Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park

Introduction

The central tabernacle has been in the church since it opened, having been relocated from the side of the sanctuary.

Architecture and furnishings

The hexagonal altar has six sides, recalling that Jesus died on the sixth day. The ambo, also hexagonal, bears the chi-rho symbol. The eight-sided baptismal font matches the church's octagonal shape. The wooden crucifix depicts Christ the High Priest wearing priestly robes.

All wooden furniture is by Irish Contract Seating of Leitrim, Ireland; the benches reflect the octagonal shape and replaced originals relocated to a parish in Rzeszow, Poland. The glass etching of Christ the Eternal High Priest is by a sister of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.

Parish life

Adults may be prepared for Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation with the help of experienced catechists. The parish runs a First Holy Communion course beginning each January, with catechists and separate sessions for parents. Couples preparing for marriage attend a day's course run by Marriage Care.

The parish runs an evangelisation website with an archive of talks about Christian life. New parishioners are welcomed and can register with the parish administrator.

New registration cards are available in a blue box in the church porch. A copy of the weekly newsletter is displayed outside the church.

Regular events

The annual Mission appeal takes place at all Masses on Sunday 13th September, given by a Spiritan Father. The parish marks the Franciscan Jubilee, 800 years since the death of St Francis, with Masses taking prayers from the Solemnity of St Francis.

The Missio red box collection takes place in the autumn. The parish participates in the harvest-time CAFOD fast day, supporting projects worldwide.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents seeking baptism for their child should arrange to see the parish priest, and for a first child they are asked to follow a short course of preparation. First Holy Communion takes place on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Confirmation is conferred every two years, either by the Bishop or by the parish priest, for candidates in year 9 or above. Confirmation preparation sessions are held on Thursday evenings, and each candidate must choose a sponsor.

Couples wishing to marry should contact the parish priest ideally one year before the marriage. After a death, the parish priest advises on the way forward and arrangements are made with a funeral director. Masses can be said specifically for the deceased by giving details at the parish office, and anniversary Masses can be arranged a couple of months in advance.

The aumbry near the baptismal font contains the holy oils used in Baptism, Confirmation and anointing of the sick. The last ordination to the priesthood in the parish was in 1976.