Chair of Saint Peter
We celebrate the 7th Sunday of the Year this Sunday, however the calendar feast for this day is that of the Chair of Saint Peter. This is a feast that has been celebrated since the fourth century to pray for and uphold the unity of the church founded on the Apostle Peter. It is a day on which we also pray to the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen the Holy Father, the successor of St Peter. With the news this week of the serious health condition of Pope Francis, who has been diagnosed with pneumonia we pray for him, so that he is able to make a gradual recovery with the help of the medical team who have been attending to him. Even though the film “Conclave” won the top awards at the Bafta’s recently, the church is praying that we will not have a real conclave of Cardinals gathering in Rome for some time to come.
The Solemn Mass next Sunday is our Annual Civic Celebration. Representatives have been invited from all sections of our local civic and public bodies and from many of the institutions and organisations within our local region. It is an opportunity for us to offer mass and pray for our City and Communities within our Diocesan area and also to pray for all who serve us in public office. The ceremonial procession this year will be a much simpler affair with just one procession led by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and the lord Lieutenant. All are welcome to come for light refreshment in the Gibberd Room at the end of Mass. Our Civic Mass is always the weekend before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent – I’m not sure how long a tradition this has been and if it is intentional but in the space of a few days we move from processions and civic finery to being urged to put on sackcloth and ashes. I find the sudden contrast helps to focus attention on Lent with the added call to serve our neighbour fresh in our minds from the civic celebration.
During this week a new sculpture entitled ‘Broken Bow’ will be on display in the Unity Chapel. The work is by the local sculptor Stephen Broadbent who as one of his may works crafted the monument along Hope Street to the former Archbishop and Bishop of Liverpool. Derek Worlock and David Shepperd. This new work is a reflection on the role and relationship of Mary the Mother of Jesus and her son, the joys and sorrows she experienced as the Mother of God.
There are two funeral services taking place this coming week. Colonel Joseph Harkon is a Funeral Service of the Word on Monday at 10am and on Wednesday a Funeral Mass for Patricia Cleghorn at 12.15 in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
Monsignor Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
