Parish Newsletter

October 26, 2022

Staying Connected

Dear Friends,

Fr. Mike Dibble has moved to a care home two weeks ago, and he is surrounded by love and care by many of our parish volunteers. The decision to move into a Care Home was a big life-changing event for Fr. Dibble. And it came, accompanied by common and understandable fears. Fr. Dibble narrated to me that someone had told him that he was going to be at the care facility till he dies, and that is scary, he said. And we talked about it as brother priests. We take one day at a time. 

Please do pray for Fr. Dibble as he tries to find a home, a home God has chosen for him to live the next phase of his life. God not only knit you together in your mother’s womb; he also freely orchestrated all the places you would call home - the periods and boundaries of your “dwelling place.”

Two of our Parishioners, Nelson Gonzales and Wynn Norona were accepted as Deacon Candidates by the Bishop a week ago. The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States says, “There are three separate but integral paths that constitute a unified diocesan formation program for deacons: aspirant, candidate and post-ordination.” Admission as a Candidate means that the Aspirant has been invited by the bishop to enter a time of formal preparation for ordination that requires 3 years or more. Candidacy is the first official recognition by Holy Mother Church that this man may very well have a vocation to Holy Orders. During this period the Candidate will receive advanced theological education and practical diaconal formation. After the first year as he progresses in discernment and formation he will be installed into the Ministry of Lector and then approximately a year later to the Ministry of Acolyte. Let us continue to keep these two men and their families in our prayer. God is blessing our communities. I am thrilled.

I am excited about our Halloween Mass, focused on the saints next Sunday at 9.00am in the Parish Hall. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early, so that we can get ready for the Marching of the Saints, through the church to the Hall. Pope Gregory IV (827–844) extended the Feast of All Saints—which was previously a local feast in Rome—to the universal Church. That is why the eve of All Saints Day (Halloween) came to be celebrated by Catholics around the world in their own cultural ways. Even though Halloween has deteriorated over the years to purely a cultural phenomenon with its goods, we can still find joy and holiness from a celebration that brings so much excitement and fun for our kids.

I am happy to share my own joy and excitement about our men and women’s retreat each of which were attended by over 50 folks. Both retreats were spiritually nourishing and empowering. I want to thank the teams that put them all together and the staff of St. Stephen and CTK for their generous accompaniment. We have two family centered events scheduled for this weekend: Young Families get-together after 4pm Mass this Saturday on the lawn in front of the church, Halloween Mass at 9am in the Hall, of which I have written in this letter. We need to focus on young families, and so I hope you will spread the word, personally invite families, even accompany, if need be. May God bless our communities and keep His children in His loving care.

Fr. Paulson

Sunday, October 30

We are inviting all children to a

special Halloween Sunday Mass

9am in the Parish Hall

All children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes to Mass and to their classes. We will gather in the Parish Hall at 8:45 AM, then we’ll enter the Church through the Sacristy Door. Students will then process through the church and back to the Parish Hall where our Religious Education children’s mass will begin. We look forward to seeing everyone in their best costumes for this special event.

This Saturday, October 29, 5pm at CTK

On behalf of the Young Families Ministry, we would like to invite all young families to pizza and beer (and wine) on Saturday, October 29, at 5:00 p.m. (immediately following the 4pm Vigil Mass). The event will be held on the grass near the playground on church grounds. If you and your family would like to attend - and so that we have an accurate headcount - please respond to rezaei.ryan@gmail.com. Additionally, if anyone is willing to let us borrow any outdoor games (such as cornhole!), please let us know.  

All Saints Day at CTK - Tuesday, November 1

Mass at 7am, 9am, 12:05pm and 7pm

 St. Stephen Church - Mass at 8am and 6pm

All Soul’s Day at CTK - Wednesday, November 2

Mass at 9am

St. Stephen Church - Mass at 6pm 

Healing Mass ~ Anointing of the Sick

Saturday, November 5 at 10:30 am

All are welcome to join us for a parish Mass and celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Since Vatican II our understanding of this sacrament has developed and deepened. Formerly known as Extreme Unction, this sacrament is no longer just for the dying but for the elderly and those who are ill (whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, etc.). The Anointing of the Sick offers God’s grace to strengthen the individual.



Bring relatives and friends from local convalescent homes – those who are able to come. The Anointing of the Sick is meant to be celebrated within the community – with family and friends. Questions? Sr. Dominic Marie 925-246-1122.

Saturday, November 5

at the 4pm Mass

A special Mass of Remembrance will be held on Saturday November 5 at 4 pm. At that Mass we will pray specially for all who have died during this past year and whose funeral was held at Christ the King. (Questions? Sr. Dominic Marie at 925-246-1122.)

 Everyone is welcome!

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

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

A wonderful day was enjoyed at the men's retreat on Saturday.

Special thanks goes to Fr. Paulson and the entire men's retreat committee.

Congratulations to Baby Alexis who was baptized on Saturday. Welcome to the Christ the King and St. Stephen Family.

Parents: Chris & Jen

Baby: Alexis Anne

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! 

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



Everyone in Jericho hated Zacchaeus—for good reason (if there’s ever a good reason to hate anyone or anything). As a tax collector in first century Israel, he had a terrible reputation and status among the local population in Jericho. How could a man so involved in dirty deals with the occupying Romans ever be converted? Read More

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

Saturday, November 5th

CTK's Parish Hall

See flyer for more information Here

Tickets to the Pasta Dinner will be available to purchase after mass on Sunday at 7:30am, 9am and 10:30am.

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).