Saint Stephen Catholic Parish 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 12th, 2008 - Bulletin
		I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
		— Philippians 4:13

	Our Liturgical Week Monday, October 13th 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Marygrace Dunn Tuesday, October 14th 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Gerard Muscat Sp. Int. 11:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Grade 4 Mass Wednesday, October 15th 8 :00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Brassard Family Thursday, October 16th 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Sr. Emmuela Canilli RSJC Friday, October 17th 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Evelyn Olson Saturday, October 18th 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Joseph L. Muscat M.D. 3:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Julia Rodriguz Sunday, October 19th - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Jimmy Williams 9:30 a.m. Fr. Calegari / For the Parish 11:30 a.m. Fr. Murray 6:45 p.m. Fr. Calegari Red indicates Mass intentions
	Please remember: Margaret Mary Little Who recently died in the peace of Christ. Our sick and homebound are in continual need of our prayers, please remember them in prayer. TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — On this mountain the LORD will make for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines (Isaiah 25:6-10a). Psalm — I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life (Psalm 23). Second Reading — God will supply whatever you need (Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20). Gospel — I have prepared my banquet, and everything is ready. Come to the feast! (Matthew 22:1-14 [1-10]). OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE Monday, October 13th Columbus Day Holiday Tuesday, October 14th Youth Group 6:00 p.m./Parish Office Women’s Guild 7:00 p.m./E.C. Wednesday, October 15th Hot Lunch 11:45 a.m./Temp. Bldg. Sep. & Divorced Group 7:00 p.m./E.C. Thursday, October 16th RCIA 7:00 p.m./Conference Room Friday, October 17th Gamblers Anonymous 8:00 p.m./Parish Office & EC Saturday, October 18th Bible Study 8:30 a.m./Marian Room Sunday, October 19th Youth Group 4:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: Columbus Day; Sukkot (Jewish harvest festival) begins at sunset Tuesday: St. Callistus I Wednesday: St. Teresa of Jesus Thursday: St. Hedwig Friday: St. Ignatius of Antioch Saturday: St. Luke Please pray for the sick and homebound of our community, for all those in the book of the sick. May they know the healing touch of Jesus. William Applegate, Natividad Austria, Elena Carr, Mario Cid, Kevin Cleary, David Douglas, Betty Francesconi, Art Hazlett, Mary Elizabeth Henry, Nellie Jocson, Elizabeth Kauss, Lola Lommori, Larry Lee, Tim Lew, Maggie McDonald, Renato Meneses Jr., Irin Mullen, Bob O’Malley, Mercy Newman, Stephanie Patty, Joyce Peterson, Sister Pat Phelan, Marsha Potolo, James Roach, Delores Robinson, Ian Taylor, Robert Thoel, Loretta Tribulato, Maria Elena Varela, Richard Voyles, and Mary Windrow. Columbus Day Holiday Our Parish Office will be closed tomorrow, October 13, in honor of this holiday. Dear Parishioners, October 12, 2008 Last Sunday's 9:30 outdoor Mass with the annual blessing of animals was very enjoyable. The sun shone clear and warm from a mostly blue sky, and an attendance estimated at more than 400 showed up for the event with many diverse pets to be blessed and holy watered. We've been doing this for the past nine years on the First Sunday of October, the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Francis, and it has lost none of its popularity. Many people contributed to last Sunday's success, notably Jim Maciel, FX Crowley, St. Stephen Youth Group, Sacristan Guido Salomone, our Liturgy Committee and Music Staff. May it continue to flourish here as an annual event. Work on the building site was interrupted for several days recently while the drawings and plans for the underground plumbing were being brought to completion. We are now moving ahead and the building is scheduled to be complete in early November of next year. We plan to have the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon before Thanksgiving 2009. The first meeting of the Parish Council for the year was held on September 30. New members on board are Shannon Raggio, Matt Miller, Christian Fernandez and Mary Landers - all longtime parishioners of St. Stephen. The Council is preparing a questionnaire for parishioners on the parish's service and outreach to others. It will be ready for your inpew response in January. This will be the third such parish-wide survey. The two previous in-pew surveys were on Sunday Worship and Education. The Council discussed a request for funds from St. Anthony Foundation to help with their new women's shelter on Golden Gate Avenue and postponed further discussion to the November meeting. Our big neighbors - Stonestown, SFSU, and Parkmerced - are planning new developments. As St. Stephen is a significant neighbor to these big three, and stands to be impacted by the proposed developments, a group of parishioners has been formed to enable St. Stephen to be at the table and to be a partner in conversation with these entities. Representatives from Parkmerced spoke at our first meeting this past Tuesday evening. The meeting was friendly and informative - and both sides felt that an ongoing relationship would be good and productive for all. Our goal is to work toward a win-win for all concerned. Future meetings will take place with representatives from Stonestown and SFSU. The new committee is called the "Parish Neighborhood Improvement Group." By the time you read this bulletin I will be on vacation in Ireland. I ask you to keep my sister's family in prayer. Her husband is ill with both terminal cancer and alzheimers. I hope to find you all alive and well when I return early November. In the event of a family emergency in my absence, and you need a priest, please call Fr. Calegari at 415-681-6029. Your Pastor, Fr. Joe Book Recommendation "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy" by Donald Kraybill and others. The book takes an in-depth look at the story of the killings and of the forgiveness that became the larger story. The main lesson of the book is that forgiveness isn't something that you suddenly decide to do when hurt by someone. It is a way of approaching life; you choose to forgive well before you get hurt and there is the need to forgive. The Amish gave witness to forgiveness not as a word, but as an action. The book contains many interviews with the Amish people which address the faith and spirituality behind the Amish's ability to forgive so quickly. In addition to the spirituality of forgiveness, the book looks at Amish culture and history, including their practice of shunning. You can order the book online through www.josseybass.com A Prayer For The Jaded Heart Disarm me, God, of negativity, or of any despair or disbelief lurking in the corners of my spirit. Take away any resentment or revenge that prevents holding all your creatures in reverence. Unarm my weapons of Coldness and silence, melt my steely stance that keeps me barricaded, Locked in unforgiveness and fear. Tenderize my heart of stone, soften my gristle, teach me to walk gently upon this earth. Amen. Marriage: the Mustard Seed of Humanity There are some things that must not change because they are built on the Word of God. Our Catholic faith teaches us that marriage is one of those things - - a sacrament, a gateway to family and a pillar of our society. In marriage, God recruited man and woman to help Him in creation. What an awesome privilege and an equally awesome responsibility. All of this originates in God’s union of one men and one woman. In a way, we can think of this as the mustard seed of humanity. How could the fundamental nature of something so important be changed? - - -Bishop Gerald Barnes, San Bernardino Save Your Lucky Receipts! Lucky Stores "Apples for Students" program is running now through January 24, 2009. St. Stephen School will collect register receipts and exchange them for educational awards. Mark Your Calendar October 17 & 18 – Little Sisters of the Poor Semi-Annual Garage Sale, 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.300 Lake St. Furniture, jewelry, clothing and much more. October 18, 2008 - Widowed, Separated & Divorced Annual Diner Gala! Lakeside Café, 2529 Ocean Av., San Francisco, call 415 566-4230 or 650 992-3657. October 22, 2008 - The first annual benefit dinner for AM 1260 KSFB Radio at St. Mary’s Cathedral Conference Center. Call 415 269-8620 for details. October 24 thru October 26 - Widowed, Separated & Divorced Weekend at Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park. www:geocities.com/sanjosebe/ November 8 & 9, 2008 – Women’s Guild Bake Sale November 22, 2008 - “Sunset Style” 2008 Women’s Guild Fashion Show, 11:00 a.m., The Olympic Club Lakeside. OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS Weekly collection goal $ 8,000 Past weekend collection (8/10) $ 8,508 Year to Date Goal $112,000 Year to Date $98,393 Thank you! Your continued generosity to our Parish is critical and never goes unnoticed. St. Stephen Women’s Guild Plan now to participate in and enjoy our special events this fall season. Book Sale St. Stephen School invites all of the church community to our annual book sale Sunday Oct. 26 through Friday Oct. 30 in the school library. Great books for all ages are available. Shop early for great Christmas gifts and help our school at the same time. For more information contact Caroline McGrillen at 415 337-1365. Bake Sale Our Fall Bake Sale is a few weeks away! Be ready for special treats to start off your holiday season on November 8th and 9th. If any parishioners would like to contribute to our bake sale, contact Sandra Fullerton @ 415 334-2950. Fashion Show Tickets The St. Stephen Women's Guild Fashion Show will be held this year on November 22nd at the Olympic Club. Tickets are $75.00 for the lunch and show. Please call Annette Rocca for tickets at 415 239-8926 or Susana Wassmer at 415 337-9277. 2008 Archbishops Annual Appeal - Our Goal $69,900 Your support for Archbishop Niederauer's work and ministry amounts to $34,600 at this time. We still have a balance of $35,300 to meet. St. Stephen 50+ Club Our next meeting is October 27, 2008, at 12:30p.m. (There will not be a meeting tomorrow, Monday, October 12, Columbus Day) We will meet in our new Temporary Building. (Contact; Helga D’Arcy at 415 731-8211). HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for the 9:30 a.m. mass. Today, Sunday, Oct. 12 - Louise Fambrini Sunday, Oct. 19 - Mila Rayos Sunday, Oct. 26 - School Board Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women The ACCW will hold its Fall Convention at St. Mary’s Cathedral on October 18, 2008 . The theme is “Reaching the Spirit and Soul of the Catholic Woman”. Registration begins at 8:45. At 9:30 a.m. there will be a panel discussion followed by Mass, installation of officers and lunch. The distinguished panel consists of Carol Horan, Director of Pastoral Projects & Communications of the California Catholic Conference speaking on “Called to Political Responsibility”, Vickie Evans, Coordinator of Respect Life speaking on the “A-BCs of Bioethical Issues for Women” and Michele Coldiron, Executive Director of the Catholic Women’s Forum who will speak on “Life, Truth, and the Feminine Genius”. The convention will end about 2:30 p.m. Cost: $25.00 per person. (This includes morning snack and coffee and lunch.) Reservations: Anita Provost, 267 Ellsworth Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94110. Phone 415-282-8626. Hurry, join the fun! 2008 GRAND RAFFLE Proceeds Benefit St. Stephen Church 1st Prize: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 Or $10,000! 2nd Prize: 32” High Definition TV 3rd Prize: Relax Now Skin Products Donation: One Ticket - $100. Raffle limited to 500 tickets. Drawing on November 16, 2008, following the 9:30 a.m. Mass. For ticket information call 415 681-2444 ext 29 or online at development@SaintStephenSF.org. ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL will be accepting applications for next August’s Kindergarten class from Tuesday, November 4th to Wednesday, January 7th. Please call the school office @ 664-8331, if you are interested in obtaining an application. Children must be five years old by September 1, 2009. St. Stephen School, mindful of its mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and national and/or ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded to or made available to students at this school. St. Stephen School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin, age, sex or disability in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. On Tuesday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 5th we will host our Kindergarten Tours. If you would like to sign-up for one of the Kindergarten Tours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., please call Mrs. O’Callaghan in the school office at (415) 664-8331.
	St. Stephen Altar Servers Our special “thanks” to our student Altar Servers who faithfully continue to volunteer their time and talent to our parish. Our Altar Servers for September 29 thru October 5 were: McCaffrey, Erin Lithgow, Fiona Smith, Danny Casey, Jay Francisco, Stephanie McCarthy, Lisa Lie, Caely Lavino, Michael Desmond, Kira McPolin, Tom McGovern, Catherine Pabalan, Sean Kim, Gino Gandolfo, Michaela Serafica, Matthew Birsinger, and Michelle McHugh.
	e-Contributions makes giving easy! e-Contributions allows St. Stephen to accept regular and special contributions via the Internet. Log onto www.e-paluch.com for details.
	ST STEPHEN PARISH 2008-2009 ORGANIZATION/MINISTRY CONTACT PERSON Altar Servers Mrs. Katya Minnick Altar Society Helen Perlite Bridge Group Helen Perlite Choir Director Angela Zullinger Church Hospitality Veronica Wong Fifty Plus Club Helga D'Arcy Finance Council Dan Linehan Grief Support Ruby Buffin Lectors T.J. Perlite Liturgy Committee Ruby Buffin Marriage Preparation Clergy Men's Club Tony Maffei Music Director Griselda MacDonald Parish Council Patrick Smith Religious Education Veronica Wong RCIA Ruby Buffin Stewardship Kathleen Bruno St Vincent de Paul Julie O'Callaghan Ushers Bob Anthony Women's Guild Fionnuala McElligott Youth Group Christian Fernandez
	Parish Council Information If you would like to contact the Parish Council regarding our upcoming meetings please deliver your message to the Parish Center, or you may telephone or send an email to the following Parish Council members: Patty Murphy at (415) 681-3543 or mac4murph@gmail.com Patrick Smith at (415) 759-6731 or wearepatkat@sbcglobal.net
	Eucharistic Ministers/Lectors Check our web site to review your assignments. www.saintstephenSF.org.
	Bulletin Announcements Send your bulletin announcements via e-mail to: Bulletin@SaintStephenSF.org
	Our warmest welcome to all who celebrate with us. Our warmest welcome to all who celebrate with us. If you are new to our parish, we invite you to register and learn more about our many parish ministries and organizations. You may phone the Parish Center at 681-2444, complete this form and return it to the Parish Center; drop it in the collection basket during mass or register online at: www.ststephenSF.org! Our parishioners receive the weekly newspaper “Catholic San Francisco.”   Name: ___________________________________ Address: _________________________________ Telephone: ______________________________ E-mail address: ___________________________