Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish

www.ctkph.org

www.saintstephenparish.org

Parish Newsletter

"Staying Connected"

February 26, 2025

Dear Friends,

As we approach the season of Lent, it is important to take a moment to reflect on its significance. Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, falls on March 5, 2025. Unlike Advent, which has largely been absorbed into secular culture with commercialized Christmas sales and holiday music, Lent remains untouched by consumerism. There are no grand marketing campaigns reminding us of its arrival. Yet, this absence of external reminders makes it even more necessary for us to enter into the Lenten season with intentionality and purpose.

Lent is a sacred time set aside for spiritual renewal. It is a season of preparation, calling us to ready our hearts for the most important event in human history: the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we are invited to deepen our faith, grow closer to God, and reflect on the ways we can become better versions of ourselves.

The Significance of Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is one of the most well-attended liturgical celebrations of the year. It is remarkable how even those who may not regularly attend Mass make a special effort to receive ashes. This day marks the beginning of our 40-day Lenten journey, a period of self-denial and repentance. The ashes placed on our foreheads serve as a reminder of our mortality— “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”—but they also symbolize our sorrow for sin and our desire for renewal.

The day before Ash Wednesday, commonly known as “Shrove Tuesday” or “Fat Tuesday,” is traditionally a time of feasting. Many indulge in rich foods and drink before entering into the Lenten practice of fasting and self-discipline. This transition from indulgence to sacrifice mirrors the journey Jesus himself took in the desert

The Temptations of Christ and Our Own Struggles

During his 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted three times by Satan. Each temptation was an effort to turn him away from God’s will:

• The first temptation was to turn stones into bread, symbolizing the lure of physical comfort over spiritual   sustenance.
• The second was to throw himself from the top of a temple, testing God’s protection.
• The third was an offer of worldly power in exchange for worshiping Satan.

Each time, Jesus resisted, remaining steadfast in his faith. His journey serves as a model for us as we face our own daily temptations. Lent is a time to examine the struggles that pull us away from God and to strengthen our resolve to live according to His will.

The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday are not just a sign of our mortality but also a call to repentance. We may not always resist temptation as Jesus did, but Lent provides an opportunity to reflect, seek forgiveness, and make meaningful changes in our lives. Many people choose to make sacrifices or adopt new spiritual practices during these 40 days, whether by giving up certain luxuries, increasing one's prayer life, or dedicating time to acts of charity.

Community and Worship During Lent

This Lent, we encourage you to participate in our various programs and devotions, including the traditional Stations of the Cross, which will be held at 5:30 PM. These events provide an opportunity to deepen your Lenten experience and grow in faith alongside others in the community. We invite you to mark your calendars and join us as we journey through this sacred season together.



As St. Rose of Lima once said, "Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven." May this Lenten season be a time of renewal, reflection, and recommitment to our faith.

~Fr. Paulson

This year, we are seeking to welcome five new members to our Parish Pastoral Council.



The council is a dedicated group of parishioners who collaborate with the pastor in discerning the vision and goals of our parish, helping to guide its growth and future direction. Rather than taking on every task themselves, these members serve as a representative voice for our parish community, offering insight and support as we work together to strengthen our parish family.

I invite you to take a moment to consider joining the Parish Pastoral Council. If you feel called to serve in this way, please find the application form here.

Ash Wednesday

March 5

CTK Mass Times:

6:30am

9:15am

12:05pm

7pm

RE Prayer Service:

4pm

St. Stephen Mass Times:

8am & 6pm 

 “Sowing Peace: Digging into Lenten Themes of Lament, Repent & Forgive”

 A six-week Just Faith series, beginning Friday, March 7, at 10:00 am in the

Msgr. Wade room at CTK facilitated by Maggie Chaffee. This series explores this central question in the context of our faith journey through the themes of: lament, repent and forgive.

To register, please email Maggie Chaffee at: maggiechaffee@gmail.com

Parish Retreat led by Fr. Michael Moore

March 17 - 20, 9:00 am (CTK) repeated at 6:30 pm (St. Stephen).

Fr. Raymond E. Brown’s “A Crucified Christ in Holy Week”

Mondays, March 24 and 31, 10:00 am in the Brian Joyce room at CTK

a discussion led by Jeannette Holmes.

Judas-the bottom of the List

A meditation led by Fr. Paulson. Friday, March 21, at St. Stephen Church:

5:30 pm Stations of the Cross, followed by a soup supper and Father’s meditation.

Read more here.

Jesus and His Trial

A meditation led by Fr. Paulson.

Tuesday, April 1, at 10:00 am in the Ministry Center chapel.

Hole-y, Whole-y, Holy.

“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Lev. 19:2  

A presentation by Kathy Roberts on

Monday, April 14, 10:00 am and repeated at 7:00 pm at St. Stephen Parish Hall.

CRS Rice Bowls will be available this weekend in the back of church at both at CTK and St. Stephen.

For more information on CRS Rice Bowls click here.

The Little Black Book is

back again for Lent.

You can find them this weekend in the back of the church

at both CTK and St. Stephen.

 $1 donation is appreciated.

We are planning a Eucharistic Minister training on Saturday, March 8th at 9:30am in the Church at CTK and all are welcome. This is a wonderful, rewarding ministry and perfect for those too busy for another commitment. Once you have attended the training, you’ll use a signup app to choose which Mass and how often you’ll serve as a Eucharistic Minister. Please contact Kieran Chan at kierankc@pacbell.net with questions. 

Weekly School Newsletter click here

Save the Date!

Christ the King-St. Stephen Vacation Bible Camp

June 23-27, 2025

We welcome campers grades 1 - 6 (incoming)

Volunteer Student counselors grades 7-12 (incoming)

Volunteer Adult Counselors 18+ 

Children’s Station of the Cross

Are you a 2nd through 8th grader who is looking for a way to grow in your faith this Lenten season? 

Participate in the parish Stations of the Cross!

When: Friday, March 28, 2025

Time: 5:30pm

Where: Christ the King Church

Who: 2nd - 8th grade boys and girls

How: reading or singing

Please contact Lynn Guidi at: lynnoguidi@gmail.com

to sign up and for more information.

Deadline to sign up is Monday, March 17.

Price Reduced to $95/person. Purchase tickets here

Members of our music ministry had the opportunity to travel to New York earlier this month and join a 170 person national choir for a concert at Carnegie Hall. Themed “The Compassion of Christ: A Journey of Justice, Hope and Peace.”

The concert was headlined by beloved Catholic composers Jesse Manibusan, Curtis Stephan, and Janèt Sullivan Whitaker, and included spectacular arrangements of 19 of their songs, backed by a full band. It was a truly unforgettable experience!



Interested in learning more about opportunities in our music ministry?

Reach out to Jennifer Bennett at jenniferbennett1011@gmail.com or through the parish office.

Medicare Informational Meeting

Thursday, March 6 - 10am

CTK Parish Hall- Rooms A/B

Are you turning 65? Or just want to know a little bit more about Medicare? Join us for an information meeting.

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our weekly reflections on

the Sunday Scriptures.



This liturgy’s Scripture readings highlight the need for and grace of personal integrity. In Luke 6 we will read, “It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that

counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.” Read More

Upcoming Second Collections

Mar. 2 - Catholic Education

Mar. 5 - Ash Wednesday

Mar. 9 - Bishop's Appeal

Mar. 16 - Hospitality 

CTK Weekday Masses

Monday - Friday

9am Mass

(9am Masses will be livestreamed)

CTK Weekend Masses

Saturday

9am and 4pm Vigil

(Saturday 4pm Mass will be livestreamed)

CTK Sunday Masses

7:30am, 9am, 10:30am and 4pm

(10:30am Mass will be livestreamed).

Readings for Sunday Mass Here

Links to our services (livestreamed or archived) can be found at ctkph.org

or by clicking the Facebook or YouTube images below.

Ongoing Services at CTK & St. Stephen

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Private Confessions every Saturday from 3pm to 3:30pm at CTK and Saturday before the 5pm mass at St. Stephen.

CTK Thursday Morning Mass - 9am - Honoring our Mother of Perpetual Help, Worship Aide Here (Also livestreamed).

This Weekend We "Bury the Alleluia"

"Burying the Alleluia" is a traditional practice in some Christian communities, especially within the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions. This ritual symbolizes the solemnity and penitential nature of Lent, a season of reflection and preparation before Easter.

Here’s a brief explanation of the practice:

What is "Burying the Alleluia"?

• Alleluia: The word "Alleluia" is an expression of joy and praise, commonly used in Christian liturgies.
• Purpose: The practice involves temporarily discontinuing the use of the word "Alleluia" during Lent. This reflects the somber and penitential tone of the season, which contrasts with the joyous celebration of Easter.
• Ritual: In some churches, this is done symbolically by "burying" the word "Alleluia." This can involve a ceremony where a banner with the word "Alleluia" is physically buried or hidden, sometimes accompanied by prayers and hymns.

When and Why?

• Timing: The ritual is typically performed on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) or at the end of the liturgy on that day.
• Significance: The absence of "Alleluia" during Lent creates a noticeable shift in the tone of worship, emphasizing the themes of repentance, reflection, and anticipation. The joyous proclamation of "Alleluia" returns on Easter Sunday, marking the celebration of Christ's resurrection.

Historical Roots:

• Origins: The tradition dates back to at least the Middle Ages. It serves as a liturgical reminder of the shift in focus from the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection to the more reflective and penitential season of Lent.

This practice is a beautiful reminder of the liturgical journey from the penitence of Lent to the joy of Easter.