The Church year follows a twelve month cycle beginning at Advent, in the weeks before Christmas, and continuing through the cycle of Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday. The weeks 'after Pentecost' close the cycle when a new Advent season begins late in the calendar year.

Liturgical Seasons

Each of the liturgical seasons carries its own history, traditions, and special meaning in the Church year.

Advent
The four Sundays before Christmas.
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ - first in his birth, celebrated at Christmas, second in anticipation of his second coming at the end of time.  More...

Christmas
The twelve Days of Christmas - December 24 to January 6
The most important thing about Christmas is not the fact of a baby alone but rather that in this special child, Jesus, God came in human form to reveal himself to the world.  More...

Epiphany
The Feast Day of The Epiphany, and the Epiphany liturgical season.
The overall theme of the Epiphany (day and season) is the revelation of who Jesus is to the Gentiles.  More...

Lent
Lent prepares us for Easter, the day of Christ’s resurrection.
If you knew you were going to see Jesus in person on Easter Day, how would you spend Lent?  More...

Holy Week
Palm Sunday naturally celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem yet leads us into the week to follow with the reading of the passion.  More...

Easter
The crown of the Church year.
Easter Day, the joy of new life for all who put their trust in Christ, celebrates the truth of the empty tomb: Jesus has risen and he is alive today!  More...

Pentecost
The Day of Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday
Pentecost ranks as second only to Easter in importance in the Church cycle of celebrations precisely because it marks the all important giving of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus.  More...

After Pentecost
Trinity Sunday, and the weeks thereafter  More...