Dear Friends,
Recently, I read an article entitled “Diversity Reflects God and Makes for a More Interesting World.” It inspired me to reflect on the remarkable diversity that enriches our parish community. One of the things I love most about our Church is that it brings together people from different cultures, languages, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. In many ways, our parish reflects something of God's own life and beauty.
We live in a world of extraordinary diversity. Different cultures, traditions, personalities, histories, and viewpoints enrich the human family. Yet diversity is not simply a sociological reality; for Christians, it is a theological one. Diversity reflects something profound about God Himself.
At the heart of our faith is the mystery of the Trinity. We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is not solitary or isolated. God is communion—three distinct Persons united in perfect love. Difference exists within God. Relationship exists within God. Communion exists within God. As theologian Terry Biddington writes, “Creation reveals that all difference, otherness and strangeness originate in God and that God is, therefore, inherently open to difference in all its forms.”

Because we are created in the image and likeness of God, something of that diversity and communion is reflected in humanity. We are not all the same, nor were we ever intended to be. Our differences are not obstacles to overcome but gifts to be received.
Yet human beings often fear difference. We are naturally drawn to people who think like us, look like us, worship like us, vote like us, and share our experiences. The familiar feels safe; the unfamiliar can feel threatening. When fear takes root, it can become prejudice. Prejudice can become exclusion. Exclusion can become discrimination, racism, and division. These wounds have marked human history for centuries, but they do not come from God.
As a nation, we have often struggled with diversity. From the treatment of Native Americans, to slavery, segregation, discrimination against immigrants, religious prejudice, and continuing debates over race, culture, and identity, our history reveals both our failures and our aspirations. Too often diversity has been viewed not as a gift to be embraced but as a threat to be resisted.
At the same time, we must be careful not to misunderstand diversity. Diversity is not an end in itself. It is not about dividing people into competing groups or reducing individuals to labels and categories. The goal is not diversity for diversity's sake, but communion. The danger lies not in recognizing differences but in allowing those differences to become barriers rather than bridges.
The United States itself is a nation built upon diversity—diversity of peoples, cultures, ideas, experiences, and dreams. This diversity has often been messy, sometimes painful, and frequently challenging. Yet it has also been one of our greatest strengths. The richness of our nation comes not despite our differences, but often because of them.
For Christians, embracing diversity is not optional. It flows directly from our belief in the Trinity and from the Gospel itself. The Church was born diverse. On Pentecost, people from many nations heard the Good News proclaimed in their own languages. The Book of Revelation envisions a multitude before God's throne "from every nation, race, people, and tongue."
The Christian response is not simply to coexist but to build community. To listen before judging. To understand before condemning. To recognize that our differences need not divide us but can deepen our understanding of one another and of God.
Honoring those differences is essential to empathy. True empathy is not assuming that others are just like us. It requires recognizing that other people may have experiences very different from our own. We often speak about "walking in another person's shoes," but the truth is that there are some shoes we will never walk in. We cannot fully know another person's story, struggles, fears, or hopes. Yet we can listen. We can learn. We can respect. We can love.
When we look for God's fingerprints in creation, every difference becomes another clue pointing toward the infinite mystery of the Creator. Each culture, each personality, each perspective, and each human story reflects another facet of God's beauty. This brings to mind the words of the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins in his poem Pied Beauty:
"All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change."
~ 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.
Religious Education Programs

K-5th Grade RE
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

Echo Junior High Program
All 6th, 7th & 8th Graders are invited to join the Echo Junior High Youth Ministry Program which begins September 22.
Echo meets every other Tuesday from 6pm to 7:30pm for fun, faith, fellowship, friends and food!

High School Confirmation Program
Our confirmation program is a 2 year confirmation preparation program.
This program is designed for Freshmen and Sophomores in High School but Juniors and Seniors can also register.
Our Confirmation Registration is now open.
You can register below.
Direct Your Impact
Mission Co-op Appeal - July 18-19

Dear Friends,
Each year our parish participates in the Mission Cooperative Program, giving us the opportunity to support the missionary work of the Church throughout the world.
This year, Rev. Fr. Ephrem Ruwa'ichi Tillya from the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha, Tanzania, was scheduled to visit our parish and speak about his mission. Unfortunately, he was unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States, so he cannot be with us in person. He has asked us to share his message with you.
The Archdiocese of Arusha serves many Maasai and other pastoralist communities where poverty and long-standing cultural traditions often prevent girls from continuing their education. Many young girls leave school at an early age and face limited opportunities due to poverty and early marriage.
The Church is working to break this cycle by helping girls remain in school. Through its parishes, priests, and religious sisters, the Archdiocese identifies young women who have the desire and ability to continue their education but lack the financial resources to do so.
A gift of approximately $1,200 can provide one girl with a full year of education, including tuition, boarding, meals, books, uniforms, transportation, and other basic necessities.
This weekend July 18–19, we invite you to support this important mission through your prayers and, if you are able, a generous financial contribution. Together, we can help provide these young women with the education they need to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Thank you for your generosity and for supporting the Church's missionary work throughout the world.
~Fr. Paulson
Victims of the Earthquake in Venezuela - July 25-26
Dear Friends,
Our hearts have been deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that has struck Venezuela, leaving countless families grieving the loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. Many are now without shelter, clean water, food, or access to basic medical care.
At the request of Bishop Barber, every parish in the Diocese of Oakland has been asked to participate in a special collection to assist the victims of this disaster. Our parish will take up this Second Collection during the weekend of July 25–26.
Your generosity will help provide lifesaving assistance through Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Caritas Venezuela, the humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in Venezuela. Together they are providing emergency food, clean water, sanitation, shelter, medical care, essential household supplies, and emotional and spiritual support to families who have lost so much. Catholic parishes throughout the affected region have also opened their doors to welcome displaced families, offering safety, hope, and the loving presence of Christ.
I warmly invite you to prayerfully consider making a generous gift to this special collection. Whether large or small, every contribution becomes a sign of God's love and a reminder to those who are suffering that they are not forgotten. Together, we can bring hope where there is despair and healing where there is pain.
Thank you for your faithful generosity and for your willingness to be the hands and heart of Christ for those in need. Please continue to keep the people of Venezuela, the rescue workers, and all those providing relief in your prayers.
May our Lord, who never abandons His children, bless you abundantly for your kindness and generosity.
With gratitude and every blessing,
~Fr. Paulson

Annual Backpack Drive in Partnership
With Monument Crisis Center
The Weekend of July 25-26
Containers will be in the back of the church at CTK.
See supply list here.
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
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
Picnic - Aug 23rd
RegisterPicnic on CTK's Large Lawn
11:30 - 1:30pm
FUN - FOOD - GAMES
Bring the whole family!
FREE Event, but please register below
Joyous Jubilee - Sept 26th
Purchase TicketsSaturday, September 26, 2026 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
CTK Gym
195A Brandon Rd
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-3298
Join us for a Joyous Jubilee.
Celebrating
- Sr. Dominic Marie - 50 Years - Dominican Sister
- Fr. Brian Timoney - 70 Years Priestly Ministry
- Fr. Gerry Moran - 55 Years Priestly Ministry
- Fr. Paulson Mundanmani - 35 Years Priestly Ministry
- Fr. Lee Chompoochan - 20 Years Priestly Ministry
4pm - Mass of Thanksgiving at CTK Church
5pm - Welcome Reception | 6pm - Dinner
7pm - Program & Tributes | 7:30 - Continued Celebation
Children's Mass - September
Join us for the third Sunday of every month for our monthly Children's Mass at 9am.
Men's Retreat -Nov 7th

More Info on our EVENTS page
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











