Parish Newsletter

November 9, 2022

Staying Connected

Dear Friends,

I would like to update you on where we are as a church on Synodality. Pope Francis has set in motion the most extensive consultative process the world has ever seen. The following excerpt is taken from Religious News Service.

For the millions of people who have participated in the synodal process, the synod is no longer an abstract concept but a lived experience. The “Working Document for the Continental Stage,” issued last month, gives us a picture of where the synodal process has been and where it might be going. This document will allow participants in the continental assemblies to listen to voices from every part of the world. The cultural, political, economic and religious experience of the church is very different in Africa, Europe, Asia and North and South America. These continental assemblies will then draw up a list of priorities for the first session of the synod of bishops to begin next October.

The first section of the document reports that there was great appreciation of the opportunity to speak and to listen to others in the church. The second chapter is organized around a quote from Isaiah: “Enlarge the space of your tent!” where the tent is seen as a space for communion and participation, the necessary foundations of mission. “Enlarging the tent requires welcoming others into it, making room for their diversity,” says the working document.

At the tent’s center “stands the tabernacle, that is, the presence of the Lord,” explains the working document as it further develops the metaphor. “The tent’s hold is ensured by the sturdiness of its pegs, that is, the fundamentals of faith that do not change but can be moved and planted in ever new ground, so that the tent can accompany the people as they walk through history. Finally, in order not to sag, the structure of the tent must keep in balance the different forces and tensions to which it is subjected: a metaphor that expresses the need for discernment.”

The third chapter describes the church as needing to live “a Christological paradox: boldly proclaiming its authentic teaching while at the same time offering a witness of radical inclusion and acceptance through its pastoral and discerning accompaniment.” Rather than behaving like gatekeepers, we are called to a “vision of a Church capable of radical inclusion, shared belonging, and deep hospitality according to the teachings of Jesus.”

In the listening sessions, many spoke of the need for the inclusion of many marginalized groups, including young people, those with disabilities, those unhappy with liturgical change, those who have had abortions, remarried divorcees, single parents, people living in a polygamous marriage, LGBTQ people, those who left ordained ministry and married and “women and eventual children of priests who have broken the vow of celibacy, who are otherwise at risk of suffering serious injustice and discrimination.”

Also listed were “the poorest, the lonely elderly, indigenous peoples, migrants without any affiliation and who lead a precarious existence, street children, alcoholics and drug addicts, those who have fallen into the plots of criminality and those for whom prostitution seems their only chance of survival, victims of trafficking, survivors of abuse (in the Church and beyond), prisoners, groups who suffer discrimination and violence because of race, ethnicity, gender, culture and sexuality.” The document recognizes that “the challenges of tribalism, sectarianism, racism, poverty, and gender inequality” exist “within the life of the Church, as well as the world.”

“Almost all reports raise the issue of full and equal participation of Women.” Many reports “ask that the Church continue its discernment in relation to a range of specific questions: the active role of women in the governing structures of Church bodies, the possibility for women with adequate training to preach in parish settings, and a female diaconate.” But on the question of priestly ordination, “Much greater diversity of opinion was expressed,” with some reports calling for it and others considering it a closed issue.

The fourth and final chapter of the working paper looks to the future, urging the participants to be a “Church that learns from listening how to renew its evangelizing mission in the light of the signs of the times, to continue offering humanity a way of being and living in which all can feel included as protagonists.”

There is much controversy surrounding the synod. Pope Francis is focused on improving the church’s mission of proclaiming the gospel and creating a more synodal church.

Fr. Paulson

Friday, November 11

Our Parish Office will be closed in observance of Veterans Day

We observe Veterans Day and remember all those who have served our country in times of war. Among those veterans are our military chaplains.

The Feast of Christ the King

November 19-20

All Masses



Join us for mass that weekend

as we celebrate our

Parish Feast Day!

Tonight! - Wednesday, November 9th

6:30pm in the Parish Hall

If you’re a member or visitor to our parishes we are inviting you to join us for an evening of fun, community and connections on November 9th from 6.30pm onwards in the Parish Hall. Fr. Paulson will lead a 15 minute prayer technique at 7.00pm and discuss a book to read. Here is a wonderful opportunity to build on our retreat, to discuss ways in which the men of our parish can find ways and means to celebrate their life of faith meaningfully. Wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be provided. Let us have fun! 

CTK is forming a Youth Choir/Band to minister at the Sunday 4pm mass.



Tonight! Nov. 9 at 6pm in the Church

We are inviting teens who sing or play instruments (guitar, piano, bass, drums, violin, flute, etc.) to join this awesome music ministry. We will have an informational meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6pm inside the church. Come and let’s sing and play for the Lord. 

If interested or need more information, please call Nelson Gonzales at 925-375-9608 or email at ngonzales@ctkph.org

Thursday, November 24

You are invited to attend our

Thanksgiving Mass Celebration

at 9am

Reception to follow on the patio.

You are welcome to bring the bread and wine you will be serving on Thanksgiving for a

special blessing.

Sunday, November 20th at 2pm

In the Church

(1:30pm fellowship in the vestibule of the church)

You are invited to Christ the King Church to participate in the Interfaith thanksgiving service. Let us connect with leaders and members of other Christian as well as non-Christian faiths to celebrate God's goodness to us. Service will also be livestreamed at ctkph.org



Find Inspiration • Share Gratitude for Abundance • Commit to Confronting Poverty

Cosponsored by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition, Pleasant Hill Ministerial Association & the Contra Costa County Clergy Cohort of Faith in Action East Bay.

Scroll of our Faithful Departed



The Church holds the month of November in dedication and remembrance of our beloved faithful departed,

and honors with great respect the memory of the dead,

especially those who have passed during this year.

Please see the scroll of names of loved ones who have passed.

Book of Remembrance

In front of the church (near the Baptism font) 

 You are invited to write in it the names of your

deceased loved ones. 

The Book will be out for the month of November.

Ushers Needed

Do you have time on your hands and would like to help out occasionally at Christ the King Church? We frequently have funerals during the week (mid-morning) and we have parishioners offer hospitality as greeters/ushers. Would you be willing to be part of a group of volunteers who welcome guests, hand out programs and straighten up the church afterwards? We give you a list of upcoming funerals and you can choose when to serve. 

Questions? Sr. Dominic Marie at sisterdominic.marie@gmail.com

Congratulations to Sean Hanley who earned his Eagle Scout Award.

He received his award on Sunday at the Eagle Court of Honor.

ICF Meeting

Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1pm

All CTK and St. Stephen’s parishioners are welcome to join the Italian Catholic Federation for our November meeting on Sunday, November 13 at 1 PM in the CTK parish hall. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving, so bring a side dish or dessert to share, and our club will provide the turkey and gravy. We will also be having elections. Guests are welcome, so please let us know if you plan to join us. Contact Diana Mackinson at dijoed@comcast.net or 925-519-4711. Hope many of you will join us for a great lunch and fun afternoon!

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



A close reading of this gospel shows that using this passage as a springboard for proclaiming God’s severe judgment on society misses the point. Rather, Jesus warns us not to become fixated on temporary human institutions or conflicts. Read More

Grief Retreat

Saturday, November 19, 2022

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Diocese Retreat House - Queen of Heaven

1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette

$10 at the door – lunch is provided

RSVP required - 925-932-0900

Fr. Paulson and Fr. Wayne will be present at

different segments of the day.



A day of rest and reflection for your grieving heart.

Magnificat Prayer Breakfast

Saturday, Nov. 12 - 9:30am to 12:30pm

Concord Plaza Hotel

For more information and to register please see flyer 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).

Father, bless our veterans and all who serve our nation defending our freedom.

For those who bravely gave their lives, grant them eternal rest.

For those who are serving, give them courage.

For those who served, we offer our gratitude.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen