Archives for November 2016

Restoration Campaign

Donate to the Restoration   … [Read more...]

Rebuild Center News

Congratulations to all of those who helped to prepare and serve the Thanksgiving Lunch at the Rebuild Center on Thursday. Our parish apostolate to the homeless fed 231 people a wonderful meal, of Turkey, Bread Dressing, Gravy, Green Been Casserole, Sweet Potatoes, Green Salad, Craneberry Sauce and Bread. Thanks to all of those who cooked and served the meals, and thanks to those who donate to the St. Anthony Fund to make this possible! … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – November 20, 2016

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Lk 23:35-38) How many times have we gazed at a crucifix and seen that inscription: “I.N.R.I.” We know it means something about Jesus being “King of the Jews,” even if we don’t remember that it comes from the first letters of the Latin inscription meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum. The key is understanding what’s behind that inscription. Is it just a “mocking” inscription provided by Pontius Pilate? Was it placed … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – November 13, 2016

“They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony.” (Lk 21:12-13) What does it mean when Christ tells us that “they will persecute you”? We can easily look at the history of the Church, and see persecution. The first persecutions began in 1st century Rome, and were conducted by the Emperor Nero. Those early persecutions led to the Great Persecution of the 3rd century by the Roman Empire, persecutions that didn’t end until Christianity was legalized in 313 A.D. We can look at the persecutions of Christians by Moslem invasion in North Africa, which led to the Christians Crusades to reclaim the Holy Land. Skipping ahead, we recall … [Read more...]

Make a pilgrimage to Fatima here in our own diocese!

St. Stephen Church is hosting the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima on Tuesday, December 13th beginning at 8:30 A.M. with our School Mass as part of the Fatima Centennial US Tour for Peace, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. There will be devotions throughout the day culminating with a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament at 4:45 P.M., Benediction at 5:45 P.M. followed by Mass at 6:00 P.M. The Church will stay open until 8:00 P.M. Come and experience the presence of Our Lady of Fatima, here in our own Diocese! Bring to her all your sufferings, for she promised, “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” Many favors and graces, including cures, and countless conversions are associated with … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – November 6, 2016

“That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Lk 20:37-38) By tradition, the Church dedicates November to prayer for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, those faithful Christians who have died and gone before us but who still must atone for their sins. The time they spend in Purgatory cleanses them so that they may enter Heaven free from the effects of the sin they might have committed in life. Church doctrine on purgatory is based on the Old Testament reading in 2 Maccabees 12:40-46, where prayers were offered for those who had died in battle. Praying for the dead has been a constant practice of … [Read more...]

All Souls Remembrance

Parish Intentions In Memoriam.... William Allen, Clyde Arnoult, Kate Arnoult, Yvonne Arnoult, Claude Baehr, Harold Baquet, Elmo & Joséphine Bourgeois, James M. Brenn, Laura Brenn, Maurice W. Brenn Sr, Elbée & Frank Bynum, Mildred Curlee, Shelly Domingue, Lester & Ethel Heidingsfelder, Earline Johnson, Pauline Johnson, Andriana Kappesser, Mr Jean Lapeyre, Lionel Lopez, Stephen W. Mensingh, Deacon Paul Nalty, Maria Nguyen Thi Voc, Miriam Ogden, Brenda Schmitt, Edwin Sullivan Jr, Shirley Sullivan, Lloyd & Emma Templet, Irma Wetzel, Mary & Edwin Wetzel, Milton & Vivian Wetzel, Clarence "Pete" Wolbrette, the Favor Family, the Klotz Family, the Mercante Family, the Nguyen Family, the Youngblood Family, and the Poor Souls in Purgatory. … [Read more...]

Offering Envelopes

We are beginning to organize the 2016 weekly donation envelopes for pick-up in mid-December.  If you are not currently using envelopes or would like to donate electronically, please e-mail ststephenpar@archdiocese-no.org or call (899-1378) the rectory for details. … [Read more...]