Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.

Choose a Lenten book to help you along the 40 days.

For families without children, choose a copy of the Magnificat Lenten Companion.

For families with school age children,

Lent: Why These Days Are Different is a wonderful book to enjoy together.

We are overjoyed to welcome Lisa Lopez back to the Parish Office as our new Parish Secretary. Lisa has worked for St. Stephen as our Communications Director

and more recently with Faith Formation.

Please be sure to stop by and welcome her back to the Parish Office!

Please join us as we say "farewell" to Jill Ragans, our Pastoral Assistant.

Jill has been the Pastoral Assistant for almost 4 years, and before that taught at our school.

Jill has accepted a teaching position locally. Her last day will be next Friday.

We wish Jill the best in her next chapter, but look forward to seeing her at Mass.

Pastoral Care (20 hours/Part-Time)

Communication Coordinator (20 hours/Part-Time)

Maintenance ( 2 Part-Time Positions)

If interested, download the application and email to

As a New Year begins, a wonderful opportunity has presented itself in our area. In this the Year of Saint Joseph, it has been brought to our attention Foster Families in our area in need of support. Those familiar with such acts of Charity and Giving know the love and resources it takes in order to provide a safe and caring environment for children within the Foster Care System. According to Child Welfare, as of September 30, 2018 there were 437,283 children in foster care in the United States. 46 % of those children were placed in nonrelative homes. 

If so, please contact Nathan Wiles at nwiles33@yahoo.com for further information. 

The most powerful tool we have when it comes to teaching our children about the beauty of their sexuality in the digital age is conversation. Real, honest, "look them in the eyes" conversations about their deep questions. In the digital age, passive parenting is not an option -the internet never rests.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is setting aside this weekend, February 14 to celebrate our third annual Safe Haven Sunday to provide free resources to assist you with confidently talking to your children about internet dangers, as well as their online and offline choices.

Safe Haven Sunday is celebrated through prayer and reflection within the context of the Mass. Each individual and family can read Covenant Eyes' most recent book, Connected: How Strong Family Relationships Lead to Internet-Safe Kids. This book is free. Just go to www.covenanteyes.com/e-books/and scroll down to Family Protection to find it.

This book includes a free seven day text-tp-opt-in program that provides practical tips for caring adults to creat safer digital environments for themselves and young people. Simply text SECURE to 66866 to begin receiving guidance today!

For further questions, please visit www.dosp.org/freedom-from-porn/.

Blessed Stitches is a wonderful ministry that is safely, socially meeting the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 10:00-11:30am at the Family Life Center. They make prayer shawls, afghans, infant hats and blankets for parishioners in need. They provide everything; no experience necessary!

If you are interested, wear a mask and stop by or email

Our Sanctuary Lamp is burning this week

8:30 am Pray for Alex Walker (RIP)

Mass (Church)_

8:30 am Pray for Mary Elizabeth Ostertag (RIP)

 A Virtual Attendance option is NOW AVAILABLE.  

2:45 pm Confessions (Chapel) till no one is in line

4:30 pm Pray for Tina Moschgat (RIP)

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30 am Pray for Onofrio Esposito (RIP)

;9:30 am Pray for the Parishioners of St. Stephen

11:30 am Prayers for Intentions of Fran Cirello

:5:30 pm Pray for Armani Alicea (RIP)

8:30 am Pray for Evelyn Sebanes Dayao (RIP)

Mass (Church)

8:30 am Pray for Ken Nicholas (RIP)

6:00 pm Confessions (Chapel) till no one is in line

Mass (Church)

8:30 am Pray for Vocations (RIP)

Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations (Chapel)

8:30am Pray for Camila L. Amano (RIP)

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