Families Light the Advent Wreath

This year Christmas falls on a Sunday, which means Catholics are celebrating a full four weeks of Advent. Traditionally known as a time of spiritual preparation, Advent is perhaps best symbolized by the special wreath displayed in church.

At Our Lord Christ the King, families take turns lighting the candles on the Advent Wreath. During each of the four weeks preceding Christmas, another candle is lit, drawing attention to the great celebration to come: the birth of Christ.

Father Ed Shepherds Parishioners to a Deeper Understanding of the Mass

On Monday, November 14, 2011 Father Ed presented “Bringing the Mass to Life,” a program designed to help parishioners learn more about the Mass as an act of worship. He also orientated parishioners to the changes that will take place this coming Advent as a result of the revised Roman Missal.

Father Ed began by pointing out the many elements that we encounter in church–everything from our Altar to the garments that a priest wears, and the roots of those words. Did you know the stole is an ancient symbol of authority and leadership? Have you ever noticed the ship carved on the back wall of the “nave” of our church?  The word nave, meaning the body of the church building, comes from the word for boat.

Next he spoke about how the Mass has four basic parts, and walked parishioners through the Introductory Rite, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rite.

Father Ed also emphasized the symbolism of the rituals that take place during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. When the priest pours a little water into the wine as he prepares the Altar for Eucharist, he is not just doing this to dilute the wine. Once water is poured into the wine it can no longer be separated from it. This gesture is symbolic of the union of the Lord’s divine and human natures, and it is through the Holy Eucharist that the faithful share in the divine life and love of Jesus who became man for our salvation.

“Bringing the Mass to Life” was full of insight and reflection. Parishioner P.J. Daley said, “Father Ed’s presentation helped me break out of the routine of Mass and see the liturgy as a true celebration.”

Christ the King Awarded Operation Rice Bowl Challenge Grant

Operation Rice Bowl is an annual tradition for many Catholic schools and parishes. So

when Mrs. Daley, the Coordinator of Religious Education at Our Lord Christ the King Church, set out to make the experience more meaningful for Cardinal Pacelli and CCD students, she knew it had to involve more than just placing loose change into the Rice Bowl collection box.

Mrs. Daley’s innovation was rewarded on October 20, 2011 when she received the Operation Rice Bowl Challenge Grant from the Catholic Social Action office at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The $750 award acknowledges both the success of her Operation Rice Bowl campaign and the church’s ongoing commitment to social justice through support of programs like the Drop Inn Center and the Society of St.Vincent de Paul.

Mrs. Daley’s Rice Bowl activities were designed to involve many different parish groups. With the theme “Dignity In All God’s People,” students and parishioners learned about Operation Rice Bowl and the people it serves while taking an opportunity to share in a Rice Bowl dinner or snack. “Eating a simple meal of rice in solidarity reminds us that many people have little more than very basic staple foods to eat on a regular basis,” said Mrs. Daley.

Students were also were encouraged to “feast,” rather than to “fast.”  Families “feasted” on the dignity of others by focusing on good manners and treating all people with respect. Students caught “feasting” were given coins to place in their classroom “Feast Jar” by teachers, and at home their parents gave them coins for their Operation Rice Bowl collection box. Families brought their donations to the church on Palm Sunday.

Mrs. Daley said Christ the King will use the grant money to support its ongoing work at the Drop Inn Center. Each month a different parish group prepares and serves a meal at the homeless shelter.

JustFaith Transforms Parishioner’s Life

Peggy Zink’s experience in JustFaith led her to an entirely new calling. Read more about her journey to becoming President of Cincinnati Works, a non-profit dedicated to job skill training and employment counseling.

Father O’s House Dedicated – THANK YOU Christ the King Parishioners!!!

What started out as a dream has finally become a reality! On Sunday afternoon, August 28, “The House That Father O Built” was officially dedicated. Volunteers, sponsors, and supporters were on hand to wish the Bomar Family well as they prepare to take ownership of the house on McCormick Street in Mt. Auburn.

Father Obermeyer, who had the opportunity to say a few words, was clearly moved when he talked about the significance of “…building a good house for a good family.” He recalled how his father was a homebuilder and that it was especially fitting to have this great gift from the parishioners of Christ the King, considering his background. Christ the King was a major sponsor of the house that honored Father Obermeyer on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.

Announcing A New Pastor: Father Ed Smith

Since his ordination in 1982, Father Ed Smith has held a variety of posts throughout

the Church. A native of Milford, Father Ed attended St. Andrew grade school and McNicholas High School. After graduating from St. Gregory Seminary he was sent to Rome to study at North American College (the United States’ seminary in Rome). Following his ordination in 1982, Father Ed taught at McNicholas and Badin High Schools for eleven years. During this time he was resident associate at three different parishes, including a stint at Christ the King from 1987 to 1991 when Father Jerry Haemmerle was pastor. In 1995 he was sent back to Rome to be part of the faculty of the North American College, where he was director of liturgy and vice rector. In 2000 he returned to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and was appointed to the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary as the director of formation. In 2004 he was named the 34th rector/president of the seminary by Archbishop Pilarczyk. Fr. Ed is excited about coming home to Christ the King, and has very fond memories of his years there, especially the faith and commitment of the people in the community.