Advent Taize and Hope

On Friday evening there is a Taize Advent reflection where we will share a combination of prayers, poems, video reflections about Hope and Taize chants. 7.00 to 8.00, with the first 15 minutes focus suitable for families of younger children or those who only have a short time to spare.

The following two minute video offers us some everyday examples of where we might want to think about Hope in our world.

COP26 - using ART and Meditation

This week our news has been filled with updates on events of the discussions at COP 26  Today we share a meditation using Art to help us reflect and pray on these important discussions and perhaps for inspiration around what we might do.

Faith and Justice Noticeboard

 

Faith and Justice Noticeboard

As we begin to resume activities, a welcome return to our Faith and Justice Noticeboard with news of COP 26 and information from the Bishops of England and Wales prayer for COP 26.

During the weeks ahead we are invited to pray the following prayer:

Loving God, 

We praise your name with all you have created.

You are present in the whole universe, and in the smallest of creatures.

We acknowledge the responsibilities you have placed upon us as stewards of your creation.

May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COP26 as they

seek to embrace the changes needed to foster a more sustainable society.

Instil in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions

for the poorest and most vulnerable, 

and commit their nations to the care of Our Common Home.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son. Amen

Thank you to ALL key workers

At 8.00pm tonight as people come out of their house to clap and beat pans to make a noise to send their thank you to all those working in so many ways to help others through this current crises.

We give thanks to all those in the health service, all those in education, those who are caring for those in their homes, those who are helping to provide food on our table, for those responding to emergency calls, for those helping their neighbours ... 

St Paul says we are all part of one body and each have a part to play ... let us appreciate and use our own gifts wisely and acknowledge the work of others.

If you have a story of someone who has been helping you then please get in touch via our contact sheet.

Family Fast Harvest Day

This weekend envelopes were given out and we were asked to consider having a simple meal and contribute the money we might have spent on our food to support the Harvest Family Fast appeal.  This year CAFOD video shows Fabiano who has to get up before sunrise to go and walk three miles to collect water for the family.  As we turn on our tap we might also want to take a moment to give thanks for how lucky we are and think about those who have to struggle to get something as basic as water.

Season of Creation Prayer

Pope Francis established 1st September as Day of Creation, and from then until 4th October when we celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi is identified as Creation Time. The following prayer is one you may wish to use during this time.  If any children would like to send through their prayers and pictures for creation time then please hand to one of the children's liturgy team. For more information about creation time see CAFOD website

Creator of Life, 
The Earth is full of Your creatures, and by Your wisdom you made them all. 
At Your word, the Earth brought forth plants yielding seed of every kind and trees of every kind bearing fruit, the waters teemed with swarms of living creatures of every kind, and world was filled with every kind of winged bird, walking animal, and creatures that creep upon the ground. 

During this Season of Creation, open our eyes to see the precious diversity that is all around us. Enlighten our minds to appreciate the delicate balance maintained by each creature. Inspire us to conserve the precious habitats that nurture this web of life. 

Mountains, plains, rocks, and rivers shelter diverse communities, and through the changing seasons Your Spirit renews cycles of life. In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

Pope's Intention March

Pope Francis asks us to pray ...

That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, may feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.

The second theme in Catholic Social Teaching is the call to family, community and participation.

As members of families and communities, how can we participate together in Christ’s mission?

Counting the weeks and counting the Days

Aid to the Church in Need have a weekly reflection and story of persecuted Christians throughout the world. 1st Sunday in Lent read more about Marian and Nabil in Eygpt.

1st Sunday Lent - Prayer and Reflection

An interactive Lenten Calendar from CAFOD to count the days - with prayers and reflections which help us think about others in need in our world.  

Pope's Intentions February

That all may welcome the victims of human trafficking of enforced prostitution and of violence.  

For a short video when the Pope asks youth to be involved in the fight against human trafficking.  This is part of the broader agenda of Catholic Social Teaching, to learn more about why this is an important reminder of how we can love our neighbour.

Christian Unity Week

The Week of Prayer, traditionally observed from 18 to 25 January.  This year the theme is on:

“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue”

 Deuteronomy 16:18-20. 

Canadian Bishops Conference -
Symbol of Christian Unity

This is the symbol for the week of Christian Unity in Canada, a reminder of open hands of friendship, and perhaps an opportunity when we make the sign of peace at Mass, or meet others in our everyday life to reach out and pursue justice. 

Peace Sunday

Peace Sunday 20th January 2019 

" Good politics at the service of peace" 

Did you know that the 1st January is world day of peace.  Each year the Pope sends a message of peace, this year we celebrates the 52nd World Day of Peace.  On the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary time, today - Pax Christi which is the International Catholic Movement for Peace encourage us to take time to pray for peace.  

The Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Revd Malcolm McMahon OP is National President of Pax Christi's UK section:

"Once again Pope Francis invites us to start a new year with a reflection on our role as peacemakers. Drawing on the evolving teaching of our church and looking at the 'signs of the times' ...

For a pdf copy of Pope Francis' message or a web link to Pope Francis' message

In his message he quotes  “Beatitudes of the Politician”, proposed by Vietnamese Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyễn Vãn Thuận, a faithful witness to the Gospel who died in 2002. As food for thought, what if we were to replace politician, for parishioner ... which ones would still hold true, and which would we need to change.  There are other versions of the beatitudes, and whilst they do not replace those within scripture, they often provide us with food for thought.

 

World Day of the Poor

Pope Frances has declared Sunday 18th November World Day of the poor.  

We are asked to pray and think about what actions we might take to help the poor. This might be friendship to someone who is lonely, or invite a neighbour for a meal, or food contributions to support the Homeless Shelter, or following the Morecambe Food Bank reverse advent calendar, or say a special grace remembering those who hunger.  The two videos below share a prayer reflection from Vladimir and a musical reflection based on the hymn 'The Lord hears the cry of the poor' 

To read more about this day and the theme which is taken from Psalm 34:6 'The poor man cried and the Lord heard him' read the Pope's letter on World Day of the Poor 

Blessed Oscar Romero

On Sunday 14th October Blessed Oscar Romero who was killed for his faith (martyred) will be canonised and become a saint.  

The short animation below talks about his life and shows some of his sayings, which one means most to you.  

Annual Lenten Lunches

On Wednesdays throughout the weeks leading up to the week before Holy Week a group of women come together each year to prepare and serve a simple Lenten lunch.  The Lenten lunch is straight after 12. 15 mass on a Wednesday.  They prepare what used to be the Bishop's room, and is now used for parish activities. 

Tables are laid with cloths and flowers and soup, sandwiches and cake are sold to raise money for Cenacelo. There is a shared table so no one feels left out, even if someone comes on their own and a few other tables for any who wish to sit with friends. Although there is time to share news, there is also a scripture reading whilst people eat, making it an ideal way to fulfill the pillars of Lent - prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving. Everyone is welcome.

Marie explained: "Our customers are as much part of this event as the 'staff', they spend their money, make donations and so it is really a parish team effort". 

More about Cenaclo community and news from the Lenten lunches in a few weeks.  

Lenten Lunches 2015 when children from
Cathedral primary came to read the scripture passage.

CAFOD Cross of Lampedusa

Blessing of the Cross of Lampedusa

Display about Cross of Lampedusa

Today at the end of 10.30 mass, a cross of Lampedusa was blessed and placed next to the door for the Year of Mercy.  It is a reminder to us all as a reminder that we need to continue to pray and do what we can for the many refugees around the world - these simple crosses sent to Cathedrals thoughout the world, are a sign of hope.  

The cross is one of many created out of drift wood by a carpenter from the Italian island of Lampedusa.  Francesco Tuccio collected the driftwood from the wrecked boats of refugees escaping from Eritrea and Somalia who drowned off the coast of Lampedusa and made simple crosses which he offered as a symbol of hope. 

Parishioner signing card
sending prayers and
message of hope

Pope Francis carried a cross at a Mass to commemorate the people who have died and there is another in the British Museum, and this week one on display at Lancaster Cathedral. If you would like to go and leave a message on one of the cards which will be given to refugees to remind them they are not forgotten. 

For further resources for Cross of Lampedusa from CAFOD including prayer cards that can be sent with prayers and messages of hope to refugees. 

Faith and Justice - Pray for the climate

Faith and Justice Poster Display

Last Saturday the Diocesan Faith and Justice group gathered in the Cathedral for Mass. Posters showing saints and people who have lived out their faith to promote justice were on display over the weekend.  

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

Tweet on Faith and Justice Twitter page
NB This event took place 1st November

Project Uganda

Over the weekend the students and teachers from Our Lady’s Catholic College involved in the Project Uganda came to tell parishioners more about the project and to ask for prayers and donations to help them continue with this work.  Ruth Lowe Head of 6th Form explained some of the background including the support given to the ICT Lab. 

The project Uganda team have written to thank the parishioners of St Peter’s and St Thomas More’s for their warm welcome and support last weekend. The generous donations will be of great help to the project. One of our altar servers is part of the group and so we will be keeping parishioners updated on their progress.

There is an open invitation to the next two upcoming events:

A Quiz Night at Thurnham Hall (in conjunction with parishioners of Saints  Thomas and Elizabeth Church, Thurnham) on Monday 28th April at 7 pm (entrance £2 - pay on the night).

A ‘Concert for Uganda’ at Our Lady’s Catholic College on Friday 9th May at 7pm. (Tickets £5 - includes a glass of wine and bite to eat - available from the school Tel: 01524 66689 or pay on the night).  

Stations - way of the cross with Oscar Romero

On Sunday, three pupils from the Cathedral Primary school shared with the parish information about a little boy called Mohammed whose family have been helped by CAFOD. The children shared afterwards how they realised how lucky they were and how they thought we should help one another so that we can all have enough to eat.  To learn more about digging deep this Lent see CAFOD blog.

Pupils sharing news of CAFOD's Dig Deep this Lent

On Friday the parish stations of the cross will use a way of the cross including scripture and reflections from Archbishop Oscar Romero.  

On Sunday at 4.00 the traditional stations will take place in the Cathedral.  They will be followed by Vespers and evening prayer.
 

Friday - Family Fast Day

Throughout the Church Friday is marked out as a day for fasting.  Customs vary according to the Bishops of the country.  For a leaflet from the Liturgy Office on Fasting

God, all-powerful Father,

may the living bread from heaven

give us the courage and strength

to go to the aid of our hungry brothers and sisters.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Roman Missal

Last Sunday news of CAFOD's Family Fast day was announced, see below further details about Mohammed, a 14 year old boy in Sierra Leone. On Sunday the children from our primary school will be telling us more about Mohammed. 

CAFOD’s mission is to end poverty and injustice in the global south. To do that it works directly with local communities and organisations to find practical and lasting solutions to hunger and poverty. Inspired by the gospels and Catholic Social teaching, it is the official agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. This makes it our development agency. And the organisation relies on our prayers, donations and actions to end the scandal of poverty in our world, on our behalf.

Envelopes will be collected at Mass this weekend, or if you prefer to carry on collecting during Lent you can hand in your donation at Easter.

Giver of life,

From tiny seeds and parched earth

Your gentle hand grows richest fruit.

Reveal to us, Creator God, the seeds within us;

Moisten the soil that our neglect has made dry.

For alone we lack the vision of Your Kingdom.

Alone, we fail to recognise the hungry in our midst.

Alone, we lack the strength to fulfil your purpose.

With your inspiring love, Redeemer of all,

May the shoots of our potential break free

And our hands, voices and spirits toil in communion, 

So that your garden of plenty can be shared by all. Amen

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'