Praised be Jesus Christ! From time to time a friend sends me poetry that he composes – for an amateur, he’s quite good. Only in the last few years did someone reveal to me that the trick to understanding poetry is that it must be read aloud. Take the following verse that cleverly teaches basic grammar:
A noun names person, place or thing – A man, a town, a thought, a swing. An adjective describes a noun – Small shoes, bright eyes, new gloves, green gown. (And pronouns too, the next one down). Use pronouns such as we, me, they Instead of using nouns all day. A verb says what we are or do – They dance, she is, he laughed, it flew. An adverb tells how things are done, We quietly talk, they quickly run. An interjection shows surprise, As: Oh! how pretty. Ah! how wise Conjunctions are for joining things Like clauses, phrases And prepositions? What are they? Oh dear! That’s difficult to say! We forget to thank God for many things, one of which is the art of communication. One of the reasons I use this column is to utilize another form of moving thoughts, feelings and ideas from my heart to yours. Speaking is an art, and writing well is no less so. People who read make progress in both, which shows itself in many wonderful ways. Some of the saints read very little but were still masterful in communicating the interior truths God taught them. Saint Francis of Assisi is but one example of how divine grace can transform an uneducated man into poetry in motion. Maybe you feel drawn to read more, and thanks to some very generous people, St. John’s always has free books available for you – check out the hallway near the bride’s room and you’ll find wonderful books that will further refine your imagination as well as enhance your ability to communicate with God and man. Christ the King also has a nice library in the church basement and some of those books have been waiting for a person like you to snuggle up with and share their wisdom. Now that the weather begins to make outdoor activity less and less attractive, why not read a couple of good books this winter? Before closing this column, allow me to segue to a theme apropos of November – namely the art of burying the dead. Recently Pope Francis approved a document that clarifies the Catholic Church’s teaching and what follows are some important excerpts: The Catholic Church wholeheartedly recommends continuing the "pious practice of burying the dead," Cardinal Muller said… mirroring the burial of Christ, it more clearly expresses hope in the resurrection when the person's body and soul will be reunited. When a person is buried in the ground, the final resting place is marked with the person's name, the same name with which the person was baptized and by which the person is called by God. Keeping ashes at home on the mantel, he said, is a sign not only of love and grief, but also of not understanding how the loved one belonged to the entire community of faith and not just to his or her closest relatives. "Only in grave and exceptional cases," the instruction says, local bishops may give permission for ashes to be kept in a private home. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
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Area Parishes and their “Advent Penance Services”: Thursday-Dec. 1, 2016 @ Our Lady of Peace-Mfld @ 5 p.m. Thursday-Dec 15, 2016 @ Sacred Heart-Mfld @ 5 p.m. Thursday-Dec. 22, 2016 @St. John’s-Mfld. @ 5 p.m.
Christ the King Catholic Church is hosting “A Community Thanksgiving Worship Service” it will take place this year, on Wednesday -November 23, 2016 @ 7 pm. @ Lucille Tack Center This is a perfect way to start out the Thanksgiving and Christmas season with our gifts of praise and gratitude. Come worship .. Everyone is welcome ! Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Kings Community Food Pantry, if you are able to do so. Refreshments will be served by our parish following the program. Kathy Burnett is organizing the Ecumenical Choir and extends an invitation to anyone who loves to sing and wishes to be a part of this program. You may call Kathy Burnett @ 715-659-4390 to offer your singing voice or if you have questions. Parishioners of our parish will be asked to help out in different aspects of this worship service on the 23rd of Nov. Contact Michelle Pickett, she is on Christ the King Planning Committee, and she will be able to let you know where help is needed. Show your community and parish support by volunteering ! Wednesday-November 23, 2016 Father Samuel Martin will be celebrant here at the parish for a evening mass @ 5:30 p.m. Come and give thanks to God for the blessings he has given you and your families. Time again for the “Giving Tree” !!! The tree will be placed in the Gathering Room the weekend of November 19 & 29, 2016 . Each year the Family Life and Social Justice Committee members and the families who receive the gifts are overwhelmed by your generosity. A reminder: If you take a tag, please write your name and phone number on the “sign-up sheet” located in the gathering room (This is so that we can contact you if there is no gift on that last date, for the tag for which you signed up for. Every year this happens that someone forgets to bring the gift in by that last date for collection on Sunday, so the sign-up sheet is very important and saves the day.) Also, very important, please place the gift tag on the gift so that we can get it to the right person/family. Deadline that the gifts are to be brought back to the church is Sunday-December 18, 2016 so that we can arrange to have the families pick their gifts up in a timely manner. Any questions, please call Sue Toufar at 715-659-4429 or Kay Derks at 715-659-4046. *** Orange Donation Food Bags *** have been set out for you to take one and place your non-perishable food items into. You may bring bag back to Christ the King’s gathering room or take with you on Wednesday night-Nov. 23rd service, where they will be collecting them during the evening. Ladies of the parish: Mark your calendars ………….. for the “Annual P.C.C.W. Christmas Party taking place on Monday- December 5, 2016 * Reception @ 5:30 p.m. with luncheon @ 6 p.m. This invitation is extended to all the ladies of the parish and we are looking forward to seeing you. Diane Witmer * President and Sue Mews * Vice-President
News from the USCCB
Coming Together As Faithful Citizens For The Common Good - WASHINGTON, November 9, 2016 – The American people have made their decision on the next President of the United States, members of Congress as well as state and local officials. I congratulate Mr. Trump and everyone elected yesterday. Now is the moment to move toward the responsibility of governing for the common good of all citizens. Let us not see each other in the divisive light of Democrat or Republican or any other political party, but rather, let us see the face of Christ in our neighbors, especially the suffering or those with whom we may disagree...Read More News from the Pope: Pope Francis calls on us to be instruments of mercy - (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday urged the faithful not to fall into indifference but to become active instruments of mercy. Addressing the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly General Audience at a time in which the Holy Year of Mercy is coming to an end, he reflected on the corporal work of mercy that calls us to visit the sick and the imprisoned.....Read More News from the Church: Vatican Hopes a Donald Trump Presidency Will Promote Peace Amid Conflict - VATICAN CITY — After Donald Trump pulled off what was for many a surprising victory in the United States election, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin offered his prayers that the new president-elect would promote peace in a world torn by conflict. “First of all, we take note with respect the will of the American people in this exercise of democracy which they tell me was characterized by a large turnout. Then we congratulate the new president, so that his government can be truly fruitful,” Cardinal Parolin told Vatican Radio Nov. 19. He also assured of his prayers, “so that the Lord illuminate him and sustain him in the service of his homeland, naturally, but also of the peace and wellbeing of the world.”...Read more Youth Fundraiser All teens can begin to earn money toward Adventure Camp, World Youth Day, Steubenville Conference, Mission Trip … or any of the great opportunities offered. The fundraiser presently available is selling Younkers Community Day booklets. You sell the booklet for $5 (you earn the entire $5), the buyer gets a $10 coupon (a $5 savings) and everyone is happy! This is only available through Nov. 8. For more details, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber.
High School Youth Group meets @ the Becker Home from 8-9pm. The topic for the year will be Theology of the Body for Teens. For questions, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber . March For Life Pilgrimage 2017 All people 13 years of age and older are invited to be a witness to the dignity of life for the unborn, elderly, and those who society regards as useless. We’ll travel with a Diocesan group via motorcoach. This is for YOUTH & ADULTS. Cost is ~$330 for teens, $290 for chaperones. Deposit of $175 due by Dec. 1. Pilgrims will also get a hooded sweatshirt. Fundraising options and need-based scholarships are available. (*$25 less if you have a hood from previous March) For more information, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber . Pilgrims for Life Fundraiser – Need PINT Jars & ClothThe youth preparing to participate in the March for Life will again be making and selling delicious Jar Mixes. We need more PINT size canning jars as well as Christmas colored cloth scraps for covering jars. If you have some to donate, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber SHS High School Luncheon Bible Study: Every Tuesday meet in room 310 during your lunch period. Bring a hunger to grow in your faith 7 a bag lunch (or school lunch). We read, discuss & share God’s Word and the food. This year, we’ll be reading the Gospel of Mark. This is a GREAT opportunity! Bring your friends!! Teen & Young Adult Retreat Team Looking for teens and young adults to help lead youth retreats. Living Stones is the name of the group and it rocks! Meet lots of great people, grow in your faith, and have tons of fun. If interested, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber
Continuing our series of the different parts of the Mass, we now turn to the summit of the liturgy, the Eucharistic Prayer.The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) describes it as follows:
“Now the center and summit of the entire celebration begins: namely, the Eucharistic Prayer, that is, the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. The priest invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving; he unites the congregation with himself in the prayer that he addresses in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the meaning of the Prayer is that the entire congregation of the faithful should join itself with Christ in confessing the great deeds of God and in the offering of Sacrifice. The Eucharistic Prayer demands that all listen to it with reverence and in silence.”This is an element of the Mass that is recited entirely by the priest, with occasional acclamations voiced by the faithful. The priest, in this capacity, is acting in persona christi, or “in the person of Christ” allowing God to work through him to bring about the miracle of the Eucharist. The Catechism explains: “Christians come together in one place for the Eucharistic assembly. At its head is Christ himself, the principal agent of the Eucharist. He is high priest of the New Covenant; it is he himself who presides invisibly over every Eucharistic celebration. It is in representing him that the bishop or priest acting in the person of Christ the head (in persona Christi capitis) presides over the assembly, speaks after the readings, receives the offerings, and says the Eucharistic Prayer” (CCC 1328) The faithful kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer in preparation for witnessing the coming of Christ the King, kneeling before Him in adoration and expectation. The actions of the priest, too, are very symbolic, each part referring to the great mystery unfolding. Here is how the GIRM explains each part of the Eucharistic Prayer: “The chief elements making up the Eucharistic Prayer may be distinguished in this way:
This time is meant to prepare us to receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and to witness His coming as the bread and wine are transformed into His body and blood. It is not a mere symbol, but a truth that is beyond words. The next time we go to Mass, let us pray the words of the father of the son possessed by a demon, ”I believe; help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24) The Mass is indeed a great mystery and we need God’s help to better understand what is truly happening before our eyes! Read the Entire Series Save the Date! Christ the King will be hosting a Parish Mission on November 8-9-10 beginning at 6:30pm each evening. Father Chris Alar, will be our guest speaker. Father Alar is Director of the Association of Marian Helpers. We are thrilled to have him coming to our parish!
Parishioners of Christ the King * A Silent Auction will be held the weekend of November 5 and 6 and November 12 and 13, 2016. Bids will be taken for handmade quilts . There will be 3 quilts which were made by the women of the PCCW, to bid on. The proceeds from this will benefit the upcoming P.CC.W projects Night of Adoration for the Election: Please join us at St. John’s as we pray for the future of our country. We’ll be adoring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 6th and will conclude with Benediction at 6:50 a.m. (just before the 7:00 a.m. Mass). You’re welcome to come at any time. In a time of widespread confusion and unrest, we come together and beg Our Lord to send us the Holy Spirit, that we might know God’s will and have the courage to follow it. Sign up sheets for each hour will be available at St. John’s beginning on October 29th Area Parishes and their “Advent Penance Services”: Thursday-Dec. 1, 2016 @ Our Lady of Peace-Mfld @ 5 p.m. Thursday-Dec 15, 2016 @ Sacred Heart-Mfld @ 5 p.m. Thursday-Dec. 22, 2016 @St. John’s-Mfld. @ 5 p.m. Christ the King Catholic Church is hosting “A Community Thanksgiving Worship Service” it will take place this year, on Wednesday -November 23, 2016 @ 7 pm. @ Lucille Tack Center This is a perfect way to start out the Thanksgiving and Christmas season with our gifts of praise and gratitude. Come worship .. Everyone is welcome ! Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Kings Community Food Pantry, if you are able to do so. Refreshments will be served by our parish following the program. Kathy Burnett is organizing the Ecumenical Choir and extends an invitation to anyone who loves to sing and wishes to be a part of this program. You may call Kathy Burnett @ 715-659-4390 to offer your singing voice or if you have questions. Parishioners of our parish will be asked to help out in different aspects of this worship service on the 23rd of Nov. Contact Michelle Pickett, she is on Christ the King Planning Committee, and she will be able to let you know where help is needed. Show your community and parish support by volunteering ! *** Orange Donation Food Bags *** have been set out for you to take one and place your non-perishable food items into. You may bring bag back to Christ the King’s gathering room or take with you on Wednesday night-Nov. 23rd service, where they will be collecting them during the evening. Last spring you were asked to keep in mind that in the fall there would be an event at school where winter outer wear would be available for those needing it. Joann Roehl, Elementary School Counselor, said that the Family Fun Fest will be held November 3rd this year. We are trying to get the winter clothes, that are often requested on the Giving Tree tags, to those who need them earlier in the cold season. So if your children have outgrown or you are at garage sales, please bring clean, gently used coats, boots, snow pants, hats, mittens, and scarves for students 4K-12th grade to Christ the King by Sunday, October 30th . There will be a labeled box for them in the “North Parking Lot Entrance” in the coat rack area. Questions call Carol Sallee at 715-255-8158 Ladies of the parish: Mark your calendars ………….. for the “Annual P.C.C.W. Christmas Party taking place on Monday- December 5, 2016 * Reception @ 5:30 p.m. with luncheon @ 6 p.m. This invitation is extended to all the ladies of the parish and we are looking forward to seeing you. Diane Witmer * President and Sue Mews * Vice-President News from the USCCB
USCCB President And Vice President Candidate List Released; Elections Will Take Place At Fall General Assembly In Baltimore - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will elect their next president and vice-president at the upcoming Plenary Assembly in Baltimore. The elections are due to take place during the general assembly. Each office is elected from a slate of 10 candidates who have been nominated by their fellow bishops. The slate of candidates for President and Vice President are as follows: ...Read More News from the Pope: Pope urges Sweden's Catholics to be modern day saints -(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Tuesday for Sweden’s Catholic community, gathered in an open air stadium in the southern city of Malmo. The Mass, marking the Solemnity of All Saints, followed a day of ecumenical celebrations as the Pope and leaders of the Lutheran World Federation led an unprecedented joint commemoration of the Reformation....Read More News from the Church: Election 2016: Calling for a Revolution of Conscience - EDITORIAL: St. John Paul’s parallel initiatives — a holistic vision of life that offers a path to real human fulfillment and so recovers the true dignity and meaning of the body and a revolution of conscience that places Christ and personal responsibility at its center — offer a blueprint for the moral and spiritual transformation that will make a healthy political culture possible....Read more Youth Fundraiser All teens can begin to earn money toward Adventure Camp, World Youth Day, Steubenville Conference, Mission Trip … or any of the great opportunities offered. The fundraiser presently available is selling Younkers Community Day booklets. You sell the booklet for $5 (you earn the entire $5), the buyer gets a $10 coupon (a $5 savings) and everyone is happy! This is only available through Nov. 8. For more details, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber.
High School Youth Group meets @ the Becker Home from 8-9pm. The topic for the year will be Theology of the Body for Teens. For questions, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber . March For Life Pilgrimage 2017 All people 13 years of age and older are invited to be a witness to the dignity of life for the unborn, elderly, and those who society regards as useless. We’ll travel with a Diocesan group via motorcoach. This is for YOUTH & ADULTS. Cost is ~$330 for teens, $290 for chaperones. Deposit of $175 due by Dec. 1. Pilgrims will also get a hooded sweatshirt. Fundraising options and need-based scholarships are available. (*$25 less if you have a hood from previous March) For more information, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber . Pilgrims for Life Fundraiser – Need PINT Jars & ClothThe youth preparing to participate in the March for Life will again be making and selling delicious Jar Mixes. We need more PINT size canning jars as well as Christmas colored cloth scraps for covering jars. If you have some to donate, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber
To continue our series on the different parts of the Mass, we will now examine the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and in particular, the "Sanctus" or "Holy, Holy, Holy."
We now enter into the second part of the divine liturgy, which is called the "Liturgy of the Eucharist." This is the part of the Mass where the words that were spoken at the Gospel become Flesh in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. As the GIRM narrates for us the significance of this part of the Mass, "At the Last Supper Christ instituted the Paschal Sacrifice and banquet by which the Sacrifice of the Cross is continuously made present in the Church whenever the priest, representing Christ the Lord, carries out what the Lord himself did and handed over to his disciples to be done in his memory. "For Christ took the bread and the chalice and gave thanks; he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take, eat, and drink: this is my Body; this is the cup of my Blood. Do this in memory of me.' Accordingly, the Church has arranged the entire celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in parts corresponding to precisely these words and actions of Christ:
At the start of the Liturgy of the Eucharist there is the Preparation of the Gifts, where the gifts to be sacrificed are given to the priest. In historical context, members of the early Church would bake the bread and create the wine needed for the celebration. They would then bring those elements and offer them to the priest. This is why we currently have the custom in the Church to select representatives from the congregation to present the bread and wine to be consecrated, symbolizing the offering of ourselves to God. After the gifts are prepared at the altar by the priest, the "Santcus" (Holy, Holy, Holy) is intoned and all kneel in preparation for the greatest miracle of all times: God humiliates Himself so much as to dwell in a simple piece of bread and a small chalice of wine. Historically, "not every one of the ancient liturgies knew this [particular] hymn, although its institution is attributed to St. Sixtus I who, as Pope, introduced it into the Mass in the second century" (TM). In the current translation of the Mass, the Sanctus has a slight revision that better expresses the mystery that it is meant to teach us. "The opening line of the Sanctus is taken not from a hymn book, but from the angel's worship of God in heaven. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah was given a vision of the angels praising God, crying out: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts' (see Isaiah 6:3). The word 'hosts' here refers to the heavenly army of angels. When we recite 'Holy, Holy, Holy Lord' in the Mass, therefore, we are joining the angels in heaven, echoing their very words of worship. The previous translation of this prayer referred to the Lord as 'God of power and might.' In the new translation, we address him as 'Lord God of Hosts.' This more clearly echoes the biblical language of the angels in Isaiah and underscores the infinite breadth of God's power" (TM). When we said "God of power and might," it was more abstract, while when we say "Lord God of Hosts," it is more concrete and specific, referring to the heavenly "hosts" of angels, archangels, principalities, virtues, powers, dominions, thrones, cherubim and seraphim; in other words, the entire heavenly army! This ancient hymn prepares us for what is about to unfold and reminds us that we are never alone at Mass. The angels surround us and sing with us a "hymn of praise!" Mass is a meeting place of Heaven and Earth and so we must prepare ourselves for the great mystery that occurs in front of our eyes! Read the Entire Series |
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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