Last weekend was rather crazy with lightning and thunder, an announced drizzle and mighty winds that caused some damage to our outdoor sanctuary as well as brought down a tree near the junior high school. Even though it affected the morning services, I was so thrilled we could do the Spanish mass. We had a wonderful mass with great music. The folks who came were so grateful to our communities for thinking about them. Most of them told me with tears of joy that this was their first mass and communion in 5 months. I would like to invite you to check out the Spanish mass and show your love and support for this community once in a while.

This Saturday, we will honor Sr. Carmel Garcia, CSJ and Sr. Marietta Fahey, SHF who are celebrating 60 years of religious life at the 5pm Mass. There will be two other nuns who will also join us to celebrate their anniversaries as they have had no opportunity to share God’s blessings with anyone during this pandemic. There will be at least a dozen nuns who will join these Jubilarians in prayer. Sr. Carmel Garcia will be our speaker this Thursday at 5.00pm for our interview series.

Catholic nuns have made profound contributions around the world, including here in the US. Most histories of the Catholic Church in America are written about men. Priests, bishops and cardinals are credited with building the nation’s largest churches. But, in fact, women were the face of America’s parochial schools, Catholic hospitals and churches. They have been ambassadors of social justice in a world where today justice has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. For every priest in the United States, there were at least three nuns in the past. Yet, their profound impact on the building of the foundations of America is rarely discussed.

Christ the King School opened in 1961, with four classes, of fifty children each. The faculty consisted of Sister Geraldine Mary, now known as Sister Patricia, Sr. Susan Marie, now Sr. Marianna, Sr. Noreen, and Sister Claire Marie. Each year after that a grade was added until in June 1966, the first class graduated. Over the years, sisters from various congregations have ministered at CTK either as staff or as volunteers. We are blessed to have Sr. Dominic with us as a Pastoral associate and other sisters who grace us with their presence every week.

This week, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious held a digital summit looking into the future of women religious, and to elevate social justice issues that are at the heart of the caring nuns. The leadership team called this a "crucible moment," as the country and world are grappling with the convergence of a global pandemic, systemic racism, climate change and an unknown future for religious congregations. They presented three initiatives that are intended to respond to those challenges: A five-year commitment to work on dismantling racism; a designated fund to support the future of religious life in the United States; and a national conversation on the emerging future of religious life.

Starting this Saturday, we will offer outdoor reconciliation from 3.00pm to 3.30pm. Privacy will be offered for the reconciliation. There will be someone outside, who will guide you to the confessionals. While respecting the sacredness of the sacrament, safety will be our top priority. If you are still unable to come due to the virus, keep approaching God’s throne of mercy by examining your conscience often and praying the act of contrition for now. Our God is Good and Forgiving.

As the pandemic continues to rage and ravage so many lives in our world and our nation, Pope Francis has invited us to be witnesses to the experience of God’s beauty. “In the past few months we have experienced that dimension of amazement that takes the form of compassion in the presence of suffering, fragility and the precariousness of existence… This noble human sentiment has prompted doctors and nurses to face the grave challenge of the coronavirus with unwavering dedication and admirable commitment. The same sentiment, full of affection for their students, has enabled many teachers to embrace the fatigue of distance learning, ensuring the completion of the school year. And equally it has allowed many to find in the faces and in the presence of family members the strength to face discomfort and difficulties.”

As many have requested, here’s a video link to last Wednesday’s Conversation on Social Justice and the Role of the Faith Community, hosted by the City of Pleasant Hill. Our CTK pastor, Fr. Paulson joined as a member of the panel.

Please spread the word! We have a new Sunday outdoor mass in Spanish at 12 noon. It will also be streamed live on our Facebook page. Everyone is invited, so let them know. Bring your mask and your own chair, and we look forward to Sunday!

¡Anuncio! Tenemos una nueva misa dominical al aire libre en Español a las 12 PM. También se transmitirá en vivo en nuestra página de Facebook. Todos están invitados, así que avísales. ¡Traiga su máscara y su propia silla, y nos esperamos el domingo!

At Saturday's 5pm mass and Sunday's 6pm mass we confirmed our first group of teens. We will confirm the rest of our confirmandi during the next 2 weekends. Congratulations to our newly confirmed!

We are in the process of updating our parish database with current information including phone numbers, emails, etc. Please click the link below to fill out the digital form to update your information.

We are continuing our small group Zoom "Welcome Parties” to facilitate introducing to the parish our new priest, Fr. Lee. Our next meeting will be:

CTK: Welcome@ctkph.org

St. Stephen: SaintStephenWC@gmail.com

Join us on Saturday, August 29 after the 5pm mass where you can enjoy listening to live music on the lawn. Bring your own chair, wine and snacks. Sit back and enjoy a summer evening with music. More details in next week's newsletter.

After our speaker, stay on for our 6pm weekly mass where we honor Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Worship Aide Here

An underlying message among this week’s scripture readings: a divine preference for the poor—in spirit, in the social order, and in the eyes of all who suffer injustice... read more

If you would like to make a donation for our technology/outdoor fund, we would be most grateful! Your donation would go toward enhancing our live streaming of masses and ministry for our parishioners, as well as a comfortable outdoor space. Please click the button below to donate. You can always write a check and mail it to CTK.