I’m New
Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ
Welcome to our Corpus Christi Parish website.
Geographically, we are the largest parish in the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, touching on four counties. We are the second largest in terms of population.
We have an extensive history … beginning with the very earliest days of European colonization in the 1600s.
Culturally, we have it all, with people from all corners of the globe … some who cultivate the land, manage the forests and fish the sea.
As multiple church communities making up the one Body of Christ, we have various experiences and differing outlooks and expectations but we are one in Christ.
We are challenged by our demographics as we age and as people move to larger centres.
We are challenged to connect, to communicate.
We welcome you to look around our website and to visit one of our churches for Eucharist. We hope that your experience will be warm and inviting.
One, in the Body of Christ,
Fr. John MacPherson
As Catholics we are one people in Christ.
We are a community; we are in communion. This communion of persons is the Body of Christ; we are the universal church carrying out Christ’s mission all over the world. Each member of Corpus Christi is a member of this Body and we are called to share our gifts, each of us to serve according to our different gifts. We will share our time, talents and treasure with our parish community, our wider community and our world.
As a Parish we are committed to our vision to “strive to be a parish where we love bravely, we serve radically and we encounter all with humility and compassion”.
Corpus Christi is a newly formed parish made up of 9 churches and 2 missions that span from Windsor to Weymouth. The decree was issued by Archbishop Mancini of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth on January 1, 2020. We are geographically and culturally diverse encompassing Canada’s oldest parish, as well as church communities that represent the heritage of Irish, Acadian, Aboriginal and Black Nova Scotians among many others, who helped grow our faith in Nova Scotia.
What To Expect
If this is your first time joining us for Mass or you are joining us from a different parish and wonder if we do things any differently, read on!!
Each of our church communities has its own personality and its own traditions. One thing is for sure though – a Hospitality Minister will be waiting at the door to welcome you! If you need to know anything – where to sit, where the washrooms are located, if you have to leave if your baby cries (nope – it’s music to our ears – and God’s), if your children can join in on Children’s Liturgy of the Word (yes), if you want to join a ministry or how to register with the Parish – he or she will help you find the answer.
On Holy Water
On the way in you will see people dipping their fingers in a basin of Holy Water and making the sign of the cross. We do this to remember Christ’s passion and to profess our faith in the Holy Trinity, but primarily we bless ourselves with holy water as a reminder of our Baptism.
On Genuflecting
On the way into the pew (and later as they leave) you may see people genuflecting on one knee. We genuflect before the Tabernacle to show our reverence for the Real Presence of Jesus. Usually the Tabernacle is placed at the very back of the altar or sometimes it is off to the side. It holds the hosts that have been consecrated.
On What to do before Mass begins
Once you’re seated, you will notice that some people are praying while others may be busy whispering with one another, catching up with friends and family they may not have seen all week. The main thing to remember is to be as quiet as possible to respect those who are praying. Many people arrive at church early to pray and prepare their hearts for Mass. If you can, try sitting in silence for a few moments before Mass begins.
On Singing
We sing when the priest enters and when he leaves. We also sing hymns at other points in the Mass. The hymns are usually posted on a board at the front of the church and the hymn books are in the pews. Pick up a book and find the number and sing along if you desire. It’s also okay not to sing. Remember, God doesn’t care if you can a carry a tune – go ahead – belt it out! Be careful though, because if you can carry a tune, the choir director will find you after Mass – they have an uncanny ability to hone in on a new voice and will want you for the choir. It’s okay to say, “No thank you, I am just visiting”.
On When to Stand, Sit or Kneel
On people shaking your hand
On whether or not to get in line for Communion
Only Catholics who are in a proper state may take Communion. However, everyone can receive a blessing. If you should find yourself in the line for Communion, when it is your turn, cross your hands over your chest and the priest will give you a blessing. You’ll notice other people with their arms crossed as they approach the priest. The priest will also bless the little children who come up for Communion with their parents. We can all use a little extra blessing, right?
On the way out
Want to know more?
Here is a series on the Mass created by a priest. He makes lots of great videos – get to know him on YouTube. His YouTube channel is Breaking in the Habit.
Find Us
Get Involved
We’re glad you’re here and we look forward to getting to know you.
Corpus Christi has many opportunities for people to get involved in ministry, to join a service group or to pray with others. We welcome you to explore our website, visit Get Involved, consider joining us for Alpha or at Mass any day. We have regular coffee socials after Mass on Sundays throughout the year, so please consider joining us the next time coffee is brewing.
We can’t wait to meet you!
Pray With Us
We love to pray. And we’d love to pray with you. Or pray for you. Or both!
Catholics have many ways to pray – from the familiar such as the Our Father (Lord’s Prayer), to some really ancient prayers handed down over the centuries such as the Memorare – Mother Teresa’s favourite prayer – to the prayer you pray in our own words. When you pray to God for something, we petition Him. Petition is one of Catholics’ five forms of prayer.
The others are Intercession, Thanksgiving, Adoration and Praise.
Here is a great resource of Catholic Prayers that you might find useful.
Request a Prayer
Would you like us to pray for you? You can fill in the prayer request form at the bottom of this page. We also have a prayer request group on our Facebook page. You can add your prayer request to the group and they will add your intentions to their regular prayers.
Find a Prayer Group
If you’d like to pray with a group, check out our Get Involved tab to find out about our different Prayer Ministries
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