Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
April 27, 2022
Staying Connected
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Dear Friends,
Good News! We have completed our Synodality listening sessions, coordinated a comprehensive report through the assistance of an independent group and we have sent the reports to the Vatican, USCCB Office and the diocese of Oakland including Bishop Barber. Bishop Barber wrote to me a personal email thanking us for the report. In a letter to the priests, Bishop Barber wrote: “As we begin to learn about the reports from the Synod listening sessions, we see the Holy Spirit moving strongly in our diocese. We know we have challenges, but we also know we have many dedicated lay people inspired by the Holy Spirit to join with us in envisioning our future. We hope you can channel this dedication and enthusiasm as we move through this next phase of the Mission Alignment Process, a consultative phase with our parishes’ leadership.”
The preparatory documents for the 2021-23 Synod of Bishops on synodality make it clear: Bishops the world over are called to make "every effort" to consult and listen to those who feel "excluded or marginalized" from society and the church. "If we believe in the imago Dei, that the image of God is in everyone, then if we do not hear from those voices, we are not hearing from the entire body of Christ. And that's our loss," said Mary O'Meara, the executive director of the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry for the Archdiocese of Washington. One of our leaders of the Synod Committee has taken upon himself the summer task of reaching out to those excluded or marginalized, and I hope we can also listen to them.
Pope Francis’ quest for a renewed church is very clear from the question he asked, "What does the Holy Spirit expect of the church in the 21st century? We can sit around and look inward, but if we're not hearing from everyone, we won't know how we can get the Gospel out today." I am hoping and praying that we will have another Vatican II moment, one more powerful and transformative than the first because that is how the Holy Spirit works. We have an example in the Pentecost. There is no room for fear, we must face it and move forward. Let us continue to pray.
The final report from Christ the King and St. Stephen is complete. On behalf of our parish communities, I would like to thank Jim Briggs, Stan Fitzgerald, Chris Lang and the entire Synod team that worked hard on this project. I have learned a lot from this report and our Leadership Councils will work together to make our parishes, a better church. Please click the link to access the entire report here.
Want to feel closer to God at Mass? Sit in the front pew. I read this article in the America Magazine written by Neil Fulton. I am sharing the first two paragraphs for your interest.
“Almost 15 years ago, when our oldest son was born, my wife and I started to sit near the front of the sanctuary consistently for Mass. Our thinking was that the ability to see and hear the activity at the altar would help to hold the attention of a fidgety child. The addition of two more boisterous boys (and their growth from infants to toddlers to teens) has tested our theory, but it has remained a sound practice for our family.”
“I must confess to having allowed my own mind to wander on many Sundays. So, I was pleased to find that the practice of sitting in the front pew also has helped to focus my own wandering mind. Sitting in the front pews has allowed me to hear clearly the exchange between the priest and the faithful as the latter receive the Eucharist. I often become engrossed listening to the repetition of the priest and eucharistic ministers saying, “the body of Christ,” and the recipients responding, “Amen.”
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Please keep Fr. Brian Timoney’s family in your prayers. His brother, Sean Timoney (pictured here) passed away on Tuesday. Fr. Brian was able to reach home in Ireland, in time to administer the sacrament of anointing to him.
Congratulations to our children who will receive First Communion during the next two weeks. Thank you to all our catechists for their generous ministry. Thank you, Deacon John, for your leadership.
Fr. Paulson
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You are invited to join us on Wednesday, May 11th at 7pm in the Parish Hall to an open meeting for any parishioner who wishes to discuss the Parish Synodality Report and what happens next.
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Happy Birthday and
Many Blessings to our
Associate Pastor
Fr. Lee!
Fr. Lee celebrates his birthday on
Sunday, May 1st.
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Join us for a
Cinco De Mayo Celebration!
Thursday, May 5 at 6pm
On the lawn at Christ the King
We will have Mexican Food and a Live Mariachi Band!
Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children
To purchase tickets click here
or stop by the parish office to purchase tickets.
Last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, May 3rd
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Our teens attended a weekend retreat in preparation for Confirmation. |
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Congratulations to baby Nico who was baptized recently
Welcome to the Christ the King and St. Stephen Family!
Parents: Dominique & Carlo
Baby: Nico Gilbert
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Congratulations to Seanna Shiflett who
celebrated her quinceañera at CTK on Saturday.
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Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
3rd Sunday of Easter
If this post-resurrection story were put to music, an appropriate title might be, “Breakfast on the Beach with Jesus.” . Read More
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Please join us outside after mass this weekend
to sign a letter to Congress.
Bread for the World is advocating this year for:
Global Nutrition and Child Tax Credit
See flyer for more information here
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Healing Mass
We will have our next healing mass on
Saturday, June 11 at 10:30am in the church.
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Paving Project For Parking Lots |
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Fellow Parishioners,
As you may know, the pavement at both Christ the King Church and St. Stephen is reaching its end of life. We need to replace this pavement for both safety and long-term useability of our facilities. Because the amount of pavement is around 190,000 square feet this replacement will be a major project. The preliminary cost estimate for this work is $1.5 million. Read More
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Make the switch to REALM Giving
To get started follow these steps:
1) Create your REALM account and set up online giving here
2) Delete your old online giving account by clicking here
3) If you need help contact the parish office, we are here for you!
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To donate a one-time/on-line donation. |
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If you do not wish to give on-line,
you can continue to contribute using your offertory envelopes.
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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 |
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Upcoming Second Collections
May 1– Catholic Education
May 8 - Catholic Communications
May 15 - Catholic Charities
May 22 - Youth Ministry
May 29 - St. Vincent de Paul
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All Masses are Inside the Church.
Face Masks are encouraged.
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 - April 30/May 1 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 April 30/May 1 Here
St. Stephen Daily Mass: Monday - Friday at 8am
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Feast Day Of St. Catherine |
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St. Catherine of Siena
April 29
St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was born in Siena, Italy, the 24th of 25 children born to a wealthy wool dyer and his wife. Catherine began having profound mystical experiences at the age of six which encouraged her in a life of virtue, extreme penance, and total consecration to God through a private vow of virginity. She became a Dominican Tertiary at the age of 16 while continuing to live in the home of her parents.
She had regular mystical visits from, and conversations with, Jesus, Mary, and many of the saints. Catherine had no formal education and was illiterate, yet her theological knowledge acquired through prayer astounded learned theologians. She was especially devoted to working for the unity and spiritual health of the Church. Among her most famous accomplishments was that she persuaded the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon in 1377. She also encouraged him to call for a Crusade to the Holy Land. She was an important political figure in her day, often entering into negotiations between warring rulers through personal visits and dictated letters. Her practical wisdom and profound spiritual insight was widely sought both inside and outside the Church. St. Catherine was a great mystic and was granted the stigmata which was made visible only after her death. She died in Rome at the age of 33, offering her life to God for the sanctification of the Church, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1970. St. Catherine of Siena is the patron saint of Italy and Europe. Her feast day is April 29th.
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" |
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