18th Sunday in Ordinary Time...

St. Stephen Catholic Church

Spreading the Light of Jesus Christ

The Cornerstone

Act of Consecration to Saint Joseph

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation.

Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life.

After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

Parish Update

Starting on August 2, 8:30 a.m. daily Mass will be moved to the chapel. Please enter through the chapel doors for Mass. Livestreaming will be available.

New Chapel Hours

Starting August 2

Daily Mass

Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.

Reconciliation

After daily Mass on Monday and Friday.

Tuesday-6:00 p.m.

Saturday-2:45 p.m.

Adoration

Wednesday-9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Chapel Hours

Monday through Friday-8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday-8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Masses-7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Parish Picnic

Farewell Bernie Kalle

We finally get to give a proper farewell to our retired parish secretary, Bernie Kalle. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to celebrate her more than 28 years of service to our parish. Thankfully we have been able to reschedule for August 15. We hope you will join us in celebrating all Bernie has done for our parish.

On August 15 after the 11:30 a.m. Mass, come to the Family Life Center for a BBQ picnic. Bring your family and let the kids enjoy an inflatable waterslide! We could use your help with the menu. Please bring the following items to the parish picnic depending on your family name:

A-I: Side dishes (ex: baked beans, pasta salads, etc.)

J-Q: Green salads and chips.

R-Z: Desserts (ex: cookies, brownies, etc.)

Thank you for your help. Please drop off your food item between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on the morning of August 15to the Family Life Center.

Homebound Ministry

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to those parishioners who are unable to celebrate Mass because of illness or physical limitations. Ministers feed the homebound not only with the Body of Christ but also with the Word. Ministers enrich the lives of those they visit with the news of the community, insights from the homily and prayers. Homebound ministers are required to attend an orientation, complete a Safe Environment Training and a level 2 fingerprinting. Volunteer applications for this ministry can be picked up at the parish office or click this here to download the application! Once the application is completed and returned to the parish office, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.

Do You Know Someone In Need?

If you or someone you know is unable to attend Mass due to illness, recuperation from surgery, physical limitations, or other reasonable circumstances, arrangements can be made for an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to visit and pray with you and serve you the precious Body of Christ. To arrange for a Homebound minister to visit, call the parish office at (813) 689-4900 or email [email protected].

Community For Women

Welcome Social

TO ALL THE WOMEN IN THE PARISH

If you are looking for a ministry where you can serve as well as have fun, please come to our Welcome Social on August 12. Come meet us and find out more about our service to the parish. We will meet in the Family Life Center Youth Room (back doors on the south side of the building) at 7:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY FOR WOMEN

We are a parish ministry that is social and serves our parish as well. We are a mixture of ages, talents and interests. Together we make a great team. We serve the parish and engage with one another by:

•Sponsoring the Monthly Bingo Night

•Helping the Men’s Club with Lenten Fish Fry

• Sponsoring the annual parish “Underwear Sunday”

• Coordinating the Father-Daughter Dance

• Supporting T.H.O.R.N. ministries

•Socials/dinner

•Bunco Night

• Craft night

•Mini Retreats

We gather monthly on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Young Adult Bible Study

Join us for Young Adult Bible Study!

In everything from friendships to finances, Scripture offers a vision for happiness and well-being. Drawing on the literature of the Bible—Proverbs, Wisdom, Sirach, and Ecclesiastes—Wisdom: God’s Vision for Life, will show you how to actively seek sound guidance and increase your sense of peace in navigating life.

We are a group of young Catholics who meet the second and fourth Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We will meet online starting August 10. You can join us wherever you are! Contact the Religious Education Office for details, (813) 671-4434.

Consecrated Marian Ministry

1st Saturday Marian Devotion Rosary Procession

August 7, 2021

Following 8:30 a.m. daily Mass.

All are invited to our every 1st Saturday Marian Devotion Rosary Procession to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Families are encouraged to bring their children to witness the joy that the three shepherds experienced in Fatima around our Blessed Mother. Children will lead the Rosary with roses to offer to Mother Mary.

Respect Life Ministry

Spiritual Adoption Program

Your spiritually adopted baby is four months old in the womb!

Well, your little baby now weighs six ounces. He has fingernails and eyelashes. He has his own unique fingerprints, which will remain the same until he dies. His taste buds are working. His sense of hearing is developing and present at 14 weeks. There are no major developments anymore. At this month rapid eye movements (REMs) can be detected – a sign of dreaming. Your spiritually adopted baby is already well-formed, internally and externally. All he needs now is time to gain weight and grow strong. What a miracle he is!

Please pray this prayer for the unborn!

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we love you very much. We ask You to bless and protect all unborn children in their mothers' wombs. Help us to see that although these babies are hidden from our sight, they are not hidden from God. Amen.

Join Our Staff

Extended Day Staff

St. Stephen Catholic School is seeking part-time Extended Day Staff Members for the 2021-2022 school year. Hours are Monday through Friday from 2:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 11:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on early release days. Duties include supervision of children after school, serving snacks, helping students with homework, planning and supervising games and activities.

Substitute Teachers

St. Stephen Catholic School is seeking experienced substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year.

For both of these positions, apply online at https://www.dosp.org/schools-office/position-openings-2/ or contact Gina Robles at (813) 741-9203 ext. 1206