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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Christ welcomes you to Mass during Holy Week!
Here's what you need to know...
Daily Mass - There is no daily Mass or morning prayer from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday.
Holy Thursday - There will not be a procession at the end of Mass on Holy Thursday. The priests and altar servers will process to the FLC, while the choir sings in the church. Once the clergy leave the FLC, the faithful are invited to travel to the FLC to reverence our Lord.
Good Friday - Veneration of the Cross - There will be no Adoration of the Holy Cross during the liturgy, Fr. Dermot will reverence the cross on behalf of the parishioners.
Holy Saturday - There will be the Blessing of the Food Baskets at 11:00 a.m. Join in on this beloved Polish tradition and get your Easter meal blessed. Learn more about this tradition by clicking here!
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Easter Sunday - There will be no 5:30pm Mass on Easter Sunday. Seating will begin in the church with overflow going into the Family Life Center. Church doors will close five minutes before Mass starts. Those arriving after the doors close should proceed directly to the Family Life Center.
Thank you all for patience and understanding during these unique and challenging times as we work to maintain a welcoming yet safe environment for all who worship.
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Happy Easter From Fr. Dermot |
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Joyful Easter to all,
Alleluia, He has risen! The Resurrection is the foundation of Christian joy and hope. Jesus fulfilled his mission of salvation—the Paschal Mystery. Jesus is the Savior who calls all nations to salvation. We receive the gift of salvation through God the Father’s love made manifest in Jesus. With the Resurrection, He shows us that the way to life is through love and self-sacrifice. Jesus was obedient unto death, because of his love for his Father and his love for us.
Faith in the Resurrection means that we no longer have to live in our tombs. Whether you live in shame, fear, or regret, you can have a new life in Christ. We can be born again in our Savior’s love.
As we gather today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the beautiful gift of life that God the Father has blessed each of us with. If you cannot be with us today, know that you are with us in spirit, and that we welcome you home.
I pray that you and your loved ones have a blessed Easter. Praise be Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us.
Blessings,
Fr. Dermot
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$253,065 pledged.
Thank you!
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Can you sacrifice something
for the Father?
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!
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Help our church continue our sacred furnishings by donating to the Memorial Program.
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You are not only paying to memorialize an item, but part of the proceeds go towards reducing the debt incurred by building our beautiful new Church. By donating you can pledge for an item in total or join with others in dedication and memorializing a special item.
Many parishioners have already stepped up and memorialized a number of items. For example, the Crucifix, Organ, St. Stephen and Eucharistic Windows, Immaculate Mary Statue, various Icons, and Scripture Passages. Moving forward, the St. Joseph statue needs to be memorialized. It is the year of St. Joseph. St. Joseph and two other saints are under consideration on the four narthex columns. Further, our parish hopes to welcome four carvings for the altar niches. For now, St. Joseph is the focus. Help us to bring home a St. Joseph statue during the year of St. Joseph!
You can find a pledge card in the parish office. For more information about the Memorial Program and how to donate, you can contact Denise Moyer at the parish office 813-689-4900 (denise@ststephencatholic.org) or Gary Opala 813-541-8288 (memorialprogram@ststephencatholic.org). We would love to hear from you! Your family members or other dedications important to you will be inscribed in our Book of Memorials which will be published soon. Make your memorial pledge today!
We appreciate your continued support and prayer to our Memorial Program!
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April 2 to May 9, 2021
Due to continuing COVID -19 restrictions, the Foundations of Life Walk/Run for Life2021 will be virtual again this year. Virtual means that you can walk for life anywhere! Participate in our contest, organize a team/group walk, challenge others or get sponsors to pledge online!
This walk will benefit the foundations of Life Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas Knights Women's Center, Perinatal ComfortCare, and Project Rachel.
Place your $10.00 Pre-Registration with Foundations of Life.
Includes T-Shirt and Baby Feet. Checks: make payable to Catholic Charities
6515 N. Armenia Ave. Tampa 33604. Credit Card: call Foundations of Life 813-631-4393 or go online to foundationsofLife.org.
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You may receive a call, text, or email from the Outreach Ministry. Their role is to collect feedback on what St. Stephen Parish can do to enhance your faith life and keep you informed on our latest COVID-19 protocols. Please offer any helpful feedback. |
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Conferencia Anual Hispana para Hombres |
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April 10, 2021 at Resurrection Catholic Church.
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The Divine Mercy Ministry invites you to join them as they pray the Divine Mercy Novena daily:
April 2- 10, 2021
3:00 p.m., Chapel
April 11, 2021
Holy Hour
3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Church
Never prayed the Divine Mercy before, don't worry, we will have pamphlets available to assist you. We look forward to seeing you there. Jesus, I trust in you!
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St. Stephen Catholic Church
We have Part-Time openings at the Parish.
Maintenance ( 2 Part-Time Positions)
Tom@ststephencatholic.org.
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Denise Moyer
Pastoral Care Assistant
My first employment with St. Stephen was under the guidance of Fr. Bill Swengros. I worked directly for Fr. Bill as his Pastoral Assistant. My second employment with St. Stephen was as Pastoral Assistant and Annulment Advocate.
I took some time off due to COVID. I was the lady with 2 oxygen tanks to help me breath. I received my Double Lung Transplant in August 2021. I started my third employment on my 6 month “lung-anniversary” date. My part-time position is Pastoral Care Assistant. I am presently getting back into the routine of managing the front desk. “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.”
If I could go back in time to a Biblical moment, I would go to Mary’s YES to Angel Gabriel. Her simple trust and faith was a moment in time that changed the world! To do as Mary did in my own life has brought such peace on the journey that God has asked me to take.
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Lisa Lopez
Parish Secretary
I am originally from Rhode Island, but after 20 years of military service I retired, and my husband and I relocated to Tampa where he would finish out his military career.
I was working as a government contractor when I felt called to apply for a job as the Communications Coordinator at St. Stephen. I started my full-time position as the Communications Coordinator and with that an amazing journey of spiritual growth as I encountered the loving and faith filled community that is St. Stephen. Near the end of 2019, I stepped back to a part-time position as the Assistant Coordinator of Faith Formation.
As you can see, my journey here at St. Stephen is still “beginning” as I start my new role as the Parish Secretary.
One of my primary focus points in this new role is the migration and transition to Parish Soft, our new church management software. I am really excited for what this is going to bring to the parishioners of St. Stephen, allowing for web-based access to personal information through the My Own Church applications.
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Avery Thayer
Communications Coordinator
I am from Fairhope, Al. I moved here in 2020. I am a senior at Spring Hill College, a Jesuit college, in Mobile, Al. I graduate May 8, 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Communication Arts: Public Relations and Advertising.
I am working at St. Stephen Catholic Church because my education has reinforced the values of faith, justice and service for life. Further, my catholic family has always encouraged serving others. I am the oldest of five children. I am engaged and I get married September 25, 2021.
My hobbies are arts and crafts, baking, and enjoying the outdoors. Have you been to Madrid park? Take your family for a picnic!
If I could go back in time to a
Biblical moment, I would go back to the washing of the Disciples' feet. Our savior
bending down to wash the feet of his loved ones is a beautiful example to follow. We are supposed to live like Christ, and this moment helps me to understand how to live like him. We are meant to love through serving.
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We thank you for your welcome! |
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Which moment would you choose?
Your fellow parishioners would love to know!
Email communications@ststephencatholic.org.
Answer the question, if you could go back in time,
which Biblical moment would you go to and why?
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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!
(Please share by emailing us, find the email below)
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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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How do you engage with God on a daily basis?
Your fellow parishioners would love to know!
Email communications@ststephencatholic.org.
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Winner!
New Stained Glass Window Contest
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The winner is Lori Russell!
Answer: The four symbols found in the stained glass window
of the Prodigal Son are: ring, robe, sandal and calf.
Keep a look out for future contests!
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Facebook and Instagram
Parish: @ststephencatholicchurch
Lifeteen: @st.stephen_lifeteen
School: @sscsmustangs & @sscsfl.org
Encourage others to subscribe to the Cornerstone!
Share this link below with your family & friends!
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Sanctuary Lamp
April 3 to April 9, 2021
In loving memory of Thomas Moyer,
from Denise Moyer.
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, April 2 (Good Friday)
NO DAILY MASS and NO MORNING PRAYERS
NO CONFESSIONS
12:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross
3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
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Saturday, April 3 (Holy Saturday)
NO DAILY MASS and NO MORNING PRAYERS and NO CONFESSIONS
11:00 a.m. Blessing of Food baskets
8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil
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Sunday, April 4 (Easter Sunday)
Mass (Church)
11:30 a.m. Pray for the parishioners.
NO 5:30 p.m. MASS
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Monday, April 5
8:30 a.m. Pray for Ella Hollar (RIP)
Confessions (Chapel)
After the 8:30 am Mass till no one is in line.
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Tuesday, April 6
8:30 a.m. Pray for Mike Goldonowicz (RIP)
6:00 pm Confessions (Chapel) till no one is in line.
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Wednesday, April 7
Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations (Chapel)
After 8:30 Mass - 6:00 p.m.
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Thursday, April 8
8:30 a.m. Pray for Alex Walker (RIP)
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