The Dean’s Weekly Message – 19th November 2023 Posted on Saturday 18 November 2023

Installation of new Canon

This Sunday afternoon at 3pm our choirs, soloists and guest orchestra will be performing JS Bach’s Cantata ’Wachet Auf’ which means ‘sleepers awake’, as a prelude to the final Sunday of the year Christ the King and the forthcoming season of Advent. The Cantata is one of the most popular of Bach’s choral pieces. The theme of the piece is based upon the gospel account of the bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to arrive and the need to stay awake and experience the joy of welcoming our loving merciful saviour when he comes. Also at our evening mass at 7pm we welcome Bishop Tom Neylon who will celebrate this mass and receive and confirm two adults at this mass.

The Chapter of Canons gather here on Wednesday for their November meeting and Chapter Mass for departed members. Archbishop Malcolm will also install a new honorary Canon of the Diocese, Fr John Poland, at this mass. As well as being Chaplain to the Archbishop Fr John has recently been appointed as Judicial Vicar of the National Tribunal Service of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales so it is fitting that he receives a title in recognition of this senior position. Honorary Canons get the title and can wear the robes but are dispensed of the responsibilities of being a member of the Chapter of Canons and Fr John will have enough on his plate without having to attend Chapter meetings.

At the Diocesan Synod in 2020, 19 recommendations were made which were encapsulated into 6 priority areas for the Diocese to work on as priority areas for the future. These headings were;

1. Becoming a church that honours the vocation of all the baptised.
2. Becoming a church were young people and adults flourish
3. Becoming a church that accompanies people through life.
4. Becoming a church were Synodality is embedded.
5. Becoming a church that renews its’ organisational structures and property to suit its’ mission.
6. Becoming a church that cares for its priests.

This Saturday the first Diocesan Synodal Council will be meeting to discuss the progress that has been made on each of these priority areas and discern the key priorities for the next 12 months. This will be taking place this Saturday 25 November from 10.30am.

Anyone can watch the ASC online and can submit questions by clicking the link on the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s homepage:
https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/

There will be a lot of people physical present at this gathering from across the deaneries of the Diocese. I’m not sure whether streaming such an event live will enhance or inhibit discussion and sharing, then again it may attract hundreds of interested parishioners listening in.

Next Sunday we celebrate our Patronal Feast of Christ the King. Archbishop Malcolm will be with us and will preside at the Solemn Mass

Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean