Mass – Fr Paul Harrison' Blog.

Anniversary of the Consecration of Our Lady& St Michael’s church.

On this day in 1921, the church of Our Lady& St Michael was solemnly consecrated in a splendid, elaborate and very long ceremony! My guess is that it would have lasted 3 to 4 hours. I believe in the rite before Vatican II, two pounds of incense was recommended for the service – marvellous. The feast is a solemnity and takes precedence over todays feast of the Triumph of the Cross.

In 1921, Fr Clement Standish purchased a number of consecration crosses, which are placed different parts of the church. They cost £3 in 1921, more than a weeks wages for many workers at the time. These candles are only it on the anniversary of the Consecration.

I chose this photo as it shows the lit candles, but also the choir stalls. These were commissioned for the consecration. They were made by Robert Thompson of Kilburn nr Ampleforth, later known as the mouse man. We know from the archives, that he had more than a hand in making them. The shields are of the medieval Benedictine Abbeys and Cathedrals in England.

Today’s feast also reminds us that the Church was built for worship, and this continues to carry on today and we hope for many years to come. We remember the countless men and women who came to this church for Mass, the sacraments or just to pray. We also remember all those who looked after the church especially those who kept it clean. May they all rest in peace and receive the reward of their labours.

First full day in Lourdes

My first objective was to get a tooth brush!. This was soon achieved by virtue of a short walk into the main town of Lourdes. It was raining, in fact there was steady rain all day.

Despite the rain I walked down to the domain area in order to say a few prayers in the adoration chapel. Along the way I took a couple of photos of the grotto and main basilica. They looked splendid even in the rain.

In the afternoon we had our opening Mass in the Rosary basilica. Whilst vesting in the sacristy I did notice lots of bricks whi bore the names of those who had had miracles in the past. A silent and moving testimony of faith. The Mass itself was lovely with a good sermon from the Bishop and some excellent singing of hymns old and new.

P1490302 — The Rosary Basilica before Mass.

P1490306

The journey to Lourdes

It was an early start in Manchester, the flight was a 8am, so check in from 6am onwards. There was a long queue for this, but eventually I got my boarding card. Going through security was a test of my patience, the queue’s were massive, so much so that I and other had to be moved foreward or we were in danger of missing the flight. What I could’t understand there were 3 security points unmanned. This is the busiest time of the year, you would have thought that someone would have known this…. Once through security I needed to buy a tooth brush as I had forgotten to pack one. I had a senior moment and bought toothpaste instead! The flight was uneventful apart from some turbulence as we approached Tarbes airport.

Once in my hotel, there was chance for a rest. We had a simple Mass in the chapel of Saints Cosmos and Damien. By that time we had a thunderstorm and torrential rain.

P1490280 — A very wet start to the pilgrimage.

The chapel was simple, a bit too simple for my taste. It could also have done with a bit of TLC as well. Having said all that Mass was said and was a pleasing end to the day.

P1490284

A busy morning for a change

immaculate-conception3b — The Immaculate Conception.

This morning I celebrated the 10am Mass which of course was the great feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Lady. The Mass was well attended. After Mass we have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30 until 11.30am. At 11am we usually have confessions. This morning I went in a 10 minutes earlier. It was just as well, as I was kept busy until 11.30. I gave Benediction, I then tidied up and went back to the house for a coffee….

However, upon my return there was a sick call to our local hospital, which is actually just one ward!. I went along and gave a lady the Sacrament of the sick and the Last Rites. It was good to see a large number of her family there, who did join in the prayers. In the evening I said Mass at Silloth for the last time, more of which in another post.

Oh and Preston North End, my football team won. All in all a good day.

A long Sunday

Today, for a change I had a busy day. My schedule was as follows.

I began with Mass at 9.30am at St Gregory’s Church, when it was finished I had a 15 minute journey to Maryport for Mass at 11am. After that returned to Workington, this time to Our Lady& St Michael’s for a Baptism at 12.30pm. Thankfully, there were only a small number at it, so I was able to have a coffee and sandwich before my next event at 2pm. This was the parents meeting for Confirmation. This lasted less than the hour we allowed for it. So i was able to “rest my eyes” before Mass at 6pm at Our Lady& St Michaels. This was followed by the reception of Miss Hill’s coffin prior to her Requiem Mass tomorrow.

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Crucifixition02 — Crucifixion window in Our Lady& St Michael’s

This stain glass window is in a side chapel on the north side of the Church. It was was commissioned by Abbot Cuthbert Clifton OSB who was here as parish priest from the 1850’s until his death in 1891. This is a traditional scene, with Our Lady on the left and St John on the right. In fact the inspiration for this is the 19th chapter of St John’s gospel, part of which was read at today’s Mass of the Sacred Heart. A centurion pierces the side of Jesus with a lance and we are told blood and water flowed. This has led to a rich theology. On this feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we are reminded that life and grace flow as from a fountain or springs, but it is inexhaustable, neither stopping nor drying up.

1st Letter of St Peter

This week is week 8 of Ordinary Time. For the next few the first reading at weekday Masses is taken from the 1st letter of St Peter. In fact we will read most of it over the coming days.

The letter is written to Christians in northern Asia Minor – now Turkey. Most scripture scholars agree that it was probably written to newly baptised Christians. There references to the sacrament, but also to how they should live their lives. There are also passages that talk about Christians being subject to difficulties and even hostility. These problems are not specified, so don’t appear to be officially endorsed persecution. It would seem that it is the day to day difficulties of being a Christian in a hostile environment. The letter was probably written about 60-65AD, yet is a way it message is still relevant. How do we as Catholics react to hostility and difficulty – what should we say and do? We we could no better than to listen and read the first letter of St Peter.