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February 11, 2018 Vol. 36 No. 27

St. Stephen’s Catholic Church 4601 Neely Avenue Midland, Texas 79707 (432) 520-7394 Fax (432) 520-7395

www.ststephensmidland.com

Rev. Rodney White, Pastor Assistant Pastor: Rev. Timothy Hayter

Deacons: Leonard Hendon, Luis Mata, Fidel Saldivar, Larry Salazar Sisters: Gertrudis Muñoz, Leonila Torres

Youth Director: Thomas Shows Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

MASS TIMES 7:00 AM (ENGLISH) 12:15 PM (ENGLISH) 5:30 PM (ENGLISH) 7:00 PM (SPANISH)

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES 2018

Our Lady of Guadalupe (Ft. Stockton) February 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM St. Mary (Odessa) February 26, 2018 at 7:00 PM Holy Trinity (Big Spring) February 27, 2018 St. Joseph’s (Stanton) February 28, 2018 at 6:30 PM St. Lawrence March 7, 2018 at 7:00 PM St. Stephen’s (Midland) March 8, 2018 at 7:00 PM San Miguel (Midland) March 14, 2018 at 7:00 PM Our Lady of Lourdes (Andrews) March 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM Holy Redeemer (Odessa) March 21, 2018 at 7:00 PM Good Shepherd (Crane) March 22, 2018 at 6:30 PM Our Lady of Guadalupe (Midland) March 23, 2018 (All Day) St. Joseph’s (Odessa) March 26, 2018 at 6:30 PM St. Ann’s (Midland) March 27, 2018 at 7:00 PM

Ash Wednesday and Lent are Upon Us Many of us can relate to the leper in the Gospel passage from this Sunday, Mark 1: 40-45. The leper says to Jesus “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus responds “I do will it. Be made clean.” This desire to be made clean leads us into the Lenten season. It reminds us of our need for a savior. That savior is God himself in the person of Jesus Christ.

It truly is a time to do just as the prophet Joel (2: 12-18) calls us to, to “return to me with your whole heart” for the Lord is “gracious and merciful … slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” St. Paul then echoes this call to repentance and conversion in his second letter to the Corinthians (6:2) as he proclaims “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Indeed, now is the time to fully return to the Lord. It is a time to take a good, honest look at ourselves to see both what the Lord desires to free us from and what He is calling us to. The Church has designated Lent as a time for penance, fasting and almsgiving so that we may cooperate with the grace Christ gives us by turning from sin and turning to the Lord Himself in prayer, fasting and charitable works for the good of others. This can be as simple as abstaining from a particular item and dedicating that in prayer for someone who may have a particular addiction as well as for our own conversion from a particular sin. It can mean taking some time to pray, go to daily Mass or read scripture. This can also include simple acts of kindness or generosity. It can be simple, yet transformative if we really commit to it, and focus on a specific area where we need to change for the good.

For this indeed is what the Lord is doing, calling us back to Him. I ask you specifically to pray for those during this time who are struggling with their faith or seem to have fallen away from it, that we may again be “one” as Christ prayed. We also invite you each Friday during Lent to join us for the Stations of the Cross and the meal afterwards, as well as to join us for an hour of adoration every Monday during Lent as we expose the Blessed Sacrament in the big church and conclude with Benediction (a special blessing with the Blessed Sacrament). Have a blessed and fruitful Lent! May we return to God with our whole hearts and be made clean in Christ, for He is gracious and merciful. Behold, now is a very acceptable time to do so!

In Christ, Fr. Timothy Hayter

Sunday, February 11 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, February 12

Tuesday, February 13

Wednesday, February 14 - Ash Wednesday

Spanish Mass

Thursday, February 15

Friday, February 16

Saturday, February 17

Sunday, February 18 - First Sunday of Lent

Last Week’s Collection

Regular Collection $ 34,408.03 Building Fund $ 260.00 Other Income $ 436.17 Catholic Schools $ 30,406.51

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of February 11, 2018

ST. STEPHEN’S CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday 6:45 am - 7:00 am; 12 noon - 12:15 pm;

& 5:00 - 5:30 pm

Wednesday 6:45 a.m.-7 a.m.; 12 noon-12:15 p.m.;

5-5:30 p.m.; & 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturday 7:45 am - 8:00 am; 4:00 - 4:45 pm

Sunday 20 minutes prior to each Mass

And anytime, by appointment

CRS RICE BOWL! Our parish will

be participating in CRS Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, as a way to encounter Jesus through others especially through the most vulnerable in our World . Rice Bowls will be in the foyer. Please be sure to take one home and use the easy and fun resources to deepen your family’s Lent experience. Your prayers, fasting and almsgiving this Lenten season will help Catholic Relief Services continue to provide life-saving assistance in nearly 100 countries. CRS works on our behalf to care for the poorest in our world and to end global poverty.

Come experience the

presence of the Lord

like never before

during a Bilingual

hour of Adoration

every Monday during Lent. ANY

QUESTION PLEASE CALL LINDA

FOSTER AT (432)559-8888 (HABLA

ESPANOL)

On Ash Wednesday there will be a collection for the Aid to the Church in Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America & Africa. Thank you for this expression of solidarity with our Catholic brothers & sisters around the world.

Upcoming Baptismal Classes:

March 4th & 11th April 8th & 15th

English : 2:00 - 4:30 Spanish: 2:30 - 5:00

Please Call Parish Office to Register (432) 520–7394.

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February 11 Guy Bussell

Breanna Cheramie Yolanda Cung

Angela Fuentes Lauren Fuentes Trevor Garcia

Lori Garza Amanda Hernandez

Maria Montiel Craig Pistulka

Phillip Seidenberger

February 12 Jesus Armendariz Stephanie Basom

Marina Beltran David Bles John Boase

Mireya Castro Olivia Fryt

Manuel Hernandez Robert Herrera Kristin Kinzer

Ary Loya Juan Martinez

Vincent Mendez Gustavo Pando Kynzlee Reyes Debbie Sharum

Daniel St. Germain Joseph St. Germain

Cristian Torres

February 13 Marie Ruth Cung

Kristi Herrera Emily Marquez

Judith Pare Maria Ybarra

February 14 Aricela Calbesi Susan Gentry

Xavier Gonzales Dillen Mariscal

Joshua Mariscal Ron Martinez

Maricela Sanchez Leslie Vazquez

February 15 Abraham Davalos

Osiel Deras Kyle Glover Tyler Hain

Toby Halfman Megan Landenberger

Maria Robles Yolanda Rodriguez

February 16 Juan Jimenez

Rigoberto Manriquez Donald McKay

Christian Molina Michael Morales Jose Luis Munoz

Molly Ann Schrader James Shrauner

Lukas Sotelo Charles True Oscar Valles

Elizabeth Ybarra

February 17 Erin Barnes

Keith Beaugez Catherine Boss

Cindy Cross Stacie Garza

Mary Lou Ornelas Gisele Ortega

Jesusita Rodriguez Juan Rodriguez Cindy Sanchez

February 18 Martin Alva

Nayiella Deras Minda Dominguez

Armando Rodriguez Abram Salazar

Luis Trejo

Adrian Ayala, Phillip Sorrel, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Avyel Munoz, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Inez Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Bartolo Rodea, Evans Family, Rachel S., Burdette

Family, Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Anita P., Carlota W., Judy D., Alicia S., Jesse Julus Garcia, Betty Compton, Maunel Hernandez, Corina Pena, Filemon R.

Ortega, Clarissa Ortega, Ricky Montes, Luke M. Prementine, Zaylin Ortegon, Teresa Kiser, Mike Levi, Mark Clark, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Mingo Lujan, Ramon Munoz, Beatrice Pacheco, Bea Herrera, Methias Ornelas, Jose Carmen Vazquez, Rebecca Rodelo, Jess Valenzuela, Bob Brecze, Gerald Thetford, Heidi Gobel, Dominguez Family, Yasmin Smith, Ladyann Medina, Fran Thetford, Margaret Robson, Joe Munoz Jr., Anita Morin, Joe Munoz III, Dahlia Munoz, Julio Rodriguez, Felix Munoz II, Julian Rodriguez, Terisa Galvin, Jesus Munoz, Bob & Eva Lopez, Gary Miller, Mykee Angay, Mike Braskett, Emma Valdez, Mary Madrid, Eddie Martinez, Albert Madrid, James M. Garcia, Rosa Mata, Ruben Salas, Eva Lopez, Isabel Martinez, Alfredo Garcia, Jerry Huitron, Alonzo Rios, Jordan & Sanchez Family, Larry White, Daniel Jossylen, Roberta Smith, Paola Hinojos, Ryan Pina, Kaely Munoz, Castillo Family, Deacon Mike Medina, Elizabeth McChesney, Jacqueline Murphree, Qualls Family, Felly Camagong & Family, Janie Sotelo, Melinda Sanchez, MaryLu Perrez, Kim Waltzer, Gina Gonzalez, Braxton Munoz, Dylan Wilson, Sam Gibbs, Veronica Gomez-Calvo, Delaney Diaz.

Email frontdesk.sscc@att.net or call the office at 520-7394 to be added to the prayer list!

Upcoming Lenten Dinners After the 5:30pm Mass & Stations of the Cross

(Dinner served approximately 6:30pm) **Menu might change without prior notice**

Feb. 16th - Pancakes by the Cursillistas Feb. 23rd - Cheese Enchiladas by the Guadalupanas

March 2nd - Various Soups by the ACTS Team

March 9th - Baked Potatoes by the Grupo de Matrimonios

March 16th - Various Salads by Youth Group and Women’s Organization

** all Lenten Dinners listed above are free of charge but donations are gladly accepted to help cover the cost of the food

March 23rd- Fish Fry by the Women’s Organization and Knights of Columbus.

** Fish Fry is $10.00 – must have tickets which can be purchased in the office from Gladys at 520-7394. No tickets will be sold at the door.

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This week in RCIA we will study Lent. The word “lent” comes from an early English word that refers to the lengthening of daylight hours during spring. The season of Lent is the Church’s time to prepare to celebrate the Resurrection. It was simply called “the forty days” in the Greek and Latin languages. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and

ends before the Eucharistic liturgy on Holy Thursday. The time period of forty days is very significant in Holy Scripture and the life of the Church.

Lent is marked by seven primary practices: prayer, fasting, abstinence, charity, praying the Stations of the Cross, praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and attending Daily Mass. The purpose of Lent is to draw us closer to God and to aid us in growing in holiness. This isn’t just trying to do better, it’s more than that. This isn’t just identifying the sin in your life, it’s more than that. It’s our Lord's call to nothing less than holiness, and how blessed we are for our Lord to call us and lead us on such a wonderful journey! "RCIA" stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It's the process by which adults come into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving their Sacraments of Initiation. It's free, childcare is provided, we have a lot of fun and we always have something good to eat. If you have questions, feel free to email me at billberry100@aol.com.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

Altar Server Training For Spanish and English Mass Servers

Deacon Lorenzo Salazar will be offering this training for both English and Spanish servers. This is a must for all servers – whether you are new or experienced. Training is ongoing and required for all servers. We will have pizza after the training.

When: Monday, February 26th Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm Where: Sanctuary of the Church

If you have questions, please contact: Anne Hobbs 432-934-3192 Bianca Gonzales 432-894-9554

Eucharistic Adoration Openings

SATURDAY: 3:00 a.m.

Please prayerfully consider signing up to spend an hour with our Lord in adoration! Call Linda Foster (habla español) at 432-559-8888 for information.

Thursday, February 15th Pizza Lunch for all High School students at the youth building. $5 donation suggested.

Friends are welcome to come!

Youth News

LifeTeen This week! See you at 6:30! No Lifeteen next week on February 18, due to three day

weekend.

High School Mardi

Gras Party!

Tuesday, February 13th

6:30 – 8:00 in the youth building. Feel free to bring a

dessert to share!

Club Dance St. Stephen’s Catholic Church

4601 Neely Gloria Denman Ballroom

DATE/TIME: FRIDAY, February 23, 2018 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. COST/ATTIRE: $30.00 per person/Casual BAND: “Cadillac Jack” (Country and Swing) CATERER: Felix Buenrostro with Catering Express MENU: Cod loin almondine, beef tips, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, spinach salad with strawberries, rolls, pound cake, pecan pie, vanilla ice cream, tea and water. Please remember to make advance reservations, if possible, for this dance so that we may have an accurate count for our wonderful caterer!

NO ALCOHOL MAY BE BROUGHT INTO THE BALLROOM BY INDIVIDUALS

**NOTE: NO BYOB is allowed due to change in church policy. Reservations may be mailed to Club Dance, P. O. Box 7421, Midland, TX 79708. Reservation deadline is Wednesday, February 21, 2018. For more information, please contact our Reservations Coordinator at: clubdancemidland@hotmail.com.

11 de febrero/2018 ¡Sexto domingo del tiempo ordinario!

En aquel tiempo se le acerco a Jesús un leproso, para suplicándole

de rodillas “si tú quieres puedes curarme”.

El Evangelio nos presenta una vez más a uno de esos hombres que se acercó a Jesús para que le curase. Como los demás, reconoció en Cristo al Salvador. Pasó por su vida y creyó en él como en él único que podía remediar sus males. En esta ocasión se trata de un leproso. Para Jesús el caso no presentaba novedad. Lo que sí impresiona es que el leproso se expresa en unos términos inauditos: "Si quieres, puedes curarme". ¿Sería posible que Cristo no quisiese? Si así sucediera estaríamos perdidos. Fuera de Cristo, ¿dónde puede encontrarse la salud?

El leproso no se presentó con su petición con las torcidas intenciones de los fariseos. "Tú puedes curarme, porque todo te es posible. Si no me curas es porque no quieres. Si no quieres no eres bueno. Y si no eres bueno, ¿cómo haces milagros? Con el poder de los demonios..." Nada de esto. Él conoce a Cristo, profundamente. Sabe lo que hay en su corazón. Por eso se arrodilla. Por eso dice "si quieres". Porque cree plenamente en que Cristo le ama. ¿Creemos nosotros esto? De nuestra confianza depende nuestra curación.

Hermana Gertrudis Muñoz Mendieta I.C.A.S.

AVISOS:

• 14 de febrero miércoles de ceniza.

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Próximas clases bautismales:

Marzo 4th & 11th & April 4th & 11th

Ingles : 2:00 - 4:30 Español : 2:30 - 5:00

Por favor llame a la oficina parroquial para registrar (432) 520–7394. Si usted no ha recibido certificado de bautismo de su hijo por favor venir por la oficina con una identificación para obtener el certificado de su hijo.

Entrenamiento Para Monaguillos En Español y Ingles

El Diacono Lorenzo Salazar estará entrenando a los Monaguillos de ingles y español. Este es un requisito para todos los monaguillos - Nuevo o con ex-periencia. Entrenamiento es requerida para todo los monaguillos. Tendre-mos pizza después de el entrenamiento. Si tienes preguntas, por favor llama a: Anne Hobbs 432-934-3192 o Bianca Gonzales 432-894-9554

Cuando: Lunes 26 de febrero A que hora: 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Donde: En el Santuario

El miércoles de ceniza se presenta como una oportunidad para ASUMIR NUESTRA DEBILIDAD…, porque llevamos nuestro tesoro en vasijas de barro. Es una oportunidad para rehacer lo que supone, para nuestra vida cotidiana, el camino de nuestro bautismo en medio de las frágiles situaciones en las que vivimos. La palabra de Dios del Miércoles de ceniza nos introduce en la llamada a la CONVERSIÓN. Esta conversión en primer lugar es una buena noticia: No son los sanos, sino los enfermos los destinatarios de la salvación. ¡Menos mal! Los torpes, los imperfectos, los mediocres, los vacilantes, los débiles, ¡tenemos una nueva oportunidad! Pero hay que tomárselo en serio, rasgar el corazón y convertirnos desde dentro. Debemos abandonar sobre todo la hipocresía del que hace gestos de cara a la galería, pero sigue con actitudes de siempre

SIENTE LA PRESENCIA DEL SEÑOR COMO NUNCA ANTES

DURANTE UNA HORA BILINGÜE DE ADORACIÓN DE EL

SANTÍSIMO TODOS LOS LUNES DURANTE LA CUARESMA DE

6:30-7:30 PM. CUALQUIER PREGUNTA POR FAVOR LLAME A

LINDA FOSTER AL (432)559-8888 (HABLA ESPAÑOL)

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Mark called our helpline last week in need of help moving into an apartment. He asked only for the administrative fee and the deposit which amounted to a few hundred dollars. Part of the move-in enticement for this apartment complex was that the first month’s rent was free. He said he had just moved to Midland and secured a job, but his first check would not come in for three more weeks. If we could just help him get moved in he would be able to handle the rent for March. When we met with Mark we found him to be a very handsome, well-groomed, soft-spoken young man. He said that he had moved here from the Dallas area although he was originally from Midland. He came back to Midland, he said, when he found out that the girlfriend he had left several months before (when he moved to secure a better job) had become pregnant. She did not tell Mark of her pregnancy until the baby was born in December. As soon as he heard he promptly gave his two-week’s notice at his job and came to Midland. As we mentioned before, once here he had no problem getting a job and wanted nothing more than to get “settled in.” We were impressed! Did he come to Midland to be closer to his baby? Yes, he said. In this caseworker’s line of work, in her 18-years of meeting with those in need, she had never come across this scenario. Sad to say in our line of work the norm is that the father or mother is running away from responsibility and leaving the other mate to find for him/herself. The welfare of the baby rarely comes into the picture. But he explained that growing up he never had a father in the picture. He had left before Mark was born. Mark did not want that to happen to that son. “I want to be the father to my son that I never had.” We were impressed beyond words! Not only did we help him with the fees needed to move in, but we also covered his March rent. He will have many expenses coming up (deposits for utilities, setting up a household, etc.) and we were grateful to be able to help him. When we told him about the additional rent he actually cried. He did not expect the help. Mark is only 22-years-old but he shoulders responsibilities that many older men will not. We will pray for him and his baby; that he is able to be the father he wants to be. But we have a feeling that with his determination to do the right thing for his son it will happen. We wish them well!

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done last week:

Electricity 4 families $ 5,779.13 Water 5 families $ 1,533.97 Rent 18 families $15,698.00

Transportation 1 family $ 120.00 Medical 4 families $ 3,751.63 TOTAL $26,882.73

www.helpinghandsmidland.com

ADORACIÓN DEL SANTÍSIMO

Personas interesadas en pasar una hora con El Santísimo en Adoración una vez por semana, durante las siguientes horas:

Sábado: 3:00 AM

Si El Señor te esta llamando para pasar una hora con El acompañándolo, comuníquese con Linda Foster (habla Español) al 432-559-8888.

CORE is a team of individuals who are committed to building the ACTS Community within their parish. To be part of CORE, a

member must:

• be a practicing Catholic

• be in good standing with the church

• have been a retreatant in an adult ACTS retreat

• served on an adult ACTS team, and displayed leadership abilities with a servant's heart. The term is a 3-year term.

If you would like more information, or if you are interested in serving in this ministry, please call Becky Espino (432-413-6268).

Ethic’s Classes in the Midland area:

On Monday, February 12, 2018- at 6:30 At St. Ann’s Catholic Church in School Library – please tell participants to enter through the back door from the inner parking lot

For those of you that volunteer for CCD classes, Teachers, assistants, helpers, or with our Youth, Homebound ministries, YOU MUST, at least, have filled out a background check AND attend an Ethic’s workshop. Please choose one of these days mentioned above. To obtain a background check form please come by Parish office or click on website www.sanangelodiocese.org.