Weekly Record

29th June 2008

The Catenian Association are holding their annual conference in Liverpool this weekend to celebrate their 100th Anniversary and we extend a very warm welcome to them as they join us for 11am Solemn Mass this Sunday. The choir of Cologne Cathedral (our twinned City) will also be joining us for this mass as they are taking part in a performance of Brittens War Requiem which is to take place at the Anglican Cathedral the night before. So a very warm welcome to them also – they will sing a motet during mass and a few pieces afterwards. I shouldn’t forget all those who have accompanied the Archbishop on the series of walks to highlight faith and pilgrimage in our year of culture and the Lord Mayor and representatives of Nugent Care who will be joining us this morning as well.

This weekend we honour the two greatest saints of the church Peter, the Rock on which the church was to be built, and Paul, the Fearless Preacher and Missionary. Their Feast reminds us that we are each called to be faithful witnesses of the Gospel in our various different situations. This gives me a nice opportunity to single out three people for special mention this weekend.

Sister Mary one of the Community of Sisters here at the Cathedral celebrates her Diamond Jubilee this weekend. Most of her work before coming here was with the ‘Childrens Rescue Society’ in Salford. She had been the Crypt Sacristan for a few years and now she has no official title but helps out, in her own quiet and gentle way, where she can. We join with her in giving thanks for 60 years of religious life and service to others.

The second person is Paul Mannings who has been chairman of our Cathedral Guides Association for the last few years. Paul is due to be ordained a Permanent Deacon next Sunday afternoon. Although from St Thomas More Parish in Aigburth it is intended that he will fulfil part of his ministry as a deacon here at the Cathedral as well as in his home parish. Paul will assist at one of the weekend masses on a regular basis and be involved in the sacramental preparations and occasional pastoral duties within the Cathedral Parish. We pray for Paul as he prepares for Ordination.

Finally I ask you to remember Sean Riley in your prayers as he prepares for his ordination to Priesthood in 10 days time at St Clares Church, Sefton Park. Sean was an altar server at the Cathedral and has regularly kept in touch and visited the Cathedral during his years in the Seminary. I think he is the only priest to be ordained for the Diocese this year.

On Thursday this week Runnymede – Preparatory School to St Edwards - are holding their Prize Giving Evening in the Cathedral at 7pm.On Saturday 5th July at 7.30pm there is a performance of Beethovens 9th Symphony with the Cathedral Orchestra, Cantata Choir and Formby Choral Society and various soloists conducted by Stephen Pratt. This is to commemorate the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela. As mentioned earlier the Ordination of Deacons will take place next Sunday at 3pm.

With a bit of luck and fair weather the internal and external screens should come down within the next two weeks and reveal an almost completed link between the Cathedral and the Crypt!!

Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean