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Celebration of the EucharistCelebration of the EucharistCelebration of the EucharistCelebration of the Eucharist Saturday, 5:00pm (Vigil) Sunday, 7:00, 8:30, 11:30am and 5:00pm Monday-Saturday, 8:30am Thursday, 6:30pm

Nursery and Children’s Liturgy of the WordNursery and Children’s Liturgy of the WordNursery and Children’s Liturgy of the WordNursery and Children’s Liturgy of the Word Sunday, 8:30 and 11:30am Masses Nursery is in Room 8

Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Thursday, 5:00-6:00pm Saturday, 1:30-4:30pm Also by appointment

Parish Registration Parish Registration Parish Registration Parish Registration at Welcome Desk, all Masses.

My Own Church My Own Church My Own Church My Own Church is a dynamic resource for all parishioners allowing you to access and update all of your own family information, register for classes, financial giving history and more online!

EEEE----Giving and Text Giving Giving and Text Giving Giving and Text Giving Giving and Text Giving options are available. Visit our website www.ssmrcc.org for more information.

BaptismBaptismBaptismBaptism Families who would like to have a child baptized must register for a Baptismal Preparation Class.

First Eucharist, Reconciliation & ConfirmationFirst Eucharist, Reconciliation & ConfirmationFirst Eucharist, Reconciliation & ConfirmationFirst Eucharist, Reconciliation & Confirmation You must be enrolled in Christian Formation programs. Separate registration forms, fees, and classes apply. Sacramental Preparation is separate from BLAZE and Life Teen.

MarriageMarriageMarriageMarriage

If a marriage is being planned, 6 months notice is required to the priest before a date can be set. During the 6 months, the couple will be required to complete the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program.

OFFICE HOURS:OFFICE HOURS:OFFICE HOURS:OFFICE HOURS:

Monday through Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm

Friday 9:00am - 12:30pm

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All are Welcome!

1544 Ba�lefield Boulevard South Chesapeake, Virginia 23322�2041�

Phone: 757�421�7416 Fax: 757�421�7488 e�mail: [email protected] website: www.ssmrcc.org�

Parish Mission Statement:Parish Mission Statement:Parish Mission Statement:Parish Mission Statement:

Baptized into the Body of Christ, Nourished by word and sacrament,

Celebrating our faith in the Catholic Tradition, We are the people of St. Stephen, Martyr.

We are called to create a community in the image of Jesus: Led by the Holy Spirit, Rich in forgiveness,

Committed to service, Working for justice, A place of peace!

For this, we give thanks.

Second Sunday of Easter � April 27/28, 2019 St. Stephen, Martyr • Chesapeake, VA • �

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Bap&sm Of The Lord � January 12/13, 2019 St. Stephen, Martyr • Chesapeake, VA • �

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Second Sunday of Easter � April 27/28, 2019 St. Stephen, Martyr • Chesapeake, VA • Page 3�

RCIA/RCIC�

SSM welcomes into “full-communion” the following

RCIC/RCIA “Neophytes” for Easter 2019! Join us in

welcoming them!

RCIA Catechumens

Tyler Strother

Jason Swoope

RCIA Candidates

Arthur Castillo

Mary Castillo

Melissa Gilbert

Sharyn Guthrie

Jeff Hall

John Joines

Suzanne Joines

Anthony Maggio

Laura Verville

RCIC Candidates

Charles Laurent

Current Events

Fr. Brian’s 25th Year Of

Ordination Celebration!

Save the Date! On Sunday, May 19 we

will celebrate Fr. Brian’s 25 year

Anniversary of Ordination. We will

celebrate our usual morning Masses,

7:00am, 8:30am and 11:30am however,

there will be NO 5:00PM MASS.

• Everyone is asked to please bring a

side or main dish to share.

• SSM will provide paper products,

drinks and dessert.

• Bring chairs, blankets, and yard

games.

• WE NEED VOLUNTEERS for set

up, keeping tables filled with food and

for cleanup. Please email

[email protected] if you can

help!

Join Fr. Brian to help celebrate 25 years

of loyal service to God!�


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Current Events

Pew Fundraiser

Please consider making a

donation for new pews at St.

Stephen, Martyr! Donations of

any amount are greatly appreciated. There are

multiple ways to make a donation. To donate

through e-giving please visit www.ssmrcc.org,

E-giving and from the drop down box please select

Special Collections - Pew Fundraiser. Pick up an

envelope labeled Pew Fundraiser from the

credenzas in the Commons or bring your own

envelope labeled Pew Fundraiser and drop it in the

collection basket or bring it to the office. Thank you

in advance for your generosity.

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Mother’s Day Novena

The Mother's Day Novena begins May 4 and runs

for 9 consecutive days ending on Mother’s Day,

Sunday, May 12. Please place your Novena

envelope in the collection plate or bring it directly to

the office any time before Saturday, May 4.

St. Elisabeth Convent Is Coming!

The Sisters of St. Elisabeth in Belarus visited our

parish in 2011. They brought beautiful items for sale.

The proceeds support many important ministries of

their convent. Fr. Brian has invited them to return to

our parish the weekend of May 11/12.

Please come prepared with cash and checks; the

sisters are not able to accept credit cards.

Spring Blood Drive

Our Spring blood drive will be on

Wednesday, May 29 from 1:00-7:00pm in

the Commons. If you are at least 17 years

of age weighing 110 pounds and in good

health may donate blood. Donors who meet certain

donation criteria may elect to make a “double red

cell” donation. Mark your calendars to donate!!

Please stop by the Blood Drive table in the

Commons to sign up to donate and/or volunteer.

Sign ups will be after all Masses on the weekends

of May 11/12, 18/19, and 25/26. If you are unable

to sign up after a Mass you can sign up on line at

www.redcrossblood.org. Please use sponsor code

ssmrcc. Our goal for this drive is 55 pints.

Volunteers are needed to help set up,

clean up, registration, and to serve in the canteen

area. Thank you so much in advance!

St. Stephen, Martyr • Chesapeake, VA • �

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Prayers for Priests

Please join us for week 3 in praying for our Priests.

This prayer was written by Pope Benedict XVI.

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest, you offered

yourself to the Father on the altar of the cross and

through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gave your

priestly people a share in your redeeming sacrifice.

Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests.

Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial

priesthood may be ever more conformed to you,

the Divine Master.

May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and

clear conscience. Let them be shepherds according

to your own heart, single-minded in service to you

and to the Church, and shining examples of a holy,

simple, and joyful life. Through the prayers of the

Blessed Virgin Mary, your Mother and ours, draw all

priests and the flocks entrusted to their care to the

fullness of eternal life where you live and reign with

the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Save The Date For A Prayer Service!

Join Fr. Brian as we have our first annual prayer

service, Saturday, May 25 at 9:00am. This is a time

to remember our beloved family and friends. The

Rita R. Hughes Memorial Prayer Garden is located

next to the rectory, opposite the cemetery and

fountain. Bring a lawn chair and plan to join us in the

beautiful garden!

Carriers and Mass Coordinators Needed

We are in need of carriers after the Sunday 5:00pm

Mass. This ministry is absolutely

essential. At the end of Mass, the

carrier goes to the Sacristy, helps

pack the collection bag, and drives it

over to the night deposit at the bank.

Mass Coordinators make sure that all ministries

are filled prior to the start of Mass.

There so many other behind the

scenes tasks which help Mass to run

smoothly. If you are an organized

person, we need YOU to become a

Mass Coordinator!

Nursery Help Needed

We are in need of substitute

volunteers for the Nursery. You

need to be Virtus trained and

available on a last minute basis to

fill in when our regular ladies are

sick or out of town.

We are also asking able and available DAD'S to

volunteer in the Nursery for Mother's Day! Our goal

is that ALL Mom's are able to relax and enjoy Mass

on Mother's Day!! Please contact Traci in the office

if you are interested at 757-421-7416 or email at

[email protected].

Rice Bowls

Rice Bowl contributions are due the first week in

May. Please place them in the basket on the

credenza to the right. If you did not participate in

the Rice Bowl program and would like to make a

donation place the contribution in the basket or

donate directly at www.crsricebowl.org, donate.

Thank you so much for your Almsgiving!


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Adult Faith Formation

If you have questions, please contact the Adult Faith Office

at [email protected] or 757-421-7416.�

The Footprints of God

Look, what people have said about the "Footprints of

God."

�"Often I've said that one cannot be more Jewish than

to be Catholic! It is equally true that one cannot be

more Catholic than to be steeped in the Jewish roots

of our Faith! There has never been an undertaking to

compare with this series in the history of our Church,

and I am deeply indebted to Steve Ray and to

Ignatius Press for their intense labor in providing for

us such an utterly thrilling inspirational and

educational gift. I suspect our lives, and the lives of

our children, will never be the same." - Rosalind

Moss, Apologist, Catholic Answers, Co-host of

EWTN's Household of Faith. �

THE ENTIRE JOURNEY IS FREE! Classes will be

held on Mondays, April 29 through June 8 from

9:30-11:30am in rooms 3 and 4. Join us as we

explore on location, the lands of the Bible and the

Salvation Story from a uniquely Catholic perspective!

We have room for 60 attendees!

Upper Room Prayer Fellowship

There will be a special guest speaker at the next

Upper Room Prayer Fellowship meeting on

Tuesday, April 30 from 7:00-8:30pm in the

Sanctuary. She will share her story of losing her

daughter. Don't miss this inspiring story of faith,

hope and mercy as we are allowed to peak into her

passion for Jesus, the Eucharist and our Lady;

Mary. All teens and adults are invited to join us in

worship and prayer!

Encountering Christ

Coming Soon! The Makers of the Wild Goose

proudly present "The Mass: An Introduction." This is

a four part series presented by the Archdiocese of

Mobile in association with 4PM Media. The DVD

features Archbishop Rodi with Fr. Victor Ingalls, Dr.

Norman McCrummen, and Dr. Allison Meyer. All,

youth or adult are welcome to join us. This course is

the first of a 2-part series called "Encountering

Christ!" As Catholics, we go deeper in our faith,

specifically in our love for the Eucharist and how to

live and use both the fruits and gifts given to us at

Confirmation! We will meet in Gordon Hall (office)

Thursdays from May 2-May23 from 7:00pm-8:30pm.

The second "Encountering Christ" series is The Wild

Goose is Loose featuring Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR.

This series will meet on Thursdays from June 6-July

25 from 7:00pm-8:30pm. We only have room for

30 guests!

First Corinthians

How is community built? How is faith deepened in

difficulty times? How do our lives affect others in

positive and negative ways? Please join us to

experience a very practical look at this very

important letter from the writings of St. Paul. These

classes will be offered by Dr. Buchner on the

following Wednesdays in May 1, 15, 22 and 29. The

morning class will begin at 9:00am in room 1 and

then it will be repeated at 7:00pm in Gordon Hall

(office). We hope to see you there!


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Volunteers Needed�


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Parish Council Nominations

The Parish Council at St. Stephen, Martyr advises

the Pastor on many Parish matters and

issues. Parish Council members are also meant to

be visible examples of cooperation, healing

presence, leadership, and trust who strive to

enable all members of the Parish to discover,

develop, and offer their gift of service to the Parish

community.

There are 4 general membership vacancies that

will be filled by discernment in June of this

year. The Parish Council consists of Christian

faithful who are in full communion with the Catholic

Church, 18 years of age or older, and registered in

this Parish. Aside regular monthly meetings, the

time commitment to parish council is approximately

1-2 hours a week. Only those who are willing to

accept the calling and remain dedicated to the time

commitment will be considered for discernment.

We ask that all parishioners give this important

ministry prayerful consideration. If interested,

please place your name in the wooden box on the

credenza outside the kitchen labeled "Parish

Council Nominations". Nominations will be

accepted until Sunday, May 12.

Please feel free to contact any of the current

members of the Parish Council if you have any

questions. Information sessions will also be held for

willing nominees in late May after the nomination

period has closed. Please see a member of Parish

council at any Mass they can be located by their

white/gray name tags if you have additional

questions.

Save The Date!

You are invited to a farewell reception for Deacon

Keith Fournier and his wife Sunday, May 26 at

1:00pm in the Commons. Please join us as we wish

him all the best as he embarks on a new adventure

in Texas. He has been a devoted and faithful

Deacon to our Parish for many, many years. His

vast knowledge of our faith has been a true asset.

His willingness to share his guidance has been a

true blessing to all! We wish him great success in

all his future endeavors. Thank you for your loyal

and faithful service to our Parish.

All You can Eat Shrimp Fest!

St. Matthew's Catholic School invites

you to join us for our 3rd annual Shrimp

Fest on Thursday, May 9 from 6:00-

10:00pm. Tickets are $35 per person and include

all you can eat Shrimp, BBQ, Cole Slaw, Baked

Beans, Hush Puppies, Corn on the Cob, and adult

beverages. Tickets can be purchased online for

$36.50 at http://smsvb.net/news-and-events/

carnival/ or text SHRIMP to 757-279-2982 to

purchase using your cell phone. Reconnect with

your St. Matthew's classmates and friends. The Tiki

Bar Band will provide LIVE entertainment.

Proceeds benefit the students and the school.

Come One, Come All!

St. Matthew's Catholic School annual

Spring Carnival will be held Friday, May 10 from

5:00pm-10:00pm and Saturday, May 11 from

11:00am-10:00pm. Our theme this year is "Under

the Sea." There will be mechanical rides for all ages

including a Ferris Wheel, games, prizes, great food,

vendors, beverages, and bands. The band lineup is

as follows; Friday night -Saved by the 90s, Saturday

starting at 2:00pm -Cody James, and Saturday night

- The Delorean's 80's Band! This event is open to

the public with no admission fee! For more

information please visit our website http://smsvb.net/

news-and-events/carnival/. Don't miss this great

FAMILY FUN event for all ages! Purchase all-day

ride wristbands in advance by going to our Carnival

website or text RIDES to 757-279-2982 on

your mobile device!


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Our Gifts To The Lord

Due to the early submission date the

offertory numbers will be in the weekly

email this week.

PARISH STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Brian Rafferty ([email protected])

Deacon Keith Fournier ([email protected])

Deacon Kevin Trail ([email protected])

Business Manager: Crystal Anderson ([email protected])

Office Manager: Maura Waggoner ([email protected])

Communication Director: Zoe Barnette ([email protected])

Facility Manager: Alex Shuflat ([email protected])

Liturgy: Marge Marino ([email protected])

Music Director: Jessica Kohan ([email protected])

Religious Education: (K-5 grade)

Traci Baker ([email protected])

Religious Education: (6-12 grade)

Ashley Weaver ([email protected])

Adult Faith Formation & Social Ministry:

Scott Turbitt ([email protected])

Evangelization:

Dr. Jack Buchner ([email protected])

Monday, April 29

8:30am Mass (John Madden)

Tuesday, April 30

8:30am Mass (Frank A. Chebetar)

Wednesday, May 1

6:30am Mass

8:30am Mass (Tom Emsley)

Thursday, May 2

8:30am Mass

6:30pm Mass

Friday, May 3

8:30am Mass (Amanda Witt)

7:00pm Mass

Saturday, May 4

8:30am Mass

5:00pm Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr)

Sunday, May 5

7:00am Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr)

8:30am Mass (Carol Federico)

11:30am Mass (Bonita McLane)

5:00pm Mass (Holy Souls In Purgatory)

Mass Intentions

Your Prayers are Cherished

for Loved Ones Inside our Parish

Tony Cieslewicz

Tudy Gibson

Claudia Colbert

Matthew Cain

Your Prayers are Cherished

for Loved Ones Outside our Parish

Michael Namura

Jomar Almeda

Candy Capellan

Charles Hamilton

Jane Campagna

Helen Nichols

Melissa Jones

The Struckmeyer Family

Marilyn Buck

Rest In Peace

Shirley Starr


Third Sunday Of Easter

May 4/5, 2019

Scripture Readings:

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19


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Announcements


CATHOLIC QUOTES

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"Mercy is the greatest a�ribute of God."

� St. Faus�na �

Words To Inspire The Faithful�

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Prayer for Our Troops

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless

acts they perform for us in our time of need,

and bring them home safely.

May their sacrifices bring about a lasting

and just peace in all lands.

I ask this in the name of Jesus,

Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Office

The office will reopen Monday, April 29.

First Friday Adoration

First Friday is Friday, May 3 through Saturday, May

4. Please sign up to adore our Savior at

www.ssmrcc.org, worship, Eucharistic Adoration,

Sign-ups.

Amazing Grays

The Amazing Grays will meet again on Wednesday,

May 1. We will meet at 11:00am for Mass. Following

Mass we will meet in rooms 3 and 4 and have

lunch onsite.

Altar Flowers

The Altar Flowers this weekend are in loving

memory of Sheryl Rodimer.


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Learn More About Your Faith

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Why Do We Do That?

Where did the feast of Divine Mercy

come from?

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If you were born well before the year

2000, you know the feast of Divine Mercy

has not always been celebrated in the

Church. In the early 1900s, a young

Polish nun began receiving private

revelations. Jesus appeared to her during her times

of prayer, speaking a message of mercy and love

for the world. She received a set of prayers - the

Divine Mercy Chaplet - and the request to have a

feast day established to remind the Church of the

mercy of God. St. Faustina died in 1938, on the

cusp of war and in the midst of one of the most

violent centuries in the history of the world.

Her story and her diaries began circulating in Poland

and beyond. It quickly became apparent that this

was a holy young women, and the cause for her

canonization opened. In the year 2000, she was

canonized by the first-ever Polish pope, St. John

Paul II. On her canonization day, he established the

second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday,

"a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face,

with confidence in divine benevolence, the

difficulties and trials that mankind with experience in

the years to come."

Gospel Meditation

Encourage A Deeper Understanding

Of Scripture

He has you in mind. How often do we think about

that? The God of the universe has us in mind,

individually as persons and together as one

human family. We hear this truth in today's Gospel

story of Thomas. His doubt is likely familiar to us

by now. "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his

hands and put my finger into the nail marks and

put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Jesus is God. He could have risen any way he

wanted. He could have risen perfectly healed, as a

further sign of his power over death and suffering.

But when Thomas encounters him, we see what

Jesus chose. "Put your finger here and see my

hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe." In

resurrecting his body, Jesus already has Thomas

in mind. Jesus retains his wounds for Thomas, for

the disciples, and for all who would doubt the

sacrificial power of love. This intentional love of

Jesus is echoed by John and his disciples, who

authored this Gospel. "Jesus did many other

signs...these are written that you may come to

believe that Jesus is the Christ...and that through

this belief you may have life in his name."

From its earliest beginnings, the Church knew the

power of sign and story. When they wrote the

Gospels, they had us in mind. We are all Thomas

from time to time. We need to see the mercy of

God lived and real in our lives. This can happen

throughout the circumstances of our daily comings

and goings. It can also happen through meditating

on the Scripture, through placing ourselves in the

stories and listening to God's voice speaking. We

don't get to see what the disciples got to see, but

we know, through them, that God always has us in

mind. As he reminds the disciples, "Blessed are

those who have not seen and have believed."

all are welcome!ssmrcc.org/wp-content/uploads/april-28.pdf · arthur castillo mary castillo melissa...

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