Parish Newsletter

June 15, 2022

Staying Connected

Dear Friends,

At a time when we have so many challenges facing our nation, from abortion debate to defending democracy, from curbing gun violence to immigration debates, and many other issues including care for Mother Earth, the question that is often dialogued is whether we as Catholics should participate in political life. I hope you will benefit from excerpts from U.S. Bishop’s reflections on Catholic Teaching and Political life.

“Some question whether it is appropriate for the Church to play a role in political life. However, the obligation to teach the moral truths that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to the mission given to the Church by Jesus Christ. Moreover, the United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination. Civil law should fully recognize and protect the right of the Church and other institutions in civil society to participate in cultural, political, and economic life without being forced to abandon or ignore their central moral convictions. Our nation's tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions and concerns into public life. Indeed, our Church's teaching is in accord with the foundational values that have shaped our nation's history: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

“The Catholic community brings important assets to the political dialogue about our nation's future. We bring a consistent moral framework-drawn from basic human reason that is illuminated by Scripture and the teaching of the Church-for assessing issues, political platforms, and campaigns. We also bring broad experience in serving those in need-educating the young, serving families in crisis, caring for the sick, sheltering the homeless, helping women who face difficult pregnancies, feeding the hungry, welcoming immigrants and refugees, reaching out in global solidarity, and pursuing peace. We celebrate, with all our neighbors, the historically robust commitment to religious freedom in this country that has allowed the Church the freedom to serve the common good.”

“The Church's obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith. It is a basic part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ, who offers a vision of life revealed to us in Sacred Scripture and Tradition. To echo the teaching of the Second Vatican Council: Christ, the Word made flesh, in showing us the Father's love, also shows us what it truly means to be human (see Gaudium et Spes, no. 22). Christ's love for us lets us see our human dignity in full clarity and compels us to love our neighbors as he has loved us. Christ, the Teacher, shows us what is true and good, that is, what is in accord with our human nature as free, intelligent beings created in God's image and likeness and endowed by the Creator with dignity and rights as well as duties.”

“The Church equips its members to address political and social questions by helping them to develop a well-formed conscience. Catholics have a serious and lifelong obligation to form their consciences in accord with human reason and the teaching of the Church. Conscience is not something that allows us to justify doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere "feeling" about what we should or should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is evil. Conscience always requires serious attempts to make sound moral judgments based on the truths of our faith. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed. In all he says and does, man is obliged to follow faithfully what he knows to be just and right" (no. 1778).”

We Catholics who bring our moral convictions into public life do not threaten democracy or pluralism but enrich them and the nation. The separation of church and state does not require division between belief and public action, between moral principles and political choices, but protects the right of believers and religious groups to practice their faith and act on their values in public life.

Fr. Paulson

Sunday, June 19th at 3pm

This weekend we celebrate The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is a celebration of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

We will be offering Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church this Sunday, June 19 from 3.00pm to 3.55pm, followed by the 4.00pm Mass. It will consist of 30 minutes of silent adoration, and then a guided prayer and adoration from 3.30pm, concluding with a solemn Benediction. You are most welcome to attend. It will also be livestreamed

CLOW Needs You! 

(Children’s Liturgy of the Word)

Kids squirm in their seats at church because they’re bored!! We can cure their boredom by making church a fun and inviting place for them. That’s the mission and ministry of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. If you’ve been praying about how you can serve the church, this ministry might be the answer to your prayers.

CLOW needs Presiders, Guides and Assistants for this weekly ministry to children in grades 1 through 5. If you love kids and you love the Lord, you can make a difference by being part of CLOW. Call or email Deacon John to learn more. Email: faithformation@ctkph.org. Phone: (925) 686-1174. 

RE Registration

Dear Parents of Students Grade 1 through 12:

One school year is behind us, which means we are planning for next year!!! The process never ends! Passing on the Catholic Faith is a priority for every Catholic parent, and our Religious Education and Youth Ministry Programs are here to support your efforts.

Registration for Religious Education classes, including Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, is now open.

Please go to the parish website, www.ctkph.org and click on the “Register Now!” button on the home page. When you click on the button, you will be taken to a Registration Tutorial and have access to the necessary forms. For your convenience, we have added an online payment option for all Registrations and Fees.

We look forward to another wonderful year with your children. We are truly blessed and privileged to be able to support you in your mission of leading your children into a relationship with Christ! Blessings to you and your families!

The Christ the King Religious Education Team 

Congratulations to the 8th Grade CTK Class of 2022!

Please join our CTK community on Friday, June 17th at 6:30pm in the church, for a voice recital featuring our CTK School Music Teacher, Teresa Halsey!

See Flyer Here

Filipino Fiesta Mass on Sunday at 4pm celebrated their 39th year anniversary of the Our Lord of Pardon Prayer Group.

Through the Sacrament of Baptism we welcomed

Reynalyn to our Christ the King and St. Stephen Family. Congratulations!

Parents: Alexus & Nathaniel

Baby: Reynalyn

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.

Corpus Christi Sunday



Paul speaks here of the Eucharist as the essential element within every Christian liturgy. Surprising as it may seem, Paul (via Luke, his scribe) was the first to put these Eucharistic lines in writing." Read More

Heavenly Father,

you entrusted your Son Jesus,

the child of Mary,

to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.

Bless all fathers

as they care for their families.

Give them strength and wisdom,

tenderness and patience;

support them in the work they have to do,

protecting those who look to them,

as we look to you for love and salvation,

through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.

Amen.