What to Expect When Visiting a Catholic Church This Christmas
Whether you are a regular churchgoer or someone who hasn’t been to church in a while, you are warmly invited to join any of our church for Christmas Mass. Christmas is a time of hope, joy, and togetherness, and we would love to share it with you. Here’s what you can expect when you visit a Catholic Church this Christmas.
Opening Times
Your local church’s Christmas Mass times are now available on our website – [click here] to see them.
Many of our churches will be open for quiet prayer and reflection too, which can be a welcome moment of peace and connection with God during this busy time of year.
Come Early
Christmas Masses can be very popular, so it’s often a good idea to arrive early. Christmas Eve Mass is often preceded by a carol service – all the more reason to come early and enjoy the music!
A Warm Welcome
Whether you come on your own or with loved ones, you’ll be made to feel welcome by clergy and volunteers – many churches have greeters who will welcome you to the church, and can point you in the right direction if you need any help. You will usually be given a Mass booklet, which has all the responses and lyrics to the hymns printed so that you can follow along and join in during Mass if you wish to.
Singing
The lyrics to the hymns are printed in the Mass booklets or in hymn books in the church, and the tunes are often familiar even to those who have never stepped foot in a church before – you are very welcome to join in!
Receiving a Blessing
When the time comes to receive Communion, anyone who hasn’t yet received the sacrament of First Holy Communion can still come up for a blessing. Just cross your hands over your chest (so your left hand is on your right shoulder, and your right hand on your left shoulder) and the priest or eucharistic minister will place their hand above your head and say a short blessing.
The main thing to remember is that you’re very welcome. Whether this is your first time in years or you’ve been thinking about coming back for a while, know that God’s love is always present, and the doors of the Church are always open.
Merry Christmas from all of us in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. May your Christmas be filled with peace, joy, and blessings.
