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March 25, 2018 Vol. 36 No. 33

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

www.ststephensmidland.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: Thomas Shows Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES 2018

St. Joseph’s (Odessa) March 26, 2018 at 6:30 PM St. Ann’s (Midland) March 27, 2018 at 7:00 PM

Join us every Monday during Lent from 6:30-7:30 pm in the big Church for an

hour of prayer (Bilingual) as a community with the Blessed Sacrament. It will

include scripture readings, a brief Lenten reflection, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

and time for silence. We will end with Benediction (special blessing with the

Blessed Sacrament). ANY QUESTION PLEASE CALL LINDA FOSTER AT (432)559-

Triduum

HOLY THURSDAY - JUEVES SANTO

7:00 PM (Bilingual)

GOOD FRIDAY - VIERNES SANTO

Living Stations of the Cross at 3:00 PM

Good Friday Service at 7:00 PM (Bilingual)

HOLY SATURDAY - SABADO SANTO

Easter Vigil - 8:30 PM (Bilingual)

EASTER SUNDAY MASSES - DOMINGO DE PASCUA

8:00 AM 10:30 AM

12:30 PM (Spanish) 5:00 PM

7:00 PM (Spanish)

Greetings, We invite you to take part in all Holy Week has to offer. In terms of liturgical celebrations, this week is by far the richest and most significant week of the year. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord starts things off by commemorating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and His Passion (Last Supper, arrest and crucifixion) according to the Gospel of Mark since we are in Year B. Then Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper recalls the institution of the Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. This includes the washing of the apostles’ feet. At the end of this Mass we will process to the Church Hall where the Blessed Sacrament will be adored until midnight. Friday of the Passion of the Lord we will have the Living Stations of the Cross led by our young people (high school age) at 3:00pm. Then at 7pm we will have the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. This will include the reading of the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of John, the Solemn Intercessions (10 special intercessions chanted if possible), and the Veneration of the Cross. The Triduum concludes with the glorious Easter Vigil in which the new Easter Candle is lit and blessed, and we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. The Easter Proclamation is sung, the story of salvation history is proclaimed through the scripture readings and we sing the Gloria and the Alleluia for the first time since the before Lent. The water is completely replenished and blessed, and we baptize those adults who have been preparing to enter the Church. They also receive their First communion at this Mass and are confirmed. Easter Sunday, we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the renewal of our baptismal promises. Don’t miss all this week has to offer! Have a Blessed Holy Week. Fr. Timothy Hayter

Upcoming Baptismal Classes:

April 8th & 15th

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

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

Sunday, March 25 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Monday, March 26

Tuesday, March 27

Wednesday, March 28

Thursday, March 29 - Holy Thursday

Friday, March 30-Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)

Saturday, March 31 - Holy Saturday

Sunday, April 1 - Easter Sunday of The Resurrection of the Lord

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Eucharistic Adoration Openings

MONDAY: 3:00 PM FRIDAY: 2:00 AM

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.

ST. STEPHEN’S CONFESSION SCHEDULE

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

& 5:00 - 5:30 pm

Wednesday 6:45 a.m.-7 a.m.; 12 noon-12:15 p.m.;

5-5:30 p.m.; & 6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Sunday 20 minutes prior to each Mass

And anytime, by appointment

ADORACIÓN DEL SANTÍSIMO Personas interesadas en pasar una hora con El Santísimo en Adoración una vez por semana, durante las siguientes horas:

Lunes: 3:00 PM Viernes: 2:00 AM

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

For the week of March 25, 2018

Last Week’s Collection

Regular: $ 29,717.30 Building Fund $ 105.00 Other Income $ 1,298.16

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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March 25 Brandon Aguirre Emma Andrade

Evangeline Corley Allen Franco Liam Tavas

Summer Ulmo Duane D. Watson Faustino Zalazar

March 26 Margaret Castillo

Gerald Garcia Roberto Guajardo Alianna Herrera Lauren Lopez

Wendy Lynskey Jesus Meraz

Carmen Orozco Anita Sanchez Adelyn Torres

March 27 Oscar Aguilar Sr.

Kristin Brosig Gabriela Castillo Octavio Hinojos Sofia Salcedo

Juan Tarin Cecile Thibodeaux

William Torres Angel Vasquez

March 28 John Barto

Hortencia Bustillos Adrian Carmona

Natasha Guerrero Jose Alfredo Navarro

Carolina Venegas

March 29 Gabriel A. Cardenas

Nancy Garcia Daniella Juarez

Matthew Moreno Joe Rivera

Navaeh Rodriguez James White

March 30 Cindy Adams Izaak Avena

John Eikenary Juan Hernandez Dawn Pistulka John Sotelo

March 31 Adrian Campos Gloria Dagdag Elizabeth Trillo

Chuks Ugwuanyi Elias Villa

Alyssa Waugh

April 1 Maria Baeza

Michael A. Bryan Catherine Emery

Lorri Flores Mary Gonzales Itza Hernandez

Ivan Leyva Tayler Montano Denise Schrader

Florence Ugwuanyi Robert Villarreal Jr.

Amy Wiesman

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed Wednesday, March 28th before the 5:30 pm Mass

for the Holy Week. After Holy Thursday service there will be Adoration for the whole parish community until Midnight in the Parish Hall.

Eucharistic Adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday, April 2nd, 2018.

Have a safe and blessed Easter!

Antonia Avila, Jeanette Dragisic, Eddie Martinez, Robert Quiroz, Emma Valdez, Juan Musquiz, Victor Madrid, Kenneth Jones, Dean Teagarden,

Tom Torres, Irene Cisneros, Mary Esparza, Tommy Lee Rivera, Margaret Lopez, Bea Herrera, Sergio

Patino, Delma Lerma, Arthur Rios, Beatrice Pacheco, Ralph Lujan, Ryan Munoz, Charlie Flower, Larry White, Gary Rodriguez, Fr. Ted Pfeifer, OMI, Hilda Guerrero, Leila Vega, Emma Valdez, Mary Madrid, Albert Madrid, Pablo Talamantez, Baby Braxton Munoz, Baby Israel Martinez, Carolina Pirela, Lalo Lujan, June Foresygh, Suzie Brideweser, Maria Hernandez, Simon Arevalo, Adrian Ayala, Phillip Sorrel, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Avyel Munoz, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Inez Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Rodea Family, Evans Family, Rachel S., Burdette Family, Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Anita P., Carlota W., Judy D., Alicia S., Jesse Julus Garcia, Betty Compton, Maunel Hernandez, Corina Pena, Filemon R. Ortega, Clarissa Ortega, Ricky Montes, Luke M. Prementine, Zaylin Ortegon, Teresa Kiser, Mike Levi, Mark Clark, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Mingo Lujan, Ramon Munoz, Methias Ornelas, Jose Carmen Vazquez, Rebecca Rodelo, Jess Valenzuela, Bob Brecze, Gerald Thetford, Heidi Gobel.

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

New Hope Counseling 4400 N. Big Spring St

(432) 687-4673

Francis Hymel D.MIN, LPC, LMFT

• Marriage Counseling

• Children

• Adolescence

• Adults

• Families

Marriage Jubilee 2018 - All couples who are celebrating their 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, and above wedding anniversaries (Church Marriage, not civil marriage) in the calendar year of 2018 are invited to the Diocesan Marriage Jubilee bilingual celebration on May 6, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, San

Angelo. Families and friends are invited to accompany our jubilarians to this celebration. Renewal of vows will take place within the Mass. This celebration will conclude with a reception in the Cathedral gymnasium, to which all are invited. For registration information, please contact Parish Office with Gladys Qualls. The deadline to register for this celebration is Monday, April 23, 2018.

St. Gianna's Hope Memorial Mass for

Infant Loss and Miscarriage

April 28th 8 am Fellowship and breakfast to follow

in The Commons at St. Ann’s Please email

stgiannashope@gmail.com to let us know you lost a

child. You and the child will be remembered in the Mass intentions and

prayers of the faithful.

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Over the last three weeks we have celebrated the Scrutiny Rites. We learned about the Samaritan woman at the well, the blind man who Jesus healed, and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. We learned that we are like all of them in

that Jesus comes to us and shares His Truth with us, He heals our "blindness" and we are able to see the path of righteousness, and we have a steadfast hope that we will rise again and spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. What a special time the Scrutiny Rites are in the life of the Church as we journey to

Holy Week and the Triduum!

This week in RCIA, we will review our RCIA lessons and Saints of the Day, ask and answer questions, share how God has worked in our lives during our RCIA journey of faith, and prepare to celebrate the Rite of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on March 31st.

"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. If you have questions, feel free to email me at billberry100@aol.com.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

Please join us for First Friday and First Saturday Masses Many graces are conferred on those who attend Mass in honor

of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of each month. Next Friday, April 6th, Masses will be held at 7:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Then, on the First Saturday, of each month Mass is offered at 8:00 a.m. for the

Immaculate Heart of Mary. Afterwards a potluck breakfast is shared in the foyer of the church. Bring a dish to share, if you can, and stay a while to enjoy good food and fellowship.

Free Pizza during Lent!

Thursday, March 29th Spring Break Pizza Lunch

– Pizza lunch will be served from 11:30 – 1:30 in the youth building

Youth News

No LifeTeen this week March 25th! Our next Life night will be on April 8th.

Youth Confirmation II—Important Dates to Remember

March 23rd - 25th—Confirmation 2 Retreat April 28th—Confirmation Community Service Hours Due May 9th—Confirmation Rehearsal for Candidate & Sponsor at 7PM May 16th—Confirmation Mass at 6:30 PM

Steubenville Lonestar! If you are interested in attending the high school Steubenville youth

conference this summer from June 22-23, then please come to the office and fill out a diocesan

liability form and $50 deposit. We have very limited space available. $300 total for the trip, deadline to register is April 15. We will have

fundraising events to benefit the teens who are registered starting soon, so sign up quick!

Retreat for Healing After

Abortion

God’s mercy is greater than your abortion. He wants to heal you...Will you let Him? Find

God’s mercy at a Rachel Weekend Retreat,and let Him heal you. Our next Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is April 27-29 in the Lubbock Area. Confidential contact: Kathy.krille@gmail.com and 806-577-5912.

Remind App: Want up to date information on what’s going on with the youth group? Join the St. Stephen’s Youth Group on the Remind

App! Text @3gb426 to 81010 and you will be signed up to receive our updates.

No CCD Classes Next week on Monday or Wednesday due to Holy Week! Classes will

resume Monday, April 2nd & Wednesday, April 4th Have a Blessed and Safe Easter

25 de marzo 2018 ¡¡¡DOMINGO DE RAMOS?!!!! “CONMEMORACION DE LA ENTRADA DEL SENOR A JERUSALEN”

Con este domingo, llamado litúrgicamente Domingo de Ramos, comienza la Semana Santa. Y para darnos tema de

reflexión para toda la semana, la Iglesia nos pone hoy, como lectura del Evangelio, la narración que hace San Marcos

de la Pasión del Señor.

Son páginas que deberían estar presentes en nuestra mente y en nuestro corazón, porque narran el hecho más

importante, el acto de amor más grande, la esperanza más firme, para cada uno de nosotros. Para leerlas bien,

deberíamos imaginar que cada página de esta narración está cruzada con un gran letrero rojo, que dice: Te amo.

Nuestra vida tiene una maravillosa representación y una salida hermosa, porque Cristo murió para salvarnos. Y esto

que ocurrió hace más de dos mil años, es algo que sigue presente, porque sus efectos tienen duración eterna. Y lo que

en la Pasión se narra es asunto nuestro, muy nuestro. Muchas veces dejamos de lado el pensamiento de la Pasión.

Pocos cristianos tienen el valor de confrontar su vida con estos hechos de Cristo.

Habría que estar toda la vida dando gracias de que Alguien, Jesucristo, se hubiera acordado de nosotros, para sacarnos

de la cárcel, para librarnos de la nada y del sin sentido, para darnos fuerza, ilusión, alegría. Y lo hizo con un desinterés

total, por un amor que nos parece inaudito. Alguien que da su vida por mí, ¿cómo no voy a tenerlo presente y

amarlo? ¿Cómo no intentar decirle nuestro agradecimiento y que nuestra deuda se la pagaremos procurando vivir

siempre de su presencia?

Hay que salir en estos días Santos un tanto de lo cotidiano y bajo de cada día, para darle a nuestros pensamientos una

mayor profundidad y pensar en la dimensión religiosa de nuestra vida. Nuestra vida es más que esa rutina de

levantarnos, comer, trabajar, descansar... ver pasar las hojas del calendario en monótona sucesión; nuestra vida es de

hecho un diálogo con Dios, cada hora debe tener un sentido, un por qué: y el sentido sólo se lo puede dar Dios: la vida

debería ser un continuo diálogo con Dios.

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

AVISOS:

• La misa de los jueves que era en español paso a ser bilingüe y será a las 5:30 de todos los jueves.

• El Santísimo Sacramento será reposado el miércoles 28 de marzo después de la misa de 5:30 por la Semana Santa. Y se reanudará después de la misa de 7:00 a.m. el lunes 2 de abril del 2018.

• JUEVES SANTO, 7:00 p.m. Misa Vespertina de la cena del Señor. (bilingüe.) • Después de la Misa del Jueves Santo será la Adoración con el santísimo hasta las 12 de la

noche. En el salón parroquia. • VIERNES SANTO, a las 3 p.m. Santo Viacrucis • VIERNES SANTO, A las 7:00 p.m. será la Celebración de la Cena del Señor que consta de 3

partes: Liturgia de la Palabra, Adoración de la Santa Cruz y Sagrada Comunión. (Bilingüe)

• SABADO SANTO ¡¡¡VIGILIA PASCUAL!!!, a las 8:30 p.m. (bilingüe)

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Matrimonio Jubileo 2018 Todas las parejas que están celebrando sus 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 y por encima de los aniversarios de boda (matrimonio de iglesia, no fecha civil) en el año civil de 2018 son Invitado al matrimonio diocesano jubileo bilingüe (en español e inglés sólo) celebración el 6 de mayo de 2018 a las 3:00 pm en la catedral del sagrado corazón de san angelo. Se invita a las familias y amigos a acompañar a nuestros jubilarías a esta celebración. La renovación

de los votos se llevará a cabo dentro de la masa. Esta celebración concluirá con una recepción en el gimnasio de la catedral, a la que todos están invitados. Para la información de registro, por favor pase por la oficina parroquial (ver gladys qualls) y traiga una copia de su certificado de matrimonio de la iglesia. Fecha límite para inscribirse para esta celebración es lunes, 23 de abril de 2018.

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One of our more memorable cases is Caroline, a 48-year-old woman who has been in our system for a number of years. Abandoned by her father at an early age, she struggled to exist in a home with an alcoholic mother who would often disappear for days at a time. Unloved, unwanted and alone, she dropped out of school and spent her teenage years going from one unsuccessful relationship to another. She finally married, but her husband was abusive and beat her so severely

that one time, in self-defense, she struck back. The blow caused him to fall. His head hit the edge of a piece of furniture, which killed him. She spent time in prison for the crime. When we met her we saw a woman who had been beaten physically, emotionally and spiritually. She was terribly withdrawn. She spoke in a tired monotone, and her posture was stooped and bent, reflecting a woman who was old beyond her years. She would not look us in the eye, and she panicked if we tried to get physically close to her. She lived in a cocoon that she had fashioned for herself, in an effort to keep out all of the hurt and pain of her life. She was a sad, tragic, broken human being. Caroline is one of the marginalized in our society. The marginalized make us uncomfortable, so we try to push them aside, to the outer edges of society, so we won’t have to see their pain or deal with their problems – problems that we don’t know how to handle, and that are so much greater than our own. Christ came into the world to announce to the poor that God loves them. If he loves us despite our self-absorptions, our materialism and our pride, then how he must love that poor woman who has been so hurt, so damaged, and so broken by life! It is up to us to fulfill Christ’s mission on earth, and to reach out to the marginalized – to comfort, to help and to tell them that we love them. When we learn to love the poor with the same love that God has for them, when we reach out to embrace and protect them, that’s when we truly feel the love that God has for us. And what a blessing that is!

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900 www.helpinghandsmidland.com

Please join us on April 11th from 9:30-11:00 am in Room 2 for a 3-4 week study on forgiveness, something we all need help with. We will be using the book “Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody.” Please contact Mary at 978-9311 or JoAnn at 559-2658 if you are interested or need more information Books will be $3.00. You will need to read the first chapter

before we meet. We look forward to seeing you.

Everyone is invited to the dedication of Historic Beginnings of San Angelo, honoring the Lady in Blue, Sister María de Jesús of Agreda, featuring a Marian Conference,

The Lady in Blue Musical Ballet, a spectacular program on the documentary film, and the unveiling of the statues of the Lady in Blue, a Jumano brave, and a Jumano girl child:

May 18th

-20th

, 2018, in San Angelo Guest speakers will include Vice-Postulator Fr. Stefano M. Cecchin, OFM, from Rome, Bishop Michael Sis, Bishop Emeritus Michael Pfeifer, OMI, Fr. Edward Looney, Marilyn

Fedewa, Dr. Gloria Dodd, Vic Payne-sculptor of statues, and Victor Mancilla-documentary producer.

For more information, please visit http://www.ladyinblue2018.com/ or call 325-657-7099, or email LadyinBlueMaria@gmail.com

Todos están invitados a la dedicación de Comienzos Históricos de San Ángelo,

honorando la Dama Azul, Sor María de Jesús de Ágreda, una Conferencia Mariana, Ballet y Musical de la Dama Azul, un programa espectacular de la película documental,

y la inauguración de las estatuas de la Dama Azul, un indio Jumano, y una niña Jumana: 18-20 de Mayo de 2018, en San Ángelo

Pláticas serán presentadas por: Vice-Postulador Padre Stefano M. Cecchin, OFM, de Roma, Obispo Michael Sis, Obispo Emérito Michael Pfeifer, OMI, Padre Edward Looney, Marilyn Fedewa,

Prof.a Gloria Dodd, Vic Payne-escultor de las estatuas, Victor Mancilla-productor de la película documental.

Para más información, favor de visitar http://www.ladyinblue2018.com/ o llamar a 325-657-7099, o mandar correo electrónico a LadyinBlueMaria@gmail.com

PRAY FOR

MIKE!