You are Invited To.........
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You are invited to come to St. Stephen this weekend
to see how we are celebrating Mass safely during these unprecedented times.
If you feel comfortable after "taking a look, "
please stay and worship with us.
On the other hand, if you come and don't feel comfortable
staying,
we want you to know, it's perfectly "OK" to quietly leave.
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Now, That's a Great Question!
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Question
I WANT to come to Mass, but I am uncertain about what to expect.
What are some things that St. Stephen
is doing that I should know?
Reply
Our staff, along with volunteers have been working diligently
over the past few months
to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
Here are a few things that we are doing to ensure your safety.
We put on our masks prior to entering the Church.
We are using every other pew, so we are able to social distance between rows as well as remain 6 feet from the next individual or family.
We ask that you bring hand sanitizer and use prior to receiving Holy Communion.
We will bring Holy Communion to you in order to limit movement.
We remove our masks to receive Holy Communion.
We ask that everyone sit from the front pews first working our way toward the back and to leave from the back first so that we can remain socially distant..
We are prepared to open the Family Life Center for overflow to livestream the Mass in Family Life Center and to bring Holy Communion to you.
If this sounds good, we invite you to come "Take A Look" this weekend!
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Exciting Virtual Opportunity For Teens
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Steubenville Virtual Conference
"HOPE ALIVE"
June 17-18
“The Steubenville Interactive Livestream wishes to help teens and families
find hope in the midst of the busyness, confusion, and anxiety of everyday life.
As we have had to cancel most of our Youth Conferences this summer, we are excited to be able to offer a live-streamed, virtual Youth Conference experience – Steubenville Live, which will be broadcast from Orlando, Florida.
Although nothing can beat an in-person Steubenville Conference, we are so glad to have the opportunity to gather virtually as the Body of Christ. Jesus will still change hearts and lives; we’re sure of it.
We hope you will join us!
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Collegiate Ministry Spotlight
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My name is Marcella Alfonso and I have had the gift to be a life-long member of St. Stephen Catholic Church. I grew up in the Brandon area and graduated from Boston University this year and am now working as a Campus Missionary at West Chester University in Pennsylvania with FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.
College campuses are truly where a battle for souls happens. College students live in an environment where 80% of students have engaged in binge drinking, 50% report that they struggle with mental health issues, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in their age group. 80% of individuals who leave their faith do so by the age of 23.
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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 12, 2020
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New....
Children's
Corner
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Sharing the Gospel
The farmer is God. The seed is God's Word. That makes the soil your heart.
If your heart is angry or stubborn, God's Word can't sink in. If your heart is shallow, God's Word can't take root. Instead, you will worry about getting power or riches. If your heart is discouraged by people who hate God, your faith will choke. If your heart is soft, God's Word will change your life, and it will show.
Prayer
God, help my heart to be soft. Help your Word to
change my life.
Something to Draw
Draw a picture of a seed growing in good soil.
Mission for the Week
Visit a garden center. Learn why plants need good
soil to grow.
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Tuesday, July 13
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
1656-1680
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American Saint in the United States of America and Canada.
The story of her conversion to Christianity, her courage in the face of suffering and her extraordinary holiness is an inspiration!
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Wednesday, July 15
Eucharistic Adoration
After 8:30 am Mass-6:00 pm
Chapel
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Many thanks
to Scott Huetteman
and
all who stayed after Thursday morning Mass to help us
create a promotional video for the church. We are so thankful for your time and company!
It was a really nice morning being socially distant with all!
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Since March.......
We've had over 1,000,000 minutes viewed!
Our page “likes” have grown by almost 50%
We have dozens of fans from Nigeria, the Philippines, Kenya, India, South Africa and Germany!
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AT Home VBS Happening Now!!
Click
HERE
to register for virtual VBS from the convenience of your home. Do it as a family or get together with out families as you feel comfortable.
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Registration has begun for the upcoming 2020-21 Faith Formation Programs.
Classes will begin as home based study and move into the classroom as guidelines permit. Families who wish to remain with home base study are also welcome to do so.
Click
HERE
to download the 2020-21 Faith Formation Information and registration forms. Completed forms should be emailed to Sue Haines at
Sue@ststephencatholic.org
. Please include "2020-21 Faith Formation Registration" in the subject line.
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In and Around the Diocese
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Brother Bishops
For about a week now, Bishop Gregory Parkes has been keeping a pontifical secret that he was finally able to share on Wednesday, July 8, when he posted on
social media
at around 6:00 a.m.,
“
A day of great joy as my brother, Fr. Stephen Parkes, is appointed Bishop of Savannah by Pope Francis! Blessed to be brothers. Blessed to be brother Bishops!”
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New Website~Courageously Praying
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has launched a new website where you can
submit a
Check it out courageouslypraying.org
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Business Re-imagined
Webinar Series
July 11 & July 18
FREE
Saint Leo University is offering a free webinar series for area businesses.
as they are navigating the re-opening of the economy following shutdowns prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saturday, July 11
11:00 am
Strategic Direction for Pandemic Recession Recovery
Saturday, July 18
11:00 am
Financial Options and Resources Related to COVID-19
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A View From the Top
Bishop Gregory Parkes speaks out about the recent destruction of
St. Junipero Serra statues in California and
the need to preserve our religious freedom. He also reflects on two major Supreme Court decisions – one the Church celebrates and the other the Church opposes.
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Ray DeMarco
St. Stephen Main Church
Funeral Service
Friday, July 10, 2020
10:30 am
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St. Stephen Mass and Chapel Hours
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Public Mass Schedule
Monday-Saturday 8:30 am ( Main Church)
Saturday Vigil
4:30 pm
Sunday 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am and 5:30 pm
Reconciliation (Chapel)
Friday and Monday after 8:30 am Mass
Saturday 2:45 pm
Chapel Hours
for private prayer
Monday-Friday
After 8:30 am Mass-3:00 pm
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