Cardinal celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at Canary Wharf

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor celebrated a special Ash Wednesday Mass for the Catholic community in London's Canary Wharf last night. The Cardinal was the main celebrant at the Mass which was attended by more than 500 people who work at the heart of one of the capital's main business and banking districts. In his homily, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor emphasised the importance of discipline in the life of a Christian, particularly during the period of Lent which began on Ash Wednesday. The Cardinal said: "The discipline we have in Lent allows us to think clearly, about God and about ourselves, without distraction." He also told the congregation that these are good times to be a Christian, and that it is as important as ever for people to show Christ to others in their daily lives. The Mass took place in the unique setting of the HSBC Group building in Canary Wharf. It was organised by the Canary Wharf Catholic Community (CWCC), a community that has grown up around the weekly celebration of Mass in the Canary Wharf Inter-faith Prayer Room. The CWCC is under the leadership of Fr Peter Harris, who is Parish Priest of the local parish: St Edmund, Millwall. Mass is celebrated in the Canary Wharf Inter-faith Prayer Room, 2 Churchill Place E14, every Tuesday at 12.30pm. For more information, please email info@cwcc.org.uk