Parish Newsletter

January 25, 2023

Staying Connected

Dear Friends,

It’s easy to think of our Finance Council in the simple terms of reviewing and reporting on numbers - what comes in; what goes out. This is one function, but the traditional role of a Finance Council is to provide oversight to the processes, procedures, and controls around handling money and spending for the parish.

At CTK & St. Stephen our focus is more broadly one of stewardship and the careful application of a few guiding gospel principles. Are we judiciously using the funds so graciously donated to our parishes? Are we supporting the needs of our various ministries? Are we treating our dedicated staff fairly? Are we properly maintaining our physical plant to support the many activities of our parishes? Are we participating in the life of the universal church through our financial support and charities? Are we addressing the needs of the poor? Are we following best practices for the management of parish business?



Canon Law and the Diocese require each parish to have a Finance Council. Perhaps surprisingly this is the only committee each parish must have, and the Diocese requires this committee to formally review and approve the annual parish budget.

When St. Stephen was rolled under the leadership of our pastor, we combined Finance councils so that there is one group with financial oversight of both parishes. Now that a full merger of our parishes is on track, there is work to do in 2023 to fully combine finances and processes.



At CTK and St. Stephen, Fr. Paulson has opted for full transparency to financial data and decisions and has asked us to fill a larger role in the review of donations and spending. We assist our pastor in applying the gospel principle of stewardship of our funds. We’ll be adding a monthly report in the bulletin.

Our role starts with a review of the safe and secure handling of donations from the collection basket or online giving to the bank. We review parish financial statements each month and oversee financial processes. We periodically review payroll and benefits as well as the pension billing. With capital projects, we review the contract, the progress reports, and costs. If questions are raised by any of these reviews, we bring them to our pastor’s attention for clarification, understanding, and corrections as needed. We prepare the annual budget and an annual written financial report and presentation to the parish. Every three years, we participate in the diocesan mandated parish financial audit, which will occur for us later in 2023.

The financial accounting and bookkeeping function for CTK is performed by an outside firm, Armanino. While Finance Council members have insight to all financial data, our members are advisory only and financial transactions are left to the Pastor and authorized staff members. 

The CTK and St Stephen Finance Council meets about ten times a year, however a monthly report is prepared by our Finance Council and reviewed with our pastor. Members serve on the Finance Council for three-year terms that can be renewed by the pastor. New members are interviewed by select Finance Council members and our pastor who then appoints new members.

Please include our CTK and St Stephen Finance Council in your prayers, that they continue their faithful stewardship. Our focus is on the faith-filled, judicious use of our generous donations, by careful stewardship, in service of the needs of our ministries, our staff, the care of our physical plant, the universal church, and the poor.

Thank you for your trust! 



Richard Bertrand

Member of the Finance Committee

The Feast of St. Blaise

We will have the

“Blessing of Throats”

in honor of St. Blaise on

Friday, February 3 at the 9am Mass.

Catholic Schools Week

Mass & Open House

On Sunday, January 29th, we will kick off Catholic Schools Week with the

9am mass followed by an Open House in the school from 10am to 12pm.

We will join Catholic Schools across the nation in celebrating National Catholic Schools Week which takes place from January 30 to February 4.

Catholic Schools provide a learning space where Gospel Values are celebrated and students are provided opportunities to participate in traditions of rich academics and faith.

We are looking forward to meeting the Class of 2032 and all those interested in the upcoming school year! Applications are now available here and on the school website at ctkschool.org. Please note this is for students that are new to CTK only. Our current students re-registration will be coming in the spring.

The CTK School Auction is coming up on

Friday April 28, 2023!

As always, you are welcome to attend as we’d love to enjoy the fun-filled evening with you. More info on ticket sales to come in February. Read More

Christ the King’s

St. Vincent De Paul

Sock Drive



New socks for homeless men and women are needed for the homeless distribution bags.

(only socks for adults; not children).



 A bin is located in front of the church until

Monday, January 30th where you can donate socks.

2023 Track Season

2nd - 8th Graders Signup tonight!

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6 – 7 pm in the Parish Hall

For more information click here

We are BACK! Save the Date!

Come join us for the 2023 CTK CYO Crab Feed!

March 11, 2023

CTK's Gym

Tickets can be purchased here

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



The formula, “Blessed are…” highlights the contrast between the law of Moses (“You shall not…) and the more positive New Law of Jesus. Read More

Congratulations to the children who were baptized over the weekend.

Welcome to the Christ the King and St. Stephen Family!

Parents: Lauren & Nick

Twins: Alice Ann & Paige Elizabeth 

Parents: Michelle & Steve

Baby: Xander James

2022 Annual Giving Statements



Annual Giving Statements that show your contributions for the year ending 2022 will be sent by email (if we have your current email address in our new Realm system). These email addresses may not be the same as the one you use for our weekly newsletter. 

If you did not receive an email statement, a physical statement will be sent to you via U.S. Mail. If you have any questions, please email us at office@ctkph.org.

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 at 925-682-2486.

The February issue of The Catholic Voice can be found here

Bishop John S. Cummins celebrated his 70th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on January 24.

To donate a one-time/on-line donation.

Or regular and/or second collections.

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.

Second Collection

St. Vincent de Paul

Fifth Sunday -2nd Collection

This weekend - Jan. 28th and 29th

This will be the fifth Sunday collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul here at CTK.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Ongoing Services

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).