Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
September 16, 2020
Keeping Us Connected
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Picture taken by Fr. Lee last Wednesday, Sept. 9th, at 9:30am
when our skies had an orange color from the wildfire smoke
and made our day looked like night.
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A Letter From Our Pastor - Fr. Paulson |
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Dear Friends,
Tom Peters, a management Guru wrote a series of books on leadership and one of his first was The Tom Peters Seminar: Crazy Times Call for Crazy Organizations. He writes his theses in these words: “And if times are crazy, well, then, what makes sense than crazy organizations? But if you grant me that premise, then you have to conclude that our principle organizational problem today is the lack of craziness. In short, we are trying to use sane organizations to cope with an insane business world”. I have always kept these words close to my heart.
It is so hard to navigate through these unpredictable times, and I want to thank you for your understanding and patience. Last weekend is a great example of how topsy-turvy times can be. I was looking forward to the weekend of masses, music on the Lawn, celebrating jubilees of the sisters and an Inter-Faith music liturgy on Sunday evening after confirmations. And we had to cancel all of them and opt instead for the safety and good health of all of us.
An important asset during this turbulent time is managing our human imagination to bring relevance to our faith, imagination as a bridge to the sacred. Samuel Coleridge described the creative imagination as, among other things, the threshold between self and not-self, between mind and matter. It is therefore the source of wholeness in the spiritual life. St. Ignatius teaches us that our imagination can actually help us pray when we purposefully engage our senses. No matter where you are, use the God given gift of imagination to discover the glory of God in His sanctuary, which is the beautiful world around us. Jesus taught and prayed sometimes the entire night on the hills. Let us not bemoan what we are missing, but be delighted in what we are discovering each day, using our imagination to reach God.
The Catholic church has rarely embraced the concept of human imagination in its life and worship, as we are very much defined by our traditions of 2000 years. In his book, The Circle of Innovation, Tom Peters has attention-grabbing chapter titles that remind us of how we should deal with our times: “We are all Michelangelo's,” and “You can’t live life without an eraser.”
In this time of chaos and rapid change, church leaders are feeling lost, and are trying to bring back the normal, that I believe is probably 2 years away. This week, Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect general for Divine Worship and the Sacraments sent a letter to the presidents of bishops’ conferences worldwide stating, "As soon as circumstances permit, however, it is necessary and urgent to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the church building as its home and the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist." I can feel a sense of urgency in his tone, and nostalgia to return to what was normal.
The Archbishop of San Francisco has called Catholics to participate in Eucharistic processions across the city on Sept. 20, and to attend socially distant Masses outside city hall - in part to protest the city’s revised limits on public worship. Cordileone said the archdiocese has ordered 100 banners in English, 15 in Spanish, and 5 in Chinese that read: “We Are Essential: Free the Mass!” I hope and pray that San Francisco Catholics can find a way to worship God and celebrate sacraments in a way that is safe and reverent. And I pray for that gift for each one of us. I know God is in control and I am not afraid.
“Think about it: The coronavirus may be the biggest religion story of our lifetime. It raises metaphysical questions: Why is this happening? How did it happen? What does it mean? The virus has steered many people of faith to prayer. The virus also confronts us with moral decisions every time we walk out of the house: Do I wear a mask? Should I go to the supermarket? How can I help my neighbor and not endanger myself?”
There are great examples in history that would help us in these topsy-turvy times. The church historian Eusebius describes a fourth century epidemic that swept through the Roman Empire. Far from fleeing the cities or shutting off their homes from others, Eusebius records that all day long Christians tended to the dying and to the burial, countless numbers with no one to care for them. Others gathered together from all parts of the city a multitude of those withered from famine and distributed bread to them all. As a result, Eusebius concludes, “[the Christians’] deeds were on everyone's lips, and they glorified the God of the Christians.”
This is our moment. Let’s show who we really are, as Christians in our day. I believe serving and loving others as Christ himself has served us through his death and resurrection is central to our faith — even when it involves personal risk and cost.
Fr. Paulson
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Events at CTK Rescheduled |
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Due to the unhealthy air quality, all events over the past weekend were cancelled. Below please find the new event dates/times:
60th Jubilee of Religious Life - Saturday, Sept. 26 - 5 pm Mass
Music on the Lawn - Saturday, Sept. 26 - After the 5pm mass
Teen Confirmation Ceremony - Sunday, Sept. 27 - 6pm Mass
Interfaith Musical Worship Service - Postponed
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Our front office looks a little different these days. For the safety of our staff and parishioners, we have installed a plexiglass shield at the reception area, and we wear masks. Our front office is also sanitized in the morning and the afternoon. We have one staff member available Monday - Friday from 9am to 1pm. The rest of our staff continues to work remotely from home. Please call or come by if we can help you in anyway. Thank you for the kind words of appreciation and cards you sent this week, we really appreciate it.
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A Thank You to Fr. Paulson |
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In last week’s newsletter Fr. Paulson expressed his appreciation for our parish staff - for our flexibility and continuing work over the past months. We – as a staff – wish to express our deepest gratitude to Fr. Paulson for his outstanding leadership in shepherding our parish communities during this most challenging time. Read More
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Thursday, September 17, at 5pm
We welcome Staff Members,
Sr. Dominic, who will discuss baptisms and funerals and answer any questions you have.
Deacon John Ashmore, who will inform us about the upcoming year and what Faith Formation looks like for grades 1-8, and
High School Youth Group and Confirmation.
Chris Lang, who will update us on St. Stephen Parish.
Join us on Facebook Live or YouTube
and submit your questions.
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Thursday, 6pm Outdoor Mass
Honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Either on the lawn, in your car,
or in your home on Facebook Live or YouTube.
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Faith Formation Registration |
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Dear Parents of CTK Elementary and High School Aged Students,
How’s the pandemic affecting children’s mental health? While we understandably worry about their physical health, the increase in mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are also a serious concern....
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CTK's New YouTube Channel |
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As we work to expand our online presence, we are excited to announce that we can now livestream masses and other events to both Facebook and YouTube on our channel there (CTKPH Online). Nothing changes with respect to finding us on Facebook, but YouTube allows us to reach more of you on more devices (like SmartTVs) and keep archived content available in High Definition video formats. As the channel grows in use, YouTube offers us even more flexibility in what we can offer. You can help by subscribing to the channel “CTKPH Online” on www.YouTube.com and don’t forget to hit the Bell icon so you will be notified anytime we upload new content or “Go Live” on the channel! You can also click the image and go to our channel.
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Are you a caregiver for a family member?
Are you dedicated to caring for others?
Nourish is a New Ministry for Caregivers
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 7:00 PM on Zoom
Repeats every third Wednesday of the month until December 16, 2020
Zoom Links:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83759720206
Meeting ID: 837 5972 0206
Find your local call in number
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keHkczBoCM
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The Pope Invites us to Join - Season of Creation |
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The Season of Creation, September 1-October 4, is a worldwide Christian event, which Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to participate in. The season is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through repenting, repairing, and rejoicing together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
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Weekly Reflection on Sunday Readings |
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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
What about those who do not believe in God, let alone “call upon him”?
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Parish Registration Update |
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We are in the process of updating our parish database with current information including phone numbers, emails, etc. If you haven't done so yet, please click the link below to fill out the digital form to update your information. Thank you for your help.
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You shop - Amazon gives to
Christ the King Church - It's that easy!
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support CTK Church by shopping online at AmazonSmile. This quarter we have received $127 just from parishioners; and we thank you!
2. On your first visit, select your charity by searching for Christ the King Church 94523. Amazon Smile will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. Please note that the Amazon app and amazon.com do not qualify for donations so you must start at smile.amazon.com. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to shop and earn donations.
3. Start shopping, and thanks for your support!
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No Reservations or Sign Ups Required
You can get out of your car and onto the grass
(Bring your own chairs/blankets)
Face Masks are required
Or continue to stay in the comfort of your car - tune into FM 106.7
All masses will be live streamed on Facebook
(except the 7:30am Sunday morning mass)
New - 5pm Saturday and 10:30am Sunday Masses
are now available to view on our YouTube Channel
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Weekday Mass:
Thursdays 6pm
Weekend Masses:
Saturday - 5pm
Sunday - 7:30am, 9am,10:30am, 12noon (Spanish) & 6pm
7:30am mass will take place outside, on the patio, in front of the church
Song Sheet for Masses Here
Spanish Mass Worship Aide/Guía de Adoración Here
Readings for Sunday Mass Here
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Drive-Thru Holy Communion
Every Sunday 11:30am to 12 noon
In front of the church
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Streaming Live on Facebook and
our YouTube Channel
Monday - Saturday
9am - Chapel Mass
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5:40pm - Holy Rosary - On Facebook
(except Thursdays, Sat. & Sun.)
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Sacrament of Reconciliation
Private Confessions will continue every Saturday from
3pm to 3:30pm.
Please meet in front of the church.
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St. Stephen Church - Outdoor Mass |
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St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct
Walnut Creek 94597
Sunday - Mass at 9:30am - Outdoors
Drive Thru Holy Communion - 10:15am
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Thank You for Your Continued Financial Support to CTK and St. Stephen Church |
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Staying Connected
Sunday Offering
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On-Line Giving: (click button below)
Online giving now includes St. Stephen Parish.
We depend upon your contributions!
Thank you again for your donations as we work together to sustain our community now and in the future.
Thank you for your support!
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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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Laborers in God’s Vineyard
Lord Jesus, you came into this world to seek and save the lost.
Show me how to share your loving invitation with them.
Teach me, Good Lord, to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek rest;
to labor without asking for reward,
other than knowing I do your will.
Amen!
Source: Daily Prayers
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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