Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
September 23, 2020
Keeping Us Connected
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A Letter From Our Pastor - Fr. Paulson |
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Dear Friends,
I recently read an article on transformational leadership by Nancy Sylvester, and I was struck by her thrust. “We are all connected, we just are not awake to it.” I particularly enjoyed a quote from Thomas Merton., a Trappist monk, who famously wrote about his experience at the corner of Fourth and Walnut in Louisville, Kentucky:
“I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world. ... And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun. ... If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time. There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed.”
Bishop Barber has established a committee on Racial Justice and Equality under the leadership of Fr. Leo Edgerly. Three of us from CTK including myself are part of this group, and we will be meeting on zoom for the first time this evening. Kindly keep our church, especially our diocese and our leaders in your prayer.
Although "church" has often been referred to as a building or organization, the original Greek ekklesia meant "a gathering, assembly" which is what God designed the church to be—a group of people, a body of believers defined by love. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1Cor 12: 12-13) The future of our church and world depends on transformational leaders who can bring forth in us new ways of addressing the common good amidst difficult choices. We need to remind ourselves constantly that we are all one, we are all connected and we are God’s children.
On October 4, people all over the world will be celebrating the feast day of the Patron Saint of Animals, St. Francis of Assisi. It’s customary that in remembrance of St. Francis’s love for all creatures, animals are brought to churches for a special blessing. Next weekend, October 3rd and 4th, you can attend church outdoors with your animals secured next to you. At the end of all the masses, the priests will go around blessing the animals.
I look forward to celebrating jubilees of the Sisters this Saturday at 5pm, followed by Music on the Lawn. I am also eager to celebrate the confirmation of our youth on Sunday at 6pm. May God bless our communities.
Fr. Paulson
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Events at CTK this Saturday |
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60th Jubilee of Religious Life
Saturday, Sept. 26
5pm Mass
After 2 different delays, join us this Saturday, at the 5pm outdoor mass as we joyfully celebrate 60 years of religious life for Sr. Carmel Garcia, and Sr. Marietta Fahey. We also remember Sr. Beverly Flynn who celebrates 70 years. It will be streamed live on both Facebook and YouTube.
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Music on the Lawn
Saturday, Sept. 26
After the 5pm Mass
After the Jubilee Celebration stay on for Music on the Lawn! Bring your chairs, wine, snacks and enjoy a warm night while listening to great music. Invite the entire family and tell your friends! The musical theme for the night will be Show Tunes.
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Blessing of the Animals - Oct. 3 & 4 |
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Blessing of the Animals
Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi
Saturday/Sunday, October 3 & 4
We will have the Blessing of the Animals at Saturday's 5pm mass and Sunday's 9am, 10:30am and 6pm masses. Please sit in the back part of the lawn with your pets and the blessing will be at the end of mass. Be sure your pet is on a leash or in a cage.
St. Stephen Church will also have the Blessing of the Animals at the 9:30am Outdoor Mass on Sunday, October 4th.
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Thursday, September 24
Our speaker will be Scott Chavez, M.Div., Outreach and Training Lead at Contra Costa Crisis Center.
The Contra Costa Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization, committed to provide free 24/7 services to everyone in need. It has provided crisis support for 55 years, including 24/7 crisis lines, the 211 information and referral line, and grief counseling.
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A Blessing for our Parish! |
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As you head to church this weekend you will see a big beautiful tent on our lawn. We have been blessed with the use of this tent for the next six months to get us through the winter. It comes from generous people who are holding the funeral of a beloved friend from St. Columba Church in Oakland. They are so grateful to be able to use our facilities and we are so grateful for their gift. |
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Faith Formation Registration |
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Faith Formation Registration for K-8 and High School Youth Group and Confirmation is open.
Beginning next month we will be offering our
Faith Formation classes over Zoom.
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Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
Earlier this year, the USCCB released videos to inspire prayer and action in political life. A series of videos complement Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: the bishops’ teaching document for the faithful on the political responsibility of Catholics. The goal is to help the faithful participate in public life, prioritize faith over partisan politics, engage with civility and respond to pressing issues of the day. Here
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Weekly Reflection on Sunday Readings |
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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
This weekend’s Scriptures call us to humility and honesty regarding our weaker moments...
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Formed.org is "Catholic Faith On Demand."
Similar to Netflix, Formed.org gives you access to Catholic movies, audio books, radio talks, podcasts, studies and much more! It's all at your fingertips! CTK/St. Stephen parishes have purchased a subscription as a gift to our parishioners. Please go to formed.org. You will need to create a login.
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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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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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Thursday, 6pm Outdoor Mass
Honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Either on the lawn, in your car,
or in your home on Facebook or YouTube.
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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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Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul
September 27
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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