MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM

Weekdays 7:00 AM

Saturday 8:00 AM

Holy Day Mass Times 7:00 PM (vigil) 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 6:00 PM (on the day)

Christ the King Parish

1052 Pleasant Street Worcester, MA 01602

HOURS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Monday—Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturday 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM or please call Msgr. Sullivan

HOLY MATRIMONY Couples planning a Christian marriage should contact

Msgr. Sullivan following their engagement.

HOLY BAPTISM Baptisms take place at Sunday Mass once a month.

Please see information inside this bulletin.

PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK Please call Msgr. Sullivan for the Sacrament of the

Anointing of the Sick or Holy Communion.

WORSHIPING WITH US? We hope you introduce yourself and register in our parish.

Please call the rectory to do so.

PASTOR Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan

IN RESIDENCE

Rev. Richard F. Reidy, Vicar General

DEACON Joseph M. Baniukiewicz

DIRECTOR OF LITURIGICAL MUSIC

Dr. Jonathan Bezdegian

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Judith L. Brennan

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Mindy A. Dulude

SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR Deacon Joseph M. Baniukiewicz

PHONES

Parish Office 508-754-5361 Parish Fax 508-753-0448 For an emergency 508-450-2556

Msgr. Sullivan: tsullivan5@mac.com

Parish Office: mindyd1052@gmail.com Judith Brennan, DRE: ctkedu1052@gmail.com

Parish website: www.ctkworc.org

Christ the King, Worcester, MA

Saturday—February 22nd 4:00PM Michael Eggleston (mem.) req. of Rose Hanson and John Hanson Sunday—February 23rd 7:30AM Parishioners of Christ the King 9:00AM Kirwin and Elizabeth Matthews (mem.) req. of family 11:00AM Carlos, Maria and Elsa Sarmiento (mem.) req. of family Monday—February 24th 7:00AM Robert F. Sullivan (3rd anniv.) req. of James D. Brock Tuesday—February 25th 7:00AM Catherine Black (1st anniv.) req. of family Wednesday—February 26th 9:00AM Charles Hanson (mem.) req. of family 5:30PM Christopher Bilodeau (mem.) req. of Richard and Doris Boulette Thursday—February 27th 7:00AM Zachary Ford (9th anniv.) req. of family 5:30PM Morris Capistrand (mem.) req. of Mark and Monique Czyzewski Saturday—February 29th 8:00AM Franco Carbone (mem.) req. of family 4:00PM Dot Hallisey (mem.) req. of Ed and Mary Bresnahan Sunday—March 1st 7:30AM Lt. Jason Menard (mem.) req. of Joe and Sheila Sullivan 9:00AM Parishioners of Christ the King 11:00AM Helen Foley (mem.) req. of Christ the King Choir

COME TO DAILY MASS! As you can, please consider coming to our daily Masses (during Lent, Monday-Friday, 7:00 am and 5:30 pm; Satur-days 8:00 am all year). The Mass brings many special graces! It is a wonderful way to begin the day. This week we observe the following: the Masses of Monday and Tuesday are days of Ordi-nary Time. On Ash Wednesday we have 6 Masses. This Thurs-day through Saturday are Lenten Mass celebrations.

Recent Offertory Donations As we are very grateful for the time you share with Christ the King, and the abundance of your talents, so we are for your offer-tory gifts. Your donations for last weekend are as follows:

Offertory: $8,451.06; Mass Stipends: $30.00; Fuel: $366.00;

Catholic Free Press: $195.00; Funeral Stipends: $300.00; Baptism Donation: $50.00; Solemnity of Mary: $15.00;

Catholic Home Missions: $35.00; Easter Flowers: $70.00; Catholic University: $10.00.

Total: $9,522.06

REST IN PEACE Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. Charles R. Armey.

BAPTISM PREP SESSIONS & CELEBRATIONS

All parents (registered parishioners) must participate in a prep session, led by our trained team, if this is their first child and/or if they do not worship at Mass here each Sunday. Baptisms take place at Sunday Masses and parents choose the date (see availa-ble dates below). PARENT PREP SESSION: One session is required, and it takes place on select Sundays from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Rectory and church. Upcoming 2020 Preparation Dates: March 29, May 17 and June 28. Upcoming 2020 BAP-TISM DATES at the 11:00 am Mass on Sundays (for prepared parents): March 8, April 12 (Easter), May 3, June 14, July 12 and August 16. For sign-ups please call Monsignor Sullivan at 508-754-5361 or email him at: tsullivan5@mac.com.

An Ending (St. Vincent de Paul Society) & A Beginning (CTK Parish Outreach)

Some of you may be aware that for many years our St. Vincent de Paul Society, which served a small number of the local poor, has been served by Richard Alix, Vin Matulaitis and Joe & Carol Carlomagno. All of them recently felt the need to “retire” from this ministry. And we are very grateful for their compas-sionate and charitable good works. So, “officially,” we no longer have a St. Vincent de Paul Society. But our work of serving the poor will continue through a new parish ministry which we are calling Christ the King Parish Outreach. It will be headed up by Monsignor Sullivan and Janet Rauktis. For those who wish to donate please simply make any checks payable to “Christ the King” and note, on the memo line, that it is for “parish outreach.” Please no longer make any checks payable to the St. Vincent de Paul Society as that account no longer exists. With gratitude our charitable efforts go on!

ASH WEDNESDAY This Wednesday, February 26th

Masses At:

7:00 am ~ 9:00 am ~ 12:00 noon 3:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm ~ 7:00 pm

(all with ashes imposed)

Lenten Masses ~ Monday-Friday 7:00 am and 5:30 pm

Saturdays: 8:00 am, All Year

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Final Regular Season CYC Basketball Report Andrew Thomas’ 17 points sparked the Blue team to a 38-33 victory over St. Mary’s 6 team to finish the regular season on a high note. It was the team’s second victory of the year. Colin Wanat tossed in 10 points to help in the win. The victory made up for the 44-27 loss the team had to St. John’s on Saturday. The team ended the season 2-8. The White team was crushed 48-18 in its final regular season game to St. Mary’s 5. They finish the regular season 6-4. The playoffs begin Saturday, Feb-ruary 22, and if either team advances, the playoffs continue the week of February 29.

Religious Education Classes This Week & Next…

ALL CLASSES RESUME today, Sunday, February 23, at their regular times. All classes will be held next Sunday, March 1, at their regular times Grades 1-6, Sunday, 10:00-11:00 am; and Grades 7-10, 6:00-7:00 pm.)

20th Anniversary Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference

Men (of all ages, including teens and college students) are invit-ed to this important 20th Anniversary Conference, scheduled for Assumption College on Saturday, March 28. Visit the confer-ence website at www.firstmensconf.org for information and to purchase tickets online and elsewhere. Come and hear dynamic talks from outstanding Catholic leaders: Scott Hahn (two presentations), Luis Soto and with Bishop Robert Reed of Boston speaking on the need for confession. Bishops and priests will hear confessions. Bishop McManus will offer the Confer-ence Mass. For a Conference brochure, further information or registration, call Joan DeMasi at 508-929-4345. Adult tickets are $45 until March 11th, afterwards $60. Student tickets are always $30.

LENTEN PRAYER PROGRAM Tuesday Mornings, 10:00-11:30 a.m, at Marie Anne Center at St. Bernard Church, 228 Lincoln Street, Worcester. The speak-ers are (March 3) Fr. Dennis J. O’Brien, Diocesan Minister to Priests, “Touched by Mercy, Moved by Love;” (March 10) Sr. Dorothy Scesney, PBVM, IPA (International Presentation Asso-ciation for Justice & Peace),“You have but one Father…the One in Heaven;” (March 17) Mary Jane Person, former DRE & Co-Director of PBVM Associates, “Hope: Our Gift and our Chal-lenge;” (March 24) Theresa Fugardi, Pastoral associate/St. Rose of Lima, “Rise Up: Healed and Sent, a Lenten Jour-ney;” (March 31), Sr. Janet Provost, SSJ, Pastoral Ministry, “The Last week…The Final Words.”

The Women’s Guild’s Annual Lenten Evening of Recollection

Save the Date - Monday, March 16 The annual Lenten Evening of Recollection for the Women’s Guild is scheduled for Monday evening, March 16. Father John Foley, our former pastor, will be our special guest and speaker. Our evening together will begin with the regularly scheduled Lenten weekday Mass at 5:30 p.m. Father Foley’s talk will be offered at the dinner to follow. Please contact Donna Byrnes, at 508-753-3024, to make a reservation or if you have any ques-tions. A donation of $18 is asked for those who are members of the Guild and $20 for non-members.

From the Desk of Monsignor Tom Dear fellow parishioners, The holy season of Lent will begin Wednesday. This should be a time for all of us to turn away from sin and to live as truly com-mitted disciples of Jesus Christ. There is no better time to rethink old attitudes and practices. It is a time to walk conscientiously with Christ, and to enter more intensely into the saving mystery of His life, death, and resurrec-tion. If we do so, Lent will be a time of considerable personal conversion and renewal. For Catholics, spiritual renewal is found in many ways. During the forty days of Lent, I encourage all to attend Mass and receive the Sacrament of Penance more frequently, to read the Scrip-tures, to pray the Stations of the Cross, and to commit oneself to performing the Corporal Works of Mercy. Particular attention should also be given to our traditional practices of fasting and abstinence. Along with other parishes throughout the Diocese we will contin-ue the practice of offering confessions each Tuesday night from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Living like an authentic Christian is not easy, and it runs counter to many practices in our self-indulgent society. It takes courage and conviction to “repent and believe the Good News.” (Mark 1:14-20). It may be too early to be able to interpret with confi-dence all that God is teaching us through the current challenges to world peace, a fragile environment and economic inequality. However, it already seems clear that we are being asked to recon-sider our lifestyles, not just in terms of how we live as individu-als, but also in terms of the impact our pattern of consuming has on people in other parts of the world. As Catholics, we believe that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and we are bound to pray and work for the common good of all. As you consider your own responsi-bilities this Lent, I urge you not to forget the needs of people you know as well as those living in less developed parts of the world where the poor do without much of what we take for granted. With the help of God’s grace, let us try to follow Jesus more closely during this penitential season by praying more fervently, doing penance more sincerely, and caring for others more gener-ously. Having done so, we will experience abundantly the joy and peace that only the Risen Lord can give at Easter.

Monsignor Tom Sullivan

Sending a Note to Sister Ellen? Some have inquired as to where to write to Sister Ellen Guerin, RSM. They want to drop a ‘Get Well’ card. You can do so at this address: 20 Brookside Avenue, Apt. #14, Worcester 01602.

February 23, 2020

CHRIST THE KING PRAYER LINE

If you know of someone who could use our prayerful support please contact either Mindy at 508-754-5361 or by email at mindyd1052@gmail.com.

Highlights of the Week Ahead Saturday, February 22 4:00 pm Mass - Partners in Charity Appeal Sunday, February 23 All Masses - Partners in Charity Appeal 10:00-11:00 am - Grades 1-6 Religious Education 6:00-7:00 pm - Grades 7-10 Religious Education Monday, February 24 7:00-9:00 pm - CYC Musical Rehearsal Tuesday, February 25 7:00 pm - Haiti Twinning Committee, Rectory 7:00 pm - AA Meeting, Lower Rectory Wednesday, February 26 - Ash Wednesday Masses at 7 am, 9 am, 12:00 noon, 3 pm, 5:30 pm, 7 pm 3:00 pm - Mustard Seed Food Prep 7:00 pm - Boy Scouts 8:00 pm - Folk Group Rehearsal Thursday, February 27 Masses at 7:00 am & 5:30 pm 4:15-5:15 pm - Youth Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm - Festival Choir Rehearsal Friday, February 28 Masses at 7:00 am & 5:30 pm 3:30-5:30 pm - Daisies, Hall 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts Movie Night 7:30-9:00 pm - AA Meeting, Lower Rectory Sunday, March 1 9:00 am Mass - “Sending Rite” of Comfort Arthur 10:00 am - CYC Meeting, Johnson Room 10:00-11:00 am - Grades 1-6 Religious Education 3:00 pm - Rite of Election (Comfort Arthur) at St. Paul’s Cathedral 6:00-7:00 pm - Grades 7-10 Religious Education

HOPE FOR HOUSING CARDS Two Volunteers Needed

Due to recent changes and illness we need an additional vol-unteer at each of the Saturday (4:00 pm) and Sunday (9:00 am & 11:00 am) Mass slots. Please let us know if you can help us. And purchase our food cards. Here’s how they work: (1) You purchase food gift cards in various amounts of $10 to $100; (2) You use the food cards for your grocery shopping; (3) You re-ceive the full face value of the card you purchase; (4) What you don’t spend remains on your card for later use; and (5) The su-permarket donates 5% to 10% of what you spend to prevent fam-ily homelessness.

St. John’s High School St. John’s will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 4, at 6:00 pm. To register please visit www.stjohnshigh.org/admissions/open-house. Contact the Admissions Office with any questions at 508-842-8934, ext. 666, or admissions@stjohnshigh.org.

Spend A Day at NDA Discover the difference at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester. Register your daughter to spend the day shadowing one of the students at our all-girls, Catholic college-preparatory school. Now accepting grades 7-12. Register today at www.nda-worc.org/admissions.

NDA Spring Open House Sunday, March 22nd, 2:00-4:00 pm. Register online at www.nda-worc.org.

St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School Open House

St. Peter’s Central Catholic Elementary School, located at 865 Main Street, will host an Open House on Sunday, March 1, from 1:00-3:00 pm. The school has openings in Grades Pre-K-7. Please visit us on March 1st or for information call 508-791-6496 or visit our website www.stpetercentralcatholic.com.

Two Masses Each Weekday in Lent During Lent we have the custom of offering two daily Masses each Lenten weekday (Monday through Friday). We will contin-ue to offer the 7:00 am, of course. In addition, we offer Mass at 5:30 pm each weekday evening. Our Saturday morning Masses, at 8:00 am, continue throughout the year. We hope you’ll be able to join us for daily Mass.

“COME HOME TO GOD’S MERCY” Tuesday Confessions During Lent

Bishop McManus has requested that every parish in the Diocese of Worcester offer opportunities for Catholics to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance; confessions) on Lenten Tuesdays between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. We will be hearing confessions at those times. Lent is a wonderful time to receive God’s mercy in this extraordinary Sacrament. We will be offer-ing confessions on March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7.

Lenten fast and abstinence regulations for the Diocese of Worcester

Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics fourteen (14) years of age and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are eighteen (18) years of age but not yet fifty-nine (59) years of age on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed Lenten penitential practices.

Lent

In Lent, which begins this Wednesday, we are exposed to the entire mystery of what God has done for us in Christ. The austerity of the season - marked by simplicity, sacrifice and renewed prayerfulness - is dictated not only by sorrow for sin but also as a time of waiting and anticipation for the coming Easter celebration. Joy is as much a keynote of the season as austerity. It is the joy of those who know that while they are sinners, God’s mer-ciful love has been revealed through Jesus Christ. The whole of the Lenten season looks forward with anticipation to the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the great Vigil on the eve of Easter), which fully reveals what we will be seeking during the forty days ahead: to die and rise to new life with Christ. Lent is baptismal, too, because Christian life is baptismal. To be baptized is to die with Christ and rise with him to new life, a process initiated at Baptism, to be sure, but one that is not entirely completed until we rise with him on the last day. Lent, then, is a time of baptismal renewal, when the Church lingers over the meaning of Baptism - not as a past event in our lives but as a vocation to be lived, not as something that happens merely to individuals but as the task of the whole Church until her Lord comes in glory. It is the time when the Church reaffirms her reason for existence and rededicates herself to her task of being the body of Christ.