SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING
A Kingship that bears witness to the Truth While governments may crumble, Christ's Kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of this world, will last forever. Each year at the conclusion of the liturgical year, we fittingly celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. As the Apostle St. Paul teaches us, "In Jesus Christ every thing in heaven and earth was created... and continues in being" (Col 1:16-17). He is the 'Alpha and Omega'; the 'Beginning and End'; the 'Way, Truth, and Llfe'. Indeed, Christ promises to His faithful friends the gift of salvation, the pledge of everlasting life through His Resurrection. Therefore, faithfulness to Christ, our King, opens the door to our eternal happiness. Origin of the Feast In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in the encyclical Quas Primas (from Latin, "In the First") to respond to secular ism-the adoration of 'idols' of the earthly world, such as money and fame, above God. Pope Pius XI recognized that secularism would breed hostility against the Church. In fact, during the 20th century, governments in Mexico, Russia, and Europe, infiltrated by secularism, threatened not only the Catholic Church but also civilization itself. Quas Primas gave Catholics the hope that while governments may crumble, Christ's Kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of this world, would last forever. Christ's Kingship Although Quas Primas was written almost 95 years ago, it continues to ring true today. For instance, secularism and socialism continue to separate people from God, as evidenced by the rejection of Church teachings and the denial of God Himself. In addition, recent Pew Research Center data shows the worldwide increase of religious hostilities. Now more than ever, we must celebrate that Jesus Christ is King of the Universe, including in the following ways: In Christ, we must preserve our fundamental rights. Jesus Christ reveals the fulfillment of the truths of creation found in the book of Genesis: "God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good" (Gen 1:31). Therefore, "made in [His] image and likeness," each of us possesses an immeasurable goodness (Gen 1:26). And, this goodness from Christ, given to the heart of man, calls us to fight for what is justly ours: the right to life, freedom of conscience and religious freedom. In Christ, we must evangelize in love. Christ, both meek and humble of heart, is the perfect servant of God: Through His teaching and His life, Jesus intended to confirm, not to coerce, others in faith (Dignitatis Humanae, no. 11). Through our daily action, let us follow Christ's loving example of showing the truth to others. In Christ, we must proclaim the truth. Christ's Kingship "bear[s] witness to the truth" John 18:37). In bearing this witness, Christ acknowledges government authority, "rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21). Nonetheless, we are asked to speak out "against governing powers which oppose the holy will of God" (Dignitatis Humanae, no. 11). Bearing witness to the truth in this age can be difficult. But Christ has shown us that 'kingship' must always be at the service of the good of mankind. Therefore, with His grace and in hope of His gift of salvation, let us bear witness to the truth, even when it is unpopular or costly to do so. In this way, we become faithful servants of Christ, preparing the way for His Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven. Have a Blessed Feast Fr Jim
0 Comments
P.C.C.W. Annual Christmas Party-Monday-Dec.2nd beginning with social @ 6pm and luncheon to follow, in dining hall of church. Hot beef, rolls and beverage will be provided. Please bring dish to pass. If you are participating in “Secret Pal” please bring your gift if you choose to do so letting your identity by known at party. Lots of laughter and fun with raffles, games and surprise gifts . Ladies we extend an invitation for you to join us ! From the Church
Archbishop Jose Gomez, 67, was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for a three-year term. He was already serving as vice president, under Houston’s Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. The native of Mexico, who is a member of Opus Dei and was ordained a priest in Spain, will be the first Latino and the first immigrant to lead the episcopal conference. Archbishop Gomez began serving as a bishop in 2001, when he was named auxiliary for the Archdiocese of Denver. From there, he went on to lead the Archdiocese of San Antonio, until being named Coadjutor and then Archbishop of Los Angeles in 2010 and 2011. Read More... Saturday - Nov. 23 / Sunday Nov. 24 * “Feast of Christ the King” observance being held here. After 4 pm mass there will be pizza & beverage served and after 8 am mass and 10 am mass, donuts and beverage will be served. All are welcome to come to parish dining hall after mass and visit. PURGATORY During this month of November, a month dedicated to saints in heaven and souls in purgatory, let’s take advantage of this time and reflect on one of the more mis-understood teachings of the Church, which is Purgatory. It is not a second- chance hell, or even hell-lite as some claim it to be, but a teaching and a place that reflects the beauty of our Creator. Some things to consider:
Attention: OnWednesday*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
In The Pope Video for the month of November presenting Pope Francis’ monthly prayer intention, the Holy Father focuses on the communities that live side by side in the Middle East, asking all Catholics to pray for there to be authentic dialogue among them. Read More... Updated Pilgrimage for Life info is posted on the website, the deadline for registration and payment is December 27th. The cost is $275 per student or chaperone. Please contact me with any questions at [email protected] 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 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. |
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
Archives
February 2021
Categories
All
|