WWW: Flower Power

Wednesday Word of Witness: Jane Brisco

We are witnesses by our words but also by our actions. Today, we share words from Fr Steve from our parish newsletter which gives thanks for the gifts and talents and life of witness by Jane Brisco who spent many hours arranging flowers for so many celebrations and all the behind the scenes watering, clearing things away.  Jane was also a member of the hospitality team who has welcomed many visitors to diocesan celebrations.

Catherine's floral tribute for Jane Brisco  

Within the Cathedral parish in the first week of November we had the Requiem Mass for Jane Brisco. Jane was a much loved and valued part of our parish community, working with dedication and great loyalty as one of our parish volunteers. These volunteers help keep our parish functioning as a welcoming community at the service of our city and Diocese. For about thirteen years, with only one or two other people alongside her, Jane gave lots of her time and skill in preparing and arranging floral displays across the Cathedral. It is this “behind the scenes work” which has a beautiful benefit for all who come into the Cathedral. Beautiful flowers lifting our minds and hearts to Almighty God in prayer. I have often praised the work of Jane and Catherine in their floral arrangements in the Cathedral. I do wish to record my deep gratitude to Jane, and to Peter her husband (for providing transport), for their work in this important part of our Cathedral life. Eternal Rest Jane and rise in glory! Amen. Fr Steve. 

November is a time we remember those whose lives have been a witness to us ... we welcome other words of witness. Please use our contact us form to get in touch.

Getting ready to welcome a new fisherman

On 24th July 2013 Deacon Stephen Talbutt shared with the parish his calling and vocation to the priesthood in our post Wednesday Word of Witness.  Since then Stephen has been studying for the priesthood at St Mary's College, Oscott.

Stephen Talbutt receiving the Bible

On Tuesday 10^th March 2015, with nine other 2nd year students at Oscott College, he received his first ministry, that of Lectorate (reader). During the services the Bishop of Leeds  stressed that it was not just a stage on the way to priesthood but a ministry in its own right and brought with it the challenge to read and pray daily on the Word of God and to live it for the rest of life. 

On the 24th June 2018 Stephen, along with seven other seminarians were ordained into the ministry of Deacon. We remember all of these men who have responded to God's call.

Deacon Stephen Talbutt
and 2 other newly ordained deacons

During his time of preparation Stephen has regularly visited the Cathedral and served at Mass.  Recently serving at the Mass of the Lord's Supper 2019 where he assisted Bishop Paul as he washed the feet of parishioners a reminder that we are all called to follow Jesus' example of loving and serving one another.

Mass of the Lord's Supper 2019

And for the past two years he has been sharing the Good News with his Catholic scripture reflections with the fitting image for his wordpress site, that of a fish. A symbol for Jesus and a reminder that he said to the disciples that he would make them fisher's of men.

And so now on the day before his ordination as a priest we remember Stephen Talbutt in our prayers.  

Stephen Talbutt: Twitter Page

WWW: Our champion walkers

Wednesday word of witness: What a great example of witness, starting out from Lancaster Cathedral on their grand tour.

Boots being blessed by Bishop Paul

You may recall in his first Blog, Bishop Paul talked about blessing the boots of two of our parishioners who are walking from different Cathedrals in the Northwest, to raise awareness about and funds for the work for Aid to the Church in Need. 

We did it! We’ve walked from Salford Cathedral to Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. That’s 37 more miles walked to raise awareness and funds for Christians in Iraq. Thanks for your prayers and support. Still two more walks to go—sponsorship is still very much welcome! www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walks4iraq  

Recent destination following walk from Salford

Long Service Award -

Our Wednesday Word of Witness comes from Mary Garner who received a long service award for her dedication and commitment to singing in the choir.  Mary writes:

To receive an award for long service in the choir is a great honour as well as a surprise, something I had never expected. To be recognised for something you love doing is strange.

I have always loved singing—from very young, singing in the school choir, to then later in life joining the Cathedral choir. I have now been a member for about 28 years.

I moved into the Cathedral parish in 1982 from St Bernadette's, but it was a number of years before I thought to join the choir and use singing as a ministry. It is St Augustine who is reputed to have said that singing is praising God twice.

I have seen many changes in the Cathedral choir over the years. In the early years I can remember singing in folk masses with guitars and eventually mixed voice choir for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, under the directorship of Fr Callaghan and then Mathew Barker, who was a choir member and a teacher locally. The choir blossomed under his directorship and we sang some wonderful music for mixed choirs. But as with all things in life, people move on, some people left for jobs elsewhere, moved to new parishes etc.  

                  

Also over the years organists and musical directors have come and gone, and we went through a period of singing more simple pieces or mostly Hymns. It was with the appointment of Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue and his desire to improve the music in the Cathedral, that Canon Stephen was appointed. We then saw an increase in the variety and quality of the music and we found we were learning more ambitious and exciting pieces, from medieval to modern day, something we have all enjoyed being part of.

The composition of the choir also has changed over the years and eventually the number of men who could commit to singing regularly reduced dramatically, so it was decided 10 years ago to make the Cathedral choir ladies only with occasionally SATB choir on special occasions with the use of the diocesan choir.

I still enjoy singing in the choir and hope to continue to serve the Parish in this music ministry and hopefully help to enrich the worship.  If any ladies are interested in joining the choir, we would be very happy to welcome new singers.      Mary Garner              

Congratulations Fr Steve

Fr Steve Pearson
ordained 9th June 1990

Today Fr Steve celebrates 25 years as a priest, all are welcome to join him as he celebrates Mass at 7.00pm at Lancaster Cathedral with refreshments in Social Centre afterwards.


To read more about Fr Steve's priestly journey read the welcome post when he arrived at the Cathedral 

WWW - Fr Steve Pearson

And look at his entry on the Joy of Priesthood featured on the Lancaster Vocations website.

WWW - Fr Steve Pearson

Fr Steve Pearson

Regular readers may remember an earlier post about the joy of priesthood where we shared posts from the Lancaster vocations blog to read those follow the link or for the full entry by Fr Steve.  Today we hear more from Fr Steve who shared something of his story as a priest with those attending the weekend masses.  Posted below are a few highlights and a chance to see some of the places where he has lived out his calling as a priest. 

St Mary's Barrow

Born in the Holy town of Barrow and baptised in St Mary's, Barrow and received his other sacraments of initiation there. In this parish he was an altar server and reader.
After leaving school and working for five years he went to university in Kent, Canterbury and then went to Oscott Seminary.  This is where another Steve Talbutt who was a previous contributer of Wednesday Word of Witness has gone to explore his vocation.

Fr Steve explained how he had enjoyed seminary life and made some good friends. 

We've not got a photo of his time there but some years later (2010), Pope Benedict XVI visited Oscott Chapel - see right.

He was ordained in his parish church of St Mary's, Barrow on June 9th 1990 and will celebrate his silver jubilee next year.  

His first appointment was in Our Lady's Carlisle where he was mentored and inspired by Monsignor Greg Turner who died in 2010 - for Fr O'Keefe's funeral homily  of Fr Greg this well known diocesan priest. 

Our Lady's and St Joseph's, Carlisle (Fr Steve 1990 - 1996)

In 1996, Fr Steve came to spend six years at Lancaster University chaplaincy and shared how this had given him chance to learn much about ecumenism and students!  Our own Deacon Jim Wood has until Christmas played a key role in university chaplaincy so stories they will be able to share as they get to know new students who attend the Cathedral whilst they study in Lancaster.

Screen capture of Lancaster University Chaplaincy, 2014

St Gregory's, Preston

In 2002 he was appointed to St Gregory's, Preston which it would seem has close connections with Preston North End.  

St Gregory the Great was a Pope from 590 to 604  - why not visit our Year of Faith timeline to find out more about him.

St Bernadette's, Bispham

Moving from Preston to Blackpool where he has been parish priest for 9 years.  In 2007, he was joined by the newly ordained Fr Stewart Keeley and in 2010 Fr Andrew Allman who had been at the Cathedral swapped parishes with Fr Stewart.  There he celebrated the parishes 60th Anniversary.  

And on 21st May 2014 he moved to the parish of St Peter's Cathedral and St Thomas More. As he noted in his message in the parish newsletter the spiritual adrenalin has started to flow as he begins the next adventure and phase of his faith journey back in Lancaster with the image of the Te Deum window to inspire as he says Mass.

For our final image a challenge, can you spot Fr Steve and the other three priests who have also served at the Cathedral.  

Cathedral Clergy - Chrism Mass, 2014

Please pray for Fr Steve and for all the priests who have served the Cathedral parish community for the past 154 years. 

Wednesday Words of Witness - Inspired by St Angela

There are three groups of women in the parish whose witness is inspired by the life of St Angela, the Ursuline sisters, the Company of St Angela and the Angelinas.  

Angelinas

There will be a meeting of the Angelinas on 4th September 2013 at 7.30pm at St Thomas More.  The following is an extract from Sr Zela's blog and outlines the format of the the Angelina meetings, all mothers of young children are welcome.  

Angelinas Meeting January 2013

One of the Angelinas writes "We are a group of mothers of young children who come together for mutual support and to find inspiration in the writings of St Angela Merici.  We are blessed to have the Ursuline sisters to guide us in the spirit of St Angela as we strive to live out our vocations as wives and mothers. The meeting begins  with time to chat and share our experiences, joys and challenges over a delicious meal prepared by some of the Angelinas.  We then have a reflection led by one of the Ursulines inspired by St Angela Merici".  To read the poem I am love - I am God - I am your story, the basis of a reflection in an earlier meeting.

Company of St Angela

Display at Castlerigg Word Youth Day Festival

Two weeks ago one of the company joined Sr Zela at Castlerigg World Youth Day Vocations event.  

The Company of St Angela is for women called to be secular Ursulines and live their call in the world in whatever happens to be their personal circumstances.  They are not alone but make their commitment in companionship with other members of the Company with whom they meet regularly for prayer and mutual encouragement.  To learn more about the Company of St Ursula.

Ursulines

Chapter Logo

Each month the Ursulines have a drop in day for prayer - Monday 9th September the spiritual session exploring the creed will continue at 7.30 to 9.00 at St Thomas More. For leaflet and details on Spirituality Sessions: The Apostles' Creed

In September, Sr Zela returns whilst Sr Jayne goes to Rome to the Ursuline Chapter meeting, to read more about their chapter logo and hear more about the chapter see Sr Zela's blog.  We pray for her and all Ursulines as they prepare for this important event in the life of their community.  

Wednesday Word of Witness: Responding to God's call

Stephen Talbutt as he begins to respond to Jesus' call
to be a fisher of men not just a fisher of fish!

As we come to the end of the nine weeks novena of prayer for vocations we hear this week from a parishioner who tells his story of how he heard and is now responding to God's call to priesthood.

My name is Stephen and for the past 25 years I have been working in the computer sector, next month I start priestly formation as St Mary's College, Oscott !  So what would make an established computer administrator leave the security of a good job, career, house, home and happy life to start training to become a Roman Catholic priest? 

Well therein lies my story ...

 I come from a very devout catholic family. My grandparents and mother were a big influence in the faith.  I attended St Peter’s Cathedral Primary School and then went to Our Lady’s High school and onto college. 

Stephen and his mother Yvonne

After finishing college and starting work I gradually abandoned the church, I could no longer see the point in going to mass or attending the services which had been so much a part of my early life. In a way my faith no longer felt alive to me.  At this time I led a pretty normal kind of life enjoying socialising with friends, listening to music and going to festivals, playing guitar in a few bands, reading, watching films doing sports.  Looking back I can see that I never gave Jesus or my faith much thought, although I believe He was always there to be seen in my mum and grandparents’ witness to their Faith.

In September 2009 things changed, when the relics of Therese of Lisieux visited Lancaster (revisit some of the images of this visit).  Out of the blue my mum asked me to help serving refreshments at the 

Social Centre - refreshments during
visit of St Therese's relics

Cathedral Social Centre.  I agreed to help and spent the first evening in the Social Centre feeling a bit like a fish out of water helping out where I could but generally not feeling of much use at all.  At mum’s suggestion and because I was curious to see what all the fuss was about I went over to the Cathedral and sat as the back of the church whilst masses of pilgrims filed up and down the aisles venerating the relics.  I was struck with a sense of inner peace such that I hadn’t felt since my school days.  After spending a while simply sitting in the church I returned to helping at the Social Centre.  The next evening, I attempted to go to the Mass; however, the church was so full I couldn’t get in. Later when the crowds had disappeared I returned to the quiet church, I was struck by that simple awe and palpable sense of the divine which was quite overwhelming and certainly not something I was expecting.  I just sat in the church relishing something which seemed I had lost for such a long time. I missed the departure of the relics of St Therese the following day due to work, although I’m sure she has never really left me. 

Following this experience I felt I needed to be at church and started to attend daily mass.  Although I hadn’t said them in a number of years, I found I enjoyed saying prayers which were imprinted on my memory; they began to come alive and mean something, the words of the Hail Holy Queen especially stood out for me. The joy of this rediscovery was immense and that sense of inner peace and stillness when kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament was (and still is) exquisite.

Belmont Abbey

The next episode in my story was during a weekend to Belmont Abbey, where I had taken my mum.  We stayed at the lodge but joined in with the community for the daily divine office, during each of these experiences God opened up my heart a little further and it was at mass on the Sunday that I walked up the aisle with the rest of the congregation who were receiving Holy Communion, however, for me I had my arms crossed over my chest to simply receive a blessing. After this mass I knew that I wanted to receive Christ again in Holy Communion and after tentatively receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Holy week I received the Lord in Holy Communion for the first time in fifteen years. 

Lancaster Cathedral 2013:
Exposition during 40 hours 

For the next year daily mass became an integral part of the day, as did attending Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and Vespers on Sundays.  At this time I felt a new sense of spirituality, joy, awe, love and the presence of God who was so very real and alive. The thought of religious life occurred to me around this time, I began mulling it over and praying about it. I firstly approached the Capuchin Franciscans, who at that time, had a house in Preston.  Under the guidance of Brother Paul I attended a few discernment weekends joining other men who like me were trying to discern God’s will for their lives.

Attending Invocation 2013 with other familiar faces
Fr Andrew Allman and Sr Zela Proctor

 After being asked by Father Stephen to become a Eucharistic Minister I discussed my growing desire with him to put my name forward for the priesthood.  He put me in touch with Fr Andrew the Lancaster Vocations Director.  During the last couple of years, I have been meeting regularly with Fr Andrew to discern whether I have a vocation to the priesthood.  And so last November I submitted a formal application and on 2nd May I was accepted by Bishop Michael Campbell to start formation this year at Oscott. 

It’s going to be quite a change! But as our Lord Jesus says “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid, trust in God still and trust in me” and with this in mind I am setting my feet resolutely on the path and look forward to seeing where our Loving Lord Jesus will lead.

Please keep me and all those who are discerning their vocation in your prayers.

If you are interested in finding out about the priesthood or religious life don’t put it off! have a word now with your parish priest who I am sure will be very helpful or contact Father Andrew Allman the Diocese Vocation director or have a look at the vocations website

WWW: Wednesday Woman of Witness - Sr Maureen Coyne

Today our WWW celebrates the life of Sr Maureen Coyne a woman whose life has been a great witness to others.  We share a short video of her own words recently shared in an EU Project undertaken by DHE Solutions Ltd.  entitled 'My Story'.  She talks about her vocation and concludes with a quotation she would no doubt ask us to remember  'Let us always have love burning in our hearts' St Angela Merici

Last night there was a celebration Mass and reception of Sr Maureen's body, for details of that post please see Sr Zela's blog - little acts of kindness.

Mini-Mission - Being a Young Catholic - 5

Today we include an entry from the Castlerigg website - Being a Young Catholic Today.  The posting is from Bridget Huddleston who is a member of the Cathedral and St Thomas More Parish who is currently working in America as part of the NET ministries, for details see earlier postings.  

Wednesday Words of Witness - Bridget Huddleston - Live life to the full

Being a Catholic has always been something that is a part of me. I was brought up in a Catholic family – but in the past few years it has become something that is truly a part of my whole self. I was brought up going to Mass with my family at St. Thomas More in Lancaster, and it was a great part of my childhood. But as I grew up, as I’m sure a lot of others did, I began to grow distant from my faith. It was a pilgrimage to Lourdes at the age of 17 that ignited the spark for faith once more in my life. It was an incredible experience, and one that would start a huge change in my life. I went through the next few years with highs and lows of my faith journey. I found myself having moments of extreme highs, like being able to attend World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008, to extreme lows, like some of my times at university, where I felt lower and lonelier than I ever had before.  It was a trip to Rome that was to change everything. Whilst there in 2009, I met members of the team at Castlerigg Manor. They told me about the work they did, and it sounded amazing. Before I knew it, I was there for a weekend having an interview. And from then I have spent the past 2 years working on the team there, which has been the most inspiring and uplifting 2 years of my life. There I have truly learnt what faith means to me – that it isn’t just something for a Sunday, or when you feel like it. It has an effect on every part of my life now, and I couldn’t be more thankful to God for never giving up on me, and for bringing me to somewhere where I can have such a true, raw and loving experience of faith.  So what next? I could have never have pictured myself doing youth work, or any kind of work for the Church. But from August 16th, I will be heading to Minnesota in the USA to work for an organisation called NET ministries. Their focus is on a ‘New Evangelisation’ – reaching young people in schools, parishes and youth clubs. I feel this next step is going to form my faith in an ever greater sense, spending day to day meeting young people and preaching the Gospel. I will spend 9 months travelling the USA, going from place to place, and living with different host families along the way. What could be a greater adventure? And for me this is what faith has helped me to understand about life. That it is an adventure, that it is to be enjoyed, and that we must live each day for God and His mission for us. This is what will make us truly happy. As it says in John, let us “Live life to the full”.  For more information about NET ministries go to: www.netusa.org

Calling all young people - what is your experience of living life as a young Catholic?  If you'd like to send us something for a future Wednesday Word of Witness or a Friday Photo Faith please use contact page.


For details of the programme see our post Mini Mission coming soon
For a pdf of a poster that can be used to advertise the Mini Mission

WWW: Called to serve

This week our Wednesday Word of Witness comes from Kirsten, who is the 'Master of Ceremonies' at the Cathedral. To learn more about being a server click here.  This week we are looking at the medal of St Stephen, patron saint of servers on the Cathedral Year of Faith blog, click here to find more.  

I started serving at the altar about seven years ago.  I was asked to help supervise children as they learned to serve but I had not expected to become a server myself.  During the last training session, I had an over-riding desire to become a server and felt that I had been ‘called’ to this ministry.  A year later, I became Master of Ceremonies here at the Cathedral.  This position demands commitment, reverence, leadership and good team work skills.  I love serving!  I serve for the people of the parish, for the priests, for the bishop, for the servers, for you, but, most of all, for God.  Each time I serve, I offer myself to God Almighty and I always do my best, with reverence and understanding.  In my role as Master of Ceremonies, I organise the servers, giving them jobs, directions, training and guidance to ensure that the Mass runs smoothly.  I also serve at Vespers on Sundays; this is a very special time when Jesus Christ, under the appearance of the consecrated host, is exposed and adored.

Kirsten training new servers
click here for an earlier post on learning to use the thurible

Serving is a ministry which I find fulfilling and inspiring.  I hope that I can lead by example and that many more people will be inspired by all of our Altar Servers and may even like to join our team.  It is a privilege to be a part of the life of the Church and to serve at the altar of God.  Kirsten Grove

Our thanks to all those who have served in the past, to those who currently serve and those who may respond to this calling to serve in the future.  

WWW - Joy of singing

This week Our Wednesday Word of Witness is from Samantha Ireland a member of the choir, she sends a video of her singing Ave Maria and accompanied by Mark Hazzard which will also be posted on the Cathedral Year of Faith blog where the object this week is the Hail Mary, click here for further information of about the video.

Samantha writes:

Singing has always had a place in my life from when I was a child singing hymns in assembly at school to choir at Senior school where I sang Faure's requiem for the first time and hassled my music teacher for the translation so I could begin to understand the meaning behind the music and truly sing with my heart. From this time I have held a great love of singing and from it a deeper understanding of my faith and its place in my life.

 The melodies in liturgical music reflect the time of year and range from the sailing high and joyous in tempo and style during Christmas time to the more melancholy and aching sounds heard during lent and good Friday leading to the great celebration of Easter where bells, trumpets, organ and voices raise in together in Joy at the risen Lord. For me it is the text where I and the composer both draw our inspiration, the words of prayer and devotion come together to create this peaceful ambiance for prayer and reflection in each individual.  The choir is where we join together in unity, in one voice to sing in praise to God, we all hold music in hearts and give thanks for the blessing of a musical life. It is through our singing  that we give service to God, and to all in our faithful community. It can be hard work, challenging and testing after a long days work and in a busy schedule of life in the 21st century, but it is here I find joy, peace and calm in my day and we work together to achieve so much especially at this time of year. At the end of each rehearsal and meeting we pray to St Cecilia that she may guide us and bless us in our duty's. St Cecilia the saint I chose for my confirmation name and for her guide me in my daily life.  Music and singing is a such a joyful pleasure for me. A great blessing from God for which I am truly thankful.

Remember

Lancaster Ladies Choir CD Adoramus Te £5 available after Mass and in the Cathedral shop

WWW: Commercialisation of Christmas

This week our Wednesday Word of Witness if from Catherine Hanley, a young person who offers us food for thought this Christmastime.  

As a young Catholic, “The commercialisation of Christmas” is a phrase that is very familiar to me. During my childhood I have often been tempted to allow Christmas to become clouded by a preoccupation with gift-giving, and so to forget the “True Meaning” of Christmas. But now that I am slightly older, it seems to me that despite the distortions of consumerism, there is still a richer, and more valuable concept of “Gift-Giving” that Christmas should not be deprived of.

Christmas, of course, began with a gift – the most fundamental gift of all – a life.

In fact, it is my opinion that by sending down His only Son to earth, God the Father gave a three-fold gift. The first was the sacrificial gift of His only Son, so that He might enter human history and be among us and ultimately save us from our sins. Secondly, His son gave us His Church on earth, providing the world with a new community – the Christian family who are united together as one body through Him.  

And thirdly, He gave us a personal example of how best to organise our human relationships and societies. We hear the word “lowly” used in carols to describe the setting of Jesus’s birth, and it is on this humble level that Mary and Joseph were blessed with a family of their own.

For me, the time spent with my own family this Christmas will be of particular significance as I am about to move away from home, but I am encouraged by this season’s  reminder of how strong the bonds we build as family are. In Luke 2 we hear that the Shepherds 

“spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

For me, the Nativity is first and foremost a story about family, the relationships we give each other. This core meaning of Christmas comes home to us intimately, in all our warmest well-wishing, at this time.

Catherine has been helping the team of catechists welcoming primary pupils on pilgrimage from around the diocese during this year of faith.  As she prepares to move away, and the rest of the team take a well earned break for Christmas, we offer our thanks for all their hard work and willingness to share their faith with young people and their teachers.

WWW - sharing faith with young people

Sheila Green: Catechist for the Year 6 pupils
on pilgrimage to Lancaster Cathedral

You may have noticed in the bulletin news of the team of catechists who are welcoming year 6 pupils from around the diocese who are visiting the cathedral as a place of pilgrimage during this year of faith.  Today's Wednesday Words of Witness is from Sheila Green who explains how the opportunity to share faith with young people is not only a one way process.  Our journey of faith is one in which we are learning from each other.

Helping with the year of faith school visits is a rewarding, enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Following training in the summer, I have been working as part of a team of catechists involved in welcoming year 6 groups from around the Diocese.  I am constantly surprised at how much I am learning during the process of teaching them.  For the most part the young people have been pleasant, curious and incredibly interested in discovering more about their Cathedral - the mother church of the diocese.

Jesus said:
Let the little children come to me ...
Mark 10:14

Whenever possible, when questions are asked, to which I don't have a ready answer I will search out the relevant information, which increases, not only the children's knowledge but mine too!  I have been struck by how much I have taken for granted; aspects and features of our beautiful Cathedral which I have passed by for years and never really seen.  I have failed to appreciate the significance of so much.  In my explanation to others, I find myself looking in fascination and with fresh eyes at so many things; the Te Deum window, the incredible carvings and the many lovely and meaningful stained glass windows (see right). 
I feel privileged to be a part of this Year of Faith project and hope that all the young people will benefit greatly from their experiences in our Cathedral. 

Children welcomed by Jesus
The window on the right, is one of two windows found just outside the Baptistery. This one shows Jesus inviting and welcoming the children, with the font and sign of the Holy Spirit below reminders of the saving grace we receive in the sacrament of Baptism.  The quote in Latin is from Mark's gospel Chapter 10 verse 14.  

WWW: Sr Zela Procter

Our first Wednesday Words of Witness (WWW) come from Sr Zela Procter.

Sr Zela Procter OSU

The theme of last Sunday’s readings was vocation. However, it is not just  rich young men who are called!  At baptism each one of us is plunged into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection and so became  partakers in his mission of redemption. The Holy Spirit guides us as we search to discover our unique way of being “Good News” for our world.

Sr Zela when she made her
final vows as an ursuline

The journey of seeking for my way of living my baptismal vocation led me to religious life as an Ursuline sister. The “yes” to Jesus expressed  in my vows of poverty, chastity and obedience opened the door to abundant opportunities for proclaiming the Risen Christ. For many years it was mainly in the classroom, now in parish ministry.
Caution: this God of ours never stops calling! He is now standing at another door saying “Come follow me.” Once more comes the invitation to repeat  my “yes”. I do so, deeply grateful for the richness of the years  in Lancaster and for the love and support of countless individuals. But I leave knowing that God has more treats in store!  May you too come to know the generosity of our indulgent  heavenly Father !  Zela M. Procter O.S.U.

Sr Zela's Farewell Mass

There was a packed church on Sunday morning as parishioners came together to give thanks to Sr Zela for a 18 years witness in Lancaster and to wish her well as she ventures forth to Wimbledon to continue her ministry as Vocations Director for the Ursuline English promise.  Below a few of the images from the day.  

Sr Zela watch by some of
the younger parishioners

Sr Zela looking at a card with photos of parishioners
Maureen with her notes of thanks!

On behalf of the parish Maureen Huddleston outlined some of the things Sr Zela has done whilst living in Lancaster.

             

       Taking a closer look at
   the parish card

With enthusiasm sharing another good idea
with Canon Stephen.

WWW - please get in touch with ideas for future Wednesday Words of Witness, for further explanation of WWW click here.