Getting ready to come to church

Two videos have been prepared to explain the arrangements for coming to Mass at the Cathedral and also at St Thomas More.  These plans have been informed by the government guidance (for further detail Statement on reopening of churches) and it is clear that behind the scenes a lot of work and preparation have been undertaken ... our thanks to all those who have helped in cleaning, preparing signage etc. 

Guidance for the cathedral

Guidance for St Thomas More


Private Prayer
Arrangements continue at 1.30 to 2.30 and for further guidance the re-opening for private prayer video.

Feast of St Angela

Picture created by
children's liturgy group

Today we celebrate the feast of St Angela Merici, she was the foundress of the Ursuline sisters who have played an in important role in the life of our parish.  We remember all those sisters who lived, loved and served our parish community, especially those families and parishioners living near to and worshiping at St Thomas More's on the Marsh.  

The video below shows something of the life of St Angela, but during the coming week we'll be sharing more about her life and the love and service she has inspired in women in our own parish. 

Scripture Group

After a short break the Scripture Group will be meeting again at the new regular time of 2nd Thursday of the month starting at 7.30 and finishing by 9.00pm.

We meet at St Thomas More's Parish Hall, St Thomas More's walk, Off Willow Lane, Lancaster LA1 5PT. 
We are using readings and reflections from a guide for groups developed by the Westminster Diocese - Love Divine.  You can come and listen, or share your ideas.
Why not come and join us
- all are welcome. 



Advent Reflection

Advent focal Table 2017

On Thursday evening the Gospel Sharing group reflected on the coming of the Lord in an Advent reflection led by Carol and Tim Hoare. 

Central to our focal table was the advent wreath with its evergreen circle reminding us of the never ending love of the Lord, and two lit candles to signal we are in the second week of advent. 
We had the Lancaster Diocese Lampadusa cross which helped us focus on the needs of refugees who like Mary and Joseph had to leave their home and make a journey at a challenging time.  

Our opening prayer is one you may find useful in the coming days.
Come Lord Jesus, Maranatha
Open our ears to hear your word, open our eyes to see you in one another, open our hearts to your call to live generously and to let our light shine. Open our arms to reach out in welcome and love.
Come Lord Jesus, Maranatha Amen.

Our time of reflection opened with the Litany of the Word which reminds us of all the ways that Jesus who is the WORD brings justice, mercy, freedom, hope, healing, comfort and gladness.  Why not listen to this reflection as a family.

CAFOD Advent reflection

CAFOD Advent reflection

Come Lord Jesus: Maranatha

St Thomas More at 7.30pm on Thursday 14th December

All welcome

We are invited to think of people on the move, remembering the journey through the desert by the people of Israel, and of Joseph and Mary who had to travel to Bethlehem, we remember all those who are forced to leave their home. 

This year CAFOD have an interactive advent calendar.

And for personal prayer and reflection a Litany of the Word with refrain Maranatha.

Date for your diary
We will also be talking about plans for Gospel Sharing group next year.  New regular time will be 2nd Thursday of each month.

First Holy Communion

Today, 28 of our young people who attend the Cathedral and St Thomas More received their First Holy Communion.  They and their families have been preparing since January and today they received Jesus in this second sacrament of their initiation into being a full member of the Church.
Fr Steve writes:

First Holy Communion, is truly a wonderful occasion, the first of many, when they will know the joy of receiving The Lord and taking their rightful place within the Body of Christ (The Church). I wish to express my appreciation of them and their parents who have followed the way of preparation so fruitfully. Please be assured that there is always a welcome for you all within our community. Fr Steve

Holy Communion 2017 

There will be a celebration mass where certificates will be presented on Tuesday 11th July at St Thomas More at 6.30pm

Confirmation Day at St Thomas More

Prayer time at the end of the day - Gifts of Holy Spirit

On Sunday young people preparing for their confirmation attended St Thomas More's morning mass and then spent the day exploring the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, learning more about Mass, thinking about who we trust and listen to, how we can make time to listen to God, thinking about the Baptismal promises they will make when they get confirmed.

Where will the Holy Spirit lead us ...

  Just before lunch the group did some weeding as service to the community.

Weeding in the peace garden

St Angela Merici: Do Something - ACT

St Angela Merici

Today we celebrate the feast of St Angela Merici, she was the founder of the Ursulines. Although last year the Ursuline sisters - Jayne, Katharine and Zela who had lived and ministered at St Thomas More for 20 years moved to Greenwich their legacy remains.  See below for a few of the activities that continue within the parish. 

Urusline sisters and Fr Steve October 2016

Today is also Holocaust Memorial Day - whose message is 'Don't Stand By'.  
It is interesting to read that the cross worn by the Ursuline sisters who are known for not standing by but following St Angela's advice of 'Do Something - ACT' was 'designed by an artist who was an unbeliever but who was seeking God.  It was drafted while he was in a concentration camp during the Second World War. ... The General Council, after examining the work of many artists chose this cross because of our mission of educating youth, and because of our mission of educating youth, and because of the peace that comes from Christ'
To read more about their cross and learn more about Ursulines UK see the Ursuline website.



Activities inspired by St Angela
The Company of St Ursula a lay community of women continue to live out their calling inspired by the charism of St Angela Merici.  To read more about the Company or find out more information see Lancaster and the Company of St Ursula
The Angelinas mothers of young children also continue to gather and food, fellowship and prayer time where they reflect on the teachings of St Angela.  
The Monday evening Scripture group which meets the second Monday of the month between 7.30 to 9.00 at St Thomas More.To learn more about St Angela and her morning offering to God 

Scripture Group

On the second Monday of each month the chance to share scripture continues - a legacy of the Ursuline Spirituality Sessions.  
The group meets between 7.30 to 9.00 at St Thomas More and is open to all interested in listening to and talking about the Gospel reading.  
We use lectio divina or sacred reading of a piece of scripture.
This week we will read the Gospel for the 33rd Sunday of the year Mark 13: 24-32.

All welcome - why not come along and join us and help us .

Big day for St Thomas More

A day of mixed emotions for parishioners at St Thomas More's - joy when celebrating the many blessings brought to the parish by the presence of the Ursuline sisters in our community, but inevitable sadness as the sisters leave to join other Ursuline sisters in the Greenwich convent. In the weeks ahead we will be looking back at their contribution to parish life and learning more about how members of the parish will be picking up different ministries and roles within the parish.  Fr Steve spoke about how like a new child needs nurturing so does the parish.

Sr Jayne giving notices at the end of Mass

On behalf of the Ursuline's Sr Jayne shared a quote from a poem, explaining that as she left for Greenwich:

I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart (E.E. Cummings).

After Mass parishioners gathered for a photo on the grass of the garden.

Sr Cathy, Fr Steve, Srs Jayne and Zela

Children's Liturgy Group

The children of the parish all made cards and gathered together for a photograph to wish the sisters well as they move down to Greenwich.

And finally, for today, a group photograph of parishioners and visitors who came to give thanks for all the Ursulines have done over the past 20 years.

Parish Group gathering in the garden

Polish Sisters visit St Thomas More

The second Monday of the month parishioners gather for lectio divina (sacred reading) of the forthcoming Gospel.  We were also joined by Srs Kate and Justyna who are young Ursuline sisters visiting St Thomas More to help them with their English.  

Ursulina sisters Poland and Lancaster

 We reflected on the reading of the Ascension and thought about what relevance the Gospel message had for us today.  We also shared how we imagined Jesus was taken up to heaven and what messages we might preach.  The same questions children's at children's liturgy also shared on Sunday during children's liturgy. 

Next Gospel reflection Monday 11th June at St Thomas More at 7.30.  All welcome.

2 new Company members S479 years later ...

The first English members of the Company of St Ursula
Sr Zela, Marie, Canon Roscillo, Marie and Myia 

On Tuesday evening two women in the parish made their final vows and joined the secular Company of St Ursula. This was 479 years to to day when St Angela Merici had gathered 28 women together as the first members of the Company of St Ursula. The Mass was celebrated by Canon Luiz Roscillo who was joined by Fr Jim Burn and Fr Andrew Dawson and Deacon Jim Wood. The Ursuline sisters from St Thomas More were also joined by Myia from the Company of St Ursula in Slovakia. 

During his sermon Canon Liuz asked us to 'look at the leaves', whilst in autumn, we might look to the ground and the wonderful colours, in spring, we would look up to the green shoots and signs of new life. The evening we gathered to support two women whose wisdom and experience might be as rich and interesting as the autumn leaves, but whose commitment was a sign of new life, as consecrated women.

Blessing the rings they will wear

Prayers for Marie and Marie

 By making vows and dedicating their lives as consecrated women, the two Maries joined the secular Institute of the Company of St Ursula.  They promised poverty, chastity and obedience.  Unlike religious Ursulines, as members of the Company, they would live out these vows their own homes.  Canon Luiz, explained how their green leaves would be sprouting up in the world, and just like ivy in a wall might at times be a nuisance! it was important because it became part of the structure and made it stronger, and so too our lives were richer by what they did to show the presence of the Lord in their lives. 

Canon Luis Roscillo concelebrating
with Fr Jim Burns and Fr Andrew Dawson

Signing the register

Cutting the cake

After Mass the two Maries signed the register confirming the vows they had made.  They were witnessed by Fr Jim and Myia of the Company
After Mass there was a celebration organised by the Angelinas mothers who gather monthly and who are also inspired by St Angela Merici

To learn more about the Company of St Ursula please contact Sr Zela.  And just in case you are wondering, you do not have to be called Marie to join!  

Company of St Ursula

Mass at St Thomas More Tuesday 25th November at 6.00pm
When Marie Worden and Marie Rodden will make their final vows as members of the Company of St Ursula. As a parish we keep them in our prayers as they take this important step.

The Company of St Ursula which was founded by St Angela Merici in Brescia, North Italy on 25th November 1535. This is a way of life for women who wish to consecrate themselves totally to God by living the Evangelical Councils of perpetual celibacy, poverty and obedience in the world. The two Marie's will be the first members of the Company of St Ursula in England. They have been supported in their journey by Sr Zela and the Ursuline sisters at St Thomas More and throughout the world.

For more information about the Company see Ursuline-religious life and posts about the Company. Today, a single woman seeking admission to the Company is given a two year period of formation leading to temporary commitment for two and then a further three years. At the conclusion of these five years, vows are made for life.

First Company of St Ursula - note the Hole Spirit symbolised by a dove

An Ursuline is called to live the mystery of

Christ as spouse of the Church.

Her commitment to perpetual celibacy is a response

in love to Christ who first loved her.

Such a vocation needs to be sustained by

a deep life of prayer.

Please note: There will be no 9.00am mass at St Thomas More on Tuesday 25th November.
To read about Yvonne who made her first vows earlier this year. 

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?

Celebration Mass

On the feast of St Benedict, children who had made their first holy communion and young people who had been confirmed this year gather for a celebration Mass at St Thomas More's.  At the end of Mass Fr Stewart presented all our young people with certificates to commemorate the sacraments they had received in the past few months. On behalf of the parish he also thanked the parents for fulfilling the promises they had made at their child's baptism and the catechists for helping with sacramental preparation.

Children with their Holy Communion Certificates

The weather was beautiful and afterwards there was an opportunity for everyone to spend time in the garden.  

St Thomas More Garden

Thank you Fr Kevin

On 3rd July Fr Kevin returned from his new parish Holy Family in Freckleton to allow parishioners from St Peter's Cathedral and St Thomas More to say thank you to Fr Kevin. Watch video below or link to the video to hear Fr Steve thank Fr Kevin for all he did during 2013-14.

First Holy Communion Day

A double celebration, for two children at St Thomas More and nine children at the Cathedral making their first holy communion, and receiving Jesus for the first time.  This is an important day in their lives and those of their family, who had brought them for Baptism and now supported them in receiving the second sacrament of initiation.  

St Thomas More, 9.30am Mass

Before Mass
with Bernadette May Holy Communion catechist

After Mass
with Fr Steve

Cathedral, 10.30am Mass

Before Mass children in sacristy ready to join the entrance procession

After Mass in the garden with Fr Stewart 

Welcome from and to Fr Steve Pearson

Fr Steve saying hello to some of the families from this year's
Holy Communion Programme who were looking at the behind the
scenes preparation by welcomers and altar servers.

Welcome from and to Fr Steve Pearson who arrived on Wednesday and took the opportunity to attend all the weekend masses to introduce himself and share something of his story especially that of his 24 years and counting as a priest.  
Today we post his message from this week's newsletter.  More about his life as a priest on Wednesday's Word of Witness.

Fr Steve writes:

There's the old adage which says: "there are no strangers in the world ... only friends we have yet to meet" ... This weekend will be my first amongst you as your new parish priest.  As much as saying good bye to my present parish has been difficult, I now feel ready to embrace this new ministry which God has called me.  There will be so many people and things which I need to know ... so already the spiritual adrenalin is beginning to flow.  With the help of God's grace, and the prayers of His holy people, I hope to be a worthy parish priest to our two communities.Very soon we will celebrate the Feast of the Lord's Ascension ... a time when He had to let go of people and friendships an return to His heavenly Father so that the Paschal Mystery could move towards fulfilment.  A new beginning for a young church He was to leave behind.  For them a time of waiting for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  We too stand on a similar threshold ... letting go of some things which were familiar and going forward with deep trust in The Lord.  Let's pray the Good Lord will bless our friendship with love of Him and with service of others .... for such are the values of His Kingdom. I look forward to meeting the friends I have yet to make.I would like to say thank you to Fr Kevin for his care of the two communities, and how delighted I am to work again with Fr Stewart after several years.  It's going to be an adventure!  Fr Steve Pearson.

Fr Steve Pearson and Deacon Jim - 6th Sunday Easter

Preparing for Confirmation at St Thomas More's

Confirmandi and Catechists at St Thomas More

On Sunday some of our own confirmandi attended the 9.30 Sunday mass at St Thomas More's as part of the parish programme of preparation for confirmation St Peter's Way. This gave us an opportunity to talk about ways in which the church building can influence how we experience the Mass.  Someone who hadn't been to St Thomas More talked about how they felt closer to the altar and what was happening during the Eucharistic prayer.  We also talked about different parts of the Mass and learned more about what happens in the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Confirmandi creating Perfect Peter 

 We were blessed with lovely weather and were able to enjoy the beautiful gardens for lunch, a blindfold trust walk and some time for individual prayer and reflection.  The day included an opportunity for us to explore the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and talk about the which of the qualities on our pictures of Perfect Peter and Patricia were really important and which might be things society views as important but which are not part of God's vision for us. 

Adults are also called to love and serve one another

Washing hands - a humbling experience

Last night at St Thomas More's those attending the spirituality session took part in lectio divina (sacred reading) of John's Gospel passage John 13:1-17 that will be read at the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  We listened to the reading several times and spent time contemplating on its meaning for us today.  We wondered what it must have been like for the disciples to have their feet washed by 'their Master, and Lord'.  Following this we washed each others hands which was a powerful experience.  

Mass of the Lord's Supper
On Thursday evening Bishop Michael Campbell will wash the feet of some of the young people preparing for confirmation and other parishioners who are seeking to follow Jesus' example to love and serve others.  As a reminder of previous years Mass of the Last supper 2012 and 2013.

Can you find the stained glass window where Jesus washes Peter's feet?
What does it say on the jug?