WelCom February 2019:
After more than six months with Sunday Mass at St Mary’s College Hall, Sacred Heart Cathedral parishioners are once again on the move.
From the first weekend in February, the 5.30pm Saturday Vigil and the 10.30am Sunday Mass will be celebrated at St Thomas More Church, Worcester St, Wilton.
The regular 7pm Sunday Mass will be in the Cathedral’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
The move was prompted by the growing awareness of the importance of having a more permanent ‘sacred space’. Having to set up the hall facility for the congregation every Saturday and restore it for college use on Sunday evenings was also taking its toll on a small group of volunteers.
‘For this commitment to continue in the long term, we required a much bigger volunteer pool,’ says Lay Pastoral Leader, Debbie Matheson.
‘The College has been very generous and wanted us to stay, but the strain was showing. We simply do not have the numbers to share the responsibility.
‘The constant moving also emphasised the need for permanence, especially for a people greatly unsettled by the closure of the Cathedral last July. An organ at St Thomas More’s Church for the 10.30am Mass will enable a return to a full choral service.’
It is appreciated some may find it difficult getting to Wilton. The Parish is inviting car-pooling and will offer a shuttle service on a trial basis during February.
Since reopening the Cathedral Chapel and Connolly Hall in November, weekday Masses have been well supported. Having the 7pm Sunday Mass there will further help to re-focus on the strengthening project.