FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR’S DESK I have to say that these last three weeks have taken a lot out of me. The news of being moved. Things coming-up that have taken away my day off each week. I’ve been up late replying to emails, listening to voice mails, preparing funeral homilies, daily homilies, and weekend homilies, not to forget the Holy Day and being at Columbus preparing for upcoming school retreats. I’ve wanted to get a haircut for the past week but haven’t had the time. Made an appointment for an oil change but had to cancel it. Then off to La Crosse for a set of meetings, only to be told that I have another set of meetings being added to my calendar now that I’m going to be an administrator! AND LIFE GOES ON! While praying with this weekend’s Gospel from Luke, I had to stop myself from the “oh me oh my” attitude and see what God is trying to show me. You see, sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget why we are doing what we are doing. We get so bogged down with “life” that we lose focus on the why of life. We start to feel that one more thing is literally going to break the camel’s back (ours). But in reality, the things we do each and every day matter. They foretell how we see our futures, that is, our life after death. It shows us that what we do today, well, it has implications on how we will live after we die. Now I’m am not writing this looking for any sympathy, I’ve already done that and the pity party is over! I tell you this because it’s very easy for each of us to feel overwhelmed, underappreciated, and overworked. It’s easy to think that we are all alone and there is no one to help. But when we can look back and see the good that has come from our efforts, the life that has been touched or changed, the success that has been won because we got through it...well, then we know we are on the right track. Our struggles are temporary, we push through because we know we have a God that provides, a God that is always reaching out to us, a God who only wants us to succeed in this life. Because He knows that when we do, we are guaranteed eternal life with him after the resurrection. How are we preparing for that? Is today going to be the same as yesterday, or the day before that, or the month before that, or the year before that? We have today, we know that. Today is the day we all have to make it the best day, not only for ourselves but for everyone we encounter. When we start seeing every day as an opportunity to see our own resurrection, then we will see that every day is a gift leading to the ultimate present. I truly love being a priest, and there is not one thing in the last three weeks I would want to change! Make today count! Fr. Barry
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Attention: On Wednesday*Nov.27* there is an essential need for volunteers here in Spencer, @ 6 pm in Christ the King dining hall of church, with food items brought to the hall to be sorted, from the generous contribution of food that is collected at the Tack Center that evening. This is an ideal time to have families help in their community. The more people volunteering, the faster food items can be sorted and stored on shelves to be given to the recipients who come to the food pantry each week. Please consider taking your time to come and volunteer, and your help is so greatly appreciated. Thank you. From the Pope
Pope Francis, through a decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has inscribed the celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto into the General Roman Calendar. The decree notes that the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto, venerated by generations of pilgrims and honored by numerous popes, “recalls the mystery of the Incarnation, leading all those who visit it to consider ‘the fullness of time,’ when God sent his Son, born of a woman, as well as to meditate both on the words of the Angel announcing the Good News and on the words of the Virgin in response to the divine call.” The Congregation also published the liturgical texts for the memorial, which will be celebrated each year on December 10. Read More... Now on Formed.org Would you like encouraging Catholic content in your email inbox? Take a look at "Daily Reflections", quick 1 to 2 minute reflections to keep you focused on Jesus each day. Sign up to get them every day at https:// formed.org/daily From the Desk of Deacon Jeff Austin Ahh, Fall, my favorite time of year!! The leaves have shown us their beautiful colors, the morning air is crisp and fresh, there is the smell of wonderful food cooking in the kitchen, the aroma of burning firewood is in the air and the summer heat and humidity is finally over! I love to stand out on the deck in the early morning with a cup of hot coffee and watch the stars slowly fade as Orion and his faithful companion, Sirius look down from the heavens. The sun begins to peek over the eastern horizon, the geese sing their joyful song as they continue the journey south and I know that life is good. For people of a certain age (my age) Fall is a time to reflect on our lives as we enter our own person- al autumn. I don’t know how much time I have left, I only know that God has been very good to me and I rejoice in the time and the friends He has given me. All of us should take the time to give Him thanks. Fall is also a time to remember all those who have come and gone before us. We need to reflect on all the saints, not only the great ones recognized by the Church, but also those who are known only to God; our parents and grandparents; those priests, nuns and others who touched our lives; the countless giants of the faith and our families upon whose shoulders we stand; and the men and women who built the civilization in which we live. Finally, there is that great feast day which brings Fall to an end (no not Thanksgiving). The Feast of Christ the King! We remember Him who makes all things new and who has promised us He will return and establish His Kingdom here on Earth and we know that Jesus keeps His promises. As we say down south, “Happy Fall y’all!!! Deacon Jeff Austin Christ the King Giving Tree for 2019 * Sponsored by Family Life Committee . The tree will be set up starting Nov. 16, 2019 The area school counselor sends out a questionnaire in late October / early November to families that might be having financial difficulties, asking if they would like to have tags placed on area churches giving trees. Than a list is created and tags made and the representatives of area churches are given a fair balance of tags. Reminder: What is written on the gift tags are just suggestions. On the questionnaire that the families fill out it is mentioned that there is a $25.00 limit, but the person taking a gift tag can do whatever they wish. The deadline for bringing back gift tag and gift is Sunday-December 15, 2019. When taking a gift tag, it is important to sign the sheet near the “Giving Tree” with your name and phone number next to the corresponding number / letter on the gift tag. All please place the gift tag on the gift so that the right gift is given to the recipient. Almost every year someone has forgotten to bring in their gift by the deadline Sunday. If there is no way to locate who took the gift tag, the people sorting the gifts must go out and replace that gift. The date for families to pick up these gift items is usually the next day, December 16th, so the families who utilize the Kings Community Food Pantry can pick the gift up during the same trip. Only once in awhile gifts have been hand delivered to the recipient’s home. A huge “THANK YOU” to those who generously participate in making a wonderful Christmas possible for those in need. God’s blessings to you and your families. From the Church
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2019 Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-13. During the assembly, the bishops will elect a new president, vice president, and six committee chairs. They will also discuss and vote on seven action items. Read More... |
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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