Bulletin of January 15, 2006




Dear Parishioners,

The Christmas season is well behind us and the Church’s calendar of worship shifts from the soft blue and purple of Advent and the bright white and gold of Christmas to green for seven Sundays of “Ordinary Time”. It’s time to take a deep spiritual breath before Lent comes on March 1st and time to realize that in some ways our lives are mostly ordinary and it is in the ordinary “business as usual” that we need to recognize the presence of God and the major leg of our personal spiritual journey. May we find time to reflect, breathe easy, and hear the call to the ordinary, everyday business of loving God and neighbor a little more faithfully. It is our “job” even in Ordinary Time to love our enemies (not easy!) pray for those who trouble us (no fun!), feed the hungry (always there), cloth the naked, give hope to the hopeless (ourselves included) and seek justice.

Two events come up next week that need to be highlighted. On Friday evening at Fr. Tom Bonacci returns, by popular demand, with another delightful evening of looking at the gospel and life. The last time Tom was here he shared his usual sparkling reflections on the hard sayings of scripture; this Friday he’ll help us look at the gospel of Mark (which we’ll be hearing each Sunday through 2006) especially the Passion of Mark and our private and public life.

The second event comes next Sunday afternoon as we host a 4:00 pm Mass for Newcomers. Newcomers are anyone who has begun worshipping with us over the last year, or has been with us for some time longer but has never felt connected or welcomed, or whoever feels like they’d enjoying meeting other parishioners at a special Sunday afternoon mass. Invitations have been mailed to those who have registered recently, and will also be distributed to any “newcomers” who haven’t registered. Our last Newcomer mass was in the fall and was very heavily attended; we look forward to this Mass being on a slightly smaller scale with even more opportunity for us to get to know Staff, Parish Council members and one another.

Please consider the Spring Auction insert in today’s bulletin and if you can help us out in anyway be sure to follow up and let us know.

Your Pastor,
Brian Joyce


P.S. This week our finance committee met to review last year’s expenditures and project our 2006 Budget. A look at last week’s collection returns makes it clear your enormous generosity and sense of responsibility for parish life and ministry is awesome. I particularly thank you for your outstanding support to the three social justice projects in Haiti, El Salvador and Monument Crisis Center. Every cent is spent efficiently, responsibly and where it is badly needed.


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WEEK AT A GLANCE

SUNDAY--The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time / Second Collection for Seminary

-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

-No RE Older Sacrament (Gr. 6-8)

MONDAY -No RE Older Sacraments (Gr 3-5)

-Youth Group: Ice Skaing, 12:30-4:40 pm, Meet YM Office

-Evening Bible Study; “Wonderful Women of the Word”, Parish Hall, 7-8:30 pm

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

-RE: Grades 7/8, Catechist Meeting, Room D, 7:00 pm

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

-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, Catechist Meeting, RE Office, 7 pm/St. Vincent de Paul Mtg, Ministry Center (Chpl), 7pm

-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), 10 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 2nd Grade Catechist Meeting, RE Office, 7:00 pm

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

FRIDAY -55+ Singles, Monthly TGIF @ Mimi’s Cafe, 1631 Willow Pass Rd., Concord, 6 pm meet, 6:30 dinner, RSVP to Renie @ 933-4073 or Brenda @ 687-1259

FRIDAY -The Passion of Mark and Our Lives with Fr. Tom Bonacci, Church, 7:00 pm

SATURDAY - -Secular Franciscans, Ministry Center (Dining Room), 9-12 noon

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

SUNDAY -The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time / Second Collection for Seminary

--RE Program for 3 year olds (A), 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 (Gr. 6-8), RE Office, 10:40 am

-Jr/Sr Confirmation Retreat Ends, 3:00 pm / Youth Group: Small Group, Offsite

-Newcomers; Mass, Church, 4:00 pm

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CTK CYO 29th Annual Crab Feed will be held on Sat., Jan 28th from 6-midnight. Tickets are on sales after the 5 pm, 9:15 &10:45 masses. Tickets are $35 each or $350/table. For more info please contact Jim and Rene Maher 946-0612.

“Religious & Cultural Treasures of Italy” – Fr. Aidan will be hosting an informational meeting regarding the May 6 thru 17, 2006 trip. Where? Ministry Center library on Sunday January 15th at 2:00 0m. All are welcome.

Christ the King School Enrollment Information for 2006-2007 School Year – Our Annual Open House will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 after the 9:15 am Mass until 12:00 pm. All are invited to visit our classrooms and see displays of our students’ work. If your are interested in applying for openings in our school we encourage you to attend the Parent Information Evening on Monday, Jan. 30, 2006 at 7:15 pm. This meeting will take place in the Msgr. Wade Hall. You will hear a presentation by our Principal and have the opportunity to ask questions of representatives of our faculty and staff. Applications will be available for the first time at the end of this meeting. We will begin accepting completed applications Tuesday, January 31, at 8:30 am and they will be due by Friday, Feb. 10. If you are unable to come to the meeting, applications will be available at the School Office Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31st.

Educational Evening – Christ the King School Community proudly presents a two part series celebrating the healthy development of children and the important role parents play in this critical process. Dr. Doreen Jones, a Catholic school educator, consultant, and parent will be with us to share her extensive knowledge on the impact of parents relative to the development of their children’s sell-esteem (January 31st presentation) and to their children’s success in combating the challenges of peer pressure (February 28th presentation). The presentations will be held at 7 pm in the church. Advance registration required ($5 a person or $8 a couple per presentation). For information or registration please call Suzie Stoddard 925-349-6770 or Janine Orr 925-935-1681.

CYO Track & Field sign-ups will take place on Jan. 19th and 23rd from 6:30 to 8 pm in the 6th grade classroom. The program is open to athletes in 2nd -8th grade. See www.ctktrack.org or contact Carl Godkin 280-9748 for more information.

CTK Parish Auction SURF REPORT – Looks like a celebration is coming our way. You will want to mark your calendars for Saturday, May 13th when “Rendezvous in Paradise” takes over the CTK gym. The evening is sure to be filled with great food, great friends and the always exciting auction items. Keep an eye out for future SURE REPORTS that will include developments for the parish’s pinnacle.

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A Philosophy for Ordinary Time

Name the five wealthiest people in the world;
Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners;
Name ten people who have won the Nobel Prize;
Name the last 6 winners of an Academy Award;
Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? Now, try these.

List three teachers who aided your journey through school;
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time;
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile;
Think of two people who have made you feel appreciated;
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

So, what’s the philosophy? Simply that the people who make a difference in your life are not the celebrities, or the people with the most credentials, money or awards. The people who make a real difference are the people who care.


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Walk for Life – January 21, 2006 – the second annual West Coast Walk for Life begins with 8:00 am Mass at St. Mary’s San Francisco Cathedral, followed by the 11:00 am Walk for Life at Justin Herman Plaza. Thousands will join in to show support for everyone hurt by abortion. There will be a walk along the scenic waterfront with a short series of speakers centering around the damage done to women, children – unborn and born – and families. You can register or find more information at www.WalkforLifeWC.com