768 Ocean Avenue • Jersey City, NJ 07304 Phone: 201-333-4862 Fax: 201-433-6352

Email Address: ctkjcnj@gmail.com

Website: www.christthekingjerseycity.org

Clergy and Staff Rev. Esterminio Chica

Pastor (FrMino@gmail.com)

Rev. Jack Martin

Weekend Assistant

Deacon Charles Simmons

Mass times:

Saturday: 5:00 pm

Sunday: 10:00 am

Weekdays: Mon, Wed, & Thurs: 9 am

Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish

December 8, 2019

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Reading I: Isaiah 11: 1-10 Reading II: Romans 15: 4-9 The Gospel: Matthew 3: 1-12

Stewardship Prayer

Generous and loving God,

You call us to be disciples of your Son Jesus

and good stewards of your many gifts.

Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness

and deeper appreciation of your countless blessings.

Transform us through the power of your Spirit

to nurture a stewardship way of life

marked by faith-filled prayer,

service to our neighbor, and generous sharing.

Teach us to be faithful servants of your gifts.

With Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold

the gifts entrusted to us.

We pray thorough Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflections from Cardinal Tobin “Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Matthew 3:10 Do you bear good fruit for Christ? Or, do you spend your time, talent and treasure constantly acquiring more toys, clutter and junk? Our time, our talent, and our treasure are gifts that God has given us. What we do with them is our gift back to God. What gifts are you planning to give to the Lord during this upcoming Christmas season?

Mass Intention: Adelaide Jackson 693—Christ the King

Parish Giving

2019 Sharing God’s Blessings Annual Appeal

We Are Living Stones

Our share after meeting tithing goal of $12,000—$14,588.37

If you have not yet made a pledge to the Sharing God’s Blessings

Annual Appeal, there is still time. Please complete a pledge envelope

and drop it in the collection basket, or bring it to the parish office. If

you have already made a contribution, Thank you.

Collections 11/24/2019 Y-T-D

Collected 2,176.00 52,316.00

Needed 2,446.00 51,370.00

Difference (270.00) 946.00

Goal Pledged Received

$13,596 $2,725 $2,475

Goal Pledged Received

$145,484.00 $61,140.00 $41,176.74

Out in the Wilderness

Something big was about to happen, but then John the Baptist had been expecting something unusual. He had heard stories about the time be-fore he was born, how he had come onto the scene long after his parents thought children would be part of their lives. Both his mother Eliz-abeth and his father Zechariah, a priest had re-ceived messengers— though his father did not at first believe what was happening—who made surprising promises that John would take after the prophet Elijah.

John “grew and became strong in spirit,” and in time he embraced his calling to be a prophet with a passion and headed out to the wilderness.

He even looked the part. With his camel’s hair clothes, leather belt, and a diet of locusts and wild honey, he was the spitting image of Elijah. And he had a prophet’s message: to call people back to God. “Repent,” he said—let your heart be changed, turn you life around—”for the king-dome of heaven has come near.” Go down into the waters of baptism and come up a new per-son. Know you are forgiven.

Then came the moment John’s whole life had been heading toward. He realized one was “coming after me” who was “more powerful than I.” He even started denying he was the prophet he acted so much like. I’m not Elijah, or the Mes-siah, he said. The real Messiah was on his way.

John didn’t recognize Jesus at first when he whowed up at the Jordon River to be baptized. But when Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened and God’s presence came down like the Spirit of God that swept over the waters at the creation of the world. And if any-one there needed any further persuading, a voice from above was heard to say, “This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

John had completed his work. He had made straight the paths for the way of the Lord.

It’s Advent. Jesus is near. With the rest of the people of God you are out in the wilderness waiting for him to appear. How can you make straight the paths of you own life? Be open to a change of heart, to letting yourself be turned in a new direction. To what new roles—perhaps un-expected ones—does your life, like John’s point? Could it be to bring some forgiveness and peace to yourself, your family, your friends, your coworkers, the world.

The answer may be hidden just beneath the wa-ters, waiting to surface.

Please keep the following parish family members and

friends in your prayers:

Francena Thomas, Beverly Chestnut, William Moore,

Nathaniel McDougald, Irene Gaynor, Pearl Hardy, John

Lott, Connie Moses, Deneen Dorsey, Carol Jones, Julia

Hunt-Walker, Mildred Hamm, Elizabeth Gaines, Alicia

Brown, Ellen Stuckey, Shirley Connell, Harold Wilson,

James Holloway, Dolores Sanders, Bessie Johnson, Gor-

don Gladden, Adela Buccilli, Lourdes Ithier, Robert Or-

ange, Aaron Anderson, Theresa Garner, Bennie Fields,

Pat Edomy, Valerie Thomas-Floyd, Davey Bogar, Har-

riet Donald, Wanda Manning, Roberta Brown , Sharon

Massey, Michael J.R. Coates, Claude Hunt, Carolyn K.

Rice, Verdena Johnson, Aurora Curry, Elissa Hairston,

Valerie Lewis-Mosley, Renade Bigbie, Janie Jackson,

Aaron Hairston, Verdell Moses-Boyd, Dad Mallard,

Diane Weems, Katherine Graham, Eleanor Mixson,

Kadeem Carson, Velma Smith Ingram, Miya Enix, Ruth

Ann Watkins, Anna Marie Mosley, Minnie Johnson,

Shirley West, Curtis Curry, Bestine Remy, Jessie Wil-

liams, Maurice Anyaorah, Charles Simmons,Bryson

Nelson.

God of mercy, ease the suffering of those on our prayer

list. Comfort them in their various illnesses. Please give

them courage, patience and hope. In their times of

loneliness assure them of our love and prayers.

Date

Dec.7 Mabel Hawkins

Dec. 8 McKoy Fagan Shirley

West

Dec. 14 Ann Warren

Dec. 15 Yvonne Bailey Allen Lee

Dec. 21 Mabel Hawkins

Dec. 22 Mae Moses Francisca Osuji

Date Cup Host to Pews Host

Dec 7 Ann Warren

Dec. 8 Cecelia Faulks Yvonne Bai-

ley

Yolanda

Jackson

Dec. 14 Mabel Hawkins

Dec. 15 Janese Battle Iris Jones Shirley West

Dec. 21 Ann Warren

Dec. 22 Eugene Mosley Patrice Maina Yvonne Bai-

ley

693—Christ the King

Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

Lectors

Eucharistic Ministers

Men’s Prayer Group will meet

following Mass.

Weekly Eucharistic Adoration

in the Rectory Chapel at 6:00PM

Wednesday.

Bible Study meets after Eucharistic Adoration in the

Rectory at 7:30 .

Monthly Eucharistic Adoration follows the first Sat-

urday evening Mass.

UPCOMING LITURGICAL MINISTERS WORKSHOPS

Are you interested in serving as a lector or Extraordinary Minis-

ter of Holy Communion. Or do o you need a refresher? Registra-

tion for the workshops will open soon.

LECTORS : February 22, 2020

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION:

April 25, 2020

693—Christ the King

Mission Statement of Christ the King Roman Catholic

Church

It is our mission that all are welcomed, every race, creed, and

color.

To reach out to everyone within our community with love,

respect, hospitality, and support.

To worship in a manner which is consistent with our African-

American Heritage and culture.

To involve ourselves in building up our community, by

confronting areas of racial, social and economic injustice.

To embrace our youth, understand their needs, nurture them

and ensure that the youth are in integral part of our parish.

To become knowledgeable about African-American history,

The Sacrament of Baptism

Celebrations are held seasonally. Parents should contact the pastor to set up an appointment. Parents and godparents are invited to our baptismal preparation program.

The Sacrament of Marriage

Couples considering marriage are expected to make arrangements with the pastor one year in advance. All couples are welcome to our marriage preparation program.

Parish Membership

Christ the King is a parish that welcomes all. Every member of the parish is expected to be involved in stewardship of time, talent, and treasure and one of the church ministries. Anyone needing offering envelopes should contact the rectory.

Christian Formation

Inquiry classes into Catholic faith RCIA formation for adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church are held in the rectory. For more information please contact Fr. Mino for meeting times.

PARISH INFORMATION

Reporting Sexual Abuse Information

The Archdiocese takes very seriously any and all allegations of sexual misconduct by any member of the clergy, Religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform us imme-diately so that we may take appropriate actions to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse. Individuals who wish to report an allegation of sexual miscon-duct may do so by calling the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at (201) 407-3256

Trustees: Mrs. Verdena Johnson Ms. Christina Wooten

Christ the King Roman Catholic Church

Sacred Music Ministry

Michelle Adolphus: Children and Youth

Pastoral Council

Patrice Maina Beauty Muswema

Kimberly Robertson Alan Lee

Rosemary Nwabueze Devon Roland

Mabel Hawkins Eleanor Simmons

Charles Simmons

Finance Council

Yolanda Jackson Donna Boyer-Lendor

Fred Garlin Ronald J. Hunt

Shalitha Nelson Anthony Ngaojia

Monica Harwell

Verdena Johnson Christine Wooten

Parish Office Hours

Monday—Thursday 9:00 AM—2:00 PM

Friday 9:00 AM—12:00 Noon

Karaoke is returning in January 2020. We are adding games to the mix. Our new title is

Karaoke & Game Night

You can make a difference when you shop at Amazon .

Simply enter the address below, shop, and Ama-zonSmile donates a percentage of your purchases to Christ the King Church. Go to

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-1508556

SAVE THESE DATES

Mark your calendars for our very busy fall season.

Be sure to invite family and friends!

Dec. 8: Christmas Concert with OLC 4pm

Dec. 8: Advent Reflection after Mass

Dec. 11: Candlelight Carol Sing 8PM at Cathedral

Dec. 12: Candlelight Carol Sing 8PM at Cathedral

Dec. 14: Healthy Families Workshop 11am

Dec. 15:Parish Day of Retreat, Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown, NJ

Dec. 21: Healthy Families Workshop 11am

Dec. 21: Christmas Caroling after 5pm Mass

Dec. 28: Healthy Families Workshop 11am

Dec. 31: Night Watch 11pm

693—Christ the King

We serve on the first Saturday of the month. Dona-

tions are also needed to stock the food pantry. Your

assistance is greatly appreciated.

Helping hands are always needed.

The winter cold is here .The

homeless will be homeless in

the cold. This winter we will

try to do our part. We will

open our hearts and our base-

ment to them a couple of

mornings every week. We

want to warm the body and

stomachs by provides a little

shelter, coffee and donuts,

and friendly conversation.

Please contact Ann War-

ren if you are interested

in assisting.

Free Advent Reflection series from Immaculate Conception Seminary

Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology invites you to celebrate the truth, the goodness and the beauty of the Advent season through our Advent video reflection series. Sign up to receive an e-mail each day of Advent with a video reflection on that day's reading, offered by our inspiring faculty and ad-ministration. Experience the Lord with us this Advent season. To subscribe go to https://www.shu.edu/theology/