Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Parish Newsletter
February 24, 2021
Staying Connected
Lent
A Letter from our Pastor - Fr. Paulson
Dear Friends,

It makes me happy to inform you that our in-person indoor masses in the church are going well. More and more people are feeling comfortable with indoor masses as many of you are getting vaccinated. We will continue to offer two Sunday masses indoors (7.30am and 4pm masses). The following protocols apply when you attend mass in the church.

1.  Kindly take your seat either at the edges of the pew or in the middle of the pew. That allows us to have more parishioners accommodated at a safe distance. You can also seat yourselves on either side of the church including the choir area.
2.  Follow the protocols for communion such as sanitizing and wearing masks. It is also recommended that you sanitize your hands as you leave church.
3.  During the indoor masses, you are welcome to sit on the church patio or attend mass from your cars, as the masses are transmitted from the church on FM 106.7
 
Also, I have noticed many of you calling AAA for assistance after outdoor masses as your batteries seem to fail. We have purchased a Jumper Box with battery which are primarily designed for jump starting cars. Our ushers can help you. You don’t have to call AAA or your insurance. When you turn the key to switch on the radio, make sure you click only once. That takes you to accessory mode. The radio uses a very small amount of current — maybe a couple of amps. That’s not enough to kill a battery that’s in good condition. As long as the battery is sound, you can play the radio for an hour or two at a time without doing any harm.
On December 8th 2020, Pope Francis declared a year in honor of St. Joseph. The timing was perfect, coming on the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX declaring St. Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church and on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Joseph’s spouse. Along with the Pope’s announcement in his apostolic letter Patris Corde (“Heart of the Father)” came a proclamation from the Apostolic Penitentiary about special plenary indulgences that are now available for this Year of St. Joseph. 

The first millennium was Christocentric via the Councils, and the second was Marian-focused on her devotions, apparitions and dogmas. That means that the third person of the Holy Family, St. Joseph, would naturally follow in the third millennium. Back 150 years ago when Pius IX saw turmoil aplenty, causing him to then declare St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

What are these indulgences the Apostolic Penitentiary is bestowing in this Year of St. Joseph per the Holy Father’s decree to “benefit the perfect achievement of the intended purpose?” As long as we’re in the state of grace one sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and separate prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father are required for each plenary indulgence. According to the most recent Church guidelines on the subject, “it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.” Yet “it is, however, fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day the work is performed.”

Personally, I am not crazy about indulgences. I guess every grace and blessing helps on our journey to heaven. What is really important during this year is to follow the example of St. Joseph. St. Joseph, the just man, urges us to rediscover the value of silence, prudence and loyalty in fulfilling one’s duties. We shall celebrate the feast of Joseph on March 19th with due solemnity, preceded by a novena of masses. Stay tuned.

 Fr. Paulson
Lent
Mondays - Saturdays
9am in Person Mass/Church
(Or continue to watch on Facebook or YouTube)

Mondays
12pm to 2pm Self Guided Stations of the Cross - St. Stephen Church
5:40pm - Holy Rosary on Facebook/Led by Clergy

Tuesdays
9am - Lenten Study Series by Zoom
5:40pm - Holy Rosary on Facebook/Led by Clergy

Wednesdays
12pm to 2pm Self Guided Stations of the Cross - St. Stephen Church
5:40pm - Holy Rosary on Facebook/Led by Clergy

Thursdays
6:00pm - In Person Mass/Church
6:30pm - Lenten Reflections - In Person/Church
(can also be watched on Facebook or YouTube)
7pm - Lenten Study Series by Zoom

Fridays
12pm to 6pm Self Guided Stations of the Cross - St. Stephen Church
1pm - Clergy Led Stations of the Cross - St. Stephen Church
5:40pm - Holy Rosary on Facebook/led by Clergy

Saturdays
3pm - Individual Confessions - Meet in front of the church
4pm Mass - Outdoor Mass (livestreamed on Facebook or YouTube)

Sundays
7:30am In Person Mass/Church
9am, 10:30am, 12 noon (Spanish) - Outdoor Masses
(9am mass is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube)
4pm - In Person Mass/Church

Our livestreamed masses/events can be found here:
St. Stephen Church
Stations of the Cross/Outdoors

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 every Friday outdoors at St. Stephen Church.
All are Welcome!
Lenten Study Series
via Zoom

Join us once a week as we prepare for Easter and provide a spiritual renewal with two short courses on sacramental “Encounters with God.” For more information and to sign up Read More
Thursday - Lenten Reflection Speaker Series

6:30pm in the church
(after the 6pm indoor mass)
You can watch in person or on-line.
This week's speakers: Tom Bobich and Jim Briggs
Lenten Rice Bowls

Every year during Lent, Catholic Relief Services launches #CRSRiceBowl, a program to help guide Catholic families through Lent. This simple cardboard box is a tool for collecting Lenten alms—and comes with a Lenten calendar that guides families through the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections and stories. These stories are examples of the communities where your Lenten alms are changing lives. Lastly, stories are accompanied by a simple, meatless recipe that you and your family can prepare on Fridays during Lent.

Ask one of our ushers at mass for a Rice Bowl this weekend!
Weekly Church Bulletin
Transitioning Back into Church
9am Daily Mass (Monday - Saturday)
6pm Thursday Mass
7:30am Sunday Mass
4pm Sunday Mass

All other masses remain outdoors.

We are making the transition to have some Masses inside the church. Please observe the following protocols:

*Masks are mandatory.
*Sit every other pew.
*Space out your family to sit in the middle and the ends of the pew.
*If you bring your own chair and remain on the outside patio in front of the church - you can hear over the speakers. Communion will be brought to you.
*If you stay in your car - tune into FM 106.7 on your radio.

We continue to upgrade our technology to improve the livestreaming of Masses inside the church.
School News
Welcome Back!

Our parish is so excited to have our CTK School Children (grades 1-6) back on campus!

The sound of children's laughter and voices have been missed. We can't wait until the 7th and 8th graders are back with us as well.
Over the Weekend


Congratulations to Jeffrey and Michelle Stroud whose marriage was blessed on Friday by Fr. Paulson in our Ministry Center Chapel.

Many blessings to both of you!
Weekly Reflections on Sunday Readings
2nd Sunday in Lent
Second Sunday of Lent
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.

"How could God ask Abraham to sacrifice his own child? This story shocks us, but we must understand this text as a formal condemnation of human sacrifice."
News from our Diocese
Lenten Message from Pope Francis
Message of his Holiness
Pope Francis for
Lent 2021

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem”
(Mt 20:18)
Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love
40 Days of Life Prayer Vigil
This Lenten season, all Bay Area Catholics are invited to join in the current 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil, which is being held DAILY from Ash Wednesday, February 17th through March 28th. The 40 Days for Life vigils consist of forty days of prayer for an end to abortion, where volunteers peacefully pray for life and offer women love, support and information about free local resources, if they wish. See Flyer for more details here
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 (New)
(Masses will still be livestreamed)
6pm - Thursdays - Indoors/Church (New)

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

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

Song Sheet for Feb. 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 can be found: saintstephenparish.org

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
"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference"