Festivals

We celebrate the main festivals in the Church's year with particular splendour and liturgical richness.

On Advent Sunday, we herald the coming light of Christ in the Advent Carol Service by candlelight in a dramatic procession with readings, hymns and carols.

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world in our candlelit Midnight Mass. At Epiphany we recall the visit of the Wise Men and the showing forth of Christ to the World as real gold, frankincense and myrrh are processed to the Crib. Children and families especially enjoy our Christingle Service in January and there is a great procession of candles again at Candlemass on the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.

All are solemnly marked with ash on Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the Church's springtime, usually known as Lent. Holy Week begins with an outdoor procession on Palm Sunday, continues with Mass on Maundy Thursday at which the priest washes the feet of parishioners after the example of Jesus, before as we keep watch with him in Gethsemane in our Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament. On Good Friday the adults take part in a solemn procession and Veneration of the Cross followed by an activity afternoon for scores of local children which is great fun.

Easter is celebrated with particular joy as, on Holy Saturday, the Easter fire is kindled on the piazza outside the church and, after hearing the saving acts of God in history, the Resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word, symbol and sacrament. At Pentecost all may receive anointing for the grace of the Holy Spirit as we go in work and mission.

Corpus Christi is richly celebrated at All Saints in Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament over a carpet of flowers laid by the children at our church school.