Feastday of Saint Andrew

A Blessed St Andrew's Day to everyone.

A reminder to members that St Andrew's day is the moment each year when we should have paid over our Oblations. 

For anyone who has forgotten, the Treasurer awaits!

Sadly, with all the Covid restrictions, we, like many others, have not had the opportunity to meet this year. Apart from the sadness of not renewing our comradeship, it has also severely limited opportunities for fundraising and for attracting new members.

That being said, we are in the process of sending £10,000 to SUROL in Sri Lanka 

to assist them in these difficult times. 

Many thanks to our benefactors and fundraisers who have made this possible.

Hampers being distributed by SUROL in Jaffna area in the war-torn Northern part of Sri Lanka.

Mass on All Souls Day for deceased members and friends of the Order

On Thursday morning at the Basilica of Our Lady at Nice in southern France, there was a terrible attack on those attending Mass. Three people, the sacristan, Vincent, who was 55 years old and a father of two daughters, who had served the basilica as sacristan for 10 years, and two women Mass goers, one 44, the other 60 years old. It appears to have been a terrorist attack and the murders targeted those going to Mass - a clear case of their deaths being “in odium fidei”, which is to say, carried out in hatred of the faith. This is one of the attributes of a death that carries with it the idea of martyrdom and is one of the conditions accepted in the beatification process.

On All Saints Day this Sunday we celebrate all those who are in the presence of God whose names we do not know. We only know for certain those in Heaven, when they are raised to the altar at canonization. But surely we can have a strong hope that these three people are among those we celebrate today and give praise to God for.

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee.

This Monday 2nd November is the Feast of All Souls - the Commemoration of all the faithful departed. The soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The third option is purgatory, which is where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go.

Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. Made fir to see God face to face. There is scriptural basis for this belief. The primary reference is in 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. "Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out... Thus made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin."

There will be a Missa Cantata at 7pm at the Church of St Catherine Labouré, Leyland, for deceased members and friends of the Order for any members who can make it. If you have any special intentions, please contact Fr Simon, who will add them to those who are remembered.

We pray that like St Lazarus, Our Lord will raise them up to new life.

Message from Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou

We hope that you, your family and loved ones are well and in good health.

In the midst of the extraordinary situation caused by Coronavirus around the world, the Grand Master and I wanted to speak personally to you, members of our dear Order of Saint Lazarus.

We are going through an unprecedented period with considerable consequences, from both a health and an economic point of view.

 

Our Grand Priories around the world have temporarily suspended all planned events in accordance with the containment measures and restrictions. Today more than ever, it is essential to maintain contact with one another so as to ensure that no one is alone during this pandemic. We are counting on you to receive regular updates, to response to calls, messages or emails and to take any necessary action.

 

We must also unite our strength and prayers for those who are suffering around us. We encourage every action which will SERVE those who need it. There is a lot to do on the battlefield: this is our vocation.

 

On this eve of Holy Week, during which we prepare to live the mystery of the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that He will succeed through the Resurrection on Easter morning. We pray that the light of this morning of hope will illuminate us and bring us both the joy of meeting Christ and harmony in our lives.

 

Take care of yourself, your families, your loved ones, and stay healthy.

 

In prayer,

Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, duc d’Anjou
President of the Governing Council
Grand Prior of France

Fundraising for February

Our Piper, Bob, prepares to pipe the guests in.

Our Grand Prior, HE Anthony Dickinson, hosted the annual Burns' Night Supper recently,

once again in Lancashire.

 Greeting the guests.

With tickets and donations, 

the evening raised £1,500 for the Order's charities,

including donations from three members, 

uniting themselves with our charitable efforts, 

even though they were unable to attend.

  

First course was the traditional Scotch Broth.

 We had a great turnout this year, with many members and friends.

Here's a few of them enjoying the evening.

 

Awaiting the Haggis.

The Haggis is carried in to the accompaniment of the scurl of the pipes by one of our Esquires,

all the way from Reading University.

 

The Address to the Haggis was given by Fr Mark Lawler

- well, you need a Scot to do it properly!

 

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An cut you up wi ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

War-reekin, rich!

All the Haggis for the evening was donated by one of our Scottish members.

Thank you!

The size of the Haggis that got away!

 

The food was prepared and served by two of our members and one friend of the Order,

foregoing the pleasures of the evening for a few hours in the kitchen.

Many thanks.

The Grand Prior in festive mood.

We were also entertained in with music by songs both old and new.

Thanks to the talented pianists, violin players and singers who came along.

 

 Auld lang syne!

Burns' Night Supper 2020

 

As you can see, our Grand Prior, HE Anthony Dickinson, 

strongly encourages you to attend our  

Burns' Night Supper Celebration

We will gather in the Pope John Paul Room at 

St Catherine's Church, Stanifield Lane, Leyland. PR25 4QG on 

Friday 21st February

at 7.30pm

Later than the actual Burns' Night but no less heartily celebrated.

All the usual trimmings and a great evening

raising money for the

Order of St Lazarus’ charities,

including St Catherine’s Hospice & those affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka.

Please book your place as soon as possible by contacting The Grand Prior or Fr Simon.

Just £25 per person including...

Cocktail on arrival

Three course traditional Burns’ Night Dinner

Served with wine

Whisky for the toasts to the Lads and Lassies.

A full evening of entertainment with bagpipes, song and laughter.

 To quote the bard...

"I love drinking now and then. It defecates the standing pool of thought. A man perpetually in the paroxysm and fears of inebriety is like a half-drowned stupid wretch condemned to labor unceasingly in water; but a now-and-then tribute to Bacchus is like the cold bath, bracing and invigorating." ~ 

Robert Burns

World Leprosy Day & the World Day of the Sick at St Joseph's, Stokesley

Fr William Charlton, our Chaplain in the North East - Middlesbrough Diocese - is organising an event on the theme of 

“ Mary, Health of the Sick, Comforter of the Afflicted” 

for  

World Leprosy Day & the World Day of the Sick.

A reflection through readings, hymns & motets 

concluding with Solemn Benediction 

at 

St Joseph’s Church

1, Tanton Road, Stokesley, Middlesborough. TS9 5HN 

on 

Sunday 9th February at 4.00pm 

Motets: 

Si iniquitates observaveris-S.Wesley

Alma Redemptoris mater-Palestrina

Tollite hostias-Saint-Saens

Tantum ergo- Deodat de Severac

There will be a retiring collection to support the work of SUROL, the charity of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith that the Order supports in Sri Lanka, working to rehabilitate those affected by leprosy.

Refreshments will be served in the Hall afterwards.

Obviously, if as many members as possible could join our Grand Prior, HE Anthony Dickinson and our Chaplain General, Fr Simon Henry, that would be most helpful. The event is open to all and as well as some beautiful music and Benediction, it will afford you the chance to see the beautifully remodelled church at Stokesley, which Fr William Charlton has accomplished with great panache.