Weekly Record

26 April 2009

Last Wednesday morning in the heavy mist at dawn before the sunshine managed to break through there was an assembled crew of workmen, German technicians in their smart overalls, and our own workmen, in various attire with their yellow jackets, and crane at the ready waiting for the arrival of the lorry which was transporting the glass columns, from Germany, to be erected on the Cathedral precinct. The cargo finally arrived a few hours later much to everyone’s frustration- so much for ‘vorsprung Durk Technik’ – and the two crews swung into operation. I realised that hand signals to crane drivers are a universal language. Just as well really when the loads are in hundredweights and tons! Also that there is a code of respect amongst workmen of whatever nationality when they recognise craftsmanship and hard graft. Anyway you should see the fruits of all this hard work by this weekend with the fully assembled glass columns in place on the Cathedral Precinct – designed by the German Artist Raphael Seitz.

This Sunday I have been invited to take part in a service at Liverpool Cathedral in remembrance and thanksgiving for the ‘Womens Land Army’. It has taken a long time for them to have been given true recognition for their part in the Second World War. It was suggested to me that it will be like a Cathedral UCM Mass but older and without the hats. But I suspect there may be even more hats at this, we shall see.

Next Friday we have our Grand Dinner Dance to mark the completion of the work that has taken place over the last eighteen months to provide full access to the public between the Cathedral and the Crypt and to carry out a significant programme of re-furbishment. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with and thank many of the people and firms that have been involved in this and to showcase the architecture of the Crypt in all its glory. The clergy wear black or dark suits most of the time, so we will not look much different on an occasion like this but it will be interesting to see how everyone else ‘scrubs up’ in all their finery and what the fashionable Cathedral parishioner is wearing to dinner dances this year. Perhaps we should have a fashion page with the Newsletter next week. Please note that there will be no evening Mass next Friday- the First Friday intention for those recorded in the Golden Book will be offered at the 12.15pm Mass on 1st May.

On Saturday there is a day conference for Cathedral Musicians taking place here so there will be an additional Mass at 12 midday and Choral Evening Prayer at 5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel as well as the regular Saturday services.

Bishop Tom Williams has been on visitation of the parishes around the city centre and he intends to spend a weekend here at the Cathedral as well as a day at our Primary School – St Nicholas’ and the Royal Liverpool Hospital. He will speak at all the Masses on the weekend of 9th/10th May and be available to meet you all after Mass.

Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean