CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC PARISH

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1 December 2016 CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC PARISH 1520 South Rockford Tulsa, OK (918) Decorating Ministry Creates Hospitable Environment When our Decorating Ministry prepares our church for Christmas and Easter, and makes sure the church itself is clean and ready for Mass, this group of dedicated parishioners is extending hospitality to all and practicing one of the Four Pillars of Stewardship. Mary Jo Speaker, ministry coordinator, has a group of between 50 to 60 parishioners who take part. The ministry is part of the Liturgical Environment subcommittee of the Liturgical Committee. It s one of the ministries that is great for families to do together, Mary Jo says. There are no meetings, and when the time comes, we send notices out with the tasks that need to be done, and they all show up. In a couple hours work, the church is beautiful for Christmas and Easter. Some of the families in the ministry have made helping decorate for Christmas a family tradition. After the Masses are finished, the members also take care of replacing the hymnals and picking up stray bulletins to take to the vestibule. Everything is made neat and clean for the next group of parishioners attending Mass, Mary Jo says. During this Christmas, the group will gather at 5 p.m. Dec. 22 to prepare the church. Anyone who wants to help is welcome to come at that time. Once we get done, we share a simple meal together at the end of our duties, Mary Jo says. We enjoy a pizza and salad afterwards. It s become our tradition at Christ the King. During the work of decorating and tidying the church, particularly for Christmas, the ministry members come to enjoy closeness to Christ. The Decorating Ministry has prepared the main altar for Christmas with poinsettias and greens. We take great pride in dedicating our time in preparing the church, Mary Jo says. We also always start with a prayer. We ve been taught that hospitality is one of the Pillars of Stewardship, and this is a way to give back to our fellow parishioners and contribute to their experience during the Christmas season. During Christmas, we have lots of families, friends, and guests that attend Mass. Our decorating is a great way to reach out to these groups by providing a pleasing environment for their worship experience during the Christmas season. During the Ordinary Time, the group has a smaller subgroup called the Dust continued on page 2

2 Christ the King Decorating Ministry continued from front cover A member of the Decorating Ministry puts a finishing touch on one of the wreaths that will be hung in the church for Christmas. Busters who come into the church on Fridays and clean the pews, replace the candles on the side altars, and refill the oil candles on the main altar. They also clean the vestibule and make sure the cry rooms are clean. It s a ministry of hospitality, taking care of the day-to-day environment of the church, so our parishioners and guests can worship without having to find used tissues, and crushed Cheerios on the floor, Mary Jo says. Every weekend there are five weekend Masses and it is hard to keep the church neat. Sometimes you find all kinds of things in the hymnals! Mary Jo says she and her husband take care of the cleaning after the Saturday Mass. When we start, it sets an example, and others chip in and help, she says. And others will help, tidying up their own pews for the next group coming in for Masses. It s one of the worker bees ministries, kind of a simple, small ministry that does a lot of behind-the-scenes work. But when the work is done, and the church is decorated, especially at Christmas, the ministry members know their work has been worthwhile. Everyone comes in, and they are amazed, Mary Jo says. It s always nice to hear the compliments, and know we ve contributed to a worshipful environment. Members of the Decorating Ministry discuss the next steps for hanging the garland in the church. We ve been taught that hospitality is one of the Pillars of Stewardship, and this is a way to give back to our fellow parishioners and contribute to their experience during the Christmas season. During Christmas, we have lots of families, friends, and guests that attend Mass. Our decorating is a great way to reach out to these groups by providing a pleasing environment for their worship experience during the Christmas season. Mary Jo Speaker If you are interested in taking part in this ministry, please call the parish office at

3 December 2016 A Letter From Our Pastor Advent: Moving Toward a Time of Fulfilled Hope Dear Parishioners, There is never a time during the year when we cannot pause and reflect on who and what we are and how we conduct our lives, both as a parish and as people of God. But this time of year in particular lends itself to just that. Advent is often called a season of hope. However, it is more than that. We have choices and decisions to make at this time. This is the time when we must acknowledge the need for us to change attitudes and to welcome the light of Christ s presence. In this way, we can contribute to bringing hope to a world that is starved for hope. Of course, we approach this time of year with a spirit of confident expectation, but now is the time for us to be awake to Christ, Whose presence is revealed as forgiveness, Whose peace reconciles our differences, and Whose hope should strengthen and lift up our hearts. We have pointed out that each and every day is an opportunity for a new beginning. Our new Church liturgical year began on the First Sunday of Advent. We understand that Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Christmas but I would remind you that it is much more than that for us Catholics and Christians. It is a time for us to prepare for Christ s Second Coming, as well. Much of what we do, our Scripture readings, our prayers, our traditions are built on that reality. One of the traditions in our Church and in many of our homes is an Advent wreath. That custom is filled with meaning. The wreath tends to be circular in shape with four candles three purple and one rose. The color purple is very evident at this time of year, just as it is during Lent. Purple represents prayer, penance, sacrifice, and good works. On the Third Sunday of Advent, though, we light the rose candle. That is Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing. Throughout Advent, the candles are lit in progression each week. This builds on the idea of expectation and hope that we may see as Christ s first coming into the world, but we must also keep in mind that, at the same time, we are anticipating His Second Coming. We cannot ask ourselves often enough, Are we ready? Jesus and St. Paul and others remind us often that we do not and cannot know the time and the place. The point is that the time is now for us. Yes, this is a time of hope, but we are heading toward a time of fulfilled hope. God bless you and yours at this special time of year. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Rev. Msgr. Daniel H. Mueggenborg Pastor Advent is often called a season of hope. However, it is more than that. We have choices and decisions to make at this time. This is the time when we must acknowledge the need for us to change attitudes and to welcome the light of Christ s presence. In this way, we can contribute to bringing hope to a world that is starved for hope. 3

4 Christ the King So Alive and Vibrant, Even After 100 Years Our Christ the King Catholic Parish Centennial Celebration As many in our parish community know, we are in the midst of celebrating a very important milestone here at Christ the King. Christ the King was established in 1917, when Reverend John G. Heiring purchased a square block that included a two-story house on the corner of Sixteenth and Rockford this would become Christ the King Parish. So, in June 2016, we began a yearlong centennial celebration, which will culminate on the weekend of June 24-25, A committee was established to plan and carry out the centennial in January 2016 under the leadership of parishioners Mary and Matthew Culver. The committee, along with Msgr. Mueggenborg and parish leadership, selected the theme of Rooted in Faith; Overflowing with Gratitude for the centennial celebration. In fact, much has occurred already. In announcing the yearlong festivities and commemorations, Msgr. Mueggenborg said, We are blessed to be members of the Parish of Christ the King at this time in history. We now have the opportunity to celebrate the rich and robust history of 100 years of faith-filled experiences. The Parish of Christ the King is a home for everyone. We are disciples of the Lord who are deeply committed to Jesus. Throughout this Jubilee Year, we will warmly welcome back priests, deacons, parishioners, and friends who may have called the Parish of Christ the King home. Mary Culver, in her role as Co-Chair with her husband, Matthew, shares Monsignor s enthusiasm about the year. I find that people of the parish are really excited and proud to be part of a faith community that is so alive and vibrant, even after 100 years, she says. So much has hapcontinued on page 5 Throughout our history our people have drawn inspiration from the Word of God. Our theme from the time we first met to plan this year has been Colossians 2:17, which says These are shadows of things to come; the reality belongs to Christ. We are so blessed, and this is a way to celebrate and thank God for those blessings. Mary Culver 4

5 December 2016 So Alive and Vibrant, Even After 100 Years Our Christ the King Catholic Parish Centennial Celebration continued from page 4 pened already and we look forward to everything that is planned as the year progresses. In June of 2016, we kicked off our celebration year with food trucks, music and dancing. In July, we had our Christ the King Mercy Project. August was our faith renewal with Chris Stefanick. September was our photo exhibit, and in October, we have had both our Parish Picnic and our series with Monsignor called What Happens at Mass. The last six months of the Jubilee Year are filled with equally inviting and important aspects of the centennial festival. Nov. 10 is our centennial church tour. The weekend of Nov will be our Come Home to CTK receptions, and we will present our story in the form of audio archive interviews. During 2017, we will celebrate Life with Bishop Konderla on Jan , have more receptions and another photo exhibit, and another centennial tour of our facilities on Jan. 21. We have designated February as Corporal Works of Mercy month, and will have specific projects commemorating that. March will be Spiritual Works of Mercy month, with appropriate projects and a special Parish Mission with Fr. Stuart Gallagher, along with another tour. The final three months have our various Easter celebrations during April, as well as a parish pilgrimage to Rome from April 22-30, which is already sold out. In addition to our devotions to the Blessed Mother Mary during May, on May 7 we will celebrate our 100th First Communion, and we will have another Archive Video interview with each of our First Communicants. The year culminates in June 2017 with a Centennial Gala Dinner, including music from Grady Nichols, on Thursday, June 22, and a special remembrance at Masses on June Throughout our history our people have drawn inspiration from the Word of God, Mary says. Our theme from the time we first met to plan this year has been Colossians 2:17, which says These are shadows of things to come; the reality belongs to Christ. We are so blessed, and this is a way to celebrate and thank God for those blessings. If you would like more information on the various activities, please read the bulletin or contact the parish office at

6 Christ the King 6 The Eucharist and Stewardship as a Way of Life More than 20 years ago, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a pastoral letter titled Stewardship: A Disciple s Response. This document was an invitation to follow Christ Who gave of Himself for us. Each of us is called to serve our neighbors and to be stewards of God s creation and of all that has been entrusted to us. However, to truly understand stewardship, we must look to the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is the total gift of our loving Savior to us. Stewardship is our response to that gift. Even the word Eucharist implies stewardship. The word Eucharist finds its roots in the Latin word eucharistia, which in turn came from the Greek word eukaristos, which meant, quite simply, gratitude or thanksgiving. How fitting that we, who are called to be a stewardship people, celebrate at the focal point of every Mass an act of thanksgiving and gratitude namely, the reception of Jesus gift to us the Eucharist. In their pastoral letter on stewardship, the bishops speak of the Eucharist in this way: The Eucharist is the great sign and agent of this expansive communion of charity we enjoy a unique union with Christ and, in Him, with one another. Here His love indeed, His very Self flows into us as disciples and, through us and our practice of stewardship to the entire human race. When we receive Christ s Body in the Holy Eucharist, we hear the minister say, The Body of Christ. To this, we respond, Amen which means in Hebrew, Yes; it is so. This is the essence of stewardship. We should enter the Church for Mass out of gratitude. We recognize the presence of the Lord in Holy Communion, and then we truly receive the Lord. What is left for us to do is the fulfillment of stewardship that is, sharing what we have received in love of God and neighbor. Our entire experience speaks to stewardship we are grateful; we recognize the real presence of the Lord; we receive the Lord; and then we share what we have received. Christ s gift to us through the Eucharist is an invitation to us. We are called to give beyond what is convenient or what may be comfortable. We are called to forgive even when forgiveness may not be deserved; we are called to love even when that love is not returned. We are called to love as God loves us. The Eucharist is stewardship celebrated. The Mass is more than a ritual. It is an actual encounter with God, with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We need to respond to the Eucharist with our complete selves. What we experience in the Eucharist should, in turn, translate into our daily lives. We are committed to the Church, which is Christ s body. We show our love for His body by acts of charity and generosity. We spend time in prayer, expressing our gratitude and our love. God s greatest gift to us is Christ s great love for us this was shown when He was crucified on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us eternal life. God s love for us is without limit, and He offers Himself to us in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Stewardship is how we respond to that gift. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and the works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324

7 December 2016 Participating More Deeply in Mass Through Music The Church tells us that the instrument most suitable for the worship of God is the human voice. Part of the reason for this is because the human voice is the only instrument we have that was designed by God rather than man. And for those members of our community who belong to the various choirs, singing at Mass is a way for them to deepen their own faith in God while also inviting others to participate more deeply in the liturgy. I think music can be uplifting to the liturgy, says Liturgical Music Director Tom Starnes. It adds sacredness to the liturgy and enhances it. It can help to add an overwhelming experience of God s saving power. Here at Christ the King, there is a different choir for each Sunday Mass time, with the exception of the 8 a.m. Mass. We are also blessed by the Hand Bell Choir and Children s Choir, which periodically uplift our liturgical experiences. Each choir works to prepare pieces that are appropriate to the liturgical season while inviting the congregation to a deeper experience of the Mass. This becomes especially noticeable during the major seasons and Feast Days of the liturgical year, such as Christmas and Easter. Going into Advent, we will be focusing on preparation for the coming of Christ, Tom says. And of course, at Christmas, we will focus on the birth of Christ. I think the music helps to reinforce all those things that are coming to us through the liturgy the teachings taking place. In commemoration of our parish s Centennial Anniversary, this Advent, all of the choirs will come together on Dec. 4 for Advent Lessons and Carols starting at 2 p.m. Through their music, choir members hope to help parishioners enter more fully into the Advent spirit through this event. All choirs are also busily preparing to enter into the Christmas season during various Christmas Masses. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve with the Children s Choir Pageant, leading into Christmas Eve Mass, featuring music accompanied by a trumpet, oboe and the Hand Bell Choir. Later, the Gallery Choir, with the use of the pipe organ and a brass quartet, will accompany the Midnight Mass. Still, other choirs will perform at the other Christmas Masses, each in its own unique way, making present to us the beauty of Christ s incarnation through the use of the piano, guitar and organ. My favorite part is actually being able to hear people praising God, Tom says. I get to hear them singing joyfully, doing their best to praise God. It just makes Mass such a great experience. Children prepare during the Children s Choir rehearsal last year for the annual Christmas Pageant. Each year, the various choirs invite us to experience the liturgy more deeply during Christmas as they make the Mass special through music. If you would like to get involved with any of the choirs, please consider visiting with Tom Starnes. He can be reached at the parish office at , ext. 203 or by at tstarnes@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. Advent and Christmas Mass Schedule Wednesday, Dec. 7 5:30 p.m. Vigil, Feast of Immaculate Conception Thursday, Dec. 8 Feast of Immaculate Conception 8:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 Vigil Feast of the Nativity 4 p.m., 4:15 p.m. (gym), 6 p.m. and midnight (choir starts at 11:30 p.m.) Saturday, Dec. 31 Vigil Feast of Mary, Mother of God 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1 Feast of Mary, Mother of God 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation, extended times 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec , Dec Sunday, Dec. 25 Feast of the Nativity, 10 a.m.