New Auxiliary Bishop
We welcomed the announcement that Canon Tom Neylon is to be Ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Liverpool Archdiocese on 3rd September at the Cathedral. However, the reality has soon dawned that we only have a few weeks to co-ordinate all that will be needed for the liturgy and the reception afterwards both at the Cathedral. It has been some time since we had a celebration on this scale so we are having to step up a gear or two during August to get everything ready. Invitations have gone out to personal guests, other church leaders and bishops and priests throughout the country and the preparations are underway.
We are only planning to return to our full schedule of services, including the opening of the Lutyens Crypt and Crypt Chapel on the weekend of 4/5th September so the Ordination on 3rd September should be a wonderful occasion to mark a new start for the Cathedral post pandemic as well as a celebratory Diocesan occasion.
Prior to the Covid outbreak there had been a group of volunteers and staff carrying out research in preparation for a new series of Exhibition boards for the Pontifical Hall within the Crypt. This display in text and illustrative form is now in the final stages of preparation to be in place for September. They give an account of the development of our Cathedral buildings with lots of interesting Diocesan and historical facts related to our buildings. The Cathedral is grateful to all the people and students who carried out the research and contributed to the final exhibition. We look forward to seeing it in situ when the Crypt opens again.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15th August falls on a Sunday this year and will be celebrated at the Vigil and Daytime Masses.
Canon Anthony O’Brien Cathedral Dean
