LAHORE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL CENTENARY

1907-2007

BULLETIN No. 3 Dated: 1^st July 2007

Dear Friends and Well wishers of the Cathedral,

I am pleased to update you about the Centenary celebrations of our Cathedral.

The Centenary year opened with a blaze of glory and celebration on 24^th November 2006. There was a grand procession, followed by a joyful opening Mass at which the plaque and photo of the founder, Bishop Pelckmans, were solemnly unveiled. Later, the youth danced in front of the Cathedral.

The centenary Museum was blessed and opened on 29^th December 2006 – and stands as a permanent memorial of the Centenary Jubilee. It is located at the back of the Church and is visited by many parish groups who are eager to learn about their history.

As you know, the Cathedral is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A new picture of the Sacred Heart, set in a wooden frame has been installed in a central place under the dome. Many come to offer their devotions and prayers at this shrine.

During the Centenary year, many parishes and groups have made a special “pilgrimage” to the Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Archdiocese. It is a great spiritual experience, indeed especially for many faithful have never seen the Cathedral before. They donated the gifts and ornaments for the Mother Church.

Special mention must be made of the “Elderly Persons” who visited the Cathedral on pilgrimage. Among them was the oldest parishioner, Mr. F.E. Chaudhry, the famous photographer who has worshipped here since 1920’s and is now over 98 years old and still attending Sunday Mass! Surely a record for the Guinness Book of records.

A commemorative postage stamp is in process of designing by the Postal Department. You will be pleased to know that it features a painting by our own senior artist, Mr. Peter Cross. It should be launched in November 2007.

A GRACE REMEMBERED – A HOPE RENEWED

I am now in a position to inform you about the tentative program of the celebrations drawn up by our Centenary Committee. The Jubilee will be preceded by three days of religious services and celebrations, as follows:

16^th November 2007 : Solemn Mass in the evening

17^th November 2007 : Youth and Children Mass in the morning

Solemn Mass in the evening

18^th November 2007 : Solemn High Mass in the morning

Public Reception in the evening – a chance for all the guests to mingle together

19^th November 2007 : CENTENARY DAY

Grand Concelebrated Eucharist of Thanksgiving by all Bishops

Closing of Jubilee celebrations

IT GIVES ME MUCH PLEASURE TO CORDIALLY INVITE ALL OUR BENEFACTORS, FRIENDS AND FORMER PARISHIONERS TO JOIN IN THIS UNIQUE CELEBRATION

Please address all enquiries to “Hospitality Committee” – E-Mail: richards@lhr.comsats.net.pk

With every good wish and blessing,

Yours devotedly in Christ,

† Lawrence Saldanha

Archbishop of Lahore