fourth sunday of advent
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St. Stephen Catholic Church Sunday BulletinTRANSCRIPT
2747 Pali HighwayHonolulu, Hawaii 96817
(8081 5es-3105
-.E [email protected] facebook.com/st.stephenPali
OFFICE HOURS:Tues-Thurs: 9:OO am to 5:00 pmMon, Fri & Sat: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
PASTORFr. Khanh Pham-Nguyen
PERMANENT DEACONDeacon Ronald Choo
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTRosemary Hashimoto
FAITH FORMATION
CCD-ChildrenVelma Guieb-Mamuad
Youth & ConfirmationRosemary Hashimoto (interim)
i?. C. L A.Debbie Fujiyama
Paish Scripture GroupsFrancis Jordan
PARISH MINISTRIES
Homebaund & BereansementVirginia Jordan & Helen Luke
HospitalityTBA- (SaturdayVigil)
Donald Yee (Sunday)
Altar SeraerNicole Heafner
Liturgical MusicLeka Leaeno (Saturday Vigi\StanleyWong (Sunday)
LectorBeverly Perry
HoIy Communion at MassJennifer Tamayo
Sacris*yCeline Asato & David Tom
Justice & PeaceTBA
-
(Respect Life)
TBA _ (Aloysius Food pantry)
,94 _(Family promise Hawaii)
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
Pastoral CouncilPatricia Silva
Ste a ards hip / D i sc iple s hip C a u nc ilBernard Ho (interim)
Finance CouncilJames Solidum (interim)
Liturgy CommbsionTBA
B uildins/ P lanning CommitteeLoretta Chee & Richard Leong
Social FelloushipSui Kozuma & Kitchen Crew
WEEKEND MASS..
SATURDAY (Main Church) .. 4:oo Pm itSUNDAY (Chapet) ....7:15 am
:(Main Church) 9:3O am :
WEEKDAY MASS ,
Chapelofst,Catherine _ t
MONDAY_SATURDAY 8:OO AM
CONFESSION
SATURDAY 3:oo - 3:45 PmSUNDAY 8,45 - 9:15 am
DEVOTION & ADORATIONEucharistic Adoration ...... WED Mass
Holy Rosary before Mass
-I-VIS|TATIONOFTHESICK: Priest and Homebound Ministers are available to visit
the infirm or hospitalized. Please contact the Parish. For sacramental
emergency, call 595-3105 and press #2
BAPTISM: Sacramental preparation is required. If you are expecting or have a
child to be baptized, please call the Parish office for more information
MARRIAGE: The Diocese of Honolulu requires couples to marry in the Church
to participate in the preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony. Couples
should contact the office for Marriage Preparation at least 6 months before the
wedding
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Kokua! Please contact your church prior tomaking arrangements with a funeral home {Funerals on Tuesday, Thursday ar Friday}
PARISHIONERS: When changing address/telephone, or moving out of the
Parish, please kindly noti$r the office
NEW PARISHIONERS: If you would like to become a parishioner of St. Stephen,
please use forms available at the entrance of the Church or contact the office
E KOMO MAI
*f#d+,rf
Saturday, December zt:
4:oo p.m. Mass: Parish Families
Sunday, December zz:
7:15 a.m. Mass: Parish Families
9:3o am Mass: Parlsh Families
Monday, December z3:
8 am Mass: t Zacarias Baron
Tuesday, December z4:
8 am Mass: No MASS
Wednesday, December z5:
8 am Mass: SOLEMNITY
Thursday, December z6:
8 am Mass: All families
Friday, December z7:
8 am Mass: Joe Almuena (healing)
Saturday, December z8:
8 am Mass: t Benigno & Maria Guieb
For the sick & homebound:RO LAND ALBARADO, MARGARET
ROBELLO, HARRY BENDER, GINNYSTAHL, ETHELAU, MABEL LUKE
For the recently deceased:IGNACIO BABAUTA, JANE AKI,
MARTIN LUKE, IRENE JOHNSON,DAVID LIU, BOBBY LOWE, BEN
SANTOS, ETHEL LEE, JOHNNASCIMENTO, WALLY CHANG,
FANNIE GORA, ELLEN SHAM,PATSYTAM, GWENDOLYN
JOSEPH, HAZEL ANDRADE, MARIA
GUIEB, MERRY CRIS HO, YVONNE
PACARRO
rzlzz Clement MorikamaCipriano Mirasol
:.zlz3 Georgia VieirraEmiliana Tangonan
tzlz4 VictoriaMakulehua
tzlz5 Violet FarmHarold Lum
:,zlz6 James RobelloHilda Azevedo
tzlzT Antone PerreiraZacarias Baron
:-zlz9 Beatrice FerretraStePhen BeczYnski
GO$D IVE\,i/S
lsaiah 7:ro-r4 / Romans :;:'7 lMatthew t:.8*24
Lately l've come to appreciate Joseph in ways that belie his rare appearance in
Scripture.
We know very little about him. At Christmas, he's the husband who didn't
abandon Mary when Jewish law told him he could. ln Christian arl, he's
frequently the "third wheel" in pictures of the nativity focused on Mary and
Jesus.
ln today's readings, we have one of the three Joseph stories that appear in
Matthew's Gospel. After reading all of them, l've concluded that Joseph never
got a full night's sleep and was remarkably attentive to messages conveyed by
angels, because in each story he's awakened from a dream and told what to do.
And then he does it.
I envy his absolute confidence in God's unusual form of communication and
admire the care he exhibits for his wife and adopted son.
So many times we spend energy trying to be the center of attention. We wantto control our lives and dictate the path we'll follow. Joseph is our reminder thatthey serve God who simply do his will without question.
Paul talks about service in a different way. He calls him-self a slave of Jesus', in
whose service he gladly preaches and even suffers. And Paul reminds us we're
called to holiness, which has nothing to do with being the center of attention.Holiness is aligning ourselves with God's will and being willing to change course
when the angel of the Lord comes in with a different plan.
Maybe the question for us this Advent is, "Where is God calling us to holiness
now?" Mary Katharine Deeley I [email protected]
AL(}YSIUS TOM FOOD PANTRY
Thank you for your gifts for the Loving Tree.
STE\ftIARDSI-,{IP OF OI-JR LORD
AUOTE OF THE WEEK
". .Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a
son, and shall name him Emmanuel. . . " lsaiah 7:r4
Weekly Offerings( oec. t4 & t5, zoq)
Sat 4 pm Moss
7:t5 am Mass
9:jo am Mass
'i*tci Offering
DonationsiCol Iections
Votive Offering
Retired Religious
lmmaculate ConcePtion
BuildingFund
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CCD
DeczT6:oo Trolley ride
YOIITH
Year l-bakingYouth-caroling at N uuanu
Fr:rish Scripture Croups
ResumesWed. January Bth
R.C.r.A.
Resumes January 7th
Tuesday, December z4:5,:g :;redule
Wednesday, December z5:
fu * i.<i: arisiic 4*ia::-*ti*:t
Thursday, December z6:
7:$o p.m. {hristmas practfce
Friday, December z7:
6:** p.rn" ?r*!iey ri<ie ([ir::it l+]
Next Weeh: Dec 28 €t 29, 2013
Nts!-Lerver:[SatJ -iv!arian,
john Pa*i, Ce*nge
H*ule
[Sun] -zachar;*, L*g*rt {h+*,
Ce+sis i"*ahn
Lectot:[SatJ -r=ear;s *'{or'iriitvn l{o
[Sun] - ;1fi*i:ie* !'{a-*r'*e!'}o &s'iarita
EMHE:
[Sat] - c:i';: H:uie,l't! Lo'lr
[SunJ *- =aie;'r Luke, Y*r:i F*rm,
Frerrk -?*rda*. Ariette Aki
Collection Counting: Tearn ,
Church Cleaners: {arrnen ftcjas, Se*T*rn, *a:;d,v T*m, Marth* iil*ck.,:ilar:y -eafrre;, l*ii{s ;a"Jya
LOVING TR=E
Mahalo for your gifts and prayers to our kupuna, nursing home and
homebound parishioners. The warmth and love that you bring to them thistime of the year in the name of Christ. Will you remember to offer prayers forthem throughout the year as well? They are nearer to God than we are and willpray for you too.
DECK THE }_{I\LLS
Mahalo to all who helped with the lights and the trees. More help is needed on
Sunday December 22nd after the Nuuanu Hale Caroling to complete the'Christmasing' of the sanctuary Additional help is needed on Monday for thechapel. Please join our daily Mass at 8:oo a.m. and help after coffee.Note: Church will be undecked on January 12th, the Baptism of the Lord.
CHRIST'MAS CAROL}hIG
One of the highlights of our Christmas preparation is a visit to our parishionersat Nu'uanu Hale. This is such a busy time of the year and yet to make time tobring some cheer to those are not able to join us for the Christmaspreparations will bless your socks. Join with our CCD families, our MusicMinistry and Outreach volunteers (even if you think you cannot sing).
FEAST ()F CHRiSTREAS SCh{EDULE
Tuc:sdar.. Dcccrnbcr'2,1,th:?'lgii. Mass r>f tiae Nadl,iqv *iike kirei5:$(} p.rn. Chrisenas Carols & 5:30 p.rn. Vig:l k{ass (Clhiklren's l,iturgl')9:30 p.rn. CFristmas Ca:'ols -Aroi:nd the Wcrid (inith ibllrxt,siiip in Farisl: IirLii)1].:15 p.rn. Chris&nas Carols & Midaight Mass
\,\retlnesclav. l)c.r:crnircr 25tli f*e* Hati*iry *i*+ !-ss"{*
8:** a.rn. Chris&.nas Day Mass ((-'ir;rpcl ci'St. Cathcriiic)'l-hursdal,, Dccembcr 2(ith F'aest ef Sl -Qeephen, Fr+t*-b5arryr
8:00 am. Ildass (Chapcl of'St. Ll:rtirerir:e)
Sunrlav Deccmber 29th F-=rxi *f &e H*}v Famiiy
4:00 pm Vigil klass (Satultial')
7 :L 5 zn Sunday Mass (Clha;r,-:i < if' St . C'ati rcri r rc)
9,30 arn SuadayMass
FAITh{ FCIRMATIGN-Trolley Ride & Epiphany Celebration
Honolulu City Lights Trolley Ride on December zTth at 6:00 p.m. Gatherat 5:3o p.m. in the Parish Hall (park along the back near Nuuanu stream)Please see the sign up sheet as there is limited seating.Everyone is invited to an EPIPHANY CELEBRATION January 5th is
traditionally the day that Christians exchange gifts to commemorate thevisit of the Magi. Your talents and gifts are welcome as we share togetherthe gifts God has given us. Our youth (and Faith Formation) arecoordinating our Epiphany Fellowship. Any one interested in participatingplease see Rachel Heafner, Zachary Choo, Carly Nakano or Bennet Chun.
Monday,December235t. John of Kantg
Malachi 3:1*4, 23-24Luke 7:57-46
Tuesday,December 24
2 SamuelT 1-5,Bb-72,14a,16Luke L:67-79
Wednesdag,Aecewber 25Nativitg of the Lord
Vigil: Isaiah 62:7-5Acts 13:16-17,22-25
Matthew 11-25Midnight: Isaiah 9:1-6
Titus 2:11-14Luke2:1-14
Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12Tiius 3:z[-7
Luke2:!5--24
Day: Isaiah 52:7-1OHebrews 1:1--6John 1:1-18
Matthew 1:18-25
Thursday,December 265t. Stephen, Protomantgn
Acts 6:8-10,7:54*59Matthew 10:17-22
Friday,Oecember 275t. John, Apostle E €vangelist
l" John l:1-4John 20: 7a,2--8
Saturday,December 26Feast of the Holg lnnocents
l John l:5-22Matthew 2:13-18
SMNOAY, Decewber 29Feart af the Holu Familu
Sirach 32-9,12-t4Colossians 3:12-2L
Matthew 2:13-t5,19-23
de ar PAD Rf,
I just Jound out there are two versions of the Chrktmas story in
the Bible. How can that be? Whaf s the dfference?
One Christmas story is in Matthew, and the other is in
Luke. They differ on some details-but at their hearts,
the teaching is the same.
In both, Mary is a virgin engaged toJoseph but not yet
living with him, and Jesus is conceived through the
power of the Holy Spirit. Both also have Jesus born in
Bethlehem.
In Matthew, the angel announces Jesus' birth to
Joseph; in Luke, Mrry receives the announcement. Jesus
is named byJoseph in Matthew and by Mrry in Luke.
The biggest difference involves the Christmas visitors.
Matthew's Magi were educated Gentiles from a pagan
country. They worshiped Jesus and brought gifts ofgold, frankincense, and myrrh, showing us at the start ofthe Gospel thatJesus is King, Priest, and Savior. Luke is
al-ways partial to the poor, so he has shepherds rather
than Magi witness to Christ.
The Christmas stories are different because the
authors and their audiences were different. But there's
no need to get lost in the details. Read both accounts,
and allow God's grace to deepen your faith.
Fr. John Murray, C SsR [email protected]
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Mondav, f)ecember 24th
Vigil Mass of the Nativity of the Lord
5,OO p.m. Christmas Carols & 5,30 p.m. VBiI Mass (Children's titurgy)
9,30 p.m. Christmas Carols Around the World (with fellowship in Parish Hall)
11,I5 p.m. Chrisfmas Carols & Midnight Mass
Tuesday, December 25th
The Nativity of the Lord
8,OO a.m. Christmas Day Mass (Chapelof St. Catherine)
\&'ednesdar,. December 26th
't Feast of St. Stephen, Proto*Marryr
,.' , ' 8,OO a.m. Mass (Chapelof St. Catherine)
= Sunclay, f)ecernber 30th
. Feast of the HolY FamilY
,,:-.:,1; 4,OO pn Vigil Mass (Saturday)
" ' 7,15 am Sunday Mass (Chapel of St. Catherine)
:;::;'t:-;', 9,3O am Sunday Mass
':',, 'I'uesdav..Ianuarv lst (Nelv Year)
,t,,tt,, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mother of God
'.: 8,OO a.m. Mass (Chapelof St. Catherine)
,i,.,:;;:t:' 1" Sunday..Ianuary 6th
Solemnity of the Epiphany
4,OO pm Vigil Mass (Saturday)
7,15 amSundayMass (Chapelof St. Catherine)
9,30 am Sunday Family Mass (with celebration to follow in the Parish Hall)
, :l:"
Th:d: fiourth, Sunday of Advent
Ref le ctio n s
the SeasonAdvent
fo,of
In His Own Words ...POPE FRANCIS
Faith is no refuge for the
fainthearted, but somethingwhich enhances our lives.
It makes us aware of a
magnificent calling, the
vocation oflove. It assures us
that this love is trustworthyand worth embracing, for it isbased on God's faithfulnesswhich is stronger tha-n oureveryweakness.., ,r'
- Lumen Fidei, 53
IO'.PD JESUSITrust in the Lord
Matthew 1:18-24
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts! - see Psalm 95
In today's Gospel,
we hear the familiarstory of"how the
birth of |esus Christcame about" from the
perspective ofJoseph.
When all seems to go
wrong, Joseph stilltries to do what is
humanlyright. WhenGod reveals to hima different plan, one
that seems to make
|oseph s life moredifficult, he responds
with trust: "he did as
the angel ofthe Lordhad commandedhim." |oseph shows
us that at the heartof right relationshipwith God lies trustthat is put into action.
ADYENT ffiffiffiffiffiThe people that walked in darknesshaye seen a great light! (Isaiah 9:1)
God of wisdom,bless us with Mary's "yes"
as we welcome Emmanuel intoour hearts and homes.
Amen.
&y"':'the season ofAdvent teach us
about trustingGod?
Av;;;,i'dfficult to let go
and trust in theLord?
"The Presentatlon in the Temp e' (Courtesy of Michael D. O'Brien, www.studlobrlen.com)
Ovi';;I might trustmore fully as
I prepare forthe Christmascelebration?
Above: Shutterstock. CNS. Stock
During the last days of Advent, popular customs ar the world also draw ourattention to the circumstances surrounding |esus'birth.
ADYENTAROUIVD THE WCRLD
LAS POSADAS is a reenactmentof Mary's and |oseph's journey fromNazareth to Bethlehem and their searchfor lodging. (Posada is the Spanishword for dwelling or lodging.) FromDecember 16, on nine consecutive nights,a group gathers at the local church. Afterreciting part ofthe Rosary, they processthrough the neighborhood, knocking ondoors while singing a traditional caroland asking for a place to stay, but are
refused entry. The procession ends at thedesignated home that finally lets them in,and a great celebration follows.
WIGILIA is the Polish name forChristmas Eve. When the first starappears in the sky, the Christmas tree islit and dinner begins. The Christmas Eve
meal starts with a prayer, the sharing ofthe blessed oplatek (a bread wafer), and
exchanging wishes. Each person gathered
offers good health and success in theupcoming year to one another. If therehave been any misunderstandings, each
asks for forgiveness and for the New Yearto be a better one.
ANGELSThe Advent Gospel
readings are filled withstories about angels.
The word "angel" means"messenger," and in manyScripture accounts theangels serve as God'smessengers. Threearchangels are namedin Scripture - Michael,Gabriel, and Raphael.It is the angel Gabrielwho visits Mary andgives her the miraculousnews that she has beenchosen to be the Motherof God. The Catechismof the Catholic Churchreminds us that angels
also serve to protect andserve the faithful. "Fromits beginning until death,human life is surroundedby their watchful care andprotection.'Beside each
believer stands an angelas protector and shepherdleading him to life'" (336).
At Mass we join the angels
in the invocation, "Holy,Holy, Holy Lord God ofHosts!"
Watch for signsoflesus all aroundyou each day. Watchfor someone to hold
a door for, or shovel a
neighbor's walk, or helpcarry something heavy.
Watch for opportunities to say "hi" tosomeone who looks lonely, or to cheer upa crying child, or to clean up a mess thatyou didn't make. Offer these momentsto ]esus in silent prayer. Watch for thefirst star of the evening one night, thenread from the Bible the story of the starannouncing Iesus'birth in Luke 2:l-20.
fa rniliiiaairy of a fa,rnillar &ristrnasstory is a wonderful way to prepare forthe celebration of Christmas. Includefavgriieisuaeas,oirnakca,s$eeial..treatforthe bciasionirahdrpu are onthe waytocreating a family tradition.
What is yaur fattdirite'fam,ily holidaytradition? Why?
' '.., Advent teaches us that joyful expectation unfolds in the present, moment by',,', ' moment. Our liturgical prayer teaches us that the Spirit of Christ is offered to us
at all times. Yet, an encounter can only happen in the present: "It is in the present
, ::, that we encounter him, not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today" (CCC, 2659). ,,*\ ','
Above: Shutterstock