Weekly Record

5 July 2009

Being a hayfever sufferer I’m always interested to learn of the latest miracle cure for Summer sneezing and watery eyes. Apparently this year Boots have been selling a radically new remedy which is neither of the tablet or inhaler variety. It was demonstrated to me last Monday by a niece who had been persuaded to part with her money as a result of the TV advert. This involved placing two prongs up your nose and switching on. To my amazement the whole of the persons nose lights up in a pinky glow – a sort of toned down clowns nose and this position has to be maintained for about five minutes. I can’t comment on the lasting effects of this treatment other than to say it seems to give immediate relief but not much more. Perhaps the two small dogs in the house gave the best verdict they barked once when the machine lit up and then ran for cover and hid. I will definitely stick to the tablets and live with the consequences - nodding off every time I sit down! Lets hope they don’t let the same research team loose on remedies for swine flu!

For the next three weeks the different Universities within the City have their various faculty graduations. This means that we will be awash with students in academic gowns and proud parents in formal attire wandering around the Cathedral grounds looking for photographic opportunities and killing time before their degree ceremonies. A number of faculty receptions are being held in the Crypt Hall this week but sadly none of the Graduation Ceremonies are being held in our Cathedral this year. I did notice on the list for Hope University Degree Ceremonies, which takes place at the end of the month at Liverpool Cathedral that Archbishop Kelly and Bishop Jones will be receiving Honorary Degrees.

It is over four years since we had the new public address system installed in the Cathedral. As you will all know the previous system was superseded by the two large columns within the Cathedral which house the new and much more effective speaker system. Since that time the previous set of six ‘ten foot column speakers’ which were mounted on the Baldacchino above the altar have remained in position, both ugly and heavy, but no longer of any use. We have finally managed, with help, to bite the bullet and take them down. I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this because I would guess that you wouldn’t have noticed them missing if I hadn’t pointed it out.

The Relics of St Therese of Lisieux will be here in the Cathedral for veneration on 24th and 25th September. We are already receiving many enquiries about this. This coming week we will have a short leaflet available which gives a brief account of the life of St Therese, an explanation of what veneration of relics is about and a timetable of services and devotions during the visit. They will be available at the back of the Cathedral and Crypt Chapel from next weekend.

Many people have been commenting this week that the hot weather is becoming ‘unbearable’. Perhaps it is worth noting that the Cathedral is one of the coolest places in hot weather and you can spend some time in prayer and cool down at the same time.

Canon Anthony O'Brien
Cathedral Dean