Weekly Record

27th January 2008

Time seems to be in short supply at present so I find myself writing this article whilst sitting in the midst of class 5 children from St Nicholas. They are acting as guinea pigs for a practical choir session during interviews for a new Music Post in the Cathedral Music Department. The children are extremely well behaved considering they have to respond to three different candidates. However looking at some of the boys on the back row I’m not sure that they would consider singing as their favourite subject. Not an easy challenge for the candidates. The children themselves were asked how they felt about the sessions – one boy said all three should get the job- he wouldn’t make a Simon Cowell. The post is for a Junior Choir Leader and Crypt Organist which will give an opportunity for younger girls and boys to be part of a choir and give a more co-ordinated approach to the music at 10am and 7pm Masses in the Crypt. There will be more information in the next few weeks for parents who may be interested in their child becoming part of the Junior Choir.

At present we are in the midst of final preparations for the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday and less immediate preparations for the Civic Mass the following Sunday. Both will be busy and important days in the life of the Cathedral. Don’t forget that Choral Evening Prayer with The Archbishop of Canterbury is at 5pm and I apologise but no amount of influence or connections will get you a parking pass at this late stage! This Sunday marks the end of the week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is also the day set aside to recall the Holocaust when the Nazis killed 6 million Jews and millions of other ethnic groups. Both these themes should give us plenty of food for thought and prayer this weekend.

Next weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation and as well as the Civic Mass at 11am there will be a presentation of the children who are beginning their preparation for First Holy Communion. This will take place at the 10am Mass in the Crypt. There will also be an open afternoon for prospective choir boys and their parents. They are invited to Evening Prayer and will have a chance to hear about the choir and look around the Cathedral afterwards.

I read with interest this week that Westminster Cathedral is launching an appeal for £3 million to carry out necessary repairs. It includes a picture of the Cardinal standing on the roof of the Cathedral showing some of the cracks in the structure. Next time we have any roof problems I think I will offer Archbishop Patrick the opportunity to climb up instead of me now that the Cardinal has set a precedent. They had Anne Widdecombe MP conducting an auction to initiate their fund raising but I don’t think any politicians would be queuing up to sell bric-a-brac at our Car Boot Sales.

Canon Anthony O'Brien
Cathedral Dean