Rough Guide

This page contains definitions and information regarding different aspects of the Catholic Church and Our Church in general.
 

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N

 O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

 

A

Advent      The first season of the church's liturgical year, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ending with the first Eucharist of Christmas. It is a time for penance, reflection and preparation for the coming of Christ.

Altar Servers  The ministry of altar server is to help the priest in any way necessary during services in church. The acolyte carries a processional candle; the thurifer carries the thurible and incenses the people at certain times; the bookbearer holds the book for the priest; the master of ceremonies oversees the smooth running of the ceremonies.

Anointing of the Sick  A ministry offered to those suffering illness, intended to offer comfort and, with God's will, the healing of their ailment.

Authorised Persons Certain parishioners are authorised to bear witness at marriages and to complete the official registers and issue Marriage Certificates. 

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B

Baptism   A sacrament marked by the symbolic use of Holy Water & Holy Oils and resulting in admission of the recipient into the community of Christians.
                                            

Bishop   The Bishop is the leader of the local Church or Diocese. The present bishop of the diocese of Lancaster is Patrick O’Donoghue.

 

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C

Catechist for 1st Holy Communion   Catechists help prepare children for their 1st Holy Communion Service. It involves liaising between the priest, families and schools and you would be working with a group of children, usually on Sunday mornings before Mass,  from the New Year until the 1st Holy Communion Service.

Children's Liturgy      Children's Liturgists try to introduce the stories of the bible to the children in an interesting way that they can both understand  and enjoy, through mediums such as music & art.           
 

Christmas    Christmas is the feast commemorating the birth of Christ and the coming of hope for all people. It is fixed in the liturgical year as December 25 and is preceded by four weeks of fast called Advent.

Confirmation   A Christian rite admitting a baptized person to full membership of a church.  In this sacrament we receive the Holy Spirit,  just as the apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

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D

Deacons   The ministry of deacon is to assist the priest by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, baptising, presiding over funeral services, and in any other way found to be necessary for the smooth and effective running of the Parish.

 

Deanery Pastoral Council    The Deanery (there are three in Preston) is a collection of parishes. We belong to the English Martyrs’ Deanery.   The Deanery Pastoral Council exists to promote joint initiatives between parishes and explore areas of common concern.  as a member of the DPC you would represent our parish at the meetings.

 

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E
 

Easter   Easter is the time in the church’s year when we reflect on Jesus' death on the cross, we remember His institution of the Eucharist and we celebrate His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven.
 

Eucharistic Ministry   Eucharistic Ministers are appointed by the bishop to take Communion to parishioners who are housebound, and to help with the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.
 

Eucharist (Holy Communion)    A sacrament  which was instituted at the Last Supper and in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed in remembrance of Jesus's death; Communion.  When we receive Holy Communion we are sharing in the body and blood - the very life - of Christ Our Saviour.
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F

Feast Days & Holy Days of Obligation
Feast Days are days on which we celebrate;

  • the life of a saint, for instance, St Patrick on 17th March;

  • or an event in the life of Christ, for instance, Christmas Day;

  • or an event in the life of Our Lady, for instance, The Birthday of Our Lady on 8th September;

  • or a special event in the life of one of the Saints, for instance, the Martyrdom of John the Baptist on 29th August;

  • or a day of special prayer, for instance, All Souls' Day on 2nd November;

  • or a day of special devotion to Our Lord, for instance, the Feast of the Sacred Heart on 23rd June
    etc,

Holy Days of Obligation are days of particular importance on which Catholics are obliged to attend Mass, for instance, All Saints' Day on 1st November.

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G

H
 

Holy Communion (Eucharist)   A sacrament  which was instituted at the Last Supper and in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed in remembrance of Jesus's death.  When we receive Holy Communion we are sharing in the body and blood - the very life - of Christ Our Saviour.   Holy Communion, and the whole service (Mass), is also known as Eucharist, from a Greek word meaning thanksgiving.

Holy Days of Obligation   Holy Days of Obligation are days of particular importance on which Catholics are obliged to attend Mass, for instance All Saints Day on 1st November.

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I

J

K

L

Lent  A season of soul-searching and repentance, reflection, taking stock, and of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Good Friday & Easter Sunday.

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M

Matrimony   In the Catholic Church, marriage is held in very high esteem. We believe that it is an unbreakable bond between two people established by Jesus Christ.

Music Ministry   Within any Parish community there will be a group of musicians or singers whose task is to provide music for the liturgy and to support the singing of the congregation.

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N

O

Order of Service 2005   Listing in Calendar order of Feast Days, or Holy Days for celebrating the Holy Mass and the Prayer of the Church.

Ordination    Ceremony through which Bishops, Priests and Deacons receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties.

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P

Pilgrimages    Pilgrimages generally involve a journey to a sacred shrine or Holy place, such as Lourdes. They offer a wonderful spiritual experience and give the pilgrim an opportunity to focus on and renew their faith. There is always a need for volunteers to help with the organisation of Pilgrimages.

Priest   The priest is the leader of the Parish community. He has responsibility for the administration of the Sacraments, for the proclaiming of the Word of God and for the pastoral care of those who live within the Parish boundaries.

Pope   The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church.

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Q

R

R.C.I.A - Journey in Faith   Groups of people meet together on a regular basis to take their 'Journey in Faith' or RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) - a short course looking at the Catholic Faith.  

Readers   The ministry of Reader is to read the scriptures at Mass, or any other liturgical celebration, in such a way as to help people to hear and understand the Word of God.

Reconciliation   A sacrament that includes contrition, confession to a priest, acceptance of penance, and absolution.

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S

Sacraments   Ceremonies, involving both words and actions, which bring us closer to God at special times in our lives. There are seven traditional Sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, The Eucharist, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Ordination.

Sacristan   The ministry of Sacristan is to take care of the vestments and altar linen, the sacred vessels, to decorate the altars and to set the altar for Mass.

Saints   The term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. The word itself means “Holy” and is derived from the Latin “sanctus”.  It can be applied to both the living and the dead and is an acceptable term in most of the world's popular religions. The Saint is held up by the community as an example of how we all should act, and his or her life story is usually recorded for the edification of future generations.

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T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

 

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