On Saturday 12 September, I had the opportunity to combine business with pleasure at St Francis de Sales Church, Liverpool, where I attended “A Concert for the Nuncio.”

The event was held to honour Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, who has been visiting the Archdiocese of Liverpool. The audience was treated to music of the highest quality in a church with wonderful acoustics, which parish priest, Father Ged Callacher, an accomplished musician himself, described as “made for music.” Noting that His Excellency is also a talented musician, Father Ged invited him to address the congregation. Archbishop Buendia delivered a blessing, thanking all present from the bottom of his heart for the warm welcome. He described the concert as a peaceful pause, during a very busy week of engagements.

At the post-concert reception, I was pleased to catch up with Father Ged, who had taken the time to send me good wishes in his capacity as Dean of Sefton Coast South, following my contacting him with an introductory newsletter. Whilst a professional musician, prior to his entering the priesthood, I had been privileged to have Father Ged as organist at my wedding. It was also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with some of the parish priests to whom I had sent newsletters, and to talk a little more about my new role for Stella Maris.

During the evening, I was delighted to meet Archbishop Sherrington. He told me about his experience of port visiting with Chris Reynolds, Stella Maris Regional Area Port Chaplain for Liverpool & Northwest England, and we discussed how Stella Maris can offer opportunities to live out faith, with particular emphasis on schools. Finally, I was delighted to meet His Excellency himself, who was very gracious in responding to requests for photographs. I said how exciting it was to have him visit the great Port of Liverpool and he assured me of his blessings for the work of Stella Maris. He told me that he had also spent some time in Aberdeen.

Consequently, it was a lovely evening. As a former first soprano for Liverpool Welsh Choral, it was fantastic to meet some amazing musicians and enjoy a musical treat with excellent hospitality, whilst promoting the vital work of Stella Maris. Many thanks to Father Ged and parishioners for their hospitality and goodwill.

Geraldine is Regional Community Engagement Officer, Northern England for Stella Maris, the Catholic charity that provides spiritual, pastoral and practical support to seafarers and fishers.

She has worked in Civil Service, local government, teaching and school chaplaincy and in the Catholic charity sector as an Appeals Administrator before joining Stella Maris.

She is looking forward to working with parishes, schools, colleges, universities and other organisations to increase engagement with the vital work of Stella Maris in supporting the seafarers and fishers on whom we all rely.