Our Lady of Lourdes - Diocesan patron

Today we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes who is one of our Diocesan Patrons.
To read about past Diocesan Pilgrimage's to Lourdes with Bishop Paul Swarbrick anointing the sick in 2019.

Many will know the story of Our Lady of Lourdes who appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes which has become a place of pilgrimage which many parishioners will have attended.

To remind you of some of the key episodes this short video also includes a closing prayer.

Ist Sunday in Lent

 Today Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Bishop of Lancaster celebrated Mass at the Cathedral and was able to deliver his Pastoral Letter for the Diocese in person viewed by not only those present in the socially distanced Cathedral but also by those viewing online for the first live Mass from the Cathedral.

  

Emeritus Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue - RIP

 Emeritus Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue - RIP

As reported on Lancaster Cathedral website 

With profound grief the Diocese of Lancaster announce the death of the Rt Rev Patrick O’Donoghue this morning. He was the fifth Bishop of our diocese. He shepherded the diocese with great wisdom and love for the people of God. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

Many of our parishioners, young people and families will have memories of Bishop Patrick when he moved into Cathedral House and was Bishop of Lancaster.  

Left image of him sharing some memories of Lancaster at the ordination of his successor Bishop Michael Campbell.  For further details see 'Final few words'

A virtual crib

 A familiar face to some in the parish, Fr Andrew Allman who is now at St Clare's Fulwood in Preston talks about the crib and explains the different visitors who came to see Jesus. He also explains about the thurible and how it is used for the Frankincense. The altar servers learn to use so that the altar, priest, people, Gospel can be incensed.  Please remember that the crib will be on display at the Cathedral and St Thomas More until the Feast of Candlemas so that we can go and visit Jesus in the crib. 

Lancaster Diocese Online Masses - updated

Sunday 5th April Palm Sunday Year A
For Catholic Mass Readings for Palm Sunday or details for you to find in your own Bible.

Procession
Gospel: Year A	Matt 21:1-11	Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Mass
Reading 1	Isa 50:4-7	I did not cover my face against insult–I know I shall not be shamed.
Psalm	Ps 21:8-9, 17-20, 23-24 r. 2	My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Reading 2	Phil 2:6-11	He humbled himself, but God raised him high
Gospel Acclamation	Phil 2:8-9	Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names.
Gospel: Year A	Matt 26:14–27:66	The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

To provide easier links to the parish websites and to their live streaming of Mass please see below. Please note for Masses streamed on Facebook you do not need a Facebook account.

There will also be a recording of Mass which will be celebrated at the Cathedral and posted onto our new Lancaster Cathedral Youtube Channel. 

Cumbria

Our Lady of Furness, Barrow Fr Manny  Live Streaming of Mass Weekdays (Monday – Friday) at 10:00am Saturday & Sunday at 11:00am

Good Shepherd Workington Priests: Canon John  Watson, Fr Paul Harrison and Fr Simon Hawksworth. Mass will celebrated each day at 10.30am and can be viewed on our live streamingwebcam. It will be followed by an hour of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Lancashire

Holy Family Freckleton Fr Jim Allan Mass at 10am from St Anne Westby online Mass via their Facebook Page 

St Joseph’s Lancaster Fr Philip Connor Online Mass via Facebookpage Tuesday to Saturday 9am and Adoration 8.30, Sunday 10am and Adoration 9.30 Also 6pm Daily Pause for thought

IKSP Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Preston, Priests: Canon Gwenaël Cristofoli, Canon Tanner and Canon Post Live streaming of Holy Mass live from Saint Walburge’s at 10.30am 

St Clare’s Preston Fr Andrew Allman Sunday Mass live online at 10am. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament live online at 4-5pm. Sung Vespers and Benediction live online at 4:30pm. With recordings on their St Clare's Youtube channel.

Online liturgies around England 
There are Masses being held online across the country so if the times of Mass above aren't suitable or if you wish to visit somewhere new then please see a complete list of online Masses, Holy Hours, Morning and Evening Prayer, the Rosary.  There are also Mass in Latin, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese. 

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.

World Communication Sunday

In his message Pope Francis said

 "A community is that much stronger if it is cohesive and supportive, if it is animated by feelings of trust, and pursues common objectives. The community as a network of solidarity requires mutual listening and dialogue, based on the responsible use of language. ... 

He also explained how he wants people to use social media as a network, not a web:  

“not something that traps you, but something that frees you and that you make an instrument of freedom.”"

Screen capture Diocese of Lancaster Twitter Feed

There are lots of ways we can learn more about our diocese and parish via social media. 

Bishop Paul has his blog in which he shares what he has been doing and news of our wider diocesan family and a twitter feed.

Our parish blog and Cathedral website provide news of what is happening within the parish family and for some the parish newsletter which can be taken and shared with neighbours or those who are unable to get to church.  

We also have our Lancaster Young People's Facebook page which is an open page with messages for younger readers, but often with things that are of interest to adults as well.

Bishop Paul Swarbrick

Bishop Paul Swarbrick

Today on the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord Bishops from across the country and priests from the Diocese and invited parish guests, civic dignitaries and family and friends came to Lancaster Cathedral to witness the episcopal ordination of Bishop Paul Swarbrick the seventh Bishop of Lancaster.  For short video from ITV Border Fiona Marley, see our Lancaster Young People's Facebook page.


We hope to share more photos in coming days, but for today we share a copy of the Homily at the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Paul Swarbrick and some photos from the day.

Left to Right: Papal Nuncio, Apostolic Administrator Michael Cambell,
7th Bishop of Lancaster, Bishop Paul Swarbrick
and Cardinal Vincent Nicholls

The day before the ordination

Screen capture of Fr Stephen Pearson, Cathedral Dean

Fr Stephen talks to Radio Lancashire to provide further details about the preparations and plans for the episcopal ordination which takes place tomorrow.  

As he and Fr John-Paul reminded parishioners at Masses today, there are so many people who have been involved in preparing for the events ...

A reminder also that because of the health and safety and because of space the Cathedral will unusually only be open to those with a ticket.  But by Tuesday it will be open again as a place for quiet prayer and reflection as well as Mass at 12.15.

Visit from Bishop of Monze

Bishop of Monze Motto
Stay with us Lord

Today at the celebration of the 10.30 Mass, Bishop Moses, the Bishop of Monze concelebrated Mass with Fr Steve Pearson.  Fr Steve welcomed Bishop Moses and explained the connection that the Lancaster Diocese has had with the Diocese of Monze.  It is a reminder that we belong to the universal church, which as we say in the Creed is the One Catholic Apostolic Church.

During Mass Bishop Moses incensed the altar and because its Easter season he incensed the paschal candle, a sign of Jesus the Light of the world and resurrection.

Incensing the altar

Incensing the Paschal Candle

Incensing Bishop Moses 

Incensing the people

For the eagle eyed, it was lovely to see Bishop Moses at the start of the Eucharistic prayer, give a small clap of the hands as he said the words 'Let us give thanks and praise'. 

Bishop Moses at end of Mass

Bishop Michael Campbell OSA

At the Easter vigil Bishop Michael celebrated his final mass at the Cathedral his parish church.

This week he will have had a lot of final ... events, he marks those with his thank you and farewell final blog post.  If you want to look to find out more about what Bishop Michael Campbell has been doing over the past nine years then check out his blog site.

In his final post he tells us that his successor has plans to continue, so we will be able to learn more about what he does in the coming months.

"Being the Bishop of Lancaster has been a graceful time" BBC Radio Lancashire interview 

We pray for Bishop Michael Campbell as he moves onto his new role.  We pray for Bishop Elect, Canon Paul Swarbrick  We pray for people of the Diocese during this time of change.

Ordination Count down

Some of the many lists of
 to do things

Over the past months a vast amount of work has been taking place in preparation for the ordination of the 7th Bishop of Lancaster, Canon Paul Swarbrick.

Vestments ready for visiting Bishops

During the past week things have been laid out in the Cathedral and things are prepared for the Archbishop, Papal Nuncio, Bishops, priests, parishioners from across the diocese, family and friends of our next Bishop.  

Inspire display of Bishop's vestment

Getting ready for refreshments

We pray for Bishop elect, Canon Paul Swarbrick as he prepares to become the 7th Bishop of Lancaster, and remember with thanks all those people who have supported him in the past and who have been involved in preparing for this important day in the life of the Diocese.

Happy Easter

Paschal Candle 

Paschal Candle

Happy Easter

Peace be with you

For the next eight days we will celebrate Easter, each day of the Easter octave is a time to give thanks and celebrate that Jesus is risen.

Alleluia, Alleluia

Bishop Michael Campbell OSA

At the end of the Easter vigil, Fr Steve  noted it was the final Mass Bishop Michael would celebrate in the Cathedral, his parish church before the ordination of Canon Paul Swarbrick on Monday 9th April.  He thanked him and on behalf of the parish promised prayers for his future ministry.

Chrism Mass 2018

The Chrism Mass is when the priests of the diocese gather to renew their vows made when they were ordained as priests. They are welcomed by the hospitality team who have been busy preparing soup and sandwiches for after the Mass.  The hidden service which helps so many parishes provide a welcome to visitors.

Before Mass starts the priests gather in the social centre to catch up on news, to get ready and then process over to the Cathedral.  The video below captures some of the social centre scenes and the procession, can you spot some familiar Cathedral faces, and for our readers in other parts of the diocese spot your priest.

The Canons and Bishop get ready in Cathedral house which is another hive of activity and this year particularly as people have also been preparing for the ordination of Bishop Elect Canon Paul Swarbrick. 

Bishop Michael Campbell addressed his homily to his brother priests but allowed the laity and congregation to listen in ... for a copy of his Homily

In past years we've had photos of the Knights of St Columba welcoming people from across the diocese, this year they popped in for a quick cup of tea before their duties!

Off duty: Welcoming cup of tea

On duty: Welcoming people at church

Chair of St Peter the Apostle

Today we celebrate the authority given to St Peter to lead the Church symbolised by 'the Chair', which still represents the authority of the Pope. Ever wondered what this feast is all about and what it means to celebrate what the Chair symbolises see below.  For a video on the art history of the Chair of St Peter in Rome. 

As preparations are going on in readiness for the ordination of Bishop Elect 'Canon Paul Swarbrick' who will become the 7th Bishop of Lancaster to sit on our Cathedra (the chair in a Diocese), the Bishop's Chair which is where the Bishop teaches us ... a descendent of the apostles.

Habemus novum episcopum

Habemus novum episcopum “We have a new Bishop”. 

On Monday we learnt that our Holy Father Pope Francis has chosen a priest of the Diocese to become our new Bishop. Canon Paul Swarbrick, will be ordained Bishop here at St Peter’s shortly after Easter this year. Canon Paul will become the seventh Bishop of Lancaster. Canon Paul was born in Garstang in 1958 and attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School and received his seminary formation at Ushaw College Durham. 
Ordained priest in 1982 he has served throughout the geography of the Diocese, and for fifteen years he volunteered as a mission priest in the Diocese of Monze (Zambia). He is currently Parish Priest of The Good Shepherd parish in WorkingtonHarrington in Cumbria.

Upon the announcement of his being raised as Bishop Elect Canon Swarbrick said: 
“ I must confess to being in a state of surprise and shock at my appointment, and to a feeling of great inadequacy when faced with what lies ahead. Since my ordination to the Priesthood at Garstang in July 1982 this was never something I expected or feel prepared for. I have given my acceptance in a spirit of profound humility, deeply conscious of my unworthiness and sinfulness. It is a call to follow Jesus with greater trust and more generous love, ever mindful of what He has done for me and, ultimately, the fullness of Life He calls me to share. I beg your daily prayers, your patience and your collaboration". 

More news of preparation for the ordination which will take place on Monday 9th April.

Chrism Mass

Today the priests of the diocese gathered together with Bishop Michael Campbell at the Mother Church of the Lancaster Diocese.  They came to celebrate the Mass of Chrism where they rededicated themselves to their priestly vocation.  For a copy of Bishop Michael's homily for the Chrism Mass.
This year we were joined by the priests and Eparch / Bishop Mar Joseph Srampickal of the Syro-Malabar.  To learn more about this Syro-Malabar community.

Bishop Michael Campbell, Bishop/Eparch Syro Malabar community

Lots of people help during the day.  Visitors are welcomed by the Knights of St Columba who serve others around the diocese.  

Knights of St Columba

They weren't the only people to help with the many things that need doing. Singers from choirs throughout the diocese joined together to enhance our worship with music.  Members of the hospitality group prepare a soup and sandwich refreshment and tea and coffee after Mass.  
Servers also came from other parishes to serve at Mass, and two stayed on afterwards to help clear away the chairs.  It is all these acts of service that make all the difference. 

Helping to clear chairs after Chrism Mass

Caring for Creation

Organised by the Lancaster Diocese of Faith and Justice 

"The ecological crises shows the urgency of a solidarity which embraces time and space ... A greater sense of intergenerational solidarity is urgently needed.  For future generations cannot be saddled with the cost of our use of common environmental resources".  Pope Benedict XVI World Peace Day Message.

To book a place or for more information contact:
Maggie McSherry lfjcmm@gmail.com 
Find out more and download a booking form

To learn more about what the Faith and Justice group do please see the Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission website or follow them on Twitter @lancasterfandj 

Caring for Creation

Organised by the Lancaster Diocese of Faith and Justice 

"The ecological crises shows the urgency of a solidarity which embraces time and space ... A greater sense of intergenerational solidarity is urgently needed.  For future generations cannot be saddled with the cost of our use of common environmental resources".  Pope Benedict XVI World Peace Day Message.

To book a place or for more information contact:
Maggie McSherry lfjcmm@gmail.com 
Find out more and download a booking form

To learn more about what the Faith and Justice group do please see the Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission website or follow them on Twitter @lancasterfandj 

Chrism Mass

Today Bishop Michael Campbell was joined by priests and people from around the Diocese of Lancaster.  The Chrism Mass is when the priests renew their priestly vows made at ordination and the Bishop blesses the three oils that will be used in sacraments in the coming year. More images from this Mass will be shared next week, but for today we include a few images of this great celebration.  

Priests in procession at the start of Mass

The three oils blessed by the Bishop
and used in the sacraments during the year

 After Mass many went over to the Social Centre for refreshments organised by the hard working hospitality group.  Meanwhile in the Cathedral others cleared away the chairs and in a corridor out of site those involved in preparing our Easter flowers were starting to get busy. 

The varied life of a Deacon, Jim moving chairs
before going to visit the sick and take communion