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November 26, 2017 Vol. 36 No. 16

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: Deacon Larry Salazar Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017

Dear Fr. Rodney, Fr. Tim, and St. Stephen’s Community,

I am very sorry to have taken so long to write. It has been an eventful first semester her at St. Mary’s. The seminary certainly keeps us busy which of course is a good thing. The events surrounding hurricane Harvey set things off to an unexpected start. Thankfully God in His mercy spared the seminary although many of the people here in Houston suffered greatly. Classes are going well, and I enjoy the subject matter very much. My course load is primarily philosophy classes, but I am also taking a course called Introduction to Sacred Scripture as well as Introductory Spanish. I am a member of the pro-life committee this semester and was able to attend the 20

th Annual

Celebration of Life dinner last night. Ten seminarians were able to participate in this year’s event. Earlier today several representatives of the Pro-life committee and I also had the chance to pray the Rosary outside of Planned Parenthood with members of Texas Right to life. I am thankful for all the opportunities that the seminary has to offer. Thank you all for your generous financial support. It was unexpected and is very much appreciated. I hope to spend some time with you as soon as time allows me to get back to Midland. May God bless every one of you. You are in my prayers.

Dear Parishioners,

In case you are wondering what the scaffolding is in the choir area of the church, the artist who painted the Our Lady of Guadalupe mural is in the process of painting “The Martyrdom of St. Stephen” utilizing Juan de Juanes’ version. Juan de Juanes was the most prominent member of the Valencian school of painters of the Renaissance Period. After consultation with the Parish Council, we decided on this particular painting, both to balance out the Our Lady of Guadalupe painting on the other side, as well as to have something prominent in the church to represent St. Stephen, our patron saint. We hope this will be a nice addition that leads all who see it into prayer. It is estimated to take about a month, so that it is completed by Christmas. To the left you will see the painting.

In Christ, Fr. Rodney and Fr. Timothy

Sunday, November 26 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Monday, November 27 - Last Week in Ordinary Time

Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Tuesday, November 28

Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Wednesday, November 29Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Thursday, November 30 - St. Andrew

Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Friday, December 1

Saturday, December 2

Sunday, December 3 - First Sunday of Advent

Last Week’s Collection

Collections: $74,128.88 Building Fund $ 41.00 Other Income $ 1,999.92 Holiday Food for the Poor; $ 958.00 Collection for Human Development $ 4,636.68

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of November 26, 2017

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

Next weekend’s special collection is for the poor of Midland as distributed by Helping Hands of Midland.

Please help. Thank you!

Announcements for the Bulletin need to be

submitted by Tuesday 5:00 PM. If any announcements

are received after they will be submitted for the following

bulletin. Thank you!

Please come visit our NEW WEBSITE for all the latest announcements, upcoming events,

& much more.

www.ststephensmidland.com

The Little Blue Book (El Librito Azul) for Advent and Christmas seasons is available in the foyer of the church. The booklets are free but supplies are limited, so please get yours today!

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November 26 Sandra Cabello

Jenyleici G. Huerta John Giacoia

Mildred Gonzales Lora Iglesias Kayla Lovely

Melinda McBride Addison Prater Harry Roadcup

Gregory Shelton Cecilia Sokolowski

November 20 Loreli Garcia

Sandra Garcia Christopher Lopez

Karen McLane Victoria Rayos

November 21 Idalina M. Olivas

Luis Mata Robert Owen

Yolanda Ramirez Ernesto A. Sanchez Joey Schwalbach

Alicia Valles

November 22 Manuel Ampparan Jr

Jennifer Brenon Patsy Garza

Linda Ikechukwu Marco Luna

Anally Martinez Amelia McNamara Teri Ochotorena Elijah Pallanes Miranda Perez Lauren Vega Aliyah Warren Diane White

November 23 Zelda Alford Edgar Lujan

Armando Martinez Lupe Molinar Moses Mselle

Adrian Ramirez Jr. Liz Villanueva

Leticia Villarreal

November 24 Yolanda Flores

Anabella Gomez Gablea Grajeda Jaylene Lujan

Genaro M. Olivas John A. Martinez

Noe Munoz Audra Rivera Idalia Urias Kristian Villa

Alberto Villegas

November 25 Arleneth Barrera

Carlos Callo Roman Reeves Leopeni Solaita Jose Valenzuela Nicholas Wilger

November 26 Anna Bitnerowski Veronica Jaquez

Randy Read Crystal Rodriguez Martin Santiago

Jason Martinez, Guadalupe Rios, Alfonso Marquez, Johny Lee Qualls, Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Anita P., Carlota W., Judy D., Alicia F., Jesse Julus Garcia, Mendoza Family, Martha Munoz, Sergio Patino, Aurora Reyes, Monica Vasquez, Eva Madrid, Roy Alvarez, Gary Rodriguez, Martha Munoz, Lydia Jimenez, Jesus Chavez Jr., Mark Clark, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Randy & Jennifer White & Family, Louis & Betty Macchietto & Family, Larry & Pat White & Family, Heath, Sarah, & Baby Girl Logan Ruth, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Inez Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Avila Family, Fierro Family, Andrew Madrid, Fran Thetford, Gabriel Kadir, Gerald Thetford, Margaret Robson, Betty Compton, David Rucker, Delia Carrasco, Patty White, Jeff Smith, Pearl Abalos, Francisco Rodriguez Medina, Carmen Lopez, Martin Sosa, Evangelina Rodriguez, Bea Herrera, Ricky Montes, Rafael Gonzales Jr., Monica Cabrera, Joe Munoz III, Anita Morin, Anthony Garcia, Janie Sainz, Tommy Levario, Dr. Karen Leung & Santa Rosa Fire Victims, Donita Schlegal, Jose Carmen Vasquez, Rebecca Rodelo, Crystal Calderon, Mo Dominguez, Marcial Hernandez, Felix Munoz II, Jesus Munoz, Joe Munoz Jr., Terisa Galvan, Jude Munoz, Diana Henderson, Micah Villa, MM, Donita Schlegal, Donna, Jessie, Paul Quintero, Melanie Jordan Britton, Rachel S., Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Burdette Family, Teresa Kiser, Roger Guinn, Leslie Gonsalez, Raul Dominguez, Avyel Munoz, Gary Miller, MQ, Belma Espino.

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

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule Eucharistic Adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday, November 27th

.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES 2017

St. Mary (Odessa) December 4, 2017 at 7:00 PM San Miguel (Midland) December 6, 2017 at 7:00 PM Holy Trinity (Big Spring) December 7, 2017 at 7:00 PM Good Shepherd (Crane) December 13, 2017 at 7:00 PM Our Lady of Lourdes (Andrews) December 14, 2017 at 6:30 PM Holy Redeemer (Odessa) December 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Ann’s (Midland) December 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Lawrence December 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Joseph’s (Odessa) December 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM

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This week in RCIA we will learn about the history of the Church, including the early Church. Jesus started the Catholic Church. Jesus told Saint Peter, "you are rock and on this rock I will build my church." What began as that small group of Apostles and Disciples has grown into a world-wide

Church of approximately 1.3 billion people. The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organization in the world, it gave us the scientific method, it gave us the laws of evidence, it

educates more children than any other institution, it founded the college system, it upholds the right to all human life, it supports marriage and the family, it gave us the teaching of the Holy Trinity, it gave us the liturgical calendar to teach us about God, it gave us Christmas (the Christ-Mass) and even breakfast (breaking the morning fast after Mass), it transcends culture and is not subject to fads, it spans the globe and includes people of every race, color, size, shape, and economic status, it is one family united in Jesus Christ to the glory of God, it is the Bride of Christ and there is nothing like it this side of heaven. What a wonderful and glorious gift the Church is to the world! Our Saint of the Day will be Saint Polycarp, who was a leader and martyr in the early Church. At 86 years of age, he was arrested and led into a stadium in Smyrna to be burned alive. His Roman tormentors told him he would live if only he would deny Christ. In response, he said, "Eighty six years have I served him and he never did me injury; how then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?" You can read his moving martyrdom account in The Acts of Polycarp.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

BIBLE STUDY—Come join us for the Wednesday 9:00-10:30 a.m. Study or the Thursday evening

6:30-8:00 Study of "Jesus Revealed", an 18-week NEW Catholic Scripture Study on the Names of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. This Study reveals Jesus through His life on earth, His life in Heaven, His life in the Church, and His life in each of us. He is the "Lion of Judah", the "Precious Cornerstone", the "Bridegroom";....."Who do you say that I am?" Study Guides available at the Church Office or at Class. We meet in Room 2; Live Streaming Video available to all participants for any classes you are not able to attend.

Dress an Angel Please turn in your Dress

an Angel before December 2, 2017

Thank You, Carmen Rodelo and Leticia Gutierrez

COME JOIN US FOR A HOLY HOUR

AS WE GATHER TOGETHER AS A

WHOLE PARISH TO BE WITH OUR

LORD IN ADORATION.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4TH

FROM 6:30 PM—7:30 PM

MAIN SANCTUARY

ST. STEPHEN’S

Come join us on December 9th for an Advent Spiritual Retreat (Bilingual) from 9 am to 2 pm

held in the Parish Hall.

Please join us for First Friday and First Saturday Masses

Many graces are conferred on those who attend Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of each month. Next Friday, December 1st, Masses will be held at 7:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Then, on the First Saturday, of each month Mass is offered at 8:00 a.m. for

the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Afterwards a potluck breakfast is shared in the foyer of the church. Bring a dish to pass, if you can, and stay a while to enjoy good food and fellowship.

St. Stephens Youth 7-12 grades:

Give the gift of time and service this Christmas. On

December 16th come and help give away gifts at Helping

Hands of Midland. Please be there by 8:00 a.m., to help get

the toys set up in time for the giveaway which will be from 10

am - 1 pm. An Enchiladas lunch will be provided. This is

worth 8 hours of community service. If you want to go

please call the church office and give them your name and

number. (432) 520-7394

ULTIMO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO LITURGICO.

HOY CELEBRAMOS LA SOLEMNIDAD DE CRISTO REY DEL UNIVERSO

¡¡¡VIVA CRISTO REY!!!

Pilato le preguntó: “Entonces, ¿tú eres rey?”. Jesús Respondió: “Tú lo has dicho: yo soy Rey. Yo doy testimonio de la verdad, y para esto he nacido y venido al mundo. Todo el que está del lado de la verdad, escucha mi voz” Jn. 18,37

Sabiduría del corazón es salir de sí hacia el hermano. A veces nuestro mundo olvida el valor especial del tiempo empleado junto a la cama del enfermo, porque estamos apremiados por la prisa, por el arrebato del hacer, del producir, y nos olvidamos de la dimensión de la gratuidad, del ocuparse, del hacerse cargo del otro. Por esto, quisiera recordar una vez más “la imperiosa prioridad de la salida de sí hacia el otro” como uno de los mandamientos principales que fundan toda norma moral y como el signo más claro para discernir acerca del camino de crecimiento espiritual como respuesta a la donación absolutamente gratuita de Dios.” De la misma naturaleza misionera de la Iglesia brotan “la caridad efectiva con el prójimo, la compasión que comprende, asiste y promueve”» (Mensaje del Papa Francisco para la Jornada Mundial del Enfermo 2015). Cristo, el día de hoy, nos viene a recordar cuál es la esencia de su mensaje: la caridad. La caridad no como mero altruismo, sino como verdadero amor a Dios que vive realmente en mi prójimo. Jesús nos lo dice clarísimo "a mí me lo hicisteis", y además con ejemplos prácticos. Esta caridad brota naturalmente del amor a Dios. Si amo a Dios no puedo dejar de amar a mi hermano,

ocuparme de los que sufren y cuidar de los pequeños.

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

AVISOS: • 9 de diciembre retiro de Adviento bilingüe salón parroquial de 9:00 a 2:00 p.m.

• El librito azul para las temporadas de Adviento y Navidad está disponible en el Foyer de la iglesia. ¡ los libritos son gratis pero limitados, así que por favor consiga el suyo hoy!

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Vestir a un Ángel

Último día para traer su ángel es el 2 de diciembre

Gracias, Carmen Rodelo and Leticia Gutierrez

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They are back again…or maybe they never left. Maybe they were just “laying low” for a while. A few years ago we reported of a young man who approached churches after Sunday services or late afternoons or early evenings during the week. He would approach people asking for money so that he could buy formula for his baby. Some church workers became suspicious when they would notice him continuing to solicit donations even after he had received some money They called us. We told them that there were several places that this man could go to get help for his baby — the Life Center, the West Texas Food Bank and even Helping Hands. Several of these churches took our advice and posted warnings to be careful of people asking for money, and many of them instructed their staffs that, if approached for money, they should instead refer them to our helpline. We never once received a call from anyone needing formula for their baby. We thought that maybe he got discouraged because we quit receiving complaints from churches. But a year later we received a frantic email from a church wanting to know who could help with formula. A man approached the church office late one afternoon with the same old story. We told the church employee to tell the man to call us and we would be sure the baby got formula. She told us that she passed our helpline number along to him and he assured her that he would call right away. Of course he never did. We are quite convinced that it is the same man or group of men who “worked” the churches back then. Last week we began receiving reports of women who would approach people leaving church on Sunday begging for money for food. Some held signs, some had stories that they were on their way to San Angelo/San Antonio/Houston and needed money for food/gasoline/transportation. Please be on the alert and do not fall prey to these predators. Midland is swarming with these panhandlers right now. They are on all of the major intersections in Midland holding their little cardboard signs. They stand outside of major retailers with signs like “my husband left me and the kids.” They prey on your sympathy. The truth is that in Midland there is abundant help available for anyone with a legitimate need. Homeless men and women have places like the Salvation Army. Women and children have Safe Place. Helping Hands, First Presbyterian benevolence, First Baptist benevolence, St. Vincent de Paul and Golf Course Road Church of Christ and many local churches offer assistance for those needing help with housing. By calling 2-1-1 one can get an extensive list of places where one can go to get a food box and free hot meals are offered at the Salvation Army, Midland Soup Kitchen and Breaking Bread ministries, as well as help with any other kind of assistance needed. Help is available. Rather than giving money to a person on the street who asks for a handout, please prayerfully consider using those funds to support the agencies that are trained to assist those who have legitimate needs. They could certainly use your help. Please, if you want to give money, do so wisely, in the best interests of those who are truly in need. And if approached by any of these panhandlers, please direct them to our helpline, (432) 520-8900. God bless!

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:

Rent 35 families $ 25,489.26 Medical 6 families $ 1,120.00 Total $256,909.26

www.helpinghandsmidland.com