Water is a precious and limited resource, especially in our drought-prone California. Amid intensifying drought and record-breaking temperatures across the Western United States, we have been asked to reduce water use. We are given simple measures to help protect water reserves as drought conditions continue and to maintain critical flows for fish and wildlife wherever possible. The realities of climate change are no where more apparent than in the increasingly frequent and severe drought challenges we face in the West and their devastating impacts on our communities, businesses and ecosystems. As a responsible community, we have started putting some of these measures into practice.

1. We have reduced irrigation of our lawns and gardens by 50%, which would mean that our green lawn around the church and the field may look a little brown in the coming days. We will pay attention to make sure they are in good shape and neat.

2. I am asking our parish priests, staff and school to be extra vigilant on the use of water.

3. We have tried to fix all water leaks around the campus, and we ask that you inform us if you are aware of areas where water is being wasted or you have other recommendations.

We are fortunate to have a great leader in Pope Francis who constantly speaks about climate change and our need to tend to God’s creation. In twin Earth Day messages this year, Pope Francis warned a gathering of world leaders and the global community at large that "we are at the edge" with climate change, and the time to take action is now. When Pope Francis issued his landmark teaching document on climate change in 2015, “Laudato Si” his words inspired many Catholics and non-Catholics. Upon the encyclical’s release in June 2015, the pope took to Twitter to declare, bluntly: “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” I believe that together, religious groups and scientists can be a powerful force for a livable planet. As the weather gets warmer, the hurricanes stronger, fires continue to rage, please be mindful of the vulnerable population that suffers most from these changes.

Some of you know Tony Romano, who worked at St. Stephen Church caring for the grounds and facilities. He was seriously ill for a number of months and has been discharged from the hospital. Tony is on his way to Connecticut. His sister drove out to close up everything for him here and bring him home with her. He will be living with her. I would like to thank so many of you who took care of Tony ~ especially the doctors and nurses at Contra Costa County Hospital as well as St. Stephen parishioners who surrounded him with so much love and care over the past years: Mike Milani and Chris Lang who were always there for him and Marie-Louise Ardini who opened her home to him and showed great patience and care. He was a special man, who had no family around him here, no shelter, but lived many years with us - loved and supported by the parishioners of St. Stephen. Please continue to hold Tony in your prayers.

Last week Paul Bongiovanni, our diocesan CFO and one of the diocesan real estate directors visited CTK. I took the opportunity to show our facilities and they were very impressed. In fact one of them remarked, “Christ the King Church is probably the best maintained parish in the diocese.” That was great to hear, and I want to thank everyone including our staff for working so hard to take care of our church and the campus.

I would like to welcome our students back to our campus. The teachers have been working hard to prepare for the new academic year. May God bless and protect our children.

Our kitchen upgrade is essentially complete and we are in the process of restocking the cabinets. We have a new dishwasher, ice maker, A/C unit, stainless steel countertops, new paint, new hardware on the cabinets and drawers, all in-place and a new 12 burner stove in the works. 

Offertory Envelopes can be picked up in the church vestibule this weekend. If you are unable to come to the church, we can have them available for you in the parish office. Call the office at 682-2486 to arrange pick-up. 

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Sewing Sessions resume on Sept. 1^st and continue every 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays 9:00 am ‘til 1:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Our dresses and shorts are donated to the poor, disadvantaged, and children affected by disasters in the U.S. and around the world. If you’re looking for a worthwhile endeavor and have a few hours to do something for others, please join us. If you're not a sewer, join us anyway and we’ll put you to work in other ways. Donations of cotton fabric, notions, sewing machines and trims are always welcome. For more information, call Carol Vogl at (925) 288-0488 or email: carolvogl@sbcglobal.net

Despite our often lukewarm response, God loves us unconditionally. In all of its twenty-plus centuries, our Church has never achieved perfection—nor will it. Read More

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

Loving God, Our creator, our savior, our companion, bless this journey of a new school year

that we undertake today.

Refresh our souls and renew our spirits as we embrace the beautiful ministry you have called us to.

We welcome those who are new to this community and ask that you strengthen them to share the wonderful gifts you have given them.

Lord, make our hearts pure as we prepare for the return of students to this school, and may you guide them to return with open hearts

and minds eager to learn.

We ask this in Your name, Amen