This week we welcome the Relics
of St Therese of Lisieux to our Cathedral. Although the visit will only
last for 24 hours, from 3pm on Thursday until 3pm on Friday, there will
be the opportunity for personal prayer and devotion and communal
prayer, Masses and confession. If you haven’t already taken one there
are plenty of leaflets giving information on times of services and
reflections during the visit – these are available at the entrance to
the Cathedral and Crypt Chapel. At this stage there is an element of
fear as well as expectation because we do not have any real idea of the
numbers of people that might come to the Cathedral during the visit of
the Relics. Based on advice we have received we are planning on a full
Cathedral for most of the period – quite what we do if we can’t fit
everyone in may have me resorting to plan B which is still in the
scratching my head stage at the moment. But it is a better problem to
have than very few turning up! For an occasion like this to run
smoothly there are endless practical arrangements that are necessary
behind the scenes. Extra catering, arranging of liturgies,
co-ordinating volunteers, dealing with a whole range of enquiries etc
and I am extremely grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have
helped with the preparations and offered to help on the two days of the
visit.
Saint Therese is one of the best known saints of modern times and even
though she died over a hundred years ago her life is still an
inspiration and challenge to us all. The physical presence of the
Relics focusses our attention on her life and reminds us of the Lords
call to us all to be people of prayer and to daily follow after Him in
the simple daily routines of our lives. The ‘Little Way’ as St Therese
referred to it. My hope is that this will be a time of grace and
strengthening of faith for us all. ‘For me prayer is an
aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it
is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy.
Finally, it is something which expands my soul and unites me to
Jesus’ St Therese from her journal of a soul.
This Sunday there is a festival along Hope Street and as part of this
there is an ‘Art Market’ on the Piazza. On Wednesday a visiting
diocesan Bishop from India, Bishop Jude Paulraj of Palyamkottai
Diocese, will preside at the 5.15pm evening Mass.
Finally, next Saturday if we are all still standing the Friends of the
Cathedral have organised a flower arranging demonstration by Molly
Houghton in the Gibberd Room from 2-4pm. Afternoon tea with
home made scones and what I am assured will be home made jam will be
served. You can buy tickets on the door at £8.50, and £7.50
if you are a
Friend!
This week we welcome the Relics
of St Therese of Lisieux to our Cathedral. Although the visit will only
last for 24 hours, from 3pm on Thursday until 3pm on Friday, there will
be the opportunity for personal prayer and devotion and communal
prayer, Masses and confession. If you haven’t already taken one there
are plenty of leaflets giving information on times of services and
reflections during the visit – these are available at the entrance to
the Cathedral and Crypt Chapel. At this stage there is an element of
fear as well as expectation because we do not have any real idea of the
numbers of people that might come to the Cathedral during the visit of
the Relics. Based on advice we have received we are planning on a full
Cathedral for most of the period – quite what we do if we can’t fit
everyone in may have me resorting to plan B which is still in the
scratching my head stage at the moment. But it is a better problem to
have than very few turning up! For an occasion like this to run
smoothly there are endless practical arrangements that are necessary
behind the scenes. Extra catering, arranging of liturgies,
co-ordinating volunteers, dealing with a whole range of enquiries etc
and I am extremely grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have
helped with the preparations and offered to help on the two days of the
visit.