Gospel Sharing: Body and Blood of Christ

 Gospel Sharing: Body and Blood of Christ

Chalice and Host

First Reading
Exodus 24:3-8
The covenant is established between God and the people.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 116:12-13,15-16,17-18
God brings salvation.

Second Reading
Hebrews 9:11-15
Christ is the mediator of the new covenant.

Gospel Reading
Mark 14:12-16,22-26
Jesus shares his Last Supper with his disciples.

Covenants

In our first reading there is a covenant and then in the words of the consecration which Jesus spoke at the Last Supper which we hear about in our Gospel reading, there is mention of a new covenant.  What is a covenant? In a short video below learn about 5 key covenants in the Bible.

Novena to the Holy Spirit: Understanding

Novena to the Holy Spirit: Understanding 

This should have been the eighth day of our Novena.  Hopefully having started, readers will have found other resources to reflect on during this Novena.  We focus today on the Understanding which is one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Apologies to readers that our prayers and reflections for the other days of our Novena have not been shared, your understanding that sometimes life doesn't quite go as planned would be appreciated.

The 8th day in our novena (nine days of prayer) we pray especially for the young people in our parish and this year our deanery who will be confirmed at the Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 19th May.  

This evening we were in the Cathedral preparing for the big day and were joined by young people from the parishes of Blessed John Henry Newman, St Bernadette's, St Thomas and St Elizabeth Thurnham, St Mary and St Michael Garstang, St William and St Bernard Pilling. 

Book of Psalms

Psalms are not only songs of praise but touch our lives in so many ways.  Today we share a few psalms that refer to the gift of Understanding.  Which is your favourite? What others can you find?

My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. Psalm 49:3

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 
Psalm 119:34

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:5

A short reflection and explanation about the gift of understanding, its relationship with the gift of wisdom and how we can help to grow in understanding.

A hymn and reflection: There is a quiet understanding (2.30mins)

A worship song Give me understanding (4.30 mins)

Novena to Holy Spirit: Kindness

  Novena to Holy Spirit: Kindness

The 3rd day in our novena (nine days of prayer) we pray especially for the young people in our parish and this year our deanery who will be confirmed at the Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 19th May.  

Each day we will share a bible passage linked to one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, a hymn or short reflection.

St Paul's letter to the Colossians 3: 12-14  12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Statue of St Therese
in Cathedral Cloister

Today we remember one of the fruits of the spirit - kindness. There are many saints who are known for their acts of kindness.  In the letter to the Colossians this extract links kindness to three other fruits of the spirit, gentleness, patience which when combined with love helps bind in unity.  In today's Gospel Jesus prays for his disciples and us that we may be one. 

Little acts of kindness are often linked to St Therese of Lisieux whose feast day we celebrate in October, but her little way is something we can follow every day.  

To learn more about St Therese's Little Way and acts of kindess.

And a little act of kindness activity for our younger readers Acts of kindness activity. from Mission Together.

A hymn to kindness to help us as we reflect on God's kindness to us, and time for us to reflect on how we can share words of kindness as well as acts of kindness in our lives.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Novena to Holy Spirit: Peace

 Novena to Holy Spirit: Peace

The 2nd day in our novena (nine days of prayer) we pray especially for the young people in our parish and this year our deanery who will be confirmed at the Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 19th May.  

Each day we will share a bible passage linked to one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, a hymn or short reflection.

John 20: 21-22 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit". 

Today we remember Jesus' greeting after the resurrection Peace be with you.  This extract is just before the account of St Thomas who then made his great declaration of faith 'My Lord and My God'.  

Being called

During our confirmation preparation our young people had the chance to speak with Fr Steve about his vocation. We all have a vocation, whether that is as a priest, religious, married or single person.  We are all called to follow and so a question for all not only our confirmandi is to take time to think about how we are living out our vocation and to consider if we are being called to use our gifts and talents in some other way.  

Fr Steve talking to confirmandi about his vocation
and answering their questions

We share a video of some religious Poor Clare sisters singing My Peace I give to you.  

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Praying for Peace

There are many places in our world in need of peace.  Thinking of Fr Matthew's home country and the troubles in Sudan, we pray for peace in Sudan.  For more information see CAFOD page for Sudan Crises 

Listen to us, Lord, hear our prayers as we cry out to you. Comfort and sustain your people. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

At this time of conflict in Sudan, we pray for those who have been forced to flee their homes
and search for safety. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

We pray for those who face hunger and disease, who have lost friends and family, who endure in this time of crisis. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

We pray for those who are working tirelessly to support our sisters and brothers as famine looms and violence persists. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

Guide us to stand alongside one another and through our prayers and actions, keep the people of Sudan always in our hearts. Amen.

Novena to Holy Spirit: Love

 Novena to Holy Spirit: Love

Today we start a novena (nine days of prayer) remembering especially the young people in our parish and this year our deanery who will be confirmed at the Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 19th May.  

Each day we will share a bible passage linked to one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, a hymn or short reflection.

John 13: 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

And today a short animation of 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient.  Take a few moments to think about those people you love and who love you.  How might we be able to follow Jesus' commandment to love one another? 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful

by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise

and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Sharing: Love one another

 GOSPEL SHARING: love one another 

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
The gift of the Holy Spirit comes to Cornelius and his household, and they are baptized.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 98:1,2-3,3-4
A song of praise for God’s salvation

Second Reading
1 John 4:7-10
God is love.

Gospel Reading
John 15:9-17
Jesus commands his disciples to love one another.

Our Gospel this week mentions two of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Love and Joy.  Jesus tells the disciples to love one another, and then explains how "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete". This week we share a word study from Bible Project

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. 

Gospel Share: A time to choose and a time to praise the Lord

Gospel Reflection: A time to choose and a time to praise the Lord

Today is Laudate Sunday, which means we praise the Lord because we are halfway through our Lenten journey and getting closer to the great feast of Easter when we will be able to rejoice in the risen Lord who has come to save us. As the signs of spring appear we can rejoice that the signs of new life, lighter and warmer days will soon be with us, living in Lancaster we of course can't assume less rain! Spring is also a time when we can spring clean our homes and our souls.

Jesus talking to Nicodemus

Our Gospel reading today is from John. Jesus talking to Nicodemus offers us a message in which we can rejoice, namely, that God so loved the World (that means us all) that he sent his only Son Jesus, not to tell us off, but to save us. This is wonderful news, but the reading also reminds us we have a choice and sometimes that isn't always as easy. Jesus is the Light of the World, and yet sometimes we prefer or maybe find ourselves turning away from the Light because it highlights  or reminds us of those times when we are not choosing to follow Jesus. Making a choice to do the right thing, for  example, loving and serving our neighbours, being patient, accepting others irritating ways, is not easy. Yet we are invited to choose to believe in Jesus and try to live our lives by following his example. 

Lent is a time when we are able to reflect on our life and to take the opportunity to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to receive God's forgiveness for those times when we haven't always followed him. I am always comforted by the words of the Act of Contrition that I am not alone, and that by the help of God's grace, what I need to do is to try not to sin again. 

So we have lots to praise and give thanks to the Lord for, but also a time to choose to have that spring clean not only of our homes but also our souls. AMH

How many commandments? 1, 10, 613 or ...

How many commandments? 1, 10, 613 or ...

On Sunday our 1st reading was from the book of Exodus. We heard how Moses went up the mountain and came back with the Ten Commandments.  On Sunday at Children's Liturgy we talked about how we could remember the commandments.  The following video from the Bible Project helps explain the connection between the different laws and commandments in the Old Testament and the link to Jesus commandment to Love God and your neighbour as yourself.

Going to Confession

Lent is a time when many will reflect on their lives and take this as an opportunity to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Some people will use the commandments as a source of examining their conscience when preparing to make their confession.

• A one page examination of conscience based on 10 commandments
• A children's examination of conscience based on 10 commandments

What other scriptural or other resources do you use to help you prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation. Please use our contact form to share your ideas.

Old Testament stone for New Testament bread

 Old Testament stone for New Testament bread

On Sunday evening at 6.30, Bishop Paul Swarbrick celebrated Mass and offered an additional opportunity for confession after Mass.  

Bishop Paul Swarbrick Lancaster Cathedral

In his homily, amongst many points, he made a useful connection for us with the old and new testament and our reading from 1st Sunday of Lent and today's first reading from book of Exodus.  

The reading from Exodus was about the 10 commandments, which we read were printed on stone - and represent the Old Testament.  Jesus was tempted in the desert to turn stones into bread. Whilst he wasn't tempted to do this, at the Last Supper he did give to us the Eucharist where the bread and wine become his Body and Blood. So the New Testament sign being not stone but bread.  So stone of the Old Testament being replaced in the New Testament bread.

Gospel Share: Jesus cleanses the temple

Gospel Share: Jesus cleanses the temple

Jesus cleanses the temple

First Reading
Exodus 20:1-17 (or shorter form, Exodus 20:1-3,7-8,12-17)
Moses is given the Ten Commandments.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 19:8,9,10,11
A prayer of praise to God who gives us his commandments

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:22-25 
Paul preaches Christ crucified to the Corinthians.

Gospel Reading

John 2:13-25 Jesus drives out the moneychangers from the Temple and says that he will destroy the temple and raise it up again.

Gospel Share

During Lent as well as sharing our reflections on the Gospel itself, we are also looking at and learning more using Art.  This week we will be looking at a short video about Jesus cleansing the Temple. And time permitting we might talk about how many laws or commandments there are in the Bible, and if not we'll share this with you next week.

Gospel Share 6th Sunday Ordinary Time

GOSPEL SHARE: JESUS HEALS a man with Leprosy

Jesus heals a leper

6th Sunday Ordinary Time

First Reading - Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46 The Law regarding leprosy is given to Moses and Aaron.

Responsorial Psalm 32:1-2,5,11 A prayer of contrition and confession for sin.

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1 Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ.

Gospel Reading - Mark 1:40-45 Jesus cures a person with leprosy, who reports his cure to everyone.

Something for Lent Gospel Share

For parishioners who have been enjoying Bible Alive, readers and / or those simply looking for something to support their Lenten Journey the weekly Gospel Share is one opportunity you may want to explore.  Each week we read through the Gospel to help prepare for the upcoming Sunday readings.

What happens?

We listen to the old and new testament, have a musical psalm and then listen the Gospel three times using Lectio Divina which is a way of prayer and reflecting with scripture. 

• The first time we listen, then we have time to read the Gospel for ourselves, 
• Then we listen as the Gospel is read a second time, then we are invited to call out a word or phrase that strikes us, you can simply listen to what others call out, or join in repeating what someone else has said, or call out other words that strike you.
• We then hear the reading for a third time and after that people share their reflections, ask questions to help them make sense of the reading, sometimes share what they've heard in a homily or read. There is no right or wrong answer and no one is made to say anything, so you can simply listen.
• After this we sometimes look at art linked to the reading, sometimes we have a short video talk about the reading, or a video clip to help us experience the reading in another way.
• Lastly, we have a closing piece of music or hymn linked to our Gospel Share and say the Glory Be.

When do we meet? How often do I have to come?

You can come once, every week, during Lent, when it suits you.  You can bring a friend, or come alone.  If you'd like to come email catechist@lancastercathedral.org.uk for further information. All are welcome. 

Gospel Share: 5th Sunday Ordinary Time

Gospel Share: Jesus heals the sick and finds a quiet place to pray

To help prepare for the upcoming Sunday readings and to reflect what we will be covering in our Gospel Share group on Thursday evening, we are going to post things for the next Sunday. 

5th Sunday Ordinary Time

First Reading - Job 7:1-4,6-7

• Job laments his sufferings and his life.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 147:1-6

• A song of praise for the Lord’s goodness to the lowly.

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23

• Paul explains the conditions under which he preaches the gospel and the reasons why he will not accept financial help from the Corinthians.

Gospel Reading - Mark 1:29-39

• Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law and many others as well and then Jesus goes to find a quiet place to pray.
• The video below shows Jesus laying his hands on people as he healed them. 

Gospel Share Connections

Gospel Share Connections 

Free copies of Bible Alive were shared in the parish in January.  Each week we will share links to readings and links to resources for the upcoming Sunday.  We hope this will help for those who wish to connect to the readings 'on the go' or if you don't have access to a Bible. 

3rd Sunday Ordinary Time

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

• Moses tells the people that God will raise up for them a new prophet.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2,6-7,7-9

• A song of praise to the Lord.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

• Paul expresses his concern that those who are married are more likely to face the distractions of earthly life than those who are celibate.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 21-28

• Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit and his fame spreads throughout Galilee.

Lord Jesus, you came with authority and power.  Teaching me to make use myself of your grace so I may praise your name and know your power. Amen

Remember all are welcome to join us at our Gospel Share that meets on a Thursday evening between 7.30 and 8.30.  For further details see Gospel Share page

 

Gospel Reflection: Consequences for our eternal destiny.

 What we choose now has consequences on our eternal destiny

The Christmas Season has ended and the Season of Lent is still some weeks off. We are once again in “Ordinary Time,” as it’s called, and the focus of the Scripture readings this Sunday is on God’s call and the choice we humans have to heed that call or ignore it.

It’s always clear in Scripture that we are never forced by God, but lovingly invited, to take up the invitation to be a follower of the Lord and to give ourselves to a life of love and service of God and neighbour.

An old saying that seems to go well with the idea of this Sunday’s Scripture readings is this: “Time is of the essence”; that is, life is short and what we chose now will have consequences for our eternal life, never losing sight of what is called our “eternal destiny,” where and how we will spend eternity.

Hopefully we want it to be with God and the saints in heaven, but we must be actively pursuing that goal as we pass through this earthly sojourn. The often-used biblical phrase for this notion is this: “Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation” (see, for example, 2 Corinthians 6:2).

Fr Mathew Minisare

Finding bible references online.

CTS New Catholic Bible

2 Corinthians 6: 2 For he says,

"At the acceptable time, I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation."

Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

There are lots of links to the Bible online.  At our weekly Gospel Share we sometimes look at different translations.  

Here is a link to the New Revised Version Catholic Edition (NRVCE) Mark 1 where you can find today's Gospel

Bible Alive

Bible Alive

The Bible Alive website says:

The Bible is living, active and therefore dynamic and alive (Hebrews 4:12). From the Bible we draw life, strength and power to live the Christian life. ... The essence of Bible Alive are the daily reflections. They are written in an accessible and warm style inviting the reader to penetrate and plumb the depths of the scripture reading of the day. ... The essays and teaching are drawn from the rich teaching of Vatican II, the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, and the teachings of Pope John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict and Pope Francis.

Bible Alive Front Cover

This weekend there were free copies of this publication available and you are encouraged to take a copy. The magazine includes details of how to take out a personal subscription for future copies if you find the contents helpful.

A candle for peace

This week we light the candle of peace our Advent wreath often known as the candle of peace. The catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2304 

Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is "the tranquillity of order." Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity.

This week, we listened in our Gospel Sharing this week to a short video about the words of peace in the Bible. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word Shalom and in the New Testament Eirene.  Peace meaning a sense of wholeness and completeness, a bringing together, with Jesus bringing us his peace. 

Seeking a time or place for peace and stillness we have our online Meditation group that meets on a Monday 7.00 to 8.00. All are welcome, if you are interested please get in touch, further details on our newsletter.

A candle of hope

This week we light the first purple candle on our Advent wreath often known as the candle of hope.  In the Catechism CCC 1817 we read that 

Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit

This year during our Gospel Sharing we are also learning more about the Bible meanings of the themes of our Advent candles.  This first week of Advent we light the candle of Hope. This short video from the Bible Project reminds us of Hope throughout the Bible. 

Our Gospel Share group meets online on a Thursday 7.30 to 8.30 if you'd like to join please see the bulletin for further details.

The Golden Rule - Ideas from our children

Message of the Day 

Today at children's liturgy our children talked about the Gospel reading and talked about how they would like to be treated ... this is sometimes known as the Golden Rule and is based on loving our neighbour but also as we heard today loving everyone even our enemies.

Each week we have a message of the day which is displayed on the parish noticeboard and is shown today by one of our children.  

Love our enemies and be good to them
Pray for people who are unkind to you
Forgive others as God forgives us.

And then below some examples from the group which are also on our noticeboard.

Children's Liturgy ideas for their Golden Rule

Personalised 3-word App: Word-Light-Grace

 Word – Light – Grace A personalised 3 word app, more of that later.  Today we listen to the opening of the Gospel according to John, and for me, like many passages in this Gospel I think it is very rich, very complex and not that easy to understand. So where to start, well the opening sentence, In the beginning …  reminds me of Genesis the first book of the bible where we hear how God created the world.  So maybe there is something here about God sending His Son Jesus, who is the Word who comes to bring us Light, to show us the way and brings us Grace which are gifts from God to help us in our daily lives.

You may have seen the advert for the 3-word app, which is a bit like map co-ordinates. Apparently for everywhere in the world there are three words which if you have a mobile phone and the app will help people find you if you get lost or stuck.  In a way, I think today’s Gospel contains our own 3-word app, which can help us if we get lost or need help.  As we start the New Year, some ideas for how to use your personalised 3-word app. The Word – Jesus brings Good News our Bible, which we can read or listen to each day, or try the wednesdayword.org/ to help prepare us for our Sunday readings. Light to show us the way to look about us for those who need our help, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand.  And Grace the gifts we’ve each been given to show God’s love but also the daily gifts we might take time to be grateful and give thanks for ideas visit https://gratefulness.org/  So for our Cathedral, for each of you reading, I give you your own 3 word app may it support and guide you in 2021, which we together might pray will be filled with his Word – Light and Grace.  

What would you include in your grateful day ...?