revised: January 29, 2009

ADULT VOLLEYBALL

St. Stephen Adult Volleyball: On most Monday evenings, 7:30 - 9 pm, adult volleyball is played in Donworth Center. Volleyball is open to all adults in the St. Stephen Parish and school community.
Contact: Bill Der - (415) 585-4502 or bderbder@gmail.com

Youth from our parish and school (sixth grade & up) who serve at Mass. Formation takes place before the start of Lent.
Contact: Mrs. Katya Minnick (Altar Server Scheduler) - AltarServerSchdlr@SaintStephenSF.org

The Altar Society is a group of ladies who volunteer each Friday to prepare the church for the week-end masses. They keep the altars clean, rearrange flowers for the side altars, and make sure the pews are picked up and adequately stocked with missals and envelopes. One of the main functions is to wash and iron the altar linens. There are three groups of women who work on a monthly basis, once every three months. The work is done after the 8:00 am mass and takes about one hour. All volunteers are welcome.
Contact: Helen Perlite - (415) 753-5964 or helntom@pacbell.net

Each January, St. Stephen looks to its own special needs as well as to its responsibility to the central services of the Archdiocese. A financial goal set by the Archdiocese, and the Pastor and Parish Council is met through the generosity and sacrifice of all members of our parish. This appeal begins in January.
Contact: Fr. Paul Warren - (415) 681-2444 ext. 25 or pwarren.ststephen@att.net

All are invited to attend our weekly Saturday morning study and discussion of the Sunday’s Readings and St. Luke's Gospel in the Marian Room immediately after the eight o'clock Mass. (Temporarily Suspended)
Contact: Fr. Paul Warren - (415) 681-2444 ext. 25 or pwarren.ststephen@att.net

Children ages 3-6 are dismissed after the Opening Prayer to read and discuss the Gospel in a way which is meaningful to them. They separate into groups and work on an art project or worksheet that supports the Gospel they have just read. They return to Mass after the general Intercessions.
Contacts: Ana Chin & Megan Ayres

The ministry of Eucharistic Ministers is a very rewarding and spiritual service to the Church and fellow parishioners. On a personal level, it is a humbling privilege to help the priest distribute Holy Communion. There is great flexibility in scheduling, and you will only be assigned to masses which you usually attend. If you are a parent of an altar server, you will be scheduled together. A short training session will prepare you for the ministry. I hope you will consider joining us and I know you will enjoy your service to St. Stephen Parish. If you are interested in the above ministries, please contact Tom Perlite.
Concact: Tom Perlite - (415) 753-5964 or helntom@pacbell.net

A place for parishioners over 50 to gather for an afternoon of relaxation. There is a Bridge Group, we have knitting and needlework sessions before regular meetings, periodic luncheons, trips, and we play Bingo at our meetings while we enjoy some light refreshments. The Club meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. New members are always welcome.
		Attention Seniors
Contact: Helga D’Arcy - (415) 731-8211

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers Anonymous membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Gamblers Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to stop gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same. San Francisco G.A. – Friday -- 8:00 PM – St Stephen Parish Extension Center. Closed Meeting
Contact: Michael Pappas - (415) 641-0720 or MPeterPappas@Yahoo.com

St. Stephen has generously contributed to a variety of local organizations through its annual Christmas Giving Tree. Beneficiaries of the parish include Laguna Honda Hospital, St. Peter's Parish and Martin de Porres Shelter. Parishioners are encouraged to retrieve "stars" from Christmas trees displayed in the Church and select a special gift as requested on the tag to be returned in time for distribution at Christmas, typically in the second week of December.
Contact: Helga D’Arcy - (415) 731-8211

This group is composed of parishioners with a special sense of liturgy, music and liturgical environment. The Liturgy Committee meets nine times annually to plan and oversee the liturgy and Church environment for Sundays and special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. The Committee meets about nine times annually and meetings last from one to one and a half hours. Members of the Liturgy Committee spend extra time decorating the Church for the major liturgical events and seasons. If you are interested in the above ministries, please contact Fr. Paul Warren
Contact: Fr. Paul Warren - (415) 681-2444 ext. 25 or pwarren.ststephen@att.net

Engaged couples are invited to view marriage as a Sacrament of our Church. This Archdiocesan approved program focuses on viewing marriages as: a lifelong commitment a journey of love and renewal a relationship that includes Christ an integral part of our Church
Contact: Connie & Joe D'Aura - (415) 664-8108

In supporting the Catholic values of the school and parish, the Men's Club sponsors various events and functions that promote friendship, camaraderie and long-lasting relationships in the St. Stephen community. Our passionate commitment to our children, their well-being, goals and aspirations, motivates us to give back to the community and set an example that the children can follow for the rest of their lives. The Club meets on the first Monday of the month during the academic year and is open to all men of the parish and school and is moderated by the Pastor.
Women's Guild & Men's Club Letter St. Stephen Women's Guild & Men's Club 2009-2010 Directory Part I - Part II
Contact: Francis Kim - kcjjige@yahoo.com

St. Stephen's music program includes choral and instrumental ensembles, with members of all ages. With a wide variety of music in our collective repertoire, we strive to facilitate - for both our parishioners, and visitors - a meaningful worship experience through active participation.

St. Stephen Choir The St. Stephen Choir is a non-auditioned, all-are-welcome singing ensemble, open to all adult members of the Parish community. We sing every week, usually at the 11:30 Mass. We rehearse on Sunday mornings, during the hour that precedes 11:30 Mass (we recently did away with regular Thursday evening rehearsals, due to the increased difficulty with work schedules and night driving - also, to make singing in the choir more convenient for busy Parishioners). We also sing for many special liturgical celebrations, and occasionally join the Junior Choir for masses such as Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, Lent and Holy Week, Pentecost, etc. Contact: Angela Zullinger - (415) 681-2444 ext. 26 or angelazullinger@gmail.com St. Stephen Junior Choir We sing, on average, twice a month at the 9:30am Family Mass on Sunday mornings throughout the school year. We also sing for many special liturgical celebrations, such as Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, Lent and Holy Week, Pentecost, etc. Our Thursday afternoon rehearsals are very popular. Children 7 and younger meet from 3-4pm, while children 8 and older meet from 4-5pm. Each rehearsal ends with a "cookie break" during which fellowship and community amongst these young singers continues to thrive. Some children's other after-school commitments prevent them from participating in the Thursday rehearsals, but continue to join us on Sundays to sing for 9:30 Mass. Attendance is rather flexible and family-friendly. Contact: Angela Zullinger - (415) 681-2444 ext. 26 or angelazullinger@gmail.com St. Stephen Contemporary Ensemble The St. Stephen Contemporary Ensemble provides music for the 6:45 PM Mass every Sunday. We are a diverse group with very talented people of all ages. In addition to our vocalists, our current instrumentation includes guitar, bass, violin, viola, saxophone, and piano. The purpose of our ministry is simple: to enrich the liturgy by encouraging the congregation to actively participate through song. We are not a performing group; we are music ministers. We welcome teens and adults to join our ministry. Younger individuals are welcome to join if they are interested and if they can commit to the rehearsals. Contact: Teresa Proano - tproano@pacbell.net

Support for the Divorced & Separated – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays – 7:30 – 9:00pm – St Stephen Parish Center. Are you, or is someone you know; suffering from the pain of separation or divorce? SDCASF (Separated & Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese of San Francisco) can help! Divorce support groups can provide a safe place for those experiencing pain from the end of a relationship in finding fellowship and support as they make the adjustment to a new life.
Contact: Fr. Al Grosskopf, S.J. - (415) 422-6698

As an advisory group to the Pastor, the Finance Committee acts to enhance the parish's finances through prudent budgeting of parish resources, financial planning for the future, and ensures that all departments and ministries comply with Archdiocesan Financial Guidelines and the basic tenets of Catholic Stewardship. The Committee meets 6 times a year.
Contact: Dan Linehan - FinanceCouncil@SaintStephenSF.org

The St. Stephen Parish Council serves as an advisory body to the Pastor and Pastoral staff. We seek to identify and respond to community needs and provide long-term planning for the Parish. To do so, we will work to find the "pulse" of the St. Stephen Community, and help ensure that every member of the Parish feels welcome and comes to the fullness of his or her Christian vocation. Members serve a three-year term and meet 6 times a year.
Contact: Patrick Smith - PastoralCouncil@SaintStephenSF.org

RCIA is a nine-month process to help people who are seeking to experience, understand and consciously choose to follow Jesus Christ within the Catholic tradition. While this program is primarily for those considering receiving the Sacraments (Baptism and/or Confirmation and Eucharist), there are a variety of ways for Confirmed Catholics to participate in and assist the process - as sponsors, prayer partners, hospitality, event-planning etc.
Contact: Thu-Ha Rae - (415) 681-2444 ext. 27 or RCIA@SaintStephenSF.org

Children in public grade schools meet in the O'Reilly Center on Monday afternoons through the school year to be educated in the Catholic faith. They are prepared for First Holy Communion and Confirmation by volunteers with teaching skills and a sound knowledge of Catholic teaching.
Contact: Thu-Ha Rae - (415) 681-2444 ext. 33 or trae-ststephen@att.net

Simbang Gabi at St. Stephen began in 1996 at the encouragement of Fr. John Greene, and with the unconditional support of Fr. Paul Warren in all of the ensuing years. It has now grown to become a celebration with 8 parishes: St. Anne of the Sunset, St. Brendan, St. Cecilia, St. Emydius, St. Finn Barr, St. Gabriel, St. Stephen, and Star of the Sea. This nine-day spiritual preparation for Christmas is celebrated at 6:00am, from December 16 through December 24. This year, a 5-minute pre-liturgy will depict scenes from the Gospel reading. On December 24, the “Panuluyan” or the efforts of Mary and Joseph searching for an inn will be reenacted at 5:45am.

St. Martin de Porres includes a community of people with diverse spiritual practices, although their roots are in, and continue to be inspired by the Catholic Worker Movement. Begun by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, the Catholic Worker philosophy and ideal are carried out by upwards of 200 houses worldwide in various works of mercy in the spirit of "gentle personalism." In San Francisco, Martin's is a free restaurant servicing breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on Sundays. Its mission is to serve in the spirit of compassion, understanding and love. St. Stephen contributes to St. Martin de Porres through volunteers at Martin's and donations made through the Giving Tree at Christmas.
Contact: Helga D’Arcy - (415) 731-8211

The St. Vincent de Paul Society mission has remained unchanged in San Francisco for over 100 years, to help the needy on a one-to-one basis. Whether someone is homeless, dispossessed, a victim of abuse, hungry, alcoholic, or drug dependent, the Society's commitment is to attempt to break the cycle of despair and depression. Your time, talent, or treasure can be put to positive work at the Multi-Service Center, Rosalie House, Vincentian Desk, Arlington Hotel, or Oznam Alcohol Services.
The website for St. Vincent de Paul is: SVDP-SF.org
E-Mail - vincentianhlpdsk@sbcglobal.net

The Stewardship Committee acts to help the parish become aware that God is the ultimate giver of the gifts its members have - gifts of time, talent and treasure; to receive them gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them lovingly to God.

Grand Raffle - November 16, 2008

Attention Seniors

Contact: To Be Announced

This is a brand new group in the parish whose purpose is to respond to social needs by encouraging parish education, participation and outreach in addressing injustices within and outside the parish. The group has highlighted such issues as supporting Fair Trade Practices, suggesting that when we choose to buy fair trade products we are making a strong connection with hardworking, but impoverished workers around the world. The CRS Fair Trade network guarantees fair wages to disadvantaged artisans, farmers and workers.
Contact: Terese Lawler - tereselawler@yahoo.com

The purpose of the Women's Guild is to promote all the women of our parish to actively participate in building a stronger school and parish community. The Guild is to assist and cooperate with the Pastor, Principal, and parish staff in providing and enhancing programs for the benefit of the parish and the school. The Guild is the primary fund raising organization for St. Stephen School. In addition to the wonderful events the Guild hosts during the year, it also sponsors an Outreach Program and an Art Program for school students as well as their parents. The Guild welcomes all women to join in being part of the enriching and fun activities.
Contacts:
Alicia Pashby & Giovanna Oropeza (Co-Presidents) - WomensGuild1@SaintStephenSF.org
Women's Guild & Men's Club Letter St. Stephen Women's Guild & Men's Club 2009-2010 Directory Part I - Part II

The St. Stephen Youth Group encourages teenagers of the parish to continue their dedication and enthusiasm in our community through social activities, community related service and fundraising events. The Youth Group strives to be a meaningful and significant voice in the parish family. Christian Fernandez has served as Youth Minister for over 10 years by involving the Group in rummage sales, making sandwiches for the poor, open gyms, movie nights, lock-ins, youth Masses and their annual ski trip to Lake Tahoe. Our Youth Group meets once or twice a week, usually on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Contact: Christian Fernandez - (415) 681-2444 ext. 26 or cafernandez15@hotmail.com