Palm Sunday

 Palm Sunday

Today we gathered outside Cathedral House for the opening Gospel reading and blessing of palms.  We then processed into the Cathedral to listen to the Passion according to St Luke.

Bishop blessing palms with Holy Water

We process waving palms and singing Hosanna

Our children came for their own preparation where we sang Hosanna, waved palms. In Luke's account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem the crowd through cloaks as Jesus passed by, we did the same, however, our Jesus didn't ride on a donkey! 

We then went through the events of Holy Week. To help the children get a sense of the passing of each day, we all went to sleep and were awoken by a cockerel, which we will be talking about on Friday when we remember Peter's denial of Jesus and journey with Jesus as we pray the stations of the cross. 

Children sleeping after hearing about what Jesus
did during the start of Holy Week.

We then went to a room prepared for the 'Last Supper' and talked about how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples as an example of service, the children shared ways they could help serve other people.  Next we listened to the words of the Last Supper and how some of the children will be receiving their First Holy Communion in June. 

Children watched as we washed feet as a reminder of Jesus' example of service

Drying the feet with great care

The children then shared what they could do to serve other people.

• Helping their mums
• Tidying up 
• Looking out for someone who is lonely at school
• Collecting hymn books after Mass

We talked about the unleavened bread Jesus
had at the Last Supper

We then listened to a song of reflection reminding us of the words Jesus said and talked about when we hear those words in Mass.

Epiphany The wise men have arrived

Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany when the wise men came to visit Jesus bringing gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.  

Wise men bringing gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

In children's liturgy our children talked about what they could bring for Jesus and then after Mass came and brought their gifts and shared a prayer.

Children following a star to bring their gifts

Advent 2: Peacemarkers

2nd week of Advent: Peace 

The Bishops of England and Wales have a series of prayers and reflections for Advent.  See below the reflection on Peace.

On Sunday our children reflected on how they could become peacemakers and help to prepare the way for the Lord.

Children's liturgy focal area:
Footsteps following Jesus as peacemakers.

Reflection

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the fullness of God’s presence. The readings this week call us to make straight the paths for the Lord in our own hearts and in the world around us. Baruch envisages God’s people being led home in joy and peace, and John the Baptist invites us to clear the obstacles that prevent us from fully welcoming Christ into our lives and into our hearts.

Prayer

God of Peace, prepare our hearts this Advent. Help us to remove the barriers that prevent us from experiencing Your peace. Teach us to share Your peace with those around us, becoming instruments of Your justice and reconciliation.
Amen.

Advent 1: Hope

Advent 1 - Hope

During Advent the children will be preparing baubles sharing their hopes, how they can bring peace, what brings them joy and who they love and how they can share God's love.

Each week in Children's Liturgy we have a message of the week this is displayed on the notice board as you leave church, why not read and find out what the children are doing.

Message of the week: Advent 1

Advent is here: Happy New Year

Advent is here: Happy New Year

Today we have begun the new liturgical year, the beginning of the cycle of celebrations that allow us to relive the mystery of Jesus Christ in our worship throughout the year. 

Advent Tree:

Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In company with the prophets we await the coming of the Messiah. We will read in a particular way the Prophet Isaiah, sometimes called the 5th gospel, because of the unique way he prophesies the coming of Jesus. 

As Christians we await the coming of Jesus into our world in three ways: 

1. His coming in the flesh, as a baby boy, in the stable at Bethlehem 

2. His coming in grace into our hearts by the word of God, by prayer and through the sacraments. We live now in the time of His coming in grace. 

3. His coming in glory at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. 

How will we spiritually prepare for the coming of Jesus, at Christmas and into our lives by His grace? There are lots of material preparations under way—but let’s not forget the heart of the season!

Today in Children's Liturgy our children thought about the theme of Hope and created Baubles with their hopes which are hanging on our Advent Tree. Next week we will be focusing on Peace.

Giving generously

Following the widow's example: giving generously. 

On Sunday during children's liturgy we listened to the story of the people giving their offertory gifts at the temple. The rich made a big show of giving their money, but a widow came somewhat embarrassed and gave two tiny coins.  Jesus explained that she had given more, because she chose to give all she had. 

Lots of generous gifts from our children

In children's liturgy the children prepared their own coins of what they would do to follow the widow's example and give generously. While the adults gave their offering during the collection the children gave their own offertory gifts. Some said they would give time and kindness, give hats and gloves to the homeless, or give food and drink to those in need, or clothes they no longer need. 

Generous gifts 

Eucharist - Thanksgiving

Eucharist - Thanksgiving

Catechism of the Catholic Church

CCC 1360  The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving."

Come to Me - parents and pre school gathered together and sang a thank you song to remind us that Eucharist means thanksgiving.  The children also spontaneously clapped at the end of each our our liturgy songs - which was a real joy.

Come to me: Parents and children

Follow Me - our children coloured in a monstrance which is something we use to 'show' Jesus during adoration.  They shared things they were thankful for as a reminder that Eucharist means thanksgiving. 

Follow Me children shared what they were thankful for.

Good Friday: venerating the cross

 Good Friday: venerating the cross

A key feature of the Good Friday Liturgy is the veneration of the cross. Today Fr Steve accompanied by two altar servers went to the back of the church and walking slowly down the central aisle carrying a wooden cross covered at first in purple.  He stopped three times and each time he stopped he showed more of the cross until it was unveiled and lifted high. 

Altar with Cross used for veneration

After this the Bishop came and venerated the cross, followed by the priests and people.  People came forward to venerate the cross; they kiss the feet of the figure of Christ or perform another act of reverence for the Lord. 

The cross is central to our faith. The cross made of dead wood becomes for us the tree of life. It is placed on the altar which is still bare from when it was stripped after the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  We are a waiting in the silence until tomorrow. 

We share some Good Friday crosses inspired by the El Salvador Cross, made a few years ago by some of our children in the parish. 

Palm Sunday: Waiving Palms to welcome Jesus

 Palm Sunday: Waiving Palms to welcome Jesus

Bishop Paul Swarbrick blessing palms

Yesterday we gathered outside Lancaster Cathedral in the sunshine and listened to Mark's Gospel of Jesus entry into Jerusalem, we had our palms blessed and then processed into the Cathedral singing, All Glory Laud and Honour.  

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Children waving palms and singing Hosana

Our children the came to Children's Liturgy: Follow Me where we learned signs and sang 'Sing Hosanna to our King' to prepare for our own welcome of Jesus who waved to the crowds as we sang.

'Jesus' waving to the crowds waving their palms

CAFOD and Missio Lenten Calendars

 CAFOD and Missio Lenten Calendar

Although we are two weeks into Lent we thought we'd start to share some online Lenten Calendars which offer ideas for things we can reflect on during Lent, people or things to pray for, or ideas for how we can take action. Today we share the CAFOD calendar.

CAFOD have a daily interactive calendar which has a message for each day. The message for tomorrow, is a reminder about Food Poverty.  May be we can reflect on whether there are things we could donate to a local Food Bank, or maybe we need to make use of the food bank at the moment. 

Volunteer Roxinne gives a short talk for CAFOD
in a parish in the Diocese of Northampton.

This is a familiar story. Jesus told his parables to help people recognise themselves and their actions, and reflect how they could live differently. We might identify with Lazarus – feeling excluded, longing for someone to recognise our humanity as we struggle to get by. Or do we perhaps see something of ourselves in the rich man – the person who, because they have enough, can close their eyes to the problems at their own front door? Or again, we might be like the rich man’s brothers, who ignore the messages from the prophets, and won’t listen even should someone rise from the dead to tell them to change their ways. Whichever it is, there is a lesson here for us all. Extract from CAFOD Interactive Lent Calendar 29.2.24

At the start of Lent we gave out copies of the Missio Lenten Calendar and share a link here.  Today's activity is: 

Come Follow Me

Follow Me

Today we listened to Mark's Gospel where Jesus invited personally Peter, Andrew, James and John to Follow him.  Today in Children's Liturgy the children coloured their fish and we talked about what they could do to show how they answered Jesus' call to Follow Me. 

On the back of each fish our children have written how they will follow Jesus

Children can you find your fish and tell your families and friends what you will do to follow Jesus.

Message of the Week
Follow me, I will make you
Fishers of men.

Epiphany: Bring our gifts to the crib

Crib with Wise men in the background and gifts placed before Jesus

Follow Me

Today we listened to our Gospel and the wise men bringing Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. We talked about what gifts we could give to Jesus and at the offertory we followed a star to place our gifts at the crib. The children talked about being kind and helpful, listening to others, sharing love and bringing peace and happiness. 

Gifts placed before the Baby Jesus in the crib

Come to Me 

Pre school children and parents meet for a special liturgy for pre school children. We sing and do simple actions to gather together, learn the sign of the cross, say sorry, Gloria and Alleluia and then we listen to the Gospel.  Today we made crowns to be like the kings and the children made their presents.

Pre school children and their families at Come to Me

Message of the Week: Rejoice

This week our message is one of joy, we are happy to share the great news that Jesus is coming to save us.  Wishing you Joy this Advent. 

Advent 3: We rejoice in the Lord always

Below our Focal area shows our Advent calendar with the different characters being added each day and now we have three candles on our Advent wreath, Hope, Peace and Joy.  

Advent Calendar and Advent Focal area

A reminder we have our Taize Advent reflection on Friday 7.00 to 8.00 email catechist at lancastercathedral.org.uk for a link. A chance to take a few moments of calm as we prepare for Jesus coming at Christmas.

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

Advent wreath ... and Advent Calendar

Lancaster Cathedral Ambo decorated as Advent wreath

This year in children's liturgy (Follow Me and Come to Me) we are focusing on the themes of each Advent Candle starting with a candle of hope. The children talked about the things the children Hope for, and how hope offers us help as we try to stay awake and look out for the needs of others.

Focal area, with Advent Calendar
and wreath with candle of hope

To see some online Advent Calendars ... no chocolates in sight 😉 but food for thought.

Missio Children's Mission Advent Calendar 

CAFOD Faith and Justice Advent Calendar

 

Follow Me Advent 2: Lighting the Advent Wreath

This week Fr Steve invited the children to come and look at him lighting the 2nd purple candle on our advent wreath. The Advent wreath at the Cathedral surrounds the Ambo and includes the 5 candles, 3 purple candles representing the 1st week of hope, 2nd week of peace, and 4th week of love.  The pink candle symbolises joy and is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent for Gaudate (Rejoice) Sunday.  And the final white candle we light at Christmas a sign of Jesus the Light of the World.  

The green evergreen surroundings in a traditional wreath forms a circle to symbolise God's everlasting love. However, to avoid the Ambo becoming an obstacle course the entrance is left to allow readers and the priest to approach the Ambo to read the readings from the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel.  

Fr Steve lights the 2nd Candle on the Advent Wreath

Follow Me: Advent 1 A time of hope

Follow Me focal area with advent wreath.

Happy New Year. 

Today started the new church year by restarting our children's Liturgy Programme Follow Me. At Mass Bishop Paul was celebrating the start of the new year and gave the children their processional cross and the lectionary which they followed to where we meet for children's liturgy.  

We received a card from Noah with a message reminding us to stay awake because we do not know when the Lord will come.  We need to be ready and use Advent to prepare.

We also talked about the Advent wreath and God's everlasting love shown in the circle of our green leaves and our first candle of hope. 

What do we hope for in our world today?

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

5th Sunday - activities for adults and children

This week we hear Jesus talk to the disciples and the people about who will be blessed. 

For our younger readers

A copy of the 6th Sunday Year C readings from the Children's Lectionary 

A colouring sheet from CAFOD which is linked to the Gospel reading

A Speak Lord activity sheet linked to the Gospel

For our adult readers 

A reflection from Fr Steven Talbutt who many will remember was a parishioner at the Cathedral and is now serving as Assistant priest with Fr Andrew Dawson (who was also at the Cathedral) and who is now parish priest at Christ the King and St Kintigern in Blackpool.

You can get Fr Steven Talbutt's reflections 
each week by following link on the right

Happy New Year: World Day of Peace

Mary and Child

Happy New Year

Today is the World Day of Peace, initiated by Saint Paul VI in 1968. In Pope Francis' Message he explained that 

"peace is built through dialogue between generations, through education and through work. Without these three elements, the foundations are missing." 

He encouraged the people who came to pray the Angelus that they should:

"Go home thinking: peace, peace, peace! We need peace. ...  We want peace!"

In Advent one of our young people shared a Poem they had written about peace and we are pleased to share that today and an image shared by one of our Meditators which was used during Monday meditation. For more information about Meditation for families at 6.30 to 6.45 and adults 7.00 to 8.00 email catechist@lancastercathededral.org.uk

Its calm and quiet when we sit by the sea,

And the only sound is a buzzing bee.

The waves splash whilst you have sand between your toes,

Then you discove a rock that no one knows.

Here in Overton we visit Sunderland point, 

The views of the bay will not disappoint.

We can visit as a class, 

Making memories that last,

Its' noisy and loud as we head for home,

But the peace will return when I am alone.

Elizabeth Curran.

Morecambe Bay 2020