On Monday evening, Fr Jordan gathered together with a congregation of around 60 to celebrate mass for the first time, in St Andrew's Church. The mass was a votive mass of the Holy Spirit, giving thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit imparted upon him at his ordination the evening before. Fr David preached, noting Fr Jordan's courage in inviting his Training Incumbent to preach, particularly considering he was his DDO as he went through the selection process.Fr Jordan was encouraged in the sermon to continue to place his trust in the Holy Spirit each and every time he approaches the altar to celebrate mass, and whenever he administers any of the sacraments of the New Covenant, whether baptising, administering the Sacrament of the Sick, celebrating Holy Matrimony, or reconciling penitents when they seek absolution in Confession.He continued in the mass celebrating with confidence, and using his skills as a musician in singing the Eucharistic Prayer. The highlight of the evening was when, after censing the Image of Our Lady, and presenting flowers, he then presented his own mother with the maniturgium (the linen cloth used to bind his hands the night before after they had been anointed), and a bunch of flowers, followed by the presentation of flowers to his wife Becky. There was hardly a dry eye in the church at that point!Fr Jordan concluded the mass with the general blessing, before imparting individual blessings to anyone who wished, and a large queue soon formed to receive this grace from the newly ordained priest.Fr Jordan looks forward this week to celebrating his first mass of Our Lady, on Tuesday evening at St Peter's at 7.00 pm, and then his first Requiem mass on Wednesday at St Peter's at 9.30 am. He will be celebrating the three main masses on Sunday (9.30 am at St Andrew's, 11.00 am at St Mary Magdalen's and 2.00 pm at St Peter's).
On Sunday evening, around 200 people gathered in St Mary Magdalen's Church for the Ordination to the priesthood of our own Fr Jordan and Fr Matteo Zambon, from Torrisholme. The service was celebrated by the Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Revd Philip North, CMP, and the preacher was the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Julian Henderson, in one of his last engagements before he looks forward to his retirement from full time ministry. In his sermon, Bishop Julian spoke of the reality of ordination being the beginning of learning how to inhabit the ministry God is calling the candidate to, noting that after nine years, he is still learning how to be a bishop. For Fr Jordan and Fr Matteo, they have a lifetime of learning ahead of them, as they seek to inhabit the priestly ministry to which they are called.It was good also to welcome members of the Diocesan hierarchy, including the two archdeacons, the Ven Mark Ireland and the Ven David Picken, together with the Director of Vocation, the Revd Nick McKee and the Director IME (Initial Ministerial Education), the Revd Jane Atkinson, as they supported the two candidates on this momentous occasion in their lives.
Sunday 3 July - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time10.00 am: Joint Benefice Eucharist at St Andrew's6.30 pm: Ordination Mass at St Mary Magdalen's - all welcome!For those unable to get to Church for whatever reason, please find an order of service for Worship at Home in the linkWorship this week:Monday 4 July: School Mass at St Mary Magdalen's at 1.15 pm; Fr Jordan's First Mass (of the Holy Spirit) at St Andrew's at 7.00 pm, followed by refreshmentsTuesday 5 July: Mass of Our Lady at St Peter's at 7.00 pmWednesday 6 July: Requiem Mass at St Peter's at 7.00 pm; Mass at St Andrew's at 7.00 pm (PCC)Thursday 7 July: Mass at St Andrew's at 10.30 am (+Julian's farewell); Youth Church Confirmation Mass at St Christopher's School at 3.45 pmFriday 8 July: Mass at St Mary Magdalen's at 10.00 amSaturday 2 July: Mass at St Mary Magdalen's at 10.00 amNext Sunday, 10 July - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time8.00 am: Said Mass at St Mary Magdalen's9.30 am: Family Eucharist at St Andrew's11.00 am: Solemn Mass at St Mary Magdalen's2.00 pm: Family Mass at St Peter's
Sunday 26 June - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time8.00 am: Said Mass at St Mary Magdalen's9.30 am: Family Eucharist at St Andrew's11.00 am: Solemn Mass at St Mary Magdalen's2.00 pm: Family Mass at St Peter'sFor those unable to get to Church for whatever reason, please find an order of service for Worship at Home in the linkWorship this week:Monday 27 June: School Mass at St Mary Magdalen's at 1.15 pmTuesday 28 June (S Irenaeus): Mass at St Peter's at 7.00 pmWednesday 29 June (Ss Peter and Paul): Patronal Festival Mass at St Peter's at 7.00 pmThursday 30 June: Mass at St Andrew's at 10.30 am; Youth Church at St Christopher's School at 3.45 pmFriday 1 July: No MassSaturday 2 July: Mass at St Mary Magdalen's at 10.00 amNext Sunday, 3 July - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time10.00 am: Joint Benefice Eucharist at St Andrew's6.30 pm: Ordination Mass at St Mary Magdalen's
