The Liturgical Year

Celebrating the Liturgical Year at St John’s

At St John’s, we take great care to celebrate the seasons of the Liturgical Year. Each class display reflects the Liturgical colour of the season, helping to bring our faith into daily school life. Through our R.E. lessons, we learn about the key events in the Church’s calendar and come together as a community to celebrate them in collective worship.

We place special importance on Advent and Lent, encouraging children to reflect on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus during these times of preparation. In October and May, we honour Mary by praying the Rosary together and exploring the different Mysteries.

How We Mark the Liturgical Year

Autumn

Prayer tables begin the year dressed in green.
Harvest Thanksgiving – We celebrate Mass in church and collect food during October for Hanwell Homeless Centre or Ealing Foodbank.
Month of the Rosary (October) –Classes are encouraged to pray the Rosary together.
Advent – Prayer tables change to purple. We introduce the season with the blessing of the Advent Wreath.
Christmas –The Infants and Early Years perform a Nativity play, while the Juniors lead a Carol Concert.

Spring

Prayer tables are white for the Christmas season, then return to green for Ordinary Time after the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.
Epiphany – Celebrated with Parish Mass if it falls in term time.
Lent – Prayer tables turn purple. We attend Mass on Ash Wednesday (if in term time).
Easter– Although the Resurrection usually falls during the holidays, we explore its meaning in R.E. lessons. Y4 & Y5 lead a Stations of the Cross service, and a special assembly highlights the importance of this feast.

Summer

Prayer tables are gold/white during the Easter season, changing back to green at Pentecost.
First Holy Communion –Year 3 children (along with others preparing from different year groups) receive the Sacrament. The school community celebrates with a Thanksgiving Mass and gathering.
Ascension – Explored in R.E. lessons.
Pentecost – Explored in R.E. lessons.
Corpus Christi – Whole school Mass (Years 1–6) celebrating the Body and Blood of Christ.
Feast of St Peter and St Paul – Whole school Mass (Years 1–6).
Leavers’ Mass – A farewell celebration for our Year 6 pupils.