Ordinations
With this being the final couple of weeks before the end of the academic year there are a number of events taking place this week as the term draws to a close. The choirs of our two Cathedrals will be taking part in a concert this Sunday from 3pm at our Cathedral. They will sing well-known choral pieces which will be interspersed with solo recital pieces performed by Ian Tracey, Organist Titulaire, of Liverpool Cathedral.
Our choirs will sing for the final time on Sunday 14th July before their summer break.
Later in the week on Thursday evening at 7.00pm the Diocesan Schools Education Department are having a Thanksgiving Mass for schools staff and governors to mark the end of the school year.
Next Saturday four men will be ordained priests by Archbishop Malcolm at a ceremony here at the Cathedral which will take place at 12 midday. The four deacons to be ordained priests are James Finnegan, Martin Fyles, Peter Ross and Lister Tonge. Peter Ross, many of you may remember, spent three months here on placement when he was a fourth year seminary student. After ordination Peter will begin his priestly ministry in Widnes. Lister Tonge was a former Anglican Cathedral Dean who was received into the Catholic Church by Archbishop Malcolm at our Easter Vigil service two years ago having taken part in the RCIA preparation course that takes place here each year. James Finnegan a parishioner of St Margaret Mary’s and Martin Fyles from Southport have both trained at the English College Rome and will have to return after ordination to finish their doctoral license. If you can, please come along and support and pray for them all next Saturday. The ordination service for a priest is a very beautiful service and we don’t often get a chance to witness it these days due to the significant decrease in the number of vocations.
This Sunday at 5pm Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate the Lourdes Departure Mass. The Pilgrimage begins on the weekend of 19th/20th July. Below is a prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure for their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.
Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
