Family of the Month Program from Brother Mike Mullane, Family Director

“To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children.  Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.” – Pope John Paul II

For the Mullane’s- Mike, Julie, Jack (6), Katie (4), Mary (2), and “Madeline (3 Months), service is a trait that runs strong, both in their home and in the community.  “We enjoy pitching in and helping, and making a difference,” says Mike, a 3^rd Degree Knight and the Inside Guard and Family Director of the Council.

The Mullane’s are active in many events around Christ The King and the community, including being Procurement Chairperson’s for the school auction, baking for the Garden Café, coaching Little League baseball, being regular supporters of the Contra Costa County Food Bank, and participating in Knights events such as the Parish Christmas Party, Back to School BBQ, Pancake Breakfasts, Easter Egg Hunt, and the St. Patrick’s Day party.  The Mullane’s also attend Mass together each Saturday evening, typically followed by dinner with friends.  “It is one of our favorite times of the week,” says Mike.  “A lot of times, Saturdays are really busy with sports, kid’s parties, or chores around the house.  Saturday Mass is when we slow things down- we put family first, pray together, and then enjoy time with family and friends.”

During the week, the evening meal is the cornerstone of the day.  After a busy day of keeping the house running smoothly, picking up and dropping off the kids from school and activities, helping with homework, and making sure that the kids get outside and play, Julie is a magician at pulling the evening meal together.  “I get the kids to help; Jack, Katie, and Mary help prepare dinner and also set the table and clear it off,” says Julie.  Dinner starts with one of the kids blessing the meal, and is followed by lots of conversation.  “We take turns asking each other ‘what was your favorite part of the day?’ and we also like to tell jokes,” says Mike.

“Dinner together is really important,” says Mike, who works as a Director at The Clorox Company in Oakland.  “Julie and I both made a career changes several years ago in order to put our family first- so that we would be able to do this every night.”

After dinner, the day begins to wind down with the kids taking baths, brushing teeth, getting on pajamas, and then stories and prayers.  “It’s quite an event,” says Mike.  “Julie keeps us all- myself included! - on task, and we all help one another.”  Mike adds, “Julie does a great job with everything- she is a great Mom and Wife, and makes sure to give each of the kid’s special ‘one on one time’ as well- that’s not easy, especially when also taking care of a 3 month old.”

In the movie “Parenthood”, there is a scene where the grandmother says, “You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster.  Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together!  Some didn't like it.  They went on the merry-go-round.  That just goes around.  Nothing.  I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.” 

For Mike and Julie, raising four kids and keeping busy serving each other and the community sometimes feels like being on that roller coaster, but they and their kids agree- they wouldn’t trade any of it.

Family of the Month Program Update - October 2009

Family of the Month Program Update - September 2009

“When all is said and done, more is said than done.”  -Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame football coach.  While this is true in many circles, it is certainly not the case with the Curran family.  Rob, Kasey, John (6), Tommy (3), and Matt (1) are all active participants in both their family life and being part of the Christ the King community. See more...

Family of the Month Program Update - August 2009

Last September, I had the privilege of becoming our Council's "Family Director".  The role is part of the KofC Service Program, which includes Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth.  In my role, I am responsible for providing our council with new and/or effective programs that work to strengthen family life. See more...

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Family of the Month for February 2009 - Brother Burton Coloma and Family

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The hands of Christ are alive and well, and hard at work, in the form of the Becker family.  If you spend any time around Christ the King parish or school, or have had the chance to visit the Becker home, you are likely to see Jay, Rachel, Sarah (8), Jack (5) and Joe (3) working to serve the community or their guests.   “We do it because we want to do it” says Jay.  “The work we do is to fill a need – to make the community and the world better.” See more...

Family of the Month for November 2008 - Brother Roberto Bracamontes and Family

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