Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
December 29, 2021
Staying Connected
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Dear Friends,
A new year is approaching! This means new beginnings, new journeys, and new resolutions. I would like to share with you some reflections from Joseph Tkach Jr.
2021 had to be one of the most anticipated years of all time. 2020 brought us a global pandemic, a racial reckoning, a divisive U.S. presidential campaign, and a slew of devastating natural disasters. For many, 2020 was a year they wanted to see in their rearview mirror—as if ending the year would bring an end to the challenges we faced. It was commonly said, “2021 is going to be better because it can’t be any worse than 2020!” Now that we are saying “goodbye” to 2021, we have to admit that 2021 did not solve all our problems. Furthermore, some 2020 challenges are still with us, in one degree or another, as we head into 2022.
Towards the end of the second century, life for the Christian community was challenging. The Jerusalem church was being scattered because of the destruction of the Holy City and persecution by Jewish leaders. Most of the 12 apostles had been martyred and believers had good reason to fear for their lives. Christianity was catching fire in the Gentile world, but disagreements between Jewish and non-Jewish Christians threatened to divide the emerging church. It is in this climate that the apostle John wrote his Gospel.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.” (John 1: 1-5)
To John, the Evangelist, Jesus is the beginning of everything; he is the light the world needed. Christ’s relationship with the Father, with the Holy Spirit in their midst, is the true start to all things. This passage should remind us of the creation story in Genesis because John quoted the phrase, “In the beginning.” The world had become dark, and God started by saying, “Let there be light.” In a similar way, the apostle was presenting his audience with a new beginning—the light has come, and he has a name.
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Do you need a new beginning? Do you need to see a way out of darkness? Do you need a fresh start? The good news is that Jesus is the light to illuminate your path, and he is the way to a fresh start. We are not talking about a superficial newness, like we seem to crave on New Year’s Day. We often desire change like weight loss or having a better work/life balance. These things are good; however, the change Jesus brings impacts this life and the life to come. He can change us on the inside in such a way that everything becomes new. He brings a new beginning to how we see God. He brings a new beginning to how we see ourselves. He brings a new beginning to our purpose. He may not change our problems, but he can cause us to soar above our troubles. He may not change how you look, but he will make you confident in the skin you are in. He may not bring back the person you lost, but he will comfort you so you can comfort others. He can do all things well and make everything new.
On behalf of our clergy and staff, I wish you Happy New Year. Pope Francis has chosen the theme, “For a synodal church: communion, participation and mission,” for the Year 2022. Synodality means “walking together.” Synodality, which has been present in Christianity since its very beginning is not simply about involving people in decision making, but involving all the baptized in discerning God's will and listening to the Holy Spirit. We hope to provide regular, serious and structural forms for listening to all our members this new year. Happy New Year!
Fr. Paulson
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Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God |
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New Year’s Eve, Friday December 31
4pm Mass
Vigil for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
New Year’s Day, Saturday January 1
9am Mass
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
St. Stephen Church - 9:30am
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Thank you for attending our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses. And special thanks to all our volunteers who helped make this such a special celebration for our community both in person and those who watched from home. We especially thank our staff, clergy, musicians, sacristans, lectors, eucharistic ministers, environment committee, and our ushers! |
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Thank you to the CTK Filipino Society and Imelda Santos for organizing nine beautiful novena masses for Simbang Gabi and for all the Covid safe treats supplied to all who attended. |
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Our Parish Office will be closed on Friday, December 31st and Monday, January 3rd in observance of the New Year Holiday.
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Weekly Reflections on Sunday Readings |
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Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
Feast of the Epiphany
Paul writes this letter from his prison* location in Rome (early 60s AD/CE). Note that he does not say: “I am a prisoner for the cause of Christ.” Paul is prisoner of Christ, for he cannot escape Christ’s continual hold on him, nor abandon the mission God has destined for him. Read More
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Join us this Sunday, January 2nd for the
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
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All Masses are Inside the Church.
Face Masks are required.
Weekday Masses
9am Mass - Monday - Friday
(9am Masses will be livestreamed)
6pm - Thursdays (Rosary begins at 5:40pm)
(Rosary and Mass will be livestreamed)
Weekend Masses
Saturday
9am and 4pm Vigil
(Saturday 4pm Mass will be livestreamed)
Sunday
7:30am, 9am, 10:30am and 4pm
(10:30am Mass will be livestreamed).
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Worship Aide for Mary, Mother of God Here
Worship Aide for Epiphany Mass - Jan. 1/2 Here
Readings for Sunday Mass Here
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Links to our services (live or archived) can be found at ctkph.org
or clicking the Facebook or YouTube images below.
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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
Holy Rosary - Livestreamed on Facebook at 5:40pm, Monday - Friday
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St. Stephen Church - Masses |
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St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek 94597
Saturday - Mass 5pm
Sunday - Mass at 9:30am
Worship Aide for mass can be found Here
St. Stephen Daily Mass: Monday - Friday at 8am
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Thank You for Your Continued Financial Support to CTK and St. Stephen Church |
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On-Line Giving: (click button below)
We depend upon your contributions!
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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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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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