Christmas at the Cathedral
Check out our full programme of festive events, services and Masses this December at the Cathedral.
We hope you will come along and join us in looking forward to and the celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. You, your family and friends will be most welcome to join us. This programme of events is listed loosely chronologically, so you will find our schedule of Christmas Masses towards the end of the article.
Carol Services
If you love Carols, we have got you covered with two opportunities over the December period. A particular highlight will the Music Department’s Carols by Candlelight event on the 12th December.
Friday 5th December, 7pm to 9pm
Music to Counter Dark Days Join us for a warm evening of traditional folk music with mulled wine and mince pies.
Friday 12th December, 7pm to 8pm
Carols by Candlelight Our new Director of Music, Peter, and Canon Malachy, invite you to our Carol Service featuring the Cathedral Choir and the Children’s Choir. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available in the Cathedral Hall following the event. The Service is free but a collection will be taken in aid of the Choir Fund.
Christmas Eve, 24th December, 6pm
Vigil Mass of The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Christmas Eve, 24th December, 11.30pm
Carols and Readings performed by the Cathedral Choir, followed by Midnight Mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Patrick McKinney.
First Vespers of The Immaculate Conception
Monday 8th December, 6pm
Sung Vespers with the Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Chapter, on the Solemnity of the Diocesan Co-Patroness- Our Lady of Immaculate. Followed by light refreshments in the Cathedral Hall.
Parish Christmas Event
Christmas Fayre
Friday 5th December, Cathedral Hall
From 10.30am to 2pm
Christmas Children's Party and Adult Parish Dance
Saturday 20th December, Cathedral Hall.
The children’s party is from 4.30pm to 6pm, for all the children of our parish.
The Parish Dance will follow this from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
Donations to attend are requested in aid of the Cathedral Maintenance Fund.
Both events include party nibbles.
Christmas Masses
Christmas Eve Vigil Mass
Wednesday 24th December, 6pm
We usually welcome lots of families to this Mass and the Cathedral’s Children’s Choir will be singing Carols from 5.30pm
Midnight Mass
Sunday 24th December, 11.30pm
Opening with a service of readings and carols led by the Cathedral Choir at 11.30pm, this is then followed by Midnight Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick McKinney
Christmas Day Masses
Monday 25th December, 8am, 10am & 11.15am
Bishop Patrick will celebrate the 10am Mass and the Cathedral Choir will be singing at the 11.15am Mass.
***Please note there is no evening Mass on Christmas Day
