'Oh how the mighty have fallen'. Last Saturday morning as the rain poured down and the wind blew some of the people who had helped me organise the Grand Dinner Dance turned up just before 7am to assist at the latest Car Boot Sale. Was it only a week ago that we were dressed up like divas and (whatever the male equivalent of a diva is?) wandering in and out of the Cathedral and Crypt sipping pink champagne. Gone were the black ties, expensive suits and stylish dresses and instead we were kitted out in jeans, baggy jumpers and trainers. For those of us who work on the Bacon Sandwhich stall (I refuse to use the word 'buttie') our outfits were complete with an apron and the added advantage of going home smelling like a greasy cafe. It seemed an awfully long way from our world of elegance that had taken place just over one week ago.
But life goes on and there is no time to be dreaming! There are two Annual General Meetings this week. The first one on Sunday afternoon is the Choir Association who exist to generate and maintain interest in our wonderful Choir, to raise much needed funds and to organise and promote choir tours both here and abroad, and also importantly to foster mutual help and support amongst choir parents. Having a chorister in the Choir affects the whole family and it is important that support is there. The second AGM on Tuesday evening is that of our Cathedral Friends who under the leadership of the current Chairman, Peter Woods, has gone from strength to strength over the past eighteen months and has seen membership almost double. In a nutshell The Friends provide a focus for those who love our wonderful Cathedral to help maintain and enhance it as well as enjoying one another's company through a programme of social, cultural and religious activities.
On Thursday afternoon Year 3 children from our parish school, St Nicholas, will be making their First Confession in the Crypt Chapel and we remember them in our prayers as they celebrate the Sacrament, and hopefully remember the day as a very special moment in their lives. My personal memory was walking hand in hand with Andrew Smith from school to church, and the whole experience not being very profound. The confessional was really dark and smelt really damp, and the priest sounded a bit annoyed and fed up about being there. But that was a very long time ago now...
An addition to our usual timetable next Sunday, 24 May, is the Healing Mass which will take place at 6.30pm in the Cathedral. The date and time is a new one-and the organisers are not sure whether being on a Sunday evening will bring more or less people to it. It may certainly have a bearing on the number of clergy who are able to attend. The Archbishop will be presiding and Fr Jimmy Collins will also be there. The change of time and day will not however, take away from the fact that this Mass is always a most spiritual and uplifting occasion. The 7.00pm Mass in the Crypt will take place as usual.
There will be lots more said and written I am sure about the Crypt over the weeks and months to come but suffice to report at the moment that from Monday 1 June the Crypt and Treasury will be open to visitors from 10am - 4.00pm (last tour to the Crypt at 3.15pm), Monday to Saturday. On Sundays the Rotunda area will be open and visitors can wander in and look at the etchings and enjoy the view etc. We will be looking for feedback and your observations about the Crypt so don't be shy in coming forward!
'Oh how the mighty have fallen'. Last Saturday morning as the rain poured down and the wind blew some of the people who had helped me organise the Grand Dinner Dance turned up just before 7am to assist at the latest Car Boot Sale. Was it only a week ago that we were dressed up like divas and (whatever the male equivalent of a diva is?) wandering in and out of the Cathedral and Crypt sipping pink champagne. Gone were the black ties, expensive suits and stylish dresses and instead we were kitted out in jeans, baggy jumpers and trainers. For those of us who work on the Bacon Sandwhich stall (I refuse to use the word 'buttie') our outfits were complete with an apron and the added advantage of going home smelling like a greasy cafe. It seemed an awfully long way from our world of elegance that had taken place just over one week ago.
But life goes on and there is no time to be dreaming! There are two Annual General Meetings this week. The first one on Sunday afternoon is the Choir Association who exist to generate and maintain interest in our wonderful Choir, to raise much needed funds and to organise and promote choir tours both here and abroad, and also importantly to foster mutual help and support amongst choir parents. Having a chorister in the Choir affects the whole family and it is important that support is there. The second AGM on Tuesday evening is that of our Cathedral Friends who under the leadership of the current Chairman, Peter Woods, has gone from strength to strength over the past eighteen months and has seen membership almost double. In a nutshell The Friends provide a focus for those who love our wonderful Cathedral to help maintain and enhance it as well as enjoying one another's company through a programme of social, cultural and religious activities. 
the number of clergy who are able to attend. The Archbishop will be presiding and Fr Jimmy Collins will also be there. The change of time and day will not however, take away from the fact that this Mass is always a most spiritual and uplifting occasion. The 7.00pm Mass in the Crypt will take place as usual.