Tribute to Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue from Lancaster Diocese Youth

St Thèrèse’s Relics

You may know St Thèrèse’s remains are coming to our Diocese in September as a focus of prayer and renewal. Would somebody like to co-ordinate a parish of Fleetwood pilgrimage to the Cathedral on one of the 3 days she is with us?
Click here to view/download the visit Timetable

Opening Times - Lady Chapel

As you know the Lady Chapel at St Wulstan's is now open during most of the day for private devotions. It is hoped that we will now resurrect the traditional Catholic practice of people bobbing in for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, to pray for their own needs and the building up of the parish. Please introduce your children and grandchildren to this practice. The Chapel is open from 8am – 6pm Tuesday – Friday, and from 9.00am – 5pm Saturday, Sunday & Monday.

Director of Catholic Youth Services: Appointment

A Statement from the Bishop’s Office:
Bishops O’Donoghue & Campbell are pleased to announce that they and an Interview Panel (including members of the Youth Service Management Group) appointed on Monday 21 April 2009 Ms Ruth Corless (of North Shields) to the new post of Director of Catholic Youth Services. Ruth has now accepted the post, pending an enhanced CRB Check and Personal References, and will commence her duties on 1 September 2009. Meanwhile Ruth will need to brief herself fully with regards to certain aspects of the Youth Service and in this task the Bishops ask for the full and generous cooperation of all involved and the prayers and support of the entire Diocese.

(from the Diocesan website)

One Last time

Yesterdays Mass for Women Together in the Diocese of Lancaster was a very special one for Bishop Patrick as this was the Last time he would be Principal Celebrant at the Cathedral. The image to the right, however, is unique the Bishop is seated on this symbol of his authority for the last time. At the end of Mass the group presented the Bishop with a spiritual bouquet of Masses and with a green stole. They thanked him for his work and support during his time in Lancaster. And then, for the last time, Bishop Patrick was given his mitre and crozier at the throne ready for the blessing.
His retirement will be marked by the whole Diocese on Friday (please note: access to this Mass is strictly by ticket only), when Bishop Michael will be the principal celebrant at Mass in the Cathedral for the first time.
More information on the preparation of the 'Inauguration of Bishop Campbell's Ministry and Diocesan Farewell to Bishop O'Donoghue' can be found on the Cathedral blog

Third Sunday after Easter

The final words of the risen Christ in today’s gospel, taken from Luke, sum up the task he has left to his Church: to proclaim to the world that he lives, has triumphed over death, and is the Messiah long promised by God in the Holy Scriptures. The resurrection stories in all four gospels stress that Jesus Christ has in truth risen from the dead, the very same Jesus whom the apostles and disciples came to know and revere during his earthly ministry. The Church has been commissioned to witness to the powerful presence and divine reality of the risen Christ to each passing generation. Witness to him is the primary reason for her existence.

The astonishing presence of Christ in midst of his startled disciples, with his Easter message of peace, would transform Peter and his companions. The puzzle that was his life and especially his death now began to make sense, as he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and to discern how the crucified and risen One was at the heart of God’s plan for the salvation of the human race. Peter and his friends would need time and the assistance of the Holy Spirit to appreciate fully the task which lay ahead of them. The extract from Peter’s early sermon in the Acts of the Apostles is eloquent proof of just how quickly he and the other disciples grew in the knowledge of Christ, the Saviour of the world.

The undertaking of the first generation of believers was one of massive proportions. Yet with what courage and conviction they embraced their mission from the risen Christ! Difficulties, setbacks, rejections, suffering and ultimately even martyrdom did not deter them. Their trials and tribulations can give us a sense of perspective as we strive to bear witness to Christ in our own time. They drew their inspiration from the abiding presence of the One who, with God’s power, proved victorious over sin and death. That same Christ calls us to believe and to trust in the truth of his gospel, for he has promised to be with the Church as long as time lasts.

Often what the Lord asks of us is quiet, unspectacular witness, the testimony of a good life which draws life from his word and sacraments, especially the holy Eucharist. He has told us that we are to be salt to the earth and light to the world. His gracious indwelling will ensure that our lives will be such, if we only cooperate with him.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

New Confession times for St Edmund’s

Please note, to go with the new Mass times, Fr Alf will be available for confession at St Edmund’s before the Vigil Mass from 5.15pm-5.45pm every Saturday.

Don't foroget the new weekend Mass times!
Saturday Vigil: 6:00pm St Edmund's (Only Vigil Mass in Fleetwood)
Sunday: 10:00am St Wulstan's

Last Week at the Desk

In exactly 1 week from now Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue will enter the Cathedral of St Peter, Lancaster and hand over the Diocese of Lancaster to Bishop Michael Campbell OSA.Bishop Patrick will this week be keeping to his usual busy schedule which includes Mass in the Cathedral tomorrow at 12:15 for Women Together in the Diocese of Lancaster (feel free to join him).

Volunteers Urgently Needed!

We are delighted to acknowledge that one of our parishioners Alan Vincent, is to be the new Mayor of Fleetwood. Civic Sunday will be held in St Wulstan’s on Sunday 7th June. Several people have suggested that we paint the interior of St Wulstan's before then. As we cannot afford to get it done professionally, would you be willing to help a small group of volunteers to paint it? Scaffolding will be provided. We need to start pretty soon. If you can help, let Fr Alf know or put your name on the list at the back of eaither St Wulstan's or St Edmund's. Your help will be much appreciated!
A big thankyou to Teresa Bowker and Billy for redecorating the baptistery in a phenomenally quick two days this week.I’m sure you’ll agree they’ve done a lovely job.

Farewell: Kevin Cullen

The funeral of Kevin Cullen, who died tragically and suddenly this week, will take place at 12.30 at St Wulstan today. Jill and the family are very grateful for all the support they have had from the Parish, and would like to invite everyone at the funeral to come back to the reception after the burial.

Diocese issues an Excerpt Summary of Fit for Mission? Marriage

Bishop Patrick’s launch of Fit for Mission? Marriage couldn’t be more opportune in view of the media furore about Pope Benedict’s implicit re-iteration of the truth that pre-marital abstinence and marital fidelity are the best and truly human ways of protecting people from contracting HIV/AIDS. The Catholic vision of marriage – which fully preserves God’s plan for men and women – is truly life giving on so many levels of human existence.

The Diocesan document can be viewed here

(from the Diocesan website)

Clergy Appointments

The Rt Rev Patrick O’Donoghue, Bishop of Lancaster, has after consultation with Bishop Michael Campbell and the Vicars General made the following appointments:

Fr John Baron: (Parish Priest, Christ the King Parish Carlisle) also to be Priest in Charge, St Margaret Mary, Carlisle (4 May)
Fr Anthony Gaskin: (Administrator, Mater Amabilis Parish, Ambleside) to be Assistant Priest, Christ the King & St Margaret Mary Parishes, Carlisle with specialresponsibility for and resident at St Margaret Mary Parish, Carlisle (4 May)
Fr David Duane: (Parish Priest, Our Lady of the Wayside, Grasmere) also Priest in Charge, Mater Amabilis Ambleside Parish (4 May). He will reside at Mater Amabilis.
Fr John Walsh (Parish Priest, St Margaret Mary Parish, Carlisle): to be Parish Priest, St Patrick & Holy Family Parish, Morecambe (4 May)
Mgr Canon Patrick Mulvany VG (Parish Priest, St Patrick, Morecambe and Priest in Charge, Holy Family, Morecambe): to be Parish Priest, Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Parish, Workington (4 May)
Mgr Canon Gregory Turner (Parish Priest, Our Lady & St Joseph, Carlisle): to be Parish Priest, Warwick Bridge & Brampton (4 May)
Fr Michael Murphy (Parish Priest, St Augustine, Preston): to be Parish Priest, Our Lady & St Joseph Parish, Carlisle (4 May)
Fr Anthony Walsh (Parish Priest, St Joseph, Preston and Priest in Charge, St Teresa Parish, Preston): to be Parish Priest, St Joseph and Teresa Parish, Preston and also Priest in Charge, St Augustine Parish, Preston (4 May). He resides at St Joseph’s.
Fr Aleksander Macharski, (Presently Administrator St Pius X Parish Barrow) to be Priest in Charge, Our Lady of Appleby (4 May)
Fr Kevan Dorgan (Assistant Priest, St John Vianney, Blackpool), to be Administrator, St Pius X, Barrow (4 May) and Chaplain, Furness General Hospital (4 May).
Fr Michael Docherty (Assistant Priest, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Annes on Sea): to be Assistant Priest, Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael, Workington (4 May)
Fr Mathew Jacob Choorapoikayil (on loan from the Eparchy of Thamarassery, India): to be Assistant Priest, St Joseph & St Teresa Parish, Preston and St Augustine, Preston with special responsibility for St Augustine Parish (4 May) and the pastoral care of the Syro -Malabar Faithful in the Lancaster Diocese.
Fr Thomas Kuruvila Kalapurackal (on loan from the Eparchy of Thamarassery, India): to be Assistant Priest, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Annes on Sea (4 May) and the pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Faithful in the Lancaster Diocese.

Retirement:
Fr Peter Chappell (4 May)
We wish to thank Fr Peter for all his years of ministry for the Diocese and pray he will have a very happy and peaceful retirement.

(from the Diocesan website)

Parish Mergers 2009

Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue, Fifth Bishop of Lancaster after a fulsome consultation (Fit for Mission?) has issued the following Decrees of Merger to the communities concerned:

Effective date of merger: Low Sunday 2009

St Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster & St Thomas More, Lancaster - St Peter’s Cathedral & St Thomas More Parish, Lancaster

Ss Thomas & Elizabeth, Thurnham & St Joseph, Galgate (Re-merge), - retain name

St Mary, Morecambe & Good Shepherd Torrisholme - The Good Shepherd & St Mary Parish, Morecambe

St Patrick Morecambe & Holy Family, Morecambe – St Patrick & Holy Family Parish, Morecambe

St William, Pilling & St Bernard, Knott End - St William & St Bernard Parish, Over Wyre

St John Vianney, Blackpool & St Monica, Blackpool - St John Vianney & St Monica Parish, Blackpool

Our Lady & St Bernard, Preston and Ss Peter & Paul, Preston- St Edmund Campion Parish, Preston

Christ the King, Milnthorpe & Our Lady of Lourdes, Arnside – The Catholic Parish of Milnthorpe & Arnside

St Columba, Barrow (Walney) & St Patrick, Barrow – St Patrick with St Columba, Barrow

St Joseph, Preston & St Teresa, Preston – St Joseph & St Teresa, Preston Effective date of merger: First Sunday of Advent

(from the Diocesan website)

Second Sunday after Easter

John the Evangelist has a marvellous gift for portraying an important biblical scene in a few chosen sentences. His description of the first Easter evening in the upper room is masterful and captures our attention at once. The frightened disciples were huddled behind closed doors, afraid that the same fate which cruelly overtook their Master would befall them as well. The fact that they had deserted Jesus in his hour of need would only have added to their misery and dejection. Into this precarious situation comes the risen Lord, and rather than upbraid them for their lack of courage his greeting was one of peace.

Such deeply moving words of peace signal, that with the resurrection of Jesus , a new era in God’s relationship with mankind has now arrived. Christ by his dying and rising has conquered sin and death, that twofold curse hanging over the human race since the original sin of Adam. As he showed them the wounds in his body the disciples realized that the One they had assumed to be dead was now alive, no longer imprisoned by the power of the grave. John tells us that the disciples were beside themselves with joy at the renewed and wholly unexpected presence of Jesus in their midst. In an instant their whole outlook had changed; despair now gave way to unbounded hope. Life would indeed henceforth be worth living.

That first group of disciples would be the nucleus of a new humanity because of the Spirit which the risen Christ breathed on them. Through the power of his death and resurrection peace and the forgiveness of sin would be forever available to those who believe. That little community in the upper room was the beginning of the new creation we know as the Church, the secure home here on earth which Jesus has founded for all of us. By sharing his Spirit with his disciples, Christ was ensuring that no human power would ever prevail against that Church. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Father and Son, would guarantee that.

The gospel concludes with the experience of Thomas, who would not be convinced that the Lord had risen unless he himself saw and touched him personally. The Lord graciously acceded to Thomas’s request and proceeded to articulate the truth that those who have not seen him but believe are equally blessed. What a consoling truth! Our faith opens the door for the risen Lord to come into our lives in just as real a way as he appeared to Thomas the Apostle. May our faith this Eastertide in the presence of Jesus bring us an abundance of his peace.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Bishop O'Donoghue meets the Holy Father in Rome

At the close of the Papal General Audience on Wednesday 15th April Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue had the opportunity to present Pope Benedict XVI with his two groundbreaking documents – Fit for Mission? Schools and Fit for Mission? Church.

The Holy Father departed from the usual protocol and spent quite some time going through both documents with Bishop Patrick expressing his obvious delight at the wide-ranging scope of the work. The Holy Father and Bishop Patrick were joined by Mgr Georg Ganswein - Private Secretary to the Pope – and Archbishop James Harvey, Prefect of the Papal Household.

Bishop Patrick explained to Pope Benedict that these were diocesan documents that concentrated on fostering an authentic Catholic identity in our schools and a correct interpretation of the Second Vatican Council in our parishes. The Bishop stressed that the initiative was an attempt to encourage all to think clearly about what it is to be Catholic today.

He went on to say that the overall objective of Fit for Mission? was to propose practical ways of balancing continuity, in the life of faith, with change in the midst of an increasingly secular world.

Towards the end of their meeting the Holy Father thanked the Bishop for all his work of renewal in the Lancaster Diocese – a fitting acknowledgment of Bishop O’Donoghue’s fruitful 8 years of ministry as Shepherd of the Diocese.

Bishop Patrick also presented the Holy Father with a letter briefly introducing the third and final document in the Fit for Mission? series – Fit for Mission? Marriage : A Preparation Course, which was published by the Catholic Truth Society on the very same day as their meeting in St Peter’s Square.

Bishop O’Donoghue made the following comment:
‘I am so grateful for having the opportunity to personally explain to the Holy Father what we have being attempting to achieve through our Fit for Mission? initiative in the Diocese of Lancaster. His obvious interest and enthusiasm confirms me in my conviction that over the past two years – despite the difficulties and controversies – we have been on the right track, through the aid of the Holy Spirit.

(from the Diocesan website)

Don't forget - Youth Farewell Party for Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue

As you will be aware Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue will be retiring and Bishop Michael Campbell will be inaugurated on 1st May. There will be a Youth Farewell Party for Bishop Patrick on the 19th April 7-9pm at Ladywell Shrine, Fernyhalgh Lane, Preston.
If you are interested in going please e-mail the Youth Office at youth@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk or phone 01524 596063.

Bishop Patrick's message to the youth;
Persevere in getting to know Jesus our Lord and His teaching more and more. Demand your place in the Church of today. Offer yourself to the Lord in prayer and ask him to guide and sustain you – and all of us – in the days ahead – that we may be faithful to what He is calling us to be.
+Patrick O'Donoghue, Bishop of Lancaster

A Big Thank you!

We would like to thank everyone who helped in any way to prepare any of the Easter Services, They were a complete success!
Fr. Alf would like to especially thank all the readers and altar servers for the way they fulfilled their ministries.

Thank you!

Happy Easter and Congratulations

The Parish Pastoral Council's send the Easter greetings to all in the community of St Wulstan's, St Edmund's and beyond!

Congratulations also go to the 3 young people who were confirmed last night at the Easter Vigil by Canon Hayes. Please keep them in your prayers.

Holy Week Reflection - Easter Sunday

The Easter morning story of Peter and John running to the empty tomb at the behest of Mary Magdalene, even after two thousand years, retains its unique freshness and atmosphere of wonder. It is a biblical drama which continues both to startle and also to enthral us. What was going through the minds of those two disciples as they hurried to the garden? What, they must have asked themselves, could be the meaning of the empty tomb? The group of those who followed Jesus were still trying to come to terms with the events of Good Friday, and the apparent dashing of all their hopes with his death on the cross. Events had now moved on and taken a further twist with the discovery that the body of their Lord no longer lay in the tomb.

It would be the task of Peter and John, and the other disciples, to proclaim to the world that he who died and was buried was no longer subject to the power of death. Christ had risen! The sadness, the tears and the desolation which had overwhelmed and numbed them gave way to an unspeakable joy which would never know diminishment. The sufferings of his passion and cross could not be the final chapter in the story of Jesus Christ. God the Father would not leave his Son in the stranglehold of evil and death, but in the resurrection raised him to the glory of a new and unending life. And that resurrection of Christ is the pledge and promise of our own eternal destiny, planned for us by God from eternity. Easter speaks to that eternal yearning which God has planted deep within each one of us.

Peter, John and the Magdalene, could hardly have realised it at that moment, but they were standing at the dawn and threshold of a new history where humanity was concerned. Their outlook and religious belief would be transformed beyond what they could have imagined because of Easter Day. The One they had loved so dearly in life was still alive and was now enthroned as the Lord of all history. That first Easter showed up their shortcomings where the Scriptures were concerned. They failed to grasp what their Master had so often referred to throughout his public ministry: that he had to suffer and die, and be raised to life on the third day. Once they had gained some insight into the divine plan, they would commit their thoughts to writing and bequeath to the Church those life-giving documents we know as the New Testament.

The Easter celebration marks the highpoint of the Church’s year and the renewed awareness that her Saviour lives and rules through his rising from the tomb. We bask in the new light of Easter and make our own the unassailable joy of those first disciples on discovering that the Lord was no longer in the tomb but had in truth arisen.

Happy Easter to everyone!

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Holy Week Reflection - Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil is rightly called ‘the mother of all vigils’. The readings and liturgical gestures on this night recapture the whole story of our redemption, beginning from God’s creation of the world and the human race and reaching a climax with the resurrection from the tomb of our saviour, Jesus Christ. As we listen to the drama of God’s mighty deeds unfolded for us in the Scriptures, we ourselves are taken up into the action through faith. The important place given to the paschal candle symbolises Christ’s victory over death, the triumph of light over darkness, and our own hope of eternal life. Through the renewal of our baptismal promises we make our own the power of Christ’s resurrection and renew our desire to lead a way of life in accordance with God’s will. The celebration of the Eucharist with the risen Christ at its heart completes both our Lenten and Easter vigil. The Easter alleluias, proclaimed at the end of Mass, capture the unfading joy of this night. We can now go on our way in true peace, for the Lord has truly risen!

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Holy Week Reflection - Good Friday

The Good Friday celebration of the Lord’s passion is marked by simplicity, while the silence which attends the reading of the passion from John’s gospel can be profoundly moving. The large numbers present in church on this day indicate the deep significance Christ’s cross has for so many people, witness to by the remarkable reverence displayed at the veneration of the cross. In her Good Friday bidding prayers, the Church appropriately intercedes for the peoples of the world without exception. The Good Friday liturgy concludes with a simple service of Holy Communion and a quiet departure from a somehow empty and desolate church. We are left to ourselves to reflect on the mystery of the day.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Holy Week Reflection - Holy Thursday

The events which unfolded in the upper room, and which we know as the Last Supper, form the centrepiece of the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. As Jesus and his disciples gathered to remember the deliverance of their fathers from slavery in Egypt through the celebration of the Passover meal, the whole occasion assumed an entirely new significance when Christ shared with them the food of his body and blood. His own body and blood would be at the heart of the new Passover, sealed by his sacrificial death on the cross the following day. The memory of his saving death would be forever enshrined in the Eucharist meal and entrusted to the Church for every generation. A sense of foreboding hangs over this Mass of the Lord’s Supper, yet we participate in with profound gratitude, privileged to take our place at the Lord’s table and to partake of the Bread of Life. Jesus’ act in washing his disciples feet stands as a powerful lesson as to the meaning of the Holy Eucharist where our brothers and sisters are concerned. St. Augustine reflects on the humble Christ surrendering his body and blood into our hands.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

What is the Chrism Mass?

The Holy Oils
The Mass takes its name from the oil of Chrism, one of the three types of oil used in the sacraments of the Church. These oils are displayed in the Cathedral’s south transept throughout the year. There are three oils:

The oil of catechumens - this is used to anoint people just before they are baptised. In ancient times athletes would rub oil into their bodies to prevent them being injured in training or competition. We use this oil to ask God to prevent us falling by the wayside in our spiritual life. It asks for God’s help as we try to live our lives of faith. The anointing is accompanied by a prayer of exorcism, in which we ask to be protected from evil.

The oil of Chrism - this oil is described as ‘consecrated’, rather than ‘blessed’. It is used in several sacraments. At the baptism of infants the newlybaptised are anointed on the head with Chrism as a sign of their new dignity as members of the Church. In confirmation the candidates are anointed with oil as the Bishop (or priest) says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Chrism is used to anoint the hands of a newly-ordained priest and the head of a newlyordained
bishop.

The oil of the sick - this is used to anoint those who are seriously ill (either with an acute or chronic illness), those who have become frail through old age, those going for surgery and those who are close to death. In each case the ill person is called to unite their sufferings to those of the Lord. The Church asks that they may be given healing, strength to live with illness or the grace they need to pass from this life to the next.

The oils are blessed each with their own prayer. They begin as ordinary olive oil. Balsam - a sweet-smelling perfume from the bark of trees - is added to the oil of Chrism.

The Holy Oils are blessed at the Chrism Mass. Any remaining oil from the previous year is burned, and new supplies are distributed to all the parishes of the Diocese. In this way they become a sign of our unity: people old and young, ill and in good health, priest and lay person, in Carlisle, Preston, Blackpool, Barrow... all are anointed with oil blessed or consecrated at the same Mass. The oils are also a sign of our unity with the Lord. The word ‘Christ’ means ‘anointed one’; therefore whenever we are anointed with oil in His name, we are called to unite ourselves with Him and to become more like Him. The annual renewal of the oils heralds the renewal of many of the things we use in our churches. Within a few days all things will be made new. The water in the font and holy water stoups is replaced at the Easter Vigil, as is the Paschal Candle. Even the Tabernacle is emptied, so that the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist comes from the celebration of an Easter Mass.

The renewal of priestly commitment
The Chrism Mass is the one annual event to which all the priests of the Diocese are asked to come. At this Mass they renew their commitment to serving God and His people. Maundy Thursday is chosen because it was on this day that the Lord instituted the priesthood. At the Last Supper, when He said, “Do this in memory of me”, He gave the priesthood as a gift so that the Apostles and every generation that would follow can obey His command.

At the Chrism Mass we may also think of the worldwide unity of the Church. The Pope celebrates the Chrism Mass at the Lateran Basilica of St John, the Cathedral Church of Rome. In every other diocese of the world, this Mass is celebrated in Holy Week. In every part of the world the holy oils are renewed
ready for another year in which God will visit His people in the sacraments.

The Chrism Mass

The annual Chrism Mass takes place on Holy or Maundy Thursday morning in St Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster (Thursday 9th April 11.30am). All are welcome to this Mass which will be the last for Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue who retires on Friday 1 May.
Catholics from across the diocese, together with their priests and Bishop, gather to join in the Celebration of this Mass, during which our diocesan priests renew together their commitment to priestly service, and receive the prayers and support of the people.
At this Mass the oils for the coming year are blessed. The Bishop blesses the
· oil of catechumens
· oil of the sick
· oil of chrism
The Holy Oils for the year are blessed at this Chrism Mass Oil of catechumens is used for adult catechumens and infants, oil of the sick for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars. All three are based on olive oil with added spices and perfume, traditionally balsam. Holy Week and the Triduum
The Thursday of Holy Week is known as Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday and the next day is Good Friday. The Triduum is the name given to the three key days at the end of Holy Week - starting with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and continuing through Good Friday and Holy Saturday leading up to the celebration of the Season of Easter with the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.
There is no concluding rite at the close of the first two services of the Triduum - emphasising the continuity of the three days.

What is it like to be a priest?

What is it like to be a priest? If you would like to spend a year seeing how priests live, and assisting them in day-to-day parish life, then in September 2009 places will become available at the House of Formation for Lancaster Diocese.

For those interested in the priesthood who are accepted at the House, it provides an ideal environment for you to discern your vocation and for the Church to discern it too. Through the months spent at St Mary's, Cleator you will be guided in your own spiritual, human, pastoral and intellectual formation.

Since the House was established in 2003 by Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, those who have participated in the programme have found it fulfilling in itself and a solid grounding for their next steps.

Are you interested? Contact Fr Manny Gribben at e.gribben@merseymail.com
If you you would like more info on the Priesthood have a chat with Canon Alf.

Information and Resources about the Priesthood are available on our new website click here, or take a look at the Lancaster Diocese Vocations Blog - www.lancastervocations.blogspot.com

Lancaster Diocese 'What does a Priest do?' Leaflet - Click here to view

Holy Week Reflection - Palm Sunday

Today, Passion/Palm Sunday, the Church begins the most solemn week of her liturgical year with the re-enactment of the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We carry palms in procession as did the crowd who acclaimed him as the messianic Son of David. We follow their example now, but in the full knowledge of faith that the one riding on a donkey is the Son of God and saviour of the world. The climax of Christ’s earthly life was approaching, the hour when he would lay down his life and take it up again for our salvation. Through the timelessness of the liturgy, on this Sunday of Palms we too acclaim him as he goes on his triumphal way.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

New Archbishop of Westminster

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has today appointed the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, who has been Archbishop of Birmingham since March 2000, as the next Archbishop of Westminster. Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor as Archbishop of Westminster. The Cardinal will now become the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Westminster until Archbishop Nichols is installed at Westminster Cathedral on Thursday, 21 May 2009.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “As the Cardinal so graciously says, it is for me something of a return. I spent 16 very happy years here in Westminster, eight of them as General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference and eight of them as an Auxiliary Bishop to Cardinal Hume in North London. I learnt a great deal from him, not least about the demands of the office of the Archbishop of Westminster and I am daunted by the task that lies ahead.”

Archbishop Nichols will succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, who has been Archbishop of Westminster since March 2000, becoming the 11th Archbishop of Westminster since the Restoration of the Hierarchy in 1850, when the diocesan structure was re-established.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor said: “I would like to welcome Archbishop Vincent back to the diocese, 17 years after he was ordained as an auxiliary Bishop in Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Basil Hume. He has many friends and colleagues among the Bishops, priests, religious and lay people of the Diocese.“

New contact e-mails

Now that the new website is up and running, there are also a few new e-mail addresses. Please make sure you send any Parish info to these e-mail addresses;
Fr Alf - stwulstan.fleetwood@hellobroadband.org.uk or fr.alf@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk
Glenda Kelly - glenda.kelly@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk
Tomas Walsh - tomas.walsh@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk

Visit of St Thérèse - Timetable Publication

A new blog has been launched in preparation for the visit of St Thérèse Relics. It will carry news and practical information about the event, alert readers to relevant resources and talks etc around the Diocese, mark anniversaries associated with Thérèse and encourage people to participate. The blog will be updated regularly; you can visit it here
On the main Cathedral website, the section devoted to the Thérèse visit has now been completely revised and carries much useful information. From today you can find the programme (timetable) for the visit (click here for pdf version and here for standard web page) and a list of events taking place before the visit (click here).