...the Church, which is His Body... (Ephesians 1:22-23) | | |
4 June 2026
Corpus Christi
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Parades, Processions, and Adoration:
Corpus Christi Returns!
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Today is the feast of Corpus Christi, when we celebrate the bodily presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion and, thereby, in the world around us.
It's a tangible feast--one with lots of movement (processions), prayer (adoration of Christ's presence), goodwill (blessing of the City), and joy. I first encountered Corpus Christi processions in Vienna a few decades ago. A whole procession--really a whole parade--moved through the imperial city to St Stephen's Cathedral. Traffic stopped, people lined the streets, and time ground to a halt while Christ's presence in the Sacrament moved by.
Today we'll gather at 6:00pm in the church to celebrate mass--and then we too will move out into the city, moving around the block, adoring Jesus's presence in the Sacrament, blessing the City of New Haven, and generally, I hope, remembering that Christ is with us--not as an idea, but as a friend. Not as a theological construct, but as a real human person.
Christ's divine presence in Creation elevates the materiality of all things. The stuff of Creation matters to God. The Bread, the Wine, the pavement, the cars, the birds and squirrels and most of all the people--you and me. All of it matters to God.
I wish that New Haven ground to a standstill for this exciting moment of the divine breaking in. I wish we were processing with all our other Christian friends across the City today, around the Green, and to the altar to receive Christ's presence. And maybe some year we will.
But this year we'll do it as an act of reverence--and an act of resistance.
In a country whose leaders claim to govern according to Christian tenets, a country that still allows oppression and violence in the name of her citizens, few will stop today and observe God's breaking in. Few will stop and adore. But you and I will. And a few folks on the sidewalk, in the street, in their cars or on their bikes--a few of them will notice, too.
And that's really all a revolution takes. One small moment of realization. One small spark of love.
So come and walk around the block together. Adore Christ's presence with us in the materiality of the world. And receive is Body and Blood into your material body--and rejoice.
Happy Corpus Christi.
Oh, there's a cookout after! Invite a friend.
Yours in the love of Jesus,
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Sunday Services
8:15 am Morning Prayer in the Lady Chapel
8:45 am Mass with Hymns in the choir
11:00 am Solemn High Mass in the Nave and livestreamed
Weekday Services (all services in the Lady Chapel unless noted)
Monday
8:00am Morning Prayer
12:15pm Low Mass (Rite II)
Tuesday
8:00am Morning Prayer
5:30pm Evening Prayer
Wednesday
8:00am Morning Prayer
12:15pm Low Mass (Rite II)
Thursday
8:00am Morning Prayer
6:00pm Corpus Christi Mass, Adoration, & Procession followed by a cookout in the Garden
and thereafter
5:15pm Evening Prayer & Low Mass (Rite I)
Friday
8:00am Morning Prayer
12:15pm Low Mass (Rite II)
Morning Prayer is also streamed via the website.
A livestream broadcast of masses and services is available via our website.
See Parish Notices below for information about small group gatherings this week.
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Feasts, Commemorations, & Fasts
June
1 Justin, Martyr c. 167
2 Blandina & her companions, the Martyrs of Lyons, 177
3 The Martyrs of Uganda, 1886
4 John XXIII, Bishop, 1963
4 Corpus Christi
5 Boniface, Bishop & Missionary, 754
8 Melania the Elder, Monastic, 410
9 Columba of Iona, Monastic, 597
10 Ephrem of Nisbis, Deacon, 373
12 Enmegahbowh, Priest, 1902
13 The First Book of Common Prayer, 1549
14 Basil of Caesarea, Bishop, 379
15 Evelyn Underhill, Theologian & Writer, 1941
16 Joseph Butler, Bishop, 1752
17 Marina the Monk, Monastic, 5th C
18 Bernard Mizeki, Martyr, 1896
22 Alban, Martyr, c. 304
26 Isabel Florence Hapgood, Ecumenist, 1928
28 Irenaeus of Lyons, Bishop, c. 202
July
1 Pauli Murray, Priest, 1985
2 Moses the Black, Monastic & Martyr, c. 400
6 Eva Lee Matthews, Monastic, 1928
8 Priscilla & Aquila, Coworkers with Paul
11 Benedict of Nursia, Monastic, c. 543
14 Argula von Grumback, Reformer, c. 1554
| | | | | Intercessions & Thanksgivings | |
Prayers and Thanksgivings:
We give thanks for Dagmar Miller, Stephen Young, Diane Hodgkins, Alinda Stanley, & Anna Akter on their birthdays; for William Tay & Besty Moss on their wedding anniversary; for Aldon Fossett & Nelson Pike, ordained to the diaconate; for Jane Russamano-Esmonde to be ordained to the diaconate; for Ezra de la Cruz y Carmin, Lucien de la Cruz y Carmin, and Leslie Carmin, baptized on Pentecost;
We pray for guidance for all school children; for all college and university students and all other post-secondary school students;
We give thanks for strength, healing, and love; for all who help those in need; for family, work, friends, and safety, and for all God’s gifts.
We pray for those who are ill or who have immediate needs: Joy Scott; Bp Andrew St John; Barry McMurtrey; Sarah Stanley; Barbara Jonik; Sarah; Frank Philip;; Rachel Sexton, Al Martone, Sydney; Jennifer Smith, Fr Scott Hankins, Bud Warner; all others suffering from illness;
We pray for the recently departed:
Ronnie Robison; Grace Ducharme; Mary Frances Mack; for all who have died in current wars; for all who have died from gun violence.
To join the Guild of Intercession, a group who pray daily for the parish and your prayer requests, or to make a prayer request or thanksgiving, please contact Don Smith.
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Parish Notices
The Sunday Forum has concluded for term and returns in September. Stay tuned!
Compline is on break and returns in September.
Midnight Run: Christ Church provides sandwiches and clothing at St Martin de Porres in partnership with Community Soup Kitchen. Come and help make sandwiches in the Parish Hall, continuing Sundays June 7 & 21, following the 11:00 a.m. Mass (about 12:30pm). Contact Ben Schober (203-980-4246 or sexton@christchurchnh.org) for more information.
Corpus Christi is celebrated Thursday, June 4, at 6:00pm with Solemn High Mass, Adoration, & Procession followed by a cookout in the garden. Come and celebrate our Lord's presence in the Eucharist and in the material world around us. Bring a friend!
Christ Church Garland Scholarship: The application period for the Christ Church Garland Scholarship Awards for the academic year 2026-27 is now open. For further information and a copy of the application form, email Don Smith at dmsmith@newhaven.edu. The deadline for completed applications to be received is 5:00pm on Friday, June 19. Garland Scholarships generally range from $500 to $2000 and are available to children of parishioners, parishioners themselves, and occasionally staff members for collegiate and post-graduate education. These scholarships are funded by an endowment given by the late Annie G. K. Garland to the Parish.
The Christ Church Monday Reading Group meets from 5:00pm to 6:00pm each Monday via Zoom. Meetings do not require prior or consistent attendance or “homework” — join when you can. For more information and the link to the Zoom meeting please contact Judy Stone via email on networds4-community@yahoo.com.
The Chronicle, the parish’s emailed newsletter, is published once each month in June, July, and August. If you do not yet receive the Chronicle, please add your email to the notebook at the back of the Elm Street aisle and we’ll put you on the list!
Christ Church Choral Scholars: The Choir of Christ Church is seeking applicants of all musical backgrounds for its inaugural cohort of Choral Scholars! During the 2026-2027 program year, participants will receive mentorship from staff singers, individualized music theory and aural skills training, and an immersive introduction to Anglican music and liturgy. Interested undergraduates and high schoolers can apply using the following form: https://forms.gle/PUuHq5advM2zjkS7A. The first round of applications closes Wednesday, July 1st, at 5:00pm. For any questions, please contact Alex Whittington, Music Director, at awhittington@christchurchnh.org. Spread the word!
Online resources:
Book of Common Prayer, online in pdf format
Venite.app prayer resource, online (useful for Morning Prayer)
Scripture passages online at oremus.org
Daily Prayer from Forward Movement including Daily Office
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