September 17, 2023

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Please keep Fr. Rex along with 8th grade students from Christ the King School in your prayers as they visit Washington DC this weekend.

We very much need:

• Gift Bearers for September weekend Masses (including this weekend!)
• items for next Sunday's Feed the Hungry Ministry

The Mass of Remembrance is tonight, September 15th, at 6pm at St. Francis of Assisi. People who have experienced the loss of someone to suicide are invited to attend and celebrate their loved one’s life.

All adults 21 years and older are invited to play Bingo this Sunday night (September 17th) at 7pm in the atrium. Bring a snack to share and get a free $5 Bingo card.

Our third OCIA class is Tuesday, September 19th, from 6:30-8:30pm and our topic will be "The Bible: God's Love Letter to Us and How We Respond in Faith." All are welcome to attend.

CK School Mass on Thursdays is dedicated specifically to CK students and their families and closed to the public. CK parishioners may celebrate daily Mass at 7:00am.

Next Thursday, September 21st, the Senior Adult Ministry will take a day trip to the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee - Oklahoma's oldest museum and home to Oklahoma's only ancient Egyptian mummies - and St. Gregory's Monk Marketplace. We'll also have lunch at the Grand Resort & Casino. Plan to leave CK at 9:30am. Call Kathy at 405-242-4531 to RSVP.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

We celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th. It commemorates the profound challenges and pain that the Blessed Virgin Mary felt throughout her life, prophesied by Simeon, who said that Mary’s soul would be pierced with a sword. Tradition recognizes seven special situations in the life of Christ where Mary suffered great sorrow, known as the Seven Sorrows (sometimes called "dolors") of Mary. Our Lady of Sorrows is represented with seven daggers piercing her heart, each representing one of the Seven Sorrows.

What are the seven swords that pierced Mary's heart?

• The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
• The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14)
• The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43-45)
• Mary Meets Jesus on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-29)
• Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27)
• Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:32-34; Matthew 27:57-59)
• The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40-42)

On this day many people pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary to learn to suffer with love as Mary, the Mother of Jesus, did. As we pray with Mary through her seven sorrows, we begin to feel empathy for her suffering, the suffering of her Son, our Savior, our neighbors, and our own. This guide to praying the rosary may be helpful.

CK to Host 2nd "Together in Holiness" Marriage Conference in November

Monday is the last day to get the Early Bird discount for the November 4th Together in Holiness conference to be held at Christ the King. Together in Holiness is a a marriage enrichment initiative that inspires couples to grow together in holiness and empowers and equips parents to form their children in the Catholic faith. In addition to a Mass and marriage blessing by Archbishop Coakley, there will be speakers, Catholic exhibitors and lunch. For a complete schedule and registration opportunities, click here.

Flu Shot Clinic: October 1 & 2

Christ the King will host an immunization clinic on Sunday and Monday, October 1st and 2nd for Flu, 65+ Flu, Pneumonia, Tdap, and Shingles. Vitamin B-12 also available for $20, due at time of service. Pre-registration is preferred. Sign up early to get the best time slot!

Sign up here for a Flu Shot!

Louis Vierne - French Organist and Composer

The prelude and postlude music this week is by Louis Vierne- the Berceuse from the collection 24 Pieces in Free-style, and the Finale from his Organ Symphony No. 1. Born nearly blind, Vierne is one of a surprisingly large number of blind French organists- many of whom composed some of the best music from the French Romantic period of organ composition. 

The advent of French Romanticism in organ composition equally depended on two developments- technological innovations that allowed for an increase in the size and tonal possibilities of the pipe organ, and the creativity of French composers to make use of these innovations. Now with clear divisions and the ability to mix groups of sounds more easily than before, the French pipe organ beginning in the mid-19th century could imitate the tonal divisions of the orchestra. The first composer to write music for the organ in a symphonic style was César Franck with his Grand Piéce Symphonique in 1862. This composition invented the organ symphony as a form. Vierne studied harmony privately with Franck and began formal organ training at the Paris Conservatory, eventually receiving first prizes at the Conservatory in organ. In 1900, he became organist at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In 1937, he died while performing his 1,750th recital on the Notre Dame organ.

Vierne became more and more experimental with musical construction and harmony as he aged. The Finale to his first organ symphony is a near-textbook example of sonata form and remains firmly grounded in what we call tonal harmony- the music rarely sounds ‘crunchy’ or very dissonant. Here’s a recording of the current primary Notre Dame organist, Olivier Latry, playing the Finale on the organ at Notre Dame. The aggressiveness of this instrument is a sound typical of the French Romantic organ, and is rarely heard outside of France. 

- David Anderson, Music Director

Guide Book & Directory Advertising Opportunity!

Exciting Parish Star Changes

We are excited about new changes to the Parish Star multigenerational program this year! After much brainstorming, we've implemented several new aspects which will include mutual friendship and prayer for our 1st grade students who are paired with an adult from the parish.

However, we are in need of over 50 adult parishioners to participate in the fun and rewarding Parish Star program. Any adult can become a Parish Star and begin a friendship that could last years! If you were a Parish Star last year, you'll automatically be included. If you wish to sign up to become one, please contact Kathy Arambula at [email protected] or (405) 842-1483.

No experience necessary, and we know you'll enjoy being a "Star!" to a Christ the King student.

"Matthew 25" Update

Save the Date: CK School Events!

CK News

You can watch new episodes of the CK News each Friday during the school year. These videos are brought to you by our talented students as they discuss life here at Christ the King. Enjoy this week's episode here!