Wednesday 8 April 2015

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS


Sunday 12th April is the Feast of the Divine Mercy
 
At Saint Marie's Church
 
6:00pm
 
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
 
Confession available
 
Recitation of the Chaplet of Mercy
 
Blessing of the Image of Divine Mercy
 
Veneration of the Relic of St John Paul II


ALL WELCOME

Monday 6 April 2015

FUTURE PRIESTS?

Many, Many thanks to all our wonderful altar servers from both churches who came to serve the Easter Ceremonies.  Some of them are pictured in this post as unfortunately not all of them could be present for the Vigil Mass.
 
I hope that there is at least one future priest among them.  Keep them all in your prayers.
 


 

EASTER GARDEN

This year at St Joseph's we erected an Easter Garden before the altar.  I am sure that you will agree with me that it looks quite fine.  No one has made comments to me so I presume silence means approval.
 

 

HOLY SATURDAY

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated today until the Great Easter Vigil.

After Confessions in the Morning the Church was filled to almost overflowing with members of the Polish Community who gathered for the Traditional Blessing of Easter Foods.  This year I tried to celebrate the liturgy in Polish.  I hope that the polish people understood what I was trying to say!!!   
 
The afternoon was given over to preparations for the Great Paschal Vigil and First Mass of Easter.  My thanks go to all who helped with the many preparations and for making the church look so beautiful for the Lord's Resurrection.  Particular thanks to the kind lady who spent time sewing a beautiful frontal for the altar.
 
Here are some moments from our celebration.
 
Blessing of Fire and Candle

The Light of Christ enters the church


The Empty Tomb




Blessing of the Font


Sprinkling with the Easter Water
 

GOOD FRIDAY

The focus of the Liturgy on Good Friday is the Passion and Death of Our Lord.  I prefer to let the liturgy speak for itself on this great day.

The Altar of Repose becomes the Tomb of the Lord

HOLY THURSDAY

The Great Easter Triduum begins on Holy Thursday.  In the morning the Mass of Sacred Chrism is celebrated at the Cathedral.  This is a great occasion for the whole diocesan family and especially this year as it was the first Chrism Mass to be celebrated with our new shepherd, Bishop John.
 
At this Mass the priests of the diocese together with the religious priests serving in the diocese renew their commitment to priestly service.  The Bishop thanked us for making his translation from Westminster to Salford so easy and for our warm welcome to him. 
 
The Bishop hoped that we were looking after ourselves physically by taking a regular day off and fostering good friendships especially with priests for no one understands a priest like a brother priest.  He also hoped that we were looking after each other and supporting each other so that together priests and Bishop will be at the service of the people of God.
 
In the evening we gathered for the celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.  This year the Triduum is celebrated at St Marie's Church.
 
At this Mass we commemorate the Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Priesthood.  At this Mass the priest washes the feet of twelve parishioners in imitation of the Lord who washed the feet of his first priests, the apostles.
 
At the end of Mass the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to the Altar of Repose for Silent Adoration and spending time with the Lord in prayer as he enters Gethsemane. 
 
Here are a few moments from our liturgy.
 
The Holy Oils blessed by the Bishop at the Cathedral this morning

Censing the Altar

The Canon of the Mass

Preparing for the Procession

Washing of Feet

Incensing the Blessed Sacrament before the Processioin

The waiting Altar of Repose

The Procession

The Procession

Sweet Sacrament Divine

The Stripping of the Altar

The Sanctuary laid bare