Christ the King Parish

My Dear Fellow Parishioners,

With Memorial Day a distant memory and Independence Day behind us, summer is officially in full bloom. I can’t help but recall the lyrics of that old George Gershwin classic, “Summertime, and the living is easy. Fish are jumping and the cotton is high.” The lyrics paint a picture of a time of ease and plenty, perhaps sentiments that come to mind more quickly when we are enjoying the warm days and the plentiful harvests from our local farms. While others may prefer the cooler days of other seasons, I’m definitely a fan of summer. At least that is so until the air conditioning breaks down!

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my house becoming more aware by the minute that my air conditioning system was not performing its’ assigned task of keeping our house cool. I called the local air conditioning technician who came out and fixed the problem, for which he made a sizeable extraction from my wallet. I wasn’t happy about the reduction in my checking account balance, but I was thrilled that the air conditioner was back in tip-top shape just a day ahead of the hottest day of that heat wave we experienced in mid-June. So as much as I like the warm days of summer, I also enjoy being able to escape the 100+ degree heat by retreating into my air conditioned house.

Some time ago as I was grousing about a problem like the air conditioning breaking down, one of my family members said, “Well, that’s a real ‘first world’ problem!” I’m not sure that I immediately appreciated their observation, but I think there’s great wisdom in that simple statement. I often complain about it being too hot or too cold, but I can easily escape the elements. I sometime complain that a specific food I like isn’t readily available or is too expensive, but I enjoy grocery stores that are loaded with culinary options that are only limited by my imagination. I may complain about not having the latest communication device in my pocket, yet I am able to communicate with friends or loved ones who are hundreds or thousands of miles away with that old phone that I have now. These problems are easily solved for me, but what about the rest of the world?

The fact remains that while we are blessed to live in a land where food, clothing and shelter are in plentiful supply, many of our brothers and sisters here and abroad struggle to find the most basic necessities of life. I’m proud that our community so generously supports St. Vincent DePaul, the What If? Foundation, the resettlement of refugee families and the many other charities that bring some relief to those in need. Your compassion for those in need is a hallmark of who we are as church. Thank you on behalf of those whose basic needs you support.

So, are you experiencing any “first world” problems this summer? If so, I suggest that we take the time to pray for those in need as we take refuge in the air conditioning!
 
God Bless you,
Deacon John
 
 

Weekday
8:00am
Saturday
8:00am, 5:00pm (vigil)
Sunday
7:00am, 8:00am, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:15pm, 5:00pm (summer youth mass [6pm will resume September 3rd])
Holy Days
8:00am, 7:00pm
First Friday
8:00 am, 6:30 pm (during Lent);
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 12 noon-7:00 p.m. (except summer)

Reconciliation:
Saturdays, 3:30-4:30pm