Welcome to Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish

Dear Friends,
On Easter Monday, our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, entered into eternal life. Having just celebrated the Paschal Mystery—Christ’s death and resurrection—we now trust that God has welcomed him to the eternal banquet prepared for His faithful servants.
In these past days, I’ve received many heartfelt notes of condolence from pastors and leaders across Pleasant Hill and beyond. Time and again, one simple truth echoes through their words: “He was a good man.”
Pope Francis didn’t defend the Church’s imperfections; instead, he boldly and humbly defended Christ—the Christ of the Gospels, who fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and visited the prisoner. He lived the Gospel of Matthew 25 with unwavering conviction, and in doing so, reminded us of what truly matters.
He was a voice of justice and truth in a world often divided, and in a Church where such voices are too often silenced by fear. He spoke truth to power, not for attention, but because his conscience and his faith demanded it.
Someone recently wrote about a brief encounter with him in a crowded room: “I was just a man in need of a little hope. And somehow, in that fleeting moment, I received it.” That is who Pope Francis was—not performatively good, but relentlessly and authentically good. His presence gave people courage, lifted hearts, and renewed our belief that the world is still worth healing.
May his legacy inspire us to be that same light for others.
With Easter hope,
Fr. PAULSON MUNDANMANI

Come Celebrate with Us

Christ the King Campus

Monday - Friday

9:00am (livestreamed)


First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass

5:00 PM - 6:00PM, Mass at  6:00 PM  (exposition and Mass livestreamed)


Saturday

9:00 AM & 4:00 PM Vigil Mass (both Masses livestreamed)

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Confessions


Sunday

7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 4:00 PM (10:30 AM Mass livestreamed)


St. Stephen Campus

Monday - Friday

8:00 AM


Saturday

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Confessions, Mass at 5:00 PM


Sunday

9:30 AM

Weekly Bulletin

Our bulletins are a snapshot of important events at Christ the King - St. Stephen.  You'll find everything from Fr. Paulson's letter to what's happening with Youth Ministry.

New Parishioner Registration

With our ministry management system REALM it's easy to become a registered member of Christ the King - St. Stephen.  We build a stronger church by becoming a closer community through better communication.

It's with open arms and full hearts that we embrace our newest members of Christ the King - St. Stephen parish.  They entered the church at the Easter Vigil.



Welcome home.  We are all praying for you.

Dear Friends,


It gives me great joy to share that our Pastoral Council will be hosting a special Welcome Event for new parishioners this May and June - a long-overdue moment of grace and hospitality. Over the past several years, Christ the King–St. Stephen Parish has grown steadily, with many new individuals and families joining our faith community. As your pastor, it is both a privilege and a blessing to welcome you into this vibrant, Spirit-filled parish. You are invited to sign up for one of these dates.


Tuesday, May 20, 7:00pm

(St. Stephen Church)


 Sunday, June 1, 2:00pm

(Christ the King Church)


There is no secret formula, no perfect program, nor a certain level of giving that grows a parish like the simple but powerful virtue of hospitality. As one pastor wisely said, “For heaven’s sake, say hi to new parishioners.” That simple act can transform a parish culture more powerfully than any vision statement or strategic plan.


To RSVP for this free event click below.


Culture matters. In fact, culture is often the strongest force in any community. As Peter Drucker famously observed, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Parish culture silently shapes our habits, attitudes, expectations, and interactions—it says, “This is how we do things here.” And it doesn't need a push; it

continues unless intentionally renewed.


That raises an important question: What kind of culture are we shaping at Christ the King–St. Stephen? Do people feel seen, welcomed, and known?


A young family once told me that what made them stay in their parish was not a program or a homily—it was someone saying, “We’re glad you’re here. The bathrooms are over there, and here’s a space where your kids can move around.” Another mother recalled walking in late to Mass with her baby and being met afterward by multiple parishioners who simply introduced themselves and said, “Welcome.” These are not grand gestures—but they are sacred ones.


Throughout my ministry, I’ve learned that the reason most people stay in a parish is because someone made them feel like they belonged. Not by accident, but by intention.

Hospitality and outreach defined the life of Jesus—and they must define our parish as well. And while I am proud of how we live this out, we can always grow more deeply into that calling.


You may know that the word Catholic comes from two Greek words: kata and holos. Holos means “whole” or “everyone,” and kata means “according to” or “including.” Put together, they express an identity of a Church that is for everyone—inclusive, embracing, and universal in its welcome.


The early Church Father, St. Ignatius of Antioch, was the first to use the word “Catholic” to describe the Christian community. In his letter to the Smyrnaeans, he wrote, “Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” He had been shown hospitality as he traveled to Rome for martyrdom, and he experienced firsthand how a spirit of welcome was a sign of Christ’s presence.

Jesus, too, gave powerful witness through His inclusive ministry. He created a table fellowship that crossed boundaries. He welcomed tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts—so much so that His critics accused Him of eating with the wrong crowd. But for Jesus, everyone belonged at the table.


On Pentecost, the very birth of the Church, the miracle wasn’t just about tongues of fire—it was that people from all nations heard the message in their own language. It was God’s way of saying: “You are seen. You are included. You belong.” The first miracle of the Church was a miracle of inclusion.


As we prepare for our upcoming Welcome Event, may we commit ourselves to living out the hospitality of Jesus. Let’s not underestimate the power of a smile, a greeting, a gesture of kindness. Let’s ask not only, “How are you?” but also, “What can I do for you?”


This is how we build a parish rooted not just in programs, but in the heart of the Gospel - a community where, indeed, nothing compares to being here.



~Fr. Paulson


Sign Up for Staying Connected RSVP for the Welcome Event

What's Happening at Christ the King - St. Stephen

Join us SATURDAY May 3rd for Christ the King-St. Stephen's Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration


Cost: $30 for adults, $15 for kids 4years -12years, Children under 3 are free


  • Mexican cuisine
  • Live entertainment: Mariachi and folk dancers


Proceeds support the Youth Ministry Summer Service Trip.


Register Here
  • Men's Retreat

    Saturday, April 26, 2025

    St. Stephen Parish Hall, 1101 Keaveny Ct. Walnut Creek

    8:30 am to 4:30 pm 

    Cost: $30.00


    This year’s retreat theme is HOPE. As Pope Francis said in his letter to announce the 2025 Jubilee, “…we must fan the flames of hope that have been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision…”


    Father Kwame is a dynamic and engaging speaker.  He is currently Chaplain of Saint Mary's College of California and describes his work as accompanying and helping students, faculty and staff to transform learning into living through liturgy. He holds a MA in religious studies, a degree in systematic theology and is a PhD candidate in interdisciplinary studies in Missiology and the African Diaspora.


    Register Here
  • Vacation Bible Camp

    Christ the King / St. Stephen is excited to welcome back Vacation Bible Camp


    June 23-27 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM


    Come join in the fun as we celebrate God, our True North!

    • Song and Prayer
    • Bible Stories and Skits
    • Science Experiments
    • Outdoor and Water Fun
    • Crafts
    • Yummy Snacks

    Each Camper will receive a complimentary t-shirt and music download


    Adult Volunteers - we need YOU to make this successful, please register as a volunteer and join in the fun!  Help bring God's love and joy to young people as they grow in their Faith.

    Register Here

Livestreamed Masses

The following Masses are livestreamed for those who are unable to celebrate with us.


Christ the King Campus
Monday - Friday

9:00am (and livestreamed)

First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass

5:00pm - 6:00pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Mass

Saturday
9:00am
4:00pm Vigil Mass

Sunday
10:30am

Staying Connected Archive


View the last 4 editions of Staying Connected

Contact us

Send us a Message


Christ the King Church

199 Brandon Rd, Pleasant Hill CA

St. Stephen Church

1101 Keaveny Ct, Walnut Creek, CA