St. Stephen Church News and Events

Banns of Marriage: III Mark Lyon & Dara Zavodny

Summer Attire: During the summer months, please remember to dress appropriately during Mass. We appreciate your consideration!

Altar Servers: If you would like to be an altar server and are entering 5th grade next Fall, please contact Kim Wilhelm at 410-592-2954 or kimwilhelm@comcast.net.

Father Burggraff Council of the Knights of Columbus will be selling car raffle tickets at all the Masses on August 7th & 8th. This will be used to support the Council's Charitable projects.

Pumpkins: It might seem hard to think about Autumn and pumpkins in 90 degree weather, but it is time to put our pumpkin patch team together for Patch 2010! If your family would like to be part of the planning for this year's patch, please contact Kellie Reynolds in the Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office at 410-592-7294.

Religious Education Re-registration for Fall 2010 is now in progress. The forms will be distributed for current students during the Religious Education sessions. Classes are held from September through April on Sunday mornings for grades Pre-K through 6th and Tuesday evenings for 7th and 8th grade. The following guidelines apply in order to register early childhood students; Pre-K 3 children must turn 3 years old by September 1,2010 and be potty trained, and Pre-K 4 children must turn 4 years old by September 1, 2010 and be potty trained. The guidelines from the Archdiocese of Baltimore require that a student MUST have regular attendance in Religious Education for one year prior to AND the year celebrating each/any Sacrament in a Religious Education Catechesis Program or at a Catholic School. If you are interested in more information or would like a registration form, please contact Mrs. Pam Franke at 410-592-8666.

RCIA - Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults: Who is this process for???

Someone who has never been baptized
Individuals who were baptized in another Christian Denomination
Adults who were baptized Catholic but have not received First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation

For more information, see flyers on the tables at the back of the Church or go to Adult Faith Formation.

Catechists, Catechists, Catechists! We Need Catechists! But what is a Catechist? A Catechist is a practicing Catholic who has a desire to share faith with children and youth and is willing to give some time for that purpose. If this sounds like you, please contact Sr. Angela at 410-592-8666 or redsdef@comcast.net for more information. There are many ways to participate in this mission of Jesus: Vacation Bible School June 28th - July 1st from 9:00 am until noon, Sunday School Program at 9:15 am or 10:45 am, Tuesday Evenings from 7:30 until 8:30 pm, Children's Liturgy of the Word at 10:45 am Mass on Sundays in the Hall.

Confirmation Candidates for 2011 & 2012: The informational meetings for the coming year of Confirmation preparation were held in May. If you were unable to attend, a packet was mailed to you. If you did not receive a packet and should have, please contact Pam in the Religious Ed office at 410-592-8666. If you received your packet and would like to go over any of the information, please contact Kellie in the Youth Ministry office at 410-592-7294. Thank you.

Dear Parishioners: We are very grateful for the donations to Youth Ministry this past school year. These donations have really helped us, the peer ministers, expand in our faith beyond the church community. After going to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in the Fall, we have come back to the church and community sharing and teaching at Religious Education, Confirmation, Retreats, and assisting in various other parish ministries. Thanks again, and be sure to see our individual updates below! - Andrew Bateman, Brianna Davis, Drew Vinton, and Sarah Bateman.

Sarah Bateman will represent St. Stephen at the High School Leadership Institute, attending the "Emmaus" Peer Ministry Track. She just returned from our week-long service mission trip and will be the chairperson for the Peer Ministry program this year.

Brianna Davis represented the parish at the Micah 6:8 Social Justice weekend and will attend a week-long social justice and service immersion program this summer, Justice Action Week.

Andrew Bateman will represent the parish at the High School Leadership Institute, attending the "Source & Summit" Liturgy Track. He serves on the Parish Pastoral Council and is currently a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

Drew Vinton has finished his year of service to the Parish Pastoral Council and two years representing the parish at the Archdiocese Youth Advisory Council.

Mark Your Calendar: St. Mark, Fallston will have their annual Men's Day of Reflection on Saturday, October 9th featuring Fr. Joe Breighner. More information will follow over the next few months leading up to this special day.

Substance Abuse Ministry (SAM): Did you know young drinkers ages 12-14 are more likely to get alcohol in their own house: 45% who drank alcohol in the past month were given alcohol for free by an adult member of their family, 30% took the alcohol from their own family. St. Stephen Substance Abuse Ministry (SAM) is open to anyone interested. Our meeting is at 7:00 pm every third Monday of the month in the basement of the parish center. Contact person is Pat Gardner; any questions, call 443-299-6003. The Face-It Coalition provides educational intervention through training to prevent substance abuse and to combat addictions in Harford County. Visit their website http://www.faceitcoalition.org/index.html.

Come and See Vocation Weekend: Exploring Religious Life: The Sisters of Bon Secours are hosting Come and See weekends at our Provincial House in Marriotsville MD. Join us on October 23rd-24th. You arrive on Saturday at 8:00 am (Friday evening arrival can be arranged if necessary). Departure is Sunday at 1:00 pm after Mass and lunch. We are located at 1525 Marriotsville Road in Marriotsville MD. There is no charge for this event. We invite single Catholic women to experience the life of the Sisters of Bon Secours and to learn more about religious life. You will have the opportunity to be with sisters as you learn about our life. You'll also meet and share with other women who are exploring religious life as an option. This weekend offers time for discussions, reflections, liturgy, relaxation and one-on-one conversations with a sister. Visit our website www.bonsecoursvocations.org for more details or online registration. Contact Sr. Pat Dowling, CBS, Vocation Director. You can call toll free 1-877-742-0277.

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, 2009.

Carnival 2010 Report: The school realized a profit of over $43,000 from the carnival. The Silent Auction raised $9,000 to benefit the St. Stephen School Technology Fund.

Thank You to all who worked at or participated in the annual carnival. We are blessed to have the Fathers' Club dedicate their time, talent and energy to organizing this community event to raise money for the school.

Special Thank You to all who were so kind and donated to the "Annual Campaign for Our Students." God Bless You All!

Upcoming Events: Have a safe and relaxing summer! August 24th: Sneak-A-Peek Open House from 8:00 am until 12:15 pm. August 25th, 26th & 27th: Classes begin 8:00 am until 12:15 pm. Class stationery lists are now on the school web site for the 2010-2011 school year. See the school web site for more information.

School Office Summer Hours: Beginning the week of June 21st the school office will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 am until 12:30 pm. Regular office hours will return the week of August 16th. Have a very safe and fun filled summer!

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church is planning a Gala Homecoming/Reunion and is searching for graduates of its school, former teachers and parishioners. For more information on the MPB Homecoming/Reunion or to send your contact information, please call Ken Ackerman at 410-866-2761 or Karen Krysiak Lombardo at 410-893-8868 or Ron Arczynski at 443-927-1182 or email your information to mpbschoolalumni@gmail.com .

St. Elizabeth's School will hold its 9th Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 28th at Greystone Golf Course in White Hall, Maryland. There will be a 7:00 am registration, 8:00 am tee-time and 1:00 pm awards luncheon. Cost is $150 per golfer, $550 per foursome by September 15th; $575 after September 15th. For more information and to register, go to www.stelizabeth-school.org or call 410-889-5054 ext 1152 or 1112.

Pilgrimage For the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes: Join Fr. David Wathen, OFM, from the Franciscan Monastery to Lourdes, Paris, Nevers & Lisieux. Pilgrims will join in the celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, visit the places associated with the life of St. Bernadette, and visit Paris and Lisieux, the home of St, Therese the Little Flower. For detailed information, contact Fr. David at dwf1400@hotmail.com or Elizabeth Grinder at 301-740-9332 or lourdespilgrimageoffice@comcast.net.

Helping Hands Food Pantry reminds us that during the summer months, kids are at home and not receiving lunch at school. The need for cereals, canned fruit, pastas, pancake mix, syrup, jelly, and detergents is at an all time high. Stop on by to see how the pantry operates or you can also leave your donations at St Stephen's on the Parish Center porch. We are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm and are located in the basement of the Salem UM Church office building. We thank you and God Bless!

Catholic Engaged Encounter is an international program committed to preparing couples for the sacrament of marriage. Engaged couples attend a weekend retreat that fosters openness and communication through a series of presentations, private reflection and dialog time. Catholic Engaged Encounter is an approved marriage preparation program within the Baltimore Archdiocese. Below is a list of upcoming retreat dates. 2010 Weekends: Aug 20-22, Oct 15-17, Sept 17-19, Nov 5-7. For more information or to register for a weekend, please visit our website at www.mdcee.org or call 410-439-4217.

Catholic Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean will sail for 7 nights with Fr. Michael Sullivan on December 12th on the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore. Ports include Port Canaveral (Orlando), Nassau Bahamas and Freeport Bahamas. Prices begin at $1117 for two which includes all port fees and taxes. Daily Mass and Rosary offered. Deposits of only $50 per person will reserve your cabin. Space is limited. For further information or to register, contact Doug or Eileen at 860-399-1785 or dpayttc@aol.com.

Bishops' Statement on Support for Pregnant Women: One of the most powerful testimonies to the culture of life is support of pregnant women in need. In the new statement "Set Out in Haste," the Maryland bishops discuss the need to reach out to pregnant women, as well as review recent proposals that target pregnancy resource centers. These centers provide pregnant women with emotional and material support. To learn more about this issue and how you can help, please read the bishops' statement at www.mdcathcon.org.

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 until 9:00 pm at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel meeting room, Charlestown, 719 Maiden Choice Lane. For information or directions, call Pat at 410-433-1610 or 410-302-4641.

Online STAND Training: We are pleased to announce that the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Safe Environment (STAND) online training is now up and running. Either the STAND video or online training fulfills the child and youth protection safe environment training requirement for all volunteers who have substantial contact with children and all employees. The online training will be available via the Internet from any computer at any time. The course takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to print a certificate of completion. You will be asked to enter your name as well as the name of your parish or school. In order to receive credit for the course, you must forward to the Religious Education office a signed and dated copy of the certificate of completion. To access the online training: Go to the STAND training of the Archdiocese of Baltimore website, http://www.archbalt.org/STAND/training.cfm. Log in with the username ststephen and password archbalt. Click on the link to begin the training. Follow the directions on the website. If you have any questions, please call Pam Franke at 410-592-8666.

Byzantine Catholics: The Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy (Mass) is celebrated each Sunday evening at 5:30 pm in the Stone Chapel of the Church of St. Francis on 1450 Abingdon Road in Abingdon. The celebrant of the Liturgy is Fr. Conan H. Timoney, Pastor of Patronage Byzantine Church in Arbutus. For more information, call the Patronage Church at 410-247-4936. For further information, contact Deacon Anthony and Theresa Kotlar at 410-734-6973.

Pregnancy Center: The Center for Pregnancy Concerns and Birthright of Bel Air work very hard to provide new and expectant mothers with support and guidance. The women are offered counseling, mentoring, access to resources and limited material aid. There is an ongoing need for diapers (especially larger sizes) gently worn baby clothing and toiletry items. Sorry, we cannot take car seats or cribs. Please leave items in good condition on the parish center back porch. God bless you.

St. Vincent De Paul Clothing Boxes: Please remember that the two St. Vincent de Paul donation boxes are for clothing only. Any other items left outside the donation boxes present a very untidy appearance and must be disposed of by parish personnel in our trash gondolas. Also, please place all clothing in a plastic bag no larger than 24 inches by 20 inches - no larger than a small kitchen trash bag. Lawn size garbage bags are too large to fit through the donation bin openings and must not be used. Thank you for your cooperation.

Respect Life Programs: Pregnant, need help? Call the Gabriel Project at 1-800-ANGEL-OK. Suffering from Post-Abortion Stress? Call Project Rachel at 1-800-286-4224.

Friends of Mercy: "Single Again Friends" discussions are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 until 9:00 pm at the Hiss United Methodist Church in Parkville. This is open to all single, separated, divorced and widowed people. For more information call Cathy at 410-931-1668. Information line at 410-893-4584 or visit our website www.friendsofmercy.org.

Ladies of Charity June distribution of funds received from the poor boxes and other contributions: $100 - Adelante Familia, Anna's House, Beans/Bread, Birthright, Camp Ambrose, Camp Glow, Camp St. Vincent, Christopher Place, Fr Greg Gay Vincentian Missions, Franciscan Ctr., Helping Hands Food Pantry, Hezekiah Movement, Marian House, Our Daily Bread, Pregnancy Ctr., Sarah's Hope, Sharing Table Community Kitchen, St. Stephen's Youth Building, St. Steven's-Kenya, Women's Detention Center. The next Ladies of Charity meeting will be held on September 8th at 1:00 pm in the church basement.

Looking for Smilers: If you can smile and say "Good Morning!" you're a perfect candidate for the Greeting Ministry! The parish is looking for volunteers willing to smile and greet fellow parishioners for 20 minutes before Mass. We are hoping to expand our numbers and hope you will consider helping out. The commitment is easy, one Sunday Mass every fourth week, and you will find it rewarding to meet so many fellow parishioners. If you are interested, please call Diane Endlich, 410-676-4143.

Retired? Working But Hunting For a Ministry to Help Others in Need? Seafarers visit Baltimore in over 2,000 ships every year. They are lonely, timid, poor, needing a helping hand, and a welcome. Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." There is a great need for Catholic laiety to volunteer once a week or once every two weeks to drive a car from the seafarers center to the ships in port and pick up seafarers to bring them to the Stella Maris Center in Dundalk next to St. Rita's Church. Call Msgr John FitzGerald at 443-690-2447 to inquire.

Charismatic Prayer Meeting: Held weekly on Wednesdays at 7:45 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Registration: The use of Church Envelopes is the responsible way to support your Parish. Please register at the Parish Center to receive your Church envelopes.

Baptism: Baptisms are held every Sunday at 1:45 PM. Please call the Parish Center at 410-592-7071 for information, to register for Baptism classes and to schedule a Baptism. Parents must be registered members of St. Stephen's Parish. At least one sponsor (Godparent) must be a practicing Catholic. Both sponsors (Godparents) must be Christian. Parents and Godparents must attend the Baptism preparation Program.

Weddings: If you plan to be married by a priest or deacon affiliated with St. Stephen, you should be a registered parishioner. However, if you wish to use the church building for your wedding and you are not a registered parishioner, you may do so only if you provide your own priest or deacon and have him contact the priests at St. Stephen for permission. Please call the Parish Center at 410-592-7071 for information and to schedule a Wedding. Arrangements must be made at least six months in advance.

Ministry to the Sick: Ministry to the Sick Please notify the Rectory at 410-592-7071 when a member of the parish is in the hospital, or is unable to attend Mass and wishes to receive Holy Communion.

The Pregnancy Center, Inc. is associated with Catholic Charities and is located at 7311 Harford Road. For crisis situations and questions regarding pregnancy please phone 410-426-9992.

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