Welcome St Edward’s
At the Solemn Mass this Sunday we welcome pupils and their families from St Edward’s, College who will be joining us for Mass this Sunday on this weekend of the Feast of St Edward the Confessor. In the era of St Edward most of the key players seemed to have been given nicknames which described their personality or effectiveness. Such names as Ironside, Unready, or Half as Tough as his father (HarthaCnut). In Edwards’ case he was referred to as Confessor to describe his personal devotion to his Christian Faith which influenced his reign. He was for a while the patron Saint of England until he was deposed by the choice of St George but his lasting legacy to this day is Westminster Abbey which he founded.
Next Saturday there is a ‘Music at the Met’ Concert at 7.30pm involving all our Cathedral Choirs, Soloists and the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra. The programme includes Mozart’s Overture from the Magic Flute. Beethoven’s First Symphony and Mozarts Requiem. It promises to be a really enjoyable evening of classical and choral music. Tickets are available from the Music Department, or you can pay on the night.
We have been in the news this week for ’Engaging the Architects of Tomorrow’. The final year architectural students at John Moores University are tutored by Michael Farragher who attends Mass here at the Cathedral. These students have to complete a final year design project as part of their level 6 qualification. With the Piazza Gift shop and Café project underway at present the students, under Michael’s direction, have made a number of visits to the site and the Cathedral to understand the buildings and to get site experience. They were hosted by the site surveyor, Lewis Culshaw, who was himself a former architectural student. Following these visits and the experience and information they have been given they will all draw up their own designs for a new gift shop and café building and this will form an exhibition at the end of their projects. It will be interesting to compare these against the final agreed plan for the rebuilding of the visitor centre when this is finally approved.
I heard last week that Robin Riley, a local artist, sculptor and local historian had died. He was known to many living in the city centre area and had a close connection with both Cathedrals. He designed the Paschal Candle stand that we use in the Cathedral which is stored in the Baptistry and also the artwork within the Chapel of the Oils.
Please also remember in your prayer Jean Jones whose funeral Mass takes place this coming week at St Charles Borromeo, Aigburth at 1pm. Jean was secretary to five Archbishops of Liverpool and was loved and respected by all the Diocesan Clergy.
May they both rest in peace.
Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
