Saint Stephen Catholic Parish Second Sunday of Advent December 7th, 2008 - Bulletin
		Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low.
		— Isaiah 40:4

	Our Liturgical Week Monday, December 8 8:00 a.m. Fr. Walsh / Semiramis Virondeau 11:00 a.m. Calegari / ————— 7:30 p.m. Fr. Murray / ————— Tuesday, December 9 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / ————— 7:30 p.m. Advent / Christmas Program Wednesday, December 10 8 :00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Betty Rohan Thursday, December 11 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / ————— Friday, December 12 8:00a.m. Fr. Walsh / Paul Medlin Saturday, December 13 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Marygrace Dunn 3:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Jana Klanjac Sunday, December 14 - Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m. Fr. Sauer / Raymond Nelson 9:30 a.m. Fr. Walsh / For the Parish 11:30 a.m. Fr. Murray / —————— 6:45 p.m. Fr. Walsh / —————— Red indicates Mass intentions
	Please remember: Baby Wells Tony Newhoff Rocco Yiu 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 — The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85). Second Reading — Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel — I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE Monday, December 8 50+ Club 12:30 p.m./Temp. Bldg. Religious Education 3:45 p.m./Parish Office Liturgy Committee 7:30 p.m./Conf. Rm. Tuesday, December 9 Youth Group 6:00 p.m./Parish Office Grief Support Group 7:00 p.m./Conf. Rm. Women’s Guild 7:00 p.m./Ext. Ctr. Wednesday, December 10 Hot Lunch 11:45 a.m./Temp. Bldg. St. Vincent de Paul Conf. 7:30 p.m./Parish Ctr. Thursday, December 11 Art Project 1:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. RCIA Group 7:00 p.m./Conf. Rm. Friday, December 12 Gamblers Anonymous 8:00 p.m./Parish Office & EC Saturday, December 13 Bible Study 8:30 a.m./Marian Room Sunday, December 14 Youth Group 4:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Monday: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday: St. Juan Diego Thursday: St. Damasus I Friday: Our Lady of Guadalupe Saturday: St. Lucy Special Collection Next Weekend A second collection will be taken at all masses next weekend, December 13 and 14 for: Retirement Fund for Religious This fund distributes grants to religious institutes for the retirement needs of senior religious sisters, brothers and priests. The fund also provides retirement planning and educational assistance to religious institutes. 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, Tim Lew, Miguel Mendoza, Maggie McDonald, Irin Mullen, 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. Dear Parishioners, December 7, 2008 "Catholic Charities CYO is driven by compassion," said outgoing CEO, Brian Cahill, last Monday night at a dinner honoring his ten years at the helm of CCCYO. Some five hundred of Brian's friends and admirers gathered in the Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchants Exchange Building to thank him for his sterling service of 40 years to San Francisco's poor and disadvantaged. Brian was royally thanked, honored, roasted a bit, and wellwished for his upcoming retirement. It was a wonderful San Francisco evening. It was good to see so many parishioners and friends of St. Stephen who came out to show their appreciation to Brian. I liked Brian's emphasis on compassion being the engine that drives both himself and CCCYO. Compassion is so very Catholic, weaving itself in and out of this Advent season. Fr. Leonardo Boff S.J. wrote a great book some 25 years ago on compassion in which he showed how Jesus Christ came to reveal the compassionate and merciful nature of our God. The prophet Isaiah points to it in today's first reading at Mass: "Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers his lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." That's a major Advent image we might want to cherish prayerfully during these days. This proclamation of hope prepares us for the gospel reading in which John the Baptist says that Jesus Christ will baptize with water, but also with a gift, the Holy Spirit who will tenderly, gently, straighten and level. The "gospel" is the "Good News" that God has become one of us, embraced our human condition and understands us from the inside. During these days of Advent we are in a good position to recognize our God as a God of compassion and love. Advent is not the waiting for Christmas, nor the celebration of Christ's birth in Bethlehem, but the time we give to opening our eyes and recognizing the compassion of God - and becoming, ourselves, compassion and care for one another. After all, it's old time Catholic religion that we all of us form the Mystical Body of Christ. If Christ lives in us, and he is the compassion of God made manifest, that manifestation can only be seen and felt through our dealings with one another. The Jesuit theologian Father Boff was warned several years ago by the Vatican that his writings were doctrinally off center and that he should take a break from writing and speaking for a while. Isn't it curious how large institutions don't like too much talk about compassion! Bad for the bottom line? Fear that it will undermine its authority? It's a question I've struggled with most of my life as a priest! Anyway, Brian's multiple mentions of compassion last Monday night could not have come at a better time of the year. Your Pastor, Fr. Joe A Story For Advent There was once a great Rabbi who spoke constantly about the coming of the Messiah, that the Messiah would come and change the world. One day, a little boy ran up to him and said, "Rabbi, Master, tell me when the Messiah will come. When will everything get changed?" And the Rabbi said to him, "My son, today the Messiah is coming. Today, this day, the Messiah will come." And the little boy said, "Master, tell me, where will he come and how will I recognize him?" And the Rabbi said, "He will come at the city gates and you will recognize him; he will be standing among the poor and the needy." So, the little boy ran out, full of hope and expectation, waiting for everything to change and for the Messiah to arrive. He waited, and waited, and waited. And as the day grew longer, he worried, and worried, and worried. As the sun set and the day ended, the little boy became angry. He raced back to the Rabbi and said, "Master, you lied to me or the Messiah lied to you. He has not come. Nothing has changed. Everything is the same." And the Master said, "My son, unless you can recognize him among the poor and needy, the Messiah will never come at all." - Anon Faith in Action The Faith in Action-Just Fools group will meet at 6:45 on Monday Dec. 8th at the Parish Center. Deacon Dan invites anyone interested to come and see how Matthew 25 can become a reality. Mark Your Calendar TODAY! Sunday December 7, 2008 - Men’s Club Annual Pancake Breakfast. December 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. - St. Stephen School presents a “Christmas Concert”; it will be held in our church. December 13, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. Simbang Gabi Commissioning and Mass that will take place at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Most Rev. George Niederauer, Archbishop of San Francisco will be the Principal Celebrant, to usher in Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses held in several parishes starting Dec. 15. December 14, 2008 - Giving Day Final day to return your gifts for the St. Stephen Giving Tree to help make a child smile this Christmas. December 16 thru December 24. Simbang Gabi Mass will be celebrated in our church at 6:00 a.m. December 18, 2008 – Last day to order poinsettias to be placed in the church for Christmas. January 7, 2008 - Last day to turn in an application for next August’s St. Stephen School’s Kindergarten Class. January 24, 2009 – Final day to turn in register receipts for Lucky Store’s “Apples for Students” program and exchange them for education awards. January 24, 2009 – Walk for Life – West Coast 2009! Join upwards of 25,000 pro-lifers for the 5th Annual Walk for Life. To contact them or for more information go to info@walkforlifewc.com or www.walkforlifewc.com. January 27, 2009 – 50+ Club trip to the River Rock Casino. Bus will leave at 1:00 p.m.; cost $25.00. Phone Betty Ganduglia at 650 589-0726 to reserve your space. February 21, 2009 - The St. Stephen Women's Guild Live and Silent Auction, "A Night to Bond", will be held at the Olympic Club, Lakeside. OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS Weekly collection goal $ 8,000 Past weekend collection (8/10) $ 6,680 Year to Date Goal $176,000 Year to Date $151,973 Thank you! Your continued generosity to our Parish is critical and never goes unnoticed. Holy Day of Obligation - Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Monday, December 8, 2008 Masses for this feast day will be at 8:00 a.m. 11;00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday. St. Stephen Giving Tree Please help make a child smile this Christmas It’s our invitation to share with someone in need. Please take a star off the tree, purchase the gift, wrap it, and return it to church no later than Sunday, December 14. All gifts will then be distributed to Laguna Honda, St. Peter’s Parish and Martin de Porres Shelter. Your gift will probably be the only one many receive. Sunday, December 14 is the deadline. HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for the 9:30 a.m. mass. Today, Sunday, Dec. 7- St. Vincent de Paul Sunday, Dec. 14 - Women’s Guild Sunday, Dec. 21 - Religious Ed. St. Stephen 50+ Club Our next meeting is tomorrow, Monday, December 8, at 12:30 p.m. We will meet in our Temporary Building. (Contact: Helga D’Arcy at 731-8211). Grief Support Group November, December and January can be very difficult months for those who are grieving the death(s) of loved ones. Deacon Dan and Dr. Ruby have organized a "Weekly Grief Support Group" to provide information on the grieving process, strategies for "getting through" the holiday season and support. If you are interested in joining the Grief Support Group, please see Deacon Dan and Dr. Ruby after Mass. POINSETTIAS As we prepare for the solemnity of Christmas, we look forward to the joy of the birth of Christ. We hope to express our joy by filling the church with a bountiful display of Poinsettias. If you would like to have one or more Poinsettia placed in the church in memory of loved ones, or to honor someone special, please fill out this form and return to the O’Reilly Parish Center by - Thursday, December 18. I would like to have a Poinsettia placed in the church in loving memory of: ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ I would like to have a Poinsettia placed in the church in honor of: ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ My name ____________________________________ My telephone # ____________________________________ Enclosed is $10.00 to cover the cost of each Poinsettia. ATTENTION SENIORS! Did you know if you are 70-1/2 years old, you are required to take an annual distribution from your IRA? Did you also know that you are eligible to make a TAX-FREE gift up to $100,000 from your IRA or Roth IRA to a charitable organization? Converting your IRA distribution into a charitable donation to your favorite non-profit, for example – St. Stephen Church – is a great way to reduce your tax burden and help our Church. Please consider making a donation today. What a great feeling knowing that you are helping St. Stephen Church fulfill its mission to share God’s message and provide caring service and sensitive outreach to those in need while supporting our 25 Church and School ministries. If you are able to consider a large gift from your IRA distribution, there are commemorative naming opportunities, which offer a wonderful and lasting way to honor family members, through the new Parish Center currently under construction. For more information, please contact Nancy Crowley at the St. Stephen Development Office at 415/681-2444 ext. 29 or e-mail at development@saintstephenSF.org. Don't forget to visit our website at www.SaintStephenSF.org! St. Stephen Men’s Club RESERVE YOUR LUCKY SQUARE St. Stephen’s 26th Annual SUPER BOWL POOL! Lucky squares are now on sale. If you have questions, contact Marco Cerri at 650 303-2133. Proceeds from this fund raiser support all our CYO Athletics.
	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 November 24 thru November 30 were: Leo McCaffrey, Mikayla Minnick, Erin Lithgow, Mathew Pashby, Brooke Bruneman, Corey McGrillen, Sarah Schmitt, Sean Kim, Sergio Mungcal, Gino Gandolfo, Erik Wassmer, Thomas McGovern, Emilia Holl, Michaela Serafica, Matthew Kozuch, Priscille Alden, Stefano Maffei, Jason Serafica, Zachary Yiu, Carter Evans, and Marilyn Mullaney.
	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: ___________________________