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

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

Sr Maureen Mass of Thanksgiving

Service sheet for Mass of Thanksgiving

At her golden jubilee Canon Stephen Shield spoke of Sr Maureen's lifelong dedication,and how she had lived out her life to the full, down to the last second.  At that time 50 years  or should that be 1,577,836,800 seconds?  On Sunday I recalled at the St Thomas More's Sunday mass, how Sr Maureen had been able to serve and live out her ministry till the day she died which I calculate as 2,406,153,600 seconds.  

 Be consoled; do not doubt; we want to see you in our midst in heaven,
 for the Lover of us all wants this too.
And who is there who could resist him,
whose LIGHT and JOYFUL SPLENDOUR
will surround you at the moment of death. St Angela Merici

Details of Sr Maureen's funeral are given on the Lancaster Cathedral blog, however, I take this opportunity for a word of thanks to all who have helped with arrangements for the Masses of thanksgiving at St Thomas More's and the Cathedral and for the many expressions of condolence and memories shared by so many people. 

Invocation in the North

Invocation 2013

A wonderful and inspiring weekend at Invocation in the North, 2013. This is a discernment festival and weekend for young people aged 16 to 35 years which has taken place this weekend at Ampleforth Abbey. 

Here I am with a number of people from the Lancaster Diocese who have been attending, and like me, sharing their faith and meeting others as we talk about how the Lord calls us to follow him.

For more information about Invocation in the North see their facebook page 

News religious life in Lancaster

As part of Lancaster Cathedral's vocation updates, they featured Ursuline activity including our blog, facebook page and Twitter.  As one of the religious orders who have played an active role in the parish of St Peter and St Thomas More we've had a presence for nearly 20 years.  

With the help of God you will do much good for others
 St Angela Merici

For previous posts about some of the things the Ursulines have been doing in Lancaster:

Drop in Day for Prayer - the Creed 2nd Monday of the Month - all welcome

Sr Maureen's Golden Jubilee

Sr Zela's Golden Jubilee

Wednesday Word of Witness: WWW

Sr Jayne a call to service 

A grand performance - during the 150th Anniversary promenade performance of Life of St Peter


To follow us on Twitter 

To read more about us on Cathedral blog 

Novena for Vocations

 

Today, the Feast of Pentecaost,

is the start of a nine week novena for

 Vocations in the Diocese of Lancaster 

 

 

 

Perhaps you would like to join in this important prayer. Each week I will post the intention for the week.The intention for this first week is:-

 

for the grace to live out our baptismal call

 

Novena Prayer



 

God our Father,

You created us and in baptism You called us to be Your people.

Grant courage to those You are calling to the priesthood, diaconate, religious and consecrated life.

Guid those who are discerning their vocation.

Bless the love of husband and wife

and help all parents to be open to Your will for their children.

Make us generous in responding to You

and help us to see that true happiness is found in Your will alone.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen 

 

A wonderful celebration

Following a wonderful Mass of thanksgiving the celebrations continued.  This great celebration made was made possible by so many people, family, friends, Ursulines, Members of the Company of St Angela, Angelinas, parishioners from St Thomas More, the Cathedral and members of St George's Congregation all came together for a celebration Mass.  

Cutting the cake 

Golden Jubilee

Today Sr Frances and I celebrate fifty years as Ursuline Sisters,Frances with our community in Westgate- on- Sea and I with the North West Cluster and the parish of St Thomas More in Lancaster. Please join with me in thanking God for his goodness to me over all these years and  pray for all who have supported me in my journey to this day of rejoicing. Thank you

zela@btinternet.com

Twitter

 

Readers, for your interest, we now have a twitter account which you can find at

www.twitter.com/ServiamVocation  Tweets welcome! 

Compass

Today, I am off to Worth Abbey in Sussex for a Compass taster weekend. The annual Compass programme  runs over several weekends during the year from September to May.It is designed to help individuals find their direction in life. Participants have the opportunity of praying, sharing and discussing on topics such as discernment, vocation, prayer, ministry, the vows and other relevant questions.  

Vocations

On the 31st of each month our prayer intention in preparation for our General Chapter is "Vocations".You might be interested in viewing the Vocations blog of the Ursulines in the USA