The Parish of Christ the King has been blessed with the establishment of two Societies in honor of Mary, Mother of our King. The descriptions and membership information for both The Society of the Mother of God and the Community of Our Lady of Sorrows can be found on this page.


The SOCIETY of the MOTHER of GOD is founded as a Society of the Parish of Christ the King, and is open to anyone with a special devotion to Our Lady and a desire to reach out in love for the cause of the unborn.

The Society, under the guidance and protection of our Patroness, the Madonna of the Streets, has as its purpose these objects:

1) to love and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary;
2) to spread devotion to her, and the cause of Christian Unity;
3) to take Mary as a model in purity, personal relationships and family life;
4) with Mary as our example, to reach out in support of the pro-life movement in a personal way.

Members of the Society are expected to follow a Rule of Life, and when received into the Society do make a most solemn promise to God and Our Lady that they will be faithful in following that Rule. Failure to do so will result in removal of membership from the Society. Because our ministry is to promote the sanctity of life, outreach to   pro-life programs of the Church, as well as support of local causes, is part of an active membership.

MONTHLY MEETINGS
The monthly meetings are time for the members to gather for prayer, fellowship and instruction. Attendance at these meetings is essential for the formation and growth of the members. Once a year, during Lent, we also make a retreat together.

If you would like to know more about the Society of the Mother of God, or make an application for membership in the Society, please contact Fr. Bernie, Director.

Mary, Mother of our King, pray for us!

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The COMMUNITY of OUR LADY of SORROWS is founded as Society of the Church. Its purpose is for members to reach out as more than just lay people in this hurting world, under the guidance and protection of our Sorrowful Mother. Works of love and mercy, such as Our Mother displayed on her visit to S. Elizabeth, are the foundation of the organization. Visiting, assisting and praying with the sick, elderly or homebound or those otherwise in need of a helping hand; serving as Eucharistic Ministers or as directed by the Parish ministries to which the member belongs.

The Community (which is for both men and women) is an organization whose purpose is not just ministry but is first a way of life that draws the Sister and Brother into a deeper union with Jesus through Mary. It is not a commitment to be made lightly, but is in fact a special call from God to a religious life lived in the world.

Membership
Membership is open to all Catholic men and women, age 21 and over. Members may be either single or married and the potential member may also have children at home at the time of their Investiture. If married, the member’s spouse must be in agreement with their acceptance of the Rule of Life, and be supportive of their call. It is strongly recommended that, if married, husband and wife daily share a time of common prayer (recitation of the Office, the Rosary, etc) to keep the marital bonds strong. Including the children in family devotion time is also encouraged. If so called, both a husband and wife may join the Community.

Men and women who join the Community of Our Lady of Sorrows follow a Rule of Life, and each member must have a period of probation before becoming a professed Brother or Sister. Formation is, at a minimum, a two-year process: one year of Postulancy (a period of discernment and formation) and a one-year period of Novitiate (deeper study and preparation) before application for Life Profession may be made.

The Community meets together once a month for instruction, on the First Saturday, as well as Community Prayer on Wednesday evenings; retreats, classes in ministry and special Community days are also a part of our way of life.

Please pray for the Community, that they may ever draw closer to Jesus through His most holy Mother. Pray particularly for Michael Lavdas, who will be invested as a Postulant on June 10, 2007, that this time of preparation will strengthen him for this important step in his life. Pray also for our two Novice Sisters, Sr. Mary Elizabeth and Sr. Mary Rachel, as they prepare to make their Life Profession on the 10th as well. Finally, pray that many more men and women will follow the footsteps of these first Sisters and Brothers, and that the Community will always fulfill the purpose for which Jesus and Mary brought it into being.

To learn more about the Community of Our Lady of Sorrows, to receive information about becoming a Postulant or to learn more about establishing a chapter in your Parish, contact our Mother Prioress, Sr. Mary Joseph, or visit the Community's web site at:  www.olscommunity.org.

Mother of Sorrows, draw us ever closer to Jesus!

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