Wednesday 29 April 2009

May Diary

A little earlier than usual (as our attention over the next few days is likely to be diverted elsewhere!), here's our look ahead at the coming month. May gets off to a flying start with the inauguration of Bishop Campbell and Diocesan Farewell to Bishop O'Donoghue taking place on Friday. The rest of the month also has much to offer: the Diocesan Altar Servers' Mass takes place on Saturday 16th at 12:15pm (all welcome, more details on the diocesan website, here) and a Mass in celebration of Marriage and Family Life takes place on Saturday 23rd at 3pm (again, all welcome). Parish events include the final two 'Curious about the Eucharist' talks, and Bishop Campbell will confirm some of our young people at 10:30am Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 31st May.

20th May is the 100th anniversary of the appointment of Dr J. H. Reginald Dixon, the brilliant musician and singular character who served as organist and master of music here from 1909 to 1971. Many parishioners have fond memories of this extraordinary man whose music was performed all over Europe. The anniversary is being marked with a 'Dr Dixon Festival', part of the Cathedral's 150th anniversary celebrations. You are welcome to join us for: a talk on Dr Dixon's life (Friday 15th at 7:30pm; free entry), a performance of some of his music (Saturday 16th at 8pm; tickets £8, concessions £6) and an organ recital given by Joan Johnson, his last student (Wednesday 20th, 7:30pm; admission by donation). You can find more details on the Cathedral's concerts and events page, here.

Canon Billington will feature more on Dr Dixon during the month of May. Other highlights on Billington's Blog in the coming month will be reports on the opening of St Thomas More's and the installation of Bishop Brewer, who took over from Bishop Foley in May 1985. Much to look forward to! Billington's Blog can be found here. Today he reports on the blessing of the Cathedral's foundation stone on this day in 1857.

Today is also the anniversary of the beatification of Thérèse of Lisieux, whose relics are coming to the Cathedral 28th-30th September. Already it looks set to be a fantastic event, with a very significant number of people expressing interest. More about the visit and regular updates can be found on the Thérèse blog, which in May will feature some accounts of key moments in Thérèse's life (her First Communion, her miraculous cure, her canonisation), information on resources for schools being sent out in the coming weeks and other news about the visit. You can find the Thérèse blog here.