Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish

www.ctkph.org

www.saintstephenparish.org

Parish Newsletter

"Staying Connected"

September 4, 2024

ST. VINCENT de PAUL UPDATE

Dear Friends,

I’ve been told to make this like a personal letter, one that you would like to read! That’s not going to be difficult as serving those in need is an inspiring experience bringing value and purpose. Our conference has provided safety net services to those in need ever since it started in 1963. We Vincentians rely on your continuous support. Your funding, volunteering and prayers make it possible. We need your monetary support now more than ever. Thank you for all that you do in support of our ministry! When I say “our” that includes “you”, it’s your ministry!

After moving our pantry to Hillcrest Congregational Church earlier this year, we are returning to comfortable operations where we serve everyone in person. The pantry is located at Hillcrest Congregational Church at 404 Gregory Lane. It’s open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM and Saturday from 10 AM to noon (holidays excepted).

We are inspired by Matthew 25:40, “The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Our conference serves well over 15,000 annually if we count each person every time we serve them. One out of every three we serve is a child. Almost all we serve are the working poor, often holding down 2 and 3 jobs. I wish I could share with you those moments when a dear neighbor comes up to me and thanks me personally for the assistance they received from us. At times they have tears in their eyes as they relate how we made a vital difference in their lives. Please know that your sacrifices made this possible. It is you that they are thanking. It is you that made the difference in their lives. Often the most important thing we do is to let our dear neighbors know that we care and that they matter.

We are inspired to welcome the stranger and to love our neighbors tangibly with food and clothing. “The one who treats his or her life as their own personal possession, keeping the entire thing for his or herself will lose it. But the one who gives it away will have such an abundance of life that it will last for all eternity.”



We ask our dear neighbors for an ID and give them a voucher for food at the Grocery Outlet or clothing at the St. Vincent de Paul Stores. Our assistance is relatively small, ranging from $25 to $100 depending on family size. We also provide referrals to other organizations that provide food, clothing, housing, utility assistance and other services to the needy.

Recently we have helped a mother and her 5-year-old child as she had just lost her job and was starting another one in a few days. We also helped a young unemployed Ukrainian woman who was just getting started. She was able to get a job working at a nearby hotel and felt confident that she would be OK.

We meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month from 4 to 5 PM at the Ministry Center & via Zoom. If you’re interested in serving as a Vincentian please leave a message at 925-246-1131 and I will get back to you.

-Gary Piermattei

First Friday at CTK

This Friday, September 6, is our Monthly First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at CTK

Exposition: 5pm to 6pm

(This will be time for quiet prayer.)

 

Mass: 6pm in the church 

Deacon John is retiring and moving across the country.

Join us in wishing him farewell.

 St. Stephen:

Saturday, September 7 at the 5pm Mass

Followed by Wine and Cheese on the Patio

*****************or*******************

Christ the King:

Saturday, September 14 at the 4pm Mass

Followed by Wine and Cheese on the Patio

Join us for our beloved fall tradition at

Christ the King and St. Stephen Parish,

where the aroma of fresh coffee, the sweetness of donuts, and the fellowship of parishioners awaits you after all Sunday morning masses for the next 6 weeks.

CTK on the outside church patio

St. Stephen in the parish hall

Adult Education Opportunity

Join us on September Mondays for a discussion of Robert Ellsberg's "Blessed Among All Women: Women Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time". Ellsberg has grouped the saints "according to the Beatitudes, the litany of virtues and attitudes by which Jesus summarized the spirit of discipleship."

We meet at 10:00 am for one hour in the Ministry Center Chapel, starting on September 9th with the “Introduction” and "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit."



The book is available on Kindle, paperback, and used hardback.

Register now for:

Kindergarten - 6th Grade

Jr. High Youth Group - 7th & 8th Grades

Or High School Confirmation (Years 1 & 2)

Registration can be found at ctkph.org

Registration ends September 12

Parents, please mark your calendar for a Parent Meeting

Wednesday, September 18 at 6pm in the church

for grades K-6 parents only

Youth Ministry Program Orientation Date

You're invited to learn more about our Youth Ministry Confirmation

Program orientation will be held in the Parish Hall on:

Confirmation Years 1 and 2 (grades 9-11)

Saturday, September 7 at 10:00 AM

Attention Teens

We are looking to expand our Sunday, 4pm mass youth band. We are looking for musicians and vocalists. Practices are on Sundays at 2:30pm. If you are between the ages of 13 -18 and are interested in sharing your gift of music, please contact Nelson Gonzales at 925-375-9608 or email him at ngonzales@ctkph.org. Thank you.

If you are interested to serve as a pastoral Care Minister to the Homebound or to local care facilities please contact Sr. Dominic: 

at sisterdominic.marie@gmail.com or 925-246-1122.

The Season of Creation spans five weeks between the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1)

and the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4).

As individuals and families: Counteract the "Throwaway Culture." In Laudato Si', Pope Francis brings attention to our "throwaway culture," which "quickly reduces things to rubbish" (no. 22). In your daily life, try to identify the ways in which you can choose reusables, rather than disposables, such as coffee mugs, reusable bags, or cloth napkins, and commit to making one change during this month.

Meal Prayer Before and after meals, say a short prayer of thanksgiving for the lifegiving food that sustains and nourishes us. Briefly consider how all nourishment ultimately comes from the earth, and give thanks for all the human hands that helped bring this food to your table. May we recognize, as Laudato Si' has taught us, that this "moment of blessing, however brief, reminds us of our dependence on God for life. Read More

Cantors - We are seeking strong and spirit-filled vocal leaders to join our Cantor ministry on both the CTK and St. Stephen campuses. Cantor responsibilities include proclaiming the psalm, announcing and leading the congregation in hymns and acclamations, and leading hymns solo when a choir is not present. An ability to read music is strongly preferred, but training and rehearsal will be available in order to accommodate singers at various levels. 

Pianists/Organists - We are seeking a pianist to join our music ministry, to be available as a sub for regular masses and holidays at CTK and St. Stephen. Some organ skills would be a huge plus, but are not required. 

Family Choir - Open to children of all ages and their families (children must come with at least one adult). We sing at the 9:00 Sunday Mass at CTK the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, starting on September 15th. Our repertoire is focused on fun and learnable music; no formal musical training is necessary.

Adult Choirs - Our adult choirs will be starting back up the week after Labor Day, and are always welcoming new members! 

Please contact Jennifer Bennett at jenniferbennett1011@gmail.com to inquire about any of these opportunities, and she'll connect you with the appropriate contact. Thank you!

Congratulations to Gavin Javier on his baptism.

Parents: Meliza and Jason

Baby: Gavin Javier

Hygiene/Toiletries Drive

for our students in need at

Diablo Valley College

This weekend - September 7 & 8

Drop off at the back of church at CTK

See Flyer here 

Tickets will be sold after all masses this weekend at CTK.

Please bring cash or check.

All are welcome to join us at our monthly ICF meeting this coming Sunday afternoon, September 8, at 1 pm in the parish hall. We are celebrating fall with a pot luck lunch and all are welcome to join us. Come see what the ICF is all about. Yes our roots are Italian, but any Catholic can join us! We share food, fun and fellowship.

Come check us out this week!

ATTENTION

Christlighters and Cursaillstas

Team formation for ChristLight XVII begins 9/9/24 at 6:30 pm at the CTK Ministry Center.

We are in need of additional help, so if you are interested but cannot attend please contact John Alonso at 925-961-2695.

Thank you for your consideration and God Bless.

The County Fair Festival is back

and it's bigger and better than ever!

Mark your calendars for

September 27th (4-10 PM) and

September 28th (1-8 PM)

For a weekend packed with the

charm of a classic county fair.

Read More

CTK School Weekly Newsletter Here

Medicare Information Meeting

Thursday, September 12, 10am at

CTK's Parish Hall, Breakout Room A

Gain insights to make the right choices for

your medical coverage

More information here

CUB SCOUT PACK 401 INVITATION TO

CTK-ST. STEPHEN PARISH & CTK SCHOOL FAMILIES - FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES K-5

We're inviting all children (Grades K-5) and their families to Cub Scout Pack 401's first Pack Meeting of the 2024-2025 school year on Wednesday, September 11th from 6:30-7:30pm at the Christ the King Parish Hall. We hope you can join us! Please contact us (details below) if you have any questions about our Cub Scout Pack.

Questions? Brian Hanley, Pack 401 Cubmaster bhanley85@yahoo.com

DRESS A CHILD AROUND THE WORLD

Our fall sewing sessions will begin on

Wednesday, September 18th, and continue on the 3rd Wednesday of each month until June. 

Please come and join us

In the past 12 years we have made over 25,000 dresses and shorts for girls and boys around the world and here in the United States. To provide a brand new dress or a pair of shorts to the poor and disadvantaged or those suffering from disasters is our way of providing a little joy, hope, and the belief that God is in their lives. 

We’re so proud of the women at CTK and our community who continue their work in making our dresses and shorts available to these children. We thank also those who donate fabric, sewing machines and, of course, your dollars to our efforts. 



If you feel you’d like to get involved in this very fun and worthwhile group, please join us on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the CTK Parish Hall. For more information, please call Carol Vogl at (925) 288-0488.

*Saturday, Sept. 14 - Walking with Moms in Need/St. Bonaventure Parish. Flyer here.

*Saturday, Sept. 21 - ICF Annual Fall Dinner at CTK

*Friday & Saturday, Sept. 27 & 28 - CTK School Festival

*Sunday, Oct. 6 - Janet Sullivan Whitaker. Celebrating Our Lady. Flyer here.

*Sunday, Oct. 20 - CTK - SS Second Annual Parish Picnic. Details soon.

*Saturday, Oct. 26 - Women's Retreat 9am to 3pm/St. Stephen Parish Hall

*Friday/Saturday/Sunday, Nov. 8, 9, & 10 Christ Light Weekend, St. Stephen Church

Join Singles for Christ/Contra Costa

Christian Life Program

Weekly on Sundays from 3pm-5pm

St. Stephen Church through Oct. 27

Questions? SFCContraCosta@gmail.com

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



“Some people brought a man who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing hand on him.” Keep in mind that the folks in this gospel story lived in Tyre, a land in southern Lebanon, outside the Jewish sphere of influence. At that time in history, most societies had no honorable place for anyone not physically “perfect.” Read More

Tour With Fr. Paulson to Vietnam and Cambodia!

February - 2025

With Extension Trip to India

For more information and a brochure

Email us at office@ctkph.org

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

Or regular and/or second collections.

CTK Weekday Masses

Monday - Friday

9am Mass

(9am Masses will be livestreamed)

CTK Weekend Masses

Saturday

9am and 4pm Vigil

(Saturday 4pm Mass will be livestreamed)

CTK Sunday Masses

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

(10:30am Mass will be livestreamed).

Readings for Sunday Mass Here

Links to our services (livestreamed 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 Saturday before the 5pm mass at St. Stephen.

CTK Thursday Morning Mass - 9am - Honoring our Mother of Perpetual Help, Worship Aide Here (Also livestreamed).

The Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Prayer on the Birthday of Mary

September 8th

Impart to your servants, we pray, O Lord,

the gift of heavenly grace,

that the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

may bring deeper peace

to those for whom the birth of her Son

was the dawning of salvation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

Amen