Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
January 6, 2021
Staying Connected
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The Baptism of the Lord
Sunday, January 10
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A Letter from our Pastor - Fr. Paulson
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Dear Friends,
It was a Monday January 12, 1931. The US president was Herbert Hoover (Republican), the UK Prime Minister was Ramsay MacDonald (Labor), Pope Pius XI was leading the Catholic Church. And a star was born in Belfast, Ireland on this day to Seamus Timoney and Agnes (Nancy) Fullerton. He was baptized at St. Malachy Church in Belfast, attended elementary school in Dublin and Galway, High School in Limerick, University in Galway and then moved to Bangalore for seminary. He was ordained on May 26, 1956 in Bangalore, India, for the order of Redemptorists.
The decade of the 1930s was marked by depression worldwide, with unemployment
and economic problems. As a result, the decade witnessed the rise of Fascism and Communism. In 1933 the Nazis won power in Germany and Hitler became chancellor, in 1938 he annexed Austria. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was followed by the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. Ireland, too, had a depressed economy. The economic war with Britain from 1932 further depressed the Irish economy. In 1932 (22-26 June) Eucharistic congress was held in Dublin. Brian Timoney grew up in a time of unprecedented economic and political crisis in the world. Born to good and strong Irish Catholic parents, these adverse forces formed Brian as a person of great fortitude, sensitive to the needs of the poor and an amazing Pastor gifted with great gifts of mind and heart.
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We will have an outdoor mass on January 12th at 11.00am, and I would like to invite you all to come and celebrate Fr. Brian Timoney’s birthday in prayer and gratitude. Let us celebrate this nonagenarian, honoring his wisdom, celebrating a life well-lived and hoping for many more years to come.
I would also like to wish a number of our staff members who celebrated birthdays during the past week and will the coming week – Chris Bertrand (12/24), Mike Hall (12/24) Helen Christian (12/31), Nelson Gonzales (1/3), and Robin Morley (1/9).
Early Monday morning, Fr. Brian Timoney found a young couple sleeping on the bench in front of the old Religious Education Office. He alerted me to it, and since nobody was around and our school was closed, I let them sleep there for a couple more hours, after which I woke them up, and told them to go and have something to eat and come back in the afternoon to our St. Vincent de Paul. The man took the money and went right back to sleep. I had Gary Piermattei come over, and assist them right away. He booked them for one night into a motel, and sent them off by bus with some vouchers for essentials. I am grateful our community can step up and do good in these trying times.
Pope Francis warned this Sunday against the temptation to ignore the suffering of others during the coronavirus pandemic and said that things will get better in the new year to the extent to which the needs of the weakest and most disadvantaged are prioritized. “We don't know what 2021 has in store for us, but what each of us and all of us together can do is to commit ourselves a little more to take care of each other and of creation, our common home,” the pope said in his Angelus address Jan. 3.
After the Staying Connected letter from last week, many of you have responded generously and we have raised nearly $20,000.00 towards rental assistance. Many of you thanked me for doing it and promised to support our needy brothers and sisters. Our Vincentians are ready to take on this call to care for the poor, in addition to their daily out-reach. Thank you.
This weekend, we celebrate the baptism of our Lord and our Christmas season draws to a close. One of the sacraments we have administered regularly during the pandemic is the sacrament of infant baptism. It is such an important moment in a person’s life. Pope Francis said;” To baptize a child is an act of justice towards them. Why? Because at Baptism we offer a treasure, at Baptism we offer a pledge: the Holy Spirit. Baptism endows the child with the strength of the Holy Spirit: the Spirit that will defend and assist each of them throughout life. This is why it is so important to baptize them when they are little, so that they may grow with the strength of the Holy Spirit.”
Fr. Paulson
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Happy 90th Birthday Fr. Timoney! |
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Join us Tuesday, January 12th
to celebrate Fr. Brian Timoney's
90th Birthday
11am Outdoor Mass
Under the Tent/Lawn Area
If you plan on attending, there will be a video presentation during mass. Please feel free to bring your tablets or smart phones.
Mass will also be livestreamed.
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Fr. Brian in 1933 at 2 years old and in 1947 leaving for the novitiate. |
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Fr. Brian with his brother Pearse as young seminarians. |
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Fr. Brian with his mother. In front of the Taj Mahal-India 1968. |
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Fr. Brian in 2005 (left) with Sr. Joanne, Fr. Joyce and Fr. Aidan
and (right) with Fr. Paulson as they travelled to the East Coast in 2015.
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Fr. Brian still enjoying every minute of life at age 89! |
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Rental Assistant Donations |
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From Fr. Paulson's letter last week:
I invite you, especially those among us who feel blessed to step up and pay for one family to stay in their homes for one month this year. If we work together, donate whatever we can (including your stimulus checks, if you can manage without it), we can work a miracle in our area. Write your checks to St. Vincent de Paul with a memo for rental assistance, and we can take care of the poor. I will keep you updated on how much good we have been able to do in the New Year.
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2021 Calendars are available at the
parish office.
Please come by to pick one up
Monday - Friday
9am to 1pm
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Faith Formation classes resume the week of January 10th. If you have not picked up your class materials for grades 1-6, please call the RE office to arrange a time to pick up these materials. |
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The Filipino Society of Christ the King invites you to join in the celebration of the
"Feast of the Santo Niño”
(Child Jesus)
under the large tent at Christ the King Church on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the 4:00 pm mass.
For Catholics, especially Filipinos, Santo Niño is our protector and has the power to grant and answer prayers. We invite you to bring your Santo Niño statue which will be blessed during the mass. For additional information, please contact Abe Miralles (925-381-5898) or Imelda Santos (925-623-7340).
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Formed.org - Catholic Faith on Demand |
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Our parish has paid for a subscription for formed.org and it is free to CTK and St. Stephen Parishioners. Sign up here
FORMED provides the very best Catholic content to help parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. Supporting thousands of movies, children’s programs, ebooks, audio, parish programs and studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected device.
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Weekly Reflection on Sunday Readings |
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The Baptism of the Lord
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
“Baptism is entrance into the life of Jesus Christ and his Church. This life is not a hobby, nor is it an avocation. The life of following Jesus entails our total commitment, following him and living according to his will. We do not dabble in holiness, nor is holiness a hobby.” Read More
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No Reservations or Sign Ups Required
Mass will take place on our lawn area
(Our Large Tent is also available to sit under)
Mass will take place rain or shine
Bring your own chairs
Face Masks are required
Or continue to stay in the comfort of your car - tune into FM 106.7
Or watch from your smart phone/tablet
Wifi ID:CTKstreaming Password:Outdoor1
Only the 4pm Saturday Mass and the 9am Sunday Mass will be livestreamed both on Facebook and YouTube
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Weekday Mass:
Thursdays 6pm
Weekend Masses:
Saturday - 4pm (New Time)
Sunday - 7:30am, 9am,10:30am,
12noon (Spanish) & 4pm (New Time)
Song Sheet for Jan 9/10 Masses Here
Spanish Mass Worship Aide/Guía de Adoración Here
Readings for Sunday Mass Here
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Drive-Thru Holy Communion
Every Sunday
11:30am to 12 noon
In front of the church
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9am - Chapel Mass
Monday - Saturday
Streaming Live
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Thursdays, 6pm Outdoor Mass
Honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Mass will not be livestreamed
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5:40pm - Holy Rosary
Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays
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Sacrament of Reconciliation
Private Confessions will continue every Saturday from
3pm to 3:30pm.
Please meet in front of the church.
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St. Stephen Church - Outdoor Mass |
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St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek 94597
Sunday - Mass at 9:30am - Outdoors
Drive Thru Holy Communion - 10:10am
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Thank You for Your Continued Financial Support to CTK and St. Stephen Church |
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On-Line Giving: (click button below)
We depend upon your contributions!
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Offertory Envelopes and
Paper Checks
Can be sent directly to:
Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Offertory Envelopes and
Paper Checks
Can be sent directly to:
St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
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God of redemption and new life, we focus once more this day on the greatest gift ever given – Jesus, our Savior. As he was baptized by John in the Jordan, we were able to share in his baptism and receive the promise of sharing in Jesus’ resurrection. As we leave a painful year behind and look with hope to the new year ahead, help us to live and give of ourselves as those who know every day what a great gift we have been given. May it move us to give our whole selves more freely! Amen. |
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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