Bulletin of October 2, 2005

Dear Parishioners,

GIRM is coming. Pronounce it ‘gurm, “germ” or “grim”, it represents the recent (2002) revision of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and calls for some adjustment by all of us. The goal is threefold: (1) to encourage common cooperate gestures and postures (so we can be a community at worship rather that isolated individuals at their own private devotion); (2) to recommend gestures and postures that reflect the significance of what we are saying or doing (like standing together when we recite a prayer); and (3) to support a spirit of reverence and care for what we do. Basically the adjustments come down to bowing the head slightly before receiving communion, using common gestures and posture to emphasize our community together and being extra careful not to spill consecrated wine.

Here are the changes that affect you and things you will notice right away. Beginning next Sunday we’ll invite you to:

1. Bow slightly during the Creed at the words “he was born of the Virgin Mary and became flesh”.
2. Stand together (earlier than usual) when the priest invites you to respond to “Pray brothers and sisters…”
3. Stand together (a little longer than usual) from the Our Father until you receive communion (less up and down “Catholic aerobics”!)
4. Bow slightly (just a head nod) before receiving communion.

Beginning next Sunday you’ll notice:

1. When bread and wine are brought to the altar at masses with communion under forms of both consecrated bread and consecrated wine, in addition to the bread and wine brought up by parishioners, five chalices already filled with unblessed wine will be brought to the altar from the side.
2. The priest will receive the consecrated bread and wine before it is given to the Eucharistic ministers.

What I like about the revision – the standing through communion does away with unnecessary bobbing up and down; these refinements remind us that we are called to worship together rather than to be in our own private world; the greeting of peace is now made the norm and standard for all masses (some parishes had omitted it entirely); the use of lay Eucharistic ministers is made norm and standard (some had suggested it be stopped!); for the first time ever the gestures and posture of the assembly is described with your participation recognized as just as important as that of the presider.

What makes me nervous – the apparent concern to separate ordained and non ordained (priest’s communion first, communion vessels handed out by the priest) as if one were holier than the other; the danger of an obsessive concern about consecrated host and wine as if Jesus is offended by our best but sometimes clumsy efforts; the danger of micro managing our action and prayer life as if the mass were not a sacred but family meal with all the varieties and messiness that goes with “family”.

What surprised me – (I probably just forgot). The General instruction (revised in 2002) was first published by Pope Paul VII in 1970 – and before that we followed the Roman Missal published by Pope Pius V in 1570 (400 years earlier), and before that (here’s my surprise) there was a great variety of different liturgical books, documents and behavior for Spain, England, France, Italy, Egypt and Greece – vive le difference!

Your Pastor,
Brian Joyce

P.S. All Eucharistic Ministers remember we need you at an important “retraining session” before you help with communion next weekend! Please join us either this Tuesday evening (Oct. 4th at 7:00 pm) or next Saturday (Oct. 8th at 9:30 am).

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WEEK AT A GLANCE

SUNDAY -Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time / Second Collection for School, RE and Youth Ministry

-55+ Sunday Breakfast, Following 8 am Mass, at Mimi’s Café, 1631 Willow Pass Road, Concord

-RE Program for 3 year olds (A), Room D, During 9:15 Mass

-RE PreK Program: PreK, Parish Hall, A, B & C; K Program, CTK School; During 9:15 Mass

-Children’s Liturgy of the Word, During 9:15 Mass

-RE Older Sacrament (Gr. 6-8), RE Office, 10:40 am

-Taize Prayer Around the Cross, Christ the King Church, 7 pm

-Youth Group Welcome Night, Parish Hall, 7-9 pm

MONDAY -RE Older Sacrament (Gr 3-5), Room A/B, 4:00 pm

-CTK Rosary Bead Makers, Ministry Center, 7:15 pm (Contact Jane 825-2832)

-2nd Grade RE/CTK School Parent Meeting, Church, 7:30 pm

TUESDAY -Legion of Mary, Ministry Center, following 8 am Mass

-RE: Grades 1-5; Grades 1-3, School, 3:40-5:00 pm; Grades 4 & 5, Parish Hall, A, B,C, 3:40-5:00 pm

-Rosary and Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion, CVMtg Rm, 7:00 pm, Contact Andy @ 229-3038

-RE: Grades 7/8, Parish Hall/Gym, 7-8:30 pm; RE Parents, Parish Hall, 8:00 pm

-Spanish Prayer Group, Ministry Center (Common Rm), 7:30 pm

WEDNESDAY -RE: Grades 1-5; Grades 1-3, School, 3:40-5:00 pm; Grades 4 & 5, Parish Hall, A, B,C, 3:40-5:00 pm

-RE: Grade 6, Parish Hall for parents & 6th graders, 6:30 pm

-St. Vincent de Paul Mtg, Ministry Cntr (Dining Room & Library),7pm/Festival Meeting, Rm 222, 7:15 pm

-Grief Ministry, Ministry Center (Chapel), 7pm, Classes full-accepting reservations for Spring

-Weekly Charismatic Prayer Meeting, 6 St. Lawrence Ct., 7:30 pm (for info. Call 932-0395)

-Centering Prayer, Resurrection Episcopal Church (399 Gregory Ln.), 7:30 pm

THURSDAY -Centering Prayer, Ministry Center (Library), Following 8 am Mass

-Bible Study: “Wonderful Women of the Word” with Kathy Roberts, Parish Hall, 9:30-11 am, RSVP 682-2486. Child care provided.

-RE: Grades 1-5; Grades 1-3, School, 3:40-5:00 pm; Grades 4 & 5, Parish Hall, A, B,C, 3:40-5:00 pm

-RE: Baptism meeting for children and parents, Parish Hall, 7:00 pm

-Social Justice Meeting, Wade Center (A & B), 7:00 pm

-RCIA Inquiry, Ministry Center-195 Brandon Rd. (Chapel & Dining Room), 7:15 pm

FRIDAY -First Friday, Masses at 8 & 11 am (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 12 noon) & 7:00 pm

-Msgr. Wade Annual Golf Tournament/Dinner (Questions? Contact Bob and Kathy 925-370-8946)

SATURDAY -Men’s Fellowship Group, Ministry Center (Chapel), 7:30-8:30 am, Contact John at 372-7873

-Secular Franciscans, Ministry Center (Dining Room & Library), 9:00 am

SUNDAY -Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Second Collection for Catholic Voice

-RE Program for 3 year olds (B), Room D, During 9:15 Mass

-RE PreK Program: PreK, Parish Hall, A, B & C; K Program, CTK School; During 9:15 Mass

-Children’s Liturgy of the Word, During 9:15 Mass

-RE Older Sacrament (Gr. 6-8), RE Office, 10:40 am

-Jr/Sr Confirmation, Class II, Parish Hall, 7-9 pm / Youth Group: Topic Night, Parish Hall, 7-9 pm

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For Parents of RE Children to be Baptized – This Thursday, October 6th parents and children in RE (3 yr old-Grade 8) needing Baptism have a meeting at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. At least one parent must attend with the child. Questions 686-1017. Thanks

Youth Ministry News . . .High School Youth Group begins tonight at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. Come and see what we are all about, and bring a friend! Registration forms can be found in the back of church, or download from ctkym.org; Entertainment Books are on sale today for $25, this fundraiser helps support our Mexico Summer Work Camp.

Festival – Our kick-off meeting will be Wednesday, Oct 5th, at 7:15 pm in Room 222 (CTK Jr. High). We are always looking for volunteers for various committees. Come be a part of this great parish community event. If you have any questions, please call Chris and Marianne Dundon at 370-2004.

Annual Flu Immunization at Christ the King – The Sutter VNA & Hospice will administer flu shots ($25) at CTK on Sun., Oct. 9 & 16th from 9 am-12 noon in the Ministry Center.

Be An Informed Voter – Members of the League of Women Voters will put on a nonpartisan program giving the PROS & CONS of the eight propositions on the November 8 ballot, followed by a special presentation by Pat Snyder on Props 78 and 79. Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee, Thursday, Oct. 6, 7 pm, Parish Rooms A and B. All parishioners invited.

Future Archbishop of San Francisco – The Voice of the Faithful including its East Bay community hosts a meeting on Sunday, Oct. 9 from11:30-3:30 pm at St. Matthew Church in San Mateo (650-344-7622) as a Day of Discernment for Catholics (lay, religious and clergy) to discuss the qualities and possibilities most needed in the future Archbishop of San Francisco. If you are curious, have ideas or want to see VOTF in action you are cordially invited to attend.

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October, Fair Trade Month sponsored by our Social Justice Ministry.: An assortment of delicious coffees, teas and cocoa mixes will be on sale on three October weekends (October 2nd, October 9th and October 23rd) which benefit small farmers of Central America, Africa and Asia. Ask for more information about Fair Trade. All proceeds from the sales will go to our Sister Community in El Salvador.

The Superior Taste of Fair Trade

Many are already consumers of Fair Trade food and beverages and, with gourmet chefs and renowned specialty food experts, agree: Fair Trade Certified products are some of the finest foods on earth. Carefully cultivated by farmers with generations of tradition creating foods of perfection, Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, chocolate and fruits are literally bursting with flavor.

A Fair Deal for Family Farmers

Fair Trade ensures that family farmers receive a fair price for their top-quality products. This allows millions of people around the world to stay on their land, put food on the table, and keep kids in school. Fair Trade empowers farming families to take care of themselves. Ask a farmer and you’ll hear: Fair Trade means hope for the future.

Protecting the Environment

Fair Trade farmers are careful stewards of the land. They grow their crops in harmony with nature and without the use of harmful chemicals. In fact, over 85% of the Fair Trade products currently sold in the US are certified organic – the healthiest and most environmentally friendly foods available.

Buy Fair Trade Certified

The parish’s Social Justice Committee will be making available, for sale, an assortment of Fair Trade coffees, teas and cocoa mixes (and chocolate bars October 9!) after the masses on several weekends through the month of October. Proceeds from these sales will benefit our Sister Community in El Salvador. Printed material will also be available and you can go online: www.FairTradeCertified.org. And, next time you’re shopping, look for the Fair Trade Certified label. You’ll find Fair Trade Certified as such local outlets as Trader Joe’s, Lunardi’s and the neighborhood coffee shop located at 60 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill.