Civic Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral

On the last Sunday before Lent Archbishop Malcolm celebrated the annual Civic Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

The Archbishop welcomed civic dignitaries together with representatives from the judiciary, the armed forces, ecumenical guests, Catholic associations and Catholic schools saying, ‘We welcome you to celebrate together the vital role that this Cathedral and you all play in the life of our city’.

Among those attending were the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Roy Gladden with the Lady Mayoress, Councillor Roz Gladden; the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Robert Owen JP DL; the High Sheriff of Merseyside, Ms Lesley Martin-Wright JP DL; the Recorder of Liverpool, His Honour Judge Andrew Menary KC; Mayors from the City Region, and ecumenical guests – Dean of Liverpool, the Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones, and Rector of Liverpool, Reverend Dr Crispin Pailing.

The annual Civic Mass is a time for renewal and before the final blessing Archbishop Malcolm looked to the future saying, ‘we look forward with renewed commitment to serving, supporting and celebrating the people of Liverpool through faith, worship and action’.

HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust takes around 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children from the UK on the annual Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes, with groups from all over the world. They are supported by around 4,000 unpaid helpers, including young adults, volunteers, nurses, doctors and chaplains during the week and Group 133 have been travelling to Lourdes as part of the Merseyside region for over 40 years.

In 2019, the Merseyside region was chosen to lead the liturgies and music for the Lourdes Easter Pilgrimage 2020 and began preparations. We chose ‘The Good Shepherd’ as the theme because it embodies the spirit of Merseyside and the children we take to Lourdes - everyone is welcome and even if you are lost, you can be found.

Then Covid hit and everything was put on hold, until it was agreed that Merseyside would be able to lead all the liturgies and music this year, so a lot of work began to prepare for all the Merseyside groups travelling with HCPT and the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

The pinnacle of the week is the Trust Mass which takes place on Thursday 13 April bringing together all 5,000 pilgrims, with local Merseyside children at the centre of the celebration. Two volunteers dressed as Liver birds will lead the procession for the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcom McMahon OP with Bishop Tom Williams and many priests. ‘The Good Shepherd’ will be at the forefront of the Mass with Merseyside children dressed as shepherds and sheep and a Gospel animation bringing to life the story of the ‘lost sheep’ using the famous scouse sense of humour. The offertory gifts will be brought up by four generations of Merseysiders and after Communion there will be a reflection performed by children and adults from Merseyside.

To watch the Mass online tune in to Lourdes TV on YouTube/ HCPT and Facebook page at 9.00 am on Thursday 13 April.

The most important part of going to Lourdes with HCPT is making sure the local Merseyside children have the best week of their lives and we can’t wait to see all their smiling faces, having a fantastic time and hearing not only the Merseyside musicians, but the voices of many from around the world, joining in and celebrating the pilgrimage.

For more details about the HCPT pilgrimage contact Paul O’Brien (Merseyside Regional Chair) email: Merseyside@hcpt.org.uk