Liturgical Seasons
A time of reflection and penance leading up to the celebrations of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Stations of the Cross
From earliest times Christians took time to pause and reflect on the journey Jesus took from the time of his arrest to the Crucifixtion. The number of stations reflected upon and the events that were considered varied greatly according to culture and circumstances. In the 18th century a pattern of a particular 14 developed. In recent times a return has been made to variation. Following the example of John Paul II today an emphasis is often on stations centred on Gospel events.
Caritas produce some great resource for schools and their Way of the Cross here is an excellent Lenten example.
Stations of the Cross at home. Created during Covid lock-down this is a way of thinking of and praying about our journey with Jesus to the Cross, in our own home. (Also available in Word format, and PowerPoint (good for using on a phone)).
Station headings in English and Te Reo.
Lent is also a time when we remember Jesus’ trial of 40 days and nights in the desert.
The celebrations of the Paschal Mystery. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
- Easter is the most important feast in the liturgical calendar. The Easter season concludes with the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Holy Week
Holy Week is a week long walk through the last days of Jesus’ life finishing with the most important Christian festival Easter Sunday.
- A short video that looks at the significance of Holy Week and its celebrations.
- Click here for a short Word doc summary of Holy Week .
- The crucifixion and resurrection from the Gospel of Mark in cartoon form.
- A video commentary on Mark’s Passion Sunday Gospel.
- A resource page of information and images for Holy Week.
The Ascension
40 days after the resurrection Jesus was taken up to heaven in his resurrected body.
- The Ascension is the feast day celebrating Jesus’s return to the Father. In Aotearoa New Zealand it is celebrated on the 7th Sunday after Easter (traditionally 40 days after the Resurrection.)
- Catholic belief and teaching about the Ascension is rooted in the key scriptural references in Luke and Acts. See Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:6-12.
Preparing to welcome the child Jesus, Emmanuel – God with us.
A short video introduction to the season of Advent.
1 November
