On Sunday fourteen children volunteered to form part of the choir at St Chad’s Cathedral. Holy Redeemer staff and pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 were joined by some Year 7s from Blessed Edward and sang beautifully alongside a small group of adults from the late Canon Peter’s ‘Cathedral Singers’ group. Chair of Governors Alan Smith prepared the children and was there to help organise us and play the keyboard, as well as Anne Tibke (who was the cantor for the service), and Mr Perry and Hannah Hall (from Cath Soc Worcester). It was an honour to have been asked and we are very grateful to all the children and adults who gave up their time to represent Holy Redeemer. Many of the clergy and congregation came to congratulate the children after mass. One lady said that she had particularly enjoyed the singing, which she described as ‘joyful’. It was a special mass for Jubilee of Prisoners as part of this year’s Year of Mercy. Parish Deacon, Peter Tibke, was there in his capacity as Chaplain of Long Lartin Prison. Bishop William said mass and blessed specially commissioned icons that are to hang in all the prisons in the Archdiocese. The children enjoyed the experience of singing in the Cathedral and afterwards had time to look around it. Dean of St Chad’s, Canon Gerry Breen, very kindly gave each of the children a pack of booklets and information about the cathedral and the Year of Mercy. Sister Teresa was even more popular when she gave them all Smarties!
