Message of the Week: Prepare a way for the Lord

The 2nd advent candle we remember God's peace.  Our children shared their ideas of how we can be peacemakers.  

Advent Noticeboard - celebrating Advent Peace
Alan catechist and welcomer 

Before he leaves for the holidays, Alan one of our catechists and welcomers at 10.30 mass shows off his festive jumper Fleece Navidad - I wish you a merry Christmas.  Advent is a time when we get ready for the birth of Jesus.

Wishing you peace this Advent

Sunday ... thinking about Praying, Fasting and Alms-Giving

Sunday looks as if it will be a busy day ... and an opportunity for us to think about our Lenten actions of praying, fasting and alms-giving.
Sacramental Preparation
This Sunday, the parents who have attended the Adult Sessions for the parish sacramental programme 'My Lord and My God' will enrol their sons and daughters on the programme.  They will ask for our prayers and support of the parish as they prepare their children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Enrolment and commissioning the catechists who will help them on behalf of the parish will take place at St Thomas More's at the 9.30 mass, and the Cathedral at the 10.30 mass.

Cathedral - 10.30am  mass Cathedral Primary School and CAFOD presentation
After communion the children will share something about CAFOD's family fast and ways in which we can dig deep to help children like Mohammed and Samai from Sierra Leone. 
Last Sunday the children heard how Samai's family been able to grow food and to sell the extra food to pay for him to go to school  

St Thomas More - 9.30am  mass the children attending children's liturgy will get a letter from Peter, James and John which tells them of an amazing day they had with Jesus.  More about this letter tomorrow.

Cathedral - 3.00pm Mass in the Extraordinary form will be available.  

Cathedral - 4.00pm Stations of the Cross for those not able to attend you may wish to pray using the online stations.

Cathedral - 4.40pm Vespers (evening prayer of the Church)

Cathedral - 6.30 pm mass

Friday Photos of Faith: Families

On Sunday morning, with the help of their families and the parish, the children preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, will start meeting again.  Below children and adults gather for a photo at the end of a session during Lent when we prayed the Stations of the Cross and talked about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Families on the My Lord and My God Sacramental Preparation programme 2013

We sometimes get asked why there are sessions for adults and children, the role of the family in passing on the faith and encouraging vocations (which we will be praying for on Sunday) is vital.  As it says in the Catechism: 

CCC 2685 ... the family is the "domestic church" where God's children learn to pray "as the Church" and to persevere in prayer. For young children in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church's living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for the families and families during this time of preparation.

When and where do you pray? Please let us know if you have any photos of your family praying - perhaps at the meal table, or if you have a special place for prayer in your home.

WWW - sharing faith with young people

Sheila Green: Catechist for the Year 6 pupils
on pilgrimage to Lancaster Cathedral

You may have noticed in the bulletin news of the team of catechists who are welcoming year 6 pupils from around the diocese who are visiting the cathedral as a place of pilgrimage during this year of faith.  Today's Wednesday Words of Witness is from Sheila Green who explains how the opportunity to share faith with young people is not only a one way process.  Our journey of faith is one in which we are learning from each other.

Helping with the year of faith school visits is a rewarding, enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Following training in the summer, I have been working as part of a team of catechists involved in welcoming year 6 groups from around the Diocese.  I am constantly surprised at how much I am learning during the process of teaching them.  For the most part the young people have been pleasant, curious and incredibly interested in discovering more about their Cathedral - the mother church of the diocese.

Jesus said:
Let the little children come to me ...
Mark 10:14

Whenever possible, when questions are asked, to which I don't have a ready answer I will search out the relevant information, which increases, not only the children's knowledge but mine too!  I have been struck by how much I have taken for granted; aspects and features of our beautiful Cathedral which I have passed by for years and never really seen.  I have failed to appreciate the significance of so much.  In my explanation to others, I find myself looking in fascination and with fresh eyes at so many things; the Te Deum window, the incredible carvings and the many lovely and meaningful stained glass windows (see right). 
I feel privileged to be a part of this Year of Faith project and hope that all the young people will benefit greatly from their experiences in our Cathedral. 

Children welcomed by Jesus
The window on the right, is one of two windows found just outside the Baptistery. This one shows Jesus inviting and welcoming the children, with the font and sign of the Holy Spirit below reminders of the saving grace we receive in the sacrament of Baptism.  The quote in Latin is from Mark's gospel Chapter 10 verse 14.  

Cathedral Parish Family Blog

Welcome to the new Cathedral Parish Family blog provides information about parish activities relating to:

• the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation

• Children's Liturgy of the Word at St Peter's and St Thomas More's
• Servers and information about serving at Mass
• Impact - parish youth group for young people in year 9 and above
• other parish family activities