Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Parish Newsletter
March 24, 2021
Staying Connected
A Letter from our Pastor ~ Fr. Paulson
Dear Friends,
 
Less than a week after the Atlanta shooting where 8 folks were gunned down, an additional 10 were killed in Colorado. Our bishops in their statement wrote, “As bishops, we decry any kind of hatred and violence, particularly based on race, ethnicity, or sex. We pray for the families and friends of those who were lost, and for their communities, who may feel unsafe and vulnerable at this time.” We need meaningful legislations that would prevent such brutalities from happening again. Every life is precious.
 
Pope Francis has authorized the promulgation of decrees concerning the heroic virtues of seven candidates for sainthood, including three missionary sisters who died during an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The religious sisters — Sr. Annelvira Ossoli, Sr. Vitarosa Zorza, and Sr. Danielangela Sorti — were members of the Sisters of the Poor, Palazzolo Institute. They contracted and died of Ebola while serving the poor. Three of their fellow religious who also died of Ebola were recognized for their heroic virtue Feb. 20.The six religious sisters died while attending to Ebola patients at a hospital in the Diocese of Kikwit between April 25 and May 28, 1995.
 
Many saints — including St. Charles Borromeo, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Aloysius Gonzaga — ministered to the sick during plagues. In the United States, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos volunteered to minister to the people in New Orleans during a plague there in 1886 before succumbing to it the following year. One might think of the heroic St. Damien De Veuster who cared for those suffering with leprosy in Molokai.
 
The three sisters as well as the saints who put themselves at risk to care for the sick and dying model for us love at its deepest level. They did not live in fear but instead trusted in the Lord and sought to bring the light and peace of Christ to all those they encountered. Some of the saints from our time will be the healthcare personnel and first responders selflessly caring for those suffering from the Covid-19 infections. Some may be teachers patiently sacrificing their time to ensure that their students still receive the education they need and deserve despite the Covid-19 outbreak.
Holy Week
As we come closer to Holy Week, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate so many of you at CTK and St. Stephen and our school who have continued to minister, and I want to give a shout out especially to our Vincentians caring for the poor. During Holy Week, we will celebrate Jesus, his unconditional love for us, his willingness to suffer and die like a criminal on our behalf. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic our consciousness of the Paschal mystery invites us to consider deprivations as a new way of fasting, self-discipline and Christian charity. Reflecting on the Paschal mystery can shape or reshape our response to Covid-19 and/or other crises. During the coronavirus pandemic, life goes on, although changed. Grace and generosity abound. First responders to those who have contracted the coronavirus manifest loving service, self-giving, and self-sacrifice. Christians are reminded that death does not have the last word. Little resurrections occur daily, taking many forms, reminding us that we are made for more than this earthly life.

Let us enter into Holy Week with our hearts set on Jesus. I invite you to wear red for Palm Sunday, in commemoration of Jesus’ passion that is at the heart of this weekend. The ministry of art and environment serves a single purpose: engaging the senses to help the faithful enter more fully into relationship with God. Kindly follow our Holy Week schedule given below. On Easter Sunday we will offer indoor and outdoor services at 9.00am and 10.30am at CTK. The 7.30am service will be outdoors as we won’t be able to accommodate everyone indoors.

Let us walk with Jesus.
 
Fr. Paulson
Palm Sunday - March 27/28
 Saturday - 4pm - Outdoors
Sunday:
 7:30am - Indoors
9am, 10:30am, 12pm (Spanish), 4pm - Outdoors
St. Stephen - 9:30am Mass - Indoors
Wear Red for Palm Sunday Mass

Holy Thursday - April 1
   6pm Mass - Outdoors
St. Stephen - 6pm Mass - Indoors

Good Friday - April 2
1pm - Stations of the Cross - Outdoors
1:45pm - Reflection/Talk - Outdoors
2pm & 6pm - Liturgy of the Passion - Outdoors
7:30pm - Liturgy of the Passion (Spanish) - Outdoors
St. Stephen - Stations of the Cross - 5pm - Outdoors

Easter Vigil, Saturday - April 3
7pm Mass - Outdoors
St. Stephen - 7pm Mass - Indoors

Easter Sunday Masses - April 4
7:30am - Outdoors Only (new)
9am & 10:30am - Both Indoors/church (new) & Outdoors
12 noon (Spanish), 4pm - Outdoors
St. Stephen - 9:30am - Outdoors
Links to our services can be found at ctkph.org
or clicking the images below
Outdoor Holy Week Services
Please bring your own chairs.
Masks are required.
Services will be held rain or shine.
If you wish to stay in your car, you can tune into FM 106.7
Celebrating 70 Years as a Parish!
Christ the King Parish
1951 - 2021

Our first parish mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday, March 23,1951.

A little white cottage had been converted into the "Chapel of Christ the King."

Attached to the chapel was a long awning where 50 pews were placed. Parishioners who celebrated mass under this awning/tent are still affectionally known as the "tent people."


Weekly Church Bulletin
Please Bring in Your CRS Rice Bowls
Please bring in your CRS Rice Bowls to mass this weekend.

We will have a basket in front of the altar where you can drop them off. Or you can bring them to the parish office Monday through Friday 9am to 1pm. Thank you for your contributions to this important cause.
Welcome to the Family!
Congratulations to the children who received the
Sacrament of Baptism over the weekend.
We welcome you to our Christ the King and St. Stephen Family!
Parents: Melanie & Robert
Twins: Tyler James & Cassius Cruz
Parents: Carmina & Rolando
Baby: Bianca Noelle 
Mandalyn Cesco
CTK School - 2nd Grade student
News From our Diocese

The March 22 Issue of the Catholic Voice - Here
The Equality Act and What it Means for Catholics - Here
Vatican News
Pope Francis
Pope Francis on Twitter:
@Pontifex Mar. 21

Racism is a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding, and lurks in waiting. Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think. #FightRacism #FratelliTutti
Resurrection Mass
Resurrection Mass

Join Fr. Paulson at Queen of Heaven Cemetery & Funeral Center for our in-person, outdoor, Resurrection Mass and reception on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Let us celebrate coming together as one family for the fist time in over a year. Reservations are required and masks need to be worn. (925) 932-0900.
Lent
Come join us for our
Thursday - Lenten Reflection
Speaker Series
Thursday, March 25th

6:30pm in the church
(After the 6pm Mass)
You can watch in person or on-line.

This Week's Speakers: Maurice Harper and Allen Margate
St. Stephen Church
Stations of the Cross/Outdoors
All are welcome!!

Prayed privately on church grounds
at 1101 Keaveny Ct., Walnut Creek

Mondays & Wednesdays 12pm to 2pm
Fridays 12pm to 6pm

Follow a guided audio experience
on your smart phone or tablet in
English or Spanish at

Stations of the Cross led by one of our clergy
Join us at 1pm on Friday outdoors at St. Stephen Church.
All are Welcome!
Weekly Reflections on Sunday Readings
Palm Sunday
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.

Some admirers of Jesus didn’t get the true meaning of his return to Jerusalem, They expected a grand entrance into the Holy City and a political announcement. Read More
70 Year Jubilee

Sr. Mary Ellen Kowalski, CSJ
celebrates 70 years
as a sister of St. Joseph.

Congratulations Sister Mary Ellen!
(Sister worked at CTK School from 1997-2007)
Mass Schedule
No Reservations or Sign Ups Required

Mass will take place on our lawn area
(Our Large Tent is also available to sit under)
Please note some masses are now celebrated in the church

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: CTK Streaming - Password: outdoor1

Only the 4pm Saturday Mass and the 9am Sunday Mass will be livestreamed both on Facebook and YouTube.

Weekday Mass
9am - Monday-Friday Indoors/Church
(9am Masses will continue to be livestreamed)
6pm - Thursdays - Indoors/Church

Weekend Masses:
Saturday:
9am - Indoors/Church
4pm - Remains Outdoors

Sunday:
7:30am - Indoors/Church
9 am,10:30am, 12noon (Spanish) - Remains Outdoors
4pm - Back Outdoors (New)

Song Sheet for March 27/28 Masses Here
Spanish Mass Worship Aide/Guía de Adoración Here
Readings for Sunday Mass Here
Drive-Thru
Holy Communion

Every Sunday
11:30am to 12 noon
In front of the church
9am - Daily Mass
Monday - Saturday
In Person/Church

Mass will continue to be Livestremed
on Facebook and YouTube
Thursdays, 6pm - Indoor Mass
Honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Mass will not be livestreamed
Worship Aide Here
5:40pm - Holy Rosary
Livestreamed on Facebook

Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Private Confessions will continue every Saturday from
3pm to 3:30pm.
Please meet in front of the church.
St. Stephen Church - Outdoor Mass
St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek 94597

Sunday - Mass at 9:30am - Outdoors
First Saturday of the month at 4pm - Outdoors
Worship Aide: Here

Drive Thru Holy Communion - 10:10am

Masses at St. Stephen are now being live-streamed on the St. Stephen Facebook page. If you are unable to attend with us in person, please join us through Facebook. A link is on our web site: saintstephenparish.org.
Thank You for Your Continued Financial Support to CTK and St. Stephen Church
On-Line Giving: (click button below)
We depend upon your contributions!
Offertory Envelopes and
Paper Checks
Can be sent directly to:
Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Offertory Envelopes and
Paper Checks
Can be sent directly to:
St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
The Feast of Annunciation - March 25
annunciation of Mary
Closing Prayer


We are happy today, because we share in Mary’s happiness at being chosen to be the Mother of God. Let us pray the prayer that especially honors Mary and asks her help:

Hail MaryFull of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.

Amen.
"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference"