PENTECOST VIGIL LITURGY 2008

& BURNING OF OUR GARMENT OF SUFFERING

Parish Priest Fr Andrew Smith o.praem. carrying our Garment of Suffering to the Pentecost Fire

Saturday 10 May saw a packed church when we held  a special Pentecost Vigil Liturgy. Beginning at 8.00pm, this contemporary liturgy consisted of readings and music and also incorporated the burning of our Garment of Suffering - the patches of material given by over 100 parishioners that were sewn together during Lent representing the sorrow and suffering of individuals in the parish and hung on the cross as part of our Good Friday liturgy.

During the final part of our liturgy Parish Priest Fr Andrew Smith processed to the back of the church carrying the Garment of Suffering which was then burnt in our Pentecost Fire.

During this symbolic burning we again invoked the Holy Spirit, asking God to heal our various burdens and sufferings in the fire of His healing love, and asked for strength and hope for the future.

A parish party followed our liturgy (where we served a fiery chilli to almost 100 parishioners!); this was followed by a firework display in the Priory garden.

 The Garment of Suffering being burnt in our Pentecost Fire

The church decorated for Pentecost