Bulletin of November 13, 2005

Dear Parishioners,

A special thank you to Sr. Joanne, Fr. Aidan, Al Garrotto and all the members of our Bereavement Ministry for the work they put into our Bereavement Mass last Sunday; it was clearly a powerful and healing moment for many who gathered to remember their lost loved ones.

Next Saturday and Sunday our Altar Society holds its annual Holiday Boutique. Beginning on Saturday at 3:00 pm (until 7:00 pm) and again on Sunday morning after all the masses (7:00 am to 2:00 pm) the Altar Society sponsors a creative and delightful sale. The Altar Society serves our parish throughout the year with upkeep, cleaning and care for our sanctuary; in addition they provide funds for Church and parish wide services. The new power point equipment in the parish hall comes as their generous donation; the new wine chalices and trays at Sunday liturgies are also their contribution. After last year’s Boutique we received many e-mails complimenting our Altar Society and its work; here’s just one example: “I saw your posting on Club Chat about the CTK Christmas Boutique and I am embarrassed to say that even though we have been parishioners for three years, this was the first year we went. Boy have we missed out! What a great Boutique, lots of selections, delicious treats, reasonable prices and friendly organizers.”

Next week we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, final Sunday of the Church’s year of worship and patronal feast of our parish community. Some of our parishioners will not be with us because that weekend also marks the annual trek to and demonstration against the “School of the Americas” in Fort Benning, Georgia. It was for demonstrating there on federal property that the late Fr. Bill O’Donnell as well as Fr. Louis Vitale, O.F.M. spent months in prison. For Bill it turned out to be some of the last months of his life. I realize there are different viewpoints and opinions on the School which trained and graduated among others the assassins of nuns, missionaries, Jesuits and Archbishop Romero of El Salvador. My own personal opinion is that despite all the explanations and change of official title, it is still the last place we would want to put our tax dollars, energies and reputation as a nation. I was delighted to hear our local Congressman George Miller, when he was here last month, state that he would endorse the House Bill calling for closure of the School. Expressing concern over the new recruits we are offering to “train”, he said “if you sleep with dogs, you’re going to get fleas.” Keep the demonstrators, especially our parishioners in your prayers and whatever your position and opinion pray for wisdom among our leaders and courage to make the right choices not just for ourselves, but for our world.

One final item you may want to put on your calendar now (you have an ’06 calendar don’t you!). A three day women’s parish retreat will be held Friday through Sunday on February 3,4 & 5 at the Mercy Center in Burlingame directed by Sr. Joann Heinritz. Reservations will be taken beginning in December.

Your Pastor,
Brian Joyce

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WEEK AT A GLANCE

SUNDAY -The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

-RE: PreK/K 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 Class (Gr 6-8), RE Office, 10:40 am

-Youth Group: Small Groups, Offsite, 7-9 pm

MONDAY -RE Older Sacraments (Gr 3-5), Parish Hall, 4:00 pm

-Childrens’ Liturgy Committee Meeting, RE Office, 6:30 pm

-Parish Council Orientation, Ministry Center (Dining Room), 7-9 pm

TUESDAY -Legion of Mary, Ministry Center, Following 8:00am Mass

-Staff Meeting, Parish House, 10:30 am

-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 Prayer Service, Church. 4:30 pm

-RE: Grades 7/8, Parents and Junior Highers, Parish Hall, 7:00 pm

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

-Adult Ed Meeting, Parish House, 7:30 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 Prayer Service, Church 4:30 pm

-RE: Grade 6, Parish Hall, 7-8:30 pm

-St. Vincent de Paul Mtg, Ministry Center (Library), 7pm

-Grief Ministry, Ministry Center (Chapel), 7:30 pm

-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

-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 Prayer Service, Church, 4:30 pm

-RE Meeting-Children Preparing for Baptism (Gr. 1-6), Rm A/B, 6:30 pm

-RCIA Inquiry, Ministry Center (Chapel & Dining Rm), 7:15 pm

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

-Altar Society Boutique, Parish Hall, 3-7 pm

SUNDAY -The Feast of Christ the King / Second Collection for Campaign for Human Development

-Altar Society Boutique, Parish Hall, 7am – 2 pm

-No RE: Program for 3 year olds

-No RE: PreK/K Program

-No Children’s Liturgy of the Word

-No RE Older Sacrament Class

-Jr/Sr Confirmation, 10:45 am-12:45 pm, Offsite

-Youth Group: Topic Night, Parish Hall, 7-9 pm

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The Knights of Columbus Council 5811 will have all gourmet sausage orders ready for pickup this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12th and 13th after all Masses at the Monsignor Wade Hall.

This Sunday, November 13th is the Interfaith Choral Concert at St. John Vianney Church in Walnut Creek at 4:00 pm. The CTK 9:15 choir will be participating. No admission fee but a free will offering will be taken to support the Winter Nights Shelter Program. Any questions call Sandy at 925-370-6389.

Advent Faith & Life Sharing – In a large parish like Christ the King, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Small Church Communities offer an opportunity to share with other parishioners in groups of 8-10. Our Advent 4-week series will begin the week of Nov. 20th. For information about how you can participate, call Judy Pieralde, 229-2009.

Catholic Divorced, Widowed & Separated of Contra Costa - San Francisco Symphony open Rehearsal Wednesday, Nov. 16th with Ashkenazy conducting works by Shostakovich. Contact Mary T. at 925-935-6516 for more info; Hungry Hunter Dinner, Saturday, Nov. 19th at 4 pm. Contact Barbara D. at 925-933-9072 to make a reservation; November Birthday’s Dinner Saturday, Nov. 26th at 6:30 pm. Contact Joan S. 925-939-1007 for more information.

Fashions for Compassion – Join us Fri., Nov. 25th from 10-12 for brunch, fashions, holiday shopping, raffles & Silent Auction. 100% of net proceeds being donated to wardrobe teachers in Mississippi who have lost everything.. Faith Lutheran Church Hall, 50 Woodsworth Lane. Tickets in advance. Donation $20. Contact Karen Leffler at 925-687-5893

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November: Homeless Awareness Month

Contra Costa Homelessness. On any given night in our county, more than 7,000 people are homeless. 23,861 calls were received by the Homeless Hotline last year from homeless families and individuals seeking shelter in communities.

The Working Poor. In addition to the homeless, an estimated 17,000 households in Contra Costa County have extremely low incomes and are at risk of homelessness, paying an excessive portion of their income for rent. An unexpected job loss, illness or eviction can put them in the streets since their high rents preclude them from accumulating a savings cushion to protect themselves.

County Board of Supervisors Cut Family Shelter Funds. On July 1, 2004, the Contra Costa County board of Supervisors voted to cut 100% of the funding for the family shelters after September 30, 2004. The Interfaith Council of Contra County immediately began organizing a coalition—the Emergency Family Shelter Task Force—committed to keeping the shelters open through June 2006. The Task Force raised $700,000 with help of the First 5 Commission to keep the Family Shelters open until June 30, 2005. Today, the Task Force is focused on meeting its commitment to raising $700,000 for July 1, 2005 – June 30,2006 period. So far, $610,000 has been raised, with $90,000 remaining. Shelter Inc. operated the two family shelters.

Families & Children on Waiting List. Currently 250 families with children are on the Waiting List for a shelter bed. The Mt. View and North Concord Family Shelters provide 55 beds for families with children. Winter Nights Rotating Shelter houses 30 family members—the majority are children from 6-17 years old. The children are all in school, and the parents are working or seeking employment. Faith congregations provide food and volunteers for the shelters. Winter Nights budget is $117,000, of which some $80,000 remains to be raised.

Ending Homelessness. The County’s Plan for “Ending Homelessness in Ten Years” contains these priorities: help people to access employment that pays a wage sufficient to cover housing and basic living expenses (a wage of $27 per hour is necessary to afford an apartment for a family of 4 in Contra Costa County), provide public health services, link chronically homeless people with housing, treatment, and services, and prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place. Implementing this plan and achieving success will take a dedicated community effort.

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