Christ the King Parish

Dear Friends,

Next Wednesday July 22, we will be celebrating the feast of Mary Magdalene at the 9.00 am mass outdoors at Christ the King. Joyce Scotlan and Meg Bowerman will address the subject of racism under the title “We Shall Overcome: A Discipleship of Hope” at 9.00 am as we commence the mass.

Mary Magdalene’s identity has been confused with many other women of the New Testament. Mary is associated with the Samaritan woman at the well with multiple husbands. Mary is depicted as the woman caught in adultery and brought into the street to be stoned. Mary is believed to be the repentant sinner that anoints Jesus’ feet with ointment in Simon the Pharisee’s house. She is often remembered as strictly a reformed prostitute, although there is no explicit Biblical textual evidence that this was the case, whereas the truth of her identity is often concealed in overlooked mentions in Scriptures.

More accurately, Mary Magdalene was a pioneer of the early Christian church, acting as a leader for the early women that followed Jesus. She receives a very clear identity in Luke 8:2, which says, “And the twelve [disciples] were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.” Mary Magdalene was on the hill of Golgotha as Jesus was crucified, standing alongside the Apostle John and Jesus’ mother. When all of the other men had left, Mary Magdalene remains. She was one of the first people that saw the resurrected Jesus.

Imagine that – a poor woman, with no social standing, having the responsibility to go and tell all of the men that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. She truly earns a reputation of honor and respect, as she overcame significant social barriers in order to serve her Lord the way she did. What a woman! Jesus healed her of seven demons, and now she holds a special place in the following of Jesus, being referred to by her name, an honor that even the disciples did not receive. For Jesus, she was indeed the best person to take the Good News of the resurrection to Peter and John. Jesus would honor and recognize the amazing power of women’s leadership today. A leadership that brings spirit and life to a Church that is weak and frightened. Women can do what men find it impossible to accomplish, ‘grace our Church with healing, inclusivity and growth.’

Our Faith in Action ministry will be launching a couple of social justice initiatives on the feast of Mary Magdalene. Our parish has signed up for JustFaith scheduled to start by the end of the month. In the words of Jack Jezreel, “JustFaith Ministries was birthed in the effort to invite and prepare people of faith for the life-changing and world-changing call of the Gospel to help heal the world and, in so doing, experience a deeper faith, a more fulfilling life, and a community of care and vitality.” Through prayer, study, dialogue, and immersions, participants form community as they explore racism and privilege and their implications to our lives and their faith. Kindly register for this program by contacting the office.

At CTK, we will continue with our mass on Sunday morning at 7.30am right in front of the church. The area around the church continues to provide shade at 7.30am, and we can accommodate 100 people outdoors 6ft apart. You could stay in cars in the school parking lot and we will transmit it on FM radio. I would ask those who will sit or stand outside church for the mass to park in the large or small parking lot and walk over. The mass will be short and reverent, lasting 25 minutes. We will continue to evolve, continue to provide services in a safe way with your cooperation. Our outdoor masses continue as usual, both at CTK and St. Stephen.                                                                             

Fr. Paulson