Announcements/Events

Our Daily Bread Casseroles

Are due in to the Parish Center before Friday, January 27th. Casserole pans and recipes are available in the back of the church. The recipe can also be downloaded here. On February 1st, the freezer for storage of the casseroles will be relocated to the area of our food pantry. The location will be under the Parish Center back porch, entering through the first door into the basement. The door will be unlocked and the freezer accessible at any time. There will be a sign on the basement door identifying the entrance for casserole storage. If you are unsure where to bring them, ring the Parish Center doorbell and we will show you where the freezer will be. As always, thanks for your generosity!

Community Sunday

Please join your fellow parishioners for Community Sunday in the Church basement after all Masses on February 4th/5th. There will be refreshments and good conversation. All are welcome!

Welcome New Parishioners

Mr & Mrs Edwin Tanner. This family joined our parish recently. We're glad to have them as part of the St. Stephen family!

Rosary Guild Meeting

The next Queen of Families Rosary Guild meeting will be held on Saturday, February 4th from 9:00 until 10:00 am in the Youth Ministry Office located on the first floor of the Parish Center. Please come to learn how to make mission bead rosaries and consider joining this ministry in promoting Our Lady's Rosary! For additional information, please contact Mary Bauer at 410-515-3184. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

Winter Weather Worries

Winter weather is coming and that means ice and snow may make it difficult for some people to get to church. But parish bills keep growing during the winter, including increased heating costs and snow removal expenses. You can make sure your parish support doesn't stop just when we need it the most. Check out our simple, safe and secure online giving program. Currently 93 families are giving online. Please consider joining that growing number of dedicated givers! We are most grateful to all those who make every effort to give consistently whether electronically or through the weekly offering basket. It really helps us plan and meet our budget.

Catholic Review Subscription

For the coming year, there will be one collection envelope for the Catholic Review subscription program. That envelope will be included with the January set and will request a donation of $30 to offset the parish costs. We ask that you use that envelope if you desire to receive the weekly Catholic Review. If you cannot afford to make a donation to offset the subscription costs, the parish will continue to provide it for you. In 2011, we received $7,806 in contributions to offset the cost of $28,113 for the subscriptions. As always, we thank you for your support of the parish.

Archbishop's Annual Appeal

The 2012 Archbishop's Annual Appeal is now underway. You have or will receive a mailing from Archbishop O'Brien asking that you make a pledge to the 2012 Archbishop Annual Appeal. The Appeal funds the operations of the Archdiocese and different areas of assistance provided to all parishes by the Archdiocesan offices and outreach. This year the theme of the Appeal is "Entrusted With a Stewardship." We have been entrusted with a stewardship to care for the less fortunate members of our community. Our contributions to the parish and Archdiocese let us act as our Savior Jesus Christ by enabling our ministries and services to touch thousands of lives. Our parish will receive 25% of each dollar contributed up to our parish goal of $86,300 plus 50% of any additional funds received. Please answer the Archbishop's request and make a contribution or pledge as you are able. All pledges can be billed in 10 monthly installments. Thanks for your support.

Communion for the Homebound

If you are aware of a sick/homebound parishioner who is need of a visit to receive the Eucharist, please alert our parish center at 410-592-7071 with their name, phone number, and address if available, so we may try to match them with an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Thanks for helping us to better serve our parish family.

Are You a Catholic Who Has Never Been Confirmed?

Do you wish to experience the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation? Archbishop O'Brien will be conferring the sacrament of Confirmation on adult Catholics on Sunday, March 2nd at 2:00 pm at the Basilica of the Assumption. The Department of Evangelization of the Archdiocese will offer three sessions to prepare adults for the sacrament. The formation series will be held at the Catholic Center in Baltimore on the following Saturdays: February 4th, 18th, and 25th, from 3:00 until 5:00 pm. To register or for more information, please call Kathy Wandishin at 410-727-3565 x68.

Guest Registry and Prayer Intentions

The Guest Registry in the front window on St. Joseph's side is for visitors to print their name & address so that they will be remembered at Mass. The box on the back window sill is for Prayer Intentions, which are put on the Prayer Chain and taken downstairs on Wednesday evenings and prayed over by Prayer Group members.

New Roman Missal

For web links and resources, please see our New Roman Missal webpage.

Seminarian Josh Laws

Follow Josh as he continues his training in Rome, www.tothelandofpleasantliving.blogspot.com

Tuesday Night Adult Team Needed

We are looking for a few STAND trained adults to help out on Tuesday nights for set up & clean up of Religious Ed activities. Perfect for Parents & Grandparents who bring their teens to Religious Ed. Not yet STAND trained? No problem, we'll assist you! Contact Kellie for more info 410-592-7294.

Confirmation Candidates for 2012

You should have received a packet full of information regarding Confirmation Mass tickets, Retreat dates, and much more. If you did not receive yours, please contact Pam at 410-592-8666.

Confirmation Sessions

On Sunday nights from 6:00 until 8:00 pm in the Hall begin on Sunday, January 29th, and continue on February 12th, February 19th and February 26th.

St. Stephen School Applications & Registrations

If you are interested in more information about our school, please contact Mrs. Ginni Zachmeier at 410-592-7617. St. Stephen School begins with Pre-K 3 and continues up through the 8th grade. The 3-year olds must be 3 by September 1, 2011.

St. Stephen School Dates to Remember

January 29th: Sacrament of First Reconciliation at 9:00 am in the Church. January 29th through February 3rd: Catholic Schools Week: Faith. Academics. Service. January 30th: Catholic Schools Week Mass at 10:15 am in Church for students. January 31st: Open House for parents and friends from 8:30 until 11:30 am & 12:30 until 2:30 pm.

The Gospel of Mark

During 2012, St. Mark in Fallston will be celebrating their 125th Anniversary. As part of their celebration, they will be hosting monthly events leading up to their anniversary celebration in September. The first event is The Gospel of Mark performed by Tracy Radosevic, a biblical storyteller on Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm.

Substance Abuse Ministry

The Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr. If you have any questions, want to join our ministry, or wish to fill out a contact form, please email Renee' Eppig. For more information, please see our brochure.

Eucharistic Adoration in Nearby Parishes

Adoration is held at St. Margaret's in Bel Air each Tuesday in the chapel after the 8:30 am Mass, ending with Benediction at 6:00 pm. Prayers are said at the top of the hour for vocations and priests on the 2nd Tuesdays. Adoration is also held every Friday at St. Mark's Fallston after 9:00 am Mass until Benediction at 6:00 pm.

Courage Ministry Contact Information

Courage is a ministry to people with same-sex attractions who are looking for support to live chaste lives according to the teachings of the Church. For complete information, go to their website at www.couragerc.net. Dominican Father Carleton Jones, pastor of Ss. Philip and James Church in Baltimore, is the local Courage chaplain. He is available for confidential inquiries or conversations at 410-235-2294, extension 0. Voice mail messages should include a first name and a private number to return the call.

MOMS Support Group Interest?

The "Ministry of Mothers Sharing" awakens an awareness in women of their inner sacred self and teaches them new ways to inspire and affirm each other. Through this personal growth, women bring their gifts to the Christian community. Since 1992, this ministry has touched over 500,000 women and their families in over 100 dioceses. If you're interested in being a leader in this effort, please contact Kellie Reynolds 410-592-7294.

Always Our Children/Encourage Support Group

In offering support to parents who may be dealing with concerns that present themselves when a son or daughter informs them of a homosexual orientation, our Catholic Bishops state: "You need not face this painful time alone, without human assistance or God's grace. The Church can be an instrument of both help and healing." Parents confronting these issues for the first time, as well as those who may have journeyed through them, are welcome. The group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel meeting room, Charlestown, 719 Maiden Choice Lane. For further information or directions, call Pat at 410-433-1610 or 410-302-4641.

The St. Stephen's Respect Life Committee Needs You!

We have several projects planned for the coming months, so call Jen Perkovitch at 410-538-7375 or Anne Fox at 443-402-0711 if you'd like to help.

Save This Date

Maryland March for Life in Annapolis on March 12th

Pregnant, Need Help?

Call 1-800-ANGEL OK

Suffering Post-Abortion Stress?

Call Project Rachel at 1-800-286-4224 or go to www.project-rachel.net

Ladies of Charity December Distributions

The Ladies of Charity in December made distributions of funds received from Poor Box funds and other contributions. They gave $100 to each of the following organizations: Fr. Greg Gay Vincentian Missions, Adelante Familia, Anna's House, Apostleship of the Sea, Beans/Bread, Birthright, Catholic Relief Services, Christian Appalachian Project, Christopher Place, Franciscan Center, Harford Community Action Agency, Helping Hands Food Pantry, House of Ruth, Joseph House, Marian House, Meals on Wheels, Mission of Mercy, My Sister's Place, Our Daily Bread, Pregnancy Center, Sarah's Hope, Sharing Table Community Kitchen, and St. Stephen's Youth Building. The Ladies of Charity would like to thank our parishioners for the donations received this past year. Because of your generosity, we were able to distribute $16,200 to 28 worthwhile organizations.