Parish Newsletter

July 27, 2022

Staying Connected

Religious Education 2022-23

A couple weeks ago, Father Paulson addressed the current state of Religious Education in the US. The statistics were daunting. It is alarming that so many Catholic parents are not enrolling their children in any formal religious education programs. Some families only enroll their children when there is something for them to “get,” such as Sacraments. To “get” the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, parents enroll their children in the required two years of faith formation. Sadly, once these children “get” their sacraments, they disappear from the church community until it’s time for them to “get” another sacrament, Confirmation. For many, faith has become transactional, only practiced when the “believer” can get some “thing” in exchange for their attendance. This is a broken concept of faith. So, how is the Church to respond to this spiritual crisis?

First, we need to help parents transform their focus. Rather than being a vehicle for getting something, Religious Education must be understood as a process that guides children to becoming someone, the someone that God created them to be. RE’s mission is to assist parents as they strive to form their children into life-long, faithful practicing Catholics. This is formation of conscience and character for a lifetime, not for a sport season or an academic year. It is the process that enlightens children’s understanding of God’s plan for them and fosters their cultivation of a personal relationship with Jesus. That relationship is the gateway to eternal life. As parents, isn’t that what we want to give to our children?

As we approached our final week of RE classes this year, we decided to make the last day a fun day. Rather than checking into their classrooms, we gathered in the Parish Hall to play games, act a little silly and just enjoy being together. Throughout the year children were encouraged to see RE as their “happy place,” and the last day of class was truly a happy place for all. Miss Rosa sent everyone back to their parents with sweet treats and huge smiles on their faces. So, as we approach the new school year, how do we keep those smiles on the faces of the RE community?

More than learning facts and memorizing prayers, faith formation connects our faith to our lives, making it the center of how we think and live. Faith is stronger when we live it in community with others. With that in mind, CTK RE is in the process of planning family fun events, such as an “RE Family Barbecue,” to kick off the new school year. Games, music, good food and fellowship will help parents and children to get to know each other better and to build a strong community. We are also developing family faith service projects, opportunities for RE families to participate in projects to help those in need. This is a great way for parents to witness their faith to their children. These are great sources of inspiration and fun for families.

For several years CTK RE has used a Lectionary based curriculum for Grade 1 through 6 students, and a special program for our Sacramental Preparation students. We are anticipating changes for the coming school year. The curriculum we are evaluating focuses on the basic messages of Salvation History for all grades, using a “spiral” teaching method. Every grade level will study chapters from Creation, to the Fall of Adam, to Jesus Incarnation and Redemption of humanity, each at a level that is age and grade appropriate. Just as math starts with basic concepts and adds more complexity each year, the new RE curriculum starts with basic concepts and also adds layers of explanation and complexity from one year to the next.

We’re looking forward to this being a fun new adventure for all of us. As always, parent involvement is the key to success. God has given each of us special and unique gifts to use for the benefit of the community. You might be a great catechist, liturgy planner, music leader or project idea person. Whatever gifts God has blessed you with, ask Him how you can use them to benefit the children in the CTK RE program. Then give us a call. Your help is always needed.

Deacon John Ashmore

Director of Faith Formation

Youth Ministry's Back to School Movie Night

on the Lawn!

Saturday August 6th at 8:00pm

*We are now opening this up to the entire community!*

Bring your family!  We will be viewing

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” PG-13

Religious Ed and Youth Ministry

Meet and Greet

On Sunday, July 31st representatives from Christ the King Religious Education and Youth Ministry will be available after the 9:00am, 10:30am, and 4:00pm Mass to answer your questions.

Learn more about:

-Registration

-Sacramental Prep Programs

-Junior High and High School Ministries

-Confirmation Prep

-Health, Wealthy, and Wise Ministries

-The Summer Mission Trip

and much much more

Registration is now open for

Faith Formation Students for the

School Year 2022-2023

Registration is open for:

 Grades 1-6

Jr. High Grades 7-8

High School/Confirmation Program

Please visit our website at ctkph.org and click the

 ‘Register Now’ button to register on-line.

If interested in helping as a teacher/catechists at any grade level. Please contact Deacon John Ashmore at faithformation@ctkph.org

Dear CTK Faith Community,

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Our CTK Religious Education program has been praying for you to be one of the laborers for the Lord's harvest. Passing on the faith to students in grades 1 through 6 is both a challenge and a joy, and you can be trained to do this.

Please consider volunteering to be a Catechist in our Religious Education program. We are currently registering students in grades 1 through 6 in our Religious Education program for the coming school year, but your help and participation are needed to make our program a success.



Please contact Deacon John at  faithformation@ctkph.org or call him at his office (925) 686-1174.

Women’s One Day Retreat

October 15th - St. Stephen Parish Hall

Men’s One Day Retreat

October 22nd - CTK Parish Hall

BERLIN | NUREMBERG | OBERAMMERGAU | FUSSEN | MUNICH

The World Famous Oberammergau Passion Play is a passion play that has been performed every year from 1634 to 1680 and every 10 years since 1680 by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, Germany. This tour to Germany is scheduled in September and tickets are limited. 

This is NOT a Christ King Sponsored Tour. More Information can be found here.  All inquiries should go through the tour company.

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time



The parable of the greedy barn-builder lacks the usual subtlety of Jesus’ parables. No one had to ask him to explain what this parable meant. They knew it right away. At the same time, Jesus invites me to bring my sorrows and pain to him. Does he hope I won’t ask for something he knows I can fix myself? Read More

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

Or regular and/or second collections.

All Masses are Inside the Church. - Face Masks are encouraged.

Worship Aide for Mass - July 30/31 Here

Readings for Sunday Mass Here

Ongoing Services: