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 ctkph.org. 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)