A warm greeting and welcome to all of you who will be joining us this weekend to celebrate our Patronal Feast of Christ the King in our 40th year. Looking back over our history it is interesting to note that this was not the original title chosen for the Cathedral to be built on this site. At the ceremony to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the then Lutyens building in 1933, the building was to be dedicated to “The Good Shepherd”. But at the request of Pope Pius 11th, in recognition of the newly designated Feast of Christ the King, he requested that the Cathedral be dedicated to this title of Our Lord. There is something more significant and meaningful to celebrating this Feastday as it was a title bestowed on our building rather than chosen by us and it marks the introduction of this feast which is now firmly established as the last Sunday of the church’s year.
In preparation for this weekend I was dragged off this week to Ikea to choose a few spotlights for the new Lutyens Crypt Project display boards. It has been quite some years since I last visited the shop and being accompanied by my Assistant, Claire, a streetwise and savvy shopper if ever there was one, I was like a lamb to the slaughter. I was first softened up by being offered a cooked breakfast in the café- which I discovered later was probably the bargain of bargains of the breakfast world and didn’t exactly break the bank. Following this I went upstairs with the plastic carrier bag and was told that I would probably need a trolley as it would be easier to carry things around the store until arriving at checkout. Shortly after this we seemed to lose one another and when we were reunited at the lighting section the trolley seemed almost full of Christmas table decorations, candles for Advent and Christmas (as if we hadn’t got enough), stands, rattan baskets etc etc. Eventually finding my way out of the store, after suffering a slight panic attack, guess who is left with the trolley at the checkout? How could I have been so naïve? I have decided to do the supermarket drinks shop on my own following this episode!
The Crypt Project works are progressing well and the work behind the scenes to produce the information and appeal brochures and boards has been extensive. Grateful thanks to all those who have been involved so far.
Next weekend we begin the season of Advent. A season which brings with it the challenge of maintaining a split personality. In our own Cathedral services we attempt to remain true to the season in an atmosphere of reflection, waiting and preparation and most of our visiting charities and groups hold their Christmas services in advance of the feast. I very much enjoy the mix. I do commend to you the Advent Sequence service which takes place next Sunday at 5.00pm – a service of Advent music and readings – as a very prayerful way to begin the start of the Advent Season.
A warm greeting and welcome to all of you who will be joining us this weekend to celebrate our Patronal Feast of Christ the King in our 40th year. Looking back over our history it is interesting to note that this was not the original title chosen for the Cathedral to be built on this site. At the ceremony to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the then Lutyens building in 1933, the building was to be dedicated to “The Good Shepherd”. But at the request of Pope Pius 11th, in recognition of the newly designated Feast of Christ the King, he requested that the Cathedral be dedicated to this title of Our Lord. There is something more significant and meaningful to celebrating this Feastday as it was a title bestowed on our building rather than chosen by us and it marks the introduction of this feast which is now firmly established as the last Sunday of the church’s year.
Next weekend we begin the season of Advent. A season which brings with it the challenge of maintaining a split personality. In our own Cathedral services we attempt to remain true to the season in an atmosphere of reflection, waiting and preparation and most of our visiting charities and groups hold their Christmas services in advance of the feast. I very much enjoy the mix. I do commend to you the Advent Sequence service which takes place next Sunday at 5.00pm – a service of Advent music and readings – as a very prayerful way to begin the start of the Advent Season.