Parish Newsletter

September 28, 2022

Staying Connected

Dear Christ the King Community,

As we approach October we sense and realize the transformation in our seasons and lives. Autumn is a time for reflection, change, and renewal. As Catholic Christians in the month of October, we honor and show gratitude to Mary our Holy Mother for her protection and grace in the praying of the Most Holy Rosary.

The feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is celebrated each year on October 7^th and in Latin comes from the word rosarium or “crown of roses”. Pope Pius V first introduced this feast day and Saint Dominic was given the Rosary as a form of prayer. Church history reveals that the Rosary originally mirrored in numeration the 150 Psalms and included the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer with beads known as the crown and eventually shifted to exchanging 150 (Hail Marys) in place of the (Our Fathers).

My grandfather and great-grandmother recited the rosary daily and really modeled the unspoken aspects of faith while growing up. Sadly, as a child my fourth-grade teacher Ms. Daly eventually died of a long-term illness. That year, I would often pray for Ms. Daly at the side chapel at Saint Joseph’s Church in Pinole, California. Also, praying for her well-being and recovery while attending weekly confession at Saint Callistus Church in El Sobrante, California.  

It was at Saint Callistus Church whereby I would stop at the statue of Mary and prayer to her quietly and reverently. The beautiful/loving/peaceful statue of Mary in the back of Saint Callistus Church resides in my heart today. It is there where I became a Marian follower for life, and I have never let go of her hand, compassionate heart, and spirit that is full of grace.

This past summer Demi Marquez (photo left), a respected parent, and our school’s fundraising and scrip coordinator visited the holy site of Our Lady of Medjugorje on July 25^th with her husband Roy and son Mason. Mary has appeared there from 1984 until today to six children who are now adults. Primarily, on the 2^nd and 25^th of each month.

I would like to share with you Mary’s most recent message on September 25, 2022, as given through Marija one of the six children that she first appeared to: “Dear children! Pray that the Holy Spirit may enlighten you that you be joyful seekers of God and witnesses of love without bounds. I am with you, little children, and, anew, I am calling all of you: take courage and bear witness to the good works that God is doing in and through you. Be joyful in God. Do good to your neighbor so that it will be good for you on earth and pray for peace, which is threatened because satan wants war and peacelessness. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

May we always embrace Mary’s loving arms, beautiful light, and graceful place in God’s holy and eternal plan. As we celebrate the Holy Rosary, we look forward to following the life of Christ through the Gospel readings this month and focusing on the teachings and parables of Jesus and what it means for each of us to be a follower of Christ. In addition, our school community’s Blessing of the Animals is planned for the afternoon of October 4th. 

Further, this month's liturgical feast days are St. Thérèse (October 1), Guardian Angels (October 2), St. Faustina (October 5), St. Bruno (October 6), Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), St. Callistus I (October 14), St. Teresa of Jesus (October 15), St. Hedwig and St. Margaret Mary (October 16), St. Ignatius of Antioch (October 17), St. Isaac Jogues, St. John de Brébeuf and Companions (October 19), St. Paul of the Cross (October 20), St. John Paul II (October 22), St. Anthony Mary Claret (October 24) and Saints Simon and Jude (October 28).

Let’s close with an amazing quote from Saint Therese of Lisieux whose feast day begins our month of October, “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest things right and doing it all for love.”

Abundant blessings to you and your loved ones.

Mr. Joseph M. Silveira Ed.D.

Principal

Christ the King Catholic School

Blessing of the Animals

The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, October 4th

2:30pm on the large lawn

Join us at Christ the King church on the large lawn for the Blessing of the Animals on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. You are invited to bring your pets on a leash or in a cage. 

Registration is Now Open for

CTK's Annual Golf Tournament

Friday, October 21

Boundary Oak Golf Course/Walnut Creek

Join us on Friday, Oct. 21 at Boundary Oak Golf Course in Walnut Creek for our annual scramble, which raises money for the Father Declan Emergency Fund, a tuition assistance program established to assist Christ the King school families should a need arise during the school year. The proceeds also support our school enrichment programs such as community science workshops, foreign language enrichment programs, technology education and more.

This year's event will include an awards dinner and dancing, and a limited number of tickets to the dinner/dance-only portion are now available for just $40.

Sponsorships are still available; your donation is not only a great marketing opportunity for your business, it is a valuable investment in our community.

Visit www.ctkgolf.org for more details or by clicking here

The Return of the Prodigal:

Reflections on Creativity, Beauty, and Prayer

A One Day Bible Study Retreat for Women

Sponsored by the Women of

Christ the King and St. Stephen Parishes

Retreat Director: Toinette M. Eugene, Ph.D.

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022

Time:  9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Place: St. Stephen Parish Hall

1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek

Tickets will be sold this weekend Oct. 1/2

Or by calling the parish office.

Sign up for the Men's Retreat by clicking here

Congratulations to the children who were baptized on Saturday.

Welcome to the St. Stephen and Christ the King Family!

Parents: Alison & Johnny

Baby: Nicholas

Parents: Lyeanne & Chester

Baby: Gabe

Parents:  Eric and Theresa

Baby: James Martin

Parents: Elizabeth & Ryan

Children: Clara, Conor and baby Quinn

Every year - during the whole month of October - we are required by the diocese to do a number count of people attending each Mass. 

If you can help with this simple task kindly contact Sr. Dominic at sisterdominic.marie@gmail.com

Safe Environment

Protecting God’s Children 

Are you involved in

ministry at CTK?

Diocesan policy requires Safe Environment training every three years for every adult engaged in ministry. If you have trained on Virtus you will be notified by email when to recertify.

If you are involved in any ministry at CTK and have not trained, please go online to www.virtus.org and follow the instructions for Safe Environment training. For more information contact Helen Christian in the parish office at 925-682-2486.

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



We can read Jesus’ remarks in both 17: 5-6 and 17: 7-10 as rebukes leveled at the apostles. Like us, they asked for more faith. In reply, Jesus scolded them. Why? Read More

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

Saturday, November 5th

CTK's Parish Hall

See flyer for more information Here

• Letter from Bishop Michael Barber inviting you to join the 40 Days for Life Vigils. More information can be found here 

• Oakland Catholic Voice October Issue here

To donate a one-time/on-line donation.

Or regular and/or second collections.

All Masses are Inside the Church. - Face Masks are encouraged.

Readings for Sunday Mass Here

Links to our services (live or archived) can be found at ctkph.org

or by clicking the Facebook or YouTube images below.

Ongoing Services:

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Private Confessions every Saturday from 3pm to 3:30pm, in the church.

Drive-Thru Holy Communion - Every Sunday 11:30am to 12 noon, in front of the church.

Thursday Mass - 6pm - Honoring our Mother of Perpetual Help, Rosary begins at 5:40pm, in the church. Worship Aide Here  (Also livestreamed).

Canticle of Brother Sun

By St. Francis of Assisi

Most High Almighty Good Lord,

Yours are praise, glory, honor and all blessing.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong,

And no man is worthy to mention You.

Be praised, my Lord, with all Your creatures,

Especially Sir Brother Sun,

Who is daylight, and by him You shed light on us.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.

Of You, Most High, he is a symbol.

Be praised, my Lord for Sister Moon and the Stars.

In heaven You have formed them clear and bright and fair.

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind

And for air and cloud and clear and all weather,

By which You give Your creatures nourishment.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,

For she is very useful, humble, precious and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,

By whom You light up the night,

For he is fair and merry and mighty and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth,

Who sustains and rules us

And produces varied fruits with many-colored flowers and plants.

Praise and bless my Lord

And give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.

(Ibidem, p.251-2)