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Starting the New Year with the Epiphany
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (MT 2: 1-12)
It may begin with a vision, a question, an unwillingness to accept or be satisfied with, or even an outright refusal. What would happen if…? How come this is what it is…? Is there a healthier, more constructive, more loving way to deal with…? What would happen if I said no—and what would I do differently?
And so, a dream takes shape.
And that dream compels the dreamer to look for a source of light, of direction, or insight: a star, a star that illuminates the dreamer’s eyes to see both the possibilities for realizing the dream and the obstacles to its fulfillment. The “star” may be a sage or prophet who can point the way, a pilgrim who has already traveled that road, a saint who dreams the same dream.
And the star sets the dreamer on a journey: the road to fulfilling the dream, of making the hope a reality, of creating a new and better place for justice and peace and reconciliation to thrive. There will be discoveries along the way, changes in direction and understanding—even re-imagining the dream itself. Watch for unexpected turns and detours; steel yourself for confrontations with more than a few Herods: those who seek to derail the dreamer and destroy the dream for their own ends.
But, if the dreamer keeps faith with the dream, if the dreamer follows the right star, if the dreamer perseveres on the journey, the dreamer will eventually reach his or her Bethlehem. [ Connections, January 2019]
A dream, a star, a journey; the story of the Magi’s quest for the Christ Child mirrors our own constant search for meaning and purpose in our lives. Every human life is a journey through the time God has given us, a journey marked by signs of God’s love in our midst. What “stars” are we following? Do we navigate through life by the “stars” that eventually flame out of the sky altogether? Or do we fix our lives on the great “star” of Jesus Christ? As we start the new year, let us recommit to following the right star that will give us the ultimate sense of meaning and purpose in our lives!
Happy New Year,
Fr. Brian Sullian
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Antioch Retreat 2019
January 18 - 20
Please pray for our 10th grade students as they embark upon the Antioch Retreat in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
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Emma Adamo
Katelyn Amaral
Sebastian Bess
Emma Bosacki
Alexis Casabona
Kelly Christmas
Keely Comizio
Robert Covello
Carolyn Coyne
Tripp Didden
Brynn Johnson
Elsa Korn
John Lake
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Thomas Lamonte
Gavin Martins
Sophia Martins
Elizabeth Mastrangelo
Brooke Monti
Morgan Mullins
Samantha Quinn
Joseph Racanelli
Mary Ragold
Mason Russo
Erin Ryan
Carter Shipley
Jake Zimmer
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Antioch Follow Up Meetings
Follow-Up Sessions
(Must attend 4 of the 6 sessions)
Parish Life Center, 2nd Floor
January 27, February 10 and 24
4:30 to 5:30 pm AND attendance at the 5:30 pm Mass
February 3 and 17
10 to 11 am AND attendance at the 11 am Mass
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Summer Mission Trip to Philadelphia
July 7-12
Partner with local organizations to meet ongoing needs in the community. Participate in a fully integrated service and learning experience where students not only assist with needs but also understand the causes and outcomes of food insecurity facing the community. Learn about food sustainability and how it affects this community as well as your community back home.
- Only 21 spots available! - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE
- Registration will be emailed out to ALL teenagers grades 9/12.
- $385/student
- 3 adult chaperones needed.
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Clothed with Strength and Dignity:
A New Year's Retreat for Women
January 26 - 9:30am to 4pm
Villa Pauline Spirituality Center
350 Bernardsville Rd.
Mendham, NJ 07945
Cost: $40
(lunch and snacks included)
All women of the parish are welcome.
Please register with Sister Mary Joseph at
srmaryjoseph@churchofchristtheking.org
973.539.4955 x13
Deadline for registration is January 19.
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Giving Tree
Agencies Appreciation
We want to share the notes of thanks that our parish has received for
Giving Tree gifts.
Family Promise of Morris County
“Thank you for your generous donation of a very large collection of wish list items including toiletries and personal care products, cleaning products, mops, pails, sponges, contractor bags, diapers, baby wipes and copy paper.
Each year, donors like you make it possible for us to provide emergency food and shelter to homeless children and their families. In addition, we move these families from temporary shelter into well-furnished apartments of their own….
Thank you all so very much for all your faithful support of our neighbors in need!
Sincerely,
Jon K. Thomsen
Associate Executive Director”
Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women
“Please extend our thanks to everyone who participated in the Giving Tree! Because of their generosity, the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women received:
• over $800 in gift cards
• over 8,000 baby wipes
• over 2,000 diapers
We are grateful!
One of the benefits of this ministry is being able to collaborate with such generous people as the parishioners of the Church of Christ the King.
God bless! Happy New Year!
Sister Ann Marie”
Eva’s Village
“Thank you for your gift of blankets, toiletries and gift cards to support Eva’s Village. Your generosity provides vital support for our programs, helping us reach even more of our neighbors in need…Last year we served over 520,000 meals in our Community Kitchen and our treatment and recover programs helped more than 2,200 individuals find pathways out of addiction. This is all possible because of the kindness and compassion of friends like you, who believe in the work we do each and every day.”
With gratitude,
Mark Schmit, CEO”
Catholic Family and Community Services in Paterson
“Thank you very much for all your hard work, for putting a smile on our clients, seniors and children’s faces and bringing them joy and happiness. It was another year of great success!
May God Bless you and your family!...“
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Learning Sessions now on SUNDAYS
Grades 1-5
Once a month from 10-11 am in the Parish Hall, we will offer an optional learning session with different topics, in addition to what the families are already learning in our Religious Education program. We have scheduled the session in-between the Masses so that whether you attend the 9 am or 11 am, you can still join us!
These are the remaining dates and topics:
February 10 – Creeds
March 6 (Ash Wednesday) 4 pm followed by our 4:30 pm Ash Wednesday service
April 14 – The Bible
Signups will be available the day before a session!
Should you have any questions, please contact Erin.
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Christmas Pageant 2018
[photo album]
On Sunday, December 16th, the children of our parish brought the Christmas Story to life! Ranging from our 3 year old angel, to our middle school narrators, our young parishioners (with the help of our wonderful parents) allowed us to sing, pray and remind us all about the true meaning of Christmas!
CLICK HERE to see the Photo Album.
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Acceptance is the Key
by Sr. Mary Joseph Schultz, SCC
This past Sunday in Church there was a little voice of wisdom that made me smile. It came from a toddler in the back during a moment of quiet. (And God bless the heroic, selfless parents who bring active little ones to Mass….a blessing to all of us). I do not know the circumstances that led up to the exclamation, but I heard, loud and clear, “That’s not fair!” How do little ones learn that phrase? Such profundity early in life, but a lesson that takes decades to embrace.
It took me years to finally realize that no one ever told me that life will be fair. No one ever told me that we should never suffer, never be disappointed, or never have unexpected events thwart our plans. I am still learning that comparisons and unrealistic expectations can lead to a lot of self-inflicted pain and disappointment. Life will not be fair because we are not all alike, there are bumps in the road, evil exists, and stuff happens. Maybe my New Year’s resolution should be acceptance.
Acceptance of what is, good and not so good, is part of maturity and brings great peace of mind. It can also be the key to sanctity. As Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt wrote to her brother in 1852, “Accept all patiently as God permits it to happen. Seek nothing but the spread of God’s Kingdom and the salvation of immortal souls.” When I accept the world as it is and others as they are, it helps me to also accept my own self, gifts and limitations, and daily events with more equanimity. It does not mean being a doormat or never working for change when I see injustice. It does mean that I have to evaluate circumstances as they come, see what is beyond my control, embrace the challenges, and not get stuck in complaining or whining, “That’s not fair!” After the allowable ten-minute pity party, I ask God for the grace I need, take a deep breath, and move on. Yes, I do think acceptance is the key and I found my resolution for 2019. Thank you, little one in the back of Church!
Insights and comments welcome! srmaryjoseph@churchofchristtheking.org
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