Remembrance Day 11th November
Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Advent Sunday 3rd December
Advent starts the season for preparing for the coming of the Messiah and the celebration of Christmas with the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent always commences on the fourth Sunday before Christmas or the closest Sunday to St Andrew’s Day which falls on November 30th each year and ending on Christmas Day – thus lasting 4 weeks. Advent can start on any day from November 27th to December 3rd.
Epiphany 6th January
Western Churches celebrate Epiphany with a feast that commemorates the visit of the Magi (Three Kings, or Three Wise Men) to baby Jesus, signifying Jesus’s physical revealing to the Gentiles
Ash Wednesday, Lent, Lent Activities and Holy Week
Wednesday 14th February – Monday 1st April
Ash Wednesday
Ashes were worn by people in the Old Testament to show their repentance (Jonah 3). We also wear ashes on Ash Wednesday as a sign of our repentance and grief for our sins. The ashes are a public sign of our intent to die to our world desires and live in Christ. As our foreheads are being marked, the priest says: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. (Genesis 3:19). The ashes come from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent.
Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and is the period of 40 days that comes before Easter. It is a time of reflection and
spiritual renewal in preparation for Good Friday and Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
40 is a significant number in the Bible: In Genesis, rain fell for 40 days and nights in the great flood.
The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before entering the promised land.
Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments.
Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before starting his ministry.
During Lent: Catholics fast from (give up) meat on Fridays and some meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Almsgiving (giving to the poor) is particularly encouraged.
The Stations of the Cross are prayed in our churches.
Family Activities for Lent Poster
Holy Week
Palm Sunday 24th March – Matthew 21:1-11
Maundy Thursday 28th March Mark 14:12-50 and John 13
Good Friday 29th March Mark 15
Holy Saturday 30th March Romans 6:3-11
Easter Sunday 31st March Luke 24
Stations of the Cross
Prayerful meditation through the Stations of the Cross is especially common during Lent and on Fridays throughout the year, in commemoration of Christ’s Crucifixion on Good Friday. The devotion may be done individually or in a group.
St. Mark’s Feast Day 25th April
Read some fascinating facts here:
Ascension Day 9th May
Ascension Day is the 40th day of Easter occurring 39 days after Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven and marks the 40th day after Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
Pentecost 19th May
It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ and it marks the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world.
