“We are a diverse faith-community that strives to conform ourselves into the image of Christ in and through the power of the

Holy Spirit, and nourished by The Word, Sacraments and Tradition to give glory to God and to be a light unto the nations.”

320 W. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:59

Saint Stephen Martyr

Catholic Church

Fr. Leo Ortega, Pastor

Tel. (626) 573-0427

E-mail:

st.stephen.martyr@gmail.com

website: ststephenmpk.org

Christina Arellano, Principal

Tel. (626) 573-1716

119 S. Ramona Avenue,

Monterey Park, CA 91754

MASSES Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM (English)

Sunday 7:00 AM (English)

9:00 AM (Spanish)

11:00 AM (English)

2:00 PM (Indonesian)

Mon-Sat Daily Mass: 8:30 AM

Perpetual Help Mass & Novena

Wednesday 6:30 PM

Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish)

Holy Days as announced

Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30 PM—4:30 PM

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday thru Friday

9 am - 1 pm & 4 pm - 8 pm

Closed

1 pm - 4 pm

Saturday

1 pm - 5 pm

Sunday

Closed

Third Sunday

of Lent

February 28, 2016

God’s covenant with humanity: a history of mercy

The mystery of divine mercy is revealed in the history of the covenant be-

tween God and his people Israel. God shows himself ever rich in mercy,

ever ready to treat his people with deep tenderness and compassion, espe-

cially at those tragic moments when infidelity ruptures the bond of the cove-

nant, which then needs to be ratified more firmly in justice and truth. Here

is a true love story, in which God plays the role of the betrayed father and

husband, while Israel plays the unfaithful child and bride. These domestic

images – as in the case of Hosea (cf. Hos 1-2) – show to what extent God

wishes to bind himself to his people. This love story culminates in the incar-

nation of God’s Son. In Christ, the Father pours forth his boundless mercy

even to making him “mercy incarnate” (Misericordiae Vultus, 8). As a man, Jesus of Nazareth is

a true son of Israel; he embodies that perfect hearing required of every Jew by the Shema, which

today too is the heart of God’s covenant with Israel: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one

Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with

all your might” (Dt 6:4-5). As the Son of God, he is the Bridegroom who does everything to win

over the love of his bride, to whom he is bound by an unconditional love which becomes visible

in the eternal wedding feast. This is the very heart of the apostolic kerygma, in which divine mer-

cy holds a central and fundamental place. It is “the beauty of the saving love of God made mani-

fest in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead” (Evangelii Gaudium, 36), that first procla-

mation which “we must hear again and again in different ways, the one which we must announce

one way or another throughout the process of catechesis, at every level and moment” (ibid.,

164). Mercy “expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to

look at himself, convert, and believe” (Misericordiae Vultus, 21), thus restoring his relationship

with him. In Jesus crucified, God shows his desire to draw near to sinners, however far they may

have strayed from him. In this way he hopes to soften the hardened heart of his Bride.

This is a pivotal week of Lent. We can

solidify the patterns we have begun or we

can make a new start, if we haven't been

able to get started yet. If we have begun

to recognize what needs realigning in our lives and have begun to fast and abstain from some

things that get in the way of our relationship with the Lord, then we are engaging in a struggle. We

are likely uncovering resistance and experiencing our personal sinfulness face-to-face.

This is all preparing us for a deeper conversion, a readiness for reconciliation with God and the

graces that will allow us to be a source of reconciliation with others. This is the time when we

begin to see and experience how much God loves us at a new and more personal level. These grac-

es prepare us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus in the weeks ahead - to learn from him, to fall in

love with him more deeply and to be drawn to imitate him more completely. If we are just getting

started with our Lenten journey, renewing our desires for these graces will be all we need to begin

with a renewed openness. God does not need a lot of time to convince us of his love for us.

This is a week about God's love for us and our call to love others the same way. It is a week to

keep our daily focus on naming a desire each morning. The day ahead will shape what we ask for

as our feet hit the floor in the morning. Pausing to thank the Lord for this day and to ask for the

grace to let our mind and heart be renewed in the concrete circumstances, relationships and obliga-

tions of our day. Throughout the day, we can then return to those desires in background of our

awareness. Our request for the Lord's help is always there and our consciousness of it will help us

make the choice we desire to make, to let go of what we need to let go of, to add what we need to

add. This will take us deeper and deeper into self-awareness and a sense of our need for a Savior,

who is right there to embrace us and give us the graces we ask for.

Friday Morning Mass (2/19)—$80.00

February 20th & 21st—6,502.05

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PARISH

SECOND COLLECTION

February 27th & 28th

Together in Mission 2016

PARISH GOAL: $33,900.00

AMOUNT PLEGED TO DATE: $15,900.00

Thank you for your continued support

of this worthy campaign.

First Friday

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Your are invited to participate during the day

on March 4th from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in the

Church.

Come and spend time in prayer.

“Dining with the Saints”

The community will come together for a

meat-less dinner in the Parish Hall every Friday thru March 18th at 6 pm. The dinner will be followed by a movie

showing of a Saint’s life. The dinners will be sponsored by various parish groups.

Daily recitation of Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross is one of the most important devo-

tions honoring the passion of Jesus. Please join us in church, Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM to pray the Stations of the Cross. By accompanying him on the Way of the Cross, we gain his courageous patience and learn to trust in God who delivers us from evil. Guide booklets will be provided.

2016 Schedule

THURSDAY, MARCH 3RD, LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE 7:00 PM FRIDAY, MARCH 4TH, LENTEN PILGRIMAGE WALK TO THE HOLY DOOR AND VOTIVE MASS OF MERCY AT 3:00 PM, AT THE SAN GABRIEL MISSION (Pilgrims will congregate in front of Saint Stephen Church at 12:30 PM. Walk to the Mission begins promptly). THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH LENTEN RECOLLECTION PART II 7:00 PM SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS 5PM The Living Stations of the Cross ministry will share a meditative, prayerful, and reflective presentation of our Lord's Passion. You are invited to come and watch, as the Lord's walk to Calvary is brought to life, through nar-ration, prayer, and live music.

NEW / USED / BROKEN RELIGIOUS ITEMS NEEDED

The Legion of Mary is collecting religious items for their ministry. Items needed include new, used and broken cross-es, medals, scapulars rosaries and holy cards. Please place your donated items in the box located in the ves-tibule of the church.

REMINDER The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will

be at our parish this Sunday, February

28th to collect your donations of

usable clothing, household goods, small

appliances and misc. items The Society truck will be in

our Westside parking lot from 8:30am to 1:30pm.

For a free pickup of a large tax-deductible donation

like appliances, furniture & vehicles, please call

(800)974-3571 or (323)224-6280

Religious Ed. Staff will host "Dining with the Saints' Dinner"

this Friday, March 4th.

The Religious Education Staff invites you to join us for a meatless

lenten meal of potato tacos, Mexican rice, and lentil soup. We

might even include the traditional lenten dessert of capirotada to go

with your coffee. The meal will be served just after the Stations of

the Cross end. Then stay for a viewing of a movie on one of the

saints (the saint to be announced that night).

All this for a suggested low donation of $5.00 per person.

We very much look forward to seeing you there.

El pacto de Dios con la humanidad : una historia de la misericordia El misterio de la misericordia divina se revela en la historia de la alianza entre Dios y su pueblo Israel. Dios se

muestra siempre rico en misericordia, siempre dispuesta a tratar a su pueblo con profunda ternura y compasión,

especialmente en aquellos trágicos momentos cuando la infidelidad rompe el vínculo de la Alianza, que luego

debe ser ratificado más firmemente en la justicia y la verdad. Aquí hay una historia de amor verdadero, en el

cual Dios desempeña el papel del padre traicionado y su marido, mientras que Israel desempeña el hijo infiel y

novia. Estas imágenes nacionales – como en el caso de Oseas (cf. Hos 1 - 2), mostrar hasta qué punto Dios

desea atar a sí mismo a su pueblo. Esta historia de amor culmina en la encarnación del hijo de Dios. En Cristo,

el padre vierte adelante su misericordia sin límites hasta que lo "misericordia encarnada" (Misericordiae Vul-

tus, 8). Como hombre, Jesús de Nazaret es un verdadero hijo de Israel; él encarna esa vista perfecta requerida

de cada judío por el Shema, que hoy también es el corazón del Pacto de Dios con Israel: "oye, Israel: Jehová nuestro Dios es un solo

Señor; y Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón y con toda tu alma y con todas tus fuerzas"(Dt 6:4-5). Como el hijo de Dios,

él es el novio que hace todo para ganarse el amor de su novia, a quien está atado por un amor incondicional que se hace visible en el

banquete de bodas eterno. Este es el corazón del kerigma apostólico, en el que la divina misericordia tiene un lugar central y funda-

mental. Es "la belleza del amor Salvador de Dios hecho manifiesto en Jesucristo quien murió y se levantó de entre los muer-

tos" (Evangelii Gaudium, 36), que primera proclamación que "debemos escuchar una y otra vez de diferentes maneras, una que

debemos anunciar una forma u otra durante todo el proceso de la catequesis, en cada nivel y momento" (ibid., 164). Piedad "expresa

la manera de Dios de llegar al pecador, que le ofrece una nueva oportunidad para mirar a sí mismo, convertir y creer" (Misericordiae

Vultus, 21), restaurando así su relación con él. Jesús crucificaron, Dios muestra su deseo de acercarse a los pecadores, sin embargo

ahora han desviado de él. De esta manera espera ablandar el corazón endurecido de su novia.

El Ministerio de Oración “Luz del Espirtu Santo”

Los invita a orar, alabar, glorificar al Señor y darle gracias

por todos Los beneficios recibidos cada dia de nuestra vida.

Nos reunimos los Miercoles de 7pm a 9pm en el salon par-

roquial de nuestra Iglesia San Esteban Martir.

Exposición del Santísimo

Estas cordialmente invitado a participar el día 4 de Marzo de 9:00am a 5:30 pm en la iglesia a

la adoración del santísimo.

Ven a pasar tiempo en oración durante estos tiempo.

"Cenando con los santos" La comunidad se reunirán para una cena

en el Salón Parroquial cada viernes hasta el

18 de marzo a las 6 pm .

La cena será seguida por una

película que muestra la vida de un Santo. Estas cenas

serán patrocinadas por grupos de la Parroquia.

Católicos de 14 años de edad y

mayors deben abstenerse de comer

carne todos los viernes durante la

Cuaresma incluyendo Viernes Santo.

Además, el Viernes Santo, católicos

de edades 18 a 59 debe ayunar. Lim-

itándose a una comida completa y dos comidas más peque-

ñas. La Cuaresma es también el tiempo ideal para recibir el

sacramento de la reconciliación (confesión) en preparación

para la celebración del Pasión de Cristo, su Muerte y

Resurrección.

Recitación diaria de las Estaciones de la Cruz

Las Estaciones de la Cruz es una de las devociones más im-portantes en honor a la pasión de Jesús . Por favor, únase a nosotros en la iglesia , de lunes a viernes a las 5:30 PM a rezar las Estaciones de la Cruz . Al lo acompañarlo en el camino de la cruz , ganamos su paciencia valiente y aprendemos a confiar en Dios, quien nos libra del mal . Se proporcionarán folletos de guía .

SE NECESITAN ARTÍCULOS RELIGIOSOS NUEVOS / USADOS / ROTOS

El grupo Legión de María está recolectando artículos religi-osos para su ministro. Se necesitan cruces, medallas, rosarios escapularios y estampitas. Por favor de coloqar sus artículos dentro de la caja que esta ubicada en el vestíbulo de la iglesia. Gracias por su generosidad y apoyo.

SEGUNDA COLECTA

Unidos en Mision 2016

27 y 28 de febrero

META PARROQUIAL: $33.900.00

CANTIDAD ACTUAL PROMETIDA: $15,900.00

Gracias por su apoyo continuo de

esta digna

campaña.

MEDITEMOS SOBRE CUARESMA

1 y 2 de marzo

7 pm—9 pm

En el salon parroquial.

Todos son bien benidos

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016

5:00 pm Elvira Tortorelli (D)

Juan & Raquel Ruiz (D)

La Pieta International Group

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 7:00 am John Lepurin (D)

9:00 am Julio y Alicia Vazquez (L)

11:00 am Inez Sabatella

Oscar Refuerzo (D)

Jaime Batungbacal (D)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

8:30 am Jan Conklin (D)

TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016 8:30 am Dale Ann Torbey (L)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 8:30 am Lourdes Erhard (L) Happy Birthday!

6:30 pm St. Stephen Parishioners

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 8:30 am Sandra Vazquez (L)

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 8:30 am All of those preparing to receive Sacraments this

Easter season

7:00 pm St. Stephen Parisohners

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016

8:30 am Al & Susan Acosta (L)

Frances Salaises, Kitty Carlucci, Rosie Grego, Liza Anne Sesti,

Nicholas Velarde, Ana Nunez, Elaine Denery, Jose Galicia Sr.,

Connie Gonzales, Norma Salazar, Michlina Kubek, Maria Cervan-

tes, Maria Gonzalez, Jeanine Gregory, Peggy Jasso, Elena Dulay,

Alex Vasquez, Armando Loo, Annamae Koch, Rita Thoms, Eliza-

beth Dodge, Virginia Medina, Rita A. Durazo, Ernest Durazo,

Rudy Barraza, Sally Sandoval, Emilia Rodriguez, Dominic, Jason,

Rose Valdez, Antonia Castaneda, Natalia Castaneda, Kathy Garcia,

Helen Lawrence, Sandy Aguiar, Maria Castillo, Frances Montez,

Ramiro Sanchez, Judy Backer, Josefina Peralta, Tom Lujan, Maria

Ngan Fong Lung, Erin Gaffrey, Virginia Miranda, Frances

Mosqueda, John Jaurequi, Jeanine Lugo, Michael Alden Townsend,

Augie Koch, Natalia Orozco, Tisha Platt, Teresa Ycedo, Larry Her-

nandez, Marge LaVenture, Debbie Koch Mark, Vic Panganiban,

Concepcion Rodriguez, Elizabeth Canadas, Maria Mazloom, Phil

Cisneros, Kenneth Adler, Carol Tollstrup, Howard Lee, Eva Mon-

roy, Felipa MacCray, Rocco Polini, Al Acosta, Susan Acosta

Prayer list will be updated on a monthly bases. If you would like

to add a name or make changes to the above list. Please contact

the parish office.

Did You Know?

Monitor social media relationships and activity

Social media sites, like Facebook, can be a great

way to connect with old and new friends and

family members, and to stay informed about

what’s happening in their lives, but some rela-

tionships are best maintained offline. It is important for par-

ents to make sure that children’s online friendships are con-

sistent with their real-life relationships, especially when it

comes to other adults. For a tip sheet on social media safety

from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

please contact jvienna@la-archdiocese.org.

Catholics age 14 and older

should abstain from eating

meat on all Fridays during Lent

including Good Friday. In addi-

tion, on Good Friday, Catholics

from age 18-59 should fast.

Limiting themselves to one full meal and two smaller meals.

Lent is also an ideal time to receive the sacrament of recon-

ciliation (confession) in preparation for the celebration of

Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK FEBRUARY 28TH— MARCH 6TH

Sunday: Ex 3:1-8A, 13-15; Ps 103 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8,11

1 Cor 10: 1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9

Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Lk 4:24-30

Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-6, 7bc, 8-9;

Mt 18:21-35

Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20;

Mt 5:17-19

Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Lk 11:14-23

Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17;

Mk 12:28-34

Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14

Sunday: Jos 5:9a, 10-12 or 1 Sm 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13a;

Ps 34:2-7 or Ps 23: 1-6; 2 Cor 5:17-21 or

Eph 5:8-14; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 or Jn 9:1-41