Weekly Record

15th December

In virtually every parish I have been in as soon as a really cold patch of weather occurred the heating system would start to play up. The Cathedral, despite all its complex systems, is no exception. As well as Isaiah and John the Baptist the other indicator for Advent, for me, is the arrival of heating engineers and standing in cold boiler sheds looking at pressure gauges going down while mine is going up. Anyway a considerable amount of parts have been replaced this week the question is will we feel the difference? Global warming can’t come soon enough as far as I’m concerned.

Evening Prayer this Sunday is an adaptation of ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ by Benjamin Britten. As well as our weekend services there is the BBC nativity at 8.00pm on Sunday evening at St George’s Hall. If you are going down to it you will need a torch and some warm weatherproof clothing. This will be a modern interpretation of the Nativity story and I’m sure that there will be one or two controversial twists to the story which will be broadcast live on BBC3 and at some later stage on BBC1.

On Tuesday this week the Music Service of Liverpool Education Department will hold their Carol Concert at 7.00pm involving schools from around the city. Nugent Care will be hosting a Christmas service for the first time at the Cathedral at 2.00pm on Wednesday. It is entitled ‘Lights to Remember Service’. Unfortunately it is the third service in the last two weeks to use this same title and it is rather confusing to anyone who may be attending two of these services – even more so for us at the Cathedral. Perhaps the various charities need to come up with some suitable variations on a theme.

Friday is an opportunity for the Cathedral community to relax and let our hair down (if you are lucky to have some). Our Christmas Party is a mix of good food, good company, fun and a variety of musical entertainment which is my idea of a good time. The party begins early evening but you will not be able to just turn up on the night you will need to purchase your tickets in advance and they are selling fast.

The Archbishop will be at the Cathedral next weekend. He will preside at the Solemn Mass next Sunday and he will also lead the Service of Reconciliation next Saturday afternoon at 3.00pm. We have invited a number of the Chapter Canons and other priests to take part in the Service of Reconciliation and it will be an ideal opportunity to escape from the shopping and hustle and bustle to celebrate the sacrament of forgiveness in preparation for the Christmas feast.

Next Sunday we will bless Christmas votive lights and distribute them to each family after Mass with a Christmas grace to be used at your Christmas meal. Please let your neighbours and friends know of the Christmas service times –a little bit of encouragement and information can help people take the opportunity to come to Mass at this time.

Canon Anthony O'Brien
Cathedral Dean