RITE OF ELECTION 2006
Christine Smyth

Despite the threat of everyone becoming snow bound on the Day of the Rite of Election, it was such a blessing to see 24 Candidates and 8 Catechumens arriving to confirm their intention to enter the Catholic Faith. They were accompanied by their Parish Priests and Sponsor and Godparents. I was struck by the enthusiastic and happy faces as they came through the Cathedral door, and it was also good to see a number of young people ready to enter the Church. They were welcomed and encouraged by Bishop Patrick and had a chat with him after they had affirmed their commitment to the Faith. As always St Augustine’s musicians and choir gave a profound and wonderful performance, especially with the refrain, “There is a longing” which reflected the thoughts and feelings of many of us who were there. Thanks are extended to all those people who helped to prepare the Day and it is heartening to see so many past Collaborative Ministry people still working and catechising in their parishes, and involved in organising Diocesan events.

ORDINARY BUT EXTRAORDINARY!

Frank Dickox of St. Clare’s, Fulwood, was recently honoured with the award of a medal and certificate in recognition of his voluntary work at the Royal Preston Hospital. For over twenty years, he has visited the sick there and taken them Communion.
Born in Portsmouth 86 years ago into a devout Church of England family, he moved to Barrow before eventually settling in Preston to work as an inspector of precision castings for BAe. It was in Barrow that he met Margaret, his wife of more than sixty years, and became a catholic. They have a son and a daughter, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Throughout their lives, Frank and Margaret have always been generous in giving their time to others. Apart from his hospital work, Frank has run no less than three youth clubs and a cycling club, he has served as Parish Council Chairman and helped with sacramental preparation programmes for the school children. Margaret has always been there in support as well as herself taking on such tasks as laundering St. Clare’s altar linen.
Frank is no stranger to the hospital bed himself, having endured no less than twelve operations. But, with pride and affection, he says, “Margaret has always nursed me through them”. Sadly, Frank’s hospital work has now come to an end as he has had finally to bow to ill heath, and once again Margaret is nurse. “What I miss most”, he says, “is meeting and being with people. It can be quite lonely without that”. What good and interesting lives these seemingly ordinary, but really quite extraordinary two people have led. God bless them both

FATIMA
Cath Morgan

Since the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the three shepherds from May to October 1917, the village of Fatima in Portugal has been a place of Pilgrimage. This year, in October, we would like to take a group, large or small, on the first Lancaster Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine. We hope to be led on our journey by Bishop Patrick. As well as the religious services offered by the Shrine, Mass at the Capelhina (site of the apparitions), Blessed Sacrament Processions and the evening candlelit Rosary and procession, we will be having trips to places of interest. There will be an opportunity to visit Lisbon or Tomar. In Tomar, about 45 minutes from Fatima, there is a magnificent castle priory of the Knights Templars. A Mass will be arranged at Batalha Abbey where the Portuguese Royal Family and the Unknown Soldier are buried. There is a link with our Diocese at Batalha as it is the location of the tomb of Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt who married King John I of Portugal.
The call of Our Lady of Fatima is to penance and prayer. Unlike Lourdes it does not cater very well for the sick. Some walking (about 3km) is involved. However this will be while making the Stations of the Cross and so will be at a slow pace.
Recently the body of Sr Lucia (who died last year aged 97) was transferred from the Carmel at Coimbra to the Basilica at Fatima which now contains the tombs of all three of the visionaries, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.
The cost of the 7 day pilgrimage, including flight from Manchester to Lisbon and bus transfer to Fatima (approx 1 hour) will be in the region of £585. In October the weather in Portugal is usually dry and warm, 23C-26C. If you would like more details please contact Fr Peter Groody, Holy Family Presbytery, Westgate, Morcambe. LA4 4TL. Tel:01524 422555. Email: peter51@btinternet.com. Or the Diocesan Pilgrimages Director, Mrs Cath Morgan Tel:01253894251.

THE NEW STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN LOURDES
Cath Morgan

The Seventh Station was blessed by the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes at a ceremony during the International Conference of Pilgrimage Directors which took place this year from the 9th to the 11th of February.
Quite a number of our Lourdes Family contributed to the cost as did all the Diocese of Great Britain, sadly there is an overall shortfall of £10,00 to meet the cost of the Station which is about £47,00. We would be grateful if anyone would care to make a donation in the name of family or friend, alive or dead. Please pass on to me any donation for me to forward to the Treasurer of the Conference.

WILLOWS PARISH PARTY

Friday February 17th saw over 150 parishioners aged 3 to 83 years old from The Willows, Kirkham gathering for a Ceilidh night. We decided it was time to bring the parish together – for no other purpose than to have a good time. We spend so much time preparing for this sacrament, collecting for that charity or worrying about the other latest knock to our Catholic community, that it was great to gather simply to be together and to relax in each other’s company.
Many people bought tickets because they wanted to support a parish event, and left having enjoyed a great evening. We met in the newly refurbished Willows Club in Kirkham and were entertained by the Old School Band – a Lancashire ceilidh group. They provided the music and a caller to teach the moves, and we provided the sustenance and dancers. And boy, did we dance. Half time refreshments of Mick’s hot pot and red cabbage provided the necessary energy boost for a really entertaining evening that do-si-do’d long into the night.
We had plenty to smile about on Sunday morning and can heartily recommend a Ceilidh night as one way to bring your parish together– but don’t forget the hot pot and red cabbage!

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Frank Hartley

On the 11 of September, 2006, the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament will celebrate the 50th, Anniversary of the opening of the present church. This church is the one which was opened by the late Bishop Flynn and replaced the one which is now the school hall. The parish was founded in 1928 but as the parish grew then a more fitting church was needed and thus, 50 years ago, the present church was opened. This celebration will be in the form of a Mass at 7.30.p.m.( Bishop Patrick will preside) and will be followed by a buffet reception in the Parish Centre.
The parishioners would like to invite any past parishioners, families or friends of the parish who might want to attend the Mass and buffet. In order to ease catering arrangements, people wishing to attend the buffet should contact Father Norman Johnston at the above address and request tickets. There is no need to apply for a ticket if you just intend to go to the Mass and NOT the buffet. All ticket requests must be placed with Father Norman by 31-7-06. We look forward to seeing you at the celebration.

NEWS FROM THE KNIGHTS

Mass for Deceased Brothers - Liverpool
The biennial KSC mass for Deceased Brothers will be held on Saturday 10th June in Christ the King Metropolitan Cathedral. Mass commences at 3PM. anyone wishing to attend this mass is more than welcome.

Cleator Pilgrimage - 2006
The KSC Annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady's Grotto at Cleator is to be held on Sunday 18th June 2006. The processions will leave the Church to the Grotto at 3PM. Holy Mass Commences in the grotto (Weather Permitting) at 3pm.
Our chief Celebrant this year is his Lordship Bishop Patrick 0' Donoghue (Bishop of Lancaster). Everyone from all parishes is invited, so if you are able to attend you will be made more than welcome.

AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

As Deaneries and parishes are now being encouraged local to do as much as they can at a local level, The Voice is happy to publish here the minutes of the February meeting of St. John’s Deanery Council, Kirkham, near Preston in the hope that others find it encouraging.

The Deanery of Kirkham includes the following parishes: St Joseph’s Ansdell, Holy Family Freckleton, St Mary’s Great Eccleston, St John’s Kirkham, St Peter’s Lytham, Our Lady Star of the Sea, and St Alban’s, St Anne’s-on- Sea, St Joseph’s Wesham, and St Anne’s Westby. Representatives from these parishes and from St Francis of Assissi parish, which is served from Great Eccleston, meet quarterly under the chairmanship of the Dean, Canon Aidan Turner, to review and encourage the pastoral activities of the Deanery.
At the February meeting the following actions were completed or put in hand:

• A summary of all Pastoral activities currently carried out in the Deanery was completed. Inter-parish assistance will be encouraged to help the spread of pastoral activities.
• A list of building and lifting equipment held in each parish is to be compiled to avoid duplication of stocks where practicable.
• Three Lenten Station Masses have been arranged in the Deanery as follows: 1. Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Anne’s-On-Sea: 8th March. 2. St Peter’s, Lytham: 22nd March. 3. St John the Evangelist, Kirkham: 5th April. All Masses will starting at 7pm.
• The use of welcome packs and cards at the back of church is to be encouraged.
• The Chaplain of St Bede’s High School is to be invited to the next Council meeting to outline the pastoral work of a School Chaplain, and ways in which the Council can support this.
• At the same meeting, representatives of the Parish Development team from St Joseph’s, Ansdell, will be invited to present an outline of their achievements and future plans.
• The possibility of forming a Youth Deanery Pastoral Council is to be explored.
• A Day of Music is to be held at The Willows, Kirkham between 1 and 4pm on Saturday 25th March for all those involved in providing the musical element of the Liturgy.

A "KNIGHT" TO REMEMBER FOR MR. GEORGE BAMBER
Fr J Maley

On Thursday 23rd February a presentation dinner was held at the Dog and Patridge hotel, Chipping, by the football association to celebrate the diamond jubilee of George Bamber's work for Amateur Football in Lancashire. George was born in Preston on l6th may 1924 and started working for the F.A. .in West Lancashire in 1946. He was awarded the Lancashire F.A. Long Service award in 1976 in recognition of 30 years service to Amateur Football. In 1996 he was awarded the Football Association order of merit for 50 years service to Association Football.
George joined the Preston Churches league committee in 1978 when the Preston Churches and Preston catholic leagues amalgamated. He is the honorary vice-president of the West Lancashire league, and still serves on the Preston Churches committee. George also refereed from 1968 to 1992, and was a class 1 referee for 22 years. At the jubilee dinner George was given presentations by the F.A. the West Lancashire league, the Preston district Churches League, and by St. Gregory's parish. The guest of honour was Sir Tom Finney who spoke very highly of George and the people like him who give so much voluntary time and service to amateur football. A great night was had by all, and of course, George was still doing his collecting at Sunday Mass. AD MULTOS ANNOS.

ST NICHOLAS OWEN CELEBRATION

Canon Tom Dakin writes from the parish of St. Nicholas Owen, Little Thornton to tell us of the parishes celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the saint’s martyrdom. The Bishop came along to celebrate Mass with the community, and to cut the cake afterwards of course. On the following night they had an Elizabethan Banquet at Singleton Lodge. Period dress was not of obligation but most created their version of what they might have looked like in the 16th century. (See photo of two parishioners Madeleine and Theresa Sutton.) The menu was carefully authenticated and there was a great atmosphere all round. Canon also sends us this brief article on Nicholas Owen; St Nicholas Owen And The Gunpowder Plot.