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

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. 

A call to serve - Washing feet

A call to serve - Washing feet

12 parishioners waiting to have their feet washed

Last night Bishop Paul Swarbrick followed Jesus' example and got on his knees to wash the feet of 12 parishioners who came from different backgrounds, were different ages and have different lives - and yet like all of us are called to follow Jesus' example of loving one another by serving one another. 

Natalia one of our confirmandi was inspired to send the following quote:

It is hard to throw stones if your busy washing feet. Don’t let people steal your joy, keep loving people like Christ. Your mess matters.

Below a video of a song that we listened to on Palm Sunday as the children had their feet washed to remind them of this important call to love and serve.

 

Confirmation: St Peter's Way begins

 Confirmation: St Peter's Way begins

Confirmandi 2024

Today we had the first meeting of our confirmandi (young people preparing for confirmation) and their parents.  We talked about the preparation programme.  Fr Steve explained that although we are only confirmed once, it is not something to tick off, it is part of a commitment to get to know the Lord better a lifelong process.  He reminded us how the Church is built around the altar where we celebrate the Eucharist, which feeds us spiritually and helps us as we live out our lives as Christians.

Parents and Confirmandi getting to know each other

During our meeting parents and young people talked to one another and found out things they enjoy doing and what gifts and talents they have which might be used in our parish and local community.

Deanery Confirmation

On the feast of Pentecost 72 young people received the sacrament of confirmation. Bishop Paul Swarbrick confirmed the confirmandi from parishes within St Peter’s Deanery (Lancaster & Morecambe) 

 St Peter’s Deanery (Lancaster & Morecambe) 

and St Mary of Furness & St Thomas of Canterbury Deanery (Furness & Lakes).

St Mary of Furness & St Thomas of Canterbury Deanery

Pentecost Novena Day 9

Pentecost Novena Day 9

Today we pray for the outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Please pray for our confirmandi who will receive the sacrament of Confirmation tomorrow on the Feast of Pentecost

Here is a version of Veni Sancte Spiritus from Taize. 

Pentecost Novena Day 8

Pentecost Novena Day 8

Today we pray for victory of the Holy Cross

When we pray the Stations of the Cross we traditionally say the following short prayer at each station, it reminds us that:

We adore you O Christ and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed (saved) the world. 

Which is your favourite station of the cross and why?  

Here is a Taize reflection using these words. We adore you O Christ: Taize 

Pentecost Novena Day 5

Pentecost Novena Day 5

Today we pray for conversion and holiness

Here is one of the many musical versions of the Pentecost Sequence  Come Holy Spirit and a traditional Gregorian Chant Veni Sancte Spiritus 

Pentecost Novena Day 4

Pentecost Novena Day 4

Today we pray for renewal of our society.

Our Confirmandi spent some time reflecting on the Beatitudes and thinking about our Catholic Social Teaching (3 minute summary) can help us to renew our society.

Pentecost Novena Day 3

Pentecost Novena Day 3

Today we pray for unity of the Spirit. 

Ephesians 4: 1-6

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Pentecost Novena Day 2

Pentecost Novena Day 2

A focus on renewal of the Church.

Earlier this year we were all invited to share our views about the Church. Lancaster Diocese has just published its response for the Synod which focuses on communion - participation - mission. Diocesan Report click here: LANCASTER DIOCESAN REPORT ON THE SYNOD PATHWAY

Pentecost Novena: Day 1

Please join us as we pray for ourselves and young people from the parishes of 

Lancaster Cathedral (St Peter's and St Thomas More Parish)

St Bernadette's Lancaster

St Joseph's Lancaster

St Mary and St Michael's Garstang

St Mary's Hornby, linked with St Joseph's Kirkby Lonsdale and Caton.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Carnforth

Mass for the Feast of Pentecost

As we celebrated in our homes the feast of Pentecost and the birthday of the Church, Bishop Paul celebrated Mass in our Church home.  Originally yesterday was the day scheduled for the deanery confirmation, we remember in our prayers those who would have been confirmed.  Our parish confirmandi are still meeting virtually to learn more about their faith, next Sunday those who have been confirmed over the past couple of years on either the Feast of Pentecost of the Feast of the Holy Trinity have been invited to join them to remember that day when they received anew the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

St Mary of Furness, Barrow in Furness and the Lakes Deanery Confirmations

Kendal and Windermere Parishes

Fr Hugh Pollock

At the confirmations on the feast of the Holy Trinity we also welcomed parishioners from the St Mary of Furness, Barrow in Furness and the Lakes Deanery.  Fr Hugh Pollock presented his group of young people to Bishop Paul Swarbrick, they came from the parishes of:

• Holy Trinity and St George, Kendal and 
• Our Lady of Windermere and St Herbert, Windermere

For more information about Holy Trinity and St George, Kendal and some of their parish groups and Our Lady of Windermere and St Herbert, Windermere

St Mary's Hornby and St Joseph's Kirkby Lonsdale

On Trinity Sunday X young people from the parish communities of the Lune Valley churches of St Mary's Hornby and St Joseph's Kirkby Lonsdale received the sacrament of confirmation.  

St Mary's Hornby and St Joseph's Kirkby Lonsdale

Canon Luiz

Canon Luiz who is the parish priest of the Lune Valley Churches is also Director of the Education Service.  Over the past weeks he has been giving talks on the Eucharist, there are still two more talks on 2nd and 9th July at 7.00 to 8.00pm in the Education Centre Balmoral Road.  All welcome.

And to learn more about the fascinating history of each of the Lune Valley Churches website why not look up on their website to find out which

• church building was donated by a woman in 18th Century 
• church Bishop John Brewer offered a Silver Jubilee Mass of thanksgiving on 8th December 1988 using a historic silver chalice dated 1490
• parish has links with Malawi, started by Bishop Hardman who was parish priest from 1976-1994

Blessed John Henry Newman - Confirmation

This year, confirmations for St Peter's Deanery were held on Trinity Sunday and over the coming days we share group pictures of the parishes who attended and some information about those parishes.  

Canon Cooper presenting
confirmandi to Bishop Paul

Blessed John Henry Newman
A parish with three churches, St Patrick'sHeysham, Holy Family Torrisdolme and St Mary's Morecambe.
Canon Cooper is their parish priest, he presented 13 young people and 2 adults to Bishop Paul Swarbrick.

Blessed John Henry Newman Parish website which has links to their other social media sites.

To learn more about Blessed John Henry Newman

Blessed John Henry Newman Confirmandi

Confirmation on Trinity Sunday

Today as we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity, we also celebrated confirmation at the Cathedral.  There were confirmandi from two deaneries in the Lancaster Diocese, St Peter's in Lancaster and St Mary of Furness, Barrow in Furness and the Lakes Deanery. There were 42 young people and 3 adults renewing their baptismal promises and then coming forward to be anointed with Chrism which was blessed at the chrism Mass.  

During the coming week we will post group photographs fr the different parishes, but for today we post a group photograph of all those confirmed.

Bishop Paul, Confirmandi and Clergy 

Thank you ....

A day like today would not have been possible without the help of a lot of people, all the catechists and clergy who have helped prepared confirmandi over the past few months, and today our choir and musical director Damien Howard, our MC Kirsten Kerfoot and servers, many who had served at this mornings mass and who returned to serve again this afternoon, our welcomer Marcin, and catechists from the cathedral who busied themselves behind the scenes. 

Blessing of the Chrism used at today's confirmation

We also post below a reminder of Holy Week where the oil of Chrism that was used to anoint the confirmandi was blessed by Bishop Paul Swarbrick.

Sacramental Preparation Information Meetings

As eagle eyed readers of the blog may have noticed we've added some new pages for our sacramental preparation.  There is now a page for each sacrament where there are details of our sacramental programmes so something for everyone - please look at sacraments pages.

St Peter's Way - Confirmation Programme

Our preparation programme is for young people who are year 9 or above.  There is an information meeting for young people and their parents on Sunday 2nd December after 6,30pm Mass. The meeting will give you a chance to ask questions and to hear more about the programme, which is designed to give young people a chance to revisit the sacraments of initiation and think about what it means to be a Catholic today. 

At the end of the meeting adults and young people will be given a form to fill in with contact details and then one to take away and complete by Christmas. 



My Lord and My God - Reconciliation and Holy Communion Programme

Our parish preparation programme is for children in year 3 or above. An important part of the programme are the sessions for parents and adult supporters - Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, Godparents are also welcome. 

The information meeting is for adults only and will take place at Cathedral House on Tuesday 4th December at 7.30pm  You will be asked to complete a form with contact details and then one to take away and complete by Christmas.

This meeting is earlier than usual so please spread the word to anyone who maybe interested.

Parish and deanery confirmandi

After a wonderful celebration last week we are pleased to share some further pictures from the confirmation service.
Our parish group have been preparing since January, during the programme they have:

• helped lead a reflection on the sorrowful mysteries during the first confessions
• had their feet washed as a sign of service 
• attended the deanery day in April where they met other confirmandi from other parishes and learned more about the saints and discipleship in everyday life
• attended mass and had an enjoyable day at St Thomas More where we learned more about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.  

Confirmandi St  Peter's and St Thomas More
with Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Fr Steve Pearson and Deacon Jim Woods

We've also gathered images of the Confirmation Service1 and images of the parish groups.  This year we had confirmandi from St Joseph's Lancaster, St Mary and St Michael Garstang, St Mary's Great Ecclestone, St Mary's Hornby and St Joseph's Kirkby Lonsdale, Our Lady of Lourdes, Carnforth, St Mary's Yealand and St Mary of the Angels, Bolton-le-Sands; Holy Trinity and St George and Some from Sedbergh School.

Confirmation - Pentecost Sunday

Today 50 young people and adults were confirmed at St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster by Bishop Paul.  It was inspiring to have a full Cathedral as the confirmandi were supported by friends and family. Bishop Paul in his homily thanked parents, sponsors, catechists and all who had helped to prepare those getting confirmed and been involved in the day itself.

We'll be sharing more images of parish groups and some of the behind the scene preparations in the coming week, for now an image of all the confirmandi and their parish priests and Bishop Paul after the great celebration.

Please pray for all who received the Holy Spirit in Confirmation today, and if you've been confirmed maybe take a moment to remember your own special day.

We'll also post some images on our Lancaster Cathedral Young People Facebook Page ... which you may wish to like or follow in the future.  Please note this is a public Facebook page and you do not need to have an account to view the pictures.