Saint Stephen Catholic Parish The Epiphany of the Lord January 4th, 2009 - Bulletin
		All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him.-
		— Psalm 72:11

	Our Liturgical Week Monday, January 5 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Semiramis Virondeau Tuesday, January 6 8:00 a.m. Fr. Walsh / Nasser & Mary Naghash Wednesday, January 7 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Jana Klanjac Thursday, January 8 9:30 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Barney Breen Friday, January 9 8:00a.m. Fr. Walsh / Carol Deeb Saturday, January 10 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Margaret Lucey 3:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. Fr. Calegari / Michael Mulcahy Sunday, January 11 - Baptisim of the Lord 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari /__ __ __ __ __ 9:30 a.m. Fr. Walsh / For the Parish 11:30 a.m. Fr. Sauer /__ __ __ __ __ 6:45 p.m. Fr. Walsh /__ __ __ __ __ Red indicates Mass intentions
	TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6). Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72). Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel — Magi from the east arrived, looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12). 2009 Mass Intentions Mass Intentions for the weekday 8:00 a.m. mass in 2009 are still available. Please keep in mind that mass intentions for the Saturday vigil and Sunday masses and the 12:10 p.m. daily mass during Lent are also available. OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE Monday, January 5 Religious Education 3:45 p.m./Parish Office Tuesday, January 6 Youth Group 6:00 p.m./Parish Office Grief Support Group 7:00 p.m./Conf. Rm. Wednesday, January 7 Hot Lunch 11:45 p.m./Temp. Bldg. Religious Education 3:30 p.m./Parish Office Sep. & Divorced Group 7:00 p.m./Ext. Center Thursday, January 8 Art Project 1:30 p.m./Temp. Bldg. RCIA 7:00 p.m./Parish Office Friday, January 9 Gamblers Anonymous 8:00 p.m./Parish Office & EC Saturday, January 10 Bible Study 8:30 a.m./Marian Room Sunday, January 11 Youth Group 4:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. Divorce Recovery Gp. 6:30 p.m./Ext. Center SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord New Year Blessing of the Home National Migration Week Monday: St. John Neumann Tuesday: Blessed André Bessette Wednesday: St. Raymond of Peñafort Orthodox Christmas Saturday: Muslim New Year 1430 St. Stephen Bible Study Bible study continues every Saturday morning in the Marian Room after the 8:00 a.m. mass. 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, January 4, 2009 A Blessed and Happy New Year to you all! Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and co-workers who put in so much effort to make the Christmas Season such a joy for everyone who came to St. Stephen. You have been terrific with your presence, prayers and participation. Many of you have shared Seasonal greetings with myself, Frs. Ed and Len, Deacons Gary and Dan, Pastoral Associates Veronica and Ruby, and staff. Please know that we may not get a chance to write or thank you personally. Just know that we are grateful and you are great! Today's feast of the Epiphany brings to our attention the age-old story of the Magi's visit to the cave at Bethlehem. We know the story, the facts: they journeyed from the East, following a star, and sought directions in Jerusalem to the newborn king. After a dubious encounter with the infanticidal King Herod, they followed the directions given them by the experts in Jerusalem and arrived at the cave where they did homage to the Child, offering gifts and returning home by a different route. We've known the facts since we were kids. We can tell the story. But what does the story mean? For me, it grandstands the contemporary tension between 'spirituality' and 'faith religion.' I often meet people who say they are 'spiritual' but not 'religious.' Some will quote Oprah's book, "Live Your Best Life," others will quote "The Seat of the Soul," a primer of New Age thought by Gary Zuker, and say 'spirituality' is really the way to go. The Magi came out of a star-gazing society. The star-gazers of ancient Persia tried to discern in the stars what their gods had in store for them. The Magi were god-seekers and their star led them to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, they sought advice from the Jewish religious experts. "Where is the new-born King of the Jews?" they wanted to know. The chief priests and scribes and experts in the law pointed them in the right direction. In the darkness of the Bethlehem cave, the Magi saw the true light of the world. They encountered the God of Jesus Christ, the very personal, demanding God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Moses, Samuel and David, the God who seeks people out and makes life-style demands. In the encounter, they realized they could no longer seek God on their own terms, but on God's. This God demanded that they return to their country by another way. They obeyed. They had to change their plans, adopt a new direction for their lives, and deal with this God no longer on their own terms. This, I suggest to you today, is the main difference between a new-age, non-denomination type spirituality and the faith-based religion of Christianity, especially Catholicism. Judeo-Christian religions believe in a God who pro-actively seeks us out and makes a personal appeal to us to conform to his plan. St. Paul appealed to us last Sunday to "let the word of God dwell in you richly, in all wisdom…” An ancient Christian axiom says that "ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." The Magi first went to the Jewish scripture experts, and from them learned where Jesus Christ was to be found. And so, dear Parishioners, I invite you to make one of your 2009 resolutions to become better acquainted with the Bible and, through the Bible, with the God of Jesus Christ. Your Pastor, Fr. Joe Happy New Year May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist, your gastro-enterologist, your urologist, your proctologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist, your plumber and the I.R.S. May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs and your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise. May what you see in the mirror delight you, and what others see in you delight them. May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues. May the commercials on TV not be louder than the program you have been watching, and may your check book and your budget balance - and include generous amounts for church and charity. May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings; but not to your secretary, your nurse, your masseuse, your hairdresser or your tennis instructor. And may we live in a world at peace and with the awareness of God's love in every sunset, every flower's unfolding petals, every baby's smile, every lover's kiss, and every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our heart. Mark Your Calendar 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.walkforlife.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. HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for the 9:30 a.m. mass. Today, Sunday, Jan. 4 - Youth Group Sunday, Jan. 11 - Just Fools Sunday, Jan. 18 - Women’s Guild 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). OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS Weekly collection goal $ 8,000 Past weekend collection (12/28) $ 6,505 Christmas 2008 collection goal $33,000 Christmas 2008 collection $26,204 Year to Date Goal $241,000 Year to Date $197,791 Thank you! Your continued generosity to our Parish is critical and never goes unnoticed. TEMPER AND PRIDE Temper is what gets most of us into trouble. Pride is what keeps us there. —Anonymous Fifth Annual Walk for life West Coast A New Tradition, A New Voice. Join thousands of pro-life women, men, friends and families as we take our message to the streets proclaiming that women deserve better than abortion. Walk with us Saturday, January 24, 2009 as we continue to peacefully proclaim our message in ever-greater numbers. Starts at 11:00 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. For information please call 586-1576 or www.walkforlife.com 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 our O’Reilly Parish Center from 7 to 9 p.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. 2009 Church Calendars Calendars for 2009, complements of Duggan’s Serra Family Mortuaries, are available in the back of the church. You are welcome to take more than one. POINSETTIAS The church has been adorned with poinsettias in Loving Memory of: Robert Alford & Lucille Turri Al Ambrose Anna Asdrubale Martin & Bertha Barzoloski Kathleen Dunn Brand Mel Campbell Lena Cella Mario Cella Adriana Choy Harry F. Clifford Francesco Conti Robert Conti Tarsilla Conti Charles J. Conlon JoAnn Clark Cook Mrs. Day John Andrew Debono Carole Deeb Angel de Jesus Justa de Jesus Rod de Jesus Shirley Dickensheet Anne Dito Deborah Doyle Florence Doyle Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Toledo R. Dulay Julia Dunn Margaret Jennett Dunn Richard Dunn Kathleen & Kingsley Eaton Kenneth A. Eaton Jerry C. Fitzgerald Pete Ganduglia Virginia Mary Gearhart Gisin Family Peter Granero Joan Granger Greely Families Alma Gross Ivan Gross Patricia Lynn Hanus Thomas C. Henry Henry & Anna Hillesheim Janet Horilleno Tito Horilleno Chester & Stelle Jarnatowski Emma Johnson Mr. & Mrs. George Kamena Janet & Michael Kelly Peggy Kenny Marie & George Kerwin Kirby Family Jana Klanjac Martin & Theresa Kyne Pearl & Frank LaBelle Jane Loretta Lawler Leehane Families Dominic M. Leonardini Christie Linehan Patrick Linehan Lola Lommori Mary Catherine Loney Mark William Loney Mary Looney Mr. & Mrs. Dino Lucci Domenic & Faustina Luscri Leo T. McCarthy Louis & Paul Melcher Daniel Murphy Family Raymond Nelson Clifford Noonan Ethel Jennett Noonan Evelyn Olsen Frances & Martin Osmundson Joseph Palace, Jr. Millie Perez Daniel M. Pommon Mary Porter Margaret J. Quigley Luigi A. Raffetto Mary Raffetto Karen M. Reidy James T. Rodman Adriano Rosano Frank M. Ryan Aurora & Guillermo Salvador Efron Salvador Marcelina Salvador Alice Sanderson Lorraine Saulpaugh Alfred & Florence Schneider Mrs. Irene Schoenfeld E. Philip Soderstrom Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Turri Josephine Marie Stender Dan & Jane Sullivan Rosa Veronello Semiramis Virondeau The Avani Family Vivian Family Dolores Von Holt Fred Von Holt Michael Walsh Robert F. Walsh Vera Whelan Jimmy Williams Cecilia Witt And in honor of: Aviani Family Ann Barrios Children & Grandchildren of Anthony Lou & Lana Bulis-Lou Clifford Family Mary & James Finn Frank & Mary Glynn Mary Elizabeth Henry Priests at St. Stephens Helen Mariscotti Sheila McCarthy Alene and Charlie Meyers & Family Mrs. Ellen Stalder Robert, Kyle & Kevin Reidy Jesse Tribulato Loretta Tribulato
	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 22 thru 28 were: Gino Gandolfo, Adrienne Tiña, Mikayla Minnick, Sergio Mungcal, Tony Suarez, Logan White, Phillip Simmons, Casey Stuart, Jake Cleary, Jason Serafica, Lisa Lie, Matthew Birsinger, Patrick Newland, Catherine Pabalan, Georgia Davey, Zachary Yiu, Brian Cleary, Olivia Abad, Sarah Schmitt, Erin Smith, Nicholas Lobue, Katie Regalia, Megan Hallisy, Matthew Kozuch, Jay Francisco, Danielle Tioyao, Sergio Mungcal, Allison Veronello, and Kimberly Yan.
	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: ___________________________