Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
December 2, 2020
Keeping Us Connected
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Second Sunday of Advent: Sunday, December 6, 2020
Welcome to the Liturgical Season of Advent - the season of waiting!
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A Letter from our Pastor - Fr. Paulson
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Dear Friends,
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Program, the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. The committee said it awarded the prize for the World Food Program's "efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict." The committee revealed the link between the pandemic and hunger and cited the World Food Program's efforts.
More Americans are going hungry now than at any point during the deadly coronavirus pandemic. It is so painful to watch miles-long lines of cars waiting for hours for a box of food. One in 8 Americans reported they sometimes or often didn’t have enough food to eat in the past week, hitting nearly 26 million American adults, an increase several times greater than the most comparable pre-pandemic figure, according to Census Bureau survey data collected in late October and early November. That number climbed to more than 1 in 6 adults in households with children. These are difficult times for our nation. I am reminded of the story of Lazarus and the rich man, one of the parables of Jesus that addressed hunger in the Gospels.
Luke 16:19-23 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, enjoying himself in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed from the scraps which fell from the rich man’s table; not only that, the dogs also were coming and licking his sores. Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s arms; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms.”
In this parable, there is no contact at all between these two men — and there’s the rub. The rich man had resources to help, but he didn’t care. His sin is not that he caused Lazarus’ hunger, or that he kicked him as he walked through the gate every day, or that he mistreated him in any way. His sin is not that he did bad things to Lazarus but that he did nothing. He goes to hell, not because of crimes against the poor, hungry man but because he just didn’t care.
But this story warns against something else: acceptance. Lazarus had become part of the scenery, just a piece of the landscape. He’s there, every day, catching whatever scraps of bread he can and longing for more. “It’s just the way things are,” the rich man may have reasoned. “That’s just life.” We get to that point because we all get weary of Lazarus. There seems to be so little we can do in the face of so massive a need. In the bulletin this week, Kathy Gannon Briggs writes,
“And so, we can ask ourselves, how do we prepare, and especially how do we do this in light of the COVID pandemic and all the restrictions we are under right now? Do we stop and look around to see what big problems we can solve? Probably not. Instead, we should be looking for the small opportunities that present themselves each day. We need to be watchful and attentive. How can I better watch out for my neighbor? How can I better care for those who are lonely? How can I care for the many who are hungry now in our county?”
“The needs can be overwhelming. The secret is to take time to get a plan of action that is actually doable during this unusual time. We can call a friend, write a note to someone, buy extra food for our local food banks, collect warm coats and blankets for those who are without. These acts of love can bring great hope to ourselves and to others during these trying times.”
Let us make a difference in our world. Let us remain mindful of the needs of our brothers and sisters.
Fr. Paulson
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Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
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Celebrate with us at CTK
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Tuesday, December 8
9am - Chapel Mass (Livestreamed Only)
12 Noon Mass - Outdoors
6pm Mass - Outdoors
As always, please social distance, wear a mask and bring your own chairs.
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Advent Prayer Service
Thursday, December 3rd at 5pm
Livestreamed Only
Join us for an Advent Reflection Prayer Service, as we prepare for Christmas. You can view it on Facebook or YouTube
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First Friday Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament
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This Friday, December 4 is our Monthly
First Friday Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament
After the morning 9am mass we will expose the Blessed Sacrament from 9:30am to 11am in our Ministry Center Chapel on Facebook Live. This will be a time for prayer and meditation in the quiet of your own space at home.
We will have our First Friday Mass at 7:30pm
Live Streamed Only
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Christmas Carols on the Lawn |
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You are invited to a special Christmas
"Music on the Lawn"
Saturday, December 5 after the 5pm Mass
Under the tent
Get into the holiday spirit with our Christmas music theme. Dress warm, bring your blankets and hot chocolate and cozy up for some Christmas favorites. Invite your family and friends. The cost is free!
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Beginning Dec. 6 - the Sunday 6pm mass will change to 4pm.
Now that the weather is colder and it is getting darker earlier, we have decided to change the time of our Sunday evening outdoor mass to 4pm, beginning Sunday, Dec. 6. Thank you as we continue to navigate through these changing times.
Beginning Dec. 19th - the Saturday 5pm Mass will change to 4pm.
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Baptisms - Welcome to the Christ the King and St. Stephen Family! |
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Baby: Sebastian Marcelino
Parents: Carolyn & Jonathan
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Baby: Kathleen Amy
Parents: Karla & Ace
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Baby: Makai
Parents: Madeira & Matthew
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Baby: Celestine
Parents: Claudette & Isaiah
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Little Blue Book for Advent
The Little Blue Advent Book which consists of prayers, devotions and stories for Advent are available for pick up at our parish office. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9am to 1pm.
The Little Books App is now available for your iOS and Android devices. For a simple $10/year subscription, you’ll get all the seasonal books in the app for easy daily reading. Here
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Daily Advent Reflections
Daily Reflections, sent straight to your email:
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Over the next month, the school will be sending a series of three videos from Psychotherapist Sara Fawkes, with some guidance and recommendations for helping our community cope, during this challenging time. We thank Sara for her expertise and awesome spirit. The video can be viewed here
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Our Grief Ministry is still here for you! If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, and would like to receive a call from one of our caring Grief Ministers, please call Donna at the number below. Our Grief Ministry Support Group meets the 1st Saturday and 3rd Thursday of every month.
Our grief support group will be meeting this
Saturday, December 5 at 9:30am via Zoom
Call Donna (925) 932-0900 or (510) 381-3615
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Weekly Reflection on Sunday Readings |
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The Second Sunday of Advent
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
So, waiting is never a movement from nothing to something. It is always a movement from something to something more . . .. Read More
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Pope spells out 6 points on which to build our social rights Here
Vatican launches “A Light Has Shone” initiative for Christmas season Here
Pope urges new cardinals to stay on the Lord’s road Here
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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)
Bring your own chairs/blankets
Face Masks are required
Or continue to stay in the comfort of your car - tune into FM 106.7
Only the 5pm Saturday Mass and the 9am Sunday Mass will be livestreamed both on Facebook and YouTube
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Weekday Mass:
Thursdays 6pm (Outdoors)
Weekend Masses:
Saturday - 5pm
Sunday - 7:30am, 9am,10:30am,
12noon (Spanish) & 4pm
New - 6pm mass is changed to 4pm
Song Sheet for 12/6 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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Thursday, 6pm Outdoor Mass
Honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help
It will not be livestreamed
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5:40pm - Holy Rosary - On Facebook
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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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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The Feast of St. Francis Xavier
December 3rd
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Herald of the Gospel
Almighty and everlasting God,
we thank you for your Servant Francis,
whom you called to preach the Gospel
to the peoples of Asia.
Raise up, we pray,
in this and every land
heralds and evangelists of your kingdom,
that your Church may proclaim
the unsearchable riches
of our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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