Weekly Record

HAPPY CHRISTMAS JOYEUX NOEL FELIZ NATAL GOD JUL

The run up to Christmas this year has been as busy as usual but the variety of events taking place has made it a very fruitful and enjoyable time too. There have been many services the last few weeks which have brought comfort, hope and support to those who are ill or bereaved. The numerous concerts have been varied and entertaining. I can still picture the sheer effort and concentration and enjoyment on one young boys face singing in a school choir last Friday- if only we all gave 100% effort like this.

The fund-raising for the Crypt has continued throughout Advent too and I was press ganged last week into helping with bag packing at Marks and Spencers. I didn’t realize that it was such an exact science. We were given training before we started which included a description of the various bags that were to be used for flowers, party food, clothes etc. It was the mention of bubble wrap that brought on a slight panic from the male members of the team. The training was useful but once we got underway most of the female customers gave us men so many instructions and tips that we didn’t know whether we were coming or going. The staff and vast majority of shoppers were extremely kind and welcoming. You could probably do more pastoral work talking to people in the food department than in a week in a presbytery. We managed to go home with a generous amount raised for the Crypt Project offers of dinner and even a proposition –but not to me I hastily add.

Meanwhile behind the scenes at the Cathedral the regular daily timetable ticks over with everyone beavering away to get the cathedral looking its best for Christmas. This is no mean feat and I am extremely grateful to the cleaning, maintenance and security staff for all their hard work and dedication at this time. The reality is that the lead up to Christmas makes extra demands on all our staff and it is great the way everyone rallies round to prepare the building and the services at Christmas. Please share the information regarding Christmas mass times with others in your family /neighbours and let them know that they would be most welcome to any of them. Please note that there will be no evening mass on Christmas Day.

There will be just the one mass on Boxing Day and New Years Eve and Day at 10am in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Mass times for the rest of Christmas week, and the first week in the New Year will be as normal. On New Years Eve there will be a service at the Anglican Cathedral to welcome in the New Year and pray for the success of the year of culture. This will involve both Cathedrals and Archbishop Patrick and Bishop Jones. There will be music from 10.30pm with the service beginning at 11pm and ending at midnight.

I hope our celebrations of Christmas will be joyful ,dignified and reflect the grace of the Lord’s birth. All that remains is for me to wish you and your families a very Happy and Blessed Christmas and New Year from all of the clergy and staff at the Cathedral.

BOZE NARODZENIE BUONE NATALIZIE SRETAN BOZIC

Canon Anthony O'Brien
Cathedral Dean