Christmas Masses

by Father Damien Cook

Christmas Masses at Christ the King 2020

Thursday, Dec. 24: 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 25: 12 midnight, 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

We are already looking ahead to Christmas scenarios. Every Christmas we offer 5 Masses at Christ the King: One on Christmas Eve and four on Christmas day. With the size of our church and the varying size of crowds, these Masses have always covered our needs in normal years. Even the Mass with our greatest attendance, the 5 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve, comfortably holds the thousand people that attend it. With coronavirus concerns, however, we cannot accommodate such an enormous crowd and preserve social distancing.

I think the only way to attend to this unprecedented state of affairs is with a three-pronged approach. Firstly, please consider coming to Mass for Christmas. Though there is a current dispensation from Mass that will probably last at least until the end of this year, I invite all non-vulnerable people to make the effort. Christ is worth it and you’re worth it! I know Christ will uplift you and give you hope and joy and a taste of normality. For those who are vulnerable and need to stay home, we will film and broadcast our Christmas Mass. We’ll also provide a helpful handout for all families that will offer prayers, Scripture, and easy, creative, interactive ways to celebrate Christmas in the home. We will make this available for digital download on our website and have printed copies outside of the Rectory door in the hallway that can be picked up at a time of your choosing in the week of Christmas.

For those who cannot attend any of these Masses, the church will be open throughout Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day so consider coming to the church on the off hours, when no one is around, to visit the Blessed Sacrament and Baby Jesus in the crèche and be uplifted by the decorations.

Secondly, with permission of the Archbishop, we are adding a one-time, additional Christmas Eve Mass at 3 p.m. Hopefully this new Mass and unique time will attract many from the usual 5 p.m. Christmas Eve crowd and split the numbers between these two vigil Masses.

The third element is an invitation for those who normally participate in the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass to consider attending, just this year, a Mass on Dec. 25th itself. There is always room for more at any of these other Masses, especially at the 12 midnight and 12 noon Masses on Christmas Day.

We hope you will come and consider an alternate Mass time. It will work out for everyone and we can celebrate the Light of the World.