Last Sunday I celebrated Mass in Allerton and with the parish priest being ill we were not able to find the three kings to place in the crib. I apologised for this at the start of Mass, and afterwards someone remarked that if the wise men had set out in the present day they would not have been able to make the journey to the crib due to border check points and delays over visas and permits etc so their absence should make us think. I think he made a good point! We should remember in our prayers Archbishop Patrick who will be in Jerusalem and Bethlehem this week and the situation over there – he has travelled with Fr Peter and Philip Arkwright. Perhaps the second coming of the Magi?
Being the first newsletter of 2009 it is not too late for New Year thoughts, not least because the City is only declaring the end of the Year of Culture this weekend with the ‘Transition’ celebrations. There is much to give thanks for over the last year both here at our Cathedral and for the City in general. We had a 35% increase in the number of visitors last year and looking back over the list of services, events and concerts that took place here it is remarkable how we coped with it all while managing a major building project taking place at the same time. A few people have a lot less hair than they had last year and others are a bit greyer, unfortunately the hair won’t grow back! So my first wish is for a slightly quieter year – at least for the first few months until we all get our energy levels back.
The buildings and facilities that we have to offer here are much improved and this should mean that the Cathedral and Crypt will continue to be busy for future years and I think visitor numbers will stay at the level of 2008, but a few quieter months won’t go amiss.
I am sure every Cathedral Dean and parish priests wish is for a full Cathedral or church for services. Quite how we achieve this is the great mystery. I hope more people turn back to the practise of their faith this year.
Some of the hallmarks of the success of the year of culture have been greater co-operation between agencies and organisations and communities to make things happen, confidence to attempt things especially higher quality events and achieving a better reputation and pride in the City. These are all things that we can develop and take forward for the future whatever the economic outlook is for the next year.
This week we welcome back Monsignor Cookson who has moved back to live in Cathedral House from Ince Blundell, where he has been convalescing following his operation. It is an opportunity for him to get back to living in some form of ‘normal’ presbytery life (which actually isn’t normal at all!). I’m sure you will all be pleased to have him back but he needs to be given the opportunity to settle gently back into things.
Also this week Fr Michael is 40 and after his birthday celebrations will be travelling off to Australia to visit friends and have a holiday. At 40 he will still be one of the youngest and able bodied priests in the Diocese!
Last Sunday I celebrated Mass in Allerton and with the parish priest being ill we were not able to find the three kings to place in the crib. I apologised for this at the start of Mass, and afterwards someone remarked that if the wise men had set out in the present day they would not have been able to make the journey to the crib due to border check points and delays over visas and permits etc so their absence should make us think. I think he made a good point! We should remember in our prayers Archbishop Patrick who will be in Jerusalem and Bethlehem this week and the situation over there – he has travelled with Fr Peter and Philip Arkwright. Perhaps the second coming of the Magi? 
Being the first newsletter of 2009 it is not too late for New Year thoughts, not least because the City is only declaring the end of the Year of Culture this weekend with the ‘Transition’ celebrations. There is much to give thanks for over the last year both here at our Cathedral and for the City in general. We had a 35% increase in the number of visitors last year and looking back over the list of services, events and concerts that took place here it is remarkable how we coped with it all while managing a major building project taking place at the same time. A few people have a lot less hair than they had last year and others are a bit greyer, unfortunately the hair won’t grow back! So my first wish is for a slightly quieter year – at least for the first few months until we all get our energy levels back.