Liverpool: New Archbishop to celebrate annual Civic Mass

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon

The annual Civic Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, this Sunday 15 February 2015, at 11am in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool. The Archbishop will preach the sermon. The Right Reverend Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, will also attend.

In attendance will be the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Erica Kemp CBE who will read the second lesson from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (10: 31-11:1). In keeping with the wishes of the Lord Mayor, themes which will run through the Mass will focus on volunteering with different religions working together.

Also in attendance will be Councillors and Officers of the City of Liverpool and Mayors and representatives of the other Local Authorities within the Archdiocesan boundaries. The Lord Lieutenant's Representative will be present, together with the High Sheriff and members of the Judiciary, the Consular Corps, the Universities, the Armed Services and other distinguished citizens.

His Honour Judge Clement Goldstone QC, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, will read them first lesson from the Book of Leviticus (13: 1-2, 44-46).

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will be celebrating his first Civic Mass in the City. He said: "my prayer today is that in the diversity which is the City of Liverpool we will discover true community: community which comprises all and serves all where everyone is treated with dignity and respect."

Prayers will be said for all in public office and the judiciary; for volunteers; for those who work in industry, commerce, education and culture and for those who aremdeprived or disadvantaged; the sick, the unemployed, the homeless and the poor.

Director of Music, Christopher McElroy, will be leading the Cathedral Choir in the music of the Mass. The Choir will sing the Offertory Motet, 'Let the people praise thee' by William Matthias and the Communion Motet, 'Panis Angelicus' by César Franck. The hymns to be sung are 'Praise, my soul, the King of heaven' and 'Godhead here in hiding'.

The Mass begins at 11am on Sunday 15 February 2015 and all are welcome to join the congregation.