Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
September 9, 2020
Keeping Us Connected
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A Letter From Our Pastor - Fr. Paulson |
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Dear Friends,
There seems to be a day of the year for nearly everything — from National Donut and Wine Days, to what we just observed a couple of days ago - Labor Day which pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. During the next couple of weeks, I invite you to appreciate the labor of love from our parish staff. Willie Nelson said, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” It is time to count the blessings that our parish staff brings to CTK and St. Stephen and to the many friends and visitors to our communities.
If there is any group of people who feel unappreciated, it is the staff of a large church. I have worked on many diocesan councils and committees for years, and only once has my shepherd stopped me after the meeting as I was leaving and told me how much he appreciated my presence and honest opinions on various matters. All afternoon I thought about what he said. I went home and shared that with my colleague and went to work the next day with a positive attitude. His words gave me reason to drive to downtown and back, even when the traffic was terrible. I never realized how much I appreciated ‘words of affirmation.’ My boss definitely spoke his primary language of appreciation.
During the past 6 months, our Church staff has worked very hard. They were open, flexible, and resourceful. We (two parish communities) could not have accomplished what we have done without their input, engagement, and enthusiasm to step out of their comfort zone and embrace change. I am so proud of them and you should be, too. As I have stated often, we have one of the best staffs in the diocese. They have a servant heart and open spirit which allow them to share burdens with one another. The team spirit among our staff is commendable. We have no lone rangers among us, and we spend no time and energy on turf wars. They delegate, they empower and celebrate success.
Mark Twain once said, “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” It is important for all of us to know that we have individuals here at CTK and St. Stephen who are honest, trustworthy, and transparent. And of course, the finest thing I love about each one of them is that they are very spiritual. I am sharing these sentiments from my heart in appreciation of our parish staff who have exhibited great leadership and managerial skills at a time of pandemic and uncertainty. In addition to ministering in a crazy and unpredictable time, they have taken upon themselves other important tasks, such as updating our parish registry to enhance our ability to communicate and minister effectively.
I would love to celebrate our parish staff for the next two weeks and invite you to express your affection and gratitude for them through cards or calls or any way you wish. These folks deserve hearing a word of affirmation from you - whom they serve in so many ways! The Music on the Lawn this Saturday is dedicated to our amazing staff. Thank you!
Pope Francis will travel to Assisi Oct. 3 to sign an encyclical titled “Fratelli Tutti” in Italian or “Brothers and Sisters All” on the social, political and economic obligations that flow from a belief that all people are children of God and therefore brothers and sisters to one another. The encyclical will include themes that are core to the Pope’s teaching and practice: human fraternity, the equal dignity of all people, the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods and the obligation of solidarity. Care for the environment and the virtue of peacemaking also are expected to be part of the encyclical.
Conventual Franciscan Fr. Mauro Gambetti, custodian of the Assisi convent, said: "The pope is clearly inspired by Francis of Assisi who, in following Jesus, recognized in fraternity, lived under the sign of mutual and loving service, the horizon of a fulfilled and happy humanity.”
Fr. Paulson
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Events Happening at CTK this Weekend |
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60th Jubilee of Religious Life
Saturday, Sept. 12 - 5pm Mass
Join us this Saturday, September 12 at the 5pm outdoor mass as we joyfully celebrate 60 years of religious life for Sr. Carmel Garcia and Sr. Marietta Fahey. It will also be streamed live.
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Music on the Lawn
Saturday, Sept. 12
After the 5pm Mass
After the Jubilee Celebration stay on for Music on the Lawn.
Bring your chairs, wine, snacks and enjoy a warm summer night while listening to great music. Invite the entire family and tell your friends!
The musical theme for the night will be Show Tunes. The cost is free!
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Interfaith Musical Service
Sunday, Sept. 13 - 7pm to 8pm
Jewish & Muslim/Sufi Sacred Songs from the Middle East and North Africa.
All are welcome to join us on the lawn. Please be sure to bring your own chairs, and wear masks. You are also invited to bring your own food and drink as well.
The cost is free!
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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!
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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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Thursday, September 10, at 5pm
We welcome Bryan Hill,
Chief of Police of the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
Chief Hill will be interviewed by Fr. Paulson.
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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CTK Alumni on the Front Lines |
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CTK Alumni, Justin Hemje (Class of 2004) and Mark Blattler (Class of 2006) have been on the front lines in battling the California Wildfires during these past weeks. Justin was on the SCU Fire Complex and is currently fighting the wildfire at the North Fire Complex in Northern California. Mark is located in Southern California and battled the Lake Fire in Santa Clarita. We as a community will pray for your safety and for the safety of all the firefighters who are fighting these wildfires. |
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Dear CTK Religious Education Parents,
Welcome back to CTK Religious Education. As with your children’s other education programs, Religious Education will look a bit different this year. We will still hold weekly sessions, via ZOOM, with your children, where catechists will present the highlights of the lesson that should be taught each week. Since your children are being deluged with multiple ZOOM sessions weekly, or even daily, we will limit our sessions with catechists to 30 minutes read more
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Please Pick Up Your Offertory Envelopes |
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For Those Of You Who Receive Offertory Envelopes:
Offertory Envelopes are available for pick up. Our office is open Monday through Friday 9am to 1pm. After the weekend masses, a staff member can assist you in getting your envelopes. If you cannot pick them up during these times, call us at 925-682-2486.
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Our weekly church bulletin will be available on our Facebook Page and our website by the end of the week.
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Outdoor Masses This Weekend Both In Our
Parking Lot And The Grass Area
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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
New - (Sunday) 12 noon Spanish Mass
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
New - Our daily mass can now be viewed on our YouTube channel
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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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Weekly Reflection On Sunday Readings |
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24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
Forgiveness dominates as the theme of this week’s readings. We all pray that our
God will forgive us, but the Scriptures will show us forgiveness is a two-sided coin..... read more
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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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Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
September 15th
Our mother of sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore him in your arms, mourning and weeping.
We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of his passion.
Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love.
Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Amen!
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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