4 Saints - Saint Peter's Key's

St Peter's Keys
In recent months, readers of the Cathedral Parish blog have read about where parishioners have taken St Peter's keys.  At the end of this post we provide links to where parishioners have visited with the keys and taken photographs of other churches.  Finding out more about where St Peter's keys have been taken has provided a great opportunity to learn more about our faith, about other saints and other parish communities. 

The power of the keys

CCC 881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head." This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope

St Peter with keys and St Peter's Lancaster and Rome

Did you know?

• St Peter is the patron saint of the Cathedral 
• St Peter's life is illustrated in a series of 12 stained glass windows 
• St Peter's life provides the background to our confirmation programme St Peter's Way
• A replica of a statue of St Peter is located at the back of the Cathedral - for images of St Peter decorated for the 150th Anniversary click here
• There is a stained glass window of St Peter's Lancaster and St Peter's Basillica, Rome.

Year 6 Pilgrimages to St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster
In this year of faith, young people from all the primary schools in the Diocese are travelling on pilgrimage to visit St Peter's Cathedral, they have a chance to see the many images of the keys that decorate the cathedra, the statue of St Peter and his big toe! 

The Cathedral's statue of St Peter is modelled on the one in the Vatican.
Many people touch the foot of the statue as they enter or leave the Cathedral.
As they do so they say a short prayer, usually asking the help of our patron.

St Peter's Keys (Click highlighted word to find out more)
St Peter's Keys in Germany
St Peter visits Scotland and St Kessog 
St Peter visits St Bernard and Hyning Hall
St Peter visits Our Lady Star of the Sea 
St Peter visits a little piece of heaven the church of Cachito de Cielo in Madrid
St Peter visits St Pius X in Barrow 

Coming soon
St Peter visits Slovakia, the Holy Family in Derby and Christ the King in USA 

Litany of Saints: You are never too young ...
Perhaps not the most tuneful of this weeks litanies, but this 2 minute video shows how children can be involved in singing their own litany.  At children's liturgy last Sunday children asked us to join them in asking the saints after whom they have been named to pray for us. Maybe as a family you could include a litany of the saints after the saints you have been named after.

4 Saints - Communion of Saints

What does the catechism say about the communion of saints and what two prayers do we mention and remember the communion of saints?

CCC 948 The term "communion of saints" therefore has two closely linked meanings: communion in holy things (sancta)" and "among holy persons (sancti)."

Sancta sanctis! ("God's holy gifts for God's holy people") is proclaimed by the celebrant in most Eastern liturgies during the elevation of the holy Gifts before the distribution of communion. The faithful (sancti) are fed by Christ's holy body and blood (sancta) to grow in the communion of the Holy Spirit (koinonia) and to communicate it to the world.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints

We remember the communion of saints when we say the Apostles Creed.  We also recall the saints in Eucharistic Prayer 1

In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord,Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her Spouse, your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, (James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude: Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian) and allyour Saints: we ask that through their merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your protecting help. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.) ... To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, (Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia) and all your Saints: admit us, we beseech you, into their company, not weighing our merits, but granting us your pardon, through Christ our Lord.

Litany of Saints

4 Saints - Patron Saints

What is a Patron Saint?
Many of the saints become a patron or supporter for  places, churches, schools, hobbies, activities, people with a particular illness, job or profession, service, or members of areligious order. Many people pray to the saint who they are named after or the saint we choose when we get confirmed.  In this year of faith, why not find out who the patron saints are for your interests.

          

           St Christopher:

               Patron of Travellers

       

St Stephen
Patron of Altar Servers

   

St Angela Merici:
Patron of Ursulines

For a quiz on patron saints click here

Do you know who the patron saint of the Lancaster diocese is?

And an easy one for the year 6 pupils who have visited Lancaster Cathedral - who is the patron saint of the cathedral?

Litany of Saints

This is a shorter litany for about 2 minutes and shows different icons of saints.  The chorus (refrain) is ora po nobis which is Latin for pray for us.  If any family or school would like to make their own litany with icons or their drawings of saints we'd like to share it on this blog, please use the contact form to get in touch.

4 – Saints

This week our object of faith is the saints.  We will find out more about patron saints, communion of saints, what the catechism says about saints, and in each post include a different litany (list) of saints. 

  Madonna and Child Enthroned between Angels and Saints
Domenico GHIRLANDAIO, 1486

The word 'saint' means 'holy' and it is used in different ways. Catholics use the word to describe people who have led good lives, following Jesus' example and teaching, who have died and now live in heaven. Canonised saints are those people who are recognised throughout the world as saints and have gone through a process called canonisation which is led by the Church. Saints are important in our faith because they offer examples and role models for us to strive to follow. They show how others have overcome struggles in trying to follow Jesus and live like Jesus. A patron saint is a saint who we ask to pray for us. We may choose a saint whose life particularly inspires us and we may ask that saint to pray for us as we try to follow their example. The 'communion of saints' refers to the spiritual union of all members of the Church alive on earth with those who have gone before us who are now in heaven.

CCC 1195 By keeping the memorials of the saints - first of all the holy Mother of God, then the apostles, the martyrs, and other saints - on fixed days of the liturgical year, the Church on earth shows that she is united with the liturgy of heaven. She gives glory to Christ for having accomplished his salvation in his glorified members; their example encourages her on her way to the Father

Litany of Saints
A litany of saints used during the funeral of Blessed John Paul II. Later this week more about the stage of being recognised as a saint.

3 The Bible - Characters

CCC 58 The covenant with Noah remains in force during the times of the Gentiles, until the universal proclamation of the Gospel. The Bible venerates several great figures among the Gentiles: Abel the just, the king-priest Melchisedek - a figure of Christ - and the upright "Noah, Daniel, and Job". Scripture thus expresses the heights of sanctity that can be reached by those who live according to the covenant of Noah, waiting for Christ to "gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad

Sharing our story - who is your favourite character
The Bible is the story of God's people.  We have lots to learn about God and his love for his people by reading stories about the characters from the Bible.  We hear of the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon, the songs of David and about the generosity of Abraham our Father of Faith.  But there are so many others: why not share with your family who is your favourite character in the Bible? Many of us hear about the characters in the Bible as a child ... or have a children's Bible with images which we remember fondly.  There are also many characters captured in art.  

The video above shows many characters, some are easier to spot with others - by turning the volume down you can take it in turns to guess who the characters.  Remember that during this coming week which is Half Term the Cathedral Parish Blog will have videos, colouring and songs linked to the Bible - related activities.

3 Bible - Translations

The object of faith this week is the Bible.  There are lots of translations of the Bible.  On Sunday in England the translation in the Lectionary (the book with the readings for Mass) is the New Jerusalem Bible.  When the new Roman Missal was introduced (Advent 2011) the readings and translation in the Lectionary did not change.  However, the Liturgy Office says that:  

A new publication of the Lectionary is in preparation. The selection of readings will remain the same but the text will be drawn from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.  The date of publication is not yet known.

For an online version of the New Jerusalem Bible click here

The Bible has been translated into over 450 languages and some sections have been translated into over 2000 languages. The original versions of the Old testament were written in Hebrew and Aramaic and the New Testament was written in Greek. 

Remember that during this coming week which is Half Term the Cathedral Parish Blog will have videos, colouring and songs linked to the Bible - related activities.

3 - The Bible - Scripture

Finding things in the Bible

Ever wondered how to find books in the bible? 

This is something children particularly like to learn how to do and can get a real sense of achievement when they can find the readings.

Did you know?

All the books in the bible are made up of chapters

All the chapters are divided into verses

How to find a specific verse you need to:

1) Find the Book              John

2) Find the Chapter        14

3) Find the Verse             6     

I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)

Scripture Group for 18-35 year olds

STOP PRESS - Session tomorrow 2nd November 2012 (see events for other dates)

All sessions will take place on 1st Friday of the month 7.30 to 9.00pm 

St Thomas More Walk, off Willow Lane, Lancaster, LA1 5PT

What happens?

1. Following an opening prayer the chosen passage is then read to the group, and this is followed by a few minutes of silence to meditate on the passage. 
2. The passage is then read out again, each of the group who are willing take turns to slowly read out loud a few sentences or a paragraph. 
3. Individuals then mediate again and read the passage slowly and quietly to themselves 
4. After a few minutes everyone is invited to share a phrase, passage or word that may have stood out or struck them. 
5. This is then followed with a discussion where individuals can elaborate on any points that may have come up or ask questions as to the meaning of any particular phrase or word. 
6. There is then a closing prayer

Finally, a chance for tea and biscuits!

If you require any further information or would like a chat about the group Please contact either Sister Maureen Coyne   Tel: 01524 32616  Email Maureen.Coyne@btinternet.com

Stephen Talbutt Tel: 0777 198 7232  Email stevetalbutt@googlemail.com