Cathedral News

The annual Solemn Novena begins on Monday 2 February 2026, and runs until Tuesday 10 February.

Today’s extract from Isaiah was written at the time of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.

Before Vatican II, the prologue to John’s gospel was read at the end of mass, presumably to stress its centrality to our core beliefs.

Fourth-century St Ambrose, Doctor of the Church, is remembered on 7 December.

The liturgy of the feast of the Holy Family reflects on the values of family life. The first two readings speak to us of respect for parents, relationship between spouses and care of children.

Today’s gospel tells of the Annunciation to Joseph. He is the main figure in the narrative.

The prophet Isaiah lived in troubled times, with Babylon growing in power and eventually conquering Judah.

The annual Live Crib takes place on Tuesday 16 December 2025, between 11:30am and 4:00pm.

John the Baptist was one of a number of children born to parents like Sarah and Abraham and Hannah and Elkanah, who had given up hope of having a child and who were promised one through an angelic

Advent invites us to reflect on the coming Christ, both on his first coming in Bethlehem and his second at the end of time.