St Wulstan and St Edmund Catholic Parishes, Fleetwood

Bishops in England and Wales condemn abortion ads on TV

2010-05-25T07:56:00.002+01:00

The Catholic Bishops' Conference in England and Wales has condemned TV ads promoting abortion services that recently aired throughout the United Kingdom, charging that the “exploitative promotion” of abortion is not “in the interests of the health or psychological well-being of women.”

Marie Stopes International, a self-described non-profit organization for sexual and reproductive health, will run TV ads for abortion services throughout the U.K. as part of their “Are you late?” campaign which is set to air until June 4.

“We hope the new ‘Are you late?’ campaign will encourage people to talk about abortion more openly and honestly, and empower women to make confident, informed choices about their sexual health,” said Dana Hovig, CEO of Marie Stopes International on May 20.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the bishops condemned the ads, stating that “services which offer or refer for abortion - whether commercial or not-for-profit organizations - should not be allowed to advertise on broadcast media.”

“Abortion is not a consumer service,” the spokesperson added. “To present it as such erodes respect for life and is highly misleading and damaging to women, who may feel pressured into making a quick decision, which can never be revoked.”

“Moreover, to allow the broadcasting advertising of abortion-referral services is, in effect, to allow the exploitative promotion of these services and is not in the interests of the health or psychological well-being of women.

“The Bishops of England and Wales encourage and support women to make informed choices about their emotional, psychological and physical well-being,” the statement continued, adding that the bishops “support a number of charities which do this, in particular the organization called ‘LIFE’ which offers confidential information, counseling and practical help and support for women contemplating abortion, suffering after pregnancy loss or struggling to cope after abortion.”

John Smeaton, director for the U.K.-based Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), likewise condemned the ad campaign, charging that “Marie Stopes may claim to be a non-profit organization, but they have a financial interest in drumming up demand for abortion.”

Smeaton added that the pro-abortion organization has a history of displaying a “cavalier attitude to obeying legal restrictions regarding abortion, and has been implicated in illegal abortions overseas.”

“Although Marie Stopes claims to be a charity helping women,” he noted, “its huge multi-national revenue means it can afford TV advertising, which is hugely expensive. This creates an unfair playing field, as pro-life groups simply cannot afford any such advertising.”

“Allowing abortion to be advertised on TV will lead to more unborn babies being killed and to more women and girls suffering the after-effects of abortion,” Smeaton underscored. “Abortion ads will trivialize abortion. It is an insult to the hundreds of women hurt by abortion every day. Such ads are offensive and will mislead viewers about the reality of abortion.”

The ads have already been banned in Northern Ireland, where the United Kingdom's Abortion Act of 1967 does not apply.

(CNA)

Welcome

2010-05-24T21:11:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Charlotte Beezer who was received into the church and confirmed at mass on Sunday morning. A big welcome from the whole Parish.

Parish Walking Group

2010-05-24T20:44:00.002+01:00

On Saturday the Parish Walking Group enjoyed a great day out in the Lake District. Led by Peter & Sue we walked from Skelwith Bridge via Elterwater to Coniston. We were blessed with wall to wall sunshine the whole day and the English countryside, beautiful at any time of year, is especially stunning in May with lambs in the fields, carpets of bluebells in the woods and the scent of wild garlic all around. After the walk we had time for refreshments in one of Coniston's many cafes, tea rooms or pubs. To end a perfect day we heard the most welcome news of Blackpool's promotion on the bus on the way home!

Our next walk will be on Saturday 19th June.

Guiding in St Wulstan's & St Edmund's Parish

2010-05-21T19:59:00.003+01:00

Help needed!

There are Rainbow, Brownie & Guide groups active in our Parish. Guiding is open to any female age 5 or over. We provide a wide range of activities at our weekly meetings and at other events such as days out and camps. We are in need of extra adults to allow us to continue to run these groups. We need ladies aged 18 to 55 who are willing to train as guiders and any other adults willing to be helpers (CRB checks will be required).

If you are able to help please contact Angela Cole.

General Election: A message from the Bishops of England and Wales

2010-04-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

Shortly we will be choosing our next Government. It is an important responsibility and all Catholics should use their vote.

There are questions to be asked about the party you are considering voting for, and about the particular candidate. This message sets out some of the considerations we should all have in mind when making those choices. As Bishops we are not advocating any particular political party. That is not our role.

There are limits to what any Government can do on its own. On their own, targets, rules and regulations cannot improve the quality of our shared life. People do that. They do it by choosing the common good rather than pure self interest. We are all responsible and we need to put our moral values to work in a spirit of neighbourliness and mutual support. That is what happens in a crisis, but we need to see it every day as well. We depend on each other. And we need a Government that draws out what is best in all of us, and which aims to serve the common good.

So the fundamental question we each need to ask ourselves in deciding who to vote for is not who will best serve me, but who will best serve the common good of all of us.

This is about restoring trust at the heart of our society: trust in each other and in our institutions to do the right thing by choice, not by constraint.

In early March 2010 we published a pamphlet “Choosing the Common Good” which explores these ideas more fully. We encourage you to study and discuss it. It can be obtained from Alive Publishing or downloaded from catholicchurch.org.uk.

On this link we note some specific issues and questions which we believe are particularly important. We encourage you to ask Parliamentary candidates where they stand on these issues. You will also be able to download this as a PDF.

We also ask you to pray for God’s guidance on the choices we all make, and for His guidance for our future Government and for all those who are called to serve society as Members of Parliament.

(CBCE&W)

How to Live Holy Week

2010-04-01T09:00:00.003+01:00

Easter is fast approaching... however it is not too late to prepare yourself spiritually during these last few days of Lent! Here are some tips to help you the make the most of Holy Week:

* Go to Confession: Easter is traditionally the time that Catholics make sure they make a good confession in preparation to receive Communion on Easter Sunday. Click here to read about the need to make an annual confession.
* Attend an Easter Triduum: The Easter Triduum is a series of Holy Week services, beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday, and ending Easter Day, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is a beautiful reflection, by Pope Benedict XVI, on the Holy Triduum of Easter in 2009.
* Penance on Good Friday: On Good Friday, Catholics should remember to fast and to abstain from meat. It is also a good idea to commemorate the Lord's Passion on this day, by praying the Way of the Cross at your parish.

A Day in the life of a Priest.

2010-03-31T09:00:00.000+01:00

Christianity is not just a matter of moral rules, Pope says at Rome's seminary

2010-02-16T09:00:00.001Z

Pope Benedict XVI delivered an address to students at Rome's pontifical seminary on Friday evening, February 12, emphasizing that "Christianity is not moralism."

Reflecting on the 15th chapter of St. John's Gospel, the Holy Father said that believers must recognize the great gift of God's grace, and allow the mystery of God's presence to "penetrate our minds and our hearts"-- thus learning to abide in God's love. The next step, the Pope continued, is to recognize how God's grace produces results. "It is not we who must produce this great fruit," the Pope said. God's action-- the divine gift-- precedes human action.

Pope Benedict cited the words of Christ to his disciples: "I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father." Here, the Pontiff explained, God is done something entirely new: "God has allowed Himself to be seen in the face of Christ."

Unfortunately, the Pope observed, many people today still do not know Christ. He asked his audience to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in order to help these people see the face of Christ. In those prayers, the Pope said, it is important to seek not one's own goals but the will of God. Thus, he concluded, prayer involves a "process of slow purification, of liberation from ourselves."

POPE SPEAKS OF FORTHCOMING APOSTOLIC TRIP TO GREAT BRITAIN

2010-02-01T13:00:00.001Z

At midday today Benedict XVI received prelates from the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope noted how, "even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales" in which context he mentioned "the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics of St. Therese, the interest aroused by the prospect of Cardinal Newman's beatification and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages and World Youth Days.

"On the occasion of my forthcoming apostolic visit to Great Britain ", he added, "I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it. During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart.

"Your country", the Pope told the bishops, "is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet", he noted, "the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs".

The Holy Father also urged the prelates "to ensure that the Church's moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended. Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others; on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth".

"If the full saving message of Christ is to be presented effectively and convincingly to the world, the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice".

"It is the truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition and articulated by the Church's Magisterium that sets us free", Benedict XVI explained. "Cardinal Newman realised this, and he left us an outstanding example of faithfulness to revealed truth by following that 'kindly light' wherever it led him, even at considerable personal cost. Great writers and communicators of his stature and integrity are needed in the Church today, and it is my hope that devotion to him will inspire many to follow in his footsteps.

"In this 'Annus Sacerdotalis', I urge you to hold up to your priests his example of dedication to prayer, pastoral sensitivity towards the needs of his flock, and passion for preaching the Gospel. You yourselves should set a similar example. Be close to your priests, and rekindle their sense of the enormous privilege and joy of standing among the people of God as 'alter Christus'".

And he went on: "Encourage the lay faithful to express their appreciation of the priests who serve them, and to recognise the difficulties they sometimes face on account of their declining numbers and increasing pressures. ... Help them to avoid any temptation to view the clergy as mere functionaries but rather to rejoice in the gift of priestly ministry, a gift that can never be taken for granted".

The Pope concluded by referring to ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, calling for generosity "in implementing the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus', so as to assist those groups of Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. I am convinced that, if given a warm and open-hearted welcome, such groups will be a blessing for the entire Church".

(VIS)

Emeritus Bishop O'Donoghue - Video Interviews in Retirement

2010-02-01T09:00:00.000Z

Since Bishop Patrick retireed in May he has been living in the Parish of Bantry in Cork. He recently recorded a few clips with different messages which can be found here.

Education Sunday 2010

2010-01-30T09:00:00.001Z

Education Sunday takes place on 31 January. The theme for 2010 is Called to Serve.

Message from Bishop Malcolm McMahon

"The elusive factor that often characterises our schools is referred to as ethos. Ethos is a term that is difficult to get hold of. It is expressed in the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural threads that run through the whole of education, the subjects that are taught and the way they are delivered, the way school is managed, the behaviour of the staff and children, the quality of the school dinners, the refereeing on the football pitch. The relationship which the teacher has with the individual pupil or student is usually a unique forum in which the young person is guided in discovery of the truth beyond the bare facts of the subject to that which is Truth itself. An awesome responsibility!

"The teacher in a Catholic School has a special role because for them the child or student is not just a person to be trained for life but someone who has been created by God to reach a fulfilment which is beyond our imaginings. For a person to take on responsibility for our young people and become a teacher is more than finding a job which is personally satisfying, it is to become a partner in God’s plan for a better world."

Bishop Malcolm McMahon,
Chairman, Catholic Education Service for England and Wales

(CCEW)

Ad Limina 2010: Bishops of England and Wales meet with Pope Benedict

2010-01-28T09:00:00.000Z

Some of you may be aware that the Bishops of England and Wales are currently on their Ad Limina visit at the Vatican. Details of the visit can be found here. But today as i read the Vatican Information Service bulletin i came accross the following:

The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
Bishop Michael Gregory Campbell O.S.A. of Lancaster.

Thank You

2010-01-23T09:00:00.000Z

A BIG Thank You to Charlotte O’Halloran, who after many years has handed in her keys to St Edmund’s, which she has been selflessly available to open up and lock up, for all our liturgies. Other demands on Charlotte’s time have inevitably taken over now, but we are very grateful for her many years of loyal service.

Pope blesses lambs, renewing Vatican tradition

2010-01-22T09:00:00.000Z

In keeping with an ancient tradition, Pope Benedict XVI blessed two lambs on January 21, the feast of St. Agnes. The wool from those lambs will be used to make the palliums that are conferred upon new metropolitan archbishops.

The pallium, a white woolen vestment, is worn by archbishops during liturgical celebrations. Every year on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Pope presents the pallium to each prelate who has been named as an archbishop during the preceding year. The presentation of the pallium is a symbol of the communion among the metropolitan churches around the world.

The blessing of the lambs is traditionally done on January 21, the feast of St. Agnes-- a 4th-century martyr whose symbol is a lamb. The lambs are raised by Trappist monks, and when they are shorn their wool is woven into the white vestments.

Report of Pope summoning Irish bishops to Rome

2010-01-21T09:00:00.000Z

The Irish Catholic newspaper is reporting that Pope Benedict has summoned the Irish bishops to Rome to discuss the content of the Ryan and Murphy reports, which examined the abuse of children by priests and religious. The Vatican meetings will reportedly take place on February 15 and 16. Prior to that timme, the Irish bishops will hold an emergency general meeting.

Pope John Paul's would-be assassin released from prison, may face military service

2010-01-19T09:00:00.000Z

Mehmet Ali Agca, who attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981, has been released from a Turkish prison. After spending 19 years in an Italian prison for the attempted assassination, Agca served a 10-year sentence in Turkey for the murder of a journalist.

Mr. Agca has been taken to a military academy to evaluate his readiness for mandatory military service. “Agca is shocked and disappointed that he might be conscripted into military service,” said his attorney. “He says it is against his religious and philosophical beliefs to bear arms. There will also be difficulties in protecting Mehmet Ali Agca’s life where thousands of people carry weapons.”

(CWN)

STATEMENT FROM THE BISHOP OF LANCASTER REGARDING THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

2010-01-16T09:00:00.001Z

“We have been horrified and saddened by the pictures of mass destruction and human suffering due to the earthquake in Haiti earlier this week. I am sure the Diocese of Lancaster joins me in their thoughts and prayers for all the deceased, the injured and homeless.
We pray that practical help will soon be available to all the distressed in Haiti, and we ask Almighty God to look down with mercy on this nation who have been so grievously afflicted.”

Rt Rev Michael G Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

Pope's representative to Haiti gives first-hand account of destruction

2010-01-14T09:00:00.000Z

Speaking with the Vatican's Fides news agency, the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, described the devastation in the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince. He reported on what he had observed of the situation of religious and government officials in the area and described widespread destruction.

Archbishop Auza stated his observations of the situation in the capital to Fides, saying, "Port-au-Prince is totally devastated. The cathedral, the archbishop's office, all of the big churches, all of the seminaries have been reduced to rubble."

The nuncio said that the resident priest at that cathedral had informed him of the likely death of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot as he was buried under rubble along with hundreds of priests and seminarians. Other news reports confirmed that the archbishop did pass away in the earthquake.

Auza reported that many government buildings had been razed. All of the Ministry buildings but one were on the ground, as were the Presidential Palace and the schools.

"Parliament with the Senators, the schools with the children, the supermarkets were reduced to nothing," the nuncio stated.

The nuncio had made his way across the city to see the Haitian President and "express his condolences and solidarity" and found that, because they had been outdoors, he and his family had been saved although their home had crumbled.

People who live in front of the collapsed U.N. headquarters had reported to Auza that the head of that mission, Hedi Annabi, was trapped inside with hundreds of others.

The nuncio said that he had returned to his residence later in the morning to find "Priests and Sisters in the street, no longer with homes. The Rector of the seminary saved himself, as did the Dean of studies, but the seminarians are under the rubble. You hear yells everywhere from underneath the rubble."

"The CIFOR (according to Fides, an institute of study for religious men and women) collapsed with students inside that were participating in a conference. The office of the nuncio resisted (the earthquake), there was no one injured, but all of us are in shock!" he said.

"So many things were broken, including the tabernacle, but we are more fortunate than others. Many relatives of the personnel are dead, their houses destroyed. Everyone is asking for help. We will have a problem with water and food before long. We cannot go inside and stay there for very long because the ground continues to shake, so we're camping out in the yard."

(CNA)

Pope visits cardinal injured during Christmas Eve incident

2010-01-13T09:00:00.000Z

Pope Benedict XVI visited Cardinal Roger Etchegaray in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday evening, January 9. Cardinal Etchegaray is recovering from a broken hip that he suffered during the confusion that broke out when a woman leapt over a crowd barrier to confront the Pope during the procession before Mass on Christmas Eve.

After the short conversation, Cardinal Etchegaray—who required a hip replacement—took a few steps to accompany the Holy Father to the door. The French cardinal, who is 87, expected to be released from the hospital next week.

Romance without Regret – Embracing the Virtue of Chastity

2010-01-11T09:00:00.000Z

In an age in which the media tell young people that they cannot – and need not – control themselves sexually, Jason & Crystalina Evert’s message is challenging, entertaining, encouraging and healing. To get the healthy and correct Catholic perspective on living chastely join them at one of these venues – Sunday 10^th January 7-9pm at Ladyewell Shrine, Fernyhalgh Lane, Fulwood, Preston, or Wednesday 13^th January 7-9pm at The Education Centre, Balmoral Road, Lancaster. To book a place contact Sean & Clare on claremackey@btinternet.com or Tel 07966 087485.

A Christmas Break

2009-12-24T09:00:00.003Z

This blog will now take a short break over the Christmas period and will resume regular posting on the 11th January 2010. May we take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
&
A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

News this Saturday on beatification of John Paul II?

2009-12-18T09:00:00.000Z

Pope John Paul II will be declared “venerable” on Saturday, December 19, according to an Italian magazine story. The report—which appears likely to be accurate—would mean that the late Pontiff could be beatified as soon as the Vatican approves a miracle attributed to his influence.

According to the Italian magazine Panorama, at a consistory on December 19, Pope Benedict XVI will approve a series of decrees prepared by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, including one that attests to the “heroic virtue” of Pope John Paul II. Such a finding would give the late Pontiff the title “venerable,” and the subsequent approval of a miracle would fulfill the only remaining requirement for his beatification.

Several miracles attributed to the intercession of the Polish Pontiff are already under investigation, and Vatican officials feel confident that one will soon be approved. Panorama suggested that tentative plans are already been discussed for the beatification of John Paul II in October 2010.

The Vatican has not commented on the Panorama report—and is unlikely to make any public comment prior to an an official announcement. However, the report is plausible for several reasons.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints typically prepares a series of decrees in December regarding candidates for beatification and canonization. These decrees are generally approved by the Pope at a consistory shortly before Christmas. (A consistory is a meeting of the cardinals who are present in Rome at the time.) Thus the December 19 date is likely.

In November, several informed sources at the Vatican disclosed that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints had voted to approve a finding of “heroic virtue” in the cause of John Paul II, and would prepare a decree to that effect for the Pope’s approval.

(CWN)

DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE BISHOP OF LANCASTER

2009-12-17T09:00:00.001Z

1. EPISCOPAL VICAR FOR RELIGIOUS (South):
In succession to Mgr Michael Kirkham, the Bishop is pleased to announce that he has appointed Fr Chris Cousens as Episcopal Vicar for Religious for the South of the Diocese (with immediate effect). The Bishop thanks Mgr Michael for his dedicated years of service in this role and now Fr Chris for taking up the mantle.

2. DIOCESAN ECUMENICAL REPRESENTATIVE (Cumbria)
The Bishop is immensely grateful to Fr Michael Murphy who has agreed to become his Diocesan Ecumenical Representative for Cumbria.

(from the Diocesan website)

Vatican dismisses speculation on Pope's health

2009-12-10T09:00:00.001Z

The chief spokesman for the Vatican has scoffed at rumors that Pope Benedict XVI may be in failing health.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told Agence France Presse that he was “astonished” to encounter speculation about the Pontiff’s health.

The rumors began when the Vatican reminded reporters that Mass on Christmas Eve at the Vatican would begin at 10 pm, rather than at midnight. That change from the traditional schedule—which had been arranged several weeks ago—prompted the London Times to question whether the move was made because of Pope Benedict’s health. Father Lombardi responded that the Vatican has deliberately avoided placing undue demands on the stamina of the 82-year-old Pontiff, and the earlier Mass would allow him to have a full night’s rest before Christmas Day. “It is a sensible precaution,” said the Vatican spokesman, and “no cause for concern or alarm.”

Father Lombardi pointed out that Pope Benedict has been holding to his usual schedule of public appearances, without raising any concerns among those who attend his audiences or meet with him. “Everyone can see the Pope is well,” he said.

Vatican moves forward 'midnight' Mass for Christmas Eve

2009-12-08T09:00:00.000Z

PopeBenedict XVI will celebrate Mass on Christmas Eve beginning at 10 pm rather than at midnight, the Vatican has announced. The scheduling change, which was made several weeks ago, was explained as a way “to tire the Pope a bit less.”

The Eucharistic celebration is now expected to end at around midnight, enabling the Pontiff to have a full night’s sleep before Christmas Day, when he will appear at noon to deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s basilica.

The London Times (which is frequently sensationalistic in its coverage of Vatican affairs) opened speculation that the change might signal concerns about the health of the Holy Father. Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, denied any medical concerns. “There is no cause for alarm.” He assured reporters. Since Pope Benedict’s election the Vatican has been candid about allowing providing ample rest for the Pontiff, who is now 82 years old.

Nevertheless the scheduling change surprised Vatican-watchers, who pointed out that the Mass on Christmas Eve has always begun at midnight, even during the last few years of the pontificate of the ailing John Paul II.

(CWN)

Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark resigns

2009-12-04T09:00:00.001Z

Pope Benedict XVI has today accepted the resignation of Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark.

The archbishop submitted his resignation to the Holy Father having taken account of medical advice. Archbishop McDonald has had a triple heart bypass and also suffers from severe osteo arthritis. This has already necessitated surgery and the archbishop envisages further surgery in 2010. “I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark,” Archbishop McDonald said. “Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace. “It has been a privilege to lead this great diocese and I have received a wonderful response to everything I have tried to do. “I have also been very appreciative of the prayers of so many people while I have been ill. The Diocese will continue to be very much in my thoughts and prayers in the time ahead.”

A Diocesan Administrator will be appointed soon and he will be in charge of the diocese, until a new archbishop takes possession of Southwark.

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER

2009-12-02T09:00:00.000Z

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for December is: "That children may be respected and loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms".

His mission intention is: "That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognise in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man, and that the nations may open their doors to Christ, the Saviour of the world".

(VIS)

Pope to preside at beatification of Cardinal Newman

2009-12-01T09:00:00.000Z

Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman during his visit to Great Britain next year, the Catholic Herald reports.

Although neither the papal visit to England nor the beatification of Cardinal Newman has been officially confirmed by the Vatican, the Catholic Herald quoted "informed sources" as saying that the Pontiff has decided to break from his usual policy to preside at the ceremonies for Cardinal Newman. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Benedict XVI has presided only at canonizations, leaving beatification ceremonies for other prelates. Father Ian Ker, a Newman biographer, said: "By breaking his own rules Pope Benedict clearly shows he regards Newman as a completely exceptional case, one of the great theologians of the Catholic Church."

(CWN)

Advent

2009-11-30T09:00:00.000Z

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.

2009-11-29T09:00:00.001Z

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

2009-11-28T09:00:00.001Z

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.

2009-11-25T09:00:00.003Z

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

2009-11-23T09:00:00.001Z

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

2009-11-22T09:00:00.000Z

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?

2009-11-21T09:00:00.002Z

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

2009-11-20T09:00:00.000Z

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

2009-11-19T09:00:00.003Z

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

2009-11-18T09:00:00.002Z

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

2009-11-13T09:00:00.000Z

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

2009-11-09T09:00:00.000Z

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

2009-11-08T08:00:00.001Z

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

2009-11-07T09:00:00.000Z

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!

2009-11-06T09:00:00.000Z

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

2009-11-06T08:00:00.001Z

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

2009-11-05T12:00:00.001Z

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

2009-11-05T09:00:00.002Z

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

2009-11-04T09:00:00.000Z

Morning Prayer Meditation

2009-11-03T09:00:00.001Z

How to Pray

2009-11-02T09:00:00.000Z

Prayer

2009-11-01T08:00:00.000Z

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

Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Houses of Parliament

2009-10-31T09:00:00.001Z

Archbishop Vincent Nichols has announced the appointment of Canon Pat Browne as the Parliamentary Roman Catholic Duty Priest to the Houses of Parliament.

The appointment was made following requests from members of the Palace of Westminster for a Roman Catholic Priest to be available in a pastoral role.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “I am very grateful for the assistance of the Speaker John Bercow and the Speaker’s Chaplain, Canon Robert Wright, for their co-operation in arranging this appointment. Canon Pat Browne will be available not only to MPs and Peers but also to the many Catholics who work in the Palace of Westminster. “

Anglican priests' group weighing Pope's invitation

2009-10-30T09:00:00.000Z

A conservative group of Anglican priests in the US and Canada has responded cautiously to the initiative by Pope Benedict XVI welcoming Anglicans into the Catholic Church. The Society of Catholic Priest in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada acknowledged that "such a move may make some sense" for many Anglican clerics, and could constitute "a natural extension of our understanding of the evolution of Tradition in the life of the Church.”

Irish archbishop warns against reports of new apparitions at Knock

2009-10-29T09:00:00.002Z

Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has warned against reports that the Virgin Mary will soon appear at the shrine of Our Lady of Knock, the site of a reported apparition in 1879. These predictions, made by a self-styled faith-healer in Dublin, have roused extra interest in the shrine. But the archbishop said that the reports "risk misleading God's people and undermining faith." He added: "It is not healthy, does not give glory to God and certainly is not good witness to the faith to be looking for extraordinary phenomena."

For more details click here.

Anglican Bishop plans to convert to Catholicism

2009-10-28T09:00:00.002Z

Bishop John Hind of Chichester, described by The Telegraph as “the most senior traditionalist in the Church of England,” has announced his plans to convert to Catholicism.

“This is a remarkable new step from the Vatican,” he said, referring to Pope Benedict’s decision to permit members of Anglican communities to enter the Catholic Church as communities. “At long last there are some choices for Catholics in the Church of England. I'd be happy to be reordained into the Catholic Church.”

More details here

The Catholic Priest - Answering God’s Call

2009-10-27T09:00:00.003Z

The Catholic Priest - Answering God’s Call is a new, free publication for every man considering his vocation in life. With an initial print run of more than 10,000 copies, it will be available from every Catholic senior school, university chaplaincy and diocese in England and Wales.

Launch

At the launch in Westminster last week, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “I think that it’s a lovely act of providence; that even as this period of grace (of the relics of St Thérèse) comes to an end, there is this re-launch of this call to the whole Church to be attentive to the voice of God, and especially to the call of God to serve in the priesthood.”

The Chairman of the National Office for Vocation, Bishop George Stack said that the publication was designed: “to give access to people perhaps who are not ready to make a commitment to priesthood or religious life, but are certainly interested in exploring the possibility.”

The Catholic Priest – Answering God’s Call is in its second edition and was originally written by the Bishop of East Anglia, The Right Reverend Michael Evans. Fr Paul Embery, the former Director of the National Office for Vocation, revised the text to bring it up to date and make it fresh and appealing to today’s enquirers. It is a joint venture by the Vocations Initiative of the Catenian Association on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

Anthony Brindle, the Catenian Association member who coordinated the publication said: “For a number of years, every Catenian circle, has prayed for vocations before every monthly meeting. There has been a tsunami of prayer and I hope that it will bear fruit.”

In the opening foreword, Archbishop Nichols writes: “This book gives a clear description of what priesthood is today, for the Catholic Church at the beginning of the 21st Century. It will assist any reader to understand the role of the priest and I believe that it will be a valuable resource for any young man who might want to discover what it is to be a priest or to pursue some idea that he may have a vocation.

Undoubtedly, God continues to call men to priesthood. Books like this will help those who hear the call to recognise it for what it is.”

If you feel you are being called to the Priesthood please click here

(CCE&W)

Catch up: Pope Benedict approves structure for admitting large groups of Anglicans into Catholic Church

2009-10-26T09:00:00.000Z

In a Vatican press conference on the 20th October 2009, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced that an Apostolic Constitution has been prepared in response to “many requests” from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful wanting to enter into full communion with the Church.

The Apostolic Constitution, which Cardinal Levada said “provides a reasonable and even necessary response to a world-wide phenomenon,” will be a “single canonical model for the universal Church which is adaptable to various local situations and equitable to former Anglicans in its universal application.”

The new canonical structure will allow former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Church while “preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spiritual patrimony,” said Cardinal Levada. Addressing the status of married clergy, the cardinal said that married Anglican clergy would be allowed to be ordained as Catholic priests just as takes place in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Similarly, following the same tradition, those priests will not be allowed to be ordained bishops.

These ‘Personal Ordinariates’ will be formed, “as needed, in consultation with local Conferences of Bishops, and their structure will be similar in some ways to that of the Military Ordinariates which have been established in most countries to provide pastoral care for members of the armed forces and their dependents throughout the world,” the cardinal prefect said.

He added: “The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church, particularly through the efforts of the Pontifical Council for Promotion of Christian Unity.”

One large group of breakaway Anglicans which has been requesting a formal structure to be corporately received into the Catholic Church has been the Traditional Anglican Communion, made up of an estimated 400,000 members worldwide.

Cardinal Levada explained that this initiative “has come from a number of different groups of Anglicans.” He went on to say: “They have declared that they share the common Catholic faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church. For them the time has come to express this implicit unity in the visible form of full communion.”

The prefect of the CDF also shared what Pope Benedict's hopes are for the process.

“It is the hope of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that the Anglican clergy and faithful who desire union with the Catholic Church will find in this canonical structure the opportunity to preserve those Anglican traditions precious to them and consistent with the Catholic faith. Insofar as these traditions express in a distinctive way the faith that is held in common, they are a gift to be shared in the wider Church. The unity of the Church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of Christianity shows. Moreover, the many diverse traditions present in the Catholic Church today are all rooted in the principle articulated by St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.'”

Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, the former under-secretary at the CDF until recently, who helped draft the new structure, said: “We’ve been praying for unity for 40 years. Prayers are being answered in ways we did not anticipate and the Holy See cannot not respond to this movement of the Holy Spirit for those who wish communion and whose tradition is to be valued.”

He said there has been a “tremendous shift” in the ecumenical movement and “these possibilities weren’t seen as they are now.” He rejected accusations that the new Anglicans be described as dissenters. “Rather they are assenting to the movement of the Holy Spirit to be in union with the See of Peter, with the Catholic Church,” he said.

Technical details still need to be worked out, and these Personal Ordinariates may vary in their final form, Archbishop DiNoia said. Full details of the Apostolic Constitution will be released in a few weeks but today’s press conference went ahead because it had been planned sometime ago.

Cardinal Levada said 20-30 bishops have made requests, but more details will be given at a later date. Members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity were consulted and although they were invited to attend today’s press conference, no representatives were able to attend.

The Traditional Anglican Communion broke from the Anglican Communion in 1991 over the decision of the Church of England to ordain women as priests. The TAC, as well as other breakaway groups of traditionalist Anglicans, have been hoping for such a structure ever since. The TAC formally made a request two years ago, after all its bishops signed their approval of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at a ceremony in England. Discussions were protracted owing to the unique nature of such a structure, in particular over whether Anglicans should have their own rite.

(CWN)

Closed for a week....

2009-10-17T09:00:00.001+01:00

You may have noticed that recently the blog hasn't been posting as much as normal. However there will be no Posts until Sunday 25th October 2009 and then i hope to resume to normal service with plenty of posts and news updates (and a catch up on what we've missed).
There may also be a delay in sending out next weeks bulletin and updating the website as I'm due to receive a new computer on Thursday. Thank you for your co-operation.

The Church's Social Teaching

2009-10-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

Catholic Social Teaching: The talks will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Centre, 63 St Albans Road, Lytham St Annes, except for 3rd December, which will be in the parish primary school. The talks will run from October – April. All talks will start at 7.30pm. The second talk will be on 5th November – The Options for the Poor, by Susy Brouard (CAFOD) For more details tel 01253 723661 or www.ourladystarofthesea.co.uk.

Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints

2009-10-13T09:00:00.000+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints-- including Saint Damian of Molokai, the Belgian priest who gained international renown working in a Hawaiian leper colony; and Saint Jeanne Jugan, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor-- in a ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday, October 11.

The other three new saints are:

1. Saint Zigmunt Szczesny Felinski, for former Archbishop of Warsaw;
2. Saint Francesc Coll y Guitart, a Spanish Franciscan; and
3. Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron, a Spanish Cistercian.

In his homily at the canonization ceremonies, which were held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope said that saints respond vigorously to the "demanding invitation" from Christ: "Come, follow me." He urged all Christians to follow their example, "so that our whole lives may become a hymn of praise to the love of God."

At a midday audience after the canonizations, the Pope led the recitation of the Angelus and greeted pilgrims from the country where the five new saints were born and worked. He concluded his midday audience by saying that the Virgin Mary is an ideal model for emulation, because "her fiat is the model of perfect adherence to the divine will."

(CWN)

In need of a Priest?

2009-10-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

Many of you will be aware that Fr Alf is currently on holiday, as is Fr Peter from St Marys. If you are in need of a Priest during Fr Alf's holiday please contact one of the following:

Fr Chris Cousens - 01253 853340
Fr Gerry Dunn - 01253 822154
Fr Gerry Muir - 01253 883110
Fr Peter Clark - 01253 821631
Fr John Collins - 01253 882497
Fr John Winstanley - 01253 620964 (Also Blackpool Victoria Chaplin)
Canon Thomas Dakin - 01253 850412

Pope Benedict XVI, has announced that Bishop Bernard Longley, will be the next Archbishop of Birmingham.

2009-10-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has announced that Bishop Bernard Longley, currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, will be the next Archbishop of Birmingham.

Bishop Longley was named the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham on 1 October 2009. He succeeds the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols (2000-2009).

On learning of the Papal announcement, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols said: “I welcome the news of the appointment of Bishop Bernard Longley as Archbishop of Birmingham. I am confident that he will be warmly welcomed, right across the Archdiocese: in Stoke on Trent, Stafford, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester and Oxford. The clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese will appreciate the qualities he brings: his gentleness and sensitivity; his firmness and intelligence; his profound and joyful faith; his willingness to listen.

“I am sure, too, that Bishop Bernard will grow to love this fine Archdiocese, just as I did.“

The Diocesan Administrator for the Birmingham Archdiocese, Bishop William Kenney, CP, said: “I am delighted to hear that Bishop Bernard Longley is to become the new Archbishop of Birmingham. I am sure that the Auxiliary Bishops, Priests, Deacons and the Lay people of the Archdiocese will make him feel very welcome in the Midlands. We look forward to Bishop Bernard becoming a follower in the footsteps of Bishop Ullathorne, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Birmingham and to his taking a lead in the preparations for the Beatification of Cardinal Newman.“

Bishop Longley was ordained priest and later bishop by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor. About the appointment, the Cardinal said: "I had the privilege of ordaining Bishop Bernard as a priest in 1981 and later as a bishop in 2003. Bishop Bernard has been an exceptionally good priest and bishop, exhibiting at all times those Christian qualities of kindness and compassion in his ministry. The priests and people of the Archdiocese of Birmingham should rejoice and be glad in welcoming their new Archbishop who will, I know, prove a most generous and caring shepherd.”

After receiving news of his appointment, Bishop Bernard Longley said: “I feel immensely honoured and very humbled that the Holy Father has appointed me to succeed Archbishop Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Birmingham. I look forward to serving the Priests and Deacons, the Religious and all the People of the Archdiocese and to working alongside my brother Bishops there. I also look forward to knowing and appreciating the life of the Diocese and the many ways in which it reaches out with the love and truth of Christ, in its parish and school communities and through ecumenical and inter-religious friendships. I am grateful to Bishop William Kenney for his faithful service as Diocesan Administrator over recent months and for the welcome that he has already shown to me.

“It won’t be easy to leave the Diocese of Westminster which has been my home for the past seven years. It will be sad to say goodbye, especially to the East and Central London parishes where the Priests, Parishioners and Religious have become good friends. It has been a privilege to work with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and my fellow Auxiliary Bishops and more recently with Archbishop Vincent, and I thank them for all that I have learnt from their insights and experience.”

Bishop Longley will be Installed as Archbishop of Birmingham at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Chad on 8 December 2009, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and one of the patronal feasts of the Archdiocese (St Chad being the other).

(CCE&W)

Bishop Michael Campbell OSA Prepares us to Receive the Relics of St Therese

2009-09-26T09:00:00.000+01:00

Calling all Young People

2009-09-25T09:00:00.000+01:00

The all-night youth vigil with the relics of St Therese of Lisieux.

Tuesday 29 September, beginning in the Cathedral at 9pm. even if you can't make the whole night, you are welcome to join in with the night's events, though it would be better if you can to come to the whole thing.

Rough schedule is as follows:

9pm sung night prayer in the cathedral, after which the young people will move through and gather for welcome and an introduction to the night.
10.30pm Prayer time led by Our Lady's Lancaster
11.00pm Testimonies from some of the young people from Cenacolo Community.
12.30am Reconciliation Service
2.00am Workshop organised by CAFOD
3.00am Prayer time led by Cardinal Allen, Fleetwood
4.00am Therese's Little Way and Lord of the Rings
6.00am Dawn Mass
6.30am Survivor's Breakfast in the social centre.

Sprinkled amongst all this there will be lots of time for socialising, fun times - as well as time for candlelit vigil and prayers before the relics. It should be a good time together and to catch up with friends, and make new ones.

More information from the Youth office on 01524 596063

Pope Benedict to visit Britain next year!

2009-09-24T09:00:00.001+01:00

The news stories of a papal visit to Great Britain splashed round the websites of the daily newspapers in Britain, and other news services, Yesterday. It will be a great blessing to our country and I am sure that the presence of the Holy Father and his wise words will bring about an increase of faith, and a deepening of the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, said:

‘We are encouraged and pleased at the news which has emerged about the possible official visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK next year.
‘We are glad the Holy Father is giving such consideration to the invitations he has received from Her Majesty’s Government, which accord closely to the wishes and requests also expressed by the Bishops of England & Wales.
‘The prospect of a visit by Pope Benedict fills us with joy.’

Mass at Cardinal Allen

2009-09-17T09:00:00.004+01:00

Cardinal Allen would like to invite everyone to Mass in their new School Chapel every Friday morning at 8am. The Mass will be Celebrated by Fr Gerry Dunn. If you require more information please contact the School on 01253 872659.

Cardinal Allen open new School Chapel

2009-09-16T09:00:00.001+01:00

Cardinal Allen opened a new school Chapel on Monday 7th September 2009. The new Chapel physically puts Christ at the centre of the school. The Chapel seats around 90 people and is fully equipped with an interactive whiteboard which will act as a valuable teaching aid. At some point during this term there will be a formal blessing and opening ceremony. The new Chapel is located just as you go through the main entrance in what was the Old Library.

Little Flower’ arrives in Garden of England

2009-09-15T09:00:00.000+01:00

The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the Patron Saint of Florists, will arrive into the UK via Eurotunnel on this afternoon in a specially adapted hearse for an historic first visit to England and Wales.

From 16 September to 16 October, the relics of the beloved, Catholic Saint will visit 28 different venues, including many Catholic cathedrals and parishes, an Anglican cathedral, a university chaplaincy, a prison and a hospice for the dying.

Eight people will be accompanying the relics into the country, including a filmmaker and at least one Religious (monk, sister, or friar). The team leave for France tonight (14 Sept) on an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, they will then journey to Lisieux to pick up the relics and drive back through Northern France to catch the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone. It is the first time that the relics will have travelled through the tunnel.

The relics make their way Wednesday to the first tour venue, Portsmouth Cathedral. As a child Thérèse drew a map of England and on this map she named two cities, the cities where the official tour begins and ends; Portsmouth and London.

Huge crowds have flocked to St. Thérèse in every country her relics have visited – over 42 to date. Wherever they have gone, many people have experienced conversion, healing, a renewed sense of vocation, and answers to their prayers. All are welcome and there is a special invitation to the sick, young people seeking their way in life and those from any faith or none.

One of St. Thérèse’s sayings was that she would “let fall a shower of roses on earth” after her death. Consequently, many people will be bringing roses to the venues and asking for them to be blessed and to touch the reliquary.

Father Michael McGoldrick ODC, Regional Superior of the Discalced Carmelites in the UK, said: “The arrival of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux is an important moment in their journey. They have been in over forty countries but in England they will visit an Anglican cathedral (York Minster) for the first time. It reveals something of the way in which St. Thérèse’s "Little Way" of confidence in God's love speaks to people of different faith traditions.

“I hope the visit will bring many blessings on all those who follow Jesus and that like her they will come to a deep experience of his love for them. I am sure she will bring many blessings to people of other faith traditions and to all people of good will.”

To receive daily updates from each venue, check out www.catholicrelics.wordpress.com

(Catholic Church in England and Wales)

24th Sunday of the Year

2009-09-13T09:00:00.000+01:00

As we listen to the gospels and ponder the interaction between Jesus and those he has chosen to follow him, the term “school of discipleship” springs to mind. The apostles and disciples finds themselves constantly on a steep learning curve, as evidenced by the behaviour and reaction of Peter in today’s gospel passage. To form part of the company of Jesus entailed accepting his outlook and values, standards which were often in stark contrast to what were considered normal ways of thinking and behaving, what we call ‘The ways of the world.’ Peter, we discover, was taught a sharp lesson by Jesus when he protested about the possibility of his master having to suffer. The apostle had still much to learn about Jesus and the place of the cross in his life, despite his faith in him as God’s Messiah.
The Lord Jesus was ever conscious of his Father’s will, sketched out for him in the writings of the Old Testament. Central to God’s will was the mysterious fact that his Christ should have to suffer. The picture of Isaiah’s suffering servant in our first reading foreshadows what lay in store for the God’s anointed one. Jesus would know humiliation and mistreatment, but his trust in God his Father would be unflinching.
Peter and the other disciples would have to learn that suffering and misfortune were not the last word in the lives of human beings. As became brilliantly clear in the resurrection on Easter Day, God put to right the wrongs and injustices inflicted on his Son and by doing so gave a sure hope to the whole human race. The confidence of Jesus in the goodness and loving purpose of his Father was not misplaced. We are called to imitate Jesus, the pioneer of our faith.
The widespread presence of suffering and distress in our world can induce in us a sense of helplessness and profound heartsearching.
This suffering can be personal, what we see in others around us, or that we are made aware of in distant places through the mass media. Our faith teaches us that our fallen human condition is heir to this often sad state of affairs. Yet the rhythm of today’s gospel is that of death and resurrection, losing one’s life so as to find it, and the firm conviction that Jesus Christ sheds the light of God on the puzzles and darkness which we experience as human beings. The apostle James insists on the need to express our faith in good works, and so improve the world in which we find ourselves. Yet in our struggles and frequent setbacks we need to remember that only in the world to come will suffering and death finally be overcome. Here on earth we live in hope of that.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

Bishop Campbell Welcomes our Diocesan Schools and Colleges back to a New Academic Year - Video Address

2009-09-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

(from the Diocesan website)

Twenty-third Sunday of the Year

2009-09-06T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Scripture readings we listen to at Mass Sunday after Sunday are intended to nourish our lives of faith. The Holy Spirit prompted and inspired the writers of the bible to set before us God’s truth. Gathered at Mass, it is God himself who speaks his word to encourage us on our journey of faith, hope and charity. What we are required to bring is an attentive ear and a receptive mind, for the word of God is ever alive and active, giving us fresh insight into the divine plan each time we hear it.
In our first reading today the prophet Isaiah stirs up the people’s hope. Almighty God never belongs to the past or fails to take an interest in his people’s welfare. Irrespective of outward appearances he is ever active, true to his promises. The prophet speaks of the wonderful deed God has in mind, a deed so marvellous that the blind, deaf and lame will recover their full faculties when they witness it. This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in a most remarkable way in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, as today’s gospel story so clearly illustrates. All the promises of salvation God made in the Old Testament find their fulfilment in the Son of God.
The healing miracles of the Lord Jesus are a sign of a greater and more important healing which he came to bring the human race. Christ offers spiritual healing. He releases us from the power of sin and evil which can so beset us and the world at large. Through his own struggle with evil and temptation in his passion and death on the cross he broke the chains and stranglehold of the evil one. Now risen in triumph by the power of the Father he shares the new life of the resurrection with all who approach him in faith. Christ can deal with the metaphorical blindness, deafness and lameness that we all suffer from, if we would only acknowledge our condition. Present to us in our liturgy, he continues to make the deaf hear and the dumb speak. When the seed of Christ’s message takes root and bears fruit in our hearts, then we can live out the challenge that the apostle James so forthrightly sets before us in our second reading. In Christ we will see and hear the world differently, especially the revealed truth that we must not make distinctions between persons, because every single human being is created in the image of God. For each one of them the Son of God laid down his life.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Deanery Mass

2009-09-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow is St John the Evangelist's (Poulton) turn to host the monthly Deanery Mass. Mass Shall begin at 7pm with refreshments afterwards.This is a chance to bring our deanery togeather, so please do try and come. Everyone Welcome!

The House of Formation - Priestly Vocations

2009-08-29T09:00:00.002+01:00

The House of Formation at Cleator was founded by Bishop O'Donoghue to provide a place where those not yet ready for major seminary can discern and experience priestly life on a parish setting. The programme is tailored according to the individual needs of the student, however spirituality, prayer, study and pastoral ministry form the core of all the student's development.

The house also functions as the Diocesan Vocations Centre – offering hospitality and welcome to all who are interested in training for the priesthood.

Anyone interested in a vocation to the priesthood or religious life should contact Fr Gribben on 01946 810324 or via e-mail to e.gribben@merseymail.com. The role of the Vocations Director is to assist an enquirer in the discernment of the Lord's call and guide them through the process of selection for seminary.

Links to sites to help with your vocation:
Lancaster Diocese Vocations section
St Wulstans and St Edmunds Vocations section
Lancaster Vocations Blog
UK Priest
National Office for Vocation

(from the Diocesan website)

Maura Houghton R.I.P

2009-08-23T09:00:00.005+01:00

Many of you will of heard about the sad death of Maura Houghton. Maura’s funeral will be on Thursday 27th August at 11:30am in St Wulstan’s. Maura’s body will be received into St Edmunds Church at 6:00pm on Wednesday 26th August. Maura had a strong link to the Parish of St Edmunds where she was book-keeper for many years. May she rest in peace!

Pope's cast removed; wrist healing well

2009-08-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI is recovering well from a fractured wrist that he suffered a month ago, the Vatican has announced. On August 21, doctors removed a cast from the Pope’s wrist, and after taking a new X-ray, reported that the healing “can be described as excellent.” The Pope will be given physical therapy to strengthen the wrist, and is expected quickly to regain full mobility of his arm and hand.

The Pope broke his wrist on July 17 when he tripped and fell in the dark in the unfamiliar surroundings of his bedroom in the chalet where he was spending his vacation in the Italian Alps.

Westminster diocese rebukes Tablet for negative approach extraordinary form

2009-08-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

After the British Catholic publication The Tablet ran an editorial suggesting that Archbishop Vincent Nichols wanted to discourage use of the extraordinary form of the Latin rite in order to "nip a potential schism in the bud,' Bishop Alan Hopes, an auxiliary of the Westminster diocese, said that the Tablet was mistaken about both the archbishop's intentions and the proper role of the Tridentine Mass.

(CWN)

Pope announces new Catholic Bishop of the Forces

2009-08-11T09:00:00.000+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Monsignor Richard Moth, currently Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark, will be the next Bishop of the Forces.

Richard Moth served for five years as a Territorial Army chaplain attached to 217 General Hospital RAMC (V).

Bishop-elect Richard will be ordained bishop on Tuesday 29 September 2009.

The Administrator of the Bishopric, Monsignor John Walsh said: “We are delighted at the news that Monsignor Richard is to become our next bishop. On behalf of clergy, servicemen and women and their families, I bid him welcome. We are looking forward to his leadership and to working with him in the years to come. He has our congratulations, our very best wishes and most of all, our prayers”.

The Bishopric of the Forces is a diocese without geographical boundaries, consisting of Service personnel and their dependants, served by over 40 full-time Catholic Chaplains and a number of TA and Officiating Chaplains. The Chaplains are drawn from dioceses in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Gibraltar and from religious orders. They are seconded to the Bishopric during their military service.

Chaplains are currently serving in the UK including Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus as well as Afghanistan and Iraq. Chaplains are also serving at sea with the Royal Navy.

In addition to his responsibility for service chaplaincy, the Bishop-elect will also become Apostolic Visitor for the Prefecture of the Falkland Islands, which also includes St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, Ascension Island, and South Georgia.

Bishop Tom Burns, Bishop of Menevia who was the previous Bishop of the Forces said: “This is great news for the Bishopric. I wish Bishop-elect Richard every happiness as he takes on my former role. He is very experienced and his service as a Territorial Army chaplain will give him a good idea of what lies ahead. He has my best wishes and prayers”.

CLERGY APPOINTMENTS – effective from 1 October 2009

2009-08-05T09:00:00.004+01:00

Grateful for the cooperation of his priests and mindful of the needs of the whole Diocese, His Lordship, the Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev Michael G Campbell OSA has made the following appointments:

Retirements:
- Father Patrick McMahon (from Our Lady & St Edward, Preston).
- Father Bernard Hearty (from St Joseph, Frizington).
- Father John Marsh (from St Mary, Newhouse).

Parish Priests:
- Fr Ed Gornall moves from St Gregory, Workington to St Benedict, Whitehaven.
- Fr Kevin Lowry moves from St Benedict, Whitehaven to Our Lady & St Edward, Preston.
- Fr Tim Sullivan moves from St Maria Goretti, Preston to St Mary, Newhouse.
- Fr Bernard Woods moves from St Cuthbert, Blackpool to St Columba with St Patrick, Walney and Sacred Heart, Barrow.
- Fr Feliks Sciborski to St Maria Goretti, Preston and the pastoral care of Polish Migrants.
Other Ministries:
- Fr Frank Osman from Sacred Heart, Barrow to St Cuthbert, Blackpool as Administrator.
- Fr Paul Harrison from St Columba, Walney to St John Vianney, Blackpool as assistant priest - also new Editor of the Diocesan Directory (from 2010) and Bishop’s Archivist.
- Fr Krzysztof Goralski to St Maria Goretti, Preston as assistant priest and the pastoral care of Polish Migrants.
- Fr Peter Stanton has now completed his term as Director of Castlerigg Manor to begin a period on sabbatical. We thank him for his work.
- Fr Peter Sharrock has now completed his term as Chaplain and Advisor at Castlerigg Manor. We thank him for his work.
- Fr Philip Conner (formerly Director of the Diocesan Youth Service) becomes Chaplain of the Diocesan Youth Service and resident at Castlerigg Manor.

(from the Diocesan website)

New Diocesan Chancellor Appointed

2009-08-03T09:00:00.007+01:00

Fr Paul Embery is the new Diocesan Chancellor with immediate effect. Fr Paul shall carry out this office from Kendal parish and all requests for dispensations, permissions, etc should now be sent directly to:
The Rev P Embery, Diocesan Chancellor, The Presbytery, Holy Trinity & St George, 33 Blackhall Road, KENDAL, Cumbria, LA9 4BW, Tel: 01539 720063.
Fr Robert Billing, the Bishop’s Secretary will continue to process all nondiocesan priests who wish to minister in our Diocese. Sincere thanks go to Mgr Michael Tully for his work as Chancellor over the last 7 years – an effort deeply appreciated by so many in the Diocese. Mgr Michael will continue his invaluable work as Judicial Vicar for the
Diocese.

(from the Diocesan website)

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2009-08-02T09:00:00.002+01:00

The gospel extract today from St. John relates how the enthusiastic crowd pursued Jesus, but for the wrong reasons. They had just enjoyed a wonderfully free meal of bread and fish and wanted to see and hear more of the One who provided such marvellous fare. In his dialogue with them, Christ tried to raise their minds from their purely material appetites to another kind of food which he alone could offer them. The Lord urged them not to be so immersed in the daily task of finding food that they neglect their spiritual needs and their relationship with God. The Father was offering the world the true food from heaven in the person of his Son. Unlike our earthly nourishment which constantly needs replenishing, what Jesus now brings comes from heaven and is eternal.
In order to have access to this heavenly food Jesus challenges the crowd to believe in him as the One whose acts with the full authority of God. They react by demanding that he perform a sign, similar to the manna which Moses provided for the people of Israel during their desert wandering on the way to the land of promise. That manna was only temporary however, but now God offers food of a higher order which only those with faith in Jesus can receive. In response to the crowd’s eager desire to have this heavenly manna, the Lord Jesus tells them that he himself is the bread of life. If they come to him and make the leap of faith then their deepest hunger and thirst will be satisfied.
Our world has often been described as materialistic. The very persuasive world of advertising has as its aim the purchase and acquisition of goods and possessions which, while good in themselves, do not and cannot satisfy those deeper longings of the human heart. We have spiritual appetites and wants and to neglect these does not help us to flourish as persons as God would wish. This gospel passage takes our minds back to how Jesus himself wrestled with the devil’s temptation to materialism after his forty days fasting in the desert. Christ is ever offering us a fresh start, a new way of looking at things, so that we do not become entrapped by daily preoccupations which are ultimately transitory. As Paul expresses it in his letter to the Church at
Ephesus, “we are to put on the new self which has been created in God’s way.”

+Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Thank you

2009-08-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

To Fr Peter Draper and Fr Chris Webb who are celebrating our Masses this weekend. Fr Draper at St Edmund’s, who is the parish priest of St Mary’s here in Fleetwood, and Fr Webb at St Wulstan’s, is an ex RAF chaplain. Our thanks for providing the Mass in Fr Alf’s absence on Army Cadet Camp.

Who to contact in the absence of Canon Hayes

2009-07-31T09:00:00.005+01:00

As I am sure you are all aware Fr Alf is away this week and next at a Army Cadet Camp. Should you require a Priest please see the contact details below:

Fr Peter Draper - 01253 873331 (St Marys, Fleetwood)
Fr Gerry Dunn - 01253 822154 (St John Southworth, Cleveleys)
Fr Chris Cousens - 01253 853340 (St Teresas, Cleveleys)
Fr John Winstanley - 01253 620964 (Chaplain to Blackpool Victoria Hospital)

Theme for the World Day of Peace 2010

2009-07-30T09:00:00.003+01:00

If you want to cultivate peace, protect the creation" is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for his Message for the 43rd World Day of Peace, which will be celebrated on 1 January 2010.

"The theme", says a communique made public today, "aims to raise awareness about the strong bond that exists in our globalised and interconnected world between protecting the creation and cultivating peace.

"This close and intimate tie", the communique adds, "is further accentuated by the many problems concerning man's natural environment, such as the use of resources, climate change, the application and use of biotechnology, and demographic growth. If the human family is unable to face these new challenges with a renewed sense of social justice and equity, and of international solidarity, we run the risk of sowing seeds of violence among peoples, and between current generations and those to come".

The communique goes on: "Following the precious guidelines contained in paragraphs 48 to 51 of the Encyclical 'Caritas in veritate', the papal Massage will make it clear that the protection of the environment is a challenge for all humankind. It is shared and universal duty to respect a collective asset destined for everyone".

The communique concludes by noting that "ecological questions must be faced, not just because of the dreadful prospects that environmental degradation presages; they must be translated, above all, into a strong motivation to cultivate peace

(VIS)

Holy Father's Holiday in Valle d'Aosta Comes to an End

2009-07-29T09:00:00.002+01:00

This evening the Holy Father's holiday at Les Combes near Introd - his third there since the start of his pontificate - is due to come to an end. The Pope travelled to Les Combes in the Italian alpine region of Valle d'Aosta on 13 July.

Benedict XVI is due to leave his residence at 5 p.m., travelling by helicopter to Caselle airport near the northern Italian city of Turin. From there he will fly by plane to Rome's Ciampino airport.

From Ciampino he will be taken by car to the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, where he will spend the rest of the summer and continue treatment of his right wrist which he broke in a fall on 17 July.

On Saturday 1 August he is scheduled to receive around 100 athletes who are currently participating in the world swimming championships in Rome. On Sunday 2 August he will pray the Angelus from the balcony overlooking the central courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo. Weekly general audiences will resume from Wednesday 5 August.

(VIS)

Dean of the College of Cardinals

2009-07-28T09:00:00.001+01:00

The Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals (Latin: Decanus Sacri Collegii) is the president of the College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church, and as such always holds the rank of Cardinal Bishop. The Dean is not necessarily the longest-serving member of the whole College (who might never become a Cardinal Bishop). For example, the longest-serving cardinal at present is Eugênio Cardinal de Araújo Sales, who is a Cardinal Priest. It was customary for centuries for the longest-serving of the six Cardinal Bishops of suburbicarian sees to be Dean, and this was in fact required by canon law from 1917 until Pope Paul VI empowered the six to elect him from among their number in 1965. This election, a formality until the time of Pope John Paul II, must be confirmed by the pope. While the Dean (or in his absence or inability, the Subdean) presides over the College of Cardinals, he has no power of governance over the other cardinals. Instead he functions as primus inter pares in the college. There is no mandatory age of retirement for the position.

It is the Dean's responsibility to summon the conclave to elect a new pope when the previous one dies or resigns, and to preside over the conclave unless he is too old to vote in it. Additionally, the dean has the responsibility of communicating the "news of the Pope's death to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See and to the Heads of the respective Nations." According to Canon 355 (from the Latin Code of Canon Law 1983), if the newly-elected Supreme Pontiff is not already a bishop, it is the right of the Dean to ordain him as such. If the Dean is unable, then the right falls to the Sub-Dean, and then to the senior Cardinal Bishop.

According to section 4 of Canon 350, the Cardinal Dean has "the title of the diocese of Ostia, together with that of any other church to which he already has a title." The Cardinal Dean, then, continues to hold the title of his former suburbicarian diocese as well as being titular bishop of Ostia. This has been the case since 1914, by decree of St. Pius X—previous deans had given up their prior suburbicarian see for the joint titles of Ostia and Velletri.

Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church

2009-07-27T09:00:00.003+01:00

The Camerlengo is the administrator of the property and revenues of the Holy See; his responsibilities formerly included the fiscal administration of the Patrimony of St. Peter. As regulated in the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus , Camerlengo is always a Cardinal. His heraldic arms are ornamented with two keys (one gold, one silver) in saltire surmounted by an ombrellino, a canopy or umbrella of alternating red and yellow stripes, which are also the arms of a Sede Vacante (i.e. a Papal interregnum).

Until the 11th century, the Archdeacon of the Roman Church was responsible for the administration of the property of the Church (i.e., the Diocese of Rome), but its numerous ancient privileges and rights had come to make it a frequent hindrance to independent action on the part of the Pope; as a result, when the last Archdeacon Hildebrand was elected to the papacy as Gregory VII in 1073, he suppressed the Archdiaconate and the cardinal entrusted with the supervision of the Apostolic Camera (Camera Apostolica), i.e., the temporalities of the Holy See, became known as the Camerarius, or Chamberlain.

Chief among the present responsibilities of the Camerlengo is the formal determination of the death of the reigning Pope; the traditional procedure for this was to strike gently the Pope's head three times with a silver hammer and to call his baptismal name ("Albine, dormisne?", i.e. "White One, do you sleep?"). After the Pope is declared dead, the Camerlengo removes the Ring of the Fisherman from his finger and cuts it with shears in the presence of the Cardinals, and also destroys the face of the Pope's official seal. These acts symbolize the end of the late Pope's authority. The Camerlengo then notifies the appropriate officers of the Roman Curia and the Dean of the College of Cardinals. He is then involved with the preparations concerning the conclave and the Pope's funeral.

Until a successor Pope can be elected, the Camerlengo serves as acting head of State of the Vatican City. He is not, however, currently responsible for the government of the Roman Catholic Church during a sede vacante. Universi Dominici Gregis placed that task in the hands of the College of Cardinals — although this power of government is extremely limited, being merely enough to allow Church institutions to continue to operate and perform some basic functions without making any definitive decisions or appointments that are normally reserved to other powers delegated by the Pope. The Camerlengo, though, does keep his office during the sede vacante, as opposed to the rest of the Roman Curia. The only other person who keeps his office is the Major Penitentiary.

Three Camerlengos have been elected Pope: Cosimo Gentile Migliorati (Pope Innocent VII) in 1404, Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939. Two others, Cencio, who was elected as Pope Honorius III in 1216, and Rinaldo Conti di Segni, elected as Pope Alexander IV in 1254, did not occupy that post at the time of their elections to the papacy (Cencio was camerlengo from 1188 until 1198, while Rinaldo from 1227 until 1231).

The current Camerlengo is His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B., appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year

2009-07-26T09:00:00.000+01:00

We have the familiar story in our gospel today of Jesus feeding the five thousand with nothing more than five loaves and two fish. The Evangelist John tells us how the disciples doubted that their Master could do anything to meet the physical needs of such a large number of people. The implication was that the disciples’ faith in Jesus was still imperfect; as yet they did not and could not fully grasp his true identity as the Son of God. The same could be said for the crowd. Once they had had their fill of food they wanted to make Jesus their earthly king because they recognised him as someone special, having unique powers. However, this was not the kind of leader and Messiah which Christ came to be, and he hurriedly went back to the hills alone.
Like the prophet Elisha in our first reading, the Lord Jesus cared about people and even worked a miracle to satisfy their material needs. We are told on several occasions in the gospels that he felt sorry for the crowds, for they seemed to be wandering aimlessly with no one to care for them or give them a sense of direction. As chapter 6 of John’s gospel unfolds over the next few Sundays, we will discover that Jesus had a greater purpose than just to satisfy the needs of the moment. He has come to bring another kind of food, more enduring and more satisfying than
ordinary bread. His message and preaching would bring comfort and hope to the often bruised and troubled human spirit, because it would be a message from God himself.
The disciples would eventually come to discover that the true bread of life would be Jesus himself, and from the earliest days of the first Christian community the Eucharistic table would be at the centre of their life and worship. The celebration of Mass which has come down to us from the apostles remains at the heart of our Catholic faith, and will always be so until the Lord Jesus returns in glory. Implied in our second reading from the letter to the Ephesians is that oneness and unity of purpose which God wills for his Church, and which come from our sharing in the one bread and one body of Christ. Because there is just a single bread, Paul remarks elsewhere, then we who are many are one in Christ.
The Church has always recognised in the feeding of the five thousand a sign and anticipation of a greater miracle, that of the Holy Eucharist. In this Year of the Priest let us pray that we will always have good and holy priests to feed God’s people at the table of the Eucharist.

+ Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue's new address

2009-07-25T09:00:00.004+01:00

As previously reported Bishop O'Donoghue has been appointed assistant priest in Bantry Ireland. Below is his new address and telephone number:

Parochial House, Bantry, Co Cork, Ireland.

Tel: 00 353 27 56398

The Holies

2009-07-24T09:00:00.003+01:00

A few weeks back St Wulstans hosted the Holies concert which is made up of Canon Alf Hayes, Rev Bill Seville (Methodist), Rev David Cooper (C of E) and Anthony Ryan.The evening was a great success with 200 people in attendance and the collection at the end raised £550 for parish funds.

If you would like to view the Photos from the evening please click here

Ring of the Fisherman

2009-07-23T09:00:00.001+01:00

The Ring of the Fisherman, also known as the Piscatory Ring, Annulus Piscatoris (in Latin) and the Anello Piscatorio (in Italian), is an official part of the regalia worn by the Pope, who is described by the Catholic Church (of which he is the head) as the successor of Saint Peter, who was a fisherman by trade. It features a bas-relief of Peter fishing from a boat, a symbolism derived from the tradition that the apostles were "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). The Fisherman's Ring is a signet used until 1842 to seal official documents signed by the Pope.

A new ring is cast in gold for each Pope. Around the relief image is the reigning Pope's Latin name in raised lettering. During the ceremony of a Papal Coronation or Papal Inauguration, the Dean of the College of Cardinals slips the ring on the third finger of the new Pope's right hand. Upon a papal death, the ring is ceremonially crushed in the presence of other cardinals by the Camerlengo, in order to prevent the sealing of backdated, forged documents during the interregnum, or sede vacante.

A letter written by Pope Clement IV to his nephew Peter Grossi in 1265 includes the earliest known mention of the Ring of the Fisherman, used for sealing all private correspondence by pressing the ring into red sealing wax melted onto a folded piece of paper or envelope. Public documents, by contrast, were sealed by stamping a different papal seal onto lead which was attached to the document. Such documents were historically called papal bulls, named after the stamped bulla of lead. Use of the Fisherman's Ring changed during the 15th century when it was used to seal official documents called papal briefs. That practice ended in 1842, when the wax with its guard of silk and the impression of the ring was replaced by a stamp which affixed the same device in red ink.

Through the centuries, the Fisherman's Ring did not become known for its practical use but by its feudal symbolism. Borrowing from the traditions developed by medieval monarchs, followers showed respect to the reigning Pope by kneeling at his feet and kissing the Fisherman's Ring. The tradition continues to this day.

Pope Benedict XVI is set to make an historic visit to the UK

2009-07-22T09:00:00.001+01:00

The German pontiff will make the first Papal visit to this country in nearly three decades.

It is understood that the historic event is being timed to coincide with the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who is on the path to becoming the first British saint for 40 years.

Details of the visit, which will attract crowds of hundreds of thousands of people, are still under discussion, but cities being considered include London, Birmingham, Oxford, Edinburgh, Armagh and Dublin.

A senior cardinal is due to make a private trip to Britain in the summer to make preparations for the Pope's visit, which could be announced by the end of this year.

The Catholic Church in England and Wales will hope that such an event will capture the imagination of the country's four million Catholics, of whom only a quarter now regularly attend Mass.At the same time, the Government has embarked on a major diplomatic mission in an attempt to change the long-standing law banning Catholics from succeeding to the throne.

Relations between the Catholic Church and the Government have been strained following clashes over the introduction of laws enforcing homosexual equality and the Embryo Bill, which paved the way for the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos.

However, secret talks began between the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Vatican shortly after Pope Benedict's election in 2005, long before Gordon Brown's private audience last month.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, wrote to the Pope in 2006, suggesting that he should come to Britain in 2007 to mark the 25th anniversary of the visit by the late Pope John Paul II.He proposed that a tour should include a lecture at Oxford University as well as an address to the Houses of Parliament.

The Cardinal was in Rome last week, where he met with Cardinal Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state, and it is likely they discussed plans for a Papal visit.It has yet to be decided whether the Pope would travel to Britain solely for a service of beatification for Cardinal Newman or whether it would be turned into a tour of the British Isles.

A senior source in Rome revealed that bishops in England are divided over whether the service would be conducted in Birmingham, where his remains are venerated, or in London at Westminster Cathedral or Wembley stadium.The Pope has privately expressed an interest in travelling to Oxford, having previously only visited Cambridge, and would also be likely to visit Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(Telegraph)

Pope recovering from wrist fracture

2009-07-20T09:00:00.004+01:00

Recovering well from his wrist fracture, Pope Benedict devoted the first part of his Sunday Angelus address to thanking the doctors who treated him “with such diligence, with such competence and friendship,” as well as the faithful who “reinforced the network of prayer that unites us in every part of the world.”

Pope Benedict’s address took place in Romano Canavese, the northwestern Italian town of 3,000 where Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was born. The address followed a Mass concelebrated by Cardinal Bertone and Bishop Arrigo Miglio of Ivrea.

Paying tribute to the town’s history, the Pontiff urged the faithful not to cave in to discouragement in the face of economic difficulties. “The fundamental values of the family and respect for human life, sensibility for social justice, the capacity to endure toil and sacrifice, the strong link to Christian faith through parish life and especially through participation at Holy Mass, have been your strength over the centuries,” he said. “These same values will permit today’s generations to build their future with hope, giving life to a true solidarity and a fraternal society, in which all the various spheres, institutions and economy are permeated by an evangelical spirit.”

(CWN)

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year

2009-07-19T09:00:00.003+01:00

Our gospel story today implies how excited the apostles were as they recounted to Jesus all that they had accomplished on the missionary journey on which he had sent them. The Lord’s reaction was to take them apart for a period of rest and reflection. In so doing, he was instructing them in the need to combine their busy active life with space for relaxation and prayer. As human beings we are composed of body and spirit and both of these dimensions of our make-up must be catered for. Otherwise our lives become one-sided. The frenetic pace of the modern world, with its emphasis on material possessions and bodily satisfaction, can blind us to our spiritual needs, the needs of the heart where in silence and stillness we encounter the presence of the indwelling God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The long Christian tradition of the interior life has its roots in Jesus calling his disciples apart from the busy daily round.
Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord God laments the lack of good government among his people, a government which in this passage are called shepherds. Instead of placing the interests of God’s people above their own, these so called rulers were responsible for them being scattered and sent into exile. Almighty God demands ethical behaviour of the highest
standard in those who have been entrusted with responsibility for the common good and welfare of others. That demand on those who govern is as valid today as ever it was. The prophet goes on to speak of the day when God himself will send a truly just and impartial leader to this people, whom we now know and believe to be his only Son, Jesus Christ.
That righteous ruler, St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians, would bring peace, justice and unity to the divided nations of the world through the sacrifice of himself on the cross. By offering himself in obedience to the Father, the Lord Jesus broke down the seemingly insurmountable barriers that separated the Jewish people from the gentile world. Through his blood he has made atonement for the sins of the whole world and conferred on us all the dignity of adopted sons and daughters of God his Father. Each one of us believers really does need to take up the invitation of Jesus Christ, come apart, and ponder the wonder of it all.

+Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Farewell to some Cardinal Allen staff

2009-07-18T09:00:00.000+01:00

This summer Cardinal Allen say goodbye to four long-serving colleagues who retire this year.
Val Neill began work at cardinal Allen in September 2000 (D.T)
Anne Moran started work at Cardinal Allen in 1990 (M.F.L)
Sheila Hornshaw started work at Cardinal Allen in 1989 (English)
Jeff Emmett was appointed as Head of English in 1992 (English)

Cardinal Allen also say goodbye to 3 other Members of staff.
Kathryn Wilson was appointed to Cardinal Allen in September 2006 (R.E)
Saranne Hornbuckle joined the Cardinal Allen staff in September 2006 (Science)
Chris Chambers joined the Cardinal Allen staff in September 2007 (Cover Supervisor)

An update on Pope Benedict XVI

2009-07-17T17:00:00.001+01:00

Pope Benedict was released from hospital this afternoon, with his ring on his left hand, because his right wrist is in a cast (see image).For more details please see previous post.

Pope breaks wrist after falling

2009-07-17T13:15:00.001+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI has fractured his right wrist after falling while on holiday in northern Italy, the Vatican and hospital officials say.

The 82-year-old Pope went to hospital in the alpine town of Aosta after the accident early on Friday.He underwent an operation to reduce the fracture and a top regional official said the procedure went well.The Vatican said Pope Benedict fell during the night in his chalet and that the injury was not serious.In a statement, it said the pontiff celebrated Mass and ate breakfast before going to hospital.

The operation, performed under local anaesthetic, went well, the president of the Val d'Aosta region said in televised remarks quoted by AFP news agency.He has been staying at a house in the village of Les Combes in the Valle d'Aosta region. It was a favourite vacation spot of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

(BBC)

St Margaret Clitherow,Catholic Church, Blackpool has been closed with immediate effect

2009-07-15T09:00:00.001+01:00

Some of you might of already heard the news, St Margaret Clitherow, Catholic Church, Blackpool has been closed with immediate effect at the decision of Rt Rev Michael Campbell OSA. Below you can read the letter to the people of St Margaret Clitherow from Bishop Campbell.

My dear people of St. Margaret Clitherow’s,
As you must know, the church dedicated to Saint Margaret Clitherow on Lytham Road has been closed since Easter of this year. The reasons for this closure will also be well known to you; for example, a leaking roof and general deterioration of the church fabric. There were a number of options open to the Diocese where Saint Margaret Clitherow’s church was concerned. Short-term repairs could have been carried out at limited cost, or major work undertaken running to many thousands of pounds. Neither of these choices was felt to be pastorally justified or appropriate.
Therefore, in the light of the recent Fit for Mission? deliberations, the proximity of other Catholic churches, and a feeling that Mass-going Catholics are generally well served in the area, as Bishop of the diocese I have taken the decision to close Saint Margaret Clitherow church for worship with immediate effect. The closure of a church is never an easy decision, but in this instance I do believe that this is the right choice.
I thank you for your understanding, and ask that we pray for one another to remain strong in our Catholic faith, above all in our love for the Mass and the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

With my blessing,

Yours sincerely in Christ,

+Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Becoming a Catholic

2009-07-14T09:00:00.001+01:00

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Catholic please contact Fr Alf on 01253 873609 or fr.alf@sswulstanandedmund-fleetwood.org.uk. Our Diocesan website has more on the Catholic Faith and becoming a catholic here.

Pope Benedict begins Alpine vacation

2009-07-13T09:00:00.000+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI left Rome on Monday, July 13, to begin a 2-week vacation in the Italian Alps. The Pontiff flew from Rome to Turin, continuing by helicopter to Les Combes, where he will stay in the same chalet that he chose for his vacation in 2005 and 2006. The chalet is located in the mountains about 12 miles from Aosta, with views of Mont Blanc. Local police have deployed a team of 200 men to guard the Pope's privacy and security. Pope Benedict told reporters that he planned to "rest and also work-- but above all rest."

15th Sunday of the Year

2009-07-12T09:00:00.001+01:00

When the Lord Jesus sends out his apostles to preach the gospel and heal the sick he emphasises that they must not be preoccupied by the thought of material possessions or what they are to take for the journey. Their mission was to be a spiritual one, and in order to carry it out Christ gave them a share in his own divine power over unclean spirits and sickness. Material equipment would prove to be a hindrance rather than a help in their work of proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was very near. Christ in this gospel passage was training his disciples to look at things from another angle. They were to concentrate on the utter importance of the life-giving message of salvation which they were offering to the men and women of their time. What was inessential, such as extra clothing or the like, must not be allowed to divert the apostles from the true purpose of their calling.
In our first reading today, the prophet Amos defends himself from those who would prefer if he stopped proclaiming the word of God and moved elsewhere. Amos answered his critics by declaring that as a prophet he was only answering God’s gratuitous call. Almighty God had chosen him to be a prophet and he therefore had no choice but to obey his divine calling. The history of the prophets reminds us of how God is ever active for the well-being of his people, revealing his saving purposes through his messengers. The mission of the Twelve, as Mark records it today, is in reality a picture of the Church in every age. The sole reason for the Church’s existence is to proclaim to the world the closeness of the Kingdom of God, and she can only accomplish this, in her preaching and sacramental life, through the power of the Holy Spirit given to her by the risen Christ. The mission Christ left to the apostles and their successors, the bishops, is a spiritual one, and material goods, affluence and wealth must not be permitted to get in the way.
In the extended reading from the letter to the Ephesians we are told that by believing in Christ we possess wealth and riches of another kind, the sort that only God can give. By giving us Christ, Almighty God has lavished the good things of heaven upon us. Anything else on earth pales in comparison by what we have received from heaven. With Paul we can truly exclaim, Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…!”

+Michael Campbell OSA
Bishop of Lancaster

(from the Diocesan website)

Miracle of Cardinal Newman approved

2009-07-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

A short video about the cure of Jack Sullivan which has now been officially recognised as miraculous, paving the way for the beatification of John Henry Newman.