A number of our Cathedral staff, including myself, are experiencing the annual onset of hayfever at present. You can spot them easily as the ones with the runny eyes and nose. Opinions have varied as to which are the most effective remedies – I have steered clear of tablets for the last few years as, despite what it says on the packet, I find myself falling asleep throughout the day even without them. The alternative remedies interest me more, and have been the subject of much conversation. Eating large amounts of local honey is one of my favourites, but local Toxteth bees have been in short supply in recent years and with Phil and Aileen Dobbins spending a lot of time in Europe there is only a limited amount to go round.
Another suggestion was creating a defensive barrier in the nose with Vaseline and gauze and goggles for the eyes, but I’m not sure the general public are ready for this. Another interesting suggestion was kissing another hayfever sufferer for ten minutes – but instead of solving the problem it would probably create chapped lips along with everything else. It is probably best to suffer in silence!
There are two long standing Annual Masses this week. On Wednesday evening at 8pm the Union of Catholic Mothers celebrate their Annual Diocesan Mass. This is always a later evening start than most services – I’m not sure if it is because it takes the ladies longer to get ready or to give those further afield enough time to travel to the city centre. Bishop Williams will preside. The annual Healing Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Kelly, will take place on Thursday 7pm for 7.30pm. Fr Collins, we hope will be present, and has himself made a remarkable recovery from illness earlier this year. Unfortunately I am not able to be at the Mass as I am speaking at the Samaritans AGM but I’m sure that the healing service will still be underway by the time I return.
Our Cathedral Guides have their re-arranged AGM to this coming Friday at 3.30pm and there is a Day of Recollection for those who are readers at the Cathedral on Saturday from 9.45am – 3pm with lunch provided. This is to provide an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of the Word of God and the responsibility that all of us who proclaim this Word have to prepare and reflect upon it so that it is read with true dignity and meaning.
Next Sunday will be a very busy day. There is the celebration of our parish First Holy Communions at the 10am Mass in the Crypt. In the afternoon at 3pm Bishop Williams will confirm young people from the Old Swan/West Derby Pastoral Area during Sung Evening Prayer. In-between these events and the Solemn Mass there will be an open Art Market on the Piazza.
A number of our Cathedral staff, including myself, are experiencing the annual onset of hayfever at present. You can spot them easily as the ones with the runny eyes and nose. Opinions have varied as to which are the most effective remedies – I have steered clear of tablets for the last few years as, despite what it says on the packet, I find myself falling asleep throughout the day even without them. The alternative remedies interest me more, and have been the subject of much conversation. Eating large amounts of local honey is one of my favourites, but local Toxteth bees have been in short supply in recent years and with Phil and Aileen Dobbins spending a lot of time in Europe there is only a limited amount to go round.
There are two long standing Annual Masses this week. On Wednesday evening at 8pm the Union of Catholic Mothers celebrate their Annual Diocesan Mass. This is always a later evening start than most services – I’m not sure if it is because it takes the ladies longer to get ready or to give those further afield enough time to travel to the city centre. Bishop Williams will preside. The annual Healing Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Kelly, will take place on Thursday 7pm for 7.30pm. Fr Collins, we hope will be present, and has himself made a remarkable recovery from illness earlier this year. Unfortunately I am not able to be at the Mass as I am speaking at the Samaritans AGM but I’m sure that the healing service will still be underway by the time I return.