Feast of St Ursula: pilgrimages past and present.

Plaque of St Ursula
standing and trying to protect her companions

Today is the feast of St Ursula, whose name and patronage St Angela Merici chose for her Company.  St Ursula was a  medieval saint who together with her companions was slaughtered on her way back from a pilgrimage to Rome.  For more about her life visit the Ursuline website.  Each month on the Ursuline website there is a reflection, this month the reflection is on St Ursula 

In 1524, St Angela  went on a long pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  It was not usual for women to travel alone, but Angela was prepared to risk all the dangers to visit and pray at the holy places where Jesus had lived and died. Her pilgrimage as you can read on the life of St Angela included some unexpected challenges, including a period of blindness.  However, on her return, Angela was soon to go on pilgrimage to Rome, here she was able to 'pray for God's help and encouragement to take the next step which she knew, in her heart of hearts, she was being asked to take. For more on Angela's life.

Taking time out of our everyday lives gives each of us an opportunity to review our lives. Going on pilgrimage or making a retreat are ways to help us on our journey.  I am fortunate to have that opportunity. There will be a short break during this time when I ask for your prayers.  I will return with news of my pilgrimage on the Feast of St Angela, January 27th 2014.  Until then I leave you with words of encouragement from St Angela Merici.

Chapter 2013 Message

The General Chapter has now finished with a closing message for all to reflect on, and with God's help seek to live out in the years ahead.  The website with photos from throughout the Chapter and further news of what has happened over the past month may be found at the following link.

Chapter 2013 Message

"I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries... A new heart I will give you and a new spirit I will put within you" Ezekiel 36: 24, 26

As communities of faith in mission

We respond to God's gift of a new heart and a new spirit.

With the courage of Angela,

We dare to be the change we wish to see in our world.

In solidarity and compassion,

And compelled by the Gospel,

We open our hearts to the cries of our earth and its people.

Quote from St Angela

Audience with Pope Frances

Pope Francis speaking to the crowds attending
Papal audience Wednesday 9th October

General Audience of Pope Francis held outside at the Piazza San Pietro. We all arrived early – some as early as two hours. We had a reserved section near the main podium. Though we had sun and rain mixed throughout the audience this did not dampen our spirits. Pope Francis spoke about the words in the Nicene Creed:

“…I believe in…catholic…Church”.

At St Thomas More's on the second Monday of the month parishioners from the Cathedral and St Thomas More's have been exploring the Apostles Creed as part of the Year of Faith. Those in the area are welcome to join us on Monday 14th October and Monday 11th November at 7.30pm.

Members of the Chapter at the Papal Audience

To see more photographs from the Papal audience.  

New General Councillors

On Wednesday 9th October the new members of the General Council were anounced. Sr Ann-Marie Gardiner who is the Provincial for the English Province has been elected as a General Councillor, see below far right.  We send our prayers to her and all the new Councillors that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit and charism of our patron St Angela Merici.

Sisters Marie Thérèse Le Goc, Verena Moekti Gondosasmito,
Neusimar Marques da Silva, Maria Jaworska, Mother Cecilia Wang,
and Sister Ann-Marie Gardiner 

On Friday, during the prayer service the outgoing and incoming General Councillors were each given a small wooden bowl with the following inspiring words: 

life, communion, courage, solidarity, charism, act,
boldly, risk, transformed, confidence,
go out and insieme. 

Each word held meaning for us as we worked together towards the call. Each councilor came up bringing her wooden bowl with the specific word and joined the others singing “Insieme”.  Insieme is an Italian word for together - unity.

General Councillors bringing up their bowl during celebration of Insieme

Handing on the Torch

News from the Chapter, Jesus passed on his message through the use of parables that many educators will recognise as a valuable teaching tool.  St Angela in her Last Legacy reminds us how Jesus Christ will enlighten us ... 

5. For in this way, without doubt, Jesus Christ will be in your midst, and as a true and good master, he will enlighten and teach you what you have to do. Last Legacy

and it is the Lord's message that those involved in education seek to pass on.  On 27th September Sr. Ellen Mary Mylod presented "Handing on the Torch" the report prepared by the International Committee on Ursuline Education. 

Report of the International Education Committee
Handing on the Torch

Displays from the Chapter

Each of the provinces have been asked to give a presentation and invited to bring items which represent their country and provide a visual representation of the context they are living and serving in union with Christ.

English Province 

Display of English Province

May they rest in peace ...

Sisters carrying scrolls with the names of deceased Ursuline sisters

During the mass on 18th September a scroll with the name of each sister who has died since the last Chapter was brought up and laid at the altar.  This mass was offered for all deceased Ursulines.  This moving ceremony gives us time to remember and thank God for lives of those who have lived out their vocation under the charism of St Angela.

Sr Maureen Coyne RIP

In the English province we remember Sr Maureen Coyne who died earlier this year.  To read more about her life and to hear her talking about her vocation see below.

WWW.Wednesday Woman of Witness: Sr Maureen Coyne including short video of her talking about her vocation

Little Acts of kindness 

Many hands make light work

A copy of her tribute Memories of Sr Maureen by Sister Anne Benyon

United in Prayer for the Chapter

The Generalate Chapel with the Prayer Schedule
listed  for each day within the image of the flames

Throughout the Chapter the Ursuline sisters throughout the world have been invited to join in prayer a time of integration with the Chapter in Rome, the display above of flames, a symbol of the Holy Spirit list the daily adoration and prayer in communities. 

Go out into the deep and with courage and hope
welcome the future

Chapter Logo

For further details you may wish to read updates on the Roman Union website. 

Chapter begins in Rome

The Chapter has now begun. 

Go out into the deep and with courage and hope welcome the future 

 Between now and the 10th of October Sisters Ann-Marie Gardner, Provincial, Kathleen Colmer Delegate, will be in Rome for the General Chapter.Sisters Jayne Horswill, Maureen Moloney, Damien O Mahony and Jayne will also be in Rome working on Chapter business.

Safe arrival in Rome for Sr Jayne Horswill from
St Thomas More who meets up with Sr  Ruth Durick

For further details you may wish to read updates on the Roman Union website. 

Live a new life - The Company of St Ursula

A member of the company at Castlerigg World Youth Day Festival

Poster of The Company of St Ursula

At the recent vocations event at the World Youth Day Festival at Castlerigg Yvonne supported me in sharing information about The Company of St Ursula which was founded by St Angela Merici in Brescia, North Italy on 25th November 1535.  This is  a way of life for women who wish to consecrate themselves totally to God by living the Evangelical Councils of perpetual celibacy, poverty and obedience in the world.  The Company at Lancaster was the first established in England.  If you'd like to find out more see Company of St Ursula page or contact me for more information.

Is God calling you to give your life to Jesus through consecrated poverty, chastity and obedience lived in the world?

Angelinas - I AM LOVE – I AM GOD – I AM YOUR STORY

Next Wednesday evening there will be a meeting of the Angelinas.  My thanks to one of the Angelinas for their reflection on one of our earlier meetings.  If you'd like to find out more please get in touch.

We are a group of mothers of young children who come together for mutual support and to find inspiration in the writings of St Angela Merici.  We are blessed to have the Ursuline sisters to guide us in the spirit of St Angela as we strive to live out our vocations as wives and mothers. The meeting begins  with time to chat and share our experiences, joys and challenges over a delicious meal prepared by some of the Angelinas.  We then have a reflection led by one of the Ursulines inspired by St Angela Merici, see below reflection from an earlier meeting.  

We thank God for the life and inspiration of St Angela and for the work and friendship of the Ursuline sisters in our Parish.  St Angela Merici – pray for us.

I AM LOVE – I AM GOD – I AM YOUR STORY

My story is a song … sung countless times before; yet different in its rendering,

Discovering anew … an ageless vibrancy, because in time and space,

There exists an ONLY MOMENT and an ONLY ME.

                        Unique in my centre,

                        And opening afresh

                                                each day

                                                to a LOVE SONG.

My story is a story of my depths …

                        Blended with the Divine,

                        Hearts meet heart,

                        And I hear the words

                                                of a God.

Like music on a harp string, I play a song of love.

Each day upon your heart, my notes are stroked

                                                with tenderness …

                        Some softly with the awe of peace,

                        Some sombre with the ache of suffering,

                        Some joyful with the ring of hope,

And all played gently with my hand.

                                                I AM LOVE – I AM GOD.

Be my joy and open yourself completely.

Let my music flow in full resonance for

                        In truth, a note rings free,

                        In truth, a note rings clearly.

Let me play upon your heart …

                                                A melody of being,

                                                A melody of truth.

                                                I AM LOVE – I AM GOD.

Do not be afraid … I am a gentle conductor.

                        I tune your heart, and I alone

                        Can bring its richness

                                                into full melody.

Do not be afraid … as I play my melody …

                        For it is a SONG OF LOVE …

                                                Played upon your being,

                                                Played upon your story,

                                                Played upon your heart.

                                                I AM LOVE

                                                  I AM GOD

                                                      I AM YOUR STORY

Reflection by Sr Zela on the following poem:

Chapter Logo - The Sun

On this sunny Bank Holiday Monday a word or two about the sun in the Chapter Logo

• The colour yellow evokes Christ, “our Rising Sun”: his Light shines out guiding the life of the Church. 
• The circle connects with the shape of the boat, showing how the boat which represents the Church and Christ are in Communion and united as One 
• The red ring around the sun represents an 'ardent love of Christ that the Church receives' from Christ, it is symbolic of the ardent Love of the Passion, of the Eucharist and life given for the new covenant between Christ and his people.

The calendar for the chapter is now available on the website of the Ursulines of the Roman Union, please remember those sisters who are preparing to come to the Chapter.  

Catlerigg - World Youth Day Festival

 

Table and display at Vocations Session



Here I am at the World Youth Day Festival at Castlerigg where there was an opportunity for young people to come and find out more about different ways in which they might respond to God's calling.  To find out more about the Castlerigg World Youth Festival visit their Facebook Page.

To find out more about what happens throughout the year at Castlerigg Manor, the Lancaster Diocesan Youth Service Retreat Centre visit their website. 

World Youth Day Festival

Like many I didn't get to Rio, but this week I am pleased to be joining young people from the Diocese of Lancaster and Salford as Castlerigg Manor (Diocesan Youth Centre), where they are having a World Youth Festival.  This will give me an opportunity to meet young people who are discerning what God is asking of them.  I am looking forward to joining others who I met at the recent Invocation in the North and talking about vocations.

Image for World Youth Festival at Castlerigg Manor

Lancaster Martyrs

This week I am back in Lancaster where Lancaster Cathedral have had an exhibition entitled 'My Faith is My Crime' it provides details of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales, the Lancaster, Lancashire and Cumbrian Martyrs.  Although the last of the Lancaster Martyrs died in 1646, the exhibition reminds us that people continue to die for their faith today.  

World Map with Martyrs

To find out more about the Lancaster Martyrs a video made by one of the parishioners of Lancaster Cathedral.

Ursulines Worldwide

We Roman Union Ursulines are international and worldwide, serving in 35 countries. This gives us connections with real people whom we know all over this world. Our Ursuline Constitutions express the deep meaning: “In our diversity, we are called to reflect the unity and catholicity of the Church and to be witnesses of love in a divided world.”  Journeys Vocations Newsletter, July 2013

Map of locations for Ursuline Communities throughout the world

Discernment Weekend

If you would like to come and learn more about whether the Lord is calling you to join us please get in touch. Our next discernment weekend is in Lancaster 6th to 8th September 2013.  A poster and further details are available right. 

Journeys 
is the name of a monthly vocations newsletter prepared by sisters in the United States it includes reflection questions, scripture to pray with and additional resources.

August Prayer of the heart

The prayer of the heart for August is:

O God, You are the Centre of my life

What does this mean to you?

How does having God at the centre of your life make a difference to you, your family, friends and the people who you meet each day?  

Chapter Logo: What is in your net ...

The boat represents the Church tossed around in the challenges of the modern world, but supported here by the waves of baptismal life. Peter a fisherman was chosen to be a rock on which Jesus would build his Church, yet here we have the image of a Church moving through the waters with its nets not to for catching fish but for catching people.  Like Peter we are called ... the question is who are we called to be and how might we respond to the Lord's calling.  What might we find in our net ... 

Discernment weekend in September 2013 to help you consider what the Lord is calling you for - see poster right, or contact me for further information.  

Stephen Talbutt
A fisher of fish or men?

Lancaster Vocations Team

Stephen Talbutt who joined me and others from the Lancaster Vocations team at Invocation 2013, a weekend of discernment for young people shares his journey of discernment which is leading him to Oscott Seminary to explore his vocation to the priesthood. To read Stephen's story Lancaster Cathedral Parish blog.  

Chapter Logo: Three blue waves

General Chapter Logo

Three blue waves remind us of the Baptism of Jesus and our own Baptism which was in the name of the three persons of God - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  In Baptism we are plunged into life in the Trinity.  The waves go outside the image background, and have been described as showing how with Jesus' rising from the dead and conquering death, our life in God gives us hope to overcome the obstacles we may face.  The waves with their peaks and troughs remind us of the highs and lows of life, we are encouraged to risk the unknown in order to go out into deep water to meet others.

Discernment Weekend

For women aged 20 to 40.  If you (or a woman you know) is searching how to live out your vocation and calling then I invite you to get in touch to find out more about our next Discernment Weekend which will take place in Lancaster 6th to the 8th September

Prayer for vocations  

Father you called me

in my Baptism 

to be your child and follower, 

united to you Son Jesus.  

Give me now 

the light of the Spirit 

to show me 

the way you want me 

to live out my Baptism 

in the service of your people.  

Through Christ our Lord.  

Amen

July Prayer of the Heart

With only a two months before our General Chapter begins in September, this month's Prayer of the Heart is:

God will help us in all things.

Chapter 2013 logo
Below is the logo for the General Chapter, it shares many of the symbols that feature in the year of faith logo.  Before sharing what these symbols represent I invite you to reflect on the image for yourself. 

Chapter 2013 Logo