HAPPY LABOR DAY Although the above greeting is a week late, it does make sense to continue our reflection on what Labor Day is, and why we celebrate it in our country. For over a century, Americans have celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday in September. This national holiday was established in the 1880s for two reasons: to mark the irreplaceable role of the American worker in making this country prosperous and strong; and to have time to attend speeches and events on the spiritual and educational aspects of work, the worker and the good that comes from work. From this we see that although it is a secular holiday, instituted into our culture through the work of labor unions, we Christians are called to sanctify all things, including culture. We do this by honoring the dignity of human labor, and so we honor the work that is done by all men and women throughout history, and even before. In the first command in the Bible, the Lord gave the human person the mission to co-operate (work together) with him in bringing His work of creation to fulfillment: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish ... the birds ... and every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28). God, who worked for the “six days” of creation and whom Jesus says “is still working” (Jn 5:17), made man and woman in his own image and likeness and called them to share in this work. Christ himself was a carpenter’s son, Sts. Peter, James and John were fishermen, St. Paul was a tent maker; again and again we find saints who were laborers during their time on earth. It is through our work and toil that we attain dominion over creation, as instructed in Genesis. This call to work has roots to the beginning of time, and continues to this day. Although the work is different- agricultural workers, day laborers, factory workers, nurses, doctors, stay at home moms and dads, construction workers, students and scientists to name a few; we all know some type of work. And that is a good thing. In fact, St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that work itself is good for mankind. It is good in that it allows us to purchase things for life, but it is not principally about earning a paycheck, but about serving God and others. More importantly work corresponds to our human dignity, and even increases it. Through work, we transform nature, adapt it to our needs, and achieve fulfillment as a human being; in a sense becoming ‘more a human being’ (Laborem Exercens). Without this conception of work, it can be simply tedious and a struggle; or work can be used to punish or oppress other humans through such things as forced labor, concentration camps and exploitation of workers solely for the profit of others etc. So as Christians we come to celebrate Labor Day, not as a day off from our toil, but as a day to celebrate work itself, and to reflect how our work, no matter what it may be, is a way to grow in holiness and imitation of our Creator, the first worker. In this light, we see that it is more than just a day, but it becomes how we view human labor throughout the year and how we participate in building the kingdom. God bless, Fr Jim
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The weekend of September 21-21, 2019, Rev. James R. Horath will be the celebrant at Christ the King weekend masses to speak about the work being done by UNBOUND (previously known as CFCA), and how this provides a trustworthy way to actively participate in the social outreach of the Catholic Church and answer the Gospel call to serve the poor. The work of UNBOUND, is a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and elderly in 18 developing countries. To learn more about UNBOUND you may call 800-875-6564 or visit website: www.unbound.org From the Church
In December 2017, 19 year-old Arkansas college student Christine McGee was rushed to the hospital by her mother. Christine had fallen ill with what turned out to be an aneurysm, and it looked like she was going to die. Once at the hospital, Christine fell into a coma and became unresponsive. Today, Christine is healed. She recently received her Master’s degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, and she can drive and live independently. Her recovery could be a miracle that progresses the sainthood cause of a Louisiana Creole religious sister, say authorities from the Diocese of Little Rock Arkansas. While Christine was ill, her mother prayed for the intercession of Venerable Henriette DeLille, asking for healing for her daughter. Read More... Associate Pastor's Desk
Why is it we all like, for the most part, to be recognized. Sometimes in different ways. When coming into a room where there are guests or friends we like to be noticed and acknowledged, when fulfilling a task we have been working on we like to be complimented for a job well done, or when we do something well and mention it to friends or co-workers, we like to get that pat on the back. I don’t think this is a surprise to anyone, because it’s our human nature to want to be recognized in various ways for things we have done or accomplished. Sadly, at times I find myself tooting my own horn. Mentioning I had to run here, then got called to do this, then rushed over here for this, then got back just in time for an appointment. Oh yea, and through it all I got such and such done and still got to my meetings. Seriously!! Does anyone even care! Sure, the comment back might be “wow, that’s a lot”, but the real sentiment sounds something like this. “Isn’t that your job, isn’t that what you were ordained to do?” And the second part of that statement is 100% correct. Sometimes we all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. We run from one thing to another and sometimes even spin out of control. When the day comes to end, we wonder if anyone even noticed or appreciated anything that was done. And that answer will always be yes, if it was done with a sincere heart. God ALWAYS notices our good deeds. Actually, he commands us to take care of our brothers and sisters, so of course he’s going to notice. So why do we feel like we need recognition from anyone else? Many times, it just feels good! Other times, we want to make sure someone else knows what we have done and how much time we invested. And yet other times, we just have to boost our own self esteem. When something is done for the good of others, that is our pat on the back. That is our that-a-boy. That gives us the feeling that we have truly accomplished something great, something marvelous, something Godly. That’s what allows us to sleep soundly at night! Our Gospel passage from Luke this weekend warns us of taking the place of honor. It reminds us that someone else might be present who deserves that place even more so than us. So when Jesus exhorts us to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind --- he’s simply asking us to do what he has already done and is continuing to do. The poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame aren’t just other people. They’re me and they’re you. And God has already invited us into the feast. He’s welcomed us in through our baptisms and the life of the community. He’s fed us and nourished us at this sacred table each week. He’s forgiven us and healed us and consoled us time and time again. And most importantly --- he has won a great victory for us through his death and resurrection --- a victory which holds out the promise for each of us to be united with him for all eternity. So next time we feel the need for that pat on the back, look at a cross, maybe one you keep in your pocket or purse, and remember why we believe the things we believe. We give back because God gives back all the time. Let’s learn from the lesson and be the disciples Jesus expects us to be. He sees all, and trust me, he remembers all. Blessings, Fr. Barry Registration and first night of class for grades 1-8 is September 4, 2019. Everyone should report to church by 6:30pm for a meeting with Father Weighner. Registration and student’s dismissal to their classrooms will follow. Parents will be able to pick up their children by 7:30pm. Grades 9 & 10 will begin classes on September 12. Please pray for our catechists, students and families as we begin another year. The Family Life Committee members of Christ the King have a “new” informational endeavor, called: “Meet Your Parish Family.” Every one to two months, one of our parish families will be contacted by a Family Life Committee member asking them, first for their permission, than facts about their family and requesting a time when a Family Life member can take a family picture or the family can provide them with a picture. Please take time, after Mass,to look at the “Meet Your Parish Family” easel that has been placed in the gathering room of the church. |
MASS SCHEDULE
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 AM Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 3:15 - 3:45 PM OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Stay Connected with Our ParishWelcome from Our PastorWelcome to Christ the King Catholic Church! Ever since 1938 this parish has been assisting souls in their quest for deeper union with God. Our mission statement is essentially found in the stained glass window above the main altar: “For Christ our King.” Insofar as God made us and we belong to Him, we have come to... Read More
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