WHEN WE CELEBRATE THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING, WE DECLARE TO THE WORLD AND REMIND OURSELVES THAT JESUS IS THE LORD OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE.

On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King.

Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas primas (“In the first”) to respond to growing secularism and atheism. He recognized that attempting to “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law” out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. This solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.

For Christians, when our faith is repeatedly marginalized in public life, we can fall into the habit of compartmentalizing our lives. We love Jesus in our private lives, but we shrink from acknowledging the kingship of Christ in social life. The Church acknowledges the reign of Christ, not only privately, but publicly, and calls us to acknowledge Christ’s kingship with our whole lives.

This solemnity encourages us to celebrate and live out our faith in public.

Let us pray fervently that we will help others encounter anew Christ, our King, bringing the Gospel to the margins of society, that all might bear witness to Him before others.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been a pious custom in the Church since time immemorial, and the custom of having at least two persons present at all times has been the rule.

Perpetual adoration occurs when parishioners, religious orders and communities, and other interested people arrange their visits to Church in an organized way. Typically, two or more people, taking turns, spend an hour, in prayer and silence, before the Blessed Sacrament. The hours of the day or night are so divided that adoration is considered perpetual or extended over a period of time.

Why is it required to have two people present? Safety!

To ensure a safe and secure environment for the adorers while at the same time insuring that the Most Blessed Sacrament exposed in the monstrance is not left unattended.

Why should we not leave the Most Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance unattended?

First, out of courtesy, and second for safety, because — while in the monstrance — the Eucharist is vulnerable.

Use the link below (or the QR code on the image above) to sign-up for Adoration at the time that is most convenient for you and your family on November 22 or 23.

Sign-ups are not required to attend!

All are invited to Family Day 9am-5pm on Saturday, November 23 at Monroe Catholic High School.

Register using the QR code on the flyer or in the link below.

Many thanks to our parish for your generous donations and to the Knights of Colombus for hosting the Nov. 17th Pancake Breakfast in support of the Teens of St. Nicks who will be attending the March for Life in January!

We began our morning with time in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and Fr. Aiden led all of those present in prayer for their Fathers, Mothers, and Siblings.

We returned to the Youth Room finish Lesson 2 with Part 2 about the Early World. We reviewed what we had learned in Part 1 about the Creation story, to include learning about Concupiscence, then continued with learning more about Cain and Abel with reading scripture, watching a video, and sharing with discussion. The Youth then sketched a story of their choice from the Early World. See slides below.

Because we spent time in Adoration, we were unable to finish with any games or other activities, but it was still a lovely time together! See photos below.

Thanks to Mr. Kyle Armour for joining us in EDGE!

The Youth will begin Part 1 of Lesson 3 of Encounter, Patriarchs – Egypt.

We began by finishing Lesson 2 with Part 2 about the Early World. We reviewed what we had learned in Part 1, then continued with the story of Cain and Abel by reading scripture, watching a video, and sharing with discussion. See slides below.

Next, the Teens raced to see who could wrap themselves like a mummy the quickest (and the best!) using rolls of toilet paper! They also had a race to find the all of the Pancake Breakfast flyers posted throughout the church. Dominic was the winner for BOTH! The Teens ended their time together with some silly fun Free Time. See video below.

Many thanks to Shannon & Rob Blackburn for blessing us with their ongoing assistance in HSYG!

The Teens will begin Part 1 of Lesson 3 of Encounter, Patriarchs – Egypt.

Bring a pie to share after 7pm Mass the evening before Thanksgiving!

Join us as we begin a year of celebrating leading to the 50th Anniversary of our parish on the Feast of St. Nicholas!

We will begin with Mass at 6pm, then move to the Great Room for a presentation, followed by a potluck dinner in the Social Hall. All ages are invited to attend.

No class this week.

Next class will be on Sunday, Dec 1st.

Ages 5-17 years old are invited to Oratory at 1pm every Saturday at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Learn more about Oratory (including the schedule) at https://sacredheartak.org/oratory.

While we have had quite a few wonderful parishioners volunteer to assist in EDGE & HSYG, their schedules do fluctuate and it would be very helpful to have more who are willing to assist.

Per the Diocese policy for the safety of everyone, a minimum of 2 certified adults are required to be present for all Youth Ministry activities.

Please prayerfully consider completing your certification, and/ or asking individuals who you think would be a willing volunteer. Or, you can submit suggestions for me to contact. Thank you. -Beth

All youth ministry volunteers must have current certification for the course of Serving Vulnerable Populations and a Criminal History Record Check on file with the Diocese.

More information can be found by visiting Adult Training on the Diocese of Fairbanks website.

Diocese of Fairbanks - Adult Training - Fairbanks, AK

Call or Text 907-978-4786

Email stnicksym@cbna.org

Sundays 10am-7pm

Please call, text, or email for

appointments Monday-Saturday

It is a privilege to work with St. Nick's Youth!

As always, please never hesitate to contact me for any reason.

I pray you are having a blessed week.

In Christ's love, Beth