Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
October 14, 2020
Keeping Us Connected
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A Letter From Our Pastor - Fr. Paulson |
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Dear Friends,
I am happy to say that I have already voted. And I know that Fr. Brian Timoney has voted as well. Fr. Lee will vote in person on election day. In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life.”
There is little to suggest that the 2020 presidential election will yield less tension and conflict than previous years. The current atmosphere of political toxicity should concern Christians. The current extreme political climate might tempt us to adopt its hostile rhetoric and dehumanizing tones, rendering us indistinguishable from the world. The stakes in our political rivalries may be high, but we must let our faith work through love (Galatians 5: 6).
We must put politics in its rightful place and not let it dominate our actions, relationships, or priorities. Political affiliation is not our identity. We are to be Christians first in thought, word, and deed. No matter how often you hear commentators declare 2020 “the most important election of our lifetime,” don’t buy into the perspective that the stakes of any one election are greater than the stakes of a compromised Christian life and witness. The sad story of our times is that some of us have let our political identity replace our Christian identity leading to polarization rather than communion.
Nowhere is the growing polarization of our culture more in evidence than in social media. And that’s by design. In his new letter, Pope Francis reflects on how easy it is to be mean on social media sites, where people receive more attention for extreme opinions than fair commentary. "Things can be said there that would be unacceptable in public discourse, and people look to compensate for their own discontent by lashing out at others," the pope writes. “Catholic leaders aren't immune from the temptation to be rude," he explains, noting that "even in Catholic media, limits can be overstepped, defamation and slander can become commonplace and all ethical standards and respect for the good name of others can be abandoned." There are many well-funded Catholic sites and numerous Catholic blogs whose aim is often to slander and malign fellow Catholics.
Pope Francis encourages Catholics to be more mindful of how their online activities interfere with holiness. He reminds them to log off from time to time in order to draw closer to God and to look for ways to serve others, instead of searching for the perfect comeback. Pope Francis emphasized that social media does not replace the need in the human heart for authentic human community. “By virtue of our being created in the image and likeness of God who is communion and communication-of-Self, we carry forever in our hearts the longing for living in communion, for belonging to a community.”
In conclusion, I would encourage you to engage with one another during this season with civility and love. Let your faith work through love. Remember that “civility is not something that automatically happens. Civil societies come about because people want them to” (Jimmy Bise Jr).
Let us pray for our nation during these days. Let us pray that we continue to witness love and peace. Our church will remain open for prayer from 5.30pm to 7.00pm Monday through Friday. Vote!
I would like to thank Mr. Joe Sillveira for making the decision to continue with online learning until the end of this year. He has come to this decision based on a survey to the parents and teachers, and in consultation with our leadership team and medical professionals. I am grateful to the many parents who sent in letters thanking us for this decision. I am aware not everyone agrees with the decision, but let us be patient for a couple of months, and if the conditions change, we will be able to open our school, taking a page from those who have successfully opened it in the meantime. You can read the school letter by clicking here
Fr. Paulson
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Thanks for Joining us this Past Weekend at CTK |
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"Music on the Lawn"
on Saturday Evening
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Outdoor Memorial Mass
Fr. Mathew Vellankal & Archbishop Dominic Jala
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Interfaith Musical
Worship Service
on Sunday Evening
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Baptisms - Welcome to the Family!
Over the weekend through the sacrament of Baptism, we welcomed these precious little ones to our CTK and St. Stephen Family. Congratulations!
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Desmond Louis
Parents: Mary & Paul
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Makena Mia
Parents: Gianna & Steven
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Audrey Hope
Parents: Fay and Anthony
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Landon Richard & Paisley Denice
Mom: Denice
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The Church is now open for Private Prayer |
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We will now have the church open:
Monday - Friday 5:30pm to 7pm for private prayer.
Please enter through the side door closest to the rectory.
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Thursday, October 15 at 5pm
Fr. Paulson will be our guest speaker on Thursday and will offer an online session on Pope Francis's new encyclical titled “Fratelli Tutti.” Pope Francis’s prophetic new encyclical speaks directly into the lives of men and women today! This greatly welcomed encyclical is a beautiful reflection on humanity’s path forward to a deeply desired and sought-after peace. Pope Francis addresses his renewed call to universal fraternity “to all people of good will, regardless of their religious convictions.” Please join us on-line and send in your questions and comments.
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Have you received text messages or emails, from someone claiming to be Fr. Paulson and asking for money, gift cards, or sometimes indicating it’s an emergency? Don’t give! It’s a scam! Fr. Paulson will never ask you by text or email to purchase anything or give money.
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To promote effective and safe voting among residents, the Contra Costa County Elections Department has sent mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election to every county voter. For more information about returning your ballot, tracking your ballots, deadlines, voter registration and more. Click here
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Are you or anyone you know, curious about the process of becoming Catholic?
The program is called Rite of Christian Initiation, or RCIA. As an adult, you receive Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. There is no commitment, simply come and see! During the pandemic we are meeting through email. Contact: Mary McCarthy maryjane.mccarthy@gmail.com
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World Mission Sunday - 2nd Collection |
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World Mission Sunday is October 18th - In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as children of God. Please keep the Pope’s missions in your prayers, and be generous in this week’s collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. |
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Pope's Prayer Intention for October |
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In his prayer intention for October 2020, Pope Francis asks everyone to pray that women be given greater leadership roles in the Church. More information can be found on the Vatican News Website.
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St. Vincent de Paul supplies new mothers with a bag of gender specific infant clothing, called a layette, which is provided to us by Hillcrest Congregational Church. If you have any new or gently used infant clothing to donate, call CTK's St. Vincent de Paul at (925) 246-1131 and leave a message to arrange for a drop off. See flyer here
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Weekly Reflection on Sunday Readings |
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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
In this weekend’s readings we find God at the extremes of human behavior. A pagan king receives praise while super-religious zealots get scolded. What are we to make of such a God? Read More
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October is the Month of the Rosary |
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Join us on Facebook to pray the holy rosary at 5:40pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. |
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Have You Updated Your Parish Registration? |
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We are in the process of updating our parish database with current information including phone numbers, emails, etc. If you haven't done so yet, please click the link below to fill out the digital form to update your information. Thank you for your help!
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No Reservations or Sign Ups Required
You can get out of your car and onto the grass
(Bring your own chairs/blankets)
Face Masks are required
Or continue to stay in the comfort of your car - tune into FM 106.7
All masses will be live streamed on Facebook
(except the 7:30am Sunday morning mass)
New - Thursday 6pm mass will now be indoors (in the church)
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Weekday Mass:
Thursdays 6pm (in the church)
Weekend Masses:
Saturday - 5pm
Sunday - 7:30am, 9am,10:30am, 12noon (Spanish) & 6pm
Song Sheet for 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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Streaming Live on Facebook and
Our YouTube Channel
Monday - Saturday
9am - Chapel Mass
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Thursday, 6pm Indoor Mass
Honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help
New - Thursday Mass is in the Church
(or sit outside on the patio in front of the church)
or in your home on Facebook
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5:40pm - Holy Rosary - On Facebook
(except Thursdays, Sat. & Sun.)
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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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Staying Connected
Sunday Offering
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On-Line Giving: (click button below)
Online giving now includes St. Stephen Parish.
We depend upon your contributions!
Thank you again for your donations as we work together to sustain our community now and in the future.
Thank you for your support!
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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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Prayer for Generosity
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.
By: St. Ignatius of Loyola
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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