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Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish

Anniversary Year

Celebrating Two Milestone Anniversaries:

60 Years of St. Stephen, founded 1966

75 Years of Christ the King, founded 1951

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Mass Schedule for Both Campuses

Christ the King Campus

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Private Confessions Saturday 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

St. Stephen Campus

Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.
Private Confessions Saturday before the 5:00 p.m. Mass

Weekday Masses (9:00 a.m.)

Monday, Wednesday, Friday – St. Stephen
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – Christ the King

First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

St. Stephen Church which begins at 8:15am, followed by Benediction at 8:45am and Mass at 9:00am.
You can also attend Eucharistic Adoration every Friday from 3pm to 5pm in the chapel at the CTK Ministry Center

Weekly Bulletin

Our bulletins are a snapshot of important events at Christ the King - St. Stephen. You'll find everything from Fr. Paulson's letter to what's happening with Youth Ministry.

This week's bulletin

New Parishioner Registration

With our ministry management system REALM it's easy to become a registered member of Christ the King - St. Stephen. We build a stronger church by becoming a closer community through better communication.

Staying Connected

Dear Friends,

Lent 2026: Into the Desert, Into Love: We shall begin the season of Lent next Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Every year, Lent invites us into a sacred journey — a journey that mirrors Jesus’ forty days and nights in the desert. Driven by the Spirit (Matthew 4:1), Jesus entered into solitude, silence, and prayer, confronting temptation and deepening His reliance on the Father. Lent is our annual invitation to follow Him there: into the desert of our own hearts, where God speaks most clearly.

At its heart, Lent is not primarily about deprivation; it is about transformation. It is not simply what we give up, but who we are becoming. Traditionally, the Church offers us three pillars for this season: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These are not random practices but interconnected paths that shape us into Christ’s likeness.

Prayer: The First Movement of Lent: Prayer comes first. In prayer, we are led by the Spirit into the desert with Christ, and there we are nourished by “every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Lent is a privileged time to deepen our relationship with the Lord, to listen more attentively, and to allow His Word to reshape our lives.

Whether you already attend daily Mass or not, consider resolving to go more frequently during Lent. To make this even more intentional, choose someone in your life to offer each Mass for — a family member, a friend, a struggling neighbor, or even someone you find difficult to love. Afterwards, send them a simple note or text: “I prayed for you at Mass today.”

For those seeking a more intense prayer experience, consider committing to a weekly Holy Hour in Eucharistic Adoration — perhaps even on a Friday this Lent since it is offered from 3pm to 5pm. To keep watch with Christ, even in the quiet of the night in the comfort of your home, is a beautiful way to enter His desert with Him. Take a book on prayer and read it this Lent.

Fasting: Freedom for Love: Fasting and sacrifice are essential Lenten practices modeled and endorsed by Christ Himself. Yet fasting is not meant to be merely an exercise in willpower; it is meant to create space in our hearts so that love can grow. Are you tired of giving up chocolate every Lent? Here are some creative alternatives for 2026:

Fast from social media one or two days a week and replace that time with prayer or Scripture.
Fast from criticism and commit to speaking only words that build up.
Fast from excessive comfort — simplify meals or abstain from alcohol or limit entertainment.
Fast from complaining and cultivate gratitude instead.

Almsgiving: Love in Action in a Suffering World: We live in a world marked by pain, poverty, and economic fear. Many families struggle to make ends meet; many individuals feel forgotten or invisible. In such a world, Lent calls us to give generously — not out of guilt, but out of love. Here are some meaningful ways to live almsgiving this Lent:

Create “Care Bags” for the Homeless: Pack 5-10 reusable bags with healthy snacks, toiletries, socks, and other essentials. Keep them in your car and make it your Lenten goal to hand them out to those in need.
Support CRS Operation Rice Bowl: This is a well-run, effective Catholic charity that truly helps the poor.
Be a “Stealth Saint” of Generosity: Inspired by St. Nicholas, choose someone in your community who could use help — and anonymously provide what they need. Thanks to online shopping and delivery, you can be a hidden instrument of God’s providence.

Ultimately, Lent leads us from the desert to the Cross — from prayer to sacrifice, from fasting to love poured out. As we walk this path, we discover that self-giving love must flow from and return to the Trinity, the source and destiny of all love.

Fr. Paulson

Immigration Court: An Insiders’ Perspective

with Judge Polly Webber and Ali Saidi

Tuesday, February 17 from 7- 8:30pm in the Sanctuary, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette

Join two distinguished and inspirational experts for a timely and important conversation about the current and rapidly changing state of immigration enforcement in America. Rabbi Torop will be in conversation with retired immigration judge Polly Webber and Ali Saidi, Director of Stand Together Contra Costa. Judge Webber has nearly 50 years of experience in immigration law, including as president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Saidi directs the rapid response and immigration legal services program for Contra Costa County from the Office of the Public Defender. Please bring a non-perishable food donation to support the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Food Pantry in Concord. You can find details on the requested items on the Sign-Up Genius. Following the conversation, learn how you can help support the immigrant communities in our area. RSVP required: Please RSVP by Sunday, February 15 on Sign Up Genius. This will be an in-person event only. Please contact Rabbi Torop with questions at rabbi.torop@temple-isaiah.org. To RSVP, click here.

Healing Mass

Saturday, February 14

St. Stephen Church

10:30am

All are welcome to join us for a parish Mass and celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Bring relatives and friends from local care facilities – those who are able to come. Questions? Sr. Dominic Marie 925-246-1122.

What's Happening at Christ the King - St. Stephen

Click here for more information and to register for Christ Light 18

Crab Feed

Join us on Saturday, February 21st, 2026

at 5:30 PM in the CTK Gym

for a fun-filled evening of delicious crab and great company. The annual CTK KofC Crab Feed is back, so come join us for a delicious feast of Fresh Crab, Kinder's Ball Tip, Homemade Irish Bread & Soup & more - it's gonna be a shell of a good time! The CTK CYO 8th grade players will continue the tradition of serving and clean up.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Adult Education

Our 11-week study of The Gospel of John

will begin on March 2.

An eleven-week study of The Gospel According to John will begin on Monday, March 2. The Gospel of John is a testament to the divine nature of Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Light of the World. Study material is available as a paperback or e-book at LittleRockScripture.org.

We meet on

Mondays at 10 AM in Room A in CTK’s Parish Hall.

Dance Ministry

Join us on Thursdays (New Day)

February 26 at 7pm

In CTK's Parish Hall

Come out and Learn how to Line Dance,

Grow in Faith, and Build Community

Questions? Contact Nelson Gonzales ngonzales@ctkph.org

Dress a Child Around the World Sewing Ministry

We will meet for our next sewing session, next Wednesday, February 18th, 9:00 am, at the CTK Parish Hall.

These are the dates of rest of our sewing sessions through May 2026: March 18, April 29, and May 27.

For more information, please contact Maria Elena Sandoval at sfcity4@gmail.com.

Please join us for a special Ash Wednesday Grief Workshop on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 @ 7:00 PM in the CTK Ministry Center Chapel.

Grief is the ash left behind when love has burned brightly. Come together as one community in Christ for support and fellowship.

For information, call or text Donna @ 510 381-3615.

Livestreamed Masses

The following Masses are livestreamed for those unable to celebrate with us.

Christ the King and St. Stephen Campus
Monday - Saturday
9:00am

First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 8:15am followed by Mass at 9:00am

Saturday
4:00pm Vigil Mass

Sunday
10:30am