New Pauline Bookshop
I ventured down on to Church Street in the City Centre last week which was the first time that I had been there over the last year, and also the first time I had been in a shop other than a supermarket. En route to a meeting, I had purposely diverted to visit the new Pauline Bookshop which had relocated from Bold Street and had just opened in their new location right in the centre of the shopping area. I was very impressed with the layout of the shop and the facilities and also the fact that it is in a much more accessible location for people to visit or browse. It was also great to see the Pauline sisters who had come from other parts of the country to help to establish the new shop, many of them had served here in Liverpool over the years. If you get a chance when you are in the city centre, call in and have a look around, the shop provides a welcoming religious presence in the heart of Church Street.
At the Vigil Mass this Saturday two adults who took part in the RCIA preparation course 2020/21 will be baptised and the other participants will be received into the Church. Those to be baptised are Miriam Nemetova and Sid Ahmed Balal, and those to be received are Vikki Maddocks and Sean Bennett. Normally they would all be confirmed at the same time but this will take place the following Sunday morning at 11am Mass on Pentecost Sunday when Archbishop Malcolm will be here to celebrate this Mass.
For the Feast of Pentecost our young choristers will be returning for the first time this year to sing at the Solemn Mass. They last sang here on Christmas Eve. I’m sure that they will all be excited to be back singing in the Cathedral after such a long period of only singing and rehearsing online. This will mean that, with the Sacrament of Confirmation being conferred and more singers and their families at this Mass we will struggle to accommodate everyone at 11am. There will be a lot more space and room at the 4pm Saturday Vigil and 9am Sunday Masses next weekend if you wanted to choose an alternative to the 11am which we are sure will be full to capacity.
The period from the Feast of the Ascension is a time of prayerful waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Novena to the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas for it was Jesus himself who sent his apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. Below is a prayer asking that the Holy Spirit bestows his gifts on us, the church, to enable us to fulfil our mission as Christ’s disciples today.
Lord Jesus, before you ascended into heaven you promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish your work to empower your Apostles and Disciples to build your church. Grant us the Spirit of Wisdom, that we aspire after the things that are eternal. The Spirit of Understanding, that we may be enlightened with your Divine truth. The Spirit of Counsel to be guided and guide others by Your Word. The Spirit of Fortitude that we may have the courage to face the challenges of life with your help. The Spirit of Knowledge that we may be aware of God’s many gifts and blessings. The Spirit of Piety that we may strive to live lives of prayer and service. The Spirit of Fear of the Lord that we may be filled with a loving reverence of God. Mark us Lord with the sign of Your Disciples and enliven us in all things with the gifts of Your Spirit. Amen.
Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
