Christ the King Church
195A Brandon Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Parish Newsletter
December 28, 2022
Staying Connected
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Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! A week ago, we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and God’s fulfillment of his promise of a Savior! At the beginning of this New Year with its uncertainties and challenges, we should renew our hope and trust in God’s goodness, guidance, and faithfulness. So, my New Year’s message is: Our Hope in God will not Disappoint us.”
As we begin this new year my mind turns to those Eastern travelers 2000 years ago who saw a star in the sky, set out on an uncharted journey which took them through different lands and peoples, and eventually found a King. Not the sort of king expected but One who opened up new horizons for the whole world. One who offers us love, forgiveness and a way back to God.
What sort of journey will you take this year? Remember, it is not so much us walking with God but rather God walking with us. So, no matter what twists and turns the road takes, or even if we slip from following in God’s Way, He will never give up on us and will never let us walk alone. The following verses from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, seem to offer us the light of a star to guide us as we navigate our journey in the year to come.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4: 4-7)
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The new year will bring new hopes and dreams for both CTK and St. Stephen as we now embark on a new journey of merging together. We will transition into the reality of being one parish with two campuses. While each campus will retain its own identity, we will be one parish family, worshiping together and supporting one another.
The Apostle Paul taught there is “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Eph. 4:4–5). The Psalmist declared “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1).
God is a champion for merging - bringing diverse people together into a beautiful mosaic that reflects what heaven will look like on earth. Merging is harmonious with the heart of God, the principles of Scripture, and the ideal of more effectively using the resources God has provided. To me, the merge represents far more than an action taken to survive. We should be motivated by a strong, future-oriented sense of mission to grow and flourish together in His service. Could we accomplish more together than separately? The answer is Yes!
I have also observed new parishioners who come to us from the adjoining cities because they love our culture and the sense of welcome. Pope Francis writes: “With the advent of the digital age, especially post-Covid, “the territorial configuration of the parish must confront a peculiar characteristic of our contemporary world. Increased mobility and the digital culture have expanded the confines of parish existence. Today, people are less associated with a definite and immutable geographic context.” We now live in a “global and pluralistic village. The concept of space, language, and behavior” has been altered…” especially in the younger generation.”
May God bless us this year, and may He enable us to be a “house among houses,” (Pope John Paul II) a place where the Word of God is heard, studied and applied in daily lives. Happy New Year!
Fr. Paulson
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Feast of the Holy Family
Friday, December 30, Mass Times - 8am at St. Stephen Church
and 9am at CTK.
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New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 31
Vigil for the Solemnity of Mary,
Mother of God
Mass Time: 4pm
St. Stephen Church - Mass Time: 5:00pm
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New Year’s Day
Sunday, January 1
The Solemnity of Mary,
Mother of God
Mass Times: 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am & 4pm
St. Stephen Church - Mass Time: 9:30am
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Our Parish Offices will be closed on
Friday, December 30 and Monday, January 2nd.
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You are invited to Fr. Timoney's
92nd Birthday Celebration!
Thursday, January 12th
St. Stephen Church and Parish Hall
5:30pm Mass Followed by Wine Tasting
See Flyer for more information here
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Feast of Mary, Mother of Jesus
Welcome to our weekly reflections on
the Sunday Scriptures.
“Mary treasured all these words,” because every event of her life matched the way God revealed the divine plan, more so now that she lived with the child whose coming she consented to of her own free will.. Read More
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Thank you for attending our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses.
And special thanks to all our volunteers who helped make this such a special celebration for our community both in person and those who watched from home.
We especially thank our staff, clergy, musicians, sacristans, lectors, eucharistic ministers, environment committee, and our ushers!
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Thank you to the CTK Filipino Society and Imelda Santos for organizing nine beautiful novena masses for Simbang Gabi and for all the treats supplied to all who attended. | |
The Feast of St. Stephen was held last night at St. Stephen Church.
It was a wonderful celebration with great fellowship in the parish hall after mass.
Thank you to Chris and Walt Lang, Joann Kurpinsky and the many other volunteers who made it such a delightful evening.
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Tour With Fr. Paulson To Africa | |
Join Fr. Paulson on an incredible tour of Africa (Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Nairobi, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Park).
There is an additional package of Madagascar for those who want to continue for another 7 days. The trip will take place in June, 2023. For more information please contact the Parish Office.
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Thank You For Your Financial Support | |
To donate a one-time/on-line donation.
Or regular and/or second collections.
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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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January's Social Justice Collection
January 15, 2023
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Dear Friends,
This year’s social justice collection will be donated to two amazing charities.
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1. Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong. I worked here for 12 years as a teacher of technology and administrator. I have a personal connection. In 2023 Don Bosco Technical School will celebrate the Centenary year of its foundation. The Institute was started with the aim of providing skills training to young people for their livelihood. This mission continues even today taking up vocational training with more trades than before, adapting to the demands of the job market. At the centenary of the Institute, they would like to reach out to the 100 poor youth (boys and girls) especially dropouts from high school in the rural and urban areas who do not have opportunity to get skills training.
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2. Homes of Hope India was founded in 2007 with the express purpose of building orphanages, schools, training centers, and hostels for marginalized girls and young women, who are the poorest of the poor in India. Homes of Hope works in conjunction with eight congregations of Catholic nuns who otherwise would not have the funds to build critically needed structures. There are 29 Homes of Hope throughout India, which have provided a safe, loving home to thousands of girls. There are homes for AIDS orphans, war orphans, the handicapped, and sex-trafficked girls. Christ the King was one of the first parishes to support the work of Homes of Hope. Jack and Beverly Prosek have been their champions for years.
Fr. Paulson
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Weekday Masses
9am Mass - Monday - Friday
(9am Masses will be livestreamed)
6pm - Thursdays
(Rosary begins at 5:40pm)
(Rosary and Mass will be livestreamed)
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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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All Masses are Inside the Church. - Face Masks are encouraged. | |
Readings for Sunday Mass Here | |
Links to our services (live or archived) can be found at ctkph.org
or by 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 (Also livestreamed).
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St. Stephen Church - Masses | |
St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct.
Walnut Creek 94597
Saturday - Mass at 5pm
Sunday - Mass at 9:30am
St. Stephen Daily Mass: Monday - Friday at 8am
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"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference" | | | | |