CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC PARISH

Transcription

1 September/October 2016 CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC PARISH Young Adult Professionals Ministry Providing Opportunities for Young Adults to Connect F or many young adults, the process of finding solid friendships and building faith-filled relationships can be difficult. Busy lives and a mobile society often go against our inner desire for community amidst our Catholic calling to love and to serve. The Young Adult Professionals Ministry provides an opportunity for those between the ages of 22 and 40 to connect with other Catholics, learn about their faith, and serve the community together. I think this [ministry] will be vital to the parish, says Ryan Allen, parish Youth Minister and Young Adult Coordinator. Young adults bring an energy and dynamic that is unique in their stage of life. If they are on fire and full of life, then eventually they will be more engaged in parish life as a whole. This new ministry offers the opportunity for young professionals to come together regularly on the second Sunday of the month by inviting young adults to attend the 5 p.m. Mass together followed by a social hour and dinner. During the social hour and dinner, those who attend are able to both meet new people and visit with old friends. It is also during this time that upcoming events and service projects are shared. I want to establish a large community of young adults in the parish, and continued on page South Rockford Tulsa, OK (918) Nearly 100 young adults attended the first second Sunday to meet new people and get more involved in parish life.

2 Christ the King Good Stewardship of Our Social Media W hen we are talking about the idea of stewardship and how we care for the tools and gifts we have been given, it is not often that we stop to have a conversation about how we are caring for and using the gift of social media to positively spread Gospel values. However, this is an appropriate topic for us to consider when we are talking about the many young people, as well as adults, who gather online on a frequent basis. Therefore, it is important for us to think about how we are using the amazing gifts of technology. If you are frequently online especially on Pinterest there is a popular acronym that you may have already come across. While it is used in many different contexts, it seems very appropriate to follow as we find ourselves posting statuses and pictures on various social media sites. The acronym is T.H.I.N.K., and it invites us to consider what we are saying and sharing, and whether or not it should be said! Is what we are posting: True? Are we sharing factual information or a rumor that we heard, and if we think our information is factual, what is our source? Is it trustworthy? Helpful? Is the information we are sharing something that can be useful to another person? We don t need to overexamine all of our content to consider its educational factor, but is the content we are posting going to help someone learn about us, learn about a place or an activity, think about the world, reflect on life, engage us in laughter, and so forth? Inspirational? There is certainly no requirement to be a poet or an artist, but social media has become a wonderful outlet for positive self-expression. Positive is the key word are we posting to inspire others about the good in our world, or are we posting to cut someone down or to simply rant? Nice? Have we considered the feelings of others when we include them in a status or post a picture of them? Will they be embarrassed? Are we using social media to humiliate and intimidate others, or are we using it to try to better the world and the lives of others? Kind? What a great tool to compliment, show gratitude, and build the self-esteem of those you care about! People often speak of social media in a negative way because of the content they see posted. T.H.I.N.K. is a great way for us to remind ourselves that we can be good stewards of our own social media use. Remember that there are many ways to share the Gospel without writing out its words. Gospel living has to do with the positive way we approach this life and bring God s light and love to others and it couldn t be easier than sharing an uplifting status on Facebook, a Tweet of gratitude to a friend, or a beautiful image of God s inspiring creation on Instagram. What a great way to build the Kingdom of God! Remember that there are many ways to share the Gospel without writing out its words. Gospel living has to do with the positive way we approach this life and bring God s light and love to others and it couldn t be easier than sharing an uplifting status on Facebook, a Tweet of gratitude to a friend, or a beautiful image of God s inspiring creation on Instagram. What a great way to build the Kingdom of God! 2

3 September/October 2016 A Letter From Our Pastor Pray, Smile, and Make the World a Better Place Dear Parishioners, We often in the Church speak of new beginnings. Those two words can have almost endless meanings to us and to how we live our lives. Now that the fall season is in full swing, even though we tend to think more of spring as being a new beginning, now is equally so. Think of all the things in our lives and in those of our families that have begun or begun again in the past several weeks. Two thoughts come to me as I ponder the significance of this time of year. It seems that there is never a time of year when starting over and renewing are not appropriate. We speak often of prayer Jesus certainly provides for us both an example and encouragement to have rich prayer lives. Now would be a great time for a personal spiritual renewal, both for us individually and for our families, if appropriate. There are prayer groups and spiritual studies beginning and ongoing at our parish. You might consider getting involved in one. No matter what you choose to do, it is always a good time to extend and formalize your prayer life. Schedule more time for personal prayer. Even better, if you have a family, try to formalize the prayer lives of your family as a group. That can enrich your life so much, and often it is something which stays with children forever. My second thought goes back to the theme often stated by Jesus to love one another. Were you aware that studies done by healthcare groups have shown that people who try to be kind to others have less pain, less depression, and less stress in their lives? That is exactly what the Lord tells us will happen if we do even small things to demonstrate our love for one another. That can begin with something as simple as a smile. Smiles certainly make others feel better, and they tend to help us, as well. Another way to show kindness is to get involved in ministries and activities. By committing ourselves to ministry and to being volunteers in a variety of ways, we are actually making the idea of being kind routine and normal. Look for ways you can do things that match and fulfill your talents and interests. Those two thoughts, although seemingly small, can make a huge difference in our lives, not to mention the lives of those around us. First, pray more on a fixed schedule. Second, smile and be kind. It is amazing how those two aspects of our lives can be fulfilled and fulfilling. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Rev. Msgr. Daniel H. Mueggenborg Pastor No matter what you choose to do, it is always a good time to extend and formalize your prayer life. Schedule more time for personal prayer. Even better, if you have a family, try to formalize the prayer lives of your family as a group. That can enrich your life so much, and often it is something which stays with children forever. 3

4 Christ the King I Listen for God Eucharistic Adoration at Christ the King It was a gentle whisper. As Elijah listened for the Lord, a powerful wind swept by, and an earthquake and fire followed. But the Lord was not in any of these. Then, a gentle whisper came, and Elijah recognized that this heralded the Presence of the Lord. Our lives are so busy and so much noise surrounds us, but adoration puts us in a place of solitude, says Deacon Dean Wersal. If people want to find more peace and quiet in their days and want to hear from God, adoration gives us that opportunity. In Eucharistic Adoration, we worship Christ in the Eucharist, through which the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained, His body, blood, soul and divinity (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1374). Adoration is a holy time spent in front of the Blessed Sacrament, Deacon Dean says. Traditionally, it is for a period of time, usually an hour, but it can be any amount of time. At Christ the King, we have several weekly opportunities to adore Christ in the Eucharist. Our parish has adoration on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., on Thursdays from noon until 9 p.m., and on Fridays from noon until 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration at Christ the King Adoration has deepened my experience of the presence of God in my life. It puts us in the position to be sensitive to the word of God in our lives, and for our lives and for our loved ones. Deacon Dean Wersal continued on page 5 4

5 September/October 2016 Eucharistic Adoration at Christ the King continued from page 4 Additionally, for the past 20 years, Perpetual Adoration has been available for our Catholic community at St. John s Hospital, which is less than a mile from the parish. Many parishioners take part in Perpetual Adoration there; myself included, Deacon Dean says. The chapel at the parish is always open during the day, and parishioners can go into the chapel and pray at any time. Anyone can sign up for a regularly scheduled hour of adoration at Christ the King by reaching out to Deacon Dean, who coordinates the schedule. Usually, several parishioners share an hour together. Of course, all are welcome to come by adoration and spend any period of time with Christ in the Eucharist. Even visiting with Him for a few minutes can help us re-center ourselves. There isn t a formula for Eucharistic Adoration, Deacon Dean says. You could fill up the hour by reading or saying prayers. I get the most out of adoration when I purposely listen for at least five to 10 minutes. I listen for God to speak to me. Whether you have an hour to spend with Him or only five minutes, come visit Christ in Eucharistic Adoration. Say the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Do some spiritual reading. Perhaps just sit or kneel for a few moments in the Presence of our Lord. Adoration has deepened my experience of the presence of God in my life, Deacon Dean says. It puts us in the position to be sensitive to the word of God in our lives, and for our lives and for our loved ones. For more information about Eucharistic Adoration at Christ the King, please reach out to Deacon Dean Wersal at or dcndfw11@gmail.com. Young Adult Professionals Ministry continued from front cover I hope for this to happen through the second Sunday dinners, as well as other events that will attract them to the parish, Ryan says. Once a community is established, we will start Bible studies, have mission trips, and service opportunities that will engage adults on a deeper level. Many adults are busy with work, family life, and other responsibilities or hobbies. However, by spending time once a month with peers who are seeking to learn and live their faith, camaraderie and a deeper sense of community can transform and give direction to one s life. I believe once you are experiencing your faith on a deep personal level, then you become open to being challenged to share what you have received, Ryan says. This could be through starting one s own Bible study, organizing service opportunities, or becoming involved in retreats, all of which foster stewardship. Young adults bring an energy and dynamic that is unique in their stage of life. If they are on fire and full of life, then eventually they will be more engaged in parish life as a whole. Ryan Allen, Youth Minister and Young Adult Coordinator 5

6 Christ the King Do Small Things With Great Love Anticipating the Canonization of Mother Teresa In the dark final years of the Cold War, a small woman standing at barely five feet tall offered a living counternarrative to the inhibiting fear undergirding our daily lives and our foreign affairs. Instead of living in fear, Mother Teresa acted out of love. Instead of withdrawing and isolating herself, she gave tirelessly to others. Many of us harbor a personal connection to this saint, for we lived during the height of the media coverage of Mother Teresa s work and her friendships with Pope St. John Paul II and the beloved Princess Diana. Long before she received the name Mother Teresa and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born on Aug. 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, the crossroads of the Balkans. The youngest of three children, Mother Teresa was raised predominately by her mother after her father s death, when she was about 8 years old. Dranafile (Drana) Bojaxhiu, Mother Teresa s mother, undoubtedly became a strong influence on her daughter s vocation, since Drana herself was a devout Catholic and known for her prayer life and her charity. Agnes attended a Catholic primary school and, following the example of her mother, became active in their parish and sang in Sacred Heart s choir. As a young person, Agnes enjoyed reading the lives of the saints while immersing herself in the stories of these holy men and women, Agnes first felt the stirring call to become a missionary. At the age of 18, Agnes traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to join the Sisters of Loreto. She became Sr. Mary Teresa, named after St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and began to learn English within a few months of arriving in Ireland, she left for India. In India, Sr. Mary Teresa lived at the Loreto Entally community in Calcutta where she served as an educator and taught at St. Mary s School. After her final profession, she became Mother Teresa and, a few years later, began serving as the school s principal. On an ordinary day, Mother Teresa received an extraordinary call. While on a train ride to her annual retreat, Mother Teresa felt what she would describe as Jesus thirst for souls. Soon, Jesus called her to found the Missionaries of Charity, an order devoted to serving the poorest of the poor. The order formally began on Oct. 7, 1950, and has grown from one woman tending the sick and dying in the streets of Calcutta to over 4,500 religious sisters helping the poor in over 130 countries around the world. Additionally, the order grew to include the Missionaries of Charity Brothers, the Missionaries of Charity Fathers and the Lay Missionaries of Charity. Though externally Mother Teresa joyfully and indefatigably served the poor for nearly 50 years, during the majority of this time, she experienced a dark night of the soul, an extensive period of not feeling God s presence or hearing His voice. Other saints, notably St. John of the Cross, similarly experienced a dark night of the soul. Despite this spiritual struggle, Mother Teresa continued her work joyfully throughout her sickness and until her death on Sept. 5, St. Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa in Fittingly, this year, a pontiff who has underscored the importance of social justice celebrated her canonization. On Sept. 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonized Mother Teresa, the Saint of the Gutters, at the Vatican. St. Teresa of Calcutta offers us an example of ceaseless prayer and selfless service. She is a modern model of sainthood that we can emulate in our daily lives starting with how we serve and treat the other members of our family, our faith community and all those with whom we interact on a daily basis. St. Teresa of Calcutta, Pray for Us! 6

7 September/October 2016 Providing Parents With Time The Church Nursery When it comes to spending time with our Lord, there is no better way than by attending Mass. It nourishes our soul, first through God s Word and then His very Body a kind of hiatus from the chaos of the world around us. Yet, for parents with small children, Mass far too often feels more like a battlefield. Surrounded by endless distractions, we often feel exhausted rather than rejuvenated, frustrated instead of uplifted. Recognizing that parents need time for renewal and formation, Christ the King s church nursery is available for children aged 6 months through 4 years old. Its mission, explains Nursery Director Jill Heckman, is to provide parents with a safe, faith filled, and nurturing environment for their young children, so that they are able to fully engage and absorb the Word of the Lord during Mass, and then lead their families based upon those teachings. Though this ministry has been part of our faith community for a long time, it has continued to evolve over the years in order to reach the needs of a growing parish family. Currently, the nursery is available each Saturday evening from 4:45-6:45 p.m., allowing parents time to attend the vigil Mass, as well as each Sunday from 9-12:30 a.m. We want to enable parents to fully participate in Mass and the spiritual formation events being offered, Jill says. We have taken great efforts to additionally provide the nursery during special events, giving parents the time needed to strengthen and grow in their faith without the concern of arranging childcare. The goal, says Jill, is to eliminate any obstacles that parishioners might encounter when trying to attend Mass or an extra parish wide event. To make this possible, the church nursery has an excellent group of college and high school-aged students who are employed by the parish. Additionally, there are parishioners who generously volunteer their time at this ministry. All nursery staff members, whether paid or a volunteer, are required to complete the VIRTUS Protecting All Children certification and have been well trained by regular staff members. One of the best benefits of the nursery is that parents do not need to reserve a spot for the child, Jill says. We are prepared to welcome children during each shift, regardless of whether they were expected. Another recent improvement to the church nursery is the Sunday morning lesson plans that have been implemented for preschool-aged children, incorporating elements of the weekly Gospel. In this way, not only are the children cared for physically, but also spiritually. As director, Jill has been blessed to witness the tremendous warmth and care that her nursery workers demonstrate to each child. She has also enjoyed seeing couples utilize this ministry, attending spiritual events and dinners, Bible study groups, social gatherings, most importantly of all the Mass itself. Her hope is that even more parents will utilize this ministry so that they can grow in their own faith. Only then will they be able to raise holy children. We strongly encourage families to take advantage of the Nursery Ministry, Jill says. We have a qualified and loving staff and volunteers who truly feel blessed to be able to minister to the children of this parish. If you would like more information about the church nursery, please contact Jill Heckman at or jheckman@christthekingcatholic.church. 7

8 CHRIST THE KING CHURCH MARQUETTE SCHOOL 1520 South Rockford Tulsa, OK (918) Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT #876 TULSA, OK Return Service Requested Weekend Mass: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. Vigil Sunday, 8:00, 9:15, 11:15 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Tuesday - Friday, 8:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Holy Days: 8:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Reconciliation: Saturday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (or by appointment) Eucharistic Adoration: Mary Queen of Peace Chapel, Wednesday, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Thursday, Noon - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m. Friday, Noon - 5:00 p.m. Upcoming Events October 2 Parish Picnic - 4pm to 7pm, School Playground October 3, 10, 17, 24 CTK Marriage Bible Study - 6pm dinner, 6:30pm to 7:30pm Bible Study, Fletcher Hall October 6 Men s Club - Noon, Fletcher Hall October 6 Men s Cigar Dinner - 6pm, Rucker s Warehouse October 13 Town Hall Meeting - 7pm, Fletcher Hall October 20 Pastoral Council Meeting - Noon, Parish Office October 27 Ministry Appreciation Dinner - 6pm, Fletcher Hall October 29 Tulsa Run - 8am October 6 Women s Cigarless Dinner - 6:30pm, The Pint Rooftop October 8 Fr. Elkin s Spirituality Seris - 8:30am to Noon, Fletcher Hall