24th Sunday In Ordinary Time...

St. Stephen Catholic Church

Spreading the Light of Jesus Christ

The Cornerstone

Prayer to St. Joseph

Guardian of virgins, and holy father Joseph, to whose faithful custody Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed; I pray insistently and beseech you by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever most chastely serve Jesus and Mary all the days of my life. Amen.

9/5 Bulletin

Our apologizes for the lack of a parish bulletin this past weekend, September 5. There was an issue with delivery. We apologize for the delay. Please click here to download the bulletin!

Livestream Apology and Request

We also apologize for the recent technological malfunctions with our parish livestreaming. We are seeking volunteer streamers for our Masses. Volunteers should feel comfortable working with technological equipment and should have a general understanding of the Mass. Training is done by Deacon Mike Sweeney. If you are interested, please contact Dcn Mike at (813) 689-4900 ext. 3260 or dcnmike@ststephencatholic.org.

Happy Grandparents' Day

September 12, 2021

Pope Francis recently called for a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which we had on July 26. On September 12 we celebrate Grandparent’s Day! In Pope Francis’ article, he said, “There is no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel and handing down traditions to your children and grandchildren.” Sometimes grandparents can feel like they do not matter anymore. However, they to have a job: to love, to bless, to help, to nourish, to encourage and to affirm their children and grandchildren. Therefore, as a parish community of St. Stephen, we want to thank all of our grandparents for continuing to proclaim the Gospel. Know of our love, support and prayers that will help you continue your mission in the Church.

May God’s blessing be upon all our grandparents this day,

Fr. Izzie

Unbound

On September 18 and 19, please welcome Fr. John Gillespie who will be with us to celebrate Masses and tell us about the work of Unbound, a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and elderly in 19 developing countries. To learn more, call (800) 875-6564 or visit Unbound online by clicking here! To donate, click here!

St. Joseph Statue

Great news!

The St. Joseph statue has been memorialized!

Thank you for your generous donations.

We look forward to welcoming this statue to St. Stephen Catholic Church.

Faith Formation

Great news! We have approximately 600 students registered for Faith Formation this year, and counting! Due to this increase in students, we could use your help!

Faith Formation Volunteer Positions

Wednesday 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Grade 3 - 1 Teacher

Grade 5 - 1 Teacher

If you would like to volunteer, please call Kim Davis at (813) 671-4434 or email kim@ststephencatholic.org.

Day of Prayer

Join us for a self-guided retreat day. The day will be built around praying the Liturgy of the Hours. We will be praying for world peace and in remembrance of the tragedy of 9/11 and in honor first responders, doctors, nurses, police, fire and military personnel. This Day of Prayer is a great way to pray for and thank those heroes in our lives as well as to pray for the well-being of our country. If we once again come together as One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, we can do great things to honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Him and with Him, we can help to change the world.

To signup or for more information, please click here!

Pro-Life Rosary

Please note that the Second Saturday Pro-Life Rosary takes place today. Those who wish to pray the Rosary are invited to join the Day of Prayer at 9:15 a.m. for the Rosary and adoration.

Please note that there is another way to pray for the unborn. 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 to 10:00 a.m.

Scout Me In

Scouting is a great way to build friendships and learn skills that last a lifetime in a fun and exciting environment filled with adventure! Our adventures include camping, canoeing, hiking and community service projects all done while learning to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Cub Scout Pack 610 is open to boys and girls, grades K-5. Cub Scout meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. For more information, please contact Raymond Negron at scouts@negronarana.com.

For Middle School and High School ages, Boys Troop 610 and Girls Troop 610 offer programs of character development and values-based leadership training, preparing youth for life ahead. Both groups meet on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. For more information on the Boys Troop, please contact boy_scouts@ststephencatholic.org. For more information on the Girls Troop, please contact Kayla Cotton at kaylacotton@hotmail.com.

We invite you to join us at our next meeting and we look forward to welcoming you! Stop by the Family Life Center on September 16 at 6:30 p.m. to register!

One Blood Drive

A OneBlood Bus will be at our church on Sunday, September 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All donors will receive a pair of OneBlood Cancer Awareness Socks, T-Shirt & $20 eGift Card. Plus, a wellness checkup, including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening! Appointments are encouraged, please visit www.oneblood.org/donate-now and use the sponsor code #11897. Click here for an inspirational story about how giving blood can save a life!

Annual Pastoral Appeal

We have reached 97.35%

$375,048.55 pledged!

$340,146.91 paid!

Thank you!

Help your parish serve in Christ’s name by donating.

"God has no need of your money, but the poor have.

You give it to the poor, and God receives it." -St. Augustine

You can make an online donation by clicking here!

Help your diocese reach 11 million by helping your parish reach $385,325.

Clergy Calendar

The clergy calendar for September is posted on the St. Stephen Catholic Church website.

Click this link!

Click here to download the clergy calendar for September 2021

Financial Summary

Click here to download the

St. Stephen Parish Financial Scorecard

as of June 30, 2021.

Last Week At St. Stephen

Our Lady of Fatima

A huge thank you to all who participated in the International Fatima Statue visit to our parish. It was well attended and many engaged in the Brown Scapular Enrollment thanks to Deacon Mike Ryba and to the Fatima custodian, Larry Maginot. Thank you to our Lady of Fatima and to our dear Lord for the many blessings and graces received during this event.

Thank You From Bernie

Thank you to all the parishioners that came out on Sunday, August 15, to celebrate with me and my family on my recent retirement. Good fellowship along with good food. I thank God for the opportunity to have been able to work here at St. Stephen and serve so many wonderful people. I would also like to thank all the priests that I had the pleasure to work with. Thank you to you the parishioners of St. Stephen. I was so blessed to have met so many wonderful people and work side by side with so many of you. It was nice to share stories of how we met at St. Stephen and the wonderful times we shared together. To all those who took the time to wish me Good Luck and many wonderful wishes in the Prayer Journal that was a surprise and so appreciated. I have many beautiful memories of my ministry at St. Stephen and it is because of you. Thank you and May God Bless each and every one of you.

Bernadette (Bernie) Kalle