From Cathedral House ...

Cathedral parish Announcment

2011-11-27T19:30:00.000Z

The following statement was read out today at all the Masses in the three parishes of Shrewsbury town currently served from The Cathedral:

Under embargo until 6.30pm Saturday 26^th November 2011

Statement to be read at the end of all Masses on the 26^th/27^th November.

Parish Amalgamation:

For the last four years the three parishes of The Cathedral, Our Lady of Pity and Saint Winefride have been linked as a Local Pastoral Area and have shared clergy. Bishop Mark has made the decision that the time is now right to take the next step and to amalgamate the three parishes into one parish - one parish with three church buildings.

In practice very little will change: the three churches will remain open, Sunday Masses will be at the same times, pastoral care will continue, as it always has. The amalgamation is really an administrative streamlining, consolidating our resources: people, finances, structures and so on.

The finer details of how we will run this new parish are still being considered. It goes without saying that parishioners from all the former parishes will be involved. Please be as patient, generous and supportive as you can be, as we take this new and exciting step together. May the new parish be a real force for good in the town!

Marian Year draws to a close

2011-11-21T17:55:00.000Z

Today Bishop Mark was with us to formally close the Year of Prayer with Mary. The Cathedral was packed with clergy and people from across the diocese. At the end of Mass, gathered before the statue of Our Lady Help of Christians, Bishop Mark rededicated the Diocese to the intercession of Our Lady Help of Christians using the following prayer:

PRAYER OF ENTRUSTMENT

Prayed at Shrewsbury Cathedral

at the closing of the Diocesan Year of Prayer with Mary

21^st November 2011

“Blessed are you who believed” (Luke 1:45) that “nothing is impossible to God” (Luke 1:37) and have led all generations to say “the Almighty has done great things for me” (Luke 1:49). To you the Help of Christians we turn in this hour following the example of the first generation of this Diocese knowing that you see our need (John 2: 4). In each generation, you invite us to do whatever Christ the Lord tells us (John 2:6) with unconquerable faith.

So once more we look to you Holy Mother of God as “the great sign” of hope (Rev. 12:1) in the midst of the Church’s struggle and the promise of her victory. We ask you, Mother of the Church, to pray with us constantly as you prayed together with the infant Church for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14), for the courage of a new evangelisation, for renewed faithfulness in all our vocations and for those new vocations on which the future of our Diocese depends. To you who were given from the Cross as mother to all the disciples of your Son (John 19:27) we once more entrust ourselves and this Diocese. To your Immaculate Heart (Luke 2:19) we entrust this moment so full of hope and fraught with dangers, that we each increase in faith and in faithfulness so we may say with you, “let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). For, from the founding of this Diocese to this hour, it is a thing unheard of that anyone ever implored your help or sought your intercession and was left unaided.

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God,

that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

New Diocesan Master of Ceremonies

2011-07-10T17:44:00.000+01:00

It wa announced last night that The Right Reverend Mark Davies has appointed Father Chris, of The Cathedral Clergy, to be the next Diocesan Master of Liturgical Ceremonies, in succession to Father Jerome Fagan, who has stood down after twelve years in the post. We wish them both blessings for the future.

Triduum celebrations 2011

2011-04-25T17:23:00.001+01:00

Blessing the Holy Fire at The Great Easter Vigil

The Washing of the Feet

Entering The Cathedral to begin the Solemn Triduum

Palm Sunday at The Cathedral

2011-04-18T17:12:00.002+01:00

It was the first time Bishop Mark had presided at the Palm Sunday celebrations in The Cathedral. We always begin the 10.45am Mass with the Blessing of palm branches in the Convent School Hall, opposite Cathedral House. We then process down Belmont and onto Town Walls and once again our procession was led by Hannah the donkey, who was very well behaved this year!

Eleventh Bishop of Shrewsbury

2010-10-01T20:42:00.003+01:00

Today The Right Reverend Mark Davies was installed as the Eleventh Bishop of Shrewsbury, in succession to The Right Reverend Brian Noble. Bishop Mark was installed at the beginning of Mass celebrated to mark the Retirement of Bishop Brian and the beginning of Bishop Mark's ministry as Shepherd of the Diocese of Shrewsbury. The Mass was celebrated here in The Cathedral and was attended by representatives from across the diocese and by main of the clergy of the Diocese and some from Bishop mark's former Diocese of Salford. Many of the Bishops of England and Wales were also present, including His Emminence Cormac Cardinal Murphy O'Connor.

Bishop Brian's Golden Jubilee!

2010-06-13T19:30:00.001+01:00

Today, Bishop Brian was with us here at The Cathedral, his Parish Church, to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of priestly ministry. Bishop Brian presided at the 10.45am Mass in The Cathedral. Many of the children from The Cathedral Primary School were present, and the school choir sang a special song for the Bishop after Communion. Towards the end of Mass Bishop Brian was invited to sit down whilst a number of presentations took place, firstly a gift from the three parishes of the Shrewsbury town and then one by the primary school. Following the presentations The Cathedral Choir sang Ad Multos Annos to Bishop Brian, a traditional Latin toast meaning may he live for many more years!

After Mass, the celebrations continued in a marquee in the grounds of The Cathedral. Food and drink was enjoyed by many before Bishop Brian cut his anniversary cake! Music at the reception was provided by the fabulous Saint Winefride's Convent School orchestra.

Many thanks to all those who helped make the day so special.

Ad multos annos to The Bishop!

Eastertide

2010-04-14T11:49:00.002+01:00

I have just returned from pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Family of Flame. A fabulous pilgrimage, and now back to The Cathedral to continue the celebrations of Easter! The Lord is truly risen alleluia, alleluia!

Cathedral Book of Remembrance

2010-04-01T11:54:00.002+01:00

We have waited for almost two years to have the case installed for The Cathedral Book of Remembrance, and finally this week it happened! The glass arrived, the metal bits stacked up, the lights installed and finally the Book has a place of dignity and respect fitting for those whose lives it recalls.

Cathedral Welcomes Bishop Mark

2010-03-02T16:53:00.000Z

On Sunday 28th of February Bishop Mark visited The Cathedral for the first time since his ordination.

Bishop Mark presided at the 10.45am Mass in The Cathedral. The celebrations continued in The Chapter House afterwards were a fabulous selection of cakes and fizz was served up to welcome Bishop Mark. The centre piece was a cake iced with a picture of Bishop Mark on his ordination day!

Congratulations Bishop Mark!

2010-02-23T16:42:00.002Z

We have a new bishop!

Yesterday at Saint Anthony's in Wythenshaw, Monsignor Mark Davies was ordained as the Coadjutor Bishop of Shrewsbury. He will work along side Bishop Brian as his assistant until Bishop Brian retires, at which point Bishop Mark will automatically become our Ordinary, our Diocesan Bishop. We offer him our warmest congratulations.

With thanks to Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk for the photographs more can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/ and the texts of Archbishop Bernard Longley's homily can be found on the Diocesan Website.

Rite of Election

2010-02-21T19:39:00.001Z

This afternoon over three hundred and fifty people gathered from across the diocese here at The Cathedral. Why? To meet with Bishop Brian. Many of those gathered will be received into full communion with the Church this coming Easter and the Rite of Election is one of the important stages on that journey. It was fabulous to see the Cathedral so full.

Please continue to pray for all those journeying this lent towards full communion and membership of the Church.

Episcopal Ordination

2010-02-16T11:21:00.002Z

Next Monday, the Feast of the Chair of Peter, Monsignor Mark Davies is being ordained as Coadjutor Bishop of Shrewsbury. Preparations are now in their very final stages, including the cleaning and polishing of some of the sacred vessels.

We pray for Bishop Elect Mark as he begins his Episcopal Ministry in our diocese, may he be for us a faithful shepherd.

Explosion in Shrewsbury

2010-01-04T11:47:00.003Z

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by yesterdays explosion.

Prayers where offered at Sung Vespers yesterday evening, at Mass last night and will continue to be offered at The Cathedral for all those involved, those injured, their families and friends, and the emergency services.

Preparations for Christmas

2009-12-24T14:54:00.000Z

Here are a few photographs of the preparation behind the scenes for the celebration of Christmas at The Cathedral.

All the silverware needs a good polish. These are the four new matching chalices bought for The Cathedral by The Friends of Shrewsbury Cathedral. THey will be blessed and used for the first time this evening at the Children's Celebration at the Crib. We are most grateful to the Friends - thank you.

Vestments washed and awaiting an iron! If you look carefully, you might even see Father Chris with the iron!!!

Coadjutor Bishop announced

2009-12-22T15:14:00.003Z

It was announced today at 11am (British Time) that the Holy Father has appointed Monsignor Mark Davies as Coadjutor Bishop of Shrewsbury.

Monsignor Davies, untill now the Vicar General of Salford Diocese, will be ordained on the 22nd February 2010. Initially he will work along side Bishop Brian until such time as Bishop Brian retires, at which point Bishop Elect will become the Ordinary, the Diocesan Bishop.

We offer Bishop Elect Mark our warmest congratulations and prayers. We also look forward to welcoming him to The Cathedral in the very near future.

Advent

2009-11-29T14:58:00.000Z

Wishing you all a very happy new liturgical year and every blessing for Advent. In the words of Birhsop Brian, 'An Advent seriously observed, will be the best possible preparation for a Christmas truly celebrated.'

Chapter House Reopening

2009-11-09T18:31:00.002Z

Here are a few more photographs from yesterdays reopening of The Chapter House

The Chapter House reopens!

2009-11-08T19:23:00.004Z

This morning Bishop Brian presided at Mass and then officially reopened and blessed the newly refurbished parish rooms in The Chapter House.

Here Bishop Brian cuts the ribbon, assisted by Deacon Fred, Father Chris (Master of Ceremonies) and a few of The Cathedral Altar Servers.

More photographs will follow later in the week.

Work isn't completely finished, but very nearly!!

Work begins!

2009-09-15T19:18:00.003+01:00

The plans are ready ...

The rooms are shut ...

And the builders are on site ...

Work is underway and hopefully will be finished by the end of October!

Chapter House Refurbishment begins!

2009-09-13T18:59:00.004+01:00

Today The Chapter House closes for refurbishment.

The Chapter House is a mid Georgian terrace, next door to Cathedral House.

The top floor is part of Cathedral House, the middle floor is rented out for office space to a firm of solicitors and the basement is uninhabitable!!!

The Ground floor provides the only social space the Cathedral parish has.

The parish rooms have been in desperate need of refurbishment for a ver very long time.

Work begins tomorrow to turn this unpleasant space into a welcoming and usable area for the parish, a space we can be proud of.

Solemnity of the Dedication of The Cathedral

2009-05-21T17:55:00.003+01:00

In every parish across the Diocese today is kept as the Feast of the Dedication of The Cathedral, but here in The Cathedral the day ranks as a solemnity. On this day in 1856 The Cathedral Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and Saint Peter of Alcantara was dedicated. Like every church building that is consecrated, The Cathedral has crosses on the wall to mark the places where the Bishop rubbed Sacred Chrism into the walls, setting the building aside as a place of prayer and dedicating it to the glory of God. Those candles burnt for all to see today as Canon Stephen presided over the solemnity celebrations. The sun even shone in Shrewsbury!

Sadly Bishop Brian couldn't be with us today, but we will excuse him, as he was in Westmnister Cathedral to be with Archbishop Vincent Nichols as he was enthroned as the new Archbishop of Westminster.

At our Mass of celebration, we prayed for Bishop Brian, the priests, people, religious and deacons of our diocese, and offered a prayer or two for the new Archbishop.

Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.

May, the month of Mary

2009-05-10T12:33:00.003+01:00

May is one of the traditional months dedicated to Our blessed Lady. To mark the month, and because our Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christains, today the children's liturgy group presented flowers to our statue of Our Lady at the end of Mass.

Saint Joseph the Worker

2009-05-01T18:58:00.003+01:00

Today is the Feast of Saint Joseph, and tonight we are celebrating his feast and all the great work that goes on in our three parishes by singing Vespers in The Cathedral and then sharing a meal together. SO many people do so much to keep the parishes going - cleaners, counters, secretaries, flower arrangers, stewards, Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, readers, catechists, altar servers, gardeners, SVP, CAFOD, friends, CWL, musicians, organists, cantors, the choir, we could go on and on and on! So tonight is about celebrating that work and giving thanks to God for it also.

He is Risen!

2009-04-12T18:56:00.000+01:00

Bishop Brian turns 73!

2009-04-12T12:36:00.001+01:00

Last night not only did we celebrate the Easter Vigil, the baptism of two new Christians and the reception of eight new members of the Catholic Church, we also marked Bishop Brian's 73rd birthday! Happy Birthday Bishop Brian. Here we see Bishop Brian cutting his cake, and (thanks to Lancaster Cathedral Blog) a picture of a much younger Bishop Brian, when he was a pupil at the Cathedral School in Lancaster.

Newly Blessed Oils

2009-04-09T18:00:00.002+01:00

Last night at The Chrism Mass, held this year at Our Lady and the Apostles Church in Stockport, Bishop Brian blessed the three oils that will be used through out the diocese in the coming year. The Oils were then brought back to The Cathedral, where they will be displayed in their new cabinets. The Oils were placed in the cabinets for the first time today ready for this evenings Mass of the Lord's Supper.

CAFOD Campaign Launch

2009-03-17T17:58:00.000Z

Last night The Cathedral played host for the regional launch of the new CAFOD Climate Justice Campaign. During the day many of our primary schools dropped in for an afetrnoon of fun and learning based around this new campaign. Then in the evening people traveled from across the Diocese to join with Bishop Brian, the national Director of CAFOD, and many others to launch this new and important campaign. It was great to see The Cathedral so full!

Bishop blesses the new school extension

2009-03-13T11:20:00.000Z

Yesterday Bishop Brian visited Saint Mary's Catholci Primary School, the primary school of the Cathedral. He celebrated Mass with all the pupils, staff and governors and then blessed the new extension. It was a real day of celebration, with plenty of food (especially cakes) to mark the occassion!

In Memory of ...

2009-03-11T19:05:00.000Z

Thanks to a kind benefactor The Cathedral now has a new sacristy bell. The bell was donated in memory of Father Michael McCormack, who had served here at The Cathedral, and sadly went to his eternal reward in October 2007. The bell is rung to mark the beginning of liturgical celebrations in The Cathedral and to announce times of prayer, like the Angelus. Many parishioners will remember Father Mike's infectious laugh, so it is probably highly apropriate that he is remembered by somethign that makes a lot of noise!!

Graduation!

2009-01-17T15:45:00.004Z

Last Thursday I finally graduated at Durham Cathedral and was awarded my Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry. It was a great day of celebration. Although the weather was a little drab, the multitude of colours in the various robes brighted the day!

Candle of Hope

2008-12-30T19:38:00.002Z

A Candle of Hope has been burning in The Cathedral since Christmas Eve and will continue to burn for the full twelve days of Christmas. The Candle of Hope is the initiative of the World Cancer Research Fund (UK), with candles burning in major Cathedrals through out the UK. Our candle was lit of Christmas Eve and burns in memory of all those who have gone to their eternal reward after suffering from cancer. This is particularly close to our hearts here at The Cathedral having lost two wonderful priests, Canon Frank Pullen and Father Michael McCormack, and many leading parishioners to the disease. The Candle of Hope can be found in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of The Cathedral.

Cathedral Book of Remembrance

2008-12-30T16:10:00.002Z

Today the newly established Cathedral Book of Remembrance went on display for the first time. The Book is in four volumes and lists those whose anniversaries occur each day. It is hoped that we will have a suitable display case for the Book of Remembrance soon, but currently we don't have the funds to purchase one!

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-25T16:12:00.001Z

Wishing everyone a very happy and holy Chrismas.

This is the sitting room of Cathedral House looking just a little festive!

Christmas is here!

2008-12-25T03:04:00.001Z

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

At the Cathedral we have celebrated our Christmas Eve Children's Mass, at which we built the crib and Bishop brian has presided over the celebration of Midnight Mass. The Cathedral looked fabulous and was filled to more than capacity for both the Masses on Christmas Eve. Later today Canon Stephen and I will celebrate the other Christmas Masses in our three parishes, with the help of Father Ged, our local retired priest. Bishop Brian will celebrate Mass at 10.45am in Shrewsbury Prison, which he has done every year since he was ordained Bishop.

Font Lid????

2008-12-24T14:18:00.001Z

Today we placed the newly restored Font Lid on to the font. It is the original lid which used to hang in the baptistry. It was taken away when the Cathedral was reordered in the mid eighties and left to rot and rust in the basement. It was recently rescued and restored. The next stage is to design a pulley system that will enable the lid to be raised for baptisms. A pulley is necessary as it took three of us to lift the lid into place!!!!

Songs of Praise

2008-12-22T19:35:00.002Z

Did you see Songs of Praise on BBC 1 yesterday? It was broadcast from Saint Chad's Anglican Church in Shrewsbury, but included scenes from The Cathedral. I know I am biased, but the final visitation scene they showed was by far the most impressive and it was from the high altar in The Cathedral!

West Window finished!

2008-12-18T16:07:00.001Z

As promised, the great West Window has been finished in time for Christmas. Having had months of looking at scaffolding and plywood, it is wonderful to see the window restored and in fabulous condition.

Sanctuary Lamp rehung!

2008-12-17T15:23:00.000Z

Very few people noticed, or if they did they didn't comment, but the Sanctuary Lamp has been missing from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for weeks! It was returned the other day and rehung this morning. The Sanctuary Lamp is one of a pair that were bought in 1899 at a cost of £116 7s. 6d. ~ apparently the same cost as three small terrace houses at the time!

Over the years is has suffered neglect and the effects of candle wax and soot building up on it. The pulley system also became unusable. The Lamp, made of silver, has been fully restored and now hangs back in its rightful place (although the pulley systems still doesn't work properly!)

Father Chris' Sponsored Walk

2008-12-15T15:16:00.000Z

The great news is that my sponsored 70+ mile walk raised over £3500 towards the Cathedral Window Restoration Fund. A huge thank you to all those who sponsored me. We still have a long way to go with the fundraising, so keep up the good work!

New Diocesan Vestments

2008-12-14T16:02:00.003Z

Today I collected the new Diocesan Vestments. they have been made for us by Sister Anthony and her team at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool. Upto now, whenever the diocese has held big celebrations like the Chrism Mass or ordinations, we have had to hire in vestments for the sanctuary party - not any more! Housed at the Cathedral is this set of wonderful diocesan vestments (Bishops Chasuable, 12 concelebrants chasuables and 6 dalmatics) all featuring the diocesan crest.

We are going to wear them for the first time at Midnight Mass with Bishop Brian. Very exciting!

Christmas is coming ...

2008-12-10T10:43:00.000Z

Today we took delivery of this years Cathedral Christmas cards. Not for sale, these are the cards that the Cathedral Clergy leave out for every parishioner. The cards also contain the Christmas Mass times, making them a great reminder for people to have at home. This year the picture on the front of the card is taken from the central panel on the front of the Sacred Heart Altar in the Sacred Heart Chapel.

Window Restoration Fund!

2008-10-07T18:03:00.002+01:00

Great news! As of today our fundraising efforts have reached £10,500! Only £29,500 to go!

Organ!

2008-10-07T18:01:00.003+01:00

Today we took delivery of our digital organ which will be on hire to us whilst our own organ is out of action during the west window restoration. The guys have been in their for hours setting it up, sorting out speakers and now giving it its voices! I'm no expert, it sounds all very complicated, but sounds wonderful! It is very difficult to tell the difference between the pipe organ and this digital one. I just hope our organists don't get to like it too much!!!!

How far????

2008-10-05T17:57:00.000+01:00

Sponsor forms are now out in all three of our churches for my sponsored walk. In a mad moment I agreed to walk with a group of young people on their sponsored walk from my home town of Wallasey to the Cathedral here in Shrewsbury, it's only a distance of about 60 miles!!! We are doing the walk over three days, so even I should be able to manage that!!! I just hope it doesn't rain too much later in October when we are doing the walk - pray for fine weather please!!!!!! The young people I am walking with are raising funds for their Lourdes pilgrimage next year, I'm walking to raise funds towards the Cathedral Window Restoration Fund.

Cathedral Office

2008-09-30T16:15:00.001+01:00

We recently moved the Cathedral Office out of the basement at Cathedral House up to the ground floor, and also provided a new office for our Director of Music. Now that the Cathedral clergy are responsible for the three parishes in Shrewsbury, the office is somewhat busier, the new location will hopefully make work easier for all concerned (and keep our staff happier too!)

Where's the sanctuary lamp gone?!?!

2008-09-29T17:54:00.000+01:00

Today the builders arrived and removed our sanctuary lamp! I was asked if we were putting it in the bin!!!! The sanctuary lamp is rather expensive and is actually going away to be cleaned, repaired and re guilded hopefully restoring it to its former glory so that it can be rehung. Once it is rehung we are hoping the mechanism that rasies and lowers it so the candle can be lit will work again! promises promises!!!

School Retreats

2008-09-26T16:04:00.000+01:00

All this week BRJ, our local Catholic High School, have been using The Chapter House for day retreats. Each day a different form group of year 7's arrive and spend their day on a mini retreat expereince led by some of the school staff. The day finishes with Mass in the Cathedral, which either Canon Stephen or myself have been presiding at - yet another Mass!!!! The week has gone really well for us and for them as well they tell me! It's always great to welcome a group of young people to the Cathedral.

Windows!

2008-09-22T17:45:00.000+01:00

Today work began on te removal of the great west window. It is going away to be repaired and restored before it is brought back and reinstalled hopefully back to its original glory. Sadly whilst the window is out and the scaffolding is up our Cathedral organ is unplayable - I hope we can manage without. I'm sure Judith our director of music along with Tody, Clifford and John our organists we will get by!

We still need to keep fundraising to cover the cost of the window restoration. £40,000 in total is needed and currently we have £6,450 raised! A long way still to go!

Shrewsbury Cathedral Friends!

2008-09-22T17:41:00.000+01:00

During his visitation to The Cathedral parish yesterday, Bishop Brian launched our new Shrewsbury Cathedral Friends. The aim is to raise the profile of the Cathedral across the diocese and to help raise some very necessary funds! Leaflets are already available in the Cathedral and very soon they will go out to all the parishes in the diocese. Watch this space for details of Friends events!

Lourdes 2008!

2008-08-07T17:34:00.000+01:00

This year was the biggest pilgrimage Shrewsbury diocese has ever taken to Lourdes, there was over 1500 of us altogether!! And what a year to take such a large pilgrimage, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette.
Of those 1500 pilgrimes from Shrewsbury almost 700 of them were young people, who had given up their holiday time to be in Lourdes to care for and assist the sick and disabled pilgrimes. Without the young people the Diocesan pilgrimage could not happen as so much of the care and physical moving of people is done by thsoe young people. They really are a credit to the diocese and to their families. This year I had the priviledge of being chaplain to not one, not two but three seperate youth groups! Of course I was chaplain to the Cathedral Lourdes Youth Group, and then to the BRJ group from our local Catholic High and to the Wallasey 2 Lourdes Youth Group - I was certainly kept busy!!!

World Youth Day comes to Chester!

2008-07-21T17:00:00.003+01:00

Yesterday Pope Benedict celebrated Mass in Australia for the World Youth Day pilgrimes, and Bishop Brian celebrated Mass for 140ish young (and not so young!) people at Chester Catholic High School, the venue for our own diocesan celebrations of World Youth Day. Shropshire was well represented by a minibus full of young people. Following the Mass, which used much of the readings and texts of the papal Mass which was themed around the Holy Spirit and Confirmation, there was an afternoon full of events - workshops, games, opportunities to pray (which Bishop Brian had encouraged us to do each day in his homily) and plenty of food! The day came to an end with a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

It was a great day, big thanks to Dave Fitton (Diocesan Youth Co-ordinator) for all his hard work in getting the event set up. it was a real priviledge to spend the day with so many committed and enthusiastic young people. Here's to the next World Youth Day whether it be Spain or Chester!

Lourdes anniversary!

2008-07-17T16:54:00.002+01:00

Last night a minibus full of youngsters from Shrewsbury and BRJ headed north to join me, Bishop Brian, a handful of other clergy and two hundred plus people at Saitn Michael's Church in Birkenhead. The occassion? The Diocesan Mass to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in Lourdes. Yesterday was the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and also the date of the last apparition in 1858. It was a great occassion, really good to gather together to celebrate Mass and then to eat together as a diocese. It's less than two weeks till the three planes, three trains and three coaches from the Diocese depart for the annual Lourdes Pilgrimage under the directorship of Father Peter Sharrocks (Honary CHaplain to the Sanctuaries) and the leadership of Bishop Brian.

Sausage Sizzle!

2008-07-14T16:50:00.002+01:00

Yesterday Saint Winefride's held their annual sausage sizzel after the 9.30am Mass, which was a children's Mass, this year there was a difference - it wasn't just a Saitn Winefride's parish event - it was an LPA (Local Pastoral Area) event. There was parishioners (young and old!) from all three of our parishes at Mass, with children from The Cathedral children's liturgy group taking a full and active part in the celebration of Mass alongside the children from Saint Winefride's. The BBQ afterwards was great too!! Roll on the next annual LPA Sausage Sizzle!!

Bene Merenti!

2008-07-13T15:17:00.003+01:00

On Friday night (again i was missing!) Canon Stephen presented two Bene Merenti medals to parishioners of Saint Winefride's. Pat and Mike received the medals, awarded by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, for long service to the Church in Shrewsbury. After Mass, concelebrated by Father Ged McGuiness (former parish priest) a reception was held in the parish centre. Congratulatiosn to both.

Raising the Cathedral roof!

2008-07-09T17:05:00.003+01:00

We still need to raise much of the £40,000 needed to restore The Cathedral windows, but after this afternoons concert I think we might need to repair the roof too!

This afternoon it was a great pleasure to welcome the school choir from Saint John's Primary School in Wythenshawe to The Cathedral. Along with the choir from our own Cathedral Primary School, the choir from Saint Johns entertained us for almost an hour with a great selection of songs. We were treated to a selection of religious music , including a number of latin pieces, some folk songs in various langauges, the odd action song and a great selection of hits from several musicals including Joseph and his Amazing technicolour Dream Coat.

The two choirs looked as though them were enjoying performing as much as we enjoyed listening! Hopefully we will see a return visit to Wythenshawe, but also a repeat performance here in The Cathedral next year! Well sung guys!

Ordination

2008-07-05T18:44:00.002+01:00

This morning Bishop Brian arrived at The Cathedral to ordain two men to the diaconate, John Boggan and Edward Miller. Both men will serve the diocese in parishes, working alongside the parish priest and being the eyes and ears of the bishop. The celebration had a great sesne of occassion, helped dramatically by the wonderful singing of our Cathedral choir - great job done again guys!

In his homily, Bishop Brian highlighted many aspects of the diaconate ministry, but ephasised the phrase used as the Book of the Gospels is handed to the newly ordained deacon; "Receive the Book of the Gospels whose hearld you now are. Believe what you read, preach what you believe and practice what you preach." A great motto or rule of life that we could all adopt as our own.

The Mass of ordination was followed by a buffet reception in the local high school. Sadly byt he time I got there the food was all gone!!! So the Canon and I slopped off to Ask for a quick bowl of pasta and a glass of something chilled ......

On Pilgrimage!

2008-07-04T18:41:00.002+01:00

Although I wasn't there, last night The Cathedral and Convent jointly hosted an illustrated talk by Brendan Mulcahy entitled The Way of a Pilgrim. His talk showed his journey to Santiago de Compostela, the home of Saint James. A fabulous journey illustrated with some wonderful photographs. Well over seventy people turned up to listen to Brendan and really enjoyed his description of that famous journey of pilgrimage.

As promised ...

2008-07-03T18:39:00.000+01:00

here are two photos from the First Holy Communion celebration last Saturday. The photo of the cake is just one of the two fantastic cakes made especially for the day. It really was a great celebration all round!

Sunday ... a day of rest ... you're joking!!

2008-06-29T23:22:00.002+01:00

Today has been one of those days were you wonder how you managed to fit everything in! Today started with my "appearance" on BBC Radio Shropshire, being interviewed about this blog amongst other things!! Sadly and once again i forgot my camera, so there is no phot of me or the presenter Mike in the studio!
From the BBC I headed straight over to Saint Winefride's for Mass, then back to The Cathedral for baptisms. Four new Christians were baptised this afternoon, and it was great to see The Cathedral full to welcome Harriet, William, Sean and Sophie into the Catholic family.
Another Mass this evening rounded the day off ...

First Holy Communion

2008-06-28T23:02:00.002+01:00

This morning 37 of our young people made their first holy communion here at The Cathedral. It was a magnificent occassion with The Cathedral packed to bursting point! Everyone played their part to make it a wonderful occasion, those who arranged the flowers, prepared the liturgy, the musicans and singers (including some from our primary school), readers, all did a fabulous job and even Canon Stephen's homily wasn't bad!!!! The celebration of Mass was followed by a "bit of a do" in the Convent School Hall, which seemed to go with something of a swing! Sadly I forgot to take my camera with me :o( but hopefully there are some pics on the way very soon!

Shropshire County Scout Council AGM!

2008-06-27T10:57:00.002+01:00

Last night I had the great priviledge of leading the prayers at the beginning of this years Annual General Meeting of Shropshire County Scout Council. The meeting is held in Shrewsbury Abbey and looks back over the year that has been, this time looking especially at the evnts held locally and nationally in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of Scouting! Last night there wasa huge number of awards to be presented too, awards to every section - beavers, cubs, scouts, explorers and to many leaders too. It was a great evening of celebrating Scouting and looking forward to the next year with great enthusiasm too. It was my first real public event since I was appointed as County Catholic Chaplain!

An indoor garden party!

2008-06-25T10:49:00.002+01:00

This evening Cathedral House opened their doors to the staff of our primary school, Saint Mary's, for a summer thank you garden party. Sadly due to the weather (and the three abandoned Christmas trees) we didn't venture out into the garden. A great evening was had by all! Thanks to Anne (our housekeeper) and Bev (school secretary) for making all the food. Hopefully this will become an annual event!

Feeding the Five Thousand????

2008-06-23T23:19:00.000+01:00

Tonight, we played host to the DIocesan Liturgical Commission! The Commission, who work on behalf of the Bishop in the area of Liturgical Formation, travel around the diocese for their regular meetings, this month it was the turn of Cathedral House to host and feed the Commission! Canon Stephen had bribed them to travel down to Shropshire with the promise of strawberries and cream ...

Cathedral doors open!

2008-06-23T18:24:00.000+01:00

For the last week, thanks to a small band of volunteer stewards, The Cathedral has been open each afternoon to visitors, tourists, parishioners and those seeking space to pray or just to see the inside of our beautiful church. Last week saw the first of our school groups pass through the doors for a tour and educational visit, more are due over the coming weeks.

Is it a garden or a jungle????

2008-06-15T11:51:00.000+01:00

I thought you might like a look at the garden at Cathedral House, taken from the sitting room. Having had the great opportunity to visit a few gardens last Sunday on the CAFOD garden trail and seeing how gorgeous they were, we looked again at our own jungle! We really need to get a team of volunteers together to weed and mow the lawn, Oh and get rid of the three dead Christmas trees!!!

Where are they all going to sit??!

2008-06-15T11:48:00.000+01:00

At the Saturday night Mass at Our Lady of Pity, last night, just as we reached the second verse of the entrance hymn a coach load of young people arrived! 70 young people from Alsager and Bury (they were staying at a local activity centre for a weekend of fun and games) arrived for Mass. It was a bit of a squeeze, but when everyone moved up everyone found a seat ... eventually, we even had some of the young people sat on the floor at the front!

We tried to make them feel every welcome, and from their comments after Mass, I think we did! Some even commented that it was the best Mass they had ever been to!

It's really good for us to know that we can welcome huge groups of young people and make them feel at home. Well done Our Lady's - definately a welcoming parish community.

Extra-Ordinary Ministers

2008-06-15T11:41:00.000+01:00

Yesterday (Saturday) The Cathedral played host to a training day for all the Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion from across the LPA. It was a great day with input from Canon Stephen, Father Chris and all those ministers who threw in their thoughts, ideas and questions. Hopefully we are going to put a booklet together as a follow up to the day, and to ensure that those ministers who couldn't be at the training day know what we did and talked about. The day also gave us a chance to standardise practise across the three parishes and create a little bit of continuity! We've had loads of really p0sitive feed back, which is great!

Mass for Saint Mary's School

2008-06-13T16:53:00.000+01:00

This afternoon, the juniors from our parish primary school walked to The Cathedral to celebrate Mass in our beautiful parish church. It was a great celebration with some parents and governors joining us too. It's quite a long time since the school came to The Cathedral for Mass, but hopefully it is something that will become a more regular event.

He must have a sore head!

2008-06-13T12:02:00.000+01:00

This is just a sign of the damage done during the recent break in to The Cathedral. Sadly poor Saint John Vianney was sat on the window ledge when they broke through the window of the confessional and so was knocked to the floor. Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney ( or the Cure of Ars as he is known) was a French parish priest who became famous internationally for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish due to the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. He is the patron saint of Parish Priests and of confessors.

Through the west window!

2008-06-13T12:01:00.000+01:00

This morning two of the people who will working on the restoration of the stained glass windows in the Cathedral arrived to do a condition report prior to work starting on the great west window. Complete with their dog (??) they arrived and set up ladders in the organ loft to reach the window and write their report, it was a bit concerning though when they had to ask the Canon if they could borrow a ruler!!!

June, the month of the Sacred Heart

2008-06-11T17:32:00.000+01:00

Just as May is the month of Mary, June is traditionally the month of the Sacred Heart. to mark this month we thought you might like to see a picture of the Sacred Heart chapel in the Cathedral!

Father Chris is one!

2008-05-26T02:05:00.000+01:00

Bank Holiday Monday was Father Chris' first anniversary of ordination to the presbyterate. The three parishes of Shrewsbury gathered in the Cathedral together with Father Chris' parents, grandad, and some friends to mark the occassion. Mass was followed by a continuation of the celebrations with a glass of fizz and a slice of cake at the back of the Cathedral.

Confirmation 2008

2008-05-12T17:53:00.000+01:00

On Pentecost Sunday Bishop Brian was in the Cathedral celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with young people from the the three parishes of Shrewsbury, Our lady of Pity, Saint Winefride's and the Cathedral, as well as from Saint peter's in Ludlow. Prior to the sacrament, the young people participated in a course of preparation, which included a retreat weekend. The pictures show some of the young people and catechists during day two of the retreat outside The Chapter House!

Catechists Gathering

2008-05-04T18:10:00.000+01:00

On Wednesday last, the catechists from across the Shrewsbury Local Pastoral Area gathered together in the Cathedral. It was the first of what will hopefully be termly meetings, bringing catechists together to share good practice, ideas and suggestions. At this first meeting Dave Fitton (Diocesan Co-ordinator for Youth Ministry) talked about the on going nature of catechesis and his vision for youth catechesis. All the catechists said it was a great opportunity to meet their colleagues from other parishes and begin to collaborate together. The Children's Liturgy catechsists even planned their first joint social gathering!

Easter with the Bishop!

2008-04-01T19:04:00.000+01:00

It was a great pleasure to welcome Bishop Brian amongst us for the celebration of the Triduum this year. What a great Easter it was too!

For the first time the three Shrewsbury parishes gathered together in the Cathedral to celebrate with their Bishop and at a packed Easter Vigil he baptised one adult and received another into the Church prior to confirming them both.

Palm Sunday

2008-03-18T16:26:00.000Z

Palm Sunday began with the usual blessings of palms and the procession from the convent round to the Cathedral. This year Hannah, the donkey, lead the way through the streets of Shrewsbury!

Happy Birthday!

2008-03-18T08:45:00.001Z

Father Chris turned 30 yesterday! To mark the occassion the staff of Saint Mary's Primary School presented him with a cake!

Shrewsbury Talks ...

2008-03-14T17:59:00.000Z

Over the last few years Shrewsbury Cathedral has become the host to a series of talks, presentations and cultural events that have become known as the Shrewsbury Talks.
Last night Father Philip Gillespie, Professor of Sacred Liturgy and acting President of Saint Cuthbert's Seminary at Ushaw, gave the latest in the series of talks. His topic was the Jewish roots of our Christian worship and he held the audience captivated and entertained!