Blackfriars Christmas Fair

To prepare for Christmas and raise funds for the Priory Renewal Fund, Blackfriars held a Christmas Fair on the second Sunday of Advent. The event was well attended with a multitude of children designing Christmas cards, decorating biscuits and cakes, and making delightful Advent and Christmas decorations.

As it was also the feast of St. Nicholas, old Sinterklaas, with his mitre and crozier, made an appearance accompanied by his elf-helper and took up residence in a wonderfully designed grotto. Here he received visits from the children (and even from some friars!) and tested that they were well prepared for Christmas. He found them all to be so knowledgeable and aware of the true meaning of Christmas that he distributed oranges, star-biscuits, and “St. Nicholas” sweets in the shape of a crozier.