man
whom you made from the dust of the earth
Alleliua

Friday Photos of Faith - Practical preparations

Today our photo reminds us of the background preparation that goes on to get things ready for Christmas.  Tomorrow if you have time why not come and help with the grand Christmas clean in the afternoon.  

Cleaning candle stands ready for Christmas

And from the original Cathedral blog December 2009 ... getting the crib ready.  Although this won't happen until Monday, children may want to create their own crib click here for templates for children to make their own crib.  

Getting the crib ready ...

21st December: O Dayspring

Today as we sing O Oriens - O Dayspring, we remember as Christ the morning star, guiding us and bringing light to the darkness in our lives.  In Isaiah we read:

Isaiah 9:2 "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined." 

For ideas of praying the O Dayspring with children including video links click here for last year's post.

O Dayspring


Alleliua, Alleliua
Emmanuel
our king and lawgiver, 
come and save us,
Lord our God 
Alleliua 


O Antiphon images courtesy of 

Linda Witte Henke

20th December: O key of David

Today we remember the Key of David. What does this passage from Isaiah 22:22 remind you of?

Isaiah 22:22 I shall place the key of David's palace on his shoulder; when he opens, no one will close, when he closes, no one will open.

In the Cathedral there are many visual images of keys, rather than the Key of David, they represent the keys to the Kongdom that Jesus gave to St Peter. Earlier this year in the blog families have been taking the St Peter's keys to other places of worship, Why not search for posts for St Peter's Keys. For ideas of praying the O key of David with children click here for last year's post.

O Key of David

Alleliua, Alleliua
Key of David, who open the gates of the eternal kingdom 
come to literate from prison
the captive who lives in darkness
Alleliua 

WWW - Joy of singing

This week Our Wednesday Word of Witness is from Samantha Ireland a member of the choir, she sends a video of her singing Ave Maria and accompanied by Mark Hazzard which will also be posted on the Cathedral Year of Faith blog where the object this week is the Hail Mary, click here for further information of about the video.

Samantha writes:

Singing has always had a place in my life from when I was a child singing hymns in assembly at school to choir at Senior school where I sang Faure's requiem for the first time and hassled my music teacher for the translation so I could begin to understand the meaning behind the music and truly sing with my heart. From this time I have held a great love of singing and from it a deeper understanding of my faith and its place in my life.

 The melodies in liturgical music reflect the time of year and range from the sailing high and joyous in tempo and style during Christmas time to the more melancholy and aching sounds heard during lent and good Friday leading to the great celebration of Easter where bells, trumpets, organ and voices raise in together in Joy at the risen Lord. For me it is the text where I and the composer both draw our inspiration, the words of prayer and devotion come together to create this peaceful ambiance for prayer and reflection in each individual.  The choir is where we join together in unity, in one voice to sing in praise to God, we all hold music in hearts and give thanks for the blessing of a musical life. It is through our singing  that we give service to God, and to all in our faithful community. It can be hard work, challenging and testing after a long days work and in a busy schedule of life in the 21st century, but it is here I find joy, peace and calm in my day and we work together to achieve so much especially at this time of year. At the end of each rehearsal and meeting we pray to St Cecilia that she may guide us and bless us in our duty's. St Cecilia the saint I chose for my confirmation name and for her guide me in my daily life.  Music and singing is a such a joyful pleasure for me. A great blessing from God for which I am truly thankful.

Remember

Lancaster Ladies Choir CD Adoramus Te £5 available after Mass and in the Cathedral shop

19th December: O Root of Jesse

Today we remember the Root of Jesse.  In readings from Isaiah we are reminded of Jesus' ancestors and family tree, how he was from the House of David. This is an ideal time for us to think about what our grandparents and and own ancestors have given to us, in this year of faith we might thank them for what they have taught us about Jesus. For ideas of praying the O root of Jesse with children click here for last year's post.

O root of Jesse
Alleliua, Alleliua
Root of Jesse, set up as a sign to the peoples,
come to save us 
and delay no more
Alleliua

Object of the week 'Hail Mary' - see Cathedral Year of Faith blog

18th December: O Lord

Today we remember the Lord, symbolised as the tablets of stone representing the commandments and the fire which reminds us of the burning bush.  For ideas of praying the O antiphons with children and a link to a video clip of Moses and the burning bush click here for last year's post.

O Lord 
Gospel Acclamation
Alleliua, Alleliua
O Lord, Ruler of the House of Israel,
who gave the law to Moses on Sinai,
come and save us with outstretched arm
Alleliua

This week the Cathedral Year of Faith blog is looking at the Hail Mary and reflecting on Mary's role in God's plan of salvation.

17th December: O Wisdom

Over the next 7 days we will show share something about the O Antiphons. Each day the antiphons tell us about one of the titles of Christ that are described in the book of Isaiah. The Advent hymn O come O Come Emmanuel has a verse linked to each of the O Antiphons.  The short video shows all seven.

For those who can't get to Vespers we will feature a video of the O Antiphon of the day, a tapestry inspired by the O Antiphon of the day, the Gospel Acclamation from the Mass of the day and a  image for children to colour or images for all O Antiphons here. Last year we included ideas for prayer reflection with children click here for details.

O Sapientia (O Wisdom) 

Gospel  Acclamation
Alleliua, alleliua Wisdom of the Most High ordering all things with strength and gentleness,  come and teach us the way of truth. Alleliua



 

Advent 3: Joy

Today in children's liturgy we sang and danced for joy.  We lit our third candle and talked about the joy  of having Jesus with us. When John the Baptist first 'met' Jesus, he was still in his mother's womb, we read how John jumped for joy (Luke 1:44).  This Sunday is known as Gaudete (meaning joy).  John the Baptist who told the disciples that someone greater than he was coming.  For a colouring of John Baptist, click here.   

A prayer for Advent
Lord Jesus, you call us to lives of loving generosity, honesty, integrity and humility.  With the baptism of your Holy Spirit we pray that you will walk alongside us to protect and guide us as we seek to obey that call and to live in fellowship with you. Amen

O Antiphons 
A time for quiet prayer and reflection starting tomorrow 17th December.  Exposition 5.30pm followed by Vespers and Benediction.  This will continue all week.  Exposition and Vespers as 4.00 and 4.40 on Sunday.  

Parish shop, Parish CD and year planner

Year planner - helping to keep us warm 

A parishioner has used their IT and creative skills to create a year planner to raise funds the  Cathedral heating fund.  All proceeds will go towards the parish heating fund.  These will be available after Mass and in the shop.  

Ladies choir CD

We'll be featuring more about the production and details of the music in a future post. In the meantime something else for Christmas.  St Peter's Cathedral Ladies Choir CD 'Adoramus Te' on sale £5 after Mass and in the Parish shop.

Parish Shop in the Social Centre

Cribs and Christmas scenes

This may be the ideal time to pop in and get last minute Christmas cards, or gifts.  A wide selection of cards, crafts, books, crucifixes, candles, statues ... if you've not been in for a while why not pop in and get a copy of the year planner and CD from Ladies choir!

Bibles, books and devotional candles

Assorted gifts including children's books, Baptism presents 

Friday Photos of Faith: A birthday and a feast

This Friday we  remember St John of the Cross whose feast day is today, and whose painting was the inspiration for a painting by Salvador Dali. We also hear from a young member of the parish who celebrates a birthday and wonders what Jesus might like for his birthday.

Birthday celebration

Fridays are good, they're a good time to have a rest after a week at school and to talk to God about how it's gone.  It's also a good day to have a birthday!  It's my 11th birthday today and after opening my presents and cards from friends and family we had a Friday feast of fish and chips followed by birthday cake.   Celebrating my birthday also reminds me that we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday soon too.  I've enjoyed playing with the lego I've been given for my birthday but am wondering what Jesus would like for His?  It can't be something big and fancy from the shops but perhaps he'd like something little like me sharing love and hope and joy or peace with my friends and family even more.  My prayer for today is that everybody reading this may be as happy as I am today and will come and celebrate Jesus' birthday this year at Mass.


St John of the Cross - 14th December

Christ of St John of the Cross: Salvador Dali 1951 

This painting by Dali, is inspired by a sketch by St John of the Cross  whose feast we celebrate today. A doctor of the Church he wrote many spiritual books inspired by experiences of his life.  To read more about St John of the Cross click here 

Sketch by St John
of the Cross

Prayer

Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen

WWW: Commercialisation of Christmas

This week our Wednesday Word of Witness if from Catherine Hanley, a young person who offers us food for thought this Christmastime.  

As a young Catholic, “The commercialisation of Christmas” is a phrase that is very familiar to me. During my childhood I have often been tempted to allow Christmas to become clouded by a preoccupation with gift-giving, and so to forget the “True Meaning” of Christmas. But now that I am slightly older, it seems to me that despite the distortions of consumerism, there is still a richer, and more valuable concept of “Gift-Giving” that Christmas should not be deprived of.

Christmas, of course, began with a gift – the most fundamental gift of all – a life.

In fact, it is my opinion that by sending down His only Son to earth, God the Father gave a three-fold gift. The first was the sacrificial gift of His only Son, so that He might enter human history and be among us and ultimately save us from our sins. Secondly, His son gave us His Church on earth, providing the world with a new community – the Christian family who are united together as one body through Him.  

And thirdly, He gave us a personal example of how best to organise our human relationships and societies. We hear the word “lowly” used in carols to describe the setting of Jesus’s birth, and it is on this humble level that Mary and Joseph were blessed with a family of their own.

For me, the time spent with my own family this Christmas will be of particular significance as I am about to move away from home, but I am encouraged by this season’s  reminder of how strong the bonds we build as family are. In Luke 2 we hear that the Shepherds 

“spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

For me, the Nativity is first and foremost a story about family, the relationships we give each other. This core meaning of Christmas comes home to us intimately, in all our warmest well-wishing, at this time.

Catherine has been helping the team of catechists welcoming primary pupils on pilgrimage from around the diocese during this year of faith.  As she prepares to move away, and the rest of the team take a well earned break for Christmas, we offer our thanks for all their hard work and willingness to share their faith with young people and their teachers.

Advent: Prepare a way for the Lord

Yesterday in children's liturgy the children shared how they had been preparing ... some told us about their Advent Calendars, others how they were helping with hoovering, writing Christmas cards and welcoming others with a smile.   

Focal area for Children's Liturgy

This week we also talked about the gift of peace.  

Below a bird's eye view of our wreath that we started last week, it shows the children's hands joining with the evergreen circle of hands that represents God's everlasting love.

   

Remembering others when we write Christmas cards
As you write your Christmas cards, why not say a little prayer for that person to send along with your good wishes.

Advent 2: Peace

Today we light the second Advent candle, in children's liturgy we will be thinking about the gift of peace and talking about how we can prepare a way to welcome Jesus into our lives.  More about this tomorrow.

A Prayer for Advent Week 2

Heavenly Father, Your prophet, John,  calls us to prepare for Your coming among us in Jesus.  Give us the grace and humility to acknowledge our need for forgiveness  and the strength of Your Holy Spirit  to guide us in the ways of peace and justice. Amen.

Reminder - Drop-in For Prayer Day: Monday 10th December
From Noon till Nine as St Thomas More A quiet warm place with books, tea and coffee provided and a Sister to listen during the day. ALL WELCOME! Meditation at 12.noon Evening Prayer at 4.00pm Year of Faith session at 7.30pm Continuing the Apostles' Creed:

 "I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary."

Feast of Immaculate Conception

Celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, below we have chosen a hymn to Our Lady that teaches us of her role in God's plan of salvation. This feast day was created by Pope Pius IX in 1854 to formally recognise the doctrine (church teaching) states that Mary herself was conceived without sin. On Billington's blog which marked the Cathedral's 150th Anniversary, there is a posting about how parishioners celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Feast, in 1954, click here for further details.

Mary the Dawn
Mary the Dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the Gate, Christ the Heav’nly Way!
Mary the Root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the Grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!
Mary the Wheat-sheaf, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the Rose-Tree, Christ the Rose Blood-red!
Mary the Font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the Chalice, Christ the Saving Blood!
Mary the Temple, Christ the Temple’s Lord;
Mary the Shrine, Christ the God adored!
Mary the Beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest;
Mary the Mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!
Mary the Mother, Christ the Mother’s Son.
Both ever blest while endless ages run. Amen.

Lourdes: Immaculate Conception  And for our younger viewers a short video, an extract from a longer film in which Mary tells St Bernadette in Lourdes that she is the Immaculate Conception.

On Wednesday 12th December we celebrate another feast to Our Lady, can you find out which one?

Friday Photos of Faith: How do you communicate?

Contrast how ideas have been shared amongst people of faith in this weeks moving picture on the life of St Ambrose and news of a new Year of Faith Twitter account.  
St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
A video explaining something of the life of St Ambrose about how he became a Christian, priest and Pope and news of the UK Bishops tweeting for the Year of Faith.

Year of Faith Tweets @YoFtweets

Why not tell those you know who tweet about this Twitter account - a chance to have short messages about scripture and documents from Vatican II all in a 140 characters! 

Remember we are looking for images and news of what you are doing during Advent

Advent 1: Hope

Happy New Year.  Today we begin the new church year.  The children in children's liturgy helped finish of their Advent Wreath by thinking about how they could prepare for the coming of Jesus.  Traditionally, the four candles on the Advent wreath are often linked to gifts of the Holy Spirit.  This year we have focused on the gift of HOPE.  As we wait in hopeful expectation for the coming of the Lord, the two videos offer contrasting ways of reflecting on what it means to hope and reminds us what we are hoping for.  

The first is very short video but offers some scriptural connections on HOPE.  

This second video suggests that we all have a role to pass on the light of hope. Jesus is our hope and the Light of the World. Soundtrack by Coldplay "Everything's not lost"  What can you do this Advent to pass on hope to others?

Hopefully! next week we'll be able to show you the Children's Advent wreath.  In the meantime, we'd welcome examples of Advent wreaths or focal areas from homes around the parish.  We've had one sent in which is on the Cathedral Year of Faith site where the object of faith this week is Advent wreaths and candles.