Masses Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM Daily Mass: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM Friday: 11:00 AM Holy Days: See Bulletin for schedule Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am Fridays: 11:30 a.m. Saturday: 3:00 - 4:45 PM or anytime upon request. Centers of Mercy –St Catherine’s, Trumbull on Tuesday from 7-8:30 pm & St Theresa, Trumbull on Thursday, from 7-8:30pm

Sacrament of Baptism: All are requested to call the Parish Office. You must be a registered parishioner of the parish. Parish Membership: Welcome! Please introduce yourself to the parish staff and stop by the Parish Office and register. Sacrament of Marriage: Arrangements are to be made 8 months in advance. Please call the office for information and to meet with the Pastor and begin Marriage Preparation classes. Hospital and Home Visitations: Please notify the parish of family illness.

Godparent and Confirmation Sponsor Requests: Any parishioner of Christ the King who wishes to act as a Godparent for the Sacrament of Baptism or as a Sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation must be registered with Christ the King Parish, be at least 16 years of age, have received all three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation) If Married, married according to Catholic teaching in the Church, and regularly attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Please contact the parish office at 203-268-8695 for more information, or to request a sponsor form.

Adoration–Every Monday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We will pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Come, Pray the Rosary- every morning at 7:30 a.m. before Mass at 8 a.m. Rosary– Tuesday evenings, resume in March Prayer Line – Mary Ann DeFusco, 261-4378 or Barbara Sliva at 268-6108. Knights of Columbus, Council 2961 monthly meetings at Christ the King Parish Hall the 2nd Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m.

Christ the King Catholic Church 4700 Madison Avenue,

Trumbull CT 06611 Parish Office: 268-8695

Faith Formation Office: 261-2583 Fax: 268-9265

www.christthekingtrumbull.org Email: ctkparish@aol.com

MARCH 4, 2018 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Parish Staff

Fr. Walsh, Pastor, Don Brunetto, Deacon Fr. Marcel Saint Jean, In Residence Mary Ann DeFusco, Trustee Carlos Perez, Trustee Elizabeth Babbino, Parish Secretary Nina DeMasi, Music Coordinator Dan Geraghty, Youth Minister Eileen Wilkins, Faith Formation Director, Joanne Purcell, Assistant Faith Formation Director Noreen Douglas, Faith Formation Secretary Jim McNamara, Finance Council Chairperson

True to the Cross

We need to ask, “Lord, how can I best love You?” -Fr. Terry Walsh

“Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5

Why does it seem that many abandon their vocations? Could it be a lack of love? Love is

a decision. It is a free act of the will. Naturally, our emotions influence our decision, and yet, we cannot re-duce love to a mere feeling. By its very nature, love is sacrificial. The greatest act of love ever known to man was the total self-emptying of Christ upon the Cross. Therein lies our decision, our act of love. He beckons us, “Follow Me.” As we ponder His invitation to embrace the Cross, we survey the bounty of His grace. St. Paul assures us that the life we’re meant to share in heaven, which comes through the Cross, is so glorious that it’s simply beyond our comprehen-sion. Even in this life, our Lord will satisfy our every need, spiritual and material, and help us embrace the Cross with love, just as He did, when we place our trust in Him. Jesus constantly knocks upon the door of our heart and then eagerly awaits our reply. When we accept His invita-tion: “Yes, Lord, I believe,” we enter into His Mystical Body. Ah, then our Lord speaks to our hearts from within us. Through prayer, our hearts open to the mysteries of the Kingdom and the supernatural life of grace emboldens us. We have decided to love. Each conver-sation with God leads to a deeper under-standing and a more faithful commit-ment to love unconditionally, just like Jesus. We decide to love, even when we feel we’re not being loved back. Our interior life begins to blossom, and our daily decisions are purified through the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of Wisdom and Understanding. It’s not simply a matter of tuning out the world; rather, we simply become more aware of the abiding Presence of God. We’re better able to distinguish true love from selfish feelings; we choose the Cross. We ask, “Lord, how can I best love You?” Through prayer, we hear His gentle voice guiding us into a particular vocation and then, through grace, we allow Him to build our house, as Psalm 127 teaches, upon an unshakable foundation. Once we decide to love Him back, He will never abandon us. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My com-mandments; love one another as I have loved you; pick up your Cross and follow Me.” Our response of love to His invitation is a deliberate and free act of the will. Where do we find the Cross? In general, we encounter the Cross through the various trials and tribulations of daily life. In a more fundamental way, however, we meet the Cross when we answer the simple question: “How can I best love God?” Some are called to the Priesthood or the Religious Life. Perhaps most find their vocation in the Sacrament of Marriage, which of course is an image of the marriage between Christ the Bridegroom and the Church, His Bride. Others find their vocation through the various gifts and talents bestowed upon them by God, which are meant to be devel-oped for the good of others. Every vocation is a path to love and, there-fore, an encounter with the Cross. Jesus encourages us, “Be not afraid.” When we abide in the love of God, He will help us to be true to the Cross. Humility

is the key. St. Paul’s beautiful Canticle in his Letter to the Philippians praises our Lord’s perfect sacrifice and points to His Complete Self-Emptying as the model for us: “Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God some-thing to be grasped, but emptied himself in the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obe-dient unto death, even death on a Cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). St. Therésè of Lisieux reminds us that our “self-emptying” is accomplished through the little things – “it’s about doing the ordinary things with extraordinary love for God.” Ultimately, it is the only road to true happiness. Once we recognize the agape love of Christ and seek to imitate His love, we discover our true purpose and we receive the abundant means of grace to truly love with the heart of Christ. When the seeds of faith, hope, and love are watered by our Lord, the path to holiness be-comes abundantly clear. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). In order to flourish in one’s vocation, prayer is absolutely essential. Little effort at praying well will inevitably lead to a lack-luster prepara-tion for encountering Christ in the Sacra-ments. Consequently, the abundant graces our Lord showers upon the soul will, at best, trick-le beneath the surface. Naturally, the soul can’t run on empty. We can’t give what we don’t have. In order to give love, we must first receive love; espe-cially through faithful reception of Holy Eucharist. Christ emptied Himself for His Bride, the Church. He joyfully nour-ishes all who freely decide to approach the altar of sacrifice with ardent faith and a holy desire to receive His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. It’s not a decision that one should ever make lightly. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15: 12).

March 4, 2018-Please join us for coffee and light refreshments after all Sunday Masses this weekend. March 11, 2018 Pancake breakfast sponsored by The Knights of Columbus, after the 8:00 am & 9:30 am Masses March 16, 2018, 7 pm , The St. Cecilia Consort Presents: Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater-A Lenten Musical Reflection, please join us. March 17, 2018-Saint Patrick Dinner following the 5pmVigil Mass. To reserve a seat please pick up a flyer in the Church entrances. Wednesday, May 2, 2018 –Bus trip to The Met Cloister Museum which will be a guided tour. The Bus is full, we are still taking names to be placed on the waiting list, if you are interested please call 261-4378.

May 19, 2018-SAVE THE DATE-Dinner, Live and Silent Auction. More information to follow. PALM CROSSES FOR SALE DURING LENT The Knights of Columbus Council 2961 will be selling Palm Crosses during Lent, proceeds to Benefit Activities for Christ the King, flyers available in the Church entrances, please complete and place in return box at the entrance. Sample palms in entrances.

Music Notes- Our Youth Choir will be singing at the 9:30 am Mass of Sunday March 11, 2017. No choir rehearsal on

March 6, 2018.

Sung Mass Setting will be from the Heritage Mass

#885

“Sing to the Lord a New Song” Psalm 96

SUNDAY MARCH 4, 2018

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Mon. 3/5 8am + JOHN MCBRIDE Family

Tue. 3/6 8am + JOSEPH ZODA

Jim & Melanie McNamara

Wed. 3/7 8am +OSCAR R BALAREZO Cincotta Family

Thrs. 3/8 8am + DON CREATORE

Knight of Columbus #2961

Fri 3/9 11am + BRENNA MCMENAMEY Colleen & Pat Coyle

Sat. 3/10 5pm + AUGUSTO AND ROSA CORTINA Gino & Silvana Cortina

Sun. 3/11 8am +CORNELIUS CARROLL Family

9:30am +THERESA ANASTSIA The Ebert Family

11am +ANTONIO MINUTILLO Sally Butto

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION

Our annual Lenten 40 hours devotion of the Blessed Sacrament will begin this year on Thursday, March 8th at 3:00 p.m. in the

Church and will conclude on Saturday, March 10th at 8 a.m. with Mass. Please consider signing up to “Spend One Hour” with Our Lord in Adoration. Participation will bring many graces to you,

your families, and our Whole Parish Community. Sign up sheets are available in the front entrance of the Church. THANK YOU to those that have signed up already, there are still spots that need

to be filled. We need to have at least two people per hour to insure that at no time will the Blessed Sacrament be left unattended. Couples can sign up together for the one hour!. What a great

Lenten observation this would be for our Parish! Please join us!

The Tuesday evening Rosary Group will resume on Tuesday, March 13 at 7:00p.m.

Please Pray For The SickPlease Pray For The SickPlease Pray For The SickPlease Pray For The Sick Leslie Hume Alessandrina Faiella Chris Ghitsa Joan Ferrante Megan Bobroske Marco LaCroix Mary O’Connor Janet Plonka Josephine Griffin Albert DePeano John Carmolingo Lillian Josephine LoPresti Bryan Larry Rybicki Lucille Kenneth Root Lance K. Barbara Patricia Billett Ralph PPPPlease Pray For The Recently Departedlease Pray For The Recently Departedlease Pray For The Recently Departedlease Pray For The Recently Departed Vincent Noce Kathleen Geoghegan Dolores Buckley Bill Roma

John Lauf Kathleen McCann Richard Taylor Donald Creatore Mario Briganti Brenna McMenamey Richard Kascak Dorothy Hornyak Kelly McKeon Karen Sullivan Regina O’Sullivan Gregory Davis Patricia Anne Nobili Margaret Nolan

ADORATION

“There is no greater love given to Catholics than Christ present in the Eucharist.” St. Pope John Paul II

Come and adore Jesus, here at

Christ the King on Mondays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm We will pray the

Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet . Please join us.

“Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you

rest.”

MERTON CENTER LUNCHEON Will be on Thursday, March 15, 2018. Signup sheets in the pews for the next two weekends. You can drop off food in advance when the office is open or leave it in fridge/freezer downstairs. Drop off at Church on morning of March 15th - please leave your food items on the Church steps if you are dropping off before 7:30am. The meal will be delivered and served regardless of inclement weather!!! Volunteers needed, please write down contact info on the signup sheets. Community service hours for high school students accepted. 9th-12th (no younger). CHRIST THE KING WOMEN’S GROUP– Will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 10 am in the Parish Hall. Please join us all are welcome! 2018 WEDDING JUBILEE MASS AND CONCERT On Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 3:00 pm at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull, Bishop Caggiano will be celebrating the 2018 Wedding Jubilee Mass. The Mass is for couples celebrating, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50+ year wedding anniversaries. As a special gift to those celebrating anniversaries, the Mass will be immediately followed by a concert by the Diocesan Youth Choir. To register, please contact the parish office at 268-8695. Space is limited. RSVP deadline is April 18th.

The second collection this weekend is a special collection to help the parish defray our Snow Plow expenses for the winter season. Blue envelopes are located in the Church pews. Thank you in advance for your help in keeping our parking lot plowed and sanded this winter. It is a large expense for the parish and we appreciate your generosity!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council # 2961

Saturday March 17th following the 5:00 Mass in the parish hall. $22 Adults

$12 kids ages 5-13 Kids under 5 free MENU: Corned Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes, Bread,

Coffee, Tea, Soda, Water & Dessert. Reserve early, seating is limited deadline for reservation is Wednesday, March 14th.

Please pick up a flyer in the Church entrances.

THE ST. CECILIA CONSORT PRESENTS: Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater-A Lenten Musical Reflection. Friday, March 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm here at Christ the King. Composed in 1736, the Stabat Mater is one of Pergolesi’s most celebrated pieces. The 45 minute work is a musical setting of the 13th Century Stabat Mater sequence, which meditates on the suffering of Mary, Jesus’ mother, during His crucifixion. The St Cecilia Consort, a Fairfield County based Sacred music ensemble comprised of professional musicians, will present the sacred masterpiece at our Church on the 16th. This magnificent work is the perfect medium for reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice at Golgotha while on

our Lenten journey. Won’t you join us?

. February 24February 24February 24February 24----25252525 2018 2017 Sunday Offertory $4,984.00 $4,952.00 Fuel Offertory $2,537.00 $1,522.50 Online Giving/Week $920.00 $695.00 ONLINE GIVING-Please use Online Giving to catch up on offertory. Go to www.christthekingtrumbull.org and click on the Online Giving Link-it’s quick and easy! Your sup-port helps sustain our parish. Thank you.

Faith FormationFaith FormationFaith FormationFaith Formation Important Information and DatesImportant Information and DatesImportant Information and DatesImportant Information and Dates

March DatesMarch DatesMarch DatesMarch Dates No Classes on Tuesday, March 6No Classes on Tuesday, March 6No Classes on Tuesday, March 6No Classes on Tuesday, March 6thththth

No Classes on Palm Sunday, March 25No Classes on Palm Sunday, March 25No Classes on Palm Sunday, March 25No Classes on Palm Sunday, March 25thththth Our Second Graders made their First Reconciliation on Our Second Graders made their First Reconciliation on Our Second Graders made their First Reconciliation on Our Second Graders made their First Reconciliation on Saturday, March 3Saturday, March 3Saturday, March 3Saturday, March 3rdrdrdrd. A big thank you to our . A big thank you to our . A big thank you to our . A big thank you to our secondsecondsecondsecond----grade team: Jenn Record, Catherine Scott, grade team: Jenn Record, Catherine Scott, grade team: Jenn Record, Catherine Scott, grade team: Jenn Record, Catherine Scott, Amy Baratta, Christina Teixeira, Jan Valuzzo, and Amy Baratta, Christina Teixeira, Jan Valuzzo, and Amy Baratta, Christina Teixeira, Jan Valuzzo, and Amy Baratta, Christina Teixeira, Jan Valuzzo, and Stephen Valuzzo. We appreciate their hard work and Stephen Valuzzo. We appreciate their hard work and Stephen Valuzzo. We appreciate their hard work and Stephen Valuzzo. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to their students. Thank you to dedication to their students. Thank you to dedication to their students. Thank you to dedication to their students. Thank you to Joanne Purcell, Noreen Douglas and Mary Rose Gable Joanne Purcell, Noreen Douglas and Mary Rose Gable Joanne Purcell, Noreen Douglas and Mary Rose Gable Joanne Purcell, Noreen Douglas and Mary Rose Gable for all their preparations to make the day extra special for all their preparations to make the day extra special for all their preparations to make the day extra special for all their preparations to make the day extra special for our students and families. for our students and families. for our students and families. for our students and families. . . . .

Youth Ministry Save the Date

Saturday, June 30 2018 Our 2nd Annual end of the year Youth Group Picnic at the

The Convent of St. Birgitta,

in Darien CT

Great Food, BBQ, Games, Kayaking and a whole lot of fun!

Stay tuned! More info to follow.

LOAVES AND FISHES- Once again this year our parish will participate in Catholic Charities Loaves and Fishes campaign. As we prayerfully offer our Lenten sacrifices, please consider almsgiving as reflective of your sacrifices to the Loaves and Fishes collection weekly throughout Lent. Catholic Charities relies on our sacrificial generosity to help fund many of their programs. Envelopes can be found at all Church entrances. STATIONS OF THE CROSS- As we begin the season of Lent, please join us as we pray and medi-tate at each Station to commemorate the Passion of Christ and His sacrifice for us. The first service will take place on Friday, February 16th at 7:00 PM and will continue each Friday during Lent. All are welcome to join us. CENTERS OF MERCY-The Centers of Mercy will be open, and a priest will be available to offer The Sacrament of Reconciliation, each Tuesday or Thursday evening, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning in Lent, and extending throughout the Year. On Tuesday evening, St Catherine of Sienna, Trumbull will offer Confession, and on Thursday evening, St. Theresa, Trumbull will offer the Sacrament. Please visit our website at-www.christthekingtrumbull.org for a full listing of all the Centers of Mercy in our Diocese. THANK YOU for all that have signed up for our Forty Hours Devotion staring on Thursday March 8th and going through Saturday March 10th. We still have a few spots remaining. Please sign up to spend “Spend One Hour” with Our Lord in Ado-ration. The sign up sheet is located in the main Church vestibule.

EASTER DUTY-The Obligation to receive Holy Communion and confess any serious sins at least once a year during the Easter Season, between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday. LENTEN MUSICAL REFLECTION-March 16, 2018, 7 pm , The St. Cecilia Consort Presents: Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater-with Krista Adams Santilli, Colleen Cooney and Michael Andrew Cooney. please join us.