CALL - RE - CALL
Sr Eileen Griffin HCJ

Perhaps not everyone knows that the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Candlemas on February 2nd. Is also the Day of Religious Life. In recent years the Religious of this Diocese have been invited to celebrate then- Consecrated life with the Little Sisters of the Poor at their Jeanne Jugen Residence In Preston. This year, some two hundred Religious assembled at 2pm for an afternoon of prayer and sharing on the theme of Creation - Centred Spirituality led by Sister Kathleen SCJM. The afternoon began with Exposition and a prayerful meditation led by Sister Margaret SCJM. The central theme was the call to Religious Life, and our re - Call which Continues through life. It was most inspiring and gave us much food for thought. Jesus said " Do this in remembrance of me," we are the active partners, we need To plunge into the presence. Sister Kathleen gave us much encouragement by saying that" Chaos is inherent In life, turn within, leam to befriend the chaos, don't run away and that in answer to 'Who am I' Teillard de Chardin said ' You are an irreplaceable, unrepeatable, Totally unique, one - time incarnation of the Original Mystery.' Something to Think about, wouldn't you say? Bishop Patrick and Father Kirkham, Vicar for Religious concelebrated Mass at 4.30 pm. Preceded by the Blessing of the Candles. As usual, the Little Sisters surpassed themselves by hospitality providing an excellent buffet afterwards. What a pleasure it was to be among so many Religious celebrating their Consecrated Life. A heartfelt thank you to all who made this day possible.

KNIGHTS NEWS
Frank Gillett

Our picture shows Council 52, (Preston) celebrating with Eddie May on receiving his golden jubilee medal, for 50 years service to the Knights. It took place at a buffet reception following Mass celebrated by Fr Gibson. For many years Eddie has been especially involved in the work fo the Welfare committee. Eddie is in the centre of the picture between on his right the provincial grand knight Derek Foster and on his left, the grand knight of council 52, Frank Gillett.

LARK HILL REUNION.
Pauline Drake

The Lark Hill Association A.G.M. and Reunion will take place at Cardinal Newman College, Preston, on Saturday 25th. June at 2.00 pm. Mass will be celebrated at 2.30 pm., by Fr. Dunstan Cooper and this will be followed by a short meeting and tea and chat. This event takes place by the kind permission of the College Principal Mr. Steve Pegg. Further details Pauline Drake (01253 733985). Or "Friends Reunited" Website. The book, "A History of Larkhill (1797 - 1989) by Margaret Burscough continues to be reprinted to meet the continuing demand. Get your copy by Telephoning Pauline Noblet on (01772) 863423) or Pauline Drake on (01253) 733985

PASSION PLAY IN BARROW IN FURNESS
Nick Donnelly

On Saturday 19th March at 7.30 pm a Passion Play will be performed at St. Mary of Furness, Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness by the Clydach SVP theatre group. Bishop Patrick hopes to attend. The play is a moving interpretation of a traditional Passion play and uses the latest theatrical techniques in lighting, sound, make-up, and costume. Tickets £4, available from Nick Donnelly on 01229 821866.

HOLY TRINITY AND ST. GEORGE, KENDAL. PARISH MISSION.
S.M.McDonald

From Monday 4th April until Wednesday 6th April 2005, Holy Trinity and St. George, Kendal will experience a unique Parish Mission led by Sr. Briege McKenna and Fr. Kevin Scallon C.M. Sr. Briege was born in Ireland and entered the Sisters of St. Clare at the age of fifteen. During her time in Tampa, Florida as a teacher, she became crippled with. At the age of twenty-four, she was miraculously healed of rheumatoid arthritis during the celebration of the Eucharist and some time later received in prayer, the gift of healing for which she has become widely known. In 1974, again during prayer, she was given a deep spiritual insight into the mystery of the call to priesthood. Since then, bishops and priests in many parts of the world have invited her to speak and minister at their retreats and conferences. Her book 'Miracles do Happen has been translated into many languages throughout the world. Fr. Kevin started the 'Intercession for Priests' in Dublin, as a month long retreat where priests could come to pray for spiritual renewal of their priesthood. In 1985, he began full time ministry to priests with Sr. Briege.

NEW BOOK BY GRANGE AUTHOR

The New Year saw the publication of a book by James Byrne of the parish of Grange over Sands. Entitled, " With God in Mind." it is a quest for the truth and meaning bound up in God and his creation, us and our world. It is a pilgrimage taking us through the Old and New Testaments and making use of the year-long life of the church. It is published by Athena Press, London.

MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION

"Simeon" looks with wonder at Jesus as children from Holy Family school, Blackpool, dramatise the Gospel reading for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2nd.

Women together in the Diocese of Lancaster is a group of women of all ages from all parts of the diocese and including representatives from the C.W.L. and the U.C.M. and a religious sister. Our priest liaison officer is Fr Joe Geoghegan M.H.M. who attends our meetings. We were founded twelve years ago to consider areas of concern to women and to keep the Bishop informed. Our Team Leader liases with the Bishop and represents the diocese on the National Board of Catholic Women. She also attends National Joint Dialogue conferences at which bishops, priests and women from all dioceses meet to listen and discuss.

Until her untimely death last June, Pauline Walton worked with dedication to fulfil her joint role as Team Leader and diocesan link. We now have Susan Gornall whom Bishop Patrick appointed in January of this year. We have set up a network of deanery contacts who keep parishes informed and help to arrange events locally.

Future plans include calling the women of the diocese to Masses with Bishop Patrick and a meeting next Autumn to discuss the document "Cherishing Life". Our next residential weekend will be held at the Elms Hotel in Morecambe on the 25th and 26th of March 2006. For further information, please contact the Secretary of W.T.in D of L. at 015395 3419.

A Day with Women Together - WAITING FOR GOD
Wanda Kruszynska

On a frosty, clear and brilliantly sunny morning in November, more than 50 women from the diocese of Lancaster gathered together at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Preston. This was our first meeting since the death, last June, of our much-loved, leader Pauline Walton. Sr. Maureen Coyne ably led us in our exploration of the theme of 'Waiting for God' in a structured and relaxed yet thought provoking way. Initially we took a few examples from the Old and New Testaments and discovered in comparison, how poor we can be at 'waiting' in our daily lives. We particularly thought about the people of Fallajah and what they can be waiting for. The season of Advent is about waiting for the Messiah and we divided into seven groups to each reflect upon a different reading from Isaiah, who as one of the greatest prophets, foretells prosperity, happiness and peace and someone to bring this about: Emmanuel - God with us. After lunch, we 'shared the word' by repeating a phrase that had particularly struck us in our group reflection on each of the readings. As we listened, powerful themes emerged and we started to realise what a gift, a time of waiting can be.

We finished by reflecting upon God waiting for us, during a Holy Hour in Chapel with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. We were aided by a few interspersed readings and songs. The hour flashed by and all too soon it was time to go and try to bring some of what we discovered into our daily lives.
Our next event is Mass celebrated by Bishop O'Donoghue on Saturday May 14th 2005.

THE DAY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE FOR "GOOD"
Brian Guerin, Blackpool.

The day that changed my life for good was MARCH 17th 1954, the Feast day of St. Patrick, when the Lord called me back to the faith. On that day I met a young lady named Eileen Penningroth who was to become my wife just one year and one week later. Eileen was a very strong Catholic, and looking back now I can see quite clearly that the Lord used Eileen to bring me back to my faith. I value that faith today has something beyond price, so meeting the love of my life and rediscovering my faith at the same time, makes March 17th 1954 a very special day indeed for me.

I was born in Blackpool. My mother was Church of England and my father was a lapsed Catholic, but although lapsed he made sure that my three sisters and I were all baptised. But after that it stopped. When it was time for me to go to school, I went to the local state one, as the Catholic one was a long way to go, and I carried on to the Secondary school afterwards. I started work in the 1950s and did two years National Service in the army 1952 - 1954. I was de-mobbed at the beginning of March 1954. In those days the K.S.C. had dances at the Winter Gardens in town, where I first met my future wife, though I did not know that at the time.

We all develop as we get older both physically and mentally, but the day that I met Eileen I began to develop spiritually as well and that is the most important of all. Over the years we have been very fortunate to go on many pilgrimages to Lourdes, Rome and the Holy Land. Whilst in the Holy Land we renewed our marriage vows in Cana of Gallilee. On 24 March 2005 we will celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary, so I thank the good Lord for March 17th 1954, oh yes and St. Patrick too.

PANTOMIME PEOPLE
Margaret Harrison, Preston

Each year, the Thornley Birds entertainers produce a pantomime to raise money for different charities. This.year the panto was "Sleeping Beauty" which recently played to full houses at Chipping Village Hall and also at St Martins Hall Fulwood, Preston. This was our seventh panto and we have raised over £7,000 for good causes such as Air Ambulance, Derian House, Vine House. First Response Team, Ward 24 RPH and Adults with Learning Difficulties.