DECEMBER 1, 2019 20800 Grand River Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48219

PARISH MISSION We are Christ the King Parish, a richly diverse Christian Community in Northwest Detroit. We are on a journey of Discipleship with Jesus, seeking conversion, reconciliation and renewal. We reach out in welcome to all the people within our neighborhood, proclaiming the good News of Christ the King, building community, celebrating together, serving one another’s needs and the needs of all our neighbors.

Advent: A Season of Hope

Advent represents a season of hope for me as well as new beginnings as we await the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We spend these four weeks shopping, attending Christmas par-ties, etc. We must remember to take a step back and realize that material-ism associated with the Christmas holiday should not be our main focus. Planning to see family and friends, is so valuable as we often tend to look back at the previous Christmas sea-son and wish we had concentrated a little more on making time to visit or call someone who has passed away and not with us this Christmas season. Advent is a time of reflection and standing still for a moment. We might think of new traditions with our family and friends. Examples that come to mind: include sending cards or calling those who live alone. I have visited many home-bound persons over the years who are thrilled to get mail or a phone call. The day is extremely long when you are unable to get out of your house. I will never forget Advent 2015. On December 7th, I came home after working all day at St. Christine’s, eating dinner and falling asleep in my recliner. I woke up around 9pm, I attempted to get up and literally could not stand up and walk. My husband Don tried desperately to assist me to no avail. After nearly twenty-fours we called an ambulance to take me to the hospital. A week of numerous tests revealed nothing to explain why I could not walk. Later it was discovered that possibly I had developed a virus (side effect) as a result of a shingles shot I had re-

ceived two weeks before. I came home from the hospital on a walker, devastated I could not go to work as Christian Service was in the midst of its Christmas gift giving program for families. Don was going every day to help at St. Vincent de Paul with the Christmas program. The days were long during the month I was confined to the house. I clearly remember those who called, made meals, sent cards, flowers and visited me during that Advent season. I prayed all the time for it was the most powerful medicine I had. Parishioners including Paulette Washburn, Michelle Lewis, Mary Jo McEvoy, Deacon Chris and Ruth Remus to name a few, came to our home to sit with me and bring me all the news from Christ the King and St. Christine’s. It helped me to know that I was missed and encour-aged me to fight to learn to walk again and get back to my work in Christian Service. Numerous other parishioners called often to see how I was doing, which helped pass the time. Nicole or Andi called often to ask for my input on something which meant the world to me. I missed Mass all during Advent as well as on Christmas which made me very sad. Being unable to attend Fr. Clore’s 50th anniversary celebration was heartbreaking beyond belief! My dear friend Maureen Leen stayed with me all day at the hospital until it was time for her to go the cele-bration. In addition, I was unable to attend the annual Christmas Eve party with my siblings for the first time in 31 years. Finally, I was able to learn to nego-tiate the walker and came back to

Mass on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s. As I slowly walked up the steps from my office to the Church and opened the door, I immediately began to cry at the beauty of the Christmas decora-tions. I walked over to our magnifi-cent manger and prayed with grati-tude, as all the hope I had during Advent had prevailed by allowing me to have the strength to come back to Mass. I went back to work the first week of January with my walker in tow. In less than six months after much physical therapy I was walking with a cane and by July 2016 and was back walking unassisted. This personal experience showed how much hope the Advent season can bring to those who are homebound all year long. I strive in my Chris-tian Service work each day to en-sure that the needs of others are met when possible, especially dur-ing this Advent season. So many of you help me to accom-plish this every day, and I am so grateful. Our Catholic faith gives us hope that will sustain us no matter how tough a situation might be at the moment. Thus the Advent sea-son remains a special and holy time for me each year. God Speed Maureen

Christ the King Parish ~ Grand River at Burt Road Rectory

16805 Pierson…………………………313-532-1211 School

16800 Trinity…………………………..313-532-1213 Parish website

Www.ChristTheKingCatholicDetroit.org

St. Christine Christian Services 15317 Dacosta at Fenkell………………313-535-7272

Www.SCCSdetroit.org

Siena Literacy…………………….…...313-532-8404 Mrs. Jackie Jones- Love……...jjones–love@sienaliteracy.org

St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher

Ms. Diane Renaud……………………..313-535-9200 diane.renaud@svsfcenter.org

Pastoral Staff

Rev. Victor Clore, Pastor…...….clorevi@udmercy.edu Deacon Joe Urbiel………deaconjoeurbiel@gmail.com 248-910-0490 Deacon Chris Remus…..chris.remus@sbcglobal.net 313-717-5672 Mrs. Maureen Northrup...…Christian Service Outreach MaureenNorthrup@gmail.com Ms Nicole Evans………………….…..Office Manager n.evans112@gmail.com or christking@ameritech.net Mrs. Andi Kovach ………………………Bookkeeping andiatck@hotmail.com Mrs. Amanda Lund………………………...Principal alund.ctk@gmail.com Ms. Bethanne McCall………………….Choir Director feddy428@gmail.com

Little Scholars - Christ the King Campus Cora Rodgers, Director 313-693-4260

Parish Council Elected Members: Joe Fitzgerald..……...……………..…Council Chair Rachel Conner, Stacie Harris, Mark Barkey, Suzie Groenenboom, Jerry Randall, Sheila Fenbert,Nicky Marcot, Gary Beaman

Commissions Maureen Northrup………..………..Christian Service Carole Ann Beaman…………………...……Worship Ron Hildebrandt……………………...…Stewardship Michelle Lewis……………………...Faith Formation Dcn. Joe Urbiel….……………….....Finance Council Lois Phillips……………………….….Evangelization Bob Bruttell & Ron Eady…………………..Inclusion St. Vincent dePaul………...…………313-535-7272

Liturgy Schedule Sunday…………………………….………10:45am Wednesday and Friday……………………..8:30am

Religious Education First & Third Sunday ……………….9:30-10:30am

Becoming Catholic Adults, Children, Youth: If you are interested in becom-ing a member of the Catholic faith or learning more about the Catholic Church, the Adult Catechumenate will prepare you for this decision. Please call the Parish Office if you would like more information. Infants: Baptism is the public celebration of the beginning of life in the Church. At the celebration of Baptism, parents publicly affirm their decision to raised their child in the faith of the church. To make arrangements for your infant to be bap-tized, please contact the Parish Office. Pre-Baptismal classes for parents and godparents are necessary, held as arranged with families. Holy Eucharist and Confirmation Preparation Call the Parish Office…………………..313-532-1211 Other Sacraments Reconciliation………………….……By Appointment Anointing of the sick…………………..313-532-1211 Marriage Call the parish office; 6 months preparation

Please let an usher know if you would like to receive Communion at your pew.

MASS INTENTIONS

Sunday December 1, 2019 10:45am Larrie LaBelle By Guy & Michelle DesJardins Tuesday 9am at SS/OLGH

Wednesday CHRIST THE KING 8:30am Families, Friends,

Neighbors & Enemies Living & Deceased

By T.G. Thursday 9am at SS/OLGH Friday CHRIST THE KING 8:30am Durward Stuart By People of Christ the King Saturday ~ No Mass Sunday December 8, 2019 10:45am David Aerts By Chet McLeod

Coffee Hour is sponsored today by Friends of Christ the King

Check the list to see what Sunday YOU can sponsor!

PRAYER & WORSHIP

OUR LITURGICAL MINISTERS

FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY 12/1 First Sunday of Advent Is 2:1-5, Ps 122:1-9, Rom 13:11-14, Mt 24:37-44 Tue 12/3 Is 11:1-10, Lk 10:21-24 Wed 12/4 Is 25:6-10a, Mt 15:29-37 Thu 12/5 Is 26:1-6, Mt 7:21,24-27 Fri 12/6 Is 29:17-24, Mt 9:27-31 Sat 12/7 Is 30:19-21,23-26, Mt 9:35-10:1,5a,6-8 12/8 Second Sunday of Advent Is 11:1-10, Ps 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Mt 3:1-12

For NEXT Sunday December 8

Lectors: Kathleen Newell & Tess Tchou

Servers: Ashley & Aniya Lewis & Jayla Turner

Liturgy of the Word for Children: Michele Rochester

Serving at the Table of the Lord: Jean Krystyniak

Ministers of Service: Sonja Still & Johnny Swift

THE WISDOM OF POPE FRANCIS

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sun 12/1 9:30am Religious Ed & Confirmation

Las Posadas 10:45am Mass & Coffee Hr.

Christmas Garage Sale Tue 12/3 9am Mass SS/OLGH 9am Bible Study 11am Crafters Wed 12/4 8:30am Mass

Rosary Thu 12/5 9:30am Mass SS/OLGH 7pm Parish Council Fri 12/6 8:30am Mass Office & School Closed Sat 12/7 12-3pm Senior Christmas Dinner 3:00pm Mass Sun 12/8 9:30am Religious Ed & Confirmation 10:45am Mass & Coffee Hr.

Christmas Garage Sale Fortunate Families after Mass 2:30pm Vicariate Confirmation

6pm Youth Group

To be able to offer thanks, to be able to praise the Lord for what He has done for us: this is important! ... We can ask our-

selves: Are we capable of saying "Thank you"? How many times do we say "Thank you" in our family, our community, and in the Church? How many times do we say "Thank you" to those who help us, to those close to us, to those who accompany us through life?

Reconciliation 11am ~ Saturday, December 14

We will offer a reconciliation ser-vice for those who would like to re-ceive the sacrament before Christ-mas. Please join us as we take time out of our busy schedules to stop and reflect and pray. This is a won-derful way to prepare for the birth of our Lord. If you would like private reconcilia-tion, please call the office and schedule an appointment with Fr. Clore.

May God Bless

Hayes Grooms V

on his Baptism today!

Proud Parents are Hayes IV & Adrienne,

Big Sister is Raquel.

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Advent, which begins the Church’s liturgical year, begins today. Ad-vent encompasses the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation for our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. We celebrate Advent by putting up an Advent Wreath and lighting candles each week. We are encouraged to look at it and contemplate the meaning of Advent. The use of the wreath and candles during Advent are a longstanding Catholic tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the

Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ. Even the individual evergreens that make up the wreath have their own meanings that can be adapted to our faith. The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering. The pine, holly, and yew signify immortality and the cedar signifies strength and healing. The pine cones that decorate the wreath symbolize life and resurrection. The wreath as a whole is meant to remind us of both the immortality of our souls and God’s promise of everlasting life to us through Christ. The candles also have their own special significance. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The first candle, which is blue, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Can-dle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. The second candle, also blue, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a re-minder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent. On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final blue candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward All.” Celebrating Advent is an excellent way to prepare your mind and heart for Christmas.

Have You Picked Out an Ugly Christmas Sweater Yet?

As it says in the article above, the third Sunday of Advent, December 15, is a day to rejoice! Wear your sweater to Coffee Hour and have fun with your family and parish. We can’t wait to see what you wear! You might even win a prize!

Please join us for our Advent Cantata “Once Upon a Night”

Our choir has been working hard on this wonderful program of prayer, song drama and prayer. Please join us on Decem-ber 15 at 5pm in the church. It will really put you in the spirit of the season!

All Children are Welcome to be Angels and Shepherds If your child would like to participate in the dramatization

of the Christmas story at the children’s Mass on Christmas Eve, please let Deacon Joe know.

The practice is on Monday, December 23 at 5:30pm.

Fortunate Families Meeting Dec. 8, 2019

Our next Fortunate Families De-troit meeting will be held on Sun-day, December 8 in the rectory after the 10:45 mass. We will be follow-ing through on the goals we set at our Sept. 14 Day of Reflection and need your help to keep our ministry active and growing. Please join us as we move forward in discerning the path we are to follow as Fortunate Families De-troit in light of our place in the Archdiocese of Detroit. For information contact linda-karle@earthlink.net or 313-670-2613

Christ the King Jr. High visit The Sikh Temple in Rochester.

The Student Ministry pay a visit to The Villas of Great Lakes Cross-ing to honor our veterans.

CK Students Doing Great Things!