Advent 2: God's grace through the sacraments

“Everything that was written long ago in the scriptures was meant to teach us something about hope from the examples scripture gives of how people who did not give up were helped by God.”  

By our baptism, a baptism that St John says is with the Holy Spirit and fire we are made sharers in the life of God. At our baptism God fills us with His grace and promises that, when we are faithful to Him in our lives, He will continue to fill us with the many graces that we need to prepare us for the life of Heaven. This promise that the Lord makes and His generosity should fill us with hope. Grace is God’s way of helping us in times of difficulty and in times of joy, it is the way that God helps us to keep on the straight and narrow and ultimately the way that leads to eternal life. We receive God’s grace in all manner of ways, but most especially through the sacraments. The frequent reception of Jesus Himself in the Holy Eucharist is one of the surest ways to receive the help that we need from God. God gives Himself freely to us, He asks only that we respond with faith and try each day to grow closer to Him through prayer. 

St John speaks of the need for repentance. The Sacrament of Confession is at the heart of this repentance, whereby we receive the Lord’s forgiveness. Advent is a time to be aware of our need to receive the beautiful graces bestowed through this sacrament. The Lord comes to free us from sin, and so He invites us to work with Him in showing sorrow for our sins and amending our lives. Therefore, let us take the opportunity in this season of preparation to prepare a way for the Lord to enter once again into our hearts. Hearts that are free from sin and filled with grace. St Padre Pio said of Confession “Confession is the soul’s bath. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again.”  Fr Chapple 

Confessions at the Cathedral are on 

Saturday morning 11am-noon and 

Sunday evening 6pm-6:20pm. 

Confessional

Personalised 3-word App: Word-Light-Grace

 Word – Light – Grace A personalised 3 word app, more of that later.  Today we listen to the opening of the Gospel according to John, and for me, like many passages in this Gospel I think it is very rich, very complex and not that easy to understand. So where to start, well the opening sentence, In the beginning …  reminds me of Genesis the first book of the bible where we hear how God created the world.  So maybe there is something here about God sending His Son Jesus, who is the Word who comes to bring us Light, to show us the way and brings us Grace which are gifts from God to help us in our daily lives.

You may have seen the advert for the 3-word app, which is a bit like map co-ordinates. Apparently for everywhere in the world there are three words which if you have a mobile phone and the app will help people find you if you get lost or stuck.  In a way, I think today’s Gospel contains our own 3-word app, which can help us if we get lost or need help.  As we start the New Year, some ideas for how to use your personalised 3-word app. The Word – Jesus brings Good News our Bible, which we can read or listen to each day, or try the wednesdayword.org/ to help prepare us for our Sunday readings. Light to show us the way to look about us for those who need our help, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand.  And Grace the gifts we’ve each been given to show God’s love but also the daily gifts we might take time to be grateful and give thanks for ideas visit https://gratefulness.org/  So for our Cathedral, for each of you reading, I give you your own 3 word app may it support and guide you in 2021, which we together might pray will be filled with his Word – Light and Grace.  

What would you include in your grateful day ...?

Message from Bishop Paul

From Bishop Paul (26th March 2020) 

Bishop Paul: Palm Sunday 2019

* I dispense the lay faithful from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy days. Whilst granting this dispensation, I remind them to properly observe the third commandment, ‘Keep holy the Sabbath Day’ (which is Sunday for Christians). Catholics who do not attend Mass should seek to sanctify every Sunday with personal prayers, or as a family praying together. Examples of these prayers might be making a Spiritual Communion, The Holy Rosary, Stations of the Cross, reading the scriptures or Sunday readings, reciting suitable hymns or praying the Mass whilst watching it online, listening to it on the radio, or watching it on television.

* I dispense the faithful from the requirement to abstain from meat on Friday, with the exception of Good Friday, 10th April, which should still be kept as a solemn day of prayer, fasting and abstinence, subject to the usual fasting rules regarding age etc. 

* I dispense the faithful from the requirements of canon 920 which says ‘each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.’ At the same time, I urge all the faithful in my Diocese to make a Perfect Act of Contrition at this time, noting that perfect contrition is true and real sorrow for our sins, which is created when we realise the immense love of God for each one of us. We express this contrition when we realise how we offend God by our sinful words, deeds and omissions in contrast to the immeasurable love and mercy that he continually shows us. This requires us to be contrite of heart for what we have done, know and be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God for his children, and to approach this grace with humility and resolution not to sin again. 

The following or similar formula should be used as a Perfect Act of Contrition: 

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God have mercy.

From Palm Sunday Newsletter.  The newsletter also includes a reflection from Fr Steve, details of services which will be recorded at the Cathedral and will be shared on this parish blog and the Cathedral Website.  

Our children's Trinity ...

Today the families who are preparing their children to make their first confession and first Holy Communion gathered together as we had our first family session for the My Lord and My God sacramental preparation programme. The parents have already been meeting to learn more about praying within the family, thinking about the Trinity and to think about the sacrament of reconciliation. Tomorrow they will formally enrol on the programme.

Children showing their Trinity Symbols 

We'll be updating parishioners about what everyone is doing over the coming weeks.  Today we wanted to share the children's images linked to the Trinity.  They focused on activities linked to God our Father who created the world.  We talked the loving and unloving things we do (sins) and remembered how God the Son, Jesus came to save us. And we talked about the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent to help us, as we created a wonderful dove with our hands, and then talked about how we can use our hands to remember who to pray for, following some ideas from Pope Francis.  We hope to show you some of those hands soon. 

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.

24 hours for the Lord

Starting at the 12.15 Mass on Friday 5th March for 24 hours until the 12.15 Mass on Saturday 6th March people from around the Diocese came to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.  Sometimes together and sometimes alone with the Lord. 



Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Prodigal Son - a parable of God's love and forgiveness

Throughout the 24 hours, priests from around the Diocese also spent time sitting in the confessional room ready to hear confessions, and at the end of the sacrament of reconciliation to say the words of absolution and forgiveness. 

At the front of the Cathedral there was also an image of Rembrandt's Prodigal Son (the reading we will hear tomorrow, the 4th Sunday of Lent Luke 15) which many find a helpful image of God's enduring love for each one of us.

Divine Mercy and Jubilee Year of Mercy

Tomorrow is the 2nd Sunday of Easter it is also known as Divine Mercy.  Later today Pope Francis will share more details of the Holy Year of Mercy in something called a Papal Bull - to learn more about this watch the video below.  

As advertised in the poster for Divine Mercy Sunday - there will be opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation which is a wonderful sign of mercy and forgiveness of God.  This sacrament has many names, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

CCC 1424 It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession" - acknowledgment and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace."
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother."

Art and Faith 4

The painting shows us the visit Nicodemus makes to visit Jesus and to learn more about his teaching. This is one of only three times Nicodemus is mentioned in John's gospel, as we listen to the passion we will hear how Nicodemus came to help bury Jesus after he had been crucified.  The video reflection suggests that painting inspired by the meeting in today's gospel is like the conversation between priest and someone coming to confess their sins in the sacrament of reconciliation.  

Lent is a time when we are encouraged to go and receive God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as the usual times: 
Cathedral: Saturday 11:00 until 12:00 and 17:45 until 18:15.
St Thomas More's: Prior to Mass on Sunday Morning

There is also another reconciliation service at St Mary's Morecambe on Friday 27th March at 7.00pm 

Reconciliation Service - Stations of the Cross

The 12th Station one of the tableaux scenes of the meditation.
Here is looking up at heaven, during a song Jesus also turned to the two thieves and Mary
for the beloved disciple he looked at the congregation

On Tuesday evening ten of the children from St Thomas More's and St Peter's Cathedral made their first confession.  Whilst confessions were being heard the families were led in a reflection on the Stations of the Cross by young people in the parish, including catechists and confirmandi.  

At each station we prayed the traditional prayer

We adore you O Christ and we bless you,

because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

After saying together a short prayer that asked the Lord to help us to follow Him 

we sang

Jesus we adore you, lay our lives before you, how we love you.

After making their first confession children went with their parents
to say their prayers of penance and light a candle
They placed a flower on a branch which was a sign of new life in Christ
which began when we were baptised
a sign of new life and

  

First Confessions Tonight

Children visiting the confessional

Kneeling for confession

Kneeling for confession

Please remember in your prayers the children who will be making their first confession tonight when they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During the service some of our Confirmation group will be leading us in a meditation on the stations of the cross.  The service starts at 6.30pm  

Facing the priest
for confession

Other opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 11.00 to 12.00 noon, or 5.45 to 6.15pm
St Thomas Mores before 9.30am Mass
Wednesday 16th April between 6.00 and 8.00pm there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and confessions - this is part of the Diocese of Lancaster's initiative Reconciliation Wednesday - this opportunity will therefore be available in other churches throughout the diocese.

Getting ready for first confession

Testing out the kneeler

Next Tuesday 8th April the children enrolled on the My Lord and My God sacramental programme will be making their first confession.  Last Sunday a couple of the children came to have a look inside the confessional (the room where we often go for the Sacrament of Reconciliation). 

Holding a mobile of hearts with
all the children's names on
and service sheet

The children have all been learning the Act of Contrition (Sorrow) a prayer that they will say after being given their penance by the priest.

Please remember the children as they prepare for this sacrament of forgiveness, conversion, reconciliation.  

A busy Sunday - My Lord and My God

Last Sunday was a busy day for the catechists and children involved in both our sacramental preparation programmes.  The children preparing to receive make their First Confession in a few weeks time came to the social centre for the first session of the My

Lord and My God programme.  

Images from Adult Leaflet - Can you find these in the Cathedral?

Children talking about symbols of Baptism

Their parents have already attended a number of sessions where they have explore the Trinity, praying with children, sharing the Bible and learning more about what we do in Children's Liturgy.  The parents have also thought about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and considered how they will help prepare their children for this great sacrament of healing.  
Children's Session - On Sunday the children from the Cathedral and St Thomas More's gathered in the Social centre.  We talked about sacrament as a gift - an outward sign of an inward grace.  We listened to the story of Jesus' Baptism and then talked about our joining God's family at Baptism.  Next we shared the meaning of each of the symbols (outward signs) of Baptism - water, candle, oils, white cloth.  After our session we went over to the Cathedral 

Children lining up to go over to the Cathedral

At Mass the children came out for a special Children's Liturgy.  The gospel reading allowed us to continue our theme of the importance of water for new life - and so we listened to the Samaritan woman and Jesus saying how he would give her living water.  

Children looking at the symbols of Baptism 

Sacramental Preparation: My Lord and My God

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes who is one of the diocesan patrons.  It is also the start of the Sacramental Programme My Lord and My God.  Adults gathered together to talk about their image of God and that of their child.  We shared about where we get our images of God and how they help us in prayer. 

Above the Window of the Assumption

Fr Stewart talked about the Trinity and the power of the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit and reminded us of how many of the prayers of the Mass mention the three persons of the Trinity.  An Cathedral image we didn't share, but one that has a Marian connection, featured in a post in the original Lancaster Cathedral Blog, for more information. The crown being offered to Mary, a human being, reminds us all of an important truth: the one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - calls us to share His life and His glory in heaven.
Prayers in everyday life
Later in the evening we talked about how we might use everyday objects and events as a basis for prayers.  We hope to share ideas from the group over the coming weeks and welcome photos and ideas from readers.  

Sacrament of Reconciliation: The Light is on for YOU

Advent marks the start of a New Church Year.  During Advent there will be an extra opportunity to go to the sacrament of reconciliation.  If you've not been to confession for some time then maybe the start of the Church year is a good time to go. Throughout the diocese including the Cathedral, the Light is on for you on Wednesday evening 7.00 to 8.00pm.  During this time there will be exposition of the blessed sacrament.  

A valuable way to preparing for the coming of our Lord at Christmas.  

Apostles Creed: Forgiveness of sins

Focal Area with Paschal Candle and
baptismal font with the symbol
of Holy Spirit on top.

Monday evening parishioners gathered to continue the spirituality series exploring the Apostles' Creed. This week the focus was on the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins this is because it is through baptism we are united with Christ who died, rose and gives us the Holy Spirit so that we might walk in newness of life. Looking at the Catechism of the Catholic Church there was discussion about the signs and symbols of baptism and how they help us to understand this first sacrament which is known as a gateway to all other sacraments.

CCC 977 Our Lord tied the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that "we too might walk in newness of life."

The next session will take place on Monday 14th October at St Thomas More at 7.30pm and will look at the final lines of the Apostles' Creed.

Mini Mission 1: Starts tomorrow

This is the last of our nine days preparation for the Mini Mission.  We hope its given you a flavour of some of the different things that are going on in the Lancaster Diocesan Youth Centre, Castlerigg.  As the team prepare to come from the Lake District we pray that they will be given the energy and gifts they need to help to inspire and share their faith with the children, young people, parents, parishioners and teachers they meet in the schools and parishes of the Lancaster and Morecambe Diocese.

Please try to support them and use this opportunity to think about what the Year of Faith means to you.  The week will end with a Taize Service of Celebration at the Cathedral on Friday at 7.00pm 

Preparing for First Confession
Today one of the children who are enrolled in the Cathedral parish preparation programme for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, checked out the confessional.  He will join others on Wednesday evening, when they make their first confession. 

Throughout the Lancaster Diocese all churches are open and a priest is available to hear confessions on a Wednesday evening between 7.00 and 8.00pm.
The Castlerigg team have prepared a reflection which you may wish to use to prepare for this healing sacrament. 

Novena to Holy Spirit: Day 6

We remember the large posters that the confirmation young people made to support a reflection on the sorrowful mysteries that they led during the reconciliation service. 

Just adding the finishing touches

Human Weakness And Sinfulness

If Thou take Thy grace away,

Nothing pure in man will stay,

All his good is turn'd to ill.

Come, 0 Blessed Spirit of Understanding, enlighten our minds that we may appreciate and see more fully what we know by faith.

Come to us in our weakness and give voice to our petitions, for "the prayers that the Spirit makes for God's holy people are always in accordance with the mind of God."

Living flame of Love

Image of dove - Holy Spirit

Today's video click here 
It offers a more personal reflection asking us what help we are seeking from the Holy Spirit to break those obstacles that are between us and God and the community. 
The words are adapted from a poem written by St. John of the Cross, in the 1500s. The song was written and sung by John Boucher, Princeton, NJ.


The Holy Spirit and the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) 
1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Reconciliation Service

Posters to aid reflection on the Sorrowful Mysteries

On Thursday 22nd March the confirmation young people led reflections on the Sorrowful Mysteries as the children who have been preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation went with their parents to make their first confession.


For a link to an online version of the Rosary for Children click here

Confirmandi kneeling in front of the Crucifixion

After each reflection one of the confirmandi went up and knelt in front of the image reminding us of that mystery whilst we sang the hymn to Mary: 'As I kneel before you, as I bow my head in prayer ...'  

Cross with flowers

After the children had made their confession they came and said their penance, lit a candle and placed their flower a sign of new life on a plain black cross. Finally, after all the children had made their first confession the cross was filled with flowers, this cross was then brought onto the altar to remind us that Christ's death on the cross was not the end.  We have resurrection and joy of Easter to look forward to. 


There will be an opportunity to view the posters in the Social Centre after 10.30 Mass on Palm Sunday.  

Sacramental Trail: A Healing Sacrament

After the 10.30 on Sunday there was a trail around the cathedral where adults and children enrolled in the parish sacramental preparation programme 'My Lord and My God' learned more about one of the two healing sacraments - the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or confession, or conversion, or penance, or forgiveness.  

A catechist kneeling in the confessional

The children and adults all had a chance to visit the confessional and have a look at where you can go to receive the sacrament.  For some, it was a surprise to learn that you could choose to sit opposite the priest or kneel behind the grill. 


Obviously when we go to confession there is just us and the priest, so the experience on Sunday with so many squeezing in to listen to Fr Stewart or Canon Stephen was a bit unusual!




One of the questions the children asked was whether Fr Stewart has to go, to which the answer was of course YES.  The children were also interested to learn that the Pope also goes to receive this sacrament.  Fr Stewart explained how the priest is always ready to help people when they come to receive this sacrament.


Please pray for the children who will be making their first confession this Lent.  Remember that each Wednesday evening between 7.00 and 8.00 'The Light is on for YOU' in all the churches in the Lancaster Diocese.  A chance for us all to go especially if it has been a long time since we last went.

Information Meetings about Sacramental Programmes

Over the coming weeks families in our parish will have an opportunity to find out more about the parish programmes of preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation.  The sacraments are sometimes described as our gifts from God that help us on our journey of faith: Reconciliation provides healing, Holy Communion nourishment and Confirmation strengthens us by sealing those gifts of the Holy Spirit we received at Baptism. 

For further details click on the tabs above and see the newsletter in the coming weeks.