I am happy to announce that Gwen Watson, one of our social justice pioneers was recognized by Multi-faith Action Coalition of Contra Costa County for her commitment and dedication to social justice especially for the poor and the vulnerable. Kathy Gannon Briggs, the Chair of our Faith in Action ministry introduced Gwen with these words at the award ceremony.

At our recent meeting of the Pleasant Hill pastors, we had a great conversation with one of our police officers from Pleasant Hill Police Dept. who wanted to work with us on the homeless population of our city. I was amazed and inspired by their willingness to be compassionate and helpful. We pastors promised to supply them with some of the necessities of life that our homeless brothers and sisters lack such as clothing, masks and food vouchers. I was very honored to pass on 25 McDonald gift cards (a full meal) and a few Safeway cards ($25) that they could distribute wisely as they move around the city. We plan to give them more cards during the coming holiday season, as a way of expressing our own gratitude for God’s blessings in our lives. I am also grateful to you for supporting Addison, one of our CTK students in her efforts to bring joy to the homeless by donating warm winter wear - new or gently used beanies, scarves, and mittens.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, our parish feast. I would like to invite you all to participate in this celebration, in-person or online, and receive Jesus in Holy Communion. In one of his homilies, Pope Francis stated, “The Christ of God, the Chosen One, the King” (Lk 23:35,37) appears without power or glory: he is on the cross, where he seems more to be conquered than conqueror. His kingship is paradoxical: his throne is the cross; his crown is made of thorns; he has no sceptre, but a reed is put into his hand; he does not have luxurious clothing, but is stripped of his tunic; he wears no shiny rings on his fingers, but his hands are pierced with nails; he has no treasure, but is sold for thirty pieces of silver.” With the sole power of love, which is the nature of God, his very life, He brought salvation and peace to our broken world. As we celebrate Jesus as the King, we are called to follow his way of tangible love. We must ask ourselves today, a time of hardship and pain for so many: “What does love ask of me, where is it urging me to go? What answer am I giving Jesus with my life?”

I don’t know what the future holds for us with the pandemic on the rise everywhere. The State response to the COVID 19 Spike has returned Contra Costa county to Purple Tier, which has come with additional restrictions. The changes will include moving our worship services to outdoors only. I embrace this change responsibly so that our faith communities can be safe and healthy while worshipping God outdoors. Feel free to stay in your cars and listen to the mass on FM 106.7 (CTK). Regardless of the weather, we will continue to offer services. You just have to decide where you place yourselves – inside your cars or outdoors. We will offer communion safely either outdoors or in the parish Hall or vestibule of the church one person at a time.

I have had some of the most powerful times of worship preaching in a chapel with no people. Preaching without a congregation became an undistracted offering to God without the temptation to respond to what I’m seeing in the pew. I have heard some of you who attend mass online say similar feelings of how you are able to worship God without the noise and distractions of a normal community. I do miss our community very much. I hope and pray we can continue with our Sunday worship and I earnestly look forward to making Christmas special for all of us.

Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas Primas ("In the first") to respond to growing nationalism and secularism. He recognized that these related societal ills would breed increasing hostility against the Church. His encyclical reminds the faithful that while governments and philosophies come and go, Christ reigns as king forever. (usccb.org)

Bring the bread and wine you will be serving on Thanksgiving Day for a special blessing.

If you as a family or individual plan to attend our Thanksgiving Day Mass ~ and would like to participate in that liturgy in a simple way - please contact Sr. Dominic [email protected]

Livestreamed on Facebook or YouTube

This Thursday for our speaker series, Fr. Paulson will continue his conversation with Jim Briggs about Pope Francis's new Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti.

Jim Briggs is a CTK parishioner and the retired Executive Director of the School of Applied Theology and former Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President of Student Services at Santa Clara University. He has a background in higher education, theology, and career development.

More information from Jim's discussion last week on Fratelli Tutti. Here

Jim's selection of textual quotes from the encyclical. Here

Livestreamed on Facebook or YouTube

Join us on Monday where Joe Reid will have a conversation with Tim Flaherty and will cover a variety of topics including Covid-19 and its impact on city finances and local economic outlook; elections matter; city commissions, and how to get involved.

Tim is in charge of the prominent national law firm -- Clark Hill's San Francisco office and is an experienced trial lawyer who specializes in business, commercial and real estate litigation. Elected to the Pleasant Hill City Council in 2012, Tim has also served two terms as the mayor of Pleasant Hill in 2014 and 2018.

after the 5pm mass.

Join us and enjoy an evening of music. Bring your own chair, wine, drinks and snacks. Don't forget to dress warm. By popular demand we are bringing back, Billboard's #1 Hits. Invite your friends and family, the cost is free!

Through the sacrament of Baptism, we welcomed these precious little ones to our CTK and St. Stephen Family. Congratulations!

Our pastor, Fr. Paulson Mundanmani, is scheduled to be one of the speakers, and parishioner, Gwen Watson, will be one of the honorees. Our own CTK choir will be part of this celebration as well.

More information can be found here

The Church holds the month of November in dedication and remembrance of our beloved faithful departed, and honor with great respect the memory of the dead, especially those who have passed during this year. Please see the scroll of names of CTK and St. Stephen loved ones who have passed. Here

Faith Formation (grades 1-8, and high school youth group/confirmation) are doing their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for St. Vincent De Paul. Parishioners are also invited to help with this food drive. Please see the flyer for what food items are needed. Here

This year CTK Church is partnering with Church of the Resurrection in Pleasant Hill for Winter Nights. Church of the Resurrection will host the families beginning December 28th, and we will help monetarily with purchasing dinners at local restaurants and offer other support.

It’s an online service for accessing thousands of Catholic videos, audios and eBooks On Demand anytime, anywhere! As a member, you will have access to entertaining movies, inspiring audio talks, informative bible studies, and much more, in English and Spanish. The resources will help our parishioners learn and grow in their faith.

Registering is easy and free! CTK has already paid for all our parishioners. Sign up as a parishioner and search Christ the King/St. Stephen. Click here and follow the steps.

The program is called Rite of Christian Initiation, or RCIA. As an adult, you receive Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.  There is no commitment, simply come and see! During the pandemic we are meeting through email. Contact: Mary McCarthy [email protected] 

Presidents and world leaders, both good and evil, come to the fore then fade into history. Christ our King is always present to us, front and center. He delivers on the promise laid out in Matthew 25, “I was (in need) . . . and you (helped) me. Read More

Our special collection on Sunday, Nov. 22nd supports the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. CCHD is a program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops which funds local grassroots organizations that are empowering low-income people to lift themselves out of poverty.

Among the groups being supported by CCHD this year in our diocese is Monument Impact, a Concord-based Latinx-led nonprofit organization that organizes low-income immigrants and has a long-standing day labor program.

More information can be found at www.CCHDEastBay.org

Every Sunday 11:30am to 12 noon

In front of the church

New - Thursday Mass is now outdoors

Worship Aide Here

5:40pm - Holy Rosary - On Facebook

(except Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays)

Private Confessions will continue every Saturday from

3pm to 3:30pm.

Please meet in front of the church.

O Lord our God, You alone are the

Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations.

We pray to you in the great expectation of receiving

from you mercy, peace, justice, and all good things.

Protect our leaders, our families, and the land of our birth.

Guard us we pray, Most Faithful One.

Forgive us, Sovereign King, our sins against you.

Jesus, you are a King of Mercy.

Have mercy on us and forgive us.

Most awe-inspiring King, we bow before you and pray:

‘May your Reign, your Kingdom, be recognized on earth. Amen.’