Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the
Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unassisted.
Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O
Guardian of the Redeemer my humble
supplication, but in your bounty, hear
and answer me. Amen.
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The St. Stephen Men's Club and Knights of Columbus that will prepare and serve the food. The Community for Women and the Columbiettes will decorate for our mothers. We will be serving a delicious breakfast that will include eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and more. Our seating plan will include the appropriate social distancing given by the CDC guidelines. Every mother who attends will receive not only food and a warm welcome, but also a little token to show them how special they are. Please invite your mother and bring the whole family! |
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May 8 and 9, 2021
We welcome all the children to be part of May Crowning. Mary will be crowned at every Mass: 4:30 p.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30a.m and 5:30 p.m. Each child will be provided with a flower to take up to our Blessed Mother. Please arrive with your child at the front of the church 10 minutes prior to Mass to line up and process in. After the Mass, the children will be able to take a flower to their mother.
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Happy Mother's Day
May 9, 2021
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Message from Fr. Dermot.
Mom, Mam, Mum or Mommy, whatever the word your child uses to get your loving attention, when you hear it, you kick into superhero mode. Do you remember the first time they said to you “Mama?” Your heart rejoiced and your eyes probably watered. The gift of being a mother is a gift that brings the living image of Christ to the forefront of your life. Your life is no longer just for you, now you have an innocent, beautiful life to love and protect.
Moms, thank you for choosing life for your children and then freely choosing to love them tenderly no matter how old they may be. On this day, we also crown Mary, our heavenly Mother. We honor all mothers who have taught us so many wonderful and unique things. Without the love that our mothers have shown us, we would not be who we are today. Take time today and offer a pray of gratitude for the gift of your mother, whether she is still alive or has passed on for her eternal reward.
May your special day be filled with the gift of your children. If they are far away, may your spirit feel their love for you. The love of a child for a mother and a mother for her child cannot be reduced by mere distance. Even the moms who are now in the heavenly kingdom, we honor and continue to love with all our hearts. Mom, you are loved. We, your children, although we may not always express it properly, love you and appreciate all the many sacrifices you have made and continue to make for us.
Two children ordered their mother to stay in bed one Mother’s Day morning. As she lay there looking forward to breakfast in bed, she could smell bacon floated up from the kitchen. But after a good long wait she finally went downstairs to investigate. She found them both sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs. “As a surprise for Mother’s Day,” one explained, “We decided to cook our own breakfast.” If this happened to you please come and join us for breakfast in the FLC after the 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Masses. The bacon will be cooked for you to enjoy, and you will not have to clean up afterwards.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
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Congratulations to our May 1, 2021 First Communicants! |
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Special Thanks to Fr. Dermot Dunne, Fr. Tim Williford; Deacon Ed Dodenhoff, Deacon Mike Ryba; Deacon Mike Sweeney, Director of Music, our school principal, Linda Umoh; St. Stephen School teacher, Galy Nonnenkamp; the Liturgical Ministers, the EMHC’s and Readers, Hospitality, Knights of Columbus, Musicians, Arts and Environment, and everyone who made this Eucharistic celebration of thanksgiving such a special occasion. They also want to thank our Director of Faith Formation, Rosie Bridges and staff; our wonderful catechists; Kimberly Brenes, Eliza Cabreros, Rosanna Denmon, Doreen Doyle, Gregory Doyle, Marietta Eakle, Ken Hillyard, Eileen Johnson, Orlaith Kelley, Valerie Kelley, Janine Kurto, Keira Kurto, Maribel Mendoza, Tonya Mendoza, Dana Obstfeld, Laura Osborne, Lisa Powell, and Gloria St. Amant.
We pray for our next group of First Communicants on May 8th – God Bless You!
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Future COVID-19 Recommendations |
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As of Pentecost weekend, May 22 and 23, 2021, Bishop Parkes will have lifted the dispensation. Come to Mass if you do not have underlying health conditions. The new recommendations will be posted on May 16, 2021. |
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As we begin to welcome more people back to Mass, please take note of these additional parking opportunities. Additional parking is located in the school parking lot. There is a covered walkway which leads straight to the church (the blue line on the map which starts at the school and goes to the church). Additional parking is also located on the south side of the church. You will proceed past the chapel and take the gravel path into the grass parking lot.
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Clergy Appreciation Dinner |
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All St. Stephen Parishioners are invited.
Council 14084 will host the “Clergy Appreciation Dinner” on May 22, 2021 in the Family Life Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. We hope that you will be able to join the Knights of Columbus in honoring all our Clergy and in saying a special “farewell” to Father Tim. The dinner will be a “beefsteak” menu so that we can celebrate gathering as a parish community. We will also have a selection of food for children.
There is NO COST to attend but we request that you bring a food donation for St. Vincent de Paul (peanut butter, canned corn, jelly, canned green beans, macaroni & cheese boxed are most needed).
Please confirm your attendance by email (include your name, phone number and number of people attending) to rsvp@kofc14084.org.
See you there!
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Would you open your home to welcome our Blessed Mother for a week’s stay? The Legion of Mary is sponsoring the Pilgrim Virgin statue to travel among the homes of our St. Stephen parishioners. Our Immaculate Mother would love to visit and pray with you and your family, bringing you her peace and consolation. For more information, or to reserve your visit, please call Betty at (813) 390-0896.
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is a Lay Marian Apostolate with its main focus on praying the rosary and incorporating the spiritual works of mercy in our daily lives. Our Legion is open to any adult in our parish who seeks to grow in holiness and to grow closer to Jesus through Mary. Come join us any Saturday after the 8:30 Mass in room 10 and 11 at the FLC. For more information, please contact Linda at legionofmary@ststephencatholic.org.
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Join the Respect Life Ministry this Saturday, May 8th (and every 2nd Saturday of each month) as we pray for the unborn in danger of abortion and mothers in unplanned and difficult pregnancies.
There are two ways to participate….
1. Some are called to be prayer warriors on the front lines of the abortion mill - All Women’s Health Center, at 3330 Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
2. Others are called to pray the Rosary together after 8:30 a.m. Mass in the St. Stephen Chapel.
The power of prayer can change hearts and save lives!!!
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We are currently forming a Young Adult Group to help build a community of Catholics who share a common faith and enjoy meeting new people. We participate in regularly scheduled events, including socials, small group Bible studies, volunteer opportunities, and more.
If you are looking to meet new people in the community while growing in your faith and partaking in group activities, please reach out to Eddie Gemma at eddie@ststephencatholic.org or find us on Facebook at St. Stephen Young Adult Group.
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May 16, 2021
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Blood mobile set up outside the Family Life center in the grass.
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Mother's Day Retreat
Diocese of St. Petersburg
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This retreat is for all who long for motherhood. Whether you are experiencing primary or secondary infertility, miscarriage or loss, adiagnosis or unexplained, and everything in between. This retreat is for you.
Join us for live and pre-recorded talks that explore belonging: to Christ, in marriage, and in our communities.
If you are carrying the cross of infertility, you are not alone.
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3rd Annual Marian Congress
Diocese of St. Petersburg
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Scholarships for Catholic Schools
Diocese of St. Petersburg
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Families interested in Catholic schools are encouraged to apply for a scholarship through Step Up For Students by June 1, 2021. A family of four with an annual income of up to $80,000 may qualify for up to $7,000+ per child, per year to attend a K-12 Catholic school in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Share this good news with others! Scholarship information is available at www.StepUpForStudents.org/catholic.
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Get to Know Your Future Priest
Diocese of St. Petersburg
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Deacon Israel “Izzie” Hernandez will share his journey to the priesthood during a Facebook Live on Monday, May 10, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. on the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Facebook page: facebook.com/diostpete.
Listen to his vocation story and participate in a live Q&A.
Deacon Hernandez will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
The candidate will be ordained by Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, May 15, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg.
The Ordination Mass is open to the public, however, due to spacing limitations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, seating capacity will be on a first come first serve basis. You can also view the Mass via livestream on our diocesan website: www.dosp.org/livestream.
Fr. Israel "Izzie" Hernandez will serve the community of St. Stephen.
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$291,876.36 pledged!
Thank you!
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Follow in the footsteps of Christ!
The next time you are in the Chick-fil-A line, or ordering your daily Starbucks coffee, can you give that up? Once, or maybe twice? Encourage your family and friends to do the same! We are all in this together.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Please find an envelope on the right wall of the narthex. Help your diocese to reach 11 million by helping your parish reach $385,325!
We get closer to the goal every day, thank you!
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Deanery Initiative Food Bank |
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South Eastern Deanery
$47,109.11.
Thank you!
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We have Part-Time openings at the Parish.
Maintenance ( 2 Part-Time Positions)
Tom@ststephencatholic.org.
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Looking for a daily relationship with God? |
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Magnificat
Magnificat is a spiritual guide to help you develop your prayer life, and grow in your spiritual life. Your children can also participate with MagnifiKid! Right now, Magnificat is promoting the edition "Nine days with Saint Joseph."
Any Magnificat has an order form. Fill it out and mail it. Or share the order form with a friend and encourage them to order one!
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Daily Subscriptions
There are daily catholic
e-newsletters. Every morning you can receive
a quote and reflection.
Get this inspiration today!
Subscribe by visiting a website and entering your email address. For example, there is the Catholic Company, and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Or find other options!
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Apps
There are also catholic apps which facilitate devotion. These apps share daily prayers, the saint of the day, prayers, daily readings, and much more.
Download today!
A good app to download is Laudate. Simply go to your app store and search Laudate, then download.
It's free!
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Read what a fellow parishioner does on a daily basis!
Kathleen prays the Rosary every day!
"Thru an East Indian priest that used to be at St Anne's, I met an Indian woman from St Joseph's Syro Malabar Catholic Church. She invited me to join an evening Rosary by phone, with a woman from Dallas. That was in July 2014 and we still have Rosary every night. They are very devout Catholics. They are a blessing from God for me. I would encourage others to do the same. Your best bet is someone from India who grew up with a family Rosary tradition ~ and it's easier with 5 people or less. Please be inspired to pray the Rosary in a group. It helps those, like me, who don't do well praying alone. If finding a prayer partner doesn't work, the next best thing I've found is the Rosary on YouTube. Click here!"
How do you strengthen your faith every day?
Your fellow parishioners would love to know!
Email communications@ststephencatholic.org.
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Fr. Tim crowning the Mary statue in Mary's garden. |
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May 1st First Communicants. |
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Sanctuary Lamp
May 7 to 14, 2021
Anita Gratkowski
If you are interested in having the sanctuary lamp burn in honor or in memory of a loved one, please call (813) 689-4900.
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Friday, May 7
Mass (church)
8:30 a.m. Pray for Don Faulkner (RIP).
Confessions (chapel)
After the 8:30 am Mass till no one is in line.
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Saturday, May 8
Mass (church)
8:30 a.m. Pray for Anna Thomas (RIP).
2:45 Confessions (chapel) till no one is in line.
May Crowning 4:30 p.m. Pray for Tina Moschgat (RIP).
A special prayer for our children who are receiving their First Holy Communion.
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Sunday, May 9
Mass (Church)
May Crowning All Masses
11:30 a.m. Pray for Jeannine Evans (RIP).
5:30 p.m. Pray for Eleanor Wixted (RIP).
Mother's Day
A special prayer for our mothers.
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Monday, May 10
Mass (church)
8:30 a.m. Pray for Joseph Metz (RIP).
Confessions (chapel)
After the 8:30 am Mass till no one is in line.
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Tuesday, May 11
Mass (church)
8:30 a.m. Pray for Phyllis Jackson Akes (RIP).
6:00 pm Confessions (chapel) till no one is in line.
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Wednesday, May 12
Mass (church)
8:30 a.m. Pray for Thomas Augustine (RIP).
Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations (chapel)
After 8:30 Mass - 6:00 p.m.
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Thursday, May 13
Mass (church)
8:30 a.m. Pray for Benito Garza Cardoza (RIP).
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Facebook and Instagram
Parish: @ststephencatholicchurch
Lifeteen: @st.stephen_lifeteen
School: @sscsmustangs & @sscsfl.org
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