Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

11-23-2025Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe we are reminded of the one and only true King, Jesus Christ! Today’s liturgy calls us to proclaim that the reign of Jesus Christ surpasses every earthly empire and invites each of us to become faithful subjects of His Kingdom here and now. The Church lifts its voice to the ancient hymn “Adveniat Regnum Tuum”—Thy kingdom come. In a world that constantly measures power by wealth, territory, and influence, the Gospel we have just heard presents a startling picture: Jesus declares, “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn 18:36). This proclamation turns our expectations upside down. Rather than a throne of gold, Christ’s reign is displayed on a rugged wooden cross; rather than a scepter, He holds a reed; rather than a regal robe, He wears a crown of thorns. Yet in this humility lies the true power that can redeem every heart.

The veil between Heaven and earth is very thin. The Kingdom of God, while not fully manifest, can be revealed in simple ways in your home. As the domestic Church, each family is called to order our lives as worthy subjects of the Divine King. God must be front and center in your home and in your heart. Families are called by Our Lord and King to strive to create an atmosphere of respect, forgiveness, and shared prayer, mirroring the Kingdom’s values of justice, love, and peace.

What begins in the home can be carried to our places of work and to our schools. As baptized Christians, we carry the power love to others. Whether you are a parent, a child, a teacher, doctor, engineer, or service worker, each of us can model Christ’s humility by serving others before ourselves. Love means that you will the good of another. Love gives you the strength to sacrifice yourself for others. In loving this way, you help to model for others that Christ is King.

Christ the King stands before us not as a distant monarch but as a sacrificial Shepherd who offers His life for the flock. He invites each of us to receive Him as King, to let His reign transform our hearts, our families, our workplaces, and our world. May we answer this call with boldness, allowing the kingdom of truth, holiness, justice, love, and peace to become the reality of our daily lives. Let us go forth, confident that the King who reigns on the Cross will one day bring the fullness of His kingdom to every corner of creation, and that we, as His faithful subjects, will share in that glorious triumph. Adveniat Regnum Tuum!

Next Thursday, November 27th is Thanksgiving Day - a day of celebration and a day to thank God for all we have received from God. Some of you may be with your families or friends making memories that will be recalled years later. Others may find yourself giving thanks for the memories from years past. I will be giving thanks to God for allowing me to be with this parish community and for the many ways He reveals His love for us in the people we encounter along the way. We are blessed to have such a great family of faith to remind us that we are never alone. I feel at home and humbled by your kindness and your love for Our Lord. It is genuinely not challenging to be a pastor with people like you.

Please remember to attend the Thanksgiving Mass at 6:30 and 8:30 AM on Thursday November 27th. On behalf of Father Chris, Fr. Spina, Deacon Al, Deacon Frank and Deacon Peter, and the entire staff who work tirelessly, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

"Good and gracious God, we give You thanks today, as we do all days, first and foremost for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thank you for the gift of life and for those we are blessed to be with today and for those You have called home.

We ask You to bless this food, that it may nourish us and sustain us, and strengthen our ability to do Your will. We pray in thanksgiving for all the hands involved in bringing it to our table.

May this meal and the fellowship we enjoy not only serve as clear reminders of Your love of us, but of Your call for us to share Your love and to serve our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need. We ask this as we ask all things, through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline, Pastor