Friday 25 December 2015

Merry Christmas everyone!

 Vestments for Christmas Day.

Christmas Blessings to everyone on this lovely day.
To all who continue to read this little blog - thank you.
To friends far and near
and to all my parishioners here at St Catherine's,
thank you for your kindness and generosity at this time 
and throughout the year.
In fact, we have had a wonderful year here in the parish. 
Archbishop Malcolm has visited us twice 
and I find myself greatly encouraged by his pastoral concern 
for both priests and people.
May God bless us one and all!

Angels proclaiming 
"Gloria in excelsis""

 The altar ready for action.

Our little Crib - complete with elephant and camel!


Thursday 24 December 2015

See the Lamb so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heav’n


 Last outing of the purple vestments for a while!


See the Lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav’n;
Hasten now, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next he comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear,
May he then as out defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Vox clara ecce intonat, 6th Century; Translator: E. Caswall, 1814-1878

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Christmas Mass times at St Catherine's

 

 Christmas Mass times at St Catherine's

Christmas Eve
11pm - Holy Mass 
concluding with the blessing of the Crib 
at Midnight

Christmas Day
8.30am - said Mass
10am - Missa Cantata

 

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Carol Concert generosity


A snap of the Carol Concert held at St Catherine's.
A lovely evening, which raised £4,310, 
which will be sent to Cardinal Ranjith 
for the work of SUROL in Sri Lanka.
Thanks to all who arranged, assisted and supported the concert.
some further photos on the Order of St Lazarus site.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Charity Carol Concert this Saturday



Carol Concert
on Saturday 19th December
7.30pm
Church of St Catherine Labouré
Stanifield Lane
Farington
Leyland
PR25 4QG

Mulled Wine and Mince Pies afterwards.

Free entry
A collection will be taken for the work of 
SUROL - Cardinal Ranjith's Charity for
those suffering from leprosy in Sri Lanka
Everyone Welcome!

This is now our fourth year of this highly popular event,
raising thousands of pounds for the charities supported by 
the Order of St Lazarus,
organised by Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ
 with assistance from professional and semi-professional singers from all over Lancashire.
This is always a lovely evening,
so come along if you can.

Sunday 13 December 2015

Gaudete Sunday

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob.

All set for Gaudete Sunday! As always, making full use of all the Church's liturgical options!

Of course, as a Traditionalist, I abhorred the abandonment of black for the rest of Advent and the ninth century innovation of reducing it from forty days to just one month but I suppose one must change with the times.


Tuesday 8 December 2015

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Pope Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.

 Blessed Duns Scotus defending the Dogma in 1305

We are celebrating Low Mass today at 12 noon 
on this lovely feast of the 
Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Lady.
Its particularly relevant to our parish dedication to St Catherine Labouré
and the Miraculous Medal, 
which will be part of our focus for the Jubilee Year of Mercy,
as it has so often been associated with bringing people back to the Faith.