Weekly Record

Considering that St Therese lived an enclosed, quiet, contemplative life it is remarkable how she can attract the crowds even though it is more than a hundred years since her death. A testament to her life and influence. I am writing this just before the Relics of St Therese arrive and Cathedral House is full of the smell of home made cakes and freshly baked scones. Many people have either baked themselves or donated cakes purchased from various supermarkets. There was an Anglican Bishop in the news this week who was suggesting that their worshippers were predominantly M&S shoppers and they needed to change their image. Judging by the donated cakes I can testify that our parishioners shop everywhere and anyway what is wrong with M&S. The sight of all these goodies is just too tempting for words.

I have been keeping a close eye on how the visits have gone at other Cathedrals. Each visit seems to have attracted a thousand more people than the one previous. There is a danger that we fall into the trap of judging the value of the events by the numbers rather than the spirit and sincerity of heart of those who come to venerate the relics which is infinitely more important. So we won’t be doing a head count- though as the Archbishop says (Bruce Forsyth Style) ‘we will be the best venue’.

Congratulations to the organisers and all who were involved in the Hope Street Feast last week. It was a great success again this year and the September Sun appeared in all its glory to make it a more enjoyable afternoon. I’m not sure the Street could cope with much greater numbers than this.

This Sunday there will be an extra morning mass in the Crypt – the Annual Catholic Ramblers Mass. Rather than a few ‘butties’ in the rucksack that that they normally make do with on their walks they will be having a sit down lunch afterwards.

On Tuesday at 11am there will be a funeral mass for Private Jason Dunn-Bridgeman a twenty year old soldier who was killed on active duty in Afghanistan. His home parish was St Dominics in Huyton but due to the numbers of people who will be attending the ceremony will take place here. Please pray for him and his family at this time. Also for all our soldiers who are serving in Afghanistan.

I will be attending an ‘In Service ‘ course this week at Ushaw College in Durham entitled ‘The signs of the Times – Revisiting Vatican 11’. It will be the first time that I have returned to the seminary since ordination almost 30 years ago so it should bring back some interesting memories. You can look forward to some interesting insights from Claire in next weeks Record

Canon Anthony O’Brien
Dean of the Cathedral