CONGRATULATIONS CANON TIM!      
                 
             
               
Sans light, sans sound, sans heat, sans…………….


by Anne Brearley-Smith
    Well no, not quite sans everything. Despite an untimely power-cut inflicting a degree of discomfort on all those who gathered to celebrate Fr. Tim’s installation as a Canon of the Chapter of the Cathedral, it did nothing to detract from the solemnity or the joyfulness of the occasion.  
         
  I am not sure what the collective noun is for a group of Canons (a battery?) but they looked splendid in their fur-trimmed mozettae of Roman purple. A rare sight, since they are fussy and difficult to button up, and there is little enthusiasm nowadays for being so elaborate. Under the circumstances however, I imagine that they were each secretly glad to be shrouded within such warmth. Certainly they were much envied by all without!

Bishop Kieran extended a particular welcome to members of Fr. Tim’s family, his godparents and confirmation sponsors and to his personal friends from within the priesthood. How wonderful that they should all be there for him, as well as a goodly number of parishioners. The rite of installation replaced the penitential rite of the Mass, beginning with the Secretary of the Chapter reading out Fr. Tim’s letter of appointment. The Bishop then invited Fr. Tim to make his promise of obedience – accepting the decrees of the Chapter and promising obedience in keeping the secrets, sub-gravi, whenever the Bishop or Chapter may prescribe. Hmm!!! Was I the only one to wonder just what that was all about? But attention was rapidly diverted from such curiosity as Canon Tim was vested in his own mozetta and wrestled with inexperience and the dreaded buttons!


The ensuing psalms, some spoken but mostly sung and beautiful in their simplicity and holiness, led naturally into the readings of the Mass. The Bishop’s homily was based on Lent, not as a time of going without, but as an opportunity to examine our relationships, first with God, then our neighbour and then ourselves; a lifetime’s journey.

I wish I could have seen more clearly and heard more nearly; but it was an uplifting experience and good to witness the genuine warmth in the Bishop’s expression as he robed Canon Tim. Indeed, it was a positive delight to see, reflecting as it did the warmth and congratulations of the congregation as a whole.

FACT FILE

The Cathedral Chapter comprises twelve Canons (although there are several retired Canons and other Honorary Canons).
A new member of the Cathedral Chapter can be installed following the death, or retirement, of one of the existing members. (Canon Tim has been installed following the death of Canon Tony Clarke)
The purpose of the Chapter is to oversee the affairs of the Cathedral, particularly its function as the spiritual centre of the Diocese. It is part of the Canons duties to pray in and for the Cathedral
The purpose of the Chapter is to provide for the spiritual direction of the Diocese
They meet twice a year, in Cathedral house, following a Chapter Mass, to which all parishioners are invited.

 
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