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Letter from Father Hankee & the Pastoral Council
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 4, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On Tuesday, we celebrate the Epiphany—that glorious moment when the Magi, guided by a star, journeyed through darkness to kneel before the Christ Child. These wise travelers remind us that faith is not a destination but a journey, one that requires us to follow the light even when the path ahead is uncertain. The gifts they bore—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were not merely treasures; they were offerings of their very lives placed at the feet of our King.
As we begin this new year, we too are embarking on a journey—not across deserts and foreign lands, but into the heart of what it means to be a parish family centered on Christ the King. We write to you today with great joy to formally launch our Parish Strategic Plan for 2026–2028, a prayerful roadmap we have titled Building a Faith-Filled Family Through Intentional Discipleship.
What Is a Strategic Plan?
A strategic plan is more than a list of programs or initiatives—it is a prayerful roadmap that helps our entire parish community unite around a common vision and purpose. It answers essential questions: Where is God calling us? How do we grow together as disciples? What steps will we take to become the faith-filled family Christ is calling us to be?
This strategic plan has emerged from deep prayer, extensive listening sessions with parishioners, and discernment by parish leadership. It reflects not just what we hope to accomplish, but who we are becoming together: a community of saints in the making.
Saints as Our Guides
Just as the Magi were guided by light from heaven, our three-year journey will be illuminated by the witness of holy men and women who have walked before us. Each year is placed under the patronage of saints whose lives exemplify the spiritual focus we seek to cultivate:
Year 1 – Foundation (2026): Under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales, the gentle doctor whose feast we celebrate on January 24th. He shows us how to live the Christian life amid the busyness of the modern world, building our foundation through accessible spirituality and practical faith formation.
Year 2 – Connection (2027): Under the patronage of St. André Bessette, the humble doorkeeper whose radical hospitality created communities of healing and faith. He guides our focus on building authentic connections across all parish demographics.
Year 3 – Mission (2028): Under the patronage of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Francis Xavier, and Dorothy Day, who teach us that evangelization happens through contemplative love, bold outreach, and radical service to the marginalized.
Beginning with St. Francis de Sales
It is providential that we launch this plan in the month when the Church celebrates St. Francis de Sales, the patron of our first year. This bishop of Geneva understood that holiness is not reserved for monks and nuns cloistered away from the world. In his beloved Introduction to the Devout Life, he wrote: "Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself." What gentle wisdom for all of us striving to grow closer to Christ!
St. Francis de Sales reminds us that true devotion "does not destroy; it perfects." Our strategic plan is not about becoming something we are not—it is about becoming more fully who God created us to be. It is about deepening what already exists in the heart of this parish: a love for the Eucharist, a commitment to one another, and a desire to share the Good News.
Our Focus in Year One
In 2026, guided by St. Francis de Sales, we will focus on building a strong foundation through three strategic priorities:
Parish Renewal: Creating welcoming environments where all parishioners feel valued, with systematic processes for integrating newcomers and fostering authentic relationships.
Faith Formation: Deepening our spiritual lives through accessible formation opportunities, including Teaching Masses, small group studies, and practical catechesis that helps us understand the "why" behind Catholic practices.
Sacramental Life: Enhancing our encounter with Christ through the sacraments by expanding opportunities for reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, and more reverent liturgical celebrations.
Your Invitation
The Magi did not return home the same way they came—their encounter with Christ changed everything. We believe this journey will change us, too. But transformation requires participation. As we begin this year of foundation, we invite you to prayerfully consider:
Where is God calling me to grow? What area of my faith life—prayer, knowledge, service, community—needs deeper cultivation?
How can I contribute? What gifts has God given me that I might offer more fully to our parish family?
Who is God placing in my path? Is there someone I might invite to join me at Mass, in a ministry, or in a small group?
What one step will I take? Following St. Francis de Sales' practical wisdom, what is the next right thing I can do with great love?
The full strategic plan is available to download below and in print copies at the parish office. We encourage you to read it, pray over it, and find where God might be calling you to participate. In the coming weeks and months, we will share more about specific initiatives and opportunities to get involved.
The path to holiness is not walked alone—we walk it together, as a faith-filled family, guided by the saints who have gone before us and sustained by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the Magi, we follow the star. Like the Magi, we bring our gifts. And like the Magi, we kneel before Christ the King, who transforms everything He touches.
May this Epiphany fill you with wonder, and may this year be one of profound encounter with the living God.
In Christ the King,
Father Rob Hankee and The Pastoral Council of Christ the King Parish
"We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." — Matthew 2:2
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