Need help dealing with grief?
GriefShare is here for you. GriefShare is a 13 week support group that assists those who have experienced a loss of a loved one in their life. We offer 2-3 13-week sessions per year. It is a scripture-based program open to all faiths.
If you would like to learn more or sign up, check out the GriefShare website: GriefShare.org.
You can also email or call the group leader Diana Mackinson:
925-519-4711
There is a $25 fee for the workbook and materials, however no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
Our next 13 week program will be starting at Christ the King-St Stephen's Parish on Saturday mornings from 10:00-12:00 noon beginning on July 11 in Room C of the CTK parish hall (facing the small parking lot).
Dear Friends,
As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, we do so with hearts filled with gratitude. Two hundred and fifty years ago, a bold experiment in self-government began with a declaration that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Those ideals have inspired generations of Americans and countless people around the world.
This anniversary invites us not only to celebrate our nation's history but also to reflect on the remarkable country America has become. In just two and a half centuries, the United States has grown from a small collection of colonies along the Atlantic coast into one of the most influential nations in human history. America has become a beacon of freedom, opportunity, innovation, and hope for millions.
Generation after generation, immigrants have crossed oceans, deserts, and borders seeking the promise of a better life. America welcomed many of them and, despite its imperfections and struggles, provided opportunities that were unimaginable elsewhere. Millions found work, built businesses, purchased homes, educated their children, and contributed to the common good.

The achievements of our nation are extraordinary. American ingenuity has transformed the modern world. From medical breakthroughs that have saved countless lives to technological innovations that connect people across continents, from the exploration of space to advances in science, agriculture, communication, and industry, America has helped shape the course of human history. Our universities attract scholars from around the world. Our charitable institutions respond to disasters both at home and abroad. Our democratic institutions, though imperfect, continue to provide peaceful transitions of power and opportunities for civic participation.
For Catholics, this anniversary is also an opportunity to recognize the immense contribution of the Church to American life. Though Catholics were a small minority at the nation's founding, they have helped shape the country's moral, educational, and charitable landscape. Catholic schools have educated generations of Americans. Catholic hospitals have cared for the sick regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay. Religious sisters, priests, and lay faithful have built orphanages, shelters, universities, social service agencies, and ministries that have strengthened communities across the nation.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we also honor the holy men and women who have walked this land before us. Saints such as Elizabeth Ann Seton, John Neumann, Katharine Drexel, Junipero Serra, Damien of Molokai, and countless others remind us that it is possible to be both faithful Catholics and devoted citizens. Their lives demonstrate that love of country and love of God need not be in conflict. Rather, they challenge us to bring the values of the Gospel into every aspect of society.
This anniversary also calls us to examine ourselves honestly. America is a nation of immense wealth and innovation. We have built magnificent cities, world-class institutions, and an economy that remains one of the strongest in the world. Yet we cannot ignore the reality that many still struggle with poverty, loneliness, addiction, homelessness, and despair. The sight of soaring skyscrapers standing not far from tents on city streets reminds us that economic success alone cannot satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing our nation today is not economic but cultural and spiritual. We live in an age marked by increasing polarization. Public discourse often seems dominated by anger, suspicion, and division. Trust in institutions, both political and religious has eroded. Political and cultural disagreements have become personal hostilities. Too often, people retreat into ideological camps where they hear only voices that reinforce their existing views.
Yet what concerns us today is the growing tendency to replace truth with falsehood, facts with conspiracy theories, and reasoned dialogue with suspicion. We increasingly encounter "alternative truths" that often reflect our fears and prejudices more than reality itself. When truth becomes merely a matter of personal preference, freedom loses its foundation.
For Christians, truth is not merely an abstract concept. Truth has a face. Jesus Christ declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Freedom detached from truth eventually becomes chaos. Rights detached from responsibility become selfishness. Liberty detached from virtue becomes destructive rather than life-giving.
This is where Catholics have an important role to play. Our faith reminds us that no political party, ideology, or nation can become our ultimate identity. Our first allegiance belongs to Christ. Because of that, we are called to be bridge-builders in a divided society, peacemakers in a polarized culture, and witnesses to charity in a world often marked by hostility.
May this anniversary inspire us to be grateful citizens of this great nation and faithful citizens of the Kingdom of God.
~Fr. Paulson

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

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Join us every Friday in CTK’s Ministry Center Chapel for
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
All are welcome to come and spend quiet time in
prayer and reflection.

Interested in becoming Catholic?
Or are you Catholic – but not confirmed?
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a faith journey for adults that results in full initiation in the Church – including Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Our Adult Confirmation program is designed for those already Catholic but who have not been confirmed.
Investigate both programs at a Thursday, June 18 information session at 7:00pm in the CTK Ministry Center/Fr. Joyce Room.
Learn more by emailing Tom Bobich at OCIA@CTKPH.org

Christ the King - St. Stephen offers after school programs for K-5th Grade religious education, First Reconciliation and First Communion.
Tuesday and Wednesday classes are held at 3:30-5pm
Starting September 22 & 23
Sunday classes are held at 10:15-11:45am
Starting September 20, 2026
Registration Dates: May 26th - Sept 7th
For more information about Religious Education email:
rpanellictkre@gmail.com
Community Events
We hope you can join us for one of our special events!
Use the drop down list to explore our upcoming activities. For more information, please visit our Events page.
Adult Basketball - Starts June 9
Sport Ministry Basketball Season:
June 9 - August 18th
Tuesdays: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
CTK Gym
(Limited Spots)
Questions? Email:
Register HERE
Children's Mass - September
Join us for the third Sunday of every month for our monthly Children's Mass at 9am.
Line Dancing - Thurs, TBD
Join our Dance Ministry on Thursdays in CTK's Parish Hall!
Come out and learn how to line dance!
Grow in faith and build community.
Questions? Contact Nelson Gonzales
Bundle Sunday - Donations July 11-12
Start collecting your extra new and slightly used items to donate during our St. Vincent de Paul Bundle Sunday collection
July 11 & 12 at our CTK Campus.
The St Vincent de Paul truck will be in the parking lot to collect your donations of gently used clothes, shoes, belts, purses, jewelry, towels, linens, knick-knacks, bikes etc. We particularly need kitchenware such as pots & pans, dish sets, utensils, and small kitchen appliances.
PLEASE NO ELECTRONICS or MATTRESSES & BOX SPRINGS
To arrange for a furniture pickup please call (925) 439-5060 or visit svdp-cc.org
Livestreamed Masses
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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Christ the King Church
199 Brandon Rd, Pleasant Hill CA
St. Stephen Church
1101 Keaveny Ct, Walnut Creek, CA











