Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
January 12, 2022
Staying Connected
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Dear Friends,
A friend of mine strongly recommended that I read the book: Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. It’s written by Fr. Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest who has served in the LA projects for over 30 years. He works with gang members, helping them get off the street and lead productive lives. It’s a book full of powerful stories of redemption, forgiveness, resilience, and suffering. For most of the men and women in these neighborhoods, gangs provide the only family and community they have ever known.
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Fr. Boyle tells many remarkable stories that might bring tears to your eyes, in fact my friend made me listen to a couple of stories. There are stories of lives destroyed, of deaths, too many deaths, and of the lives of those young men and boys (and occasionally women) who died. There are stories of great suffering and evil, of families broken apart by drugs, domestic violence, and gangbanging.
While many of us, most of us, perhaps, have been surrounded by love and affirmation, there are others who right now, or perhaps throughout their lives have never heard those words of love. I am recommending this book as our next must read, if you have not yet read it. During the season of Lent, we shall spend a few sessions on “Compassion.”
Recently I read the story about the Salvatorian nuns in Sri Lanka, who are engaged in social apostolates, such as peace building, non-formal education, empowering women and eradicating poverty. Sri Lanka's 1983-2009 civil war between the Tamil and Sinhalese ethnic communities claimed up to 100,000 lives, mainly Tamils seeking a separate state, according to U.N. estimates. The official registry of the Sri Lankan government, however, puts the toll at 40,000. The nuns built more than 200 homes for families from different religious backgrounds.
There are many good things happening in our neighborhood as well. Leaders at Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek said they intend to build six “micro homes” on the church campus just outside Rossmoor. I was privileged to attend one of the information sessions, while serving as a facilitator at one of the tables during the meeting. They informed us that these homes are not the tiny “pallet shelters” or other similar structures seen in other places (notably Oakland) that are little more than sheds in which homeless people can get out of the elements. “What these are, are real homes, very small homes,” with plumbing and power, said Donna Colombo, chairwoman of the Walnut Creek Homeless Task Force. I was deeply touched by the level of compassion lived out by this church.
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Our own St. Vincent de Paul, through your generosity has done immense good last year, reaching out to the poor as well as assisting families with rent, thus keeping many families in their own homes. Our parish has donated over half a million dollars to charity last year, which includes St. Vincent de Paul.
One of the characteristics of the early church that caused it to experience explosive growth was its legendary care for the poor, the needy, and the hungry. The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, said “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” (Prov. 22:9) What an interesting turn of phrase! Normally one thinks of a bountiful hand or a bountiful purse or a bountiful basket. But here Solomon says we must first see the poor before we will share with the poor. Too often we disregard the poor, denigrate the poor, or delegate the poor and the homeless to someone else. Yet one of the marks of Jesus was his constant notice of and compassion for the poor.
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I want to wish Fr. Brian Timoney who turns 91 today (Wednesday, January12) a very Happy Birthday. In all our names, I wish him good health, happiness and many more shots of Irish whiskey.
Fr. Paulson
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As our Parish Prepares for the Synod... |
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Synod Update
Dear Friends,
In previous bulletins we have shared with you the exciting opportunity Pope Francis has offered to all the people of the Church to share their reflections on what the Church has meant to them in their lives and also their concerns, hopes, and dreams for the future of the Church. This is in preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023 and will be accomplished largely through listening sessions beginning at the parish level. This input will help to structure the Synod in a way that responds to the needs and desires of the people. Read More
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On Sunday, January 16, the members of the Filipino Society of Christ the King
invite you to celebrate the
Feast of Santo Niño at the 4 pm mass.
Please bring your Santo Niño statue for a
blessing by the presider.
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Anointing of the Sick
Saturday, January 22 at 10:30 am
"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the Church and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14).
All are welcome to join us for a parish Mass and celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Bring relatives and friends from local care facilities – those who are able to come. Questions?
Sr. Dominic Marie 925-246-1122.
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Our parish office will be closed on
Monday, January 17 in observance of the
Martin Luther King Holiday.
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Enrollment for the 2022-2023 School Year is here!
We are looking forward to meeting the class of 2031 and all those interested in the upcoming school year! Applications are available here and on the school website at ctkschool.org.
Due to Covid-19, we will not have an Open House this year. If you have any questions regarding applications, enrollment or our school, please call our office and we will be able to assist you at 925.685-1109.
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Christ the King CYO track season is coming up!
We are a CYO track program for 2nd through 8th grade boys and girls. Visit here for more
information and how to sign up.
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Congratulations to Jake Rian who was baptized on Saturday.
Welcome to the Christ the King and St. Stephen Family!
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Parents: Jessame & Richard
Baby: Jake Rian
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Congratulations to Owen and Deborah Lee who received the
blessing of the Sacrament of Marriage.
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Weekly Reflections on Sunday Readings |
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Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Some Christians feel so moved by the Holy Spirit that they praise God with words understood by no one, not even the one receiving them. Paul praises the Church of Corinth for manifesting spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, including tongues and prophecy. Read More
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January is the Month
of the Holy Name of Jesus
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The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.”
According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.
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All Masses are Inside the Church.
Face Masks are required.
Weekday Masses
9am Mass - Monday - Friday
(9am Masses will be livestreamed)
6pm - Thursdays (Rosary begins at 5:40pm)
(Rosary and Mass will be livestreamed)
Weekend Masses
Saturday
9am and 4pm Vigil
(Saturday 4pm Mass will be livestreamed)
Sunday
7:30am, 9am, 10:30am and 4pm
(10:30am Mass will be livestreamed).
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Worship Aide for Mass - Jan. 15/16 Here
Readings for Sunday Mass Here
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Links to our services (live or archived) can be found at ctkph.org
or clicking the Facebook or YouTube images below.
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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
Holy Rosary - Livestreamed on Facebook at 5:40pm, Monday - Friday
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St. Stephen Church - Masses |
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St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek 94597
Saturday - Mass 5pm
Sunday - Mass at 9:30am
Worship Aide for mass can be found Here
St. Stephen Daily Mass: Monday - Friday at 8am
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Thank You for Your Continued Financial Support to CTK and St. Stephen Church |
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On-Line Giving: (click button below)
We depend upon your contributions!
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Offertory Envelopes and
Paper Checks
Can be sent directly to:
Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Offertory Envelopes and
Paper Checks
Can be sent directly to:
St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
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Upcoming Second Collections
January 16/17 - Social Justice Project
January 30 - St. Vincent DePaul
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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