Announcements/Events

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

Heather Lassahn-Choynacki and Megan & Joseph Choynacki, Mr. & Mrs. Mario Monaldi, Sr. and Ms. Amy Riedl. These families and individuals joined our parish recently. We're glad to have them as part of the St. Stephen family!

Thank you to Garland's Dry Cleaners

Thank you to Garland's Dry Cleaners on Pleasantville Road in Fallston for allowing us to use their steamer to press the new altar server cassocks for Christmas Mass in the hall.

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.

Mass and Healing Service

You are welcome to join us for Mass and Healing Service with Marian Devotions at Sacred Heart Church, Glyndon, 65 Sacred Heart Lane on Saturday, February 11th (Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes) from 9:30 am till noon. Confession will be available from 8:45 to 9:30 am. Pick up a flyer on back tables for details.

Kids' Bingo

Break the winter doldrums and come out for a night of fun!! Join us on February 24 (snow date March 2). Doors open at 6:00 pm, Games start at 7:00 pm. Kid's Choice Prizes. Food available beginning at 6:00 pm. Hot Dogs, Pizza & Pit Ham and Turkey, snacks and drinks. $7 on orders placed by Wednesday, February 22nd. After February 22nd or at the door $9. Only pay per bingo card. For information call Rene Monaghan 410-877-0698.

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

February 3rd:12:15 pm dismissal.

Maryland Bishops Issue Statement on Poverty

Nearly 700,000 Maryland families receive food assistance through food stamps - more than the entire population of the city of Baltimore and more than 10,000 Marylanders are experiencing homelessness. Maryland's bishops have issued a statement urging Catholics to help their neighbors living in poverty. The statement coincides with U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' designation of January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. Help build a society more responsive to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Get involved and receive alerts on legislation with messages to send to your elected officials by signing for the Catholic Advocacy Network (CAN), an email outreach of the Maryland Catholic Conference. Learn more at www.mdcathcon.org.

Substance Abuse Ministry

One hundred-nineteen souls came out on the chilly, rainy, foggy night of Monday, January 23rd to learn about the Science of Addiction: A Brain Disease from John Wanner, an addiction counselor from Father Martin's Ashley. This was the first quarterly workshop by Father Martin's Ashley (a world renowned treatment facility that heals the alcoholic and addict) in collaboration with the Saint Margaret Parish Substance Abuse Ministry (SAM). It was quite a night for the standing room only crowd many of whom will be talking about the event for some time. Mr. Wanner supplied information most people present had never heard before. He shared clinical evidence utilizing MRI photographs and he stimulated a good deal of audience participation. He really engaged everyone and did an excellent job of responding to questions. It was VERY STIMULATING! Saint Margaret's SAM is very appreciative of the following who supported and assisted: St. Margaret's Confirmation Candidates, Ashley personnel and alumni, plus SAM Team Members from Saint Margaret, Saint Stephen and Saint Joan of Arc. The NEXT Ashley Workshop will be Friday, April 20th at the main church of Saint Margaret with Katy Moser (Music for a Better World). Please watch the church bulletin, church website and flyers. 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