St. Stephen Catholic church

2491 James River Turnpike, Ona, WV 25545

(304) 743-3234

Reverend Paul Yuenger WEB SITE: www.ststephens1.com E MAIL: ststephens@suddenlinkmail.com

PARISH COMMITTEE & GROUP CHAIRS

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS

If you would like to become member of our parish, please remove this portion of the page and fill out the following information. You may place it in the collection basket, mail it, or bring it to the parish office

M—F between 8:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. WELCOME!

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

St Stephen Catholic Church, as a family of believers, is committed to pray, to teach, to study and to share our gifts and talent with those whose lives we touch daily. The mission of our Parish is to proclaim the Gospel of

Our Lord Jesus Christ and to build a loving, caring community.

Pastoral Council ….…….....…...... Chris Martin

Finance Council….…….....…......

Eucharist ………….…….....…..... Clara Schulte

Liturgy …………………..............… Jean Valdes

Liturgy ........................... Sister Mary Grace Barile

RCIA ..................…...….......….... David Warner

Christian Service ….......…….....

Co-chairperson ........................... Beckie Mohn

Faith Outreach ........................... Patrick Grace

Music Director ……………..... Marieanne Cordle

Education Director ……….... Christine Anderson

C.W.I.T. ……........................... Marge Carpenter

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 1, 2016

Special Intention Mass for

People of Our Parishes

MASS SCHEDULE

Tuesday 7:30 A.M.

Friday 7:30 A.M.

Sunday 11:30 A.M.

CONFESSION

Thursday 5:00 - 6:00 P.M.

OFFICE HOURS 8:30 A.M.—2:30 P.M. Monday through Friday

OFFICE STAFF Carol Nowak

PARISH SCHEDULES CONTRIBUTIONS

May 8, 2016

A Family Perspective by Bud Ozar

GATHERING All Are Welcome 415 PSALM 67 O God, let all the nations praise You! Pg. 161

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Pg. 162

PREPARATION In Every Age 463 COMMUNION Mozart Alleluia Choir

We Have Been Told SENDING FORTH ALL the Ends of the Earth 797

MUSIC

May 1, 2016 April 24, 2016

HOST

Bill & Mary Ann Schaefer

CROSS BEARER

Rex Newby

READERS

Chris Anderson, Diane Chandler

COMMUNION

Paula Grace, Rex Newby,

Barbara Hultin, Andy Footo, Irene Faller

ALTAR SERVERS

KITCHEN HOSPITALITY

Chris Martin, Lisa Willis

DOUGHNUT PICKUP

Mary & Chris Crytzer

COLLECTION COUNTERS

Mary Crytzer, Karen Hale

WATER PLANTS

Carl & Kris Decker

HOST

Amy & Bil Neal

CROSS BEARER

John Moore

READERS

Dave Warner, Lisa Willis

COMMUNION

Christine Adkins, George Gonsowski, Martha Newby, Mary Crytzer, Beckie Mohn

ALTAR SERVERS

KITCHEN HOSPITALITY

Cheryl & David Warner

DOUGHNUT PICKUP

Linda & Trey Bedway

COLLECTION COUNTERS

Angie Footo, Lisa Willis

WATER PLANTS

Alan & Charlene Hawkins

Envelopes

$ 930

Loose

$ 233

Maintenance

$ 152

Mass Intention

$ 20

_______________________

Total $ 1,335

Today Jesus gives this advice: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Worry and anxiety can consume our lives preventing us from seeing the love which surrounds us and binds us to one another. Don’t miss the forest for the trees. We are living today what we worried about yesterday.

SUNDAY, May 1

Adult Catechesis 11:00-11:15 A.M.

Mass 11:30 A.M.

Special Intention

People of Our Parishes

MONDAY, May 2

St.. Athanasius

TUESDAY, May 3

Mass 7:30 A.M. Special Intention

Trace and Cathleen Lutz

Sts. Philip and James

AA 8:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, May 4

THURSDAY, May 5

Confessions 5:00-6:00 P.M.

FRIDAY, May 6

Mass 7:30 A.M.

Special Intention

Beckie & Geoff Mohn

SATURDAY, May 7

Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate

Basilica/Co-Cathedral

Charleston 11:00 A.M.

SUNDAY, May 8

Mass 11:30 A.M.

Special Intention

Mrs. Minnie Barile

CALENDAR

Page 3

St. Stephen has available Masses for your intentions. Envelopes can be found in the

lobby. Just fill out the information and drop envelope in the collection basket or turn it

into the office.

If you know of someone that is home-bound please contact the parish office so we can send them the weekly bulletin and Fr. Paul can pay them a visit.

Please keep in your Prayers

Chris Martin

Audrey Cheke

Tom Ferris

Jim Rudersdorg

If you would like to add a friend or

loved one to our prayer list, the

PRAYER BOOK can be found on the

round table in the lobby.

May 8, 2016

READING I Acts 1:1-11

READING II Ephesians 1:17-23

GOSPEL Luke 24:46-53

Bulletin Deadline

Please turn in your information by Friday, one week in advance, at 8 A.M.

Offering Envelopes

Please clearly print your name and the amount of your contribution on your envelope to

ensure you are given the proper credit.

Thank you!

Please prayerfully consider donating to our local food pantry, E.C.C.H.O. Pantry items needed: canned goods, corn, soups, mixed vegetables, fruits, hot dog sauce, spaghetti sauce, boxed

baking goods, cereals and dried beans. Household items: pillows, blankets, comforters, sheets, small

appliances, kitchen utensils, and cooking items. Personal care items: toothpaste, deodorant, soap,

and shampoo are always in need.

Items can be placed in the hallway coat closet.

The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

By loving his own “to the end,” he makes manifest the Father’s love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive. Whence Jesus says: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.” And again: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” “Fruit of the Spirit and fullness of the Law, charity keeps the

commandments of God and his Christ: “Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” Christ died out of love for us, while we were still “enemies.” The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as

Christ himself.

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1823-1825

Ask the Pastor

This past fall many people became aware that Pope Francis had tweaked some of the regulations regarding petitions for a Declaration of Nullity, commonly called an annulment. This “Ask the Pastor” is being written to help clarify some of the changes.

First: In the past those who had been divorced who petitioned for a Declaration of Nullity could do so only in a location that had jurisdiction, namely 1) where the marriage was performed, and 2) where the respondent (spouse of the petitioner) lived. The regulations were changed to permit the petitioner to file the petition where they live regardless of where the marriage took place or where the respondent lives.

While this may not seem like a big deal, in a time when people move around the country or migrate internationally this is an important change. No longer does someone living in West Virginia have to go to Hawaii or to New York to file a petition. No longer does someone living in West Virginia have to go to Mexico or to Slovakia to file a petition. The local diocese can now handle these petitions.

Second: In the past if a tribunal made an affirmative decision, approving the petition, the decision was automatically appealed to another jurisdiction to ensure the original ruling was not faulty. The regulations were changed to eliminate the automatic appeal. This means that the amount of time required to process a petition is reduced by as much as several months.

These two changes can make a difference. While Pope Francis also said there should be no charge for the petition to be processed, this did not affect our diocese as for many years there has been no fee charged for a petition to be processed. In some diocese the fees attached where high, leading people to think they were buying an annulment.

If you are not able to receive the sacraments because of a divorce and remarriage, please come to see me or another priest to explore the possibility of petitioning for a Declaration of Nullity.

Catholic Sharing Appeal

2016

Each Spring, the Catholic Sharing Appeal unites us in our common mission as

disciples offering us an opportunity to support our neighbors and Church

throughout WV in a tangible manner. I would like to ask all of you to consider making a gift to the 2016

CSA. For more information on this important diocesan appeal, please visit www.dwc.org/csa

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle C

In the first reading the disciples ask, ““Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” They are still focused on a “this world” kingdom. We are challenged because we want things “NOW”. We are not focused on the long haul. We want things to be quick and easy, no fuss no mess. Jesus never said such was his plan, so when he was lifted up the disciples were standing around not knowing what to do next. The men in white robes that appeared asked, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” Sometimes the same could be asked of us. What are we doing? Do we stand with our hands in our pockets or do we have our hands out, ready to get to work in bringing the good news of Jesus to others?

In the second reading Paul prays, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened…to the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.” Do we allow our eyes to focus on the inheritance or are we filled with what we see at the moment? Paul asks that God will, “give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.” Notice wisdom and revelation is not for ourselves but for knowledge of God. Do we seek such wisdom and revelation or are we stuck using wisdom and revelation for our earthly advancement? Do we see wat all wisdom all knowledge is primarily for us to know and love God?

In the Gospel, after Jesus ascended it said the disciples, “did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.” When we think of our faith do we do so with joy? When it comes time to give God praise, do we resent having to go to church or do we look for continual opportunities to be in his temple giving him praise?

6th Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

In the first reading we hear, “Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Throughout the history of our church there have been those who believe in a rigorist, law observing, behavior. In our times we have those who want to throw out the mercy of God in favor of the judgment of God. Without strict guidelines and rules and regulations from which one cannot waver, they seem lost. They forget that life is messy and not always bound up in a neat little package. Of course they see themselves as the true observers the ones who have everything right, even at the expense of declaring fellow believers to be going to hell because they don’t practice as they do.

The second reading continues a vision by John written to encourage the faithful to hang on to the faith despite persecutions and difficulties. Each of us in our own way need to remember that our ultimate goal is not to live here forever but to join Jesus in heaven. When we have difficulties we need to remember what Paul says in Romans: “we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope.” Like the readers of Revelations let us continue to hope in the future promised us by God and remain faithful in our trials and tribulations.

Following on the heels of Revelations the Gospel reminds us that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” We say we want peace but do we want earthly peace or the peace that comes from following Jesus. Jesus said if we follow him we need to pick up our cross each day. Does that sound like peace? It does if we seek the peace from God not the peace from the world.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Monthly meeting will be held in the parish hall at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 6:30 P.M., beginning with the recitation of the rosary.

Election for new officers will be held. Request all members be present.

Request diaper donations for newborns at Lilly’s Place.

C & A TREE

SERVICE

304-529-1001

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(304) 743-3234