Thanksgiving Mass; Missals Available; Message from Fr. Gonyo

Sunday, November 22

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

"Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats."

~Ezekiel 34

Explore this Sunday's Scriptures Here

Family Zone - Activities for all ages

A Message from Fr. Gonyo

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The origins of the Feast of Christ the King reflect the historical circumstances of the last century. In the 1920's, Pope Pius XI declared this time to be The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Pope Pius XI understood the rising complexities of world political movements and the growing attitude of hostility towards Christian values and viewpoints which he called "anti-clericalism." The Pope could see that the world was in serious trouble. Some of these movements were clearly striving to filter out Christian influence from public and political life so that competing ideologies could be advanced without interference or challenge. The World Wars would usher in cruel dictators like Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin, who had little regard for the people they controlled and would usher in a new era of military technology, which would accelerate the deaths of millions of people by bloodshed, starvation, and genocide.

The observance of this Feast was originally set at the end of October. In 1970, the date of the Roman Rite Observance of this feast was adjusted to match the last Sunday of the Church year, week 34. While Roman Catholics adhering to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite still use the General Roman Calendar of 1960, this adjusted date was seen to better fit the liturgical calendar, as this final Sunday follows with the First Sunday of Advent. This date at the "end of the church year" also models the reality that, when the end of our lives on this earth arrives, we human beings, believers and unbelievers, rich and poor, righteous and not-so-righteous will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, the King of the Universe. In the encyclical "Quas Primas," Pius XI declared that our Lord Jesus is the true King and shepherd. At the end, at his coming, he will hand over the kingdom to his Father and "will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats," between those who have lived their lives for others, and those who have lived for themselves.

In this time and age of turmoil, weather disasters, and this pandemic, let us always remember Jesus our King, who leads us into eternal life. We are the flock he shepherds!

May God bless you!

Fr. Gonyo

Faith Formation Updates

YouTube Channel

Safe Environment Newsletter

New Breaking Bread Missals

We have a limited quantity of Breaking Bread Missals that will be available after all Masses this weekend, Nov. 21 & 22. Please see a Hospitality Minister at the end of Mass to take one home with you.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Thanksgiving Day Mass

The annual Thanksgiving Day Mass will be held at the Christ the King Church on Thursday, November 26 at 9:00am. All are welcome. The Mass will also be recorded and posted to the parish YouTube channel. Traditionally, we have asked you to bring the bread or rolls that will be on your table to be blessed. Due to precautions being taken due to COVID-19, we will not be doing that this year.

Please pray this blessing with your family as you prepare the meal.

Also, let us be mindful of the poor. If you come to Mass, please bring any non-perishable food and leave it in the gathering space. We will give it to the Irondequoit Food Cupboard. If you do not come to Mass in person, remember that food insecurity is very real in our area. Financial and food contributions are most welcome at all local food pantries. Thank you and God bless!

Throughout the month of November, we continue to remember in a special way those who have gone before us. You are invited to write the name of a loved one on a piece of paper, bring it to Church and place it in the box at the front of Church. These names will be remembered collectively in the weekend Prayers of the Faithful.

The Struggle Toward Racial Equity

Are you interested in talking with others about racism, racial equity, white privilege or anti-racism? Do you need to talk with others about being a parent to younger children in these challenging times? If you are interested in this but do not know where to start, please contact Sr. Karen (sr.karen.dietz@dor.org or 544-8880, extension 1110) and we can make a plan. We can watch a video and have a ZOOM conversation, or read a book together or just chat. This is such an important life issue in our country and world – too important to ignore. Be in touch soon.

Pie Pick-up on Nov. 21st

Thanks for ordering a pie!

Pick up for your pie order is Saturday, November 21 from 10 am to 4 pm at Christ the King. Please enter the campus at the north entrance off of Kings Hwy. Drive to the back of the school building and stop near the first gym door. A person will greet you at your car, take your name, and instruct you to drive to the next door. Your pie order will be brought to your car. Enjoy your delicious dessert!

Giving Tree - Gift Tags Available!

Gift Tags still available!

Pick up after Masses at all churches, and from 10 am to Noon on Sunday at St. Cecilia Newcomb Friendship Center.

Or get a tag online by visiting this link: Gift Tags

Wrapped and labeled gifts are due by Dec. 6.

Food Donations - bring to any of our churches at weekend Masses or drop off on Sundays in the month of November from 10 am to Noon at the Newcomb Friendship Center at St. Cecilia. Each week is a different set of food items.

November 21 & 22 -

Week 3 Food Items: Mac & cheese, Pasta, Sauces, Rice, and Jello.

November 28 & 29 -

Week 4 Food Items: Tuna, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Cereal, Cookies.

Thank you for helping our community!