It's Here.....1st Sunday of Lent! 💜🙏

Lent is Here...welcome home!

A Blessing

A special thank you to those who gave of their time and talent to make our

Ash Wednesday Masses so special.

Thank you to the Liturgy Committee,

Arts & Environment, Livestreamers,

Altar Servers, Readers, EMHC, Sacristans, Hospitality, Musicians, Clergy, and Maintenance!

It was wonderful to have so many of our parishioners back! WELCOME HOME!

Congratulations

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming the following individuals who came into Full Communion of the Catholic Church and Catholics who completed their Sacraments of Initiation last Saturday, February 13th at the 4:30 pm Mass.

Aiden Desrocher, Brooklyn Muse, Ashley Lowe, Andrew Desrocher, Anthony Dyer --Amanda Wolfe, Jailyn Jordan, Dawn Dyer, Tyler Wolfe, Antonio Pilastri, Erik Dyer and Robert Zinn

St. Stephen is blessed to have their strong witness of faith among us. We pray that they may continue to grow in faith, be encouraged to share their gifts and always feel welcomed by our parish community.

Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th

So many came to pray the Rosary in the presence of our new Marian Statue. It was really an incredible site to see! It is our hope that many more will stop by for prayer during this Lenten season and feel the comfort from the presence of our blessed Mother.

We want to extend another thank you to all who have donated to our Memorial Program.

It is through this campaign that we are able to "decorate" our church with sacred art and to use the proceeds to pay down our debt.

Rite of Election

Sunday, February 21, 2021, we celebrate the Rite of Election formally asking our community of faith to accept our RCIA catechumens as members of the Elect—those chosen by God for baptism.

Let us pray for our adults and youth during this Lenten Season as they journey toward full initiation into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

What a welcoming gesture to know that our parish welcomes them into a family of faith, hope and love.

If you considering learning more about the Catholic faith, please do not hesitate to contact our Faith Formation Office located at St. Stephen Catholic School and ask for Rosie Bridges, 813-671-4434. God Bless You!

Looking for a new job?

St. Stephen Catholic Church

We have several Part-Time openings at the Parish.

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

Tom@ststephencatholic.org.

Looking to Help Others?

In the Year of St. Joseph, Jesus' foster father

would you consider assisting foster families?

In this the Year of Saint Joseph, it has been brought to our attention Foster Families in our area in need of support.

Would you be willing to contribute to such a wonderful “Culture of Life” with a gift of your time and talent to help change the lives and futures of these vulnerable children?

At this time, might you consider providing prayerful support and a warm meal once a month for these Amazing Foster Families?

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

God bless and may Saint Joseph continue to allow us to foster and support Families and a Culture of Life!

Catholic Charities Easter Basket of Plenty Drive

February 17 through March 28, 2021

The children at San Jose Mission affordable housing and the San Juan Diego Mission will receive an Easter basket on Holy Saturday.

Help by bringing items (pacifiers, coloring books, Skittles etc.) to a drop-off location. For the full list of items and the drop-off locations visit www.ccdosp.org/donate-for-joy. Alternately, text DONATEFORJOY to 41444 to donate.

Follow our progress by following Catholic Charities on Instagram,

Facebook or Twitter @CCharitiesDOSP.

Ideas Shared from Marriage & Family Office of DOSP

A Lenten Evening For Families

Help families start intentionally living out Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Kit includes:

· Family Lenten supper recipes

· Family "Lenten Habit Tracker"

· Stations of the Cross Devotional

Family game night ideas

Lent for Married Couples

20 Minutes/Day!

Prayers, conversation starters and tips for how to love your spouse.

Download Here

Check out other resources from Marriage in Christ

to strengthen your marriage.

A Lenten Evening For Couples

Serve couples who are unable or reluctant to attend mass

or traditional Lenten devotionals.

Kit includes:

· Lenten recipes for two

· Couple's Lenten "Habit Tracker"

· Stations of the Cross Devotional

Edifying short film content

2021 Tampa Magnificat Women’s Retreat

March 6 and 7, 2021

Tampa Magnificat invites you to their Women’s retreat at Bethany Center, 18150 Bethany Center Dr, Lutz. The retreat Hope, Healing and the Holy Spirit will be presented by Dr. Mary Healy, best-selling author and professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Commuters welcome and also virtual participation.

Flyer and registration at this link: https://bit.ly/3qDoekA. For more information or questions please contact Tampa Magnificat at t ampamagnificatteam@gmail.com or call (813) 538-0981.