Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish



www.ctkph.org

www.saintstephenparish.org

Parish Newsletter

"Staying Connected"

May 31, 2023

Dear Friends,

 

The Holy Spirit is alive and well in our church as “new things” emerge! Pope Francis updated the "Fundamental Law of Vatican City State," opening the possibility that laypeople can be members of its governing commission and emphasizing that the independence of the city-state is essential for the mission of the Holy See.


The previous version of the law was promulgated by St. John Paul II in 2000; his introduction to the text noted the independence of Vatican City State guaranteed "the freedom of the Apostolic See" and assured "the real and visible independence of the Roman Pontiff in the exercise of his mission in the world."


Francis' revision of the law incorporates the mission into the text of the law itself. The first article states, "The Vatican City State ensures the absolute and visible independence of the Holy See for the fulfillment of its high mission in the world and guarantees its unquestionable sovereignty in the international arena as well."


While the 2000 version of the law entrusted the legislative powers for governing Vatican City State to "a commission composed by a cardinal-president and other cardinals" nominated by the pope for a five-year term, the new law says the commission "is composed of cardinals, among whom is the president, and by other members" nominated by the pope for a five-year term.


Given the financial reforms enacted by Benedict XVI and Francis, the new law includes a changed and expanded section on budgeting and spending. The commission governing Vatican City State is required to draw up a three-year financial plan, which it submits "directly to the Supreme Pontiff for approval." "The budget shall ensure the balance of income and expenditures and shall be inspired by the principles of clarity, transparency and fairness," the new law says.


The Vatican City State remains, in the end, the pope’s domain. Nonetheless, the new law suggests that the city-state is no longer merely considered a support to the Holy See but an entity closer to the secular and modern states, as it has never been in the past. It might be a necessary and welcome update to the state’s structure, but could it also undermine the institution of the Holy See? Time will tell.


In addition to these changes, there is more welcome news for the church. Pope Francis on April 26, 2023 dramatically expanded participation in the Vatican's upcoming Synod of Bishops to include lay men and women, for the first time granting them a right to be appointed as full voting members of the Catholic Church's primary consultative body.

In addition to the standard participation of bishops selected by the pope and episcopal conferences from around the world, the new changes allow for the participation of 70 non-bishop members at the upcoming October gathering — 10 from each of the seven global regional bishops' conferences — with the request that young people be included and that 50% of those named would be women. 

 

Theologians and activists have praised this latest move as "significant" and a "substantial development." Others called it a "crack in the stained-glass ceiling." I couldn't agree more. Although the church still has a long way to go to address clericalism and discrimination against women within its own institutions, this step gives us hope that the church is moving in the right direction.

 

I want to thank our school leadership and faculty as we come to the end of another successful school year. May God bless our community.

 Fr. Paulson

Youth Rally

On October 14th Christ the King - St. Stephen will be the inaugural host for PRAISE! a youth rally for the Confirmation Candidates of our Deanery. 



The Youth Ministers of our deanery created PRAISE! with several goals:

* To create excitement for the upcoming Confirmation Preparation Year

* To instill a wider sense of community between the candidates within the deanery

* To engage candidates where they are on topics important to them

 

PRAISE! brings 450 Confirmation candidates from all 6 parishes in our deanery for a day of music, deep emotional worship, inspiring talks, and most of all fun. The day begins with a parade of parishes similar to the opening ceremony at the Olympics and continues with an inspiring keynote address from a dynamic speaker. The rest of the day is filled with skits, breakout talks, prayer, Mass, games, and live music. Finally, we close with Mass, complete again with live music and an inspirational closing address.

 

The cost of bringing the young people together will be shared by the six parishes. I would like to raise $8000.00 for this event. If you are blessed and want to contribute to this great Youth Event on our sacred grounds, please contact me or write a check to Christ the King church with a memo: Youth Rally. Thank you....Fr. Paulson

Updates on Masses for Tomorrow (Thursday)


Morning Mass on Thursday will begin at 9:15am (not 9am) for this day only, June 1.


Both the 5:40pm Rosary and 6pm Mass are cancelled this Thursday, June 1 due to the 8th grade graduation.

First Friday

First Friday at Christ the King


Join us this Friday, June 2, for our

Monthly First Friday


5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

(A time for quiet reflection and prayer)

     Followed by Mass at 6pm

Faith Formation News

Religious Education Grades K-6

Registration Now OPEN

School Year 2023-2024


Be sure to sign-in to REALM as a PARENT then register your child(ren) for Religious Education.


Families new to Christ the King - St. Stephen Religious Education must create a REALM account FIRST. Click on the Create a REALM account button below.



Click on the link below to be taken to the registration page. All information about days and times of classes can be found on the registration page.


Register for R.E.

Create a REALM Account

Filipino Fiesta

Join us next Sunday – June 11th


Let’s celebrate together the 40th anniversary of Our Lord of Pardon Prayer Group and the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on Sunday, June 11, 2023.



Festivities will begin with the Holy Mass at 4:00 pm at Christ the King Church, followed by procession, dinner and entertainment in the gym.



Please contact Maritess Baula, mromanab@aol.com, (925) 899-9078, Imelda Santos, iqsantos01@gmail.com, (925) 623-7340 or Mae Bayani, msbayani@gmail.com,

(925) 899-8912

School News

Parish Festival at Christ the King

Friday, June 2nd - 5pm to 9pm

and Saturday, June 3rd - 2pm to 9pm

 

Our theme will be "Let's Rock n' Roll CTK"

and it is sure to be a 'Rockin' good time! 


Games, Food, Entertainment, Family Fun!

Raising money for our ministries and our school!


CTKFestival.org

Visit our Facebook Page at Christ the King Festival

for our entertainment line-up and food vendors!

 

Food Vendors:

  • Hiroshi’s Catering           
  • King Gyro and Kebab         
  • La Roca Mexican Food Truck
  • Knights of Columbus grilling Kinder’s meats

(Ball-Tip Combo Meal Saturday only pre-order at CTKFestival.org)

  • Happy Lemon (Saturday only, 3-7 pm)
  • Mr. Softee      
  • Kona Ice

 

Volunteers Needed:


Entertainment:

Friday:

  • 5-5:45 pm: Disciples of Christ                                   
  • 6-6:45pm: Mended                        
  • 7-7:45pm: Bradley School of Music Medley         
  • 8-9pm: Used to Be Valentines/Remi Moulder


Saturday:

  • 2-3 pm: Talent Show                                 
  • 3-4pm: Peter Pan Foundation (Disney songs/meet and greet)
  • 4-4:45: Studio A Dance Company             
  • 5-6 pm: DJ E Rukis
  • 6-7:30pm: Best Day Ever Band                   
  • 7:30 pm: Abel Win a Vehicle Drawing/Contest 
  • 7:30-9:30: Live Band Karaoke


Pre-Orders:

  • Pre-order wristbands, wine tickets, and game tickets and KOC’s Ball Tip Combo Meal for Saturday evening on our website: ctkfestival.org
  • Abel Chevrolet Win a Vehicle Raffle Tickets: buy raffle tickets for your chance to be one of up to 3 winners to Toss a Nerf Football and Win a Vehicle! $25 per Ticket or 5 for $100. Buy tickets at CTKfestival.org or at Festival. Drawing held Sat, June 3 at 7:30pm. Must be 18 or older. Must be present to win. More details at the Truck Booth. 
Please email christthekingfestival@gmail.com with any questions.

Save The Date

Sunday, June 25th

at the 10:30am Mass at CTK


Celebrating Fr. Vince Cotter’s

40 Year Anniversary as a Priest



After mass oin us for

a reception after mass on the

patio outside of church.

Upcoming Adult Faith Formation

“For Such a Time as This"

Monday, June 26th, at 7pm

CTK Parish Hall

Speaker: Kathy Roberts

 

“Who knows that you have been called…

for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)


This verse resonates from ancient days into our own time. There have always been challenging “times,” and it helps to know that the Bible gives us both insight and practical advice as we face them.


Come for an evening of sharing some ways that we

can count on God’s Word to give us hope in trying times!

Over The Weekend

Congratulations to our newly baptized.

Welcome to Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish Family!

Parents: Camden & Derek

Baby: Henry Robert

Congratulations to Allan and Juliet who were married over the weekend!

Sunrise Grief Walk

Weekly Reflections

The Most Holy Trinity

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



“You never really know someone until you know what’s in their heart—what motivates them, what they’re looking for, why they do what they do. …Jesus lays bare the heart of God..

Read More

Funeral Service For Tom Gallagher


Sister Joanne Gallagher's brother (Thomas Joseph Gallagher)

"Tom" Gallagher faithfully embraced his passing peacefully and went to be with our Lord on May 13. He was 85 years old.


The Funeral Mass will be this Saturday June 3rd at 1:00pm at

St. Augustine Church, 3999 Bernal Avenue Pleasanton, CA.

Cub Scouts

All Kindergarten-5th Grade boys & their families are invited to join Christ the King's Cub Scouts Pack 401 for a Scouts Day at Heather Farm Park on

June 10th, 2023 from 1-3pm. 


We will be doing fun games/activities such as Water Bottle Rockets, Kites and much more! Please bring a buddy or bring your friends to enjoy the fun! - See attached flyer for additional details.


If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:

Brian Hanley: bhanley85@yahoo.com, or

Julia Palacio: jp3ecom@gmail.com


More Information can be found here.

Weekly Church Bulletin

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

Mass Schedule CTK & St. Stephen

CTK Weekday Masses

9am Mass - Monday - Friday

(9am Masses will be livestreamed)


CTK 6pm - Thursdays

(Rosary begins at 5:40pm)

(Rosary and Mass will be livestreamed)


CTK Weekend Masses

Saturday

9am and 4pm Vigil

(Saturday 4pm Mass will be livestreamed)


CTK Sunday

7:30am, 9am, 10:30am and 4pm

(10:30am Mass will be livestreamed).

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

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 at CTK & St. Stephen

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Private Confessions every Saturday from 3pm to 3:30pm at CTK and 4:30pm at St. Stephen.


Drive-Thru Holy Communion - Every Sunday 11:30am to 12 noon, in front of the church at CTK and by request at St. Stephen.


CTK Thursday Mass - 6pm - Honoring our Mother of Perpetual Help, Rosary begins at 5:40pm, at CTK. Worship Aide Here (Also livestreamed).

Trinity Sunday - June 3/4

“The history of salvation, from the fall of Adam and Eve until the final judgment, revolves around the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Son of God. Why did he come? Because the Father sent him. Why did the Father send him? Because he ‘loved the world so much.’ He simply couldn’t bear to see us perish in our sins; he longed to share with us his everlasting life. God cares. And Jesus Christ is the definitive proof that he cares. He cares so much that he is willing to sacrifice his only Son to atone for the sins that have separated [us] from God, the source of all good things. We need look no further to find the very core of the gospel…. No hidden agenda, no selfish undertones— pure generosity. This is the heart of God, of the Lord who longs for our friendship.” — Found online at Catholic Exchange

"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference"

“To Live and to Love in Christ”