Sunday, February 21, 2016 - St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church

Sunday, February 21, 2016 - St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church

320 W. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:59
Saint Stephen Martyr
Second Sunday
of Lent
February 21, 2016
Catholic Church
Mary, the image of a Church which evangelizes because she is evangelized
In the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I
asked that ―the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived more
intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s
mercy‖ (Misericordiae Vultus, 17). By calling for an attentive listening to the word of God and encouraging the initiative ―24 Hours
for the Lord‖, I sought to stress the primacy of prayerful listening
to God’s word, especially his prophetic word. The mercy of God is
a proclamation made to the world, a proclamation which each
Christian is called to experience at first hand. For this reason, during the season of Lent I
will send out Missionaries of Mercy as a concrete sign to everyone of God’s closeness and
forgiveness. After receiving the Good News told to her by the Archangel Gabriel, Mary, in
her Magnificat, prophetically sings of the mercy whereby God chose her. The Virgin of
Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph, thus becomes the perfect icon of the Church which evangelizes, for she was, and continues to be, evangelized by the Holy Spirit, who made her virginal womb fruitful. In the prophetic tradition, mercy is strictly related – even on the etymological level – to the maternal womb (rahamim) and to a generous, faithful and compassionate goodness (hesed) shown within marriage and family relationships.
During this second week of Lent we
continue to try to make use of more reflective time each day. We are using all
the resources available to us to practice
new habits and patterns. We are still in
the beginning stages of that process, so we shouldn't be discouraged if it takes more practice.
It is good to begin by being reminded that God is rich in mercy to us and that we should
therefore be merciful to others. It is great to remember that exalting ourselves is dangerous
and that there will be consequences for our mistreatment of the poor. We are like tenants of
our Father's gifts to us. We can ask ourselves if we use them gratefully and return the fruits
that our Lord desires, or do we reject the prophetic words that come to us? Do we reject
Jesus himself?
This can all be part of the background of our busy, daily life. Each morning, when our feet
hit the floor, if only for a few moments, we can ask for a simple grace. At first, it might
only be, “Dear Lord, help me today.” As we brush our teeth, wash and get dressed we
might specify our prayer more: “Dear Lord, give me the grace to recognize my impatience,
anger and judgment today. Help to soften my heart to hear your love. I need your healing,
Lord.” Or we might get even more concrete, “Lord, Pat is such a struggle for me. Help me
to remember how much you love me when I see Pat today. And, when I'm tempted to be
impatient or angry, just help me pause and give that over to you, in gratitude for your
love.”
Each of us will be able to grow in our ability to have brief conversations with our Lord.
Whether driving or shopping, doing laundry or paying bills, working in our office or walking down the hall to the bathroom, we can use brief “background” moments to connect
with our Lord. These moments of “contemplation in action” will give a character and shape
to our day. Lent becomes a living reality for us when our days are spent with the Lord, listening to his love for us, calling us to gratitude and freedom.
Fr. Leo Ortega, Pastor
Tel. (626) 573-0427
E-mail:
[email protected]
website: ststephenmpk.org
Christina Arellano, Principal
Tel. (626) 573-1716
119 S. Ramona Avenue,
Monterey Park, CA 91754
MASSES
Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM (English)
Sunday 7:00 AM (English)
9:00 AM (Spanish)
11:00 AM (English)
2:00 PM (Indonesian)
Mon-Sat Daily Mass: 8:30 AM
Perpetual Help Mass & Novena
Wednesday 6:30 PM
Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish)
Holy Days as announced
Reconciliation:
Saturdays 3:30 PM—4:30 PM
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday thru Friday
9 am - 1 pm & 4 pm - 8 pm
Closed
1 pm - 4 pm
Saturday
1 pm - 5 pm
Sunday
Closed
“We are a diverse faith-community that strives to conform ourselves into the image of Christ in and through the power of the
Holy Spirit, and nourished by The Word, Sacraments and Tradition to give glory to God and to be a light unto the nations.”
February 13th & 14th
$6,046.72
Second Collection
$1,007.00
Ash Wednesday
$1,755.00
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PARISH
Together in Mission 2016 follow up collection
February 27th & 28th.
PARISH GOAL: $33,900.00
AMOUNT PLEGED TO DATE: $15,900.00
Thank you for your continued support of this worthy
campaign.
The Parish Office will be closed on
Friday, February 26th from 9am—1pm.
So that the office staff can attend this years
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim.
We will be open during our
regular afternoon hours 4pm—8pm
NEW / USED / BROKEN
RELIGIOUS ITEMS NEEDED
The Legion of Mary is collecting religious items for their ministry. Items needed include new, used and broken crosses,
medals, scapulars rosaries and holy cards.
Please place your donated items in the box located in the vestibule of the church.
Thank you for your generosity and support.
We would like to say THANK YOU to
all St. Stephen’s parishioners for
going above and beyond with your
generous donations and volunteer work for the Family Promise
Homeless Shelter program. Because of your acts of kindness,
you made it possible for our church to provide the families (7
children and 5 adults) with 3 meals daily, shelter and fellowship. This all took place here at our parish hall the week of February 7th through February 14th. Items donated for the children
who ranged from 1 year old to 7 years old included new shoes,
new toys, new pajamas, toiletries, used clothes, a used high
chair and a Valentine’s Day gift bag. You all contributed to making a difference in the lives of these deserving families!
Please join us for refreshments in the patio (Gathering Place),
on the west side of the church, after the 7:00 am, 9:00 am and
11:00 am mass on Sunday, February 21st as a thank you for your
mercy towards others. God bless you all for your kindness and
generosity. (The Indonesian community ’thank you’ event will
take place after 2:00 pm mass on February 28, 2016)
2016
Schedule
THURSDAY, FEB.25TH, LENTEN RECOLLECTION
PART I, 7:00 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 3RD, LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE 7:00 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 4TH, LENTEN PILGRIMAGE WALK
TO THE HOLY DOOR AND VOTIVE MASS OF MERCY
AT 3:00 PM, AT THE SAN GABRIEL MISSION
(Pilgrims will congregate in front of Saint Stephen
Church at 12:30 PM. Walk to the Mission begins
promptly).
THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH LENTEN RECOLLECTION
PART II 7:00 PM
SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH LIVING STATIONS OF THE
CROSS 5PM
The Living Stations of the Cross ministry will share a
meditative, prayerful, and reflective presentation of
our Lord's Passion. You are invited to come and
watch, as the Lord's walk to Calvary is brought to life,
through narration, prayer, and live music.
Daily recitation of Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross is one of the most important devotions honoring the passion of Jesus. Please join us in church,
Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM to pray the Stations of
the Cross. By accompanying him on the Way of the Cross, we
gain his courageous patience and learn to trust in God who
delivers us from evil. Guide booklets will be provided.
“Dining with the Saints”
The community will come together for a
meat-less dinner in the Parish Hall
every Friday thru March 18th at 6 pm.
The dinner will be followed by a movie
showing of a Saint’s life. The dinners will be sponsored
by various parish groups.
Catholics age 14 and older should
abstain from eating meat on all
Fridays during Lent including
Good Friday. In addition, on
Good
Friday, Catholics from age 18-59
should fast. Limiting themselves to one full meal and two
smaller meals. Lent is also an ideal time to receive the
sacrament of reconciliation (confession) in preparation for
the celebration of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
María, la imagen de una iglesia que evangeliza porque ella es evangelizada
En la bula de indicción del Jubileo extraordinario de la misericordia, pidió que "la temporada de Cuaresma en este año jubilar se vivieron más intensamente como un momento privilegiado para celebrar y
experimentar la misericordia de Dios" (Misericordiae Vultus, 17). Llamando para una atenta escucha de
la palabra de Dios y fomentando la iniciativa "24 horas para que el Señor", buscaba subrayar la primacía
de la escucha orante de la palabra de Dios, especialmente su palabra profética. La misericordia de Dios
es una proclamación para el mundo, una proclamación que cada cristiano está llamado a experimentar
de primera mano. Por esta razón, durante la temporada de Cuaresma enviará misioneros de la misericordia como un signo concreto a todos los de cercanía de Dios y el perdón. Después de recibir la buena noticia contada a ella
por el Arcángel Gabriel, María, su Magníficat, proféticamente canta de la misericordia por el que Dios la eligió. La Virgen de
Nazaret, desposada con José, así se convierte en el icono perfecto de la iglesia que evangeliza, para ella era y continúa a ser
evangelizados por el Espíritu Santo, que hizo fecundo su seno virginal. En la tradición profética, misericordia está estrictamente
relacionada con – incluso a nivel etimológico – el seno materno (rahamim) y una bondad generosa, fiel y compasiva (hesed) se
muestra en las relaciones de matrimonio y la familia.
SE NECESITAN ARTÍCULOS RELIGIOSOS
NUEVOS / USADOS / ROTOS
El grupo Legión de María está recolectando artículos religiosos para su ministro. Se necesitan cruces, medallas, rosarios
escapularios y estampitas. Por favor de coloqar sus artículos
dentro de la caja que esta ubicada en el vestíbulo de la iglesia.
Segunda colecta para la campaña
Unidos en Mision 2016
27 y 28 de febrero
META PARROQUIAL: $33.900.00
CANTIDAD ACTUAL PROMETIDA: $15,900.00
Gracias por su apoyo continuo de esta digna
campaña.
Gracias por su generosidad y apoyo.
"Cenando con los santos"
La Oficina Parroquial estará cerrada el
viernes,26 de febrero de
9:00am a 1:00pm
para que el personal de la oficina pueda asistir al
Congreso de Educación Religiosa de Los Angeles
en Anaheim.
Estaremos abiertos durante nuestro horario
regular en la tarde de 4:00pm a 8:00pm
La comunidad se reunirán para una cena
en el Salón Parroquial cada viernes hasta el
18 de marzo a las 6 pm .
La cena será seguida por una
película que muestra la vida de un Santo. Estas cenas
serán patrocinadas por grupos de la Parroquia.
Recitación diaria de las Estaciones de la Cruz
Las Estaciones de la Cruz es una de las devociones más importantes en honor a la pasión de Jesús . Por favor, únase a
El Ministerio de Oración “Luz del Espirtu Santo”
nosotros en la iglesia , de lunes a viernes a las 5:30 PM a
rezar las Estaciones de la Cruz . Al lo acompañarlo en el
Los invita a orar, alabar, glorificar al Señor y darle gracias camino de la cruz , ganamos su paciencia valiente y aprendemos
a confiar en Dios, quien nos libra del mal . Se proporcionarán
por todos Los beneficios recibidos cada dia de nuestra vida. folletos de guía .
Nos reunimos los Miercoles de 7pm a 9pm en el salon parCatólicos de 14 años de edad y
roquial de nuestra Iglesia San Esteban Martir.
mayors deben abstenerse de comer
carne todos los viernes durante la
Exposición del Santísimo
Cuaresma incluyendo Viernes Santo. Además, el Viernes Santo,
Estas cordialmente invitado a participar el día
católicos de edades 18 a 59 debe ayunar. Limitándose a una
4 de Marzo de 9:00am a 5:30 pm en la iglesia
comida completa y dos comidas más pequeñas. La Cuaresma
a la adoración del santísimo.
es también el tiempo ideal para recibir el sacramento de la
reconciliación (confesión) en preparación para la celebración
Ven a pasar tiempo en oración durante
del Pasión de Cristo, su Muerte y Resurrección.
estos tiempo.
WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016
5:00 pm Christine Diaz - Happy Birthday!
Isabella Vazquez - Happy Birthday!
Maria Alvero (D)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016
7:00 am St. Stephen Parishioners
9:00 am
Rodolfo Compeán (D)
Jose Antonio Compeán (D)
11:00 am Mayra Moya—Happy Birthday!
Inez Sabatella (D)
Ruben Arenas (L) Spiritual and Temporal Health
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016
8:30 am Fatima Caracheo - Happy Birthday!
Olivia Martinez (D)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016
8:30 am Yolanda Olivas (L)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016
8:30 am Tony Herrera (D)
6:30 pm Felipa MacCray (L)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016
8:30 am Bill Delury (D)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
8:30 am Eleanor J. Chavarrio (D)
7:00 pm St. Stephen Parishioners
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016
8:30 am Volunteers of St. Stephen Community Outreach
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
FEBRUARY 21ST—FEBRUARY 28TH
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14;
Phil 3:17—4:1 or Phil 3:20—4:1; Lk 9:28b-36
1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 16:13-19
Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23;
Mt 23:1-12
Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; MT 20:17-28
Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31
Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21;
Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12;
Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Ex 3:1-8A, 13-15; Ps 103 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8,11
1 Cor 10: 1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9
Frances Salaises, Kitty Carlucci, Rosie Grego, Liza Anne Sesti,
Nicholas Velarde, Ana Nunez, Elaine Denery, Jose Galicia Sr.,
Connie Gonzales, Norma Salazar, Michlina Kubek, Maria Cervantes, Maria Gonzalez, Jeanine Gregory, Peggy Jasso, Elena Dulay,
Alex Vasquez, Armando Loo, Annamae Koch, Rita Thoms, Elizabeth Dodge, Virginia Medina, Rita A. Durazo, Ernest Durazo,
Rudy Barraza, Sally Sandoval, Emilia Rodriguez, Dominic, Jason,
Rose Valdez, Antonia Castaneda, Natalia Castaneda, Kathy Garcia,
Helen Lawrence, Sandy Aguiar, Maria Castillo, Frances Montez,
Ramiro Sanchez, Judy Backer, Josefina Peralta, Tom Lujan, Maria
Ngan Fong Lung, Erin Gaffrey, Virginia Miranda, Frances
Mosqueda, John Jaurequi, Jeanine Lugo, Michael Alden Townsend,
Mary Hernandez, Augie Koch, Natalia Orozco, Tisha Platt, Teresa
Ycedo, Ruth Hernandez, Larry Hernandez, Marge LaVenture, Debbie Koch Mark, Vic Panganiban, Concepcion Rodriguez, Elizabeth
Canadas, Maria Mazloom, Phil Cisneros, Kenneth Adler, Carol
Tollstrup, Howard Lee, Eva Monroy, Felipa MacCray, Rocco Polini,
Al Acosta, Susan Acosta
Prayer list will be updated on a monthly bases. If you would like
to add a name or make changes to the above list. Please contact
the parish office.
Did You Know?
Kik Messenger and the dangers of anonymous messages
Social media sites are available to anyone with an internet connection (computer, phone, tablet). Your kids may be sharing
their lives with complete strangers, and parents should be
aware of the sites they use, what they share, and who their
friends are. One mobile app, Kik, is regarded as the most dangerous site for internet predators, because users can send
messages to anyone with a cellphone, including young children. Kik has no options for parental controls, leaving kids exposed to the entire web. To learn more about this app in the
Virtus® article “Mobile App Danger—Kik Messenger,”
[email protected].
ST. STEPHEN BOOKSTORE
is open after each Mass, Saturday
and Sunday or by appointment.
12,000+ Gifts │ DVDs │ Books │
Bibles │ Jewelry and accessories
Rosaries │ Devotional and
Religious Items │ Artwork.
One stop shop for Catholic gifts and
resources. Support our
parish. Support the Saint Stephen Bookstore.