Saint Stephen Catholic Parish Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21st, 2008 - Bulletin

	Our Liturgical Week Monday, December 22 8:00 a.m. Fr. Walsh / Pearl La Belle Tuesday, December 23 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Ray Aguirre Wednesday, December 24 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray 4:30 p.m. Fr. Walsh / Bob O’Malley Thursday, December 25- Christmas 12:00 a.m. midnight, Fr. Walsh 8:00 a.m. Fr. Sauer 9:30 a.m. Fr. Calegari 11:30 a.m. Fr. Murray Friday, December 26 8:00a.m. Fr. Walsh / Bridgie Barry Saturday, December 27 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray / John R. Ricafort Sr. 3:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari Sunday, December 28 - XXth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray 9:30 a.m. Fr. Calegari / For the Parish 11:30 a.m. Fr. Walsh 6:45 p.m. Fr. Walsh Red indicates Mass intentions
	Please remember: Anna Asdrubale 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 — I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading — To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE Monday, December 22 Tuesday, December 23 Youth Group 6:00 p.m./Parish Office Grief Support Group 7:00 p.m./Conf. Rm. Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Christmas Holiday/Office Closed xx Friday, December 26 Office Closed Gamblers Anonymous 8:00 p.m./Parish Office & EC Saturday, December 27 Bible Study 8:30 a.m./Marian Room Sunday, December 28 Youth Group 4:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. GOD'S PROMISE The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God's promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God's name, poetically turns around David's plan to build a house for God, and announces God's plan to build a "house," that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it's amazing what we are given--so different from what we ever could have imagined. (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. 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, George O’Brien, 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 21, 2008 Welcome to St. Stephen today, this final Sunday before Christmas. I hope these past three weeks of Advent have helped you to get some new focus and spirituality going in your life. If not, I invite you to begin today. It's not too late. Never is! The story of the Annunciation in today's gospel is about you and me. Taken literally, at its face value, it is about the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary. Luke inserted the story in his gospel because the early Christian community recognized it as an invitation from God to all believers, including you and me, to faith and trust in God. Darkness surrounds us these days. Many are troubled and fearful, even frightened. Back in Mary's time, people were exploited, repressed and deprived of what was rightly theirs. Living in dark and troubled times, in a conflicted land, Mary's responses to the angel betray her inner confusion and turmoil. Being one who questioned, pondered possible answers, she would have often asked herself, "Is there something more to life than all this darkness and misfortune?" We ask similar questions today: "To whom should I turn? Which way should I go?" As Mary discerned the hand of God in the angel's visit, maybe the voice of God is hidden in these questions. God's invitation comes in ordinary ways. You may well hear God's voice when your child asks "Why don't we go to church?" Or when an unplanned pregnancy occurs and you struggle whether to have the baby or terminate the pregnancy. Or when you feel "there must be something more to life." Mary, in the midst of her confusion, wondered, turned over in her heart, speculated and struggled inwardly. Eventually she recognized the voice of God in what was happening. "Fear not," said the angel. The word of God is always a word of hope, a word calling us from fear to trust. Mary was helped by a pregnant piece of news about her cousin Elizabeth way down in distant Jerusalem. Elizabeth was advanced in age and was going to have a child as well. Mary's response to all this was a kind of, "Well, if she can then so can I, by the favor of God." Every time we gather in church we hear the word of God. It invites us to ponder, reflect and sense, as the road unfolds before our feet or wheels. There are "angel-moments" which are real, though not winged or feathery. They are faith-charged with a glimmer of light which nudges and urges us gently. Often the story of another person can give us the courage we need to respond to God's call to go from fear to trust, like the news about Elizabeth nudged Mary to say, "Let it be done to me according to your word." On behalf of the three men in your lives, Frs. Ed, Len and myself, as well as our staff, may I wish you all a Christmas that will bring you closer to God. Your Pastor, Fr. Joe The St. Stephen Women's Guild is pleased to announce the 2009 St. Stephen Anchor Parishioners: Matthew Quane and Helen & Tom Perlite. Please join us as we honor Matthew, Helen & Tom for their many years of service to our Church community at 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 8, 2009 and again on Saturday evening, February 21, 2009 at the Olympic Club Lakeside for the Women's Guild Annual Auction and Dinner Dance benefiting St. Stephen School. For ticket information to the Auction & Dinner Dance, please contact Molly Krauss at 650-992-4945 / molly_krauss@chroniclebooks.com or Susan O'Driscoll at 415-334-0674 / sodriscoll@comcast.net. Congratulations to Matthew Quane and Helen & Tom Perlite! Prayer Before Reading Sacred Scripture Sustain us, O God, in our journey as we go forth to welcome the One who is to come. Plant within our hearts your living Word of promise and hope, and make haste to help us as we seek to understand what we went out to see with John the Baptist in the wilderness: your patience nurturing your saving purpose to fulfillment, your power in Jesus making all things new. Mark Your Calendar Thru December 24. Simbang Gabi Mass will be celebrated in our church at 6:00 a.m. December 24, 2008 – Pope Benedict XVI offers Midnight Mass from the Vatican at 3:00 p.m. Another telecast features choral meditation and the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve, from the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. at 7:00 p.m. These will be live telecasts carried on television station EWTN; Comcast channel 229. All times are Pacific. December 25, 2008 – The Pope’s Christmas Message to the World will be carried on EWTN at 7:00p.m. (Encore December 26 at 2:00 p.m.) January 7, 2009 - 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) $ 6,734 Year to Date Goal $192,000 Year to Date $158,707 Thank you! Your continued generosity to our Parish is critical and never goes unnoticed. CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART Christmas! 'Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart. --Washington Irving Novena of Mass at Dawn (Simbang Gabi) at St. Stephen, thru December 24 at 6:00 a.m., a spiritual preparation for Christmas. At St. Stephen 7 other parishes in the Deanery and beyond join us to host each day of the Novena. On the morning of Dec. 24, Archbishop Niederauer will be the Principal Celebrant. Please see the Bulletin Board for more information. List of Host Parishes: St. Anne of the Sunset, St. Brendan, St. Cecilia, St. Emydius, St. Finn Barr, St. Gabriel, Star of the Sea, and St. Stephen. 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. 2008 Archbishops Annual Appeal - Our goal is $69,000 If you wish to support the 2008 AAA and have not yet send in your contribution, please consider doing so during the next 10 days. We must meet our goal by December 31st. Please help. Your support for Archbishop Niederauer's work and ministry amounts to $50,067 at this OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS time. We still have a balance of $19,833 to meet. St. Stephen 50+ Club Our next meeting is Monday, January 12 at 12:30p.m. We will meet in our Temporary Building. (Contact: Helga D’Arcy at 731-8211). HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for the 9:30 a.m. mass. Today, Sunday, Dec. 21 - Religious Ed Sunday, Dec. 28 - Cecelia Prete Sunday, Jan. 4 - Youth Group Christmas Schedule 2008 Christmas Eve Masses 4:30 p.m. Family Vigil Mass 12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass Christmas Day Masses 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. No evening Mass on Christmas Day Sunday, December 28 Masses Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Saturday 4:30 p.m. (Sunday Vigil) 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Thursday, January 1 Mass Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 9:30 a.m. Traditional Christmas Music at All Masses   Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Bay Area Divorce Recovery Course offered by the Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Bay Area provides a chance to understand the emotional journey begun with the loss of a relationship. It will be held for seven Sunday evenings beginning January 11 and will meet at St. Stephens Church, O’Reilly Parish Center, 451 Eucalyptus, San Francisco from 7 to 9p.m. The cost of $45 covers book and materials. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, call Vonnie at 650/873-4236 or Susan at 415/752-1308. 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. Immaculate Heart Radio Tune in to 1260 AM, 24 hours a day, for inspirational and educational programming. This is the only Catholic Radio in the Bay Area.
	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 December 8 thru 14 were: xSarah Schmitt, Stefano Maffei, Jay Francisco, Christiaan Parnell, Emilia Holl, J. Montemayor, Lisa Lie, Allison Veronello, Nicole Patricio, Thomas McGovern, Samantha Baker, Michelle McHugh, Michaela Lavino, Gino Gandolfo, Adrienne Tiña, Matthew Kozuch, Kimberly Yan, Priscille Alden, Nicholas Lobue, Emily Hipp, Erik Wassmer, Georgia Davey, Casey Stuart, Zachary Yiu, Michaela Serafica, Logan White, Kira McPolin, and Brooke Bruneman.
	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: ___________________________