East Vigil

 Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil is the final part of the Triduum.  As Fr John explained in his homily it is marked by three symbols, light, water and the word Alleluia. 

Paschal Candle enters a darkened Cathedral

Singing the Exultet

Light - symbolised by the Paschal Candle that was lit from the fire outside and brought into the Cathedral at dusk. Due to the late Easter it wasn't as dark as it usually is, but the symbolism was still powerful as the Paschal Candle was raised three times, at the back, middle and front of the Church. Fr John sang 'Lumen Christi' (The Light of Christ) to which we replied 'Deo Gratis' (Thanks be to God). He then sang the Exultet (The Easter proclamation). 

Liturgy of the Word - After that we listened to the story of salvation with familiar Old Testament readings including the story of Creation, Abraham and Isaac, and the Exodus, and psalms. The readings were read in darkening Church, at the end Bishop Paul sang out Gloria in Excelsis and the bells rang, the organ played and the candles were lit and lights turned on.  This is always a very powerful reminder that Jesus is the light of the world who has risen from the dead and brought us eternal life. And sang the Alleluia to greet the Gospel something we haven't done throughout the season of Lent.

Water - We moved to the symbol of water where some of the congregation were able to join a member of the parish being baptised. The choir sang a litany of the saints and we saw the Bishop plunge the Paschal candle into the water in the font to bless it. 

Baptism - The Baptism involved baptismal promises (those gathered also renewed their promises) anointing with oil that had been consecrated at the Chrism Mass on Thursday was used, and water poured three times over the head, with the words I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. A Baptismal candle and white garment were presented symbolising light and purity. 

Confirmation - After that we returned to our seats and the five people being received into the Catholic Church made their professional of faith and were then confirmed by the Bishop.

We continued with the rest of our Mass, and at the end were sent out in the Peace of Christ, Alleluia.  This time there was joyful greetings of Happy Easter and He is risen, a contrast to the silent departure of the previous days.  We will celebrate the Easter Season for 50 days. Alleluia.

Final Blessing - Alleluia

A warm welcome 

For five parishioners who were received into the Catholic Church with one of them also being baptised. As the Bishop reminded them, they are now as Catholic as he is!

Parishioners received into the Catholic Church

Good Friday

Good Friday

Today we gathered in silence at 3.00 to listen to the Lord's Passion from John's Gospel, venerate the cross and receive Holy Communion.   

Bare altar with Crucifix and candles

Again we left in silence, tomorrow we will return for the Easter Vigil where we will have the third part of our Holy Triduum. 

Below a traditional Good Friday hymn for reflection. 

Mass of the Lord's Supper

 Mass of the Lord's Supper

Tonight we gathered for the first of three linked services that together form the Holy Triduum. We listened to John's Gospel of the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of service.  Our Bishop washed the feet of parishioners including some of our confirmandi (who will get confirmed on Pentecost Sunday) and other parishioners who serve the parish in a variety of ways as readers, catechists, servers as well as in the local community.

The Bishop washes the feet of 12 parishioners as a sign of service.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper is when the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the ministerial priesthood. 

Solemn procession with Blessed Sacrament to the Lady Chapel for a time of prayer

At the end of Mass we processed to place the host in the tabernacle in the Lady Chapel for a time of watch and praying with the Lord. We left in silence to return tomorrow for the Good Friday Service. 

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.

Holy Week and the Easter Triduum

 Holy Week and the Easter Triduum

And so we begin with Holy Week. Why not watch what happened at the Cathedral in 2019 and come and join us this week as we celebrate 2025. Come and join us tomorrow Palm Sunday where we will process carrying palms and singing Hosanna.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Holy Week, which for Christians is the most important week of the year, gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the central events of the Redemption, to relive the Paschal Mystery, the great Mystery of faith. ...

At the Chrism Mass, which the Bishop celebrates with his priests in the morning, and during which the priestly promises pronounced on the day of Ordination are renewed.

At the Mass of the Lord's Supper the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the ministerial priesthood and the new Commandment of love that Jesus entrusted to his disciples. ...

And so we come to Good Friday, the day of the Passion and the Crucifixion of the Lord. Every year, standing in silence before Jesus hanging on the wood of the Cross, we feel how full of love the words were that he spoke on the previous evening during the Last Supper. "This is my blood, of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mk 14: 24) ...

The recollection and silence of Holy Saturday will usher us into the night of the solemn Easter Vigil, "mother of all vigils", when the hymn of joy in Christ's Resurrection will burst forth in all the churches and communities. Once again the victory of light over darkness, of life over death will be proclaimed and the Church will rejoice in the encounter with her Lord. Thus we shall enter into the atmosphere of Easter.

Let us prepare to live the Holy Triduum intensely, in order to share ever more deeply in the Mystery of Christ. We are accompanied in this itinerary by the Blessed Virgin who silently followed her Son Jesus to Calvary, taking part with deep sorrow in his sacrifice and thus cooperating in the mystery of the Redemption and becoming Mother of all believers (cf. Jn 19: 25-27). Together with her we shall enter the Upper Room, we shall remain at the foot of the Cross, we shall watch in spirit beside the dead Christ, waiting with hope for the dawn of the radiant day of the Resurrection. 

Extracts from the Audience of Pope Benedict XVI 8th April 2009

Bishop Paul Swarbrick's first Holy Week as Bishop of Lancaster

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

Happy Christmas - Thank you

Happy Christmas 

A huge thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Christmas this year: cleaners, flower arrangers, those who decorated the churches and built our cribs, our organist and choir, altar servers, sacristans, office staff, readers, welcomers and collectors. A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes from so many parishioners to make our churches the welcoming places of worship that they are. Thank you so much for everything you do throughout the year. Fr John

Our new crib: Lancaster Cathedral, 2024

A Happy and Holy Christmas: Christmas Candle

Bishop Paul preaching at Midnight Mass 
surrounded by the Advent and Christmas candles

Light me, I am the white candle,

I cry out the end of waiting.

I am the candle

whose colour contains

all the spectrum’s colours.

I am the light

that sets the sky ablaze

for shepherds.

I am the star

that draws wise men

to journey to a destination.

I am the glow

that comes from a baby born -

from all of Love.

I am the fire

that stands in the centre of four flames - I proclaim Gospel.

Poem by Tim Hoare, parishioner 2024

Advent Candles: A poem by Tim Hoare

Light me, I am the first candle of Advent.

I am the first flickering hope of a coming.

See, already the night is drawing back.

Hope is not yet a certainty but is my little flame of faith.

Light me, I am the second candle of Advent.

Now we are two flames, bolder against the night.

Is this a challenge to the shortening day, the winter’s cold bleakness?

Does faith strengthen the will to wait, to outgaze the darkness?

Hold on to the glow, to feel the sense of that coming.

Light me, I am the third candle of Advent.

I am the candle of quiet joy, the deep flare in the heart.

I stand a flame against gaudy over early Christmas.

I am the rose of sunset and of dawn, a true glow of hope.

Light me, I am the fourth candle of Advent.

Now we are four flames of faith for a moment of change,

an ever-building light that somehow promises an end to waiting.

But hold firm to our four quiet flickerings - Advent is not yet over.

Let Maranatha stay your waking watchword till morning Birth comes over the horizon.

Poem by Tim Hoare: 2024

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.

November: Praying for the Holy Souls

A month of remembrance

On Friday 1st November we celebrated the Feast of All Saints 

On Saturday 2nd we celebrated the Feast of All Souls 

On 11th November we remember those who have died in war, we also remember them on Remembrance Sunday.

Box for November Holy Souls

November List of Masses: 

There are envelopes at the back of the churches for you to enter a list of names of your loved ones to be prayed for during the month of November (labelled ‘Holy Souls’). An offering for Mass to be offered for them can be included in the envelope. Please either place in the box marked Holy Souls or in the offertory basket.
The Mass is the greatest prayer we have as Catholics. It is a great act of charity to pray for those who have gone before us, especially for those who have no one to pray for them.

Eternal rest, a prayer for those who have died

Eternal rest, 

grant unto them O Lord 

and let perpetual light shine upon them, 

may they rest in peace, Amen. 

October Month of the Holy Rosary

Feast of the Holy Rosary

Mary
Stained Glass
Wondow

This month traditionally is given over to the promotion of devotion to the rosary. On 7th October we will celebrate the feast of the rosary. This recalls the Christian victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto following the rallying cry to say the rosary by Pope Pius V.

This simple prayer, which many of us have learnt as children, is not simply a devotion to Mary but rather a meditation on the life of Christ in the company of His mother. Why not reconsider this month our use of this prayer? How often do I say the rosary? Do I rush it? Do I pray with my family?

“With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.” John Paul II

In children's liturgy we are looking at each of the Joyful mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple and Jesus in the Temple.

Joyful Mystery: Visitation

For an online opportunity to pray the joyful mystery of the rosary with others. Takes 15 minutes

Season of Creation

 

This year we celebrate the season of creation from the 1st September through to 4th October.  In his letter for World Day of Creation Pope Francis writes:

6. To hope and act with creation, then, means above all to join forces and to walk together with all men and women of good will.

This short video helps explain what the Season of Creation is all about. 

During September our Monday meditation group will open with sounds of nature 'God's natural music' this will be followed by a short talk by Fr Lawrence Freeman then our time of silent meditation finishing with a prayer / reflection linked to the Season of Creation and closing music relating to an aspect of creation.  All are welcome, for further details see Christian Meditation. 

Ordinary Time and a Month for the Sacred Heart

Sunday Ordinary Time 

This Sunday we return to green vestments at Mass for the first time is several months, after the purple of Lent and the white of Easter. This marks the beginning of what the Church calls the ‘Sundays in Ordinary Time’. In a sense there is never ‘ordinary time’ in the life of a Christian. Each day, each moment, is an opportunity to encounter the Lord and to be touched by His grace. 

Sacred Heart of Jesus

The month of June is set aside by the Church to focus on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Friday 7th June we celebrated the feast of the Sacred Heart. It is an image we are very familiar with as Catholics, but what does it mean? The Heart of Jesus is a living, beating symbol of His infinite love for us, and an invitation to love Him in return. This love is especially centred around His real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is truly there in the tabernacle, inviting us to draw near to Him. Why not make a resolution this June to call into the Church whenever we are near and visit Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament? 

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Gospel Reflection: Preparing to receive Jesus

The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Preparing to receive the Body and Blood of Christ

Today we celebrate the great feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Our Gospel is from Mark and contains two sets of instructions Jesus gave the disciples. The second set of instructions are very familiar we hear them every time we come to Mass when the Priest follows Jesus instructions by TAKING bread and, giving THANKS, BREAKING it, and GIVING us the People of God not the bread but the Body of Christ so that when we leave Mass and are sent out on our Mission we take Jesus with us.

We are reminded in the words used to bless the wine which becomes for us the Blood of Christ that this is a new covenant, a promise between God and his people. When we receive communion and say Amen, we are agreeing that we believe we are receiving Jesus and promising to fulfil his commandment to love one another.

The first set of instructions relates to preparing the room for the Passover meal which we know as the Last Supper. The disciples didn't know what was going to happen in that meal, but when we come to Mass we know what will happen which is both a mystery and something that is truly amazing. In reflecting on the opening section of the Gospel it struck me that what seemed everyday preparation of getting a room ready was also important.

For each of us coming forward to receive the Body of Christ we need to think about how we are preparing ourselves (our room). As we come forward as the Body of Christ each with our own hopes, fears, joys and sadness with our God given gifts and talents, we receive the Body of Christ who we take out into the world. So perhaps we can be more aware of how we prepare to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.  AMH

Sacraments 101 Eucharist (How we receive)

There are two ways we can receive Jesus in our hands or on our tongue, this short video reminds us of things we should remember when receiving Holy Communion and provides some teaching from the catechism for those wanting to learn a bit more.

Sequence for Feast of Body and Blood of Christ

Sequence for Feast of Body and Blood of Christ

 Ecce Panis Angelorum |  Behold the Bread of Angels 

A sequence is a poem / hymn that we say at important feasts. Tomorrow we will say Behold the Bread of Angels which is the last four verses of a longer piece of writing by St Thomas Aquinas called Lauda Sion (1274).

Monstrance

Ecce Panis Angelorum                     Behold the Bread of Angels, 

Factus cibus viatorum                       made the food of wayfarers, 

Vere panis filiorum,                           Truly the bread of children, 

Non mittendus canibus.                    not to be given to the dogs.

In figuris praesignatur,                      Presignified by figure, 

Cum Isaac immolatur,                       When Isaac was immolated, 

Agnus Paschae deputatur,               the Paschal Lamb was commanded, 

Datur manna patribus.                      Manna was given to the fathers. 

Bone pastor, panis vere,                  Good shepherd, true Bread, 

Jesu, nostri miserere:                       Jesus, have mercy on us; 

Tu nos pasce, nos tuere,                  Feed us, protect us, 

Tu nos bona fac videre                     In Make us to see good things 

terra viventium.                                  in the land of the living. 

Tu qui cuncta scis et vales,              Thou who knowest and willest all things, 

Qui nos pascis hic mortales:            Who feeds us mortals by This; 

Tuos ibi commensales,                     Make thine own to be partakers of, 

Coheredes et sodales                       coheirs and citizens in 

Fac sanctorum civium.                      that holy City of Saints

Panis Angelicus

What some may also recognise is the hymn Panis Angelicus which are the last two verses of a longer hymn celebrating the Eucharist known as Sacris solemniis

Gospel Reflection: The Most Holy Trinity

 The Most Holy Trinity 

Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Today is, in a way, the culmination of the Church’s liturgical year. We have celebrated the mysteries of the life of Jesus, from His birth, through His death and resurrection, to His ascension into heaven. We have remembered the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Now we turn our hearts and minds to the very mystery of God Himself. All the celebrations of the Church’s year, all the prayer of the Church, finds its source and completion in God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

The Catechism teaches us that the whole end of the God’s involvement in the world is for all God’s creatures to share in His perfect unity as Father, Son and Spirit. Yet, even now, God calls us in baptism to become His temples, dwelling places of the Trinity. Jesus promises to those who keep His word that they (the Trinity) will come to make a home within them.

Art and the Holy Trinity

This short video looks at three images of the Trinity and offers ideas for what we can learn about the mystery of the Trinity through Art Work. 

Follow Me 

In our Gospel reading we are asked to follow Jesus commandments. For our children on Half Term Holiday a colouring page showing different ways of loving our neighbour a colouring page showing different ways of loving our neighbour. 

Confirmations on Feast of Pentecost

 Confirmations on Feast of Pentecost

Today Bishop Paul Swarbrick came to confirm 54 young people from around the Lancaster Diocese.  Bishop Paul in his homily thanked all the parents for all they had done to bring up their young people and fulfil the Baptismal Promises they have made on their behalf, to the sponsors who had been chosen as individuals who would support the young people in the future and to the catechists in all parishes who had helped prepare the young people.

Throughout the coming days we'll share details of the different parishes, but today we share Confirmandi who were prepared at St Peter's Cathedral.

Confirmandi from St Peter's Cathedral and St Joseph Lancaster

We add our thanks to: 

• our servers from the Cathedral and St Joseph's including two young people who were confirmed in 2022.  
• our Musical Director and choir who enriched our liturgy and 
• our catechists who helped prepare our young people and helped to ensure all went smoothly on the day: Alan,  Ben, Christy, Emma, Elizabeth,  'Jim'  and Ann-Marie.