Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Parish Newsletter

December 21, 2022

Staying Connected

Dear Friends,


Merry Christmas!


God came to the world in Jesus Christ at the first Christmas to bring light to our darkness. ‘I am the light of the world’, said Jesus, ‘a light no darkness can overcome’. God came to us in Jesus not only a generator of light – the light of love and truth, kindness and mercy. He came as the Source of light – the One who said at the beginning of all things: ‘Let there be light!'


That’s the promise and power of Christmas! Whatever darkness we find ourselves plunged into – the darkness of conflict, the darkness of financial strain, the darkness that comes with breakdowns in health and relationships – the light of God has come, to lighten our darkness.


So let us allow Christmas to speak to our hearts the truth of who Jesus is and who we are. In Jesus, we see God’s glory and the dignity of humanity. We see the gift of God with us, Emmanuel.


I invite you to pray with me this Christmas prayer of St. Pope John XXIII:

"O sweet Child of Bethlehem,

grant that we may share with all our

hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas.


Put into the hearts of men and women

this peace for which they

sometimes seek so desperately

and which you alone can give to them.


Help them to know one another better,

and to live as brothers and sisters,

children of the same Father.


Reveal to them also your beauty,

holiness and purity.


Awaken in their hearts love

and gratitude for

your infinite goodness.


Join them all

together in your love.


And give us your heavenly peace.


Amen.” 

On behalf of our clergy and staff, I wish you Merry Christmas! You will be in my prayers this day.

 

Fr. Paulson

Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve Masses

Saturday, December 24

3pm - Outdoors-Children/Family Mass

4:30pm - Indoors - Children/Family Mass

& Livestreamed

8pm - Indoors

12 Midnight - Indoors

(Carols begin at 11:30pm)

St. Stephen Church - 5:00pm

Christmas Day Masses

Sunday, December 25

7:30am - Indoors

9am - Indoors

10:30am - Indoors & Livestreamed

No 4pm Mass

St. Stephen Church - 9:30am


The outdoor 3pm Christmas Eve Mass will take place on the lawn.

Please dress warm and bring your own chairs.

If it rains we will bring mass inside the church and gym.

Masks are encouraged inside.

New Year’s Eve

Saturday, December 31

Vigil for the Solemnity of Mary,

Mother of God

Mass Time: 4pm 

St. Stephen Church - Mass Time: 5:00pm

New Year’s Day

Sunday, January 1

The Solemnity of Mary,

Mother of God

Mass Times: 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am & 4pm

St. Stephen Church - Mass Time: 9:30am

 

Drive Through Communion

Christmas Day - 11:30am to 12:00pm

 

Livestreaming of Masses

Visit our website at ctkph.org for direct links to Facebook or YouTube

Reminder

There will be no 9am morning Mass on Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve).

Feast of the Holy Family

Friday, December 30, Mass Times - 8am at St. Stephen Church

and 9am at CTK.

Celebrate The Feast of St. Stephen


Celebrate The Feast of St. Stephen

at Stephen Church

1101 Keaveny Ct., Walnut Creek



Join us Tuesday, December 27 at 5:30pm Mass

Followed by a potluck in the parish hall.


Flyer can be found here

Parish Offices Closed


Our Parish Offices will be closed on Monday, December 26

in observance of the Christmas Holiday.

Ushers For Christmas Needed!


If you are able to help out with ushering at our Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Masses, please contact Jack Murphy at

 jmurph818@aol.com.

Save The Date

You are invited to Fr. Timoney's

92nd Birthday Celebration!


Thursday, January 12th

St. Stephen Church and Parish Hall

5:30pm Mass Followed by Wine Tasting


See Flyer for more information here

Weekly Reflections

Nativity of the Lord Jesus

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



At the time of Jesus’ birth, Jews formed a small, mostly powerless nation under the rule of the Roman Emperor, whose domains included a wide mixture of diverse peoples from Spain to Greece. Read More

Over The Weekend

Our Helping Hands Ministry, purchased, prepared and served dinner for over 80 people at the Concord Homeless Shelter. A big thank you goes to

Carolyn Peters and her team.

Tour With Fr. Paulson To Africa

Join Fr. Paulson on an incredible tour of Africa (Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Nairobi, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Park).


There is an additional package of Madagascar for those who want to continue for another 7 days. The trip will take place in June, 2023. For more information please contact the Parish Office.

Thank You For Your Financial Support

Give Now

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

Or regular and/or second collections.

If you do not wish to give on-line,
you can continue to contribute using your offertory envelopes.

Offertory Envelopes and

Paper Checks

Can be sent directly to:

Christ the King Church

195A Brandon Rd.

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Offertory Envelopes and

Paper Checks

Can be sent directly to:

St. Stephen Church

1101 Keaveny Ct.

Walnut Creek, CA 94597

January's Social Justice Collection

January 15, 2023

Dear Friends,

 

This year’s social justice collection will be donated to two amazing charities.


 

1.  Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong. I worked here for 12 years as a teacher of technology and administrator. I have a personal connection. In 2023 Don Bosco Technical School will celebrate the Centenary year of its foundation. The Institute was started with the aim of providing skills training to young people for their livelihood. This mission continues even today taking up vocational training with more trades than before, adapting to the demands of the job market. At the centenary of the Institute, they would like to reach out to the 100 poor youth (boys and girls) especially dropouts from high school in the rural and urban areas who do not have opportunity to get skills training. 

2. Homes of Hope India was founded in 2007 with the express purpose of building orphanages, schools, training centers, and hostels for marginalized girls and young women, who are the poorest of the poor in India. Homes of Hope works in conjunction with eight congregations of Catholic nuns who otherwise would not have the funds to build critically needed structures. There are 29 Homes of Hope throughout India, which have provided a safe, loving home to thousands of girls. There are homes for AIDS orphans, war orphans, the handicapped, and sex-trafficked girls. Christ the King was one of the first parishes to support the work of Homes of Hope. Jack and Beverly Prosek have been their champions for years.

 

Fr. Paulson

Mass Schedule

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).


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).

St. Stephen Church - Masses

St. Stephen Church

1101 Keaveny Ct.

Walnut Creek 94597


Saturday - Mass at 5pm

Sunday - Mass at 9:30am


St. Stephen Daily Mass: Monday - Friday at 8am

Closing Prayer

Prayer for Christmas



As we celebrate the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace,

may each of us recommit to our goal of peace.


Let us build peace by seeking justice:

justice for the poor, the refugee, and the immigrant,

for our sisters and brothers who experience exclusion.

Let us preach peace by sharing the love of God

and the Good News of the Gospel with those around us.


May Christ's peace, hope, and joy be born into our hearts this Christmas.

"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference"