CTK RAY Newsletter | Issue 5 | June 2023

Altar Server Youth Ministry Returns

Following a lengthy hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the Christ the King–St. Stephen Parish altar server program is back!

“Altar serving allows children to be up close and involved in the Mass,” says School Liturgy Coordinator Heidi Nuti. “Better than a front row seat, they get to participate. They learn reverence, respect, tradition and confidence.”

Although altar serving used to be a duty reserved for young men who were studying for priesthood, over the years it has become a way for youth

One Community. One Family...was only supposed to last for the school year, but it has resonated deeply with the CTK community and, thus, become a mantra for our school.

Where are They Now? Alumni Interview with Brendan Graham ’94 Brendan Graham ’94 is a physician practicing the medical specialties of pathology and laboratory medicine in the US Army at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. READ

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Cover Image: Photo by Chuck Deckert for The Catholic

CTK RAY NEWSLETTER

Christ the King Catholic School

195-B Brandon Road

Pleasant Hill, California 94523

(925) 685-1109

www.ctkschool.org

Pastor | Fr. Paulson Mundanmani

Principal | Joseph M. Silveira, Ed.D.

CTK RAY EDITORIAL TEAM

Editor & Marketing

Chair | Jennifer Ortega

Branding & Design | Arlene Santos

WRITERS, CONTRIBUTORS & SPECIAL MENTION

Writers

Jenna Choban

Anthony Dumais ‘23

Charlise Hyatt

Demi Marquez

Jennifer Ortega

Colleen Shively

Photography

Jenna Choban

Chuck Deckert for The Catholic Voice

Marc Fiorito

Janet Graham

Megan Symonds

CTK Staff

Contributor

Heidi Nuti

On the cover:

Fifth-graders head home after an engaging day of work and play; Bishop Michael C. Barber celebrates Mass at Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish in April, with CTK clergy and altar servers; alumnus Brendan Graham ‘94 has always been an avid reader; new campus signage adorns the school.

Back cover:

Kindergarten (class of ‘31) celebrated their 100th day of school, dressed as 100-year-olds!

Dollars and Sense: CTK Scrip Program

BY DEMI MARQUEZ

Did you know that you can help raise money for Christ the King School simply by going grocery shopping for your own family, or buying a birthday gift for a loved one?

Through our “scrip” (gift card) vendor RaiseRight, families can purchase gift cards that will generate a cash-back bonus for CTK.

From Starbucks and McDonald’s to Best Buy and Amazon, there are hundreds of participating vendors from whom you can buy gift cards (scrip). When the funds are spent at that vendor, CTK earns a percentage of the value of the card – from 1% to 25%!

CTK families are not the only people who can participate – grandparents and friends can participate, too!

Simply visit the website www.raiseright.com enroll and enter the enrollment code L54D412C9999 to join the CTK program, purchase your gift cards, and start raising funds for our beloved school! n

—both boys and girls!—to participate in an important ministry. Altar servers carry out a number of important responsibilities, including lighting the candles, carrying the crucifix, preparing the altar for the liturgy of the Eucharist, and assisting the priest as he prepares to consecrate the Eucharist.

Prior to the pandemic, Christ the King had upward of 60 students involved in the ministry.

As the number of Catholics who attend Mass regularly have diminished, Christ the King - St. Stephen Parish leaders reintroduced altar serving as a way to inspire youth participation and increase family attendance.

The program relaunched on March 17, 2023, and four of the current altar servers had the privilege of serving during the April 23 Mass when Bishop Michael C. Barber presided over the ceremony celebrating the official merger of Christ the King and St. Stephen parishes.

The program is open to youth in 4th through 12th grades, including members

of the parish who do not attend Christ the King School.

“Our parishioners and the school community missed the program and youth involvement in the weekend masses,” Nuti said.

Father Lee is leading the group trainings of students interested in serving. Current CTK School parents Tina Lucas and Kristy Keilen are coordinating the Ministry along with Father Lee. As the program is redeveloped and the newer servers become experienced, there will be more opportunities for shadowing and training.

“Altar serving makes me more excited about Mass because I get to help out,” said Jaden K., class of 2027, who decided to become an altar server “so I can be closer to God and be more involved in the church.”

Youth who are interested in serving can obtain a registration form from Mrs. Nuti or the parish website. Those who sign up over the summer as the program is redeveloped and grows will have the rare opportunity to become a lead Altar Server, no matter their age and previous experience.

Learn more at www.ctkph.org/children-young-families. n

Opposite: Deacon John Ashmore, Father Brian Joyce, and an altar server begin the Palm Sunday processional, circa 2011.

Above: More than two dozen CTK boys assisted as altar servers in the mid-1980s; the Vatican officially allowed girls to join the altar serving ministry in 1994.

Historic photos courtesy of: Christ the King Catholic School Yearbook 1984-1985, Celebrating CTK 60 Years (1951-2011), 50th Anniversary CTK (19512001)

Sa in t S tep hen

Fresh Look: Campus Signage Updated

In 2021 as students and teachers were returning to campus full-time following the Covid-19 pandemic, CTK introduced the theme for the year: One Community. One Family. It was only supposed to last for the school year, but it has resonated deeply with the CTK community and, thus, become a mantra for our school.

To keep this community-building affirmation front and center, the Marketing Committee designed a sign with this phrase and a cross, which was installed on the exterior wall that students face during morning assembly.

School principal Mr. Silveira also encouraged the committee to develop updated school logo signage for the front of the office, as well as lettering highlighting the school’s “Garden of Blessing.”

Beyond these, the committee was tasked with creating new light pole banners with photos of students demonstrating the school’s values: faith, knowledge, service, and community. n

Principal’s Message

Dear CTK Community,

Another great school year is coming to a close, and I am so grateful for all that we have accomplished. Activities and events were in full swing as our students enjoyed field trips, retreats, sacraments, parades, rallies, competitions, sporting events, and so much more.

The energy on campus this year was palpable, and I can sense how excited our students are to “jump the line” on June 8 and sprint toward a summer full of adventure.

The end of the year is always bittersweet as we celebrate our 8th graders and get ready to welcome 36 new kindergartners. I am so proud of our graduates and I wish them many blessings as they begin the next chapter in their lives.

The 2022-23 school year was particularly busy for our faculty and staff as we underwent the once-every-sixyears process of being reaccredited. It was actually an 18-month process that included a self-study focused on continuous school improvement based on high achievement for all students.

The process culminated in a three-day visitation from the Western Catholic Educational Association

(WCEA) team, which relayed their findings of Christ the King Catholic School. They commended us for “working together to make the school a loving, caring, and learning environment,” and they said they “experienced a community where everyone is striving to provide a Catholic environment where quality education is a priority.”

The team’s report found the following eight Schoolwide Significant Accomplishments:

• The use of technology from K-8 and the tech coordinator’s ability to support all teachers and students.

• The connection between school and parish is apparent and strong.

• The intentionality of the principal is to build relationships with faculty/staff, students, parents, and parishioners.

• The sense of “One Community, One Family” permeates the campus.

• The faculty and staff are collaborative and articulate with one another in a collegial manner.

• The school has made a commitment to use data to support student learning and growth.

• The school reaches out to the community through service and evangelism.

• The students are articulate, intelligent, Christ-centered, and servant leaders. They leave CTK ready to serve the community successfully.

To learn about the five critical schoolwide goals that emanated from our self-study, please read my full letter on our school website, www.ctkschool.org/wcealetter.

Wishing you a fun and relaxing summer,

Joseph M. Silveira, Ed.D. Principal

Blast from the Past: CTK School Auction 2023

BY COLLEEN SHIVELY

On April 28, the Auction Committee turned the Pleasant Hill Community Center into an 80’s Prom, and we couldn’t be happier with the energy and excitement that our community brought to the evening!

The iconic 80’s car, the Delorean, set the tone from the moment the guests arrived…this was going to be a great night filled with BALLOONS, BETTING & BOLD colors!

Upon entry, the prom guests would see the amazing Silent Auction items and Class Projects! The rooms immediately filled with laughter and happy conversation and some cheers coming from those watching the Warriors playoff game.

In the ballroom, Mr. Silveira shared this year’s Fund-ANeed project: new window shades for ALL classrooms! These new shades will enable our students and

teachers to see the promethean boards more clearly without a glare. Following a blessing from Father Paulson, it was time to enjoy a wonderful meal and then DANCE to a LIVE band! Dave Martin’s House Party kept the 80’s tunes going and the dancefloor overflowing all night long!

The 80’s Prom was an AWESOME evening we won’t forget, and it would not have been possible without the support of our 100+ committee members, generous sponsors, and amazing community raising their paddles to support our TOTALLY RAD school and parish!

Thank you, CTK!

Your Auction Chairs (pictured from left): Colleen Shively, Jaffe Leffler, Lara Mahlik, & Eva Baker n

Where are They Now? Brendan Graham ’94

Brendan Graham ’94 is a physician practicing the medical specialties of pathology and laboratory medicine in the US Army at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. His wife Lindsey is also a physician in the US Army, and together they four children: Casimir, Damian, Elizabeth, and Emydius.

Q: What was your educational path after CTK?

Brendan: High school in San Francisco at St. Ignatius. Undergraduate degree and medical degree at St. Louis University in Saint Louis, MO. Graduate medical training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Q: What inspired you to pursue your career?

Brendan: I always liked science, and I wanted a profession that was intellectually challenging, useful and valuable to society. My mom told me I should be a doctor, and my dad told me that under no circumstances should I become a lawyer (Editor’s note: Dad’s an attorney!). I had applied and been accepted to medical school when the terrorist attacks occurred on Sept. 11, 2001 and felt the best way to serve our country would be as a physician in the US Military.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your career?

Brendan: I enjoy connecting and interacting with the employees of the laboratory I direct. I enjoy collaborating with other physicians in the care of a patient with complex disease. The intellectual challenge of the profession is not always “enjoyable” as it’s quite humbling to face the fact that what a

physician “knows” is vastly outweighed by what a physician doesn’t know and the amount of time it takes staying current with changing medical science doesn’t leave a lot of room for other hobbies; however, those same difficulties make mastery of medical knowledge and practice fulfilling.

Q: What advice would you share with current CTK students?

Brendan: Figure out, as early as you can, the charism gifted to you by the Holy Spirit. Keep this charism front of mind always and realize that God, in His infinite love, mercy, and understanding, has formed you so that you will be happiest when working within your charism. When you figure out this charism or charisms, let everything in your life be in service toward them.

Q: What is your fondest memory of CTK?

Brendan: Eating lumpia and playing bingo at the CTK festival. Serving as an Altar Boy when Monsignor Wade was saying Mass because you got to hold the paten for him during Communion and his homilies were short and to the point. n

From top: Brendan as an 8th grader, eager to take on the world; Brendan as a husband and father of four; Jeopardy host Alex Trebek with Brendan, who appeared on three episodes of the game show in 2012.

TH Grade Corner

A Personal Reflection

BY ANTHONY DUMAIS ‘23

A mid the heart of my seventh grade year, before our class ventured to the legendary Caritas Creek, ten words were stressed relentlessly by our teachers, ten words that they promised would define our trip; “ You get out of it what you put into it. ”

And though I first regarded these words as a goofy phrase designed to encourage our participation, with my middle school years coming to a close, these words have become more important than ever. I realize that every memory, every special moment, and every interaction I have created at Christ the King is because of my willingness to create such memories. Every time I have been blessed with an awesome experience at this school has indirectly been caused by my openness to do so, and if I can leave one lasting impression on CTK, it will be to encourage others to adopt this mindset.

To recount the meaningful experiences that I have conceived at CTK would be futile due to the sheer amount of memories I have made here. Each grade was home to its own exciting adventures and discoveries, each one helping me to learn more about myself and the world around me. Meaningful projects such as speech contests and science fairs taught me the virtues of perseverance, public speaking, and the value of hard work. Field trips like my fifth grade boating

adventure in the Delta and said visit to Caritas Creek brought me closer to my classmates and strengthened many friendships. In fact, even the simple things like P.E. classes, grueling tests, and hot lunches that just seemed particularly enjoyable for whatever reason, taught me so much more than I would have ever thought. But, despite all of this, it’s hard to imagine what my time at Christ the King would have been like if I hadn’t given every day my all. Many of my favorite moments may never have even existed, which is why I encourage making sure that you back yourself completely in everything that you do, because you never know what life has in store for you.

I find myself reflecting on this idea even more so now that my classmates and I are on the cusp of such an important time in our lives. Making the jump from middle school to high school seems treacherous, but I find comfort in knowing that whatever I put into high school is what

me as a person. The foundations I have built at this school are ones that I know will continue to help me and influence my life, which is why I so diligently want to leave this advice.

CTK is a fountain of opportunity that can only be accessed by those willing to open themselves to such opportunities. I am so lucky to have spent the past nine years at this school, and I sincerely thank my teachers, principals, and classmates for all they have taught me, for I know that whatever lessons, memories, and experiences I have gone through at Christ the King will forever stay in my heart. n

Opposite (top to bottom): The entire class enjoys an end-of-year field trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom; two students show off their project at the Middle School Science Fair; 8th-grade boys enjoy fun in the sun.

From top: 8th-grade girls pose in the Garden of Blessing; the class of 2023 dons their graduation gowns in preparation for their big day; Cinco de Mayo means fiesta in the classroom; soon-to-be grads celebrate Mass with the Bishop at the Cathedral.

“CTK is a fountain of opportunity that can only be accessed by those willing to open themselves to such opportunities.“

— ANTHONY DUMAIS ‘23

Girl Scouts Build Friendship, Life Skills

BY CHARLISE HYATT

Among the many extracurricular activities CTK students enjoy, Girl Scouts is one of the year-round opportunities that keep our girls engaged – learning life skills, making friends, and having fun!

We have a number of troops that remain busy throughout the year on and off campus. Girl Scout Troop 33424 is currently for Brownie girls in the third grade (class of 2028). This troop has been active since their Kindergarten (Daisy) year, went virtual during the pandemic, and will be “bridging” to the Juniors level in June.

I have the privilege of leading Troop 33424 along with our finance lead Shantelle Durbin and cookie manager Jessie McKeown, with a significant amount of troop meeting support by multiple parents. We currently have 17 girls in the troop and would love to fill out our ranks

with the remaining girls in the class. (Talk to me about signing up!)

We are a casual troop and our goals include: having the girls form a sisterhood, having fun together, and learning lifelong skills.

Over the school year, we met once a month and the girls learned about a number of topics, including: Girl Scout traditions, how to be a good friend, how to be our “best self,” how to help around the house and in the community, pottery, hiking, first aid, entrepreneurship, and goal-setting.

We mostly meet on campus at CTK after school and we sometimes take after-school field trips to local spots, such as “i heart art” craft studio, the Pleasant Hill Police Department, Rockin’ Jump, local museums, and more.

Cookie sales are one of our favorite parts of being a Girl Scout! Not only do the girls earn money to pay for the troop’s activities themselves, but they learn how to be good business owners and entrepreneurs.

This year, our troop sold more cookies than in prior years and earned enough money from cookie sales to support the activities for the coming year!

Our troop will cap the year with a cooking class and end-of-year bridging ceremony. We are excited to become Juniors in the 2023-24 school year, continue building our sisterhood, and supporting our community! n

Enriching Academics: Spanish for All

BY JENNA CHOBAN

Christ the King offers many valuable enrichment courses, and Spanish with Señora Loredana Rixon is one of them.

Students take Spanish class twice a week. The curriculum for K-5 consists of building a strong language foundation starting with vocabulary. Students enjoy interactive learning through skits, songs, poems, and games.

The curriculum for Middle School is more advanced. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are a fundamental part of learning a new language. Students are also encouraged to practice their conversational skills through pair and group activities.

With the opportunity to teach all CTK students, Sra. Rixon enjoys witnessing her students’ linguistic progression.

Learning Spanish at a young age helps improve children’s cognitive development and academic performance. It also promotes cross-cultural communication and understanding, and helps students develop an appreciation for Hispanic/Latino cultures, traditions, and customs.

Sra. Rixon was born in Italy and moved to Pleasant Hill when she was in 7th grade. She didn’t know any English, but was able to learn quickly by being immersed in the language. She took Spanish at College Park High School and realized how similar it is to Italian.

She developed a love for teaching Spanish when tutoring her classmates at UC Davis. After earning her teaching credential from Saint Mary’s College in 2010, Sra. Rixon landed a job at CTK.

She taught Spanish from 2010 to 2015, and then took a break to raise her children, Alexander ‘30 and Sofia ‘31. Now that both children are attending school at CTK, she couldn’t have been happier to rejoin the faculty for the start of the 2022-23 school year.

“I love everything about teaching here because of the strong community that feels like an extended family,” Sra. Rixon said. n

“My goal is for each student to take the skills they learn at CTK and bring them into high school and beyond. The classes are designed to lay a strong foundation of fundamental skills that will make their transition to high school language courses smoother.”

— SRA. LOREDANA RIXON