Weekly Record

1 November 2009

It is thirty years since Archbishop Worlock first inaugurated the Missionary Project in South America which we know as LAMP. I remember it well as I was ordained that year on the feast of St Martin De Porres and his sermon on that day was all about the work that would be undertaken by a few of our priests in Peru and Ecuador.  My gran, who was not a Catholic, was rather upset during the rest of the Mass thinking that I was being sent over there to work as a priest and was never a big fan of Archbishop Worlock from that day on. Even when it was pointed out to her he wasn’t referring to me she was still adamant ‘that he shouldn’t have talked about it anyway – giving people like her the wrong idea’. Not an easy job being an Archbishop! Anyway our present Archbishop has written a Pastoral letter to be read at Masses this weekend and manages to give us an update on the work of LAMP as well as informing people of the visit of the Patriarch of Jerusalem in two weeks time all in the context of today’s feast of All Saints. 

I have been invited to preach this Sunday at Liverpool Cathedral. It has been booked for some time but it may now look a little bit suspicious following recent events and announcements from the Vatican. Fortunately the Feast of the Saints and themes for prayer in November should keep me from straying into anything that may be controversial or misinterpreted.

On Tuesday this week the Cathedral Friends are continuing to expand their repertoire of events with a talk on the architecture and influence of Palladio followed by a three course Italian Meal. They only need someone to sing a few Italian Operettas to complete the whole effect. Unfortunately ‘The Priests’ have postponed their concert here by a week, otherwise we could have invited them over in advance of their recording to entertain in –between courses.

Next Sunday is Remembrance Day and we would ask those who are coming to the Solemn Mass to arrive in good time before Mass begins. The procession will be in silence and timed so that we are all in place for a period of silence at 11.00am while a wreath is placed at the foot of the High Altar in remembrance of all who died in the two world wars and serving our country in conflicts in more recent years. The choir will sing parts of Duruflés Requiem as the setting for Mass that day. The Merchant Navy will have their service of remembrance at our Cathedral this year at 3.00pm. 

The steps from the Piazza to the main entrance of the Cathedral can be quite a challenging ascent for many of us. (In fact I get quite envious when I see the occasional student jogger running up and down them numerous times without the slightest sign of strain). The present handrails located on the walls on each side of the steps are not always evident to those who bravely march up the middle of the steps and by way of further assistance we intend installing another handrail along the lines of the columns of slate. It won’t make the climb any easier but at least give people something more to hold on to.

Canon Anthony O’Brien
Dean of the Cathedral