This page is dedicated to information related to the process of reopening our churches and how you might be able to help.
Private prayer
Last updated: Friday 14th August 2020
In the Blackpool Deanery, church opening times can be found on the various parish websites, we have linked to them below. Please observe social distancing practices when you visit and follow any signs and instructions given to you by the stewards to ensure we all stay safe.
St Kentigern
Tuesday 1000 - 1100
Sunday 1530 - 1630
Christ the King is open for the 11:15 Sunday Mass, there is time for personal prayer before the Mass begins.
Confessions are available during private prayer times at St Kentigern's in the garden, weather permitting. Please come to church for the private prayer and ask the steward to contact the priest. We can use the benches, socially distanced, near the pear tree.
If you have any questions, or need further information or advice about your visit to church, please watch the below video or contact us.
Open for services with a congregation
Last updated: Friday 14th August 2020
We are open for Mass with a congregation on our normal schedule. All weekday services take place at St Kentigern's currently so we can maintain our weekday live-streaming service for those still unable to come to church. It is likely that this will remain the case until the pandemic passes. The Sunday 11:15 Mass at Christ the King resumed on 16th August 2020.
These are the regulations which we need to follow during this time, they do not embrace the communal nature of our celebration of Holy Mass, however for the time being, they are necessary precautions that we need to observe.
Before you come to Church
If you or someone you live with are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (or other contagious illness), for the safety of others please do not attend any of the services in church.
Face coverings are required for those aged 11 and over unless you consider yourself to be in one of the government exempt groups. This is per the change in government policy effective 8th August 2020.
Please bring your own missal if you have one - there are no Mass Cards.
When you arrive
Sanitise your hands on the way in.
Give your contact details to the stewards. We are required by law to collect this information for the government "Test and Trace" scheme. This information will be kept securely and in confidence and destroyed once the pandemic passes. It will not be used for any other purpose.
Take a seat in one of the available rows. One household per pew/seats, or if you are in a household of one, then one person at each end of a single pew or take a single seat, ensuring social distance is observed. A steward will help you find an available seat if necessary.
If the church becomes full, we will sadly not be able to admit you for Mass. Please rest assured the obligation to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday is still remitted.
Ministries
Readers
Sanitise your hands on approaching and leaving the ambo.
The readings will be printed out and placed on the ambo so that you will not need to change pages.
Please try and avoid touching the microphone or the paper.
There are no Bidding Prayers.
You may remove your face covering whilst exercising your ministry.
Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
There is currently no need to rota any Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist as the priests will be distributing Holy Communion themselves.
If the need does arise then arrangements will be made at the Mass in question.
Altar Servers
For now we can only have 2 Servers due to social distancing on the Sanctuary and the Sacristy, as such it is necessary to operate a temporary rota.
Servers must always stay socially distanced from each other and the priests.
At St Kentigern's, please contact Paul Woodhouse via the Parish Office to be included on the rota. At Christ the King, please contact Anne Cowan.
We prefer (but not require) that Servers aged under 11 wear an appropriate face-covering.
During the Mass
There will be no singing during Mass per the current restrictions imposed by the Bishops and HM Government.
There is no offertory procession. The bread and wine will be on the Credence Table before Mass.
There is no collection at the offertory (see below).
After the Prayer and response "Behold the Lamb of God... Lord I am not worthy...", the priest will hold the Host aloft and say "The Body of Christ" and the people are to respond "Amen" he will do the same with the chalice, "The Blood of Christ" and the people respond "Amen". The priest will then make an Act of Spiritual Communion for those still isolating and attending Mass via the internet.
We are operating a one way, socially distanced route for Holy Communion and this will be explained before the Communion procession at each Mass.
The distribution of Holy Communion will take place in silence and is to be taken in the hand only. Please stay in your seats until one of the stewards indicates that you can go to communion.
After Mass
Please do not linger in the church after Mass and leave either by the way you came in or by the Layton door by the Sacred Heart Chapel if you can manage the steps.
Leave your weekly offering in the basket in the porch. It is however preferable to make your weekly offering by standing order. Details are on the website homepage.
If you are still unable to come to church you can continue to participate with our live-streamed services on the Parish YouTube and Parish Facebook page and join in the conversations on our various social media channels.
