Advent

Advent marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year. As once again another year unfolds before us we will enter into the mysteries of our salvation as they are set before us one by one.
During these coming weeks we shall be preparing for the celebration of the solemnity of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to help us prepare, the Church sets before us the passages of scripture from the Old Testament that prophesied the coming of the Messiah. This does not mean that we have to suspend our thought and listen to these texts as though the great event had not already taken place. We are the People of God, these prophecies are our history. Just as those who waited for the coming of Christ gave witness to their belief and hoped for his coming, so we too have a mission to fulfil which is expressed in these same texts.
We are waiting for Christ to come again in glory, as we proclaim in the Creed, we believe that he shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, we shall say in a few moments. Just as the People of Israel waited so too we are waiting. All of these texts especially from the Prophets which proclaim that the Lord will come, that in that day peace will reign from one end of the earth to the other, are all necessary to support us in our hope.
Advent turns our mind to the coming of Christ, not only at the end of time, but his coming into the hearts of each one us. As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, we make ourselves ready to receive him so that when he comes knocking at the inn of our hearts he will find a place.
Advent is the time of realism, it is the time to wake up, look about and take stock. The purple vestments of this season do not have the same symbolism as during Lent. Lent is a time of penance, Advent is the time of purification. Advent is the time to put aside all that blurs our vision and hinders our watchfulness.
Advent is the time to attend to what really matters. Unfortunately, for many, Advent is swallowed up in the concerns of the material side for the preparation for Christmas. Try not to get caught up in these things, keep your mind and heart fixed on Christ Jesus for whom we are waiting in joyful hope.

(Abbot Cuthbert Johnson)

Fr. BERNARD HEARTY R.I.P.

Fr. Bernard retired less than two months ago and came to live in Fleetwood with his sister Eileen. Sadly he suffered ill health and died last Wednesday. May he rest in peace. His funeral will be next Thursday at St. Wulstan’s at 11.30am and he will be received into St. Wulstan’s Church at 7pm on Wednesday. Burial will be in Frizington.
PLEASE NOTE: the Deanery Mass scheduled for St. Edmund’s that day will not now take place.

The Floods in Cumbria: A Special Collection

My dear Priests and People,
We have all been very concerned about the recent flood damage in Cumbria due to the most exceptional weather conditions. Our heartfelt sympathy, solidarity and prayers go out to all those so grievously affected.
As a gesture of practical support for those in need I ask that a retiring collection be taken up on the Second Sunday of Advent 2009 in all our parishes to assist those who are suffering so much at present and are striving to rebuild their lives.
With every good wish and prayer,

Michael G Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

NEW! NEW! NEW! The Catholic Voice of Lancaster.

You may be aware that this weekend a newly designed Catholic Voice of Lancaster is to be launched in Parishes all over the Diocese. To coincide with the new design of the Catholic Voice of Lancaster the team are launching a dedicated Catholic Voice of Lancaster web site which will include voicextra from now on. The beauty of the web site is that it will be regularly updated with news and events around the diocese rather than it being a once a week bulletin. So why not save the site to your Favourites and drop in from time to time, you can also let us know your views on-line.

Just click on the following link and it will take you straight to the new website - there are lots of new items and information.
www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

Statement of Rt Rev Michael G Campbell OSA, Bishop of Lancaster

To the faithful of the Diocese of Lancaster and to all people of good will, as we experience serious flooding in several locations in Cumbria – part of our Diocese of Lancaster, be assured of my prayers for each and every one of you who have been affected. Through communication with the Catholic parishes in the areas of concern, I am working to stay informed of the needs of individuals and communities throughout the Diocese.
During this time we must first turn in prayer to God that He will protect our families, our homes, and our communities. I ask especially those in the Diocese who live outside of the affected areas to increase your prayer, praying that those in the centre of the flood fight will be protected and may experience the peace only God’s love can give.
For all who are suffering due to the floods, I pray for God’s protection and blessing over you and for the calming strength of His grace. As in any adversity, with faith, hope and charity, God will grant us the particular graces we need in this trial and we will grow in our love for God and each other. May you receive the support and help you need at this time.

May Mary, our Mother of Consolation pray for us.
With a prayer and a blessing to you all,
+Michael G Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

National Youth Sunday 2009

Today, is the feast of Christ the King, young people across England & Wales are gathering to celebrate National Youth Sunday.

This year’s National Youth Sunday links Pope Benedict’s World Youth Day message with the feast of Christ the King. The Pope addresses young people on the theme of hope, saying that although youth is “a special time of hope”, it can also be marked by a “crisis of hope” when difficulties threaten to overwhelm us. He encourages young people to follow the example of St Paul in being witnesses of hope, placing our hope in Christ, the living God.

Today, young people across England & Wales will gather in their parish and chaplaincy communities to celebrate Christ’s universal kingship and their place in the Church. This feast day has been chosen by the Bishops of England and Wales as a time to also highlight and celebrate the place of young people in the Church, who learn and live the faith enthusiastically and give generously of their time in voluntary activities.

Visit the official site for National Youth Sunday 2009

Events will be taking place in parishes in every diocese of England and Wales. In preparation for these vibrant local liturgies, young people have been reflecting on the Pope’s message through prayer, Eucharistic adoration, drama and art, and taking the saints as examples of witnesses to hope.

National Youth Sunday is resourcing these events following Pope Benedict’s invitation to celebrate the next two World Youth Days locally, building a “spiritual itinerary” that will culminate in the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid.

(CBC-E&W)

Our Local Youth Mass is to be held at St John Southworth, Cleveleys at 4pm.

Bishop Campbell to young people: Quo Vadis - Where are you going?: Could you be a priest?

My dear young friends,
Quo Vadis? - Where are you going? Jesus asks all His friends.
Like any good parent, God really cares when and where and how we go anywhere. In fact, God has a plan for all of us. I know that God is calling some of you to go among His people as our future priests in the Diocese of Lancaster. If you live in our Diocese and think this could be you then please contact Fr Manny Gribben our Diocesan Vocations Director and he will be glad to help you explore where God is asking you to go in your life. With every good wish and prayer as you discover your vocation in life,
+Michael Campbell OSA,
Bishop of Lancaster

CONTACT:
Fr Emmanuel Gribben
Vocations Director
St Mary's Priory,
Cleator,
Cumbria
CA23 3AB
Tel: 01946 810324
emmanuel.gribben@googlemail.com

(from the Diocesan website)

Pope asks prayers for children in need

At the conclusion of his regular weekly audience on November 18, Pope Benedict XVI reminded the crowd in the Paul VI auditorium that this coming Friday, November 20, will be the UN's Day of Prayer and Action for Children. The Holy Father asked the faithful to join him in prayers for "all the children of the world, especially those who live in difficult conditions, and suffer because of violence, abuse, sickness, war, or hunger."

Bishop Campbell announces new Council of Priests

Elected Deanery Members: (Constitutions: 2.5)

Lancaster: Rev Hugh Pollock
Preston: Rev Philip Smith
St Kentigern, Blackpool: Canon Bob Dewhurst
Sacred Heart, Thornton: Rev Chris Cousens
St John the Evangelist, Kirkham: Rev Jim Burns
St Mary of Furness, Barrow: Canon John Watson
St Herbert, Carlisle: Rev Jerome Ainsworth
Our Lady & St Benedict, West Cumbria: Rev Matthew Carney
St Thomas of Canterbury, Kendal: Rev Alf Parker

Ex-officio Members: (Constitutions: 2.6)

Vicars General
Episcopal Vicars
Appointed Members (by the Bishop): (Constitutions: 2.7)
Vocations Director
Director for Ongoing Formation/Diaconate Formation
Communications Officer
Diocesan Youth Chaplain

(from the Diocesan website)

Bishop Campbell announces new Lourdes Team

The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes which took place as usual this year in July (2009) was a great success. The Bishop of Lancaster (the Bishop) would like to record his renewed thanks to Cath Morgan and all who helped to organize the pilgrimage.
Next year’s pilgrimage (Friday 23 July to Friday 30 July 2010) will be the final pilgrimage that Cath Morgan, assisted by John Baldwin, will lead after several years of devoted service. Following consultation with the existing team and other and to ensure strong leadership for the pilgrimage for the future, the Bishop has appointed from 1 September 2010:
The Bishop – Spiritual Director & Leader of the Pilgrimage
Maureen Goldsworthy – Lourdes Pilgrimage Director
Fr Geoff Bottoms – Associate Lourdes Pilgrimage Director
Linda Wisdom – Associate Lourdes Pilgrimage Director
Fr Andrew Broster – Lourdes Liturgical Director
Fr Manny Gribben – Lourdes Music Director
The Bishop wishes to take this opportunity to thank all those many people who generously give their time and energy to this important feature of the Diocesan life each year.

(from the Diocesan website)

Benedict XVI surfs the web and uses email

The president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, shared this week that the Holy Father has an appreciation for new developments in technology and is comfortable surfing the internet and using email.

During an interview with the program “Studio Aperto” on the Italia 1 TV network, Archbishop Celli added, while the Pope doesn't have a personal email address, he “sends his own personal emails. He does! He has great appreciation for new technology.”

The archbishop explained that while the Pope “cannot respond to the millions of messages that arrive in his inbox,” he is committed to “offering his prayers for all who write to him.”

“The internet is an excellent means of communication,” he continued. “We are seeking to be present where the people are, especially the youth.”

(CNA)

Apostolic Constitution - Anglicanorum Coetibus

Press Release
On October 20, 2009, Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced a new provision responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Catholic Church.
The Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus which is published today introduces a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates, which will allow the above mentioned groups to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony. At the same time, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is publishing a set of
Complementary Norms which will guide the implementation of this provision.
This Apostolic Constitution opens a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity while, at the same time, granting legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith. It represents not an initiative on the part of the Holy See, but a generous response from the Holy Father to the legitimate aspirations of these Anglican groups. The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church.
The possibility envisioned by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the Personal Ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy. According to the Second Vatican Council, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1579).

Remembrance Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday we remember the fallen who selflessly gave their lives for their country.

It is marked on the Sunday nearest to 11 November - Remembrance Day - which is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War, in 1918 at 11am. The national ceremony is held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, London. Our local ceremony is held at Fleetwood Memorial Park at 11am.

E-Mail problems resolved

We are pleased to announce that our Parish e-mail system is now up and running again. We apologise to everyone who has sent an e-mail to us in the last week however we are now replying to all the e-mails we have received. If you do not receive a reply within 7 days please resent your e-mail. Thank you for your Patience!

Help needed!

We are in need of some people to post stories and keep the Blog up-to-date. If you would like to help with the contribution of articles for the blog please contact Tomas at tomas.walsh@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk for more details. Your help is needed urgently and would be much appreciated!

E-Mail problems

I apologise to anyone who has sent a e-mail to any of the following e-mail addresses in the past few days as we have experiencing some technical difficulties. These difficulties are now being sorted and we hope to have fully working e-mail addresses in the next few days.
I am aware that we have some e-mails waiting to be replied to however we can not reply until these difficulties are resolved. If you do not receive a reply in the next 7 days please resend your e-mail. I will place a post once these problems have been resolved.

- fr.alf@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk
- office@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk
- glenda.kelly@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk
- tomas.walsh@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk

St Wulstan's Phone Line

Apologies are in order to all who have been trying to telephone the presbytery since Sunday. The line has been out of use, and it has taken until today to get it fixed. If anyone has tried to leave a message on the answer phone, it may not have come through, so please ring again. (01253 873609)

A recent e-mail

On Tuesday i received an e-mail asking for details on how to find the contact details for Fr Patrick McMahon. I have tried several times to reply to your e-mail however i get a failed mail response. If this was you, please could you get back in touch by e-mail to tomas.walsh@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk

Our Father

Morning Prayer Meditation

How to Pray

Prayer

Our Diocesan website has a great prayer section, click here to take a look.