FFF: Caring for Calypso

 Friday Photo of Faith: Caring for Calypso

Connie and Calypso

Dear Lord,

Please help us in caring for your environment and the wondrous animals you have given us.

Help us to realise that cutting down trees is wrong and must be stopped soon or some of our animals will be no more.

God, please help us to do this. Amen

FFF: Sunflowers on the allotment

Friday Photo of Faith: Sunflowers on the allotment

Sunflowers on the allotment

Working at my allotment helps me to appreciate God’s creation. I am constantly astonished by the beauty of what I see - a butterfly on a sunflower, a bee taking pollen from a flower, a tadpole changing gradually into a frog, the sweet flavour of a ripe blackberry. I appreciate how living creatures help me as a gardener and I try to respect them as much as I can. The work also calms my soul and helps me to pray. It is a quiet space away from the busy day where I can forget about time.  I am grateful to God for the produce I can pick which is so tasty and keeps me healthy.  by Brendan (a parishioner)

Advent 1: Art and Faith

Each Monday we'll be posting a short video from the Loyola Art and Faith series, these short videos offer a reflection on a painting that links to the Gospel reading of the Sunday and a message throughout Advent.  

We'll also put details of the reading for the following Sunday which you may like to take time to reflect upon during this time of preparation.

What are you searching for?  
Can you take a few moments to keep watch for those in need who you may see each day?

Readings for Sunday Advent 2
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Prepare a way for the Lord
Psalm 84: Let us see, O Lord your mercy and give us your saving help
2nd letter to Peter 3: 8-14 We are waiting for the new heavens and the new earth
Alleliua, alleuia Prepare a way for the Lord make his paths straight, and all mankind shall see the salvation of our God, Alleliua

FPF - Our Lady's Catholic College

The first of what we hope will be a regular feature, news from our local Catholic secondary school, Our Lady's Catholic College, where Fr Andrew has started as Chaplain this term. 

For further news please see the School website, a link is on our permanent links section.

For young people from the school they may be interested in Lancaster Cathedral Young People's Facebook page 

News and Events

It has been a busy half term so far at Our Lady’s, with the open evening, an engineering day, theatre trips, cross country running and dance workshops to name just a few happenings! 

Pupils sorting out canned food for the foodbank

We've posted this today as an example of Friday Photo of Faith, the school recently held a big event to raise money for The Olive Branch in Lancaster, a fantastic local charity which offers help, advice and emergency food to some of the most vulnerable people in the area.

Our Lady’s pupils have recently celebrated the Harvest Festival, a time of thanksgiving. In doing so they also learnt about those less fortunate within the local area. 

Therefore as a school it was decided that instead of just learning about those in need, they would also help them – putting the phrase ‘faith in action’ into use!

Both staff and pupils worked together over the following few weeks to organise the fundraising, culminating in over £600 being raised for this worthwhile charity as well an amazing amount of food donations.  The logistics of dealing with hundreds of cans and packets was quite a task! All of them needed to be checked and marked with the sell by date on the top to make it easier for the charity volunteers when distributing, and it took a number of trips to transport it all to the Olive Branch offices.  The school as always were overwhelmed by the generosity of the students and their families, they never fail to go above and beyond to help and support those in need. 

Friday Picture of Faith: Jesus is risen

Not a Friday Photo of Faith but a picture! Thanks to a young parishioner from Preston, who sent in their picture of a butterfly, a sign of new life and use of her gifts to spread the Easter message that Jesus is risen, Alleluia Alleluia.

Why not have a look at the Lancaster Cathedral Young People, open facebook page for a short video asking how will you bloom and share your gifts this Easter?
Link to the Bloom post
Link to facebook page

Why not send us a photo or picture for next Friday Photo of Faith. You can share them using our form on the contact page 

Friday Photo of Faith: A gardener's prayer

Friday Photo of Faith
Sr Jayne and Sr Emanuela who is visiting from Poland
in the garden enjoying the warmth and sunshine of September day

A Gardener's Reflection
First look at the weeds,
weed out gossip,
weed out laziness,
weed out indifference
and weed out pride.

Plant five rows of peas:
patience, peace, promptness, politeness and prayer.

Then plant five rows of lettuce:
let us be faithful,
let us be loving,
let us be useful,
let us be trustful
and let us be grateful.

Then we can turn to the reliable turnips
turn up on time,
turn up with a smile,
turn up with a new idea
and turn up with new determination.

Friday Photos of Faith
Why not send us your photos - we live out our faith and find God in the people we meet, and as we experience the wonders of his creation = where do you live out your life of faith?

Friday Photos of Faith: Nelson Mandela

Quote by Nelson Mandela 1918 to 2013

Today we post a postcard and image used with a quote from Nelson Mandela who died yesterday.  This message is one used to inspire and encourage young people of their gifts, to challenge the injustices they see around them.  It is of course a message for us all that we are all called too use the gifts and talents God has given us ... and in the words of St Theresa of Avila 
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, 

no hands but yours, no feet but yours,

Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ's compassion to the world 

Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good;

Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.”

Friday Photos of Faith: Christ Church Emergency Night Shelter

The Christ Church Shelter provides for rough sleepers in the local area between November and Easter. The Shelter operates on a very small budget and any donations that you might make would be very welcome. The Shelter always needs: tinned food (within dates, please), coffee, tea, biscuits, blankets, toiletries (toothpaste, soap, deodorant, razors), towels and warm clothing. Donations of money are also helpful; please make cheques payable to ‘The Shelter.’ Please drop off any donations at Cathedral House and we will arrange for them to be collected. Thank you for your help!


For further information about the night shelter 
For details of an article that appeared in the Guardian that gives a flavour of the people who use and volunteer at Homeless Shelters around the country including Christ Church read 'Volunteering: a light in the darkness of homelessness'

Friday Photos of Faith: What do you see?

This week's Friday Photo of Faith was inspired by a video - entitled Seeing.  A reflection which encourages us to do more than look, but to see and use what we see as a basis for prayer.  So as we look around what do we see and how can that give us a focus for our prayer.  News on the television of the tragedy in the Philippines, a poster or advert as we walk around town reminding us of an event, a sign in the back of a car or on the side of a bus. How might these give us ideas or remind us who or what to pray for.  

For a link to the video Seeing: Reflection by Vinita Hampton Wright

This video and link is one of a series of messages sent out by the Loyola 'Days of Deepening Friendship' blog  for more information Days of Deepening Friendship

A recent post which connects with one of our own posts is a bibiography on Hildegard von Bingen

Do you have any recommendations
If you regularly receive a newsletter or come across a website which might be of interest to others then please send link and a few words about the site by way of recommendation. Please use contact sheet to let us know, or leave written details with one of the priests. 

Friday Photos of Faith: Remembrance

This Sunday is remembrance Sunday and Monday is the 11th November when traditionally there is a minutes silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
This weeks Friday Photo of Faith was taken in Preston Railway station - how often are there things all around us that remind us of how others have been a good neighbour or offered a helping hand to those in need.  

copy of quote left

During the great war of 1914-19 this room (the waiting room at Preston railway station) was by permission of the L and NW and L & Y Railway companies occupied from August 19th 1915 to November 11th 1919 by Preston station 'Sailors and Soldiers Free Buffet Association of Voluntary Workers' who supplied three and a quarter millions of the sailors and soldiers who passed through this station with refreshments and comforts the room from August 19th 1915 to May 31st 1919 was open continuously day and night, and from June 1st 1919 to November 11th 1919 for fourteen hours each day.

Friday Photos of Faith - People of Faith

Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints - those Saints we are named after, take as our Confirmation name from, those who are patrons of our Church, or our hobbies and interests.  Today we celebrate and remember those saints known and unknown.  The day was chosen by Pope Gregory III in 731-741 when he consecrated  a chapel in the Basilica of St Peter to all the saints.  We remember the saints when we say the Creed 'I believe ... the Holy Catholic Church and Communion of Saints.

Altar server clearing awaay after Mass

Today one of our new servers helped Fr Stewart during Mass.  Here he is clearing away after Mass, learning about some of the preparation and clearing away that is part of the role of server.

"There is a lot to remember - so you really have to watch carefully"








A busy weekend ahead
Feast of All Souls
The 12.15 mass will be offered for all those who have died in the past year. 
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

First Saturday Rosary
Tomorrow we have the first Saturday Rosary at 5.15pm in the Cathedral.  To read more about the Rosary which was object 52 in the Year of Faith and how Mary shows the way.

Shoebox Appeal - Last few days for collection
Boxes can be left at Cathedral House or Cathedral School and need to be dropped off by Monday 11^th November in time for collection around 15^th November

Box for collection at the back of church

St Vicent de Paul Meeting 
Monday 4th November at 7.00pm in Cathedral House.  New members welcome.  To read more about the SVP and how they offer a helping hand.  If you know of someone who is need of help, let one of the members know. 

Holiday Time - Harvest Time - End of British Summer Time

As school breaks up for holiday time (Half Term) and the clocks go back at the end of British Summer time, a little later than planned, we are pleased too share the Harvest Time poems written and read by Year 6 pupils during the Harvest Mass. 

Pupils with their poems

The cold breeze on your handsThe golden leaves on the ground

The beauty of the the coloured leaves

The singing whistle of the trees

The tractors doing collecting wheat

The mountain trees dance in peace

The farmers out on the fields

To make more warm meals

Animals go to bed in their nests

The lovely fruits that are best

Foods taste gets better

As the weather gets wetter

HARVEST TIME  

 Don't forget! 
to turn the clocks back one hour on Saturday night

Friday Photos of Faith - A rich harvest

Thanks to one of our green fingered parishioners who has not only sent in these wonderful photographs of their allotment harvest, but also a reflection for us all at this time.  On Sunday children from the Cathedral School will be sharing poems about Harvest and there will be a collection for CAFOD which is the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
A rich harvest

Maize growing on allotment

This time of year is harvest time in many parts of the globe. It is now that a lot of crops are ready, like these sweetcorn (maize) plants, which form a staple diet for many peoples of the world. The grower learns whether his hard work has paid off; he finds out whether the time and effort spent preparing the soil, protecting the young crops, feeding, nurturing, watering and sheltering has had the desired result. In our own culture, we are not as tied to the land as we used to be and it may therefore be hard to identify with those for whom the harvest is still a matter of life and death. In many parts of the world, families are reliant on that which they can grow and a poor harvest means they will go hungry. Although in our own culture we feel this relationship with the land less keenly, it is still important for us to recognise that it is a vital one for our nourishment and sustenance.

Corn on the Cob ready for cooking!

As Christians, this is a time for us to give thanks to God for the abundance of food we have and to appreciate the food that we have each day. In our own society, we have much more than we need and it can help to make some small sacrifice to remind us that not all people are able to take food for granted. 
We can also use this period to reflect on our lives as Christians. Imagery of the land is often seen in Scripture; Jesus uses images of seeds and crops in parables. We “reap what we sow”. And so, at harvest time, we can ask ourselves how well we prepared our ground, whether the seeds we have sown have borne fruit, how we have grown ourselves and how we have nurtured, nourished and protected faith and the Church. 

 So celebrate the harvest, give thanks and acknowledge the joy of what you have achieved. Of course, sometimes crops fail but reflect and prepare for next time because for every winter there follows a spring.

Friday Photos of Faith: English Martyrs Exhibition

Click for a copy
of the poster

Lancaster Cathedral: English Martyrs

Today we begin an exhibition on the lives and times of the English Martyrs, entitled 'My Faith is my Crime'. Lots of hard work has been going on behind the scenes to get this exhibition prepared.  
The calendar includes details of the talks, films and liturgical services that will be taking place between
19th July and 7th August when we celebrate the Feast of the Lancaster Martyrs.  


Today's Friday Photos of Faith we feature the stained glass window of the English Martyrs which is above the entrance of the Baptistery. The Cathedral has a stained glass window of the English martyrs - from left to right, St John Fisher, St Thomas More, Blessed John Houghton, St Cuthbert Mayne.

Below a video made by a parishioner of the Lancaster martyrs which readers may wish to use to remember those who were willing to give up their lives for their faith. 

Friday Photo of Faith - Hospital visiting

Today our Friday Photo of Faith were taken at a familiar building in the city, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.  We take a time to pray for all whose lives are connected with the hospital in any way - the staff who care for the patients, the staff who keep the hospital clean, work in the offices and the patients and their friends and family who visit them.  We also remember the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who take Holy Communion to the sick and visit them on behalf of the parish.

The windows are in the entrance of the original building and include two biblical quotes

Come to me, all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest Matthew 11:28


Mark 5: 34
Can you find out what this bible verse and find out what heals the woman 
   

Friday Photos of Faith: Celebration Mass

Receiving Holy Communion Certificate

Yesterday the sun shone for the celebration mass at St Thomas More's.  The mass was very special with one of the Holy Communion children following in his mother's footsteps and making his first holy communion at St Thomas More's.  During the homily Fr Kevin invited the children to join him as he asked them about their first holy communion and told us about a past experience of asking the question 'What happens on the altar?' the answer given 'Holy things'. And so it is, the mystery of faith that we celebrate when we gather together for the Eucharist.

Fr Kevin with Holy Communion children

 He also talked about the life of St Aloysius Gonzaga see Thursday's post and St Thomas More whose feast day it is today and explained how nourished by the Eucharist and confirmed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit at confirmation we are called to serve and follow in the footsteps of those saints who have gone before us.

Afterwards the children received certificates and photos of their first Holy Communion and the confirmation young people received their certificates.  In the absence of one of the confirmandi, her sponsor and elder sister, who received her confirmation last year received her own and her sisters certificates.  For more about Holy Communion Certificates see our Year of Faith site


After Mass there was a party and the celebrations continued with time to spend in the garden in the evening sunshine.   Thanks to all those who made the day a special one.   

Please pray for all our young people who have received the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation this year, for their families and catechists who have helped to prepare them.
St Peter ... pray for us
St Thomas More ... pray for us
St Aloysius Gonzaga ... pray for us
St Angela Merici ... pray for us

Friday Photos of Faith V4: Discernment through art

For further details about Margaret's story of how she uses her love of photography in her prayer life to reflect upon her day and how God is speaking to her visit the art and faith website.  From there you can read about other examples of how our creative gifts can be used to praise God and spread the Good News.  Below there are a series of photos which show God is present.  We welcome photos and comments for future Friday Photos of Faith

Margaret Matijasevic's Photos of Faith

More PowerPoint presentations from LoyolaPress

Friday Photos of Faith - Helping hands

How often do we take time to thank God for the gift of our hands and what we are able to do with them.  St Teresa of Avila reminds us that God has no hands but yours ... by which He is to bless us now.

This week's Friday Photos of Faith show how some of our younger parishioners used their hands to create pictures linked to our faith.  

On the left, a dove and symbol of the Holy Spirit
and on the right the Keys of St Peter.

Helping to clear the stone cross

Below, one of the Holy Communion children helped to clear away the Lenten cross created by our confirmation young people.  To see the original stone cross at Easter.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

no hands but yours, 

no feet but yours,

yours are the eyes
through which Christ's compassion

is to look out to the earth,

yours are the feet, by which He is to go about doing good

and yours are the hands, by which He is to bless us now.

St Teresa of Avila 

(Feast Day 15th October)

Friday Photos of Faith: Beetroot enough for everyone IF ...

Today we are reminded about the wonder of creation and new life and the IF... national food campaign which makes us stop and think about a line from the Our Father, 'give us this day our daily bread'.  
Thanks to a parishioner who sent in this photo and reflection. 
Baby Beetroot: 

Beetroot seedlings 

With spring comes the promise of new life. As human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, we occupy a special place on this planet. But at this time of year we should pay particular mind to that which can sustain us, physically, mentally and spiritually in the natural world. These beetroot seedlings, with some simple nourishment, have now broken through to the light and will soon be ready to be transplanted into the ground. The tiny seeds have begun to realise their potential and with very basic requirements (warmth, sunlight and water) they will achieve great strength, vitality and goodness. Human hands can facilitate the growth of plants like these and for such a small amount of work the rewards are immense. The food that is produced this way can nourish us physically and all around us now there are colours and scents that can do a lot of good for our mental well being. Being part of the sacred life of any thing is a privilege and every day we are offered a chance to know, appreciate and participate in the wonderful gift of creation around us. If we can take inspiration and sustenance from this then we always have God with us wherever we are. 

IF ... give us this day our daily bread

IF... food campaign

For more information about the Enough food for everyone IF campaign which encourages us to speak out against hunger visit the IF website.

Aid Enough Food For Everyone IF we give enough aid to stop children dying from hunger and help the poorest families feed themselves.Tax Enough Food For Everyone IF governments stop big companies dodging tax in poor countries.
Land Enough Food For Everyone IF we stop poor farmers being forced off their land and grow crops to feed people, not fuel cars.

Transparency Enough Food For Everyone IF governments and big companies are honest and open about their actions that stop people getting enough food..   

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.