The Third Sunday of Lent
There is an abundance of Lenten music on offer this weekend with a concert incorporating Faures requiem in the Crypt and a performance of Bachs passion on Saturday evening. On Sunday at Choral Evening Prayer Bach’s Lenten Cantata no 94 will be sung with an ensemble instrumental accompaniment after Choral Evening Prayer. I will be attending the Jewish Civic Service at Princes Road Synagogue in the afternoon – so I will be looking forward to hearing one or two of the psalms sung in the original Hebrew language by a professional Jewish cantor.
I seem to have referred to the forthcoming Eucharistic Congress a number of times in the newsletter recently – mainly because details are developing rapidly about the size and importance of the event that will be taking place here in Liverpool in September. Each parish across England and Wales has now been given an allocation of tickets for the main events down in the Arena on the two main days of the Congress. The Friday (7th September) seems to be geared to those who are involved in ministries, catechists, chaplains, eucharistic ministers and teachers and includes key speakers talking on eucharistic themes and there will be a wide ranging choice of workshops. The Saturday (8th September) will be in the main arena focussing on the centrality of the Holy Eucharist in the life of the church. Bishop Robert Barron, a renowned preacher and speaker from the USA, will give the keynote talks and there will be drama, worship and praise and time for adoration towards the end of, what will no doubt be, a very uplifting day of renewal. Our parishes of the Cathedral and St Vincent have been allocated seven tickets in total for both days for clergy, religious and parishioners.
Because of the limited number of tickets I thought it best to let any regular parishioners apply for tickets for either of these days and then we could just pull names out of a hat if we have more applicants than the available tickets. Unfortunately I need people to apply as soon as possible over the next week. If you could contact Claire at Cathedral House on 7099222 if you want to register an interest for either day.
The Chapter of Canons meet on Tuesday and there is an event booked at midday in the Crypt on Wednesday so the 12.15pm mass on both days will be celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. There is no Lenten Talk scheduled this Wednesday evening , instead we have arranged a meeting for all those who have booked to go on the Pilgrimage Walk to Santiago De Compostella – the meeting is at 6.30pm in the Gibberd Room. We are invited to take part in the shared Deanery Holy Hour at St Francis De Sales church at 7.30pm on Thursday led by Archbishop Malcolm. Next Sunday, Mothers Day, there will be cream teas served in the Gibberd Room in the afternoon and Choral Evening Prayer that afternoon will conclude with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in honour of Our Blessed Lady.
This last week has brought a severe blast of cold weather and there have been lots of advice given to people on how to keep yourself warm against the icy winds. One of the top tips regarding buildings is to eradicate or avoid any draughts- I’m afraid that wasn’t much help here. Thankfully there is room to fit a few jumpers under vestments!
Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
