Christmas 2022
We warmly welcome you to celebrate with us this Christmas.
As always, our churches are open daily during Christmastide for you to pray and visit the Crib.
Saturday 17 December
8am 'Rorate' Mass of our Lady by candlelight (St John's)
followed by breakfast
Sunday 18 December: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Blessing of the Christmas Tree after 11am High Mass
Monday 19 December
7.30pm LGBT+ Carol Service (St John's)
Preacher: The Rt Revd David Gillett, formerly Bishop of Bolton
followed by refreshments
Saturday 24 December: Christmas Eve
11am to 12 noon Confessions (St John's)
12 noon Last Mass of Advent (St John's)
4pm Blessing of the Crib with carols (St John's)
Especially suitable for children and families, but all welcome!
11.30pm Midnight Mass and Procession (St John's)
Sunday 25 December: Christmas Day
10am High Mass of the Day (St John's)
followed by sherry and mince pies
6pm Evening Prayer at the Crib (St Julian's)
Monday 26 December: St Stephen
12 noon Low Mass (St John's)
nb. no 10am Mass or Rosary at St Julian's
Tuesday 27 December: St John, Apostle & Evangelist
12 noon Low Mass (St John's)
Wednesday 28 December: The Holy Innocents
10am Low Mass (St Julian's)
followed by coffee and Christmas cake at the Rectory
Thursday 29 December: St Thomas Becket
12 noon Low Mass (St John's)
Friday 30 December: in the Octave of Christmas
5pm Low Mass (St Julian's)
Saturday 31 December: in the Octave of Christmas
12 noon Low Mass (St John's)
Sunday 1 January: Mary, Mother of God
9am Low Mass (St Julian's)
11am Procession and High Mass (St John's)
followed by sparkling wine for New Year's Day
6pm Evening Prayer and Benediction (St John's)
Friday 6 January: Feast of the Epiphany
12 noon Low Mass (St John's)
7.30pm Procession, Blessing of the Epiphany Crib and High Mass (St John's)
followed by mulled wine and cake
Sunday 8 January: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord
9am Low Mass (St Julian's)
11am High Mass (St John's)
Confessions before Christmas
A priest will be in St John’s to hear Confessions, give spiritual advice and pronounce the forgiveness of sins at the following times before Christmas.
Tuesday 20 December
11am to 12 noon
Wednesday 21 December
12 noon to 1pm
Thursday 22 December
5pm to 6pm
Christmas Eve
11am to 12 noon
Christmas collections
This Christmas, as usual, the collections at our main services will all be given away - divided between The Magdalene Group (a charity in our parish working with women and young people who have suffered sexual violence, exploitation and coercion), Crisis (which works with people experiencing homelessness and campaigns for changes needed to solve it altogether), and Aid to the Church in Need (a Roman Catholic pastoral organisation which funds over 6,000 projects around the world helping Christians who are persecuted, oppressed or suffering material need).
Please give generously.