Weekly Record

23rd November 2008

We have grown used to dealing with big occasions here, but this Sunday is rather special as we welcome so many Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops who join us for Solemn Mass at the end of their Conference here in Liverpool. The symbol of Catholic Church leaders from the two great continents of Africa and Europe coming together will be a very powerful statement of our unity as we join in prayer humbly before Christ, Our King, that He will free all the world to rejoice in His peace, to glory in His justice and to live in His love. A Happy Feast Day to You All.

Sunday is also Archbishop Patrick’s 70th Birthday. He seems to have boundless energy and has been chasing round all week in preparation for this conference. It is probably a combination of the Liverpool and Morecambe air! On behalf of us all I wish him many happy returns - congratulations to a very young at heart septuagenarian.

The end of the Church’s year but not the end of events and activities. Life goes on, with not even a respite before we begin the Season of Advent. On Wednesday there is an extra Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 11am for members of the Simmarian Association. On Thursday the Green Laser will beam for the last time between the two Cathedrals. There is a final Concert to mark the end of this installation, formally known as the ‘Hope Street Project’, which will be held simultaneously in both Cathedrals from 7.30pm. At the launch of the transmission of sound by laser I was invited to send a message to Liverpool Cathedral and they were to send one back. They, apparently, heard my message but I’m still waiting to hear theirs as it seemed to be a one way line that night. Maybe I will hear a two way transmission this week before it concludes.

This Friday we welcome Bellerive High School for their prize-giving which takes place in the Cathedral in the afternoon. Then, that evening Knights of the Holy Sepulchre will gather from around the country in preparation for a Vigil Service and Mass of Investiture which takes place on the Saturday morning at 10.45am. Cardinal Foley will be flying over from Rome to preside at this Mass and will be joined by Archbishop Patrick and a number of other Bishops. Also on Saturday our Cathedral Guides welcome their opposite numbers, the Anglican Cathedral Interpreters, for lunch in the Gibberd Room.

Choosing a suitable cover for our Cathedral Christmas Card becomes more of a challenge each year and someone had the brainwave of a Christmas photograph of the Cathedral staff, sisters and clergy, suitably attired, gathered around a Christmas tree singing carols. Even our musical Director couldn’t manage to get us all singing the right note together and what looks like a harmonious sound on the photograph was pretty awful in reality. One or two of us look like we are dressed for bonfire night but overall it has turned out well. Last year donkeys and children, this year staff carolling, what next!

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. The Advent Sequence will be at 5pm – taking the place of Choral Evening Prayer. This year we hope to have a Tableau as a visual focus for the Readings and ‘O’ Antiphons.

Canon Anthony O'Brien
Cathedral Dean