Fire in the Cathedral
Cathedral Update
Dear Parishioners,
We are working through the details and each day has brought new information.
This weekend the Cathedral will remain closed and we will continue to have Sunday Masses as follows:
Vigil Mass:
Our Lady of Lourdes, 5.30 pm (Saturday)
Sunday Masses:
7.30 am, 9.30 am and 6 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church
9 am at St Mary’s Church, Ruahine Street, Palmerston North.
Weekday Cathedral Masses
The times remain the same and are transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Last Friday
The police forensic team cleared the Cathedral last Friday for access.
We gave them CCTV footage of the offender and they published his image on their Facebook page and asked the public for assistance.
I was informed on Saturday evening, just before 5.30 pm Mass, that the offender had been arrested.
A local had phoned the police to tell them that the offender was in a certain part of the city. I understand from media reports that the offender is being held in custody.
Insurance
The Insurance Assessor visited the Cathedral on Friday following the fire and the process of determining the cleaning and reinstatement of the Cathedral began.
The first task is to make the area safe for the cleaning crew.
As of today, that has not been finalised. I am hopeful of a clearance next week.
The Cathedral remains closed until further notice. I think we need to prepare for a few weeks of closure.
Debrief
The parish staff and the diocesan team have had one formal debrief. We have noted various issues and are in the process of reviewing our procedures.
We have formed a working group with the diocesan property manager to deal with decisions and questions that are surfacing.
Cleaning Process
The cleaning process is also challenging and complicated. There are many contingencies that have to be factored in, that we cannot control. We need to consider all the different surfaces in the Cathedral that need to be checked and cleaned, including chairs, altars, and fabrics.
We need to plan for the organ, piano and electronics to be checked and cleaned. We have to check all the heater ducting. It needs to be cleaned before being used.
We cannot control all contingencies so people will have to be patient.
Once we have clearance we intend to clean the Gathering Area and Lounge first, so that we can resume weekday liturgies and some activities.
Cleaning the nave will take some time.
Please keep in touch via email and please share this information with others. Our website is https://pncathedral.org.nz/ Contact us here https://pncathedral.org.nz/contacts/
Fr Joe and the Pastoral Team
Fire in the Cathedral
Cathedral Update
Dear Parishioners,
We are working through the details and each day has brought new information.
This weekend the Cathedral will remain closed and we will continue to have Sunday Masses as follows:
Vigil Mass:
Our Lady of Lourdes, 5.30 pm (Saturday)
Sunday Masses:
7.30 am, 9.30 am and 6 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church
9 am at St Mary’s Church, Ruahine Street, Palmerston North.
Weekday Cathedral Masses
The times remain the same and are transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Last Friday
The police forensic team cleared the Cathedral last Friday for access.
We gave them CCTV footage of the offender and they published his image on their Facebook page and asked the public for assistance.
I was informed on Saturday evening, just before 5.30 pm Mass, that the offender had been arrested.
A local had phoned the police to tell them that the offender was in a certain part of the city. I understand from media reports that the offender is being held in custody.
Insurance
The Insurance Assessor visited the Cathedral on Friday following the fire and the process of determining the cleaning and reinstatement of the Cathedral began.
The first task is to make the area safe for the cleaning crew.
As of today, that has not been finalised. I am hopeful of a clearance next week.
The Cathedral remains closed until further notice. I think we need to prepare for a few weeks of closure.
Debrief
The parish staff and the diocesan team have had one formal debrief. We have noted various issues and are in the process of reviewing our procedures.
We have formed a working group with the diocesan property manager to deal with decisions and questions that are surfacing.
Cleaning Process
The cleaning process is also challenging and complicated. There are many contingencies that have to be factored in, that we cannot control. We need to consider all the different surfaces in the Cathedral that need to be checked and cleaned, including chairs, altars, and fabrics.
We need to plan for the organ, piano and electronics to be checked and cleaned. We have to check all the heater ducting. It needs to be cleaned before being used.
We cannot control all contingencies so people will have to be patient.
Once we have clearance we intend to clean the Gathering Area and Lounge first, so that we can resume weekday liturgies and some activities.
Cleaning the nave will take some time.
Please keep in touch via email and please share this information with others. Our website is https://pncathedral.org.nz/ Contact us here https://pncathedral.org.nz/contacts/
Fr Joe and the Pastoral Team