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September 3, 2017 Vol. 36 No. 4

St. Stephen’s Catholic Church 4601 Neely Avenue Midland, Texas 79707 (432) 520-7394 Fax (432) 520-7395

www.ststephensmidlandtx.com

Rev. Rodney White, Pastor Assistant Pastor: Rev. Timothy Hayter

Deacons: Leonard Hendon, Luis Mata, Fidel Saldivar, Larry Salazar Sisters: Gertrudis Muñoz, Leonila Torres

Youth Director: Deacon Larry Salazar Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

Dear Parishioners, As we see in the first reading from Jeremiah 20: 7-9, human struggle is not new. This section in chapter 20 of Jeremiah is called “Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis.” It shows the rawness and reality of the struggles we face. Sometimes we may wonder why the Lord allows us to go through such struggles, or even why we have to endure tragedies like Hurricane Harvey. However, such occasions are opportunities for us to turn to the Lord and draw ever closer to Him, and out of this, He sends us out to do His work. It is in these times that we learn to rely on God as Jeremiah does later on in verse 11 when he goes on to say “but the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion.” It is a time of transformation from grief into trust in and

reliance on the Lord that calls us out of ourselves to then unite with Him and be life giving to those in need, drawing us together as one body in Christ. The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey gives us such an opportunity. There has been much devastation beyond belief. It is truly heartbreaking. Yet, this is where the Lord calls us to Him, to in turn react to our brothers and sisters in need showing them the life giving love of Christ through our actions. It has been extremely encouraging to see how people have responded to this disaster. May we here at St. Stephen’s continue to reach out to those in need, first and foremost through our prayers, but also via whatever way each of us is able to help. Here are some options:

• St. Stephen’s Second Collection this weekend at each Mass. • Catholic Charities as outlined in the insert. Mark the donation for “Hurricane Harvey Relief.” One

can also donate specifically to Catholic Charities Houston (catholiccharities.org/donate-now-and-help-our-neighbors-recover-from-disaster or call 713-874-6654), Catholic Charities Corpus Christi (www.catholiccharities-cc.org/donate-to-catholic-charities or call 361-884-0651), or Catholic Charities of Beaumont.

• The Diocese of Victoria has their own direct way to give through www.victoriadiocese.org/donate-hurricane-relief.

• Also, I (Fr. Timothy) am sending gift cards to a good friend in Houston who is delivering them to families in need. You can bring the gift cards by the church office.

• You can also reach out to individual parishes in those areas affected. Many of their websites have information with ways to help.

• If you would like to physically volunteer, please call me (Fr. Timothy) at the office. I have gathered some options and made some contacts that are helping direct such efforts.

Most of all, please join in praying for families that are seeking shelter, people who are searching for loved ones, emergency workers who are serving tirelessly, and survivors who are trying to find hope for the future. May we use this opportunity to turn to God and unite with those affected by Hurricane Harvey by lifting them up to Christ our Lord who indeed is our “Mighty Champion.”

In Christ,

Fr. Timothy Hayter

St. Stephen’s will be having a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration this Thursday after the 7:00pm Mass,

until 8:45 pm to pray specifically for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and for recovery efforts.

ST. STEPHEN’S CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Monday - Friday 6:45 am - 7:00 am; 12 noon - 12:15 pm;

& 5:00 - 5:30 pm

Saturday

7:45 am - 8:00 am; 4:00 - 4:45 pm

Sunday 20 minutes prior to each Mass And anytime, by appointment

Upcoming Baptismal Classes:

September 10th & 17th October 1st & 8th

English : 2:00 - 4:30 Spanish: 2:30 - 5:00

Please Call Parish Office to Register (432) 520–7394. If you

have not received your child’s baptismal certificate please come by the office with a picture ID to obtain your child’s certificate.

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed this weekend for the Labor Day Weekend. Eucharistic Adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, Sept. 5th.

Have a safe and blessed Labor Day!

Sunday, September 3-Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, September 4 - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 5

Wednesday, September 6

Thursday, September 7

Friday, September 8 - The Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday, September 9 - St. Peter Claver

Sunday, September 10-Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last Week’s Collection

Regular $29,506.08 Building Fund $ 2,209.70 Other Income $ 3,690.10

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of September 3, 2017

Parish Office will be closed

Monday, September 4th.

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Aaron Marquez, Susan Johnson, Astrid Loeff, Jesse Julus Garcia,

Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Anita P., Adrian Ayala, Dorothy Bernreuther, Eva Chavez, Gina Angay,

Jesus Chavez Jr., Bertha Lujan, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Aaron Marquez, Sergio Patino, Gregory Navarrette, Smith Family, Kairos Rey Conde, Danovan Randolph, Natalie Eustace, Tyler Weeks, Fran Thetford, Raymond Contreras, Delma Lerma, Alfonso Marquez, Emma Valdez, Rosie Payen, Zesario Urias, Rowen H. Golden, Charles Waller, Ines Rodriguez, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Pearl Abalos, Micah Villa, Jane Ellen Hall, Ricky Montes, Marilio Olivas,

Eliacer Cordova Jr., Israel Sandoval, Adriana Ruiz, Ruiz Family, Palmer Ann Anderson, Bob Field, Dorothy Markey, Helene Naydock, William Bernreuther, Michael Naydock, Charles Schucofsky, Lorraine Koury, Bonnie Lentner,Margaret Robson, Esquivel Family, Villa Family, Micah Villa, Joe Munoz III, Jesus Munoz, Anita Morin, Gerald Thetford, Isela Ortega Legarreta, Tom Riker, Gabriela Rubio, Gabriel & Alyssa Aguirre, Ruiz Family, Robert & Maria Mata, Ignacio (J.R.) Villegas, Amber Melinda Villegas, Gracie Mata, Marty Barrett, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, George Rainey, Felipe Sotelo, Maria Jimenez, Vanessa Renteria, Jesus Hernandez, Ann Plumlee, Paul Rindahl, Joe Wright & Kim Nearburg, Ruben Belloc & family, Dominga Belloc & family, Mark Clark, Esmeralda Cortes, Mercy Sanchez, Angi Morales, Rebecca Cedillo, Cecilia Reyes, Terisa Munoz, Jude Munoz, Brittny Garza, Daniel P., Max Mendoza, Kenneth B. Jones, Jaden Marmolejo

Email frontdesk.sscc@att.net or call the office at 520-7394 to be added to the prayer list!

Eucharistic Adoration Openings

Friday: 12:00 a.m. (midnight Thursday) 1:00 a.m.

Please prayerfully consider signing up to spend an hour with our Lord in adoration! Call Linda Foster (habla español) at 432-559-8888 for information.

September 3 Iralynn Barriga

Matthew Bustamante Mirta Chavez

Karen Dominguez Antonio Hernandez

Rosio Lujan Bill McCormick

Luis Olivas Jian Trujillo

Casey Wallace Louise E. Wiles

September 4 Jessica Aguirre Audra Buescher

Laci Garcia Virginia Marquez Maria Martinez

Edel Molina Megan Ramirez Natalie Sledge Marcos Ybarra

September 5 Pedro Chavez

Elliott Goodman Aurora Jasso Mario Morales

Lorenzo Ramirez

September 6 Samuel Arnzen Robert Garcia Carmen Lopez Antonio Molina Yvonne Olbera

Greg Palko Yaima Paz

Marisol Perales Patricia Poor

Esperanza Read Gregory Ugwu-Eze

September 7 George Boy

Leann Brenner Toby Bunch

Jose Carrasco Victor Carrasco Olga Kovacich

Rodolfo Marquez Brighton Navarrete

Dale Olson Carmen Rodelo

Sammy Rodriguez Jasmine Salazar Andrew Tejeda

Alina Valdez Lilia Zaragoza

September 8 Francisco Anaya

Roger Basaldua Sr. Victor Brenon Bryce Jones

Ida McCormick Joan Midkiff Mike Nieman

Evelyn Ornelas Julia Sharum

Monica Sweatt

September 9 Sylvia Brown Frank Castillo

Jonathan Foster Jayson Hadlock Carson Lopez

Stephen Lopez-Barela

Esmeralda Lozano Katrina Montoya Eddie Murguia Monica Payan

Dorothy Ramos Adalynn Reyes

Kelsie Ruiz Sofia Suarez Mang Thang

September 10 Angelo Candelaria

Alan Lozano Amy Williams

Next Ethic's classes for the Midland/Odessa Deanery

Friday, September 8, 2017 at 6:30 PM-9:30 PM (In English & Spanish) in Midland at Our Lady of Guadalupe by Sister Elsa Garcia.

Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in Odessa at St. Mary Parish Activities Room by Juanita Silva.

For those of you that volunteer for CCD classes, Teachers, assistants, helpers, or with our Youth, Homebound ministries, YOU MUST, at least, have filled out a background check AND attend an Ethic’s workshop. Please choose one of these days mentioned above. To obtain a background check form please come by Parish office or click on website www.sanangelodiocese.org

Next weekend, September 9 & 10, we will take up a special collection in all our weekend Masses for the benefit of the College and University Campus Ministry in the Diocese of San Angelo. Our contributions to this collection will help to provide support for the Catholic faith life of the students at the colleges and universities located in our diocese.

El fin de semana próximo, el 9 y 10 de septiembre, recogeremos una colecta especial en todas las Misas del fin de semana para el beneficio del Pastoral Universitario en la Diócesis de San Ángelo. Nuestras contribuciones a esta colección ayudarán a proporcionar apoyo a la práctica de la fe de los estudiantes católicos en los colegios y universidades de nuestra diócesis.

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IT'S TIME FOR RCIA! RCIA starts at 6:45

pm Tuesday nights in the Church Ballroom. Do you need any of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,

Confirmation & Holy Eucharist) or would you like to learn more about our wonderful, rich and deep Catholic faith? Then RCIA is for you. Are you Catholic and would like to serve on Team RCIA? Please send me an email to billberry100@aol.com because we need your help.

"RCIA" stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It's the process by which adults come into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving their Sacraments of Initiation. It's free, childcare is provided, we have a lot of fun and we always have something good to eat.

In RCIA, we will have a lot of fun (and eat a lot) as we study 43 in-depth lessons on our faith and learn about 45 Saints. RCIA is a wonderful journey of faith and we welcome you to join us!

You may register for RCIA by sending an email to me at billberry100@aol.com or by filling out a sign-up form in the Church narthex.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

Registration is now ongoing in the Parish Office. Classes will begin

September 11 & 13. Please Register Now!

Any questions please contact Gretchen at (432) 520-7394

RCIA Certificates for 2016-2017

If you recently had your Sacraments celebrated at St. Stephen’s on Easter Vigil which took place on April 15, 2017 your certificates are ready to be picked up in the Parish Office.

Also if you were confirmed at San Miguel Arcangel by Bishop Sis on February 26th the certificates are ready to be picked up at the St. Stephen’s Parish Office.

If you have any questions please call Gladys Qualls at (432) 520-7394.

¡Es tiempo otra vez! Para nuestras inscripciones para la catecismo (Kinder al grado 12°) vengan a la oficina para registrarse. El costo es $25.00

por estudiante.

School has started, Fall is here, and our new Study, "Queen of Heaven" begins Wednesday the 6th from 9:00-10:30 a.m. (JoAnn Sulak 432-559-2658) and Thursday the 7th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Beverly Maciaz 432-686-8425) in Room 2. This 8-week DVD

and discussion Study explores Mary's life and her role in God's Plan. Study Guides are $20.00. Please consider joining us for this NEW Saint Benedict Press Study.

Altar Server Training For

Spanish and English Mass Servers

The privilege of serving on the altar at the Holy sacrifice of the Mass is a very special ministry. We at St. Stephen’s Parish are so proud of all the altar servers and we are grateful for their dedication. This is a beautiful ministry for female and male youth that requires long term commitment in terms of training, spiritual growth, and service. If you have received your first communion and feel a calling to join our altar server community we invite you to come to the training. Parents, we encourage you to attend as well.

Deacon Lorenzo Salazar will be offering this training for both English and Spanish servers. This is a must for all servers – whether you are new or experienced. Training is ongoing and required for all servers. We will have pizza after the training.

When: Monday, September 18th Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm Where: Sanctuary of the Church

If you have questions, please contact: Anne Hobbs 432-934-3192 Cindy Lujan 806-392-3714 Bianca Gonzales 432-894-9554

2017 Diocesan Conference Day The annual Diocesan Conference Day will be held October 21, 2017 at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo. The theme of the day is Missionary Discipleship: Called to Be a People of Justice / Discipulado Misionero: Llamados a ser un Pueblo de Justicia.

Keynote speaker is Jennifer Carr Allmon, Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.

This day includes keynote presentations, breakout sessions, Eucharist, lunch and exhibits.

The cost is $25.00 if postmarked before September 25, 2017, $30.00 after September 25, 2017, and $35.00 at the door. Lunch is included as part of the day.

For more information and registration, you can visit www.sanangelodiocese.org/evangelization-and-catechesis or contact the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at 325651-7500 or evangelizationcatechesis@sanangelodiocese.org.

DOMINGO 22° TIEMPO ORDINARIO CICLO “A”

Queridos hermanos hoy El maestro nos invita a ser discípulos, continuar su camino detrás de él porque aún no hemos alcanzado la madurez de discípulo. Veamos con se refiere Jesús a todos los discípulos para señalarles que el camino del seguimiento por parte del discípulo también comporta la cruz. No hay verdadero discipulado si no se asume el mismo camino del Maestro. El anuncio del evangelio trae consigo persecución y sufrimiento. Tomar la cruz significa participar en la muerte y resurrección de Jesús. La pérdida de la vida por la Causa de Jesús habilita al discípulo para alcanzarla en plenitud junto a Dios.

En el Bautismo hemos sido consagrados sacerdotes profetas y reyes. Por lo tanto, la dimensión profética de nuestra fe es íntima a la consagración bautismal. Hoy no podemos prescindir del profetismo en el seguimiento de Jesús. Y sabemos que las consecuencias del profetismo, vinculado estrechamente a la misión evangelizadora, son la oposición, la persecución, el rechazo y el martirio. Muchos hombres y mujeres en distintas partes del mundo se han jugado la vida por la fe y la defensa de los valores evangélicos. Si se quiere seguir a Jesús en fidelidad tendremos que enfrentar muchas contradicciones, caminar a contravía de lo que propone el orden establecido, la cultura dominante y la globalización del mercado –que no es otra cosa que la globalización de la exclusión.

Quisiéramos vivir un cristianismo cómodo, sin sobresaltos, sin conflictos. Pero Jesús es claro en su invitación: hay que tomar la cruz, hay que arriesgar la vida, hay que perder los privilegios y seguridades que nos ofrece la sociedad si queremos ser fieles al evangelio. ¿Cómo vivimos en la familia y en la comunidad cristiana la dimensión profética de nuestro bautismo? ¿Estamos dispuestos/as a correr los riesgos que implica el seguimiento de Jesús? ¿Conocemos personas que han vivido la experiencia del martirio por el evangelio? No tiene sentido seguir a Jesús solo en la gloria hay que seguirlo en su pasión y en el gozo. Si te es posible comparte estas preguntas con tu familia.

Hermana Gertrudis Muñoz Mendieta I.C.A.S.

AVISOS: • Habrá una colecta económica para ayudar a nuestros hermanos que están sufriendo las consecuencias de los tiempos en Houston.

Si no te es posible depositar tu ayuda en la iglesia puedes pasarlo a dejar en las oficinas, no te olvides que Dios nos da la oportunidad de ayudarlo en cada uno de los que están sufriendo.

• Se iniciaran las clases de Biblia con la hermana Gertrudis favor de anotarse a través de su número telefónico (432) 5202057 o pasar a las oficinas de la parroquia.

• El Santísimo Sacramento será reposado empezando el vienes 31 de agosto después de la Misa de las 5:30 PM hasta después de la

misa de las 7:00 AM el martes 5 de septiembre.

ADORACIÓN DEL SANTÍSIMO Personas interesadas en pasar una hora con El Santísimo en Adoración una vez por semana, durante las siguientes horas: Viernes: 12:00 AM (medianoche jueves)

1:00 AM

Si El Señor te esta llamando para pasar una hora con El acompañándolo, comuníquese con Linda Foster (habla Español) al 432-559-8888.

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Entrenamiento Para Monaguillos En Espanol y Ingles

El privilegio de servir en el altar durante la sagrada misa es un ministerio muy especial. Nosotros la iglesia de St. Stephens estamos muy orgullosos con nuestros Mona-guillos y estamos muy agradecidos con su dedica-

cion. Este es un ministerio hermoso para jovensitos y jovensitas, que requiere un compromiso a largo plazo en terminos de entrenamiento, crecimiento espiritual y servicio. Si as recivido el sacramento de la pri-mera comunion y sientes el llamado a servir en el altar te invitamos a que vengas a nuestro entrenamiento. Padres, les invitamos a que agan el proposito de asistir con su hijo(a). El Diacono Lorenzo Salazar estara entrenando a los Monaguillos de ingles y espanol. Este es un requisito para todos los monaguillos - Nuevo o con experiencia. Entrenaminto es recerido para todo los monaguillos. Tendremos pizza depues de el en-trenamiento. Si tienes preguntas, por favor llama a: Anne Hobbs 432-934-3192; Cindy Lujan 806-392-3714; o Bianca Gonzales 432-894-9554

Cuando: Lunes 18 de Septiembre A que hora: 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Donde: En el Santuario

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Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done last week:

Electricity 13 families $ 1,552.23 Rent 34 families $24,449.06 Misc. 3 families $ 219.00 Total $26,220.29

www.helpinghandsmidland.com

Catholic Women’s Conference: To all Catholic women in the San Angelo Diocese - You are already a force to be

reckoned with, imagine if you were united in the Holy Spirit with other Catholic women of the diocese in fellowship, purpose, and prayer! Imagine if you knew that other Catholic Women were praying for your needs and you had the opportunity to pray for the needs of so many other women like yourself! Where two or three are gathered in my name…(Matt 18:20)

You are invited to be a part of the Catholic Women’s Conference for the Diocese of San Angelo on September 29-30, 2017 at the McNeese Center in San Angelo. The theme of this year’s conference is “Outrageous Love, Martha & Mary - The Two Within Each of Us”. The conference will have inspirational speakers to help balance your daily life between God, family, and work and to assist you in facing the challenges that face women in marriage and relationships today. Mass will be celebrated and time will be offered for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Speakers include Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, Sarah Swafford, and Teresa Tomeo.

Early registration is $50 until September 1 and then $60 after September 1. This includes a box lunch for Saturday. To register contact www.HeartJMJ.org or call (325) 763-9400. Special hotel rates at Clarion Hotel (325) 658-2828 and Pearly of the Concho Historic Hotel (325) 653-4500. Mention the “Catholic Women’s conference.”

Front row, left to right: Alec Carrillo, James Buzan, Bobby Wiesman. Back row, left to right: Paul Pausé, John White, Gene True, Gary Miller, Eric Fuselier, Eric Juarez, Darrel Wiesman. Not pictured: Marcus Flores, Austin Good.

Thank you St. Stephen’s Knights of Columbus Council 12657! Our pickup truck that we use to haul unusable items to the landfill was recently vandalized to the point where it will not be drivable until extensive repairs can be made. Obviously our work cannot stop while we wait on re-pairs and piles of furniture and other items were accumulating rapidly in our yard. We called on the Knights and they responded that very weekend, making many, many trips to the landfill using their own trucks to haul our trailers. What a blessing they were (and always are!). Thank you again, guys, for bailing us out in our time of need. You are angels!!!

Out September Sale… This month we will be selling VHS tapes at the incredible price of 20 for $1! Cassettes are also on sale 10 for $1. You might even invest in VCR players that we usually have in stock and set up a little system in your child’s room. We have many Disney movies.