The Parish of "Our Lady Of Furness"

​Holy Thursday is the day on which Christ celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, four days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Only hours after the Last Supper, Judas would betray Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, setting the stage for Christ’s Crucifixion on Good Friday.

Holy Thursday is more than just the lead-in to Good Friday; it is, in fact, the oldest of the celebrations of Holy Week. And with good reason: Holy Thursday is the day on which Catholics commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and the Mass. During the Last Supper, Christ blessed the bread and wine with the very words that Catholic and Orthodox priests use today to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ during the Mass and the Divine Liturgy. In telling His disciples to “Do this in remembrance of Me,” He instituted the Mass.
Near the end of the Last Supper, after Judas had departed, Christ said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” The Latin word for “commandment,” mandatum became the source for another name for Holy Thursday: Maundy Thursday. 
Also during this Mass there is the washing of the feet, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them (and us), “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”. As His followers, we are to emulate Him, serving one another in lowliness of heart and mind, seeking to build one another up in humility and love. 

Come and join us for the Lord’s Passion tomorrow 3pm at St Mary’s Church Duke Street 

Today, an important liturgical celebration occurs that only takes place in the cathedral, but touches many lives in every parish in the diocese. It is, of course, the Chrism Mass at which the Holy Oils to be used in every parish are consecrated, blessed and distributed.

It is also the occasion at which the priests of the diocese concelebrate Mass with the bishops to manifest the unity of the presbyterate (the priests) with the episcopate (the bishops). During the celebration all renew their priestly vows.

The Chrism Mass is an important and unique example of Church with priests and people gathered for a significant event in the life of the local diocese. The renewal of priestly vows and the blessing and dissemination of the Holy Oils are necessary and life-affirming actions in carrying out the day-to-day ministry in every one of our churches.

There are three Holy Oils used in anointing for various occasions. The Sacred Chrism is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, holy orders and in the dedication of a church. Sacred Chrism is consecrated (as opposed to the other oils which are blessed) and only a bishop may do so. It is olive oil mixed with balsam. During the consecration the bishop breathes on the oil symbolizing the consecration by the Holy Spirit.

In addition to the Sacred Chrism the bishops blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens. Both oils are olive oil, but, unlike the Sacred Chrism, there is nothing added. In the early Church the Oil of the Catechumens was referred to as the Oil of Exorcism. In the baptism of an infant, the child is anointed on the breast and the priest anoints the child in the name of Christ asking that he will strengthen the child against the power of Satan.

For adults, the anointing with the Oil of Catechumens, which may occur before baptism, is to grant the individual the strength to persevere in their journey and to overcome bonds of the past and the opposition of Satan.

Anointing of the sick is found in James 5:14, “If anyone among you is sick, he should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord.” The Oil of the Sick is used in the anointing of those seriously ill or in danger of death in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (formerly known as Extreme Unction).

After the Chrism Mass, priests return to their parishes with the Holy Oils to be used during the next year at all of those occasions that are so very important in the life of the Catholic Church and her people.

 A good number of parishioners from our parish left this morning to attend the Chrism Mass.
Come and join us tonight for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm At St Mary’s Church Duke Street.

PALM SUNDAY 2017

5th Sunday Lent 2017

​On Saturday we had our annual marriage preparation day for all those who will be married in the coming 12 months. Those preparing for marriage attended the 12:10 Mass at St Mary’s along with many couples from the parish who were renewing their marriage vows during the Mass. Around 20 couples renewed their vows which is a great sign for our parish. Please pray from all those who are preparing to get married in the coming months.

4th Sunday Lent 2017

Fr. Darren is looking for volunteers to work with the youth in our parish. If you are interested in helping, please email frdarrenolf or phone01229 471405

Best regards
John Sharpe

On Saturday 25th March at the 12:10 Mass in St. Mary’s, we shall celebrate the gift of married life in our parish community. All married couples are warmly invited to attend to thank God for the vocation of marriage and to renew their vows. The young couples who are preparing to get married have also been invited

Visit our new web page, which gives lots of information about ‘Mary’s Meals’ our sponsored fundraising charity, that enables many children – living in one of the world’s most impoverished countries – to come to school, receive a nutritious daily meal and gain an all-important education.

Mary’s Meals Webpage