Saint Stephen Catholic Parish Second Sunday of Ordinary Time January 18th, 2009 - Bulletin
		Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you.
		— 1 Corinthians 6:19a

	Our Liturgical Week Monday, January 19 8:00 a.m. Fr. Walsh / Danny Murphy Tuesday, January 20 8:00 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Marygrace Dunn Wednesday, January 21 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Bobby Bonnici Thursday, January 22 9:30 a.m. Fr. Calegari / Pearl La Belle Friday, January 23 8:00a.m. Fr. Walsh / Rose Polli Saturday, January 24 8:00 a.m. Fr. Murray / Kathy O’Malley 11:00 a.m. Fr. Walsh / 50th Anniversary Mass 3:30 p.m. Fr. Murray / Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. Fr. Murray / Barney Breen Sunday, January 25 - Third Sunday of Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Fr. Sauer / Norrie Harty 9:30 a.m. Fr. Walsh / For the Parish 11:30 a.m. Fr. Calegari /__ __ __ __ __ 6:45 p.m. Fr. Walsh /__ __ __ __ __ Red indicates Mass intentions
	TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19). Psalm — Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will (Psalm 40). Second Reading — Your bodies are members of Christ; glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20). Gospel — The first disciples saw where Jesus was staying and they stayed with him (John 1:35-42). Special Collection Next Weekend A second collection will be taken at all masses next weekend, January 24 and 25 for the for Church in Latin America OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE Monday, January 19 MLK Holiday / Parish Office closed Tuesday, January 20 Youth Group 6:00 p.m./Parish Office Grief Support Group 7:00 p.m./Conf. Rm. Women’s Guild 7:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. Wednesday, January 21 Hot Lunch 11:45 p.m./Temp. Bldg. Sep. and Divorced Group. 7:00 p.m./Ext. Center Thursday, January 22 Arch. AAA workshop 10:00 a.m./Temp. Bldg. RCIA 7:00 p.m./Parish Office Friday, January 23 Gamblers Anonymous 8:00 p.m./Parish Office & EC Saturday, January 24 Bible Study 8:30 a.m./Marian Room Sunday, January 25 Youth Group 4:00 p.m./Temp. Bldg. Divorce Recovery Gp. 6:30 p.m./Ext. Center SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Monday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Orthodox Theophany (Epiphany) Tuesday: St. Fabian St. Sebastian Inauguration Day Wednesday: St. Agnes Thursday: St. Vincent; Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person Saturday: St. Francis de Sales 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, Irene Buscovich, Elena Carr, Mario Cid, Kevin Cleary, James Collins, Bernard Curran, David Douglas, Msgr. Bruce Dreier, Betty Francesconi, Art Hazlett, Mary Elizabeth Henry, Nellie Jocson, Elizabeth Kauss, Tim Lew, Miguel Mendoza, Alene Meyers, Maggie McDonald, Irin Mullen, Mercy Newman, George O’Brien, Kylie O’Leary, 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 18, 2009 Within a few days, we will have a new president and vice-president, and national, state and local officials will begin the job of leading our country, which has been so richly blest, and which is facing unparalleled problems. Let's hope that Samuel's words in today's first reading will be the constantly repeated prayer of all who are elected to public office: "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." Our own prayers and participation on behalf of the common good are also essential. Elsewhere in this bulletin you will find a prayer for President-elect Barak H. Obama and all Newly Elected Officials, and Pope Benedict's personal message to the President-elect. Last Saturday evening, eight of us served dinner at the St Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter at 5th and Bryant Streets. It reminded me of Friday evenings in Rome, back in 2003 and I was on Sabbatical, when I volunteered at a San Egidio soup kitchen in Trastevere. To volunteer on occasion at the SVdP Homeless Shelter right here in San Francisco is something I would propose for your serious consideration. The experience is a real blessing. If you'd like to try it, contact Deacon Dan or myself. The Liturgy this weekend is about the call of God to each one of us, and our search for God and meaning in our lives. The young boy, Samuel, who had no knowledge of God, was puzzled to hear his name called in the middle of the night. "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening," responded Samuel. This is the prayer of one who wants to be open to whatever God asks. "What are you looking for?" asked Jesus of those who were following him. "Where do you live?" they responded. "Come and see," invited Jesus. Such is the answer given to all who look and search for meaning and purpose in their lives. "Come and see. Get to know me. Experience my presence. See who I am. See what kind of person I am. See the values I hold. Come and see." Most of us are "Cradle Catholics." As such, we run the risk of settling for being "Culture Catholics," that is, Catholics whose values and lifestyles have melted into the predominant secular culture. Some Cradle Catholics continue to follow Jesus in order to feel safe, subscribing to "Pascal's Wager" which says that you might as well live a good life just in case there's something after. Others turn to Jesus in times of crisis, or times of illness, and look for a miracle. So, I think, today is a good day to take an honest look at our personal motivation for believing and following Jesus. The old priest Eli was slow to believe the Lord was calling the boy Samuel. Cradle Catholic or recently converted, we all experience doubt and hesitancy about God, faith and church. Memorize this quote; it's a good one: "Doubt is a healthy hunger that makes us go looking for better answers than the ones with which we've contented ourselves so far" - (Wm. O'Malley S.J. in "Help My Unbelief.") Your Pastor, Fr. Joe The Pope Congratulates Obama In a telegram sent November 5, Pope Benedict XVI assured President-elect Obama of his prayers that God would assist him in his "high responsibilities in service to the nation and to the international community" and "sustain you and the beloved American people in your efforts, together with all men and women of good will, to build a world of peace, solidarity and justice." Prayer for a Presidential Inauguration Almighty and eternal God, assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides. May he encourage due respect for virtue and religion.   May he execute the law with justice and mercy.   May he seek to restrain crime, vice, greed and immorality. We pray to you, from whom all authority comes, our Lord and God for ever and ever. Amen. (The Roman Ritual Book of Blessings) Mark Your Calendar 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 25, 2009 – Catholic Schools Week! You are cordially invited to visit our St. Stephen School Open House. 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 1, 2009 - Confirmation will take place during our 11:30 a.m. mass with Bishop Justice as the celebrant. 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. St. Stephen 50+ Club Our next meeting is Monday, January 26 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 (8/10) $ 7,033 Year to Date Goal $257,000 Year to Date $211,544 Thank you! Your continued generosity to our Parish is critical and never goes unnoticed. HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for the 9:30 a.m. mass. Today, Sunday, Jan. 18 - Women’s Guild Sunday, Jan. 25 - Religious Ed. Sunday, Feb. 1 - Jenn Coen Congratulations! Belinda and Alex Mistica are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today. They were married January 18, 1969 at Quezon City in the Philippines. They have been faithful and active parishioners at St. Stephen since 1979. Their daughters graduated at St. Stephen School where their grandson Frankie is now in first grade. We offer Alex and Belinda our sincere best wishes and prayers for many more years of happiness together. 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 peacefully take our message to the streets proclaiming that women deserve better than abortion. Walk with us next 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.walkforlifewc.com 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. St. Stephen Men’s Club RESERVE YOUR LUCKY SQUARE St. Stephen’s 26th Annual SUPER BOWL POOL! Lucky squares are still available! If you have questions, contact Marco Cerri at 650 303-2133. Proceeds from this fund raiser support all our CYO Athletics. Little Children’s Aid... to honor St. Stephen parishioner Karen Leach at “Share Your Heart”, a Valentines Cocktail Party. Please join us as we honor Karen Leach with the Alice Phelan Sullivan Award Saturday, February 7, 2009 Forest Hills Club House 381 Magellan Avenue, San Francisco 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Hosted Bar Hors d' Oeuvres by Knight's Catering Silent Auction & Award Presentation Tickets: $75.00 per person Music by The Hot Frittatas For additional information contact: Karen Sanchez-Corea at kscorea@aol.com or phone 415 564-4545.
	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 January 5 thru 11 were: Jay Francisco, Thomas McGovern, Briana Tompkins, Erik Wassmer, Matthew Kozuch, Priscille Alden, Janelle Labiaga, Mikayla Minnick, Danielle Tioyao, Casey Stuart, Kimberly Yan, Carter Evans, Olivia Abad, Jennifer Montemayor, Gino Gandolfo, Samantha Baker, Allison Veronello, Nicole Patricio, Michaela Lavino, Michelle McHugh, and Lisa Lie.
	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: ___________________________