Dear Friends:

In recent days, our nation has witnessed renewed tension, protests, and acts of violence that grieve our hearts and trouble our common life. These moments test not only our public institutions, but also our personal convictions and our Christian discipleship. As followers of Christ, we are called to resist escalation, to watch our rhetoric carefully, and to refuse language or actions that dehumanize others. Justice is never served by hatred, nor peace by fear. Due process, respect for human dignity and the common good must guide our response—especially in conversations around immigration, public safety, and social unrest.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dominated media coverage amid widespread controversy. While some argue that reducing the presence of undocumented immigrants in the United States is a legitimate policy goal, the methods used to pursue that mission have caused deep and, in many cases, irreversible harm to families and communities across the country. This reality underscores the urgency of de-escalation and the moral responsibility to ensure that enforcement, rhetoric, and public discourse never strip people of their dignity or humanity.

Archbishop Coakley reminded us that “the Gospel must be proclaimed and lived in every setting, serving as a leaven of fraternity and peace among all individuals, cultures, religions and peoples.”

With this in mind, he urged calm, restraint, and respect for human life, emphasizing that public authorities have a grave responsibility to safeguard the well-being of all in service to the common good. As a nation, he said, we must turn away from dehumanizing rhetoric and acts that threaten human life, boldly proclaiming with Pope Leo: “Peace is built on respect for people.”

Following the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda also called for prayer and a restoration of peace. He reminded us that while we rightly thirst for God’s justice and hunger for His peace, neither will be achieved until we rid our hearts of the hatreds and prejudices that prevent us from seeing one another as brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God. This call applies to everyone—to our undocumented neighbors, to elected officials, and to those entrusted with the difficult responsibility of enforcing our laws. All need our humble prayers.

As Pope Leo prayed during the Angelus, we too lift our hearts to God for peace—in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in every place where violence, fear, and division threaten human life. Let us also pray fervently for a just, humane, and compassionate solution to the immigration challenges facing our country. May we, as a parish and as a people of faith, be instruments of Christ’s peace—choosing dialogue over division, restraint over rhetoric, justice over fear, and love over all.

The Feast of St. Blaise

“Blessing of Throats”

in honor of St. Blaise on

Tuesday, February 3 at the

9am Mass at CTK.

Catholics traditionally receive a blessing of the throat on the feast day of St. Blaise. A cross is formed from two blessed candles that are held over the throat.

The blessing involves touching a person's throat with candles to

pray for protection from throat illnesses.

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

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