Saint Stephen Parish

 

May 2nd through May 8th

Saturday, May 1

4:00 P.M.       The Berry Family, Memorial

Sunday, May 2

7:00 A.M.       Edward Capobianco, Memorial

9:00 A.M.       For Our Living and Deceased Parishioners

11:00 A.M.       Jeovanni Lopez, 3rd Anniversary

Monday, May 3

8:00 A.M.       Maria Martino, Memorial

Tuesday, May 4

8:00 A.M.       Raffaelina Muri, Memorial

Wednesday, May 5

8:00 A.M.       In Honor of Sister Wendrona

7:00 P.M.       Jeovanni Lopez and Angel Valdivia Sr.,                                 Memorial

Thursday, May 6

8:00 A.M.       Special Intention

Viernes, May 7

8:00 A.M.       For Mary's Intentions

Saturday, May 8

8:00 A.M.       Elizabeth Clark, Month's Mind

 

A ROSE FOR LIFE IN OUR SANCTUARY

The roses this week are sponsored in memory of the Unborn by Laury Henry, in memory of Caroline Gallagher by Jean Gallagher, in memory of Garry Higgins and Lauren Thibeau by Joe and Dolly Femia, in memory of the Kenna families by Guy Spiri, and in memory of Clara F. O'Donnell by John O'Donnell.

 

Annual Rose Sale a Success ‑

John O'Donnell, chairman of the Greater Framingham Chapter of Mass. Citizens for Life, has expressed his thanks to the people of St. Stephen Parish for their generous response to last weekend's Rose Sale. The $403 raised will be used to promote Pro-life activities as we continue to build a culture of LIFE..

 

Birthright Carnations ‑ On May 8th and 9th, the Mother's Day Carnation Project will take place after each of the Masses to raise money for Birthright of Framingham so that they may help women facing problem pregnancies. The Birthright Center is staffed by volunteers who offer friendship, emotional support, and practical assistance to these women. The Center does not charge for its services and relies on donations from generous supporters to continue helping pregnant women in need. Checks can be made out to Birthright of Framingham and mailed to 79A Main Street, Framingham, MA 01701. All contributions will be gratefully accepted.

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ‑ Our monthly Eucharistic Adoration in the Rectory Chapel will take place on Friday, May 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 8th, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Confessions will take place at 4:00 p.m. in the Church on Thursday, May 6th. Please join us in worshiping Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament for some period of time during the two days.

 

“FOR THE LOVE OF OUR SPIRITUAL HOME.”

The second collection next weekend, May 8th and 9th, will be “For the Love of Our Spiritual Home, St. Stephen Parish.” Please be generous since it is required to help pay our current expenses.

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus said: "My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another." - Jn 13:33a, 34a

 

 

More Ushers Needed for English Masses ‑ If you would like to volunteer to be an Usher for one of the English Masses so that we may provide a welcoming and efficient service to all those who come and worship here at Saint Stephen Parish, please give your name and Mass-time preference to one of the Priests after the Mass today or call the Rectory during office hours during the week.

     We will have a training session this month for all ushers, so give us your name if you are willing to serve.

 

Another Work of Mercy ‑ In addition to the traditional Corporal Works of Mercy ‑ feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick, shelter the homeless, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead, we would like to suggest another one: give a fellow Catholic a ride to Mass. We get calls from parishioners who would like to come to Mass, but do not have transportation. If you live in the Beaver Park area of town, there is a parishioner who would like to attend the 9:00 Mass on Sunday. Please let us know if you can help.

 

Posture While Approaching for Communion ‑ Please remember when coming to Communion that you are about to receive our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, your hands should be clasped together in front of you (not at your sides or in your pockets), you should bow before receiving Jesus, say a firm and clear "Amen," and then keep your hands folded as you return to your seat.

The way we receive Communion should convey that "the Eucharist is the center and summit of our Christian life".

Celebrating the Month of Mary in May

Since the month of May has traditionally been devoted to Our Blessed Lady, we will sponsor several things this month to show our love and devotion to the Mother of God.

Saturday, May 1st ‑ Special Mass in the Church at 8:00 a.m.

Saturday and Sunday, May 8th and 9th: Crowning of the Blessed Mother at the 4:00, 9:00, and 11:00 Masses.

Thursday, May 13 ‑ Praying the Rosary as requested by Our Lady during her first visit to the three children in Fatima on October 13, 1917.

 

Three other celebrations during May are the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, May 13th, a Novena to the Holy Spirit on Friday, May 14th, and the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 23rd.

 

The Ascension is a holy day of obligation when Catholics are expected to make an extra effort to attend Mass either on the Vigil of the Ascension or on the holy day itself. Masses in English will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. on the holy day. There will be a bilingual Mass at 7:00 p.m. on Ascension Thursday in the Church and a Spanish Vigil Mass at 7:00 PM on Wednesday.

The Novena to the Holy Spirit is the oldest such devotion in the Church, and it is designed to prepare us for the glorious Feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles in tongues of fire and gave them His seven special gifts: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel or right judgment, fortitude or courage, piety or reverence, and fear of the Lord or wonder and awe in God's presence.

Special prayers will be available so that you can make this nine-day novena to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity to invoke His help in your life and to get yourself ready to mark His first coming on Pentecost.

 

 

Lost and Found Items: We have found several items left in Church including six sets of car keys, video-camera, photo camera, cell phones, hats and glasses. If you think you may had misplaced or lost personal belongings such as these, please, call the Rectory from 9:00 to 5:00 during the week.