London: celebrations to mark reopening of St Patrick's, Soho Square

St Patrick's, Soho Square

The long-awaited reopening of St Patrick's, Soho Square, this week, will be marked with special Masses celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Vespers presided over by Bishop James Conley of Denver, the premier of a new choral work by James MacMillan CBE and a private address by George Weigel.

The church is reopening on Tuesday, 31 May, after being closed for 14 months for redecoration and major refurbishment work. At 6pm, His Grace the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols will be the Chief Celebrant at a special Mass which will include the premiere of a newly commissioned choral work from the eminent Scottish composer and conductor, James MacMillan CBE. Afterwards, there will be an informal reception in the new community centre. Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

On Wednesday, 1 June at 6pm, First Vespers of the Ascension, will be presided over by the Right Reverend James Conley, Auxiliary Bishop of Denver. The new Magnificat will also form the musical and spiritual centrepiece of the service, which will be followed by a private, invitation-only address by Professor George Weigel on ‘Pope Benedict XVI and the Future of the West’

On Thursday, 2 June 2011 at 6pm, a Solemn Mass of the Ascension will be celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney.

 For more information see: www.stpatricksoho.org/

Source: St Patrick's/ICN