1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

St. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr
C a t h o l i c C h u r c h
A Catholic community of faith striving to
witness to the Gospel. Our Baptism and
Confirmation calls us to bring Christ’s Love
to our families, our work places and our
community. Grateful for God’s gifts, we seek
to nurture those gifts and to give back to the
Lord by sharing our time, talent and
material treasure. In all of our parish
activities we seek to develop a personal
relationship with the Lord who directs our
lives and a vision that sees the world with the
eyes of Christ and that leads to a commitment
to justice. We seek a sense of unity in Christ
that leads us to be an open and welcoming
people and a sense of joy in being graced by
the gifts of God’s Love.
December 28,2014
Holy Family of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph
MASS SCHEDULE
Monday—Saturday: 8am (English)
Saturday Liturgy: 5pm (English)
Sunday Liturgy:
English: 7am, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 6:15pm
Polish: 1pm
December 28, 2014
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
WE ARE A STEWARDSHIP PARISH
We at St. Stephen, are striving to be good disciples of
Christ. We focus on the spirituality of stewardship,
through the grateful sharing of our time, our talent and our
treasure, to help us become better disciples of Christ. As
good stewards, we share our gifts responsibly with
charitable groups and with our church. We urge our
parishioners to consider remembering St. Stephen in their
wills. Please phone Fr. Jay in the church office at
708.342.2400 for more information.
Collections for 12-07-14
Regular
$25,913.00
Kids
$102.89
Sharing
$186.00
Christmas
$855.00
Immaculate Conception
$618.00
All Saints
$25.00
CJB
$70.00
$15.00
Holy Mother of God
Collections for 12-08-14
Immaculate Conception
$2,653.00
Regular
$505.00
Collections for 12-14-14
Regular
$24,278.00
Kids
$201.36
Sharing
$142.00
Christmas
$1,245.00
Immaculate Conception
$248.00
All Souls
$15.00
Holy Mother of God
$50.00
Polish Mission
$525.00
~ O UR
CHURCH
~
Parish Office
17500 South 84th Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60487
Office Hours: 8:30am-8:30pm Mon-Th;
8:30am-7pm Fri; 9am-5pm Sat
Office Closed: 12:30-1pm Mon-Fri
Office Phone: 708.342.2400
Office Fax 708.342.1545
Religious Ed. Phone: 708.342.1544
Website: www.ststephentinley.com
email: [email protected]
@ststephentinley
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Thank you for your continued Stewardship in support of St.
Stephen. Please visit our website to find other opportunities
for generosity through planned giving by remembering St.
Stephen in your will or living trust.
TIME, TALENT & TREASURE In addition to printing the collection, we are printing
the Sunday and Holy Day collections from the previous month and for the fiscal year to
date as well as budgeted amount needed for us to meet both our expenses & mortgage
payments. Mortgage payments are $41,500 per month (interest and principal).
The Archdiocese loaned us the money to start our parish and build our facilities on the basis of
a commitment to Stewardship by the parish. We thank everyone whose support enables us to
do the work of our
Actual
Budget
parish.
Last Month October
$117,377 $112,500
Year-to-Date July 1—October 31 $471,966 $459,600
BAPTISMS are celebrated every Sunday at 3pm in English and 1pm in Polish. Please contact
Deacon Ken in the parish office for the necessary preparations.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION is available on Saturdays, from 8:45—9:30am in the
church or by appointment.
FUNERALS can be arranged with the parish office.
MARRIAGES St. Stephen Parish welcomes the celebration of the weddings of both registered
parishioners and the children of registered parishioners. Information is available from one of
the priests or deacons.
PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK can be arranged for the sick, elderly and handicapped
desiring Communion by calling the parish office.
BULLETIN ARTICLE DEADLINE Articles are to be in the parish office noon on Friday for the
following week’s bulletin. E-mail: [email protected]
REGISTRATION OF NEW PARISHIONERS is held on the 2nd & 4th Sundays every month after
10am Mass. New parishioners unable to register at Sunday registration, may register at the
parish office on Mondays at 2pm, Tuesdays at 11am, Wednesdays at 8:30am or Thursdays
at 6:45pm. Please phone 708.342.2400 to make an appointment. We warmly welcome
new parishioners and cordially invite you to join us on our life-long journey to the Lord.
~ O UR
STAFF
~
~ O UR
Rev. James Finno, Pastor
Rev. Grzegorz Warmuz, Associate Pastor
William Engler, Deacon
Chuck McFarland, Deacon
William Schultz, Deacon
Joseph Stalcup, Deacon
Pete Van Merkestyn, Deacon
Kenneth Zawadzki, Deacon
Karen Opyd, Administrative Assistant to Pastor
Mary Jeanne Pazin, Director of Religious Education
Leslie Krauledis, Assoc. Director of Religious Education
Tammy Burns, Admin. Assistant for Religious Education
Mark Gorka, Music Minister
Karen Dillon, Youth Minister
Dave Prete, Maintenance Director
SCHOOL
Cardinal Joseph
Bernardin Catholic School
9300 167th Street
Orland Hills, IL 60487
Phone 708.403.6525
Fax 708.403.8621
Ms. Mary Iannucilli,
Principal
~
December 28, 2014
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
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From Our Pastor
D
ear People of St. Stephen,
Today’s feast of the Holy Family
easily gets lost in the excitement of
Christmas. Unfortunately, we won’t have
nearly as many people worshiping with us
today as we did a few days ago. Yet family
was surely important in the life of Jesus,
and the family, in all of its varied forms,
remains the key unit of our society. The
structure of our families certainly looks
different than it did as I grew up in the
1950s. We now have traditional families
(2 parents and children), single-parent
families, blended families, adult children
living with parents, and a variety of other
structures of our basic living
arrangements. People move more
frequently, and so less people have
extended families in the neighborhood or
area to be sources of regular support. Yet
healthy families remain critical to the well
-being of our society.
Sometimes when we think of the Holy
Family we imagine an idyllic family life;
after all, the parents were Saints and the
child was divine as well as human. Yet
Jesus’ family life was far from easy. After
being born in a manger, he had to flee
with his parents to Egypt to avoid Herod’s
persecutions. He eventually returned to
settle in a working man’s family in a poor
town, Nazareth. Yet through all the
challenges of their lives together, Jesus’
family was an environment of care and
support for Him. Families give us roots
and values. Families are the environment
in which faith grows. Mary and Joseph
give us an example of a married couple
and parents who dealt with great
hardships and yet persevered in love for
each other and for their child. May we all
value and nurture the relationships of
family that are so important to our lives as
Catholic people.
Although I am writing this nine days
before Christmas, I hope all of you had a
very blessed Christmas with your loved
ones. Often in the weeks after Christmas
we hear the wish that the spirit of
Christmas could continue. While the
magic of Christmas can fade quickly in our
return to the normal, hectic pace of life,
living the spirit of Christmas remains
Jesus’ challenge to each one of us. As we
come to the new year, a traditional time
for resolutions, let me suggest two for
your consideration as ways to continue the
spirit of Christmas. First, resolve to do
something specific to continue the work
of Christmas in your family or with those
closest to you. Perhaps resolve to reach
out to someone for whom you feel
separated, or to offer love to someone
who is hurting, or simply to be committed
to saying often to one another what God
says to us all at Christmas, “I love you,
you are valued.” Second, resolve to
consider how you might do the work of
Christmas, the work of love, in this
community - in our parish or in your
neighborhood.
While we may be a bit tired out by the
pace of the holidays, none of us like to see
the brightness of the Christmas season
end. The spirit of the season will remain
alive as long as we seek to do the work of
Christmas.
I invite you to join us to welcome the
New Year at our Masses celebrating the
feast of Mary, Mother of God. Our
Masses include the 5 PM on New Year’s
Eve and 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM Masses
in English and a 10 AM Mass in Polish on
New Year’s Day.
May God bless you and your loved ones.
Fr. Jay
Mass to Welcome Archbishop Blase Cupich
The faithful of Vicariate V (our area of the Archdiocese) are invited to welcome Archbishop Blase Cupich as the new Shepherd for
the Archdiocese of Chicago at a special Mass on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at 7 PM at St. Rita High School, 77 th and Western
Avenue in Chicago.
Because seating is very limited, leaders of parishes, high schools, religious orders, and other Vicariate Catholic institutions are being
issued a specific number of tickets and parking passes to distribute. We will receive our allotment of tickets this week. The diversity
of the 61 parishes and missions along with our six Catholic high schools and other institutions will be represented. If you wish to
attend, please call the parish office (708-342-2400) by Monday, January 5. If we do not have enough tickets for those who wish to
attend, we will have a lottery for the tickets.
Whether you are at the Mass or at home, please join in prayer as we ask our heavenly Father to bless our Archbishop as he serves as
the leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
New Year’s Mass Schedule
Thursday, New Years Day, is the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of obligation. Masses will be at 5pm on Wednesday,
New Years Eve, 8:30am and 11:30am in English and 10am in Polish on New Years Day.
December 28, 2014
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Pastoral Ministries
Contact Deacon Ken Zawadzki
Pastoral Ministry Director
Phone: 708.342.2400 Ext. 136
Email: [email protected]
Donating to
St.
Vincent de Paul has
become easier
through our new
ONLINE GIVING.
Go to www.ststephentinley.com and
click on the ONLINE GIVING logo
to the left of the screen to register
and make your donation. Thank you
from our St. Vincent de Paul Society.
If you or a parishioner close to you is in
need, please contact SVdP
at 708-342-2400 ext.205.
A representative will return your call
as soon as possible to arrange a
confidential conversation.
Confidentiality and Compassion
are cornerstones of our ministry
Today as we celebrate the feast of
the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary
and Joseph, we contemplate the
hardships and fears they faced as they
journeyed to Egypt. In the month of
December, through your gifts, the Society of
St. Vincent de Paul was able to help the poor
and suffering to face their hardships/fears.
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A few reflections on worry …
Another New Year is approaching and sometimes we look ahead with
optimism for what’s to come, while others look at it with anxiety. Anxiety
pokes a hole in the bottom of the boat. If you don’t plug the hole, your spirit
will sink. I have faced many problems and difficult situations in life, and have
never found one that improved with worry. Worry only multiplies negative
energy. Think about it for a moment. If you worry about something bad that
doesn’t happen, you expend emotional energy needlessly. If you worry about
something bad that DOES happen, you expend emotional energy twice — on
both ends of the problem.
Why not just let things unfold — and conserve your emotional energy until you
actually have to deal with the bad situation? We cannot control most of what
we worry about. This is our feeble attempt to manage the uncontrollable. If you
can’t do something about it, then the issue is not a problem — it is a fact of life,
no use fretting and stewing over something you cannot control.
Worry is contagious. Verbalizing anxieties is like sneezing in the car — you
pass the virus on to everyone around you. Pretty soon, everybody’s negative.
Before spewing negative thoughts ask yourself if these are the kind of words
you want to hear. If not, change the channel. You will receive whatever you
dish out to others. Like dandelions, it’s best to nip worries at the first rising so
they do not germinate and spread. Where worries multiply, joy decreases. It is
impossible to be anxious-ridden and joyful at the same time. One always expels
the other.
There’s a good reason why Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow.” Every
day has enough challenge without adding concerns about things that haven’t
reached us yet. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan ahead. Thoughtful
foresight increases the odds of a good outcome. The difference between
planning ahead and worrying is the negative emotional energy. Are you
stewing your way forward — or figuring it out positively?
So let’s welcome the New Year with optimism and hope.
Blessings,
Deacon Ken Zawadzki
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Coming Soon to Orland Park!
In January, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago will open a new thrift store in Orland Park at 7010 West 159th
Street (formerly Sears Hardware). Gently used clothing, shoes, housewares, home décor, books, furniture and much
more can be found at reasonable prices in a clean and modern store featuring wide shopping aisles, enhanced
lighting, and large department signage. St. Vincent de Paul is a non-profit organization. Your purchases, and
donations may help prevent eviction; keep the heat and electric on, and food on the table for your neighbors in need.
Our Orland Park location will have a powerful impact not only on the people that we work with directly, but also
on the larger community as a whole; offering a low-cost, high quality shopping experience. Donations and volunteers are needed to
help prepare the store for opening day. Please join us and call Thrift Stores Director Margaret Jones at 773.779.6700 to be a part of
this exciting endeavor! Please visit our other thrift store locations at 9321 S. Western Avenue in Chicago and 1125 S. Milwaukee
Avenue in Libertyville. To learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago, please visit svdpchicago.org.
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St. Vincent De Paul Food Collection
Next Saturday/Sunday, January 3 and 4, will be our monthly food collection for the St. Vincent De Paul
Ministry to help support the Tinley Park food pantry. Non-perishable items such as breakfast cereal, pasta,
pancake mixes, canned goods should be bagged and left in the church Narthex. Paper towels, toiletry
paper, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies are always welcomed. St. Stephen Parish has created a
section of the food pantry for gluten free foods. Please mark your bag “gluten free items” if you include
those in your donations. Please help our parishioners in need and thank you
Please label your bag if it’s GLUTEN FREE !!
so much for your continued generosity and support .
2015 Golden Opportunities Coupon Book
We are again offering the New 2015 Golden Opportunities coupon book for only $25. It has hundreds of discounts at numerous local
merchants that you shop at everyday. Please stop by the Parish Office to view a sample or to purchase this great gift that you can
begin to use immediately. We only have 2 left!
YEAR END tax statements for 2014
For all those who requested a tax statement last year or who automatically received a statement due to IRS regulations last year, a statement
will be mailed to you by the end of January, 2015. There is no need to call or email the parish office. For those who did not request a
statement last year, please contact the parish office at 708-342-2400 or email [email protected] (put 2014 tax letter requested in
the subject line). We will mail the statements out on a weekly basis. Thank you and God Bless….Karen Opyd
YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS
Due to IRS Regulations, all contributions received through Wednesday, December 31 are recorded as a 2014 contribution. Contributions
made at Masses on Thursday, January 1 are required by law to be recorded as a 2015 contribution regardless of the type of envelope used or
the date written on the check. If a contribution dated in December is mailed to the parish office and is postmarked on or before December
31, it is recorded as a 2014 contribution. However, all contributions delivered to the parish office in person or postmarked on or after
January 1 must be recorded as a 2015 contribution. Therefore, even if a check is dated in December, 2014 but is mailed or delivered to the
parish office in January, that contribution must be recorded as a 2015 contribution. It is recommended that mailed contributions be
delivered to the Post Office no later than Friday, December 26 since there may be limited postal service on December 31. We are grateful
for all your donations and want to thank you for your generosity.
Serving God’s Word to Those Who Have Served
As Americans and parishioners of St. Stephen, we pray for our troops every week for their success and protection and for
their recovery from any wounds, physical or emotional, that they have received from their service, no matter which conflict
they have served in. You must be committed to the health of our veterans. We can help all servicemen and women who have
difficulty transitioning to civilian life.
I am a life member of the United States Marine Corps League and the V.F.W. I am also a member of the VA Medical Care. If you are a
veteran, know a veteran or are a family member of a veteran having difficulty transitioning to civilian life or needs VA care or simply
someone to talk to, please consider giving me a call at the parish office at 708-342-2400. We continue committed to the soldiers who have
served our nation and have preserved the freedom we enjoy. Blessings ! Deacon Pete Van Merkestyn
Military Corner
Please pray for our Military men and women on a daily basis for their safe return.
Capt. Anthony J. Cesaro
Major Vincent Cesaro
1st Lt. Michael Chimienti
Lt. Amanda Griffith
Lcpl. Evan Grober
Capt. Michael Gryczka
Sgt. Joseph Malone
Capt. Christopher Mazurek
Sgt. Dominic Messina
Tsgt. Laura Langley
Ssgt. Carl Langley
PFC Matthew O'Boyle
Capt. Thomas Pierczynski
Tsgt. Stephen Vlaming
LCDR Marilyn Walsh
Major Thomas Walsh
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Donations Needed for CONFIRMATION SERVICE PROJECT
St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Religious Education Program and Cardinal Bernardin School - 7th Graders are
preparing for a service project to benefit PADS, and Illinois Veterans Home-Manteno, St. Leo Campus for
Veterans ( 7750 S. Emerald, Chicago, IL). This project will involve the gathering of travel size toiletries and other
easily carried personal essentials for the guests at the listed locations.
Most items can be purchased for a dollar at the Dollar Store, Walgreens and Target, etc. The list below shows
some of the items we gathered last year in a similar and very successfully rewarding project. Once gathered, the
7th grade students will meet in February to package the items for delivery by Deacon Bill and Pete.
If there are any questions, please call the Religious Ed Office at 708-342-1544.
You don’t need to have a 7th grader to donate and we don’t expect each giver to provide all the items on the list. Any amount you are
able to donate will be greatly appreciated. Please bring the items in a bag marked “Service project” and leave them in the narthex
during the month of January after Mass. We would like to make at least 75 bags for the project.
Our children will meet on February 8th to sort and package the items for delivery.
Necessity (travel size)
Hand sanitizer
Bottled water
Toothpaste/brushes
Face and hand moisturizer
Small packages of Kleenex
Comb
Deodorant bar soap
Lip balm
Life saver candy
Small packages of cheese & crackers
Baby powder
Safety razor
Zip lock bags to carry items
Optional
socks
gloves
stocking hats
Rain poncho
McDonalds Gift Cards
Income for Life for you. … Benefit for the future of our parish
A charitable gift annuity is an extraordinary way to make a gift, increase your income and slice your tax bill—all in one transaction !
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s charitable gift annuity program was created as a service to our parishioners who have expressed a desire
to make a gift of significance while still retaining income from the gift during their lives.
A Charitable gift annuity provides:
Income for Life – at attractive payout rates;
Tax Deduction Savings – a large part of what you donate is deductible charitable gift;
Tax free Payout – a significant portion of your payments is tax-free;
Personal Satisfaction – knowing that your gift will benefit the Church for years to come.
Gift annuity rates are determined by the age of the person or persons who receive the income payment. Please call Patti Condon in
the Archdiocesan Office of Stewardship and Development at 312-534-7911; she would be happy to discuss your gift in greater detail
and send you a free gift illustration.
Hearing Assistance System
Our church is equipped with a Williams Sound hearing assistance system. Tied into our sound system, the system has four receivers
that can help those with hearing difficulties. Receivers are available form the ushers; please return them to the ushers after Mass. The
receivers are battery operated. If the battery is low, please ask an usher to contact one of our staff. The system also has two neck
loops designed to work with the hearing aid equipped with a telephone coil (T-Switch). These neck loops are also available from the
ushers. We have been told by the installing company that some people may want to purchase a receiver for their personal use. If you
are interested in purchasing a receiver, please contact Fr. Jay.
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St. Stephen’s Next Two Social and Fundraising Events!
Mark Your Calendars and Come Join Us!
Trivia Night
Want to put your knowledge to the test? Then join us for our St. Stephen’s Trivia Night on Saturday,
January 10, at 6:30 PM. Bring your own food, socialize with fellow parishioners, and rack your brain
over various categories of trivia. Cost is $80 per table (8 per table). 12 tables are available. If you do
not have a full table, contact the parish office (708-342 2400) and someone will contact you.
You
can sign up at the parish office.
After “HO HO HO”
COMES “HA HA HA”
Get rid of the mid-winter blues with a tasty dinner and a lot of laughs!
Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Orland Chateau
14500 S. LaGrange, Orland Park
Doors open at 6pm, Dinner at 7pm, Show at 8:30pm
Hosted by
St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Parish
And Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School
Fourth Annual
Comedy Night Fundraiser
Gather your family and friends for an evening of laughter, great food and FUN on Saturday, February 7
for the Fourth Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park.
The event will feature Bill Brady’s Comedy Capers Show...featuring the talents of
Bill Brady, John DaCosse, Bill Gorgo.
Tickets are $40 which includes dinner and the show. For more information, call 708-342-2400.
Four Winds Casino
St. Stephen Seniors, “Young @ Heart” will sponsor a trip to Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo Michigan on Thursday, February
12, 2015. All parishioners are welcome to join us. Cost is $35 per person which includes bus transportation, $15 in slot credit and
$10 food credit. Bus will depart from St. Stephens’s parking lot at 9am and return at 4pm. You may purchase tickets by contacting
Joan Kapala at 815-534-5111.
St. Christopher Music Ministry’s Christmas Concert
Celebrate the Holiday Season at the St. Christopher Music Ministry’s Christmas Concert-“HERALDS OF JOY” on Tuesday,
December 30, 2014 at 7:00pm at St. Christopher Church, 147th and Keeler in Midlothian. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of
our Chamber Orchestra, Children's Choir, Living Stones High School Choir and Adult Choirs as they perform Christmas favorites.
Free-will offering and reception following concert.
Marist High School
Marist High School’s entrance exam for current eighth grade students will take place on Saturday, January 10,
2015. Students should arrive at 8:00 a.m. and enter through the gym doors, located on the east end of the school.
There is a $25 test fee.
The school will also hold a “Meet Marist” event on Friday, January 9, 2015, from 6:30 to 8pm. This event offers an abbreviated
look at the school, but still includes all the highlights of the campus. For additional information, contact Alex Brown at 773-8815330. Celebrating more than 50 years of excellence, Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th Street, Chicago.
Mother McAuley
Mother McAuley congratulates the St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr alumna who was named an Illinois State Scholar: Suzanne Dwyer
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Living every day with
PASSION AND PURPOSE
Are you thriving or just surviving? Are you ready for more energy? A deeper sense of purpose?
More joy? A clearer understanding of God’s plan for your life?
Join us for one of our Passion and Purpose Live events. It’s not your typical church event! It has
been a life-changing event for tens of thousands of people. Living Every Day with Passion and
Purpose Live is presented by internationally acclaimed speaker and author Matthew Kelly and the
incredibly talented musician Eliot Morris.
About Eliot Morris
Eliot Morris is an acclaimed singer song writer who has toured
with the Counting Crows, John Mayer and James Taylor. He is
best known for his albums “What’s Mine is Yours” and “All Things
in Time”, which includes the hit “UP from the Bottom”.
Matthew Kelly’s presentation will be at St. Stephen Church on
Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 7pm. The presentation is cosponsored by St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Francis of Assisi, St. George, St. Julie Billiart and St.
Stephen, Deacon and Martyr parishes.
Tickets are $39. Make checks payable to “Dynamic Catholic.” All proceeds go to support the work
of Dynamic Catholic. Tickets are available in the parish office.
Save the Date… Thy Kingdom Come…
March 21 & 22, 2015… St. Stephen’s Church
Thy Will Be Done on Earth… only if YOU are there! Kingdom is a two-day spiritual renewal that is open to anyone 18 years of
age or older (no overnight). (Single, married, divorced, separated or widowed). Come alone or bring a friend and discover GOD
working in your everyday life. More information and registration forms will be in the bulletin starting in January. It is a weekend of
Faith, Friendship, Fun and Food! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, 2015.
“…The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
Relevant radio
Are you looking for a sign that God loves you? Here it is! Tune in daily to hear the breadth and length
and height and depth of His love for you. Chicago 950AM, Chicago West 930AM, NW Indiana
1270AM (Listen online at www.relevantradio.com)
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Teens Growing in Faith Upcoming Events
T.G.I.F.
If you are interested in more information about the Youth Ministry, please contact
Karen Dillon at: 708-342-2400, ext. 149 or at [email protected].
Teens 7th grade through high school are invited to teen activities the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month following the 6:15 pm mass
from 7-9 pm! Come help us plan our activities for the year! Give your input on decorating and what we need in the new teen room!
Co-ed volleyball team
We will be forming a team with St. Elizabeth Seton and playing in January & February on Sundays against other area churches. This is
a fun league and no experience is necessary. Cost is $35 and will include a team t-shirt. If you are interested in joining our team,
please call or text Youth Minister, Karen Dillon at 708-560-4659 so that a registration form can be sent to you.
** COMING IN JANUARY: SIGN UP FOR SPEAKING & NON SPEAKING ROLES FOR
THE LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS.
SAVE
THE
D A T E!
OPEN HOUSE
COME AND VISIT YOUR PARISH SCHOOL!
Pre-K (3- and 4-year old) through 8th Grade
Sunday, January 25, 2015
1:00pm -- 3:00pm
3- and 4-year old Pre-K (full day and half day) Presentation at 1:15pm
Kindergarten (full day) Presentation at 1:45pm
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School
9250 West 167th Street, Orland Hills, IL 60487
We are a Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
For more information, visit www.cjbschool.org
or email Cynthia Devlin at [email protected]
or telephone 708-403-6525, extension 127
Moms and Tots
Join us at Moms and Tots! Moms and Tots is a casual playgroup that meets on Tuesdays between 9:30 and
11am. It is a fun free way to get out with your little one(s). New moms, dads, tots, and babies are always
welcome! We meet in the church, Room 158. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions feel
free to contact Julie [email protected] or(708)299-9404.
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Welcome to the Marriage Center
Banns III
Jason Frieri & Heather Wehmer
St. Stephen’s Respect Life Ministry
“You are called to stand up for life!” -Pope John Paul II
St. Stephen’s Respect Life Ministry gathers for prayer and planning on the 3rd Wednesday each month in room 125 of
the parish office. The Respect Life Ministry focus is upon dignity of life issues. Our goal is to make concerns known, educate our faith
community on the particulars, and provide support and assistance for Catholic life concerns through prayer and action. If you have any
questions please contact Deacon Bill Schultz at the parish office.
PRO-LIFE HOLY HOUR
You are invited to a Pro-Life Holy Hour on Friday, January 2nd at 7:00pm in St. George Church (6707 W. 175th Street in
Tinley Park). We will pray before the Blessed Sacrament for true respect for all human life from conception to natural death.
Please come to pray that our nation will be converted to a culture of life.
Infant Jesus of Prague Prayer Group
Infant Jesus of Prague prayer group invites you to a Healing Service & Mass on the First Monday of every Month at 7:30pm. Wheel
chair accessible. Infant Jesus of Prague Church is located at Flossmoor Rd. & Leavitt Ave. in Flossmoor, IL. For more information,
call Bettyann Hall 708-799-1234
December 28, 2014
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
P AGE 11
Informacje Dotyczące Duszpasterstwa w Parafii Sw. Śzczepana
-Po bliższe imformajce proszę dzwonić do biura parafialnego pod numer 1(708) 342- 2400 wew 137
Znak Miłości. Znak Posłuszeństwa
Nasze życie przemija niemiłosiernie szybko, jedne wydarzenia gonią następne. Życie nasze koncentruje się na
sprawach przyziemnych i tylko czasami mamy możliwość – jak przy okazji Świąt, które właśnie przeminęły – usiąść w
gronie rodziny, bliskich i porozmawiać, uśmiechnąć się wzajemnie do siebie, do naszych dzieci, rodziców, dziadków.
Uśmiech i serdeczność to „towary” bezcenne, za wszystko inne możesz zapłacić kartą. A jednak czasami trudno jest
nam zdobyć się na tę serdeczność, miłość synowską, ojcowską, matczyną. Dlatego tak ważnym jest, abyśmy pamiętali
o takich drobiazgach, jakimi są uśmiech, pogłaskanie po główce, przytulenie. Dbając o swoją rodzinę dbamy o nasz
rodzinny Kościół, o wiarę, o miłość.
Syn Boży przychodząc na świat włączył się jak wszyscy ludzie w grono rodzinne. Rodzina Jego żyła w pokorze i w
prostocie, zewnętrznie nie różniąc się od innych rodzin. Ale – jak wiemy z Ewangelii – była to Rodzina całkiem
wyjątkowa, Jej duchowe oblicze było niezwykłe. W tym domu nazaretańskim Bóg był zawsze na pierwszym miejscu, na
wszystko patrzyło się w świetle Bożym. Najbardziej twarde i przykre koleje życia nie zakłócały tam pokoju, bo cierpienia
były przyjmowane w głębokim duchu wiary, w przekonaniu, że każda okoliczność jest wypełnianiem planu Bożego,
nawet, gdy się go nie rozumiało. Wypełnianie woli Bożej było celem i kierunkiem życia całej Rodziny.
Kościół stawia nam Świętą Rodzinę jako wzór życia każdej rodziny chrześcijańskiej. Ojcostwo Józefa zaś, (wprawdzie
przybrane) jest trochę niedoceniane. Jak to się stało, że święty Józef równie bogobojny, jak sprawiedliwy, uczciwy i
rzetelny, mimo strachu przed prawem stał się Ojcem ziemskim dla Syna Bożego? Dlaczego ten wspaniały mąż,
rzemieślnik również odpowiedział Bogu Fiat? Zgodnie z prawem, które wtedy obowiązywało, mąż, który stwierdził, że
poślubił kobietę, która była brzemienna, miał prawo oddalić ją od siebie, więcej – mógł domagać się od jej rodziców
zadośćuczynienia, a prawo nakazywało jej ukamienowanie. Oczywistym przecież jest, że to Bóg Ojciec za sprawą
Ducha Świętego spowodował, że Maryja Panna stała się brzemienną. Że porodziła Syna Bożego, odpowiadając Bogu
Fiat – Niech się stanie Twoja wola, co było zapowiadane od wieków przez proroków. Ale dzisiaj w obliczu Święta
Świętej Rodziny, pamiętajmy o jej Macierzyństwie, które to wspominać będziemy w najbliższą niedzielę.
Wracając do Liturgii na dzień dzisiejszy, posłuchajmy co nam przekazuje Święty Paweł, pisząc do Kolosan, i jaką
przesyła do nas ważną informację: „Jako więc wybrańcy Boży – święci i umiłowani – obleczcie się w serdeczne
miłosierdzie, dobroć, pokorę, cichość, cierpliwość, znosząc jedni drugich i wybaczając sobie nawzajem, jeśliby miał ktoś
zarzut przeciw drugiemu: jak Pan wybaczył wam, tak i wy!”( Kol 3,12-14). Musimy sobie zdawać sprawę z tego, iż
miłość to doskonałość, a całe dobro czynione przez nas dla naszych bliskich, żony, męża i dzieci, to dobro czynione w
imię Jezusa. Jego słowa to jakby kwintesencja dzisiejszego święta: „Żony bądźcie poddane mężom, jak przystało w
Panu. Mężowie, miłujcie żony i nie bądźcie dla nich przykrymi! Dzieci, bądźcie posłuszne rodzicom we wszystkim, bo to
jest miłe w Panu. Ojcowie, nie rozdrażniajcie waszych dzieci, aby nie traciły ducha.” (Kol 3,18-21). Może potraktujemy
to jako nasze motto?
Przestrzeganie, bowiem takich zasad życia rodzinnego prowadzi do wspólnej harmonii, zgody i wzajemnej miłości.
Przestrzeganie Prawa Bożego skłania dzieci do poszanowania rodziców, rodziców do wzajemnej miłości i zrozumienia,
oraz do życzliwości dla dzieci i do wychowywania ich według Praw Bożych. Czytania biblijne dzisiejszego dnia
podkreślają wartość takich wzajemnych odniesień. Poszerzają spojrzenie na czwarte przykazanie dając wiele
wskazówek, które powinniśmy rozważać w czasie modlitwy. Święty Paweł w Liście do Kolosan podaje nam cechy
wzajemnej miłości, która prowadzi do prawdziwej jedności serc i do doskonałej więzi rodzinnej. W Liście tym
odnajdujemy bogate i żarliwe życzenia skierowane do wszystkich rodzin, życzenia mówiące tak wiele: „Sercami
waszymi niech rządzi pokój Chrystusowy...”(Kol 13,15). Pokój jest znakiem miłości, jest dobrem ludzkich serc. Jest
oparciem dla codziennego trudu. Jest oparciem, jakie znajdują w sobie żona i mąż i jakie dzieci znajdują w swych
rodzicach, a rodzice w dzieciach. Wszystko można pokonać i wszystko można znieść, kiedy rodzinę łączy miłość,
natomiast, gdy jej brak wszystko staje się ogromnie ciężkie.
Święty Łukasz w Ewangelii poucza nas, jak mamy dbać o wiarę naszych dzieci, naszych wnuków czy dzieci
chrzestnych, jak prowadzić je drogą wiary i Chrystusa. Uczy nas, jak oczekiwać dobra i miłości i jak dziękować Bogu za
spełnione życie, pokazując nam Symeona, który takimi słowami dziękuje Panu: „Teraz, o Władco, pozwól odejść słudze
Twemu w pokoju, według Twojego słowa. Bo moje oczy ujrzały Twoje zbawienie, któreś przygotował wobec wszystkich
narodów: światło na oświecenie pogan i chwałę ludu Twego, Izraela.” (Łk 2,29-32). Dużo, bardzo dużo dzisiaj o nas, o
rodzinie, o dzieciach, ale i o grzechach, miłosierdziu, wreszcie o chwale.
„BOŻE, OJCZE WSZYSTKICH, TY dałeś nam Świętą Rodzinę z Nazaretu jako wzór życia, spraw, abyśmy złączeni
węzłem miłości jaśnieli w naszych domach tymi samymi cnotami i doszli do wiecznej radości w Twoim domu”.
December 28, 2014
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
P AGE 12
Sun 12-28
Baby Nursing #153 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Babysitting #158
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Parish Registration LMR | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Baptism
Mon 12-29
No RE
Tues 12-30
No RE
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Moms & Tots #158
7:30 PM Highlanders #171,172,173,174 | 7:30 PM Rosary Daily Chapel
Wed 12-31
New Years's Eve
No RE |Parish & RE Offices Closed at Noon
5:00 PM Mass of Anticipation for Holy Mother of God
Thurs 01-01
New Years's Day
Parish & RE Offices Closed
Holy Mother of God Masses 8:30am (English), 10am (Polish), 11:30am (English)
Fri 01-02
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM Scripture Study #126
6:30 PM 1st Fri Mass (Polish) Church
Sat 01-03
Baby Nursing #153
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Taking Care of the Woman's Spirit #167
7:00 PM 1st Sat Mass (Polish) Church
Baby Nursing #153
10:00 AM 1st Grade Mass Church
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Babysitting #158
10:00 AM Growing with God #162/163/164/165/166/167
Sun 01-04
1/4
Lector
5:00 PM
Witry,Ryan
Ceballos,William
Eucharistic Houlihan,Annette
Jefferies,Michelle
Smith,Patrick
Bodinet,Nicole
Bodinet,Rachel
Grady,Jim
Grady,Roberta
Genardo,Patricia
Barnes,Joe
Barnes,Mary
Baste,Choleen
Baste,Chona
Altar
Collins,Cian
Corning,Karoline
Gilbert,Madison
Celebrant
Deacons
Dcn Bill E.
Greeters
Flo Simosky
Joan Beck
Geraldine Casey
Peg Schmidt
7:00 AM
8:30 AM
10:00 AM
Bellettiere,Sam Fornek,Carol Ann Reidy,Brian
Flanagan,Jane
Gillespie,Donna
Reidy,Elizabeth
Erzinger,Ruth
Gorcowski,Kimberly Labriola,Daniela
Conlin,Cathy
Slechter,Ed
Richerme,Dolores
Anderson,Mary Kay
Benkowski,Lisa
Steele,Tammy
Connolly,Bill
Hill,Rosemary
Lima,Clare
Connolly,Marie Hildebrandt,Walter Davidson,Jacqueline
Smajo,Jonathan Crane,Sally
Cotrano, Pauline
Smajo,Geri
Albee,Dawn
Labriola,Sue
Smajo,Nicholas Koney,Patricia
Labriola,Lawrence
Guglielmo,Anne
Dobersztyn,Joe
Brouch,John
Dobersztyn,Grace
Miguel,Ihidia
Lindenmeyer,Elaine
Werr,Mary
Vaitkus,Charlotte
Snyder, Larry
Conover,John
Augustyniak,Peter
Conover,Dominic Bugos,Molly
Keating,Patrick
Guzman,Nico
11:30 AM
Packert,Lynn
Bugos,Kevin
Hughes,James
Voltolina,Jeanette
Brennan,Mike
Lingle,Karen
Kolloway,Mike
Tierney,Abigail
Knawa,Kathy
Sullivan,Janet
Gamino,Theresa
Novotny,Deborah
Robison,Anne
Mangan,Melissa
Herrmann,Ashley
Luczak,Joey
Bugos,Kevin
Dcn Pete
Dcn Joe
B. J. Witry
Charlene Mueller
Rose Romano
Natalie Sims
Dcn Pete
Kathy Stephens
Jim Stephens
Mike Tyrrell
Eileen Tyrrell
Dcn Joe
Barb Ridge
Bob Ridge
John&Mike Vasek
Patricia Vasek
1PM
Luczak,Longin
Wilk,Kazimierz
Kwiatkowski,S.
Boblak,Andrej
Kita,Barbara
Fr Greg
Sun 12-28
Team #2
Sun 1-4
Team #3
December 28, 2014
12/28
7:00am
8:30am
10:00am
11:30am
1:00pm
6:15pm
12/29
8:00am
12/30
8:00am
12/31
8:00am
5:00pm
1/1
8:30am
10:00am
11:30am
1/2
8:00am
1/3
8:00am
5:00pm
1/4
7:00am
8:30am
10:00am
11:30am
1:00pm
6:15pm
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sunday
For the People
Al Mazeikis
Peter Aldeza
Jeanne Tierney
Maury Kane
William Donegan
Lawrence Menconi
Margaret Devine
Za Dusze W. Czyscu Cierpiace
Marion Kmiecik
Sharon Farrell
Edmund Karpinski
Monday
Frances C. Peca
C. Thomas & Harriet Wojcik
Tuesday
Lori Barvitz
Thanksgiving for the Sumera Family
Wednesday New Year’s Eve
Alex Cowdery
Edwin Wojcik
Jim Dwyer
Gabriella Maria Wittke
John & Kunegunda Cwekala &
Stanislaw & Jadwiga Opyd
Thursday New Year’s Day
Mary Hildebrandt
S. Charley Layman
Polish
Frank Cotrano
Max Rickman
Friday
Gabriel L. Sakakeeny
Roger Johnson, Sr.
Joseph Vetrih
Saturday
Toni Twarok
Salvation Dometita
Florence & Joseph Ogarek
Steve & Joe Yanko
Joanna Mathes
Eileen Hennessy
Robert Hnillo
John Przybylski
Sunday
For the People
Victor & Bernadette Pager
Stanley Wasag
Tessie Ramos
Jim Brody
Maurice Kane
Jack Hughes
Rachel Marie Lullo
Za Dusze W. Czyscu Cierpiace
Int. of Healing Jacob Smith
Paula McMullen
Int. of Colleen & Bill Grogan
P AGE 13
Pray for Our Sick
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
The Family
The Family
Gerald & Mary Jeanne Pazin
The Family
Elizabeth Donegan
Judy Menconi
Rosalie McGlynn
req.by
req.by
req.by
The Family
Pat Malone
M/M Ronald Maeder
req.by
req.by
Dolores F. Michalski
The Orawiec Family
req.by
Toni Twarok
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
Grandma & Grandpa
The Orawiec Family
Donna Kurban
Mom and Dad
Grandchildren
req.by
req.by
The Family
Carol Fornek
req.by
req.by
Pauline Cotrano
June Lucas
req.by
req.by
req.by
Adult Altar Servers
Emily Johnson
The Family
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
Young At Heart
The Family
Anna Plecki
The Family
John & Ida DeJohn
Bridget Boyle
The Oropez Family
Dianne Przybylski
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
req.by
June Lucas
The Family
Edgar & Levie Dometita
Barb O'Connell
The Family
Dcn Pete & Jan Van Merkestyn
Tina Lullo
req.by
req.by
req.by
Annette & Theresa
Dcn Pete & Jan Van Merkestyn
Bill & Arlene Beavan
Mike Abramowicz
Albert Agresti
Kristen Baldyga
Julie Barth
Josephine Basie
Arlene Beavan
Augustina Braccolino
Frank Braccolino
Kathie Brosius
Tammy Burns
William Callahan
Raymond Callahan
John Czerniak
Janice Dorff
Joe Dorff
John Drahos
Cardinal George
Caroline Grady
Fran Grousnick
Marion Kummer
Lillian Kurzawski
Ed Malone
Nathan Parry
Carmen Pignatiello
Anna Plecki
Judy Ratkovic
Kevin Renderman
Betty Ruzich
Terry Ryan
Mary Lou Schoettler
Nicole Siedschlag
Rachel Swallow
Joseph Tierney
Ruth Ann Tomaszeski
Alex Udaykee
Jane Van Duch
MaryBeth Vasquez
Maeve Walsh
Kelly Weiss
And for all for whom our parish is asked to pray
To help keep the list of names read at Mass and placed in
the bulletin accurate and current, we will keep the name
of a non-parishioner who is an immediate family member
of our parishioner on the list at Mass for two weeks and
in the bulletin for two weeks. For a parishioner, we will
keep the name on the list at Mass for four weeks and in
the bulletin for 60 days. We ask that an immediate family
member call after 4 weeks if you wish to have the name
continued to be read at Mass.
Pray for Our Deceased
Rosemary Farkas
Kay Gibbons
Frederick Skowron
Weekly Readings
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Col 3:12-21
1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35
1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40
1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28
1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Jn 1:29-34
Welcome to Our Newly Baptized
None
AN OFFER FROM NANCY’S PIZZA
P AGE 14
Nancy’s Pizza at 171st Street and 80th Avenue (in the Family Dollar Plaza) is making an offer to St. Stephen Parishioners. On any Monday through Wednesday,
present this coupon and 20% of the pre-tax amount (10% if a discount coupon is used) will be donated to the St. Stephen Parish Center Fund. You can enjoy a
pizza and support our parish. Nancy’s Pizza’s number is 708-614-6100.
Nancy’s Pizza and St. Stephen Pizza Coupon
20% of the pre-tax amount (10% if a discount coupon is used) to be donated to the St. Stephen Parish
Center Fund on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays!
Phone:_______________________________________
E a r n $$$$ f or S t. S te p h e n ’s Pa r i s h! !!
Have lunch or dinner at Gatto's on the 2nd or 4th Wednesday of the month and help in raising funds for St.
Stephen’s parish. The parish will receive 15% of the before tax cost of your meal. Please present
this coupon to your server or ask your server to write St. Stephen's Men's Club on your bill. This applies to
Dine-in or Carryout!!
Gatto’s Restaurant & Bar
Present this coupon to your server
St. Stephen’s Men’s Club
Dine-In or Carryout
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month
15%
Donation (before Tax)
AN OFFER FROM tony’s villa rosa PIZZA & catering
Tony’s Villa Rosa Pizza & Catering at 7717 St. Francis Road is making an offer to St. Stephen Parishioners. Present this coupon and 15% of the pre-tax amount (on
pick-up or delivery) of pizzas and catering, will be donated to the St. Stephen Parish Center Fund. You can enjoy delicious Italian food and support our parish at
the same time. Tony’s Villa Rosa Pizza & Catering’s number is 815-464-6700 or you can go to their website at www.villarosacatering.com. They will deliver up to
159th Street.
Tony’s Villa Rosa Pizza & Catering and St. Stephen Coupon
15% of the pre-tax amount (on pick-up or delivery) of pizzas and catering will be donated to the
St. Stephen Parish Center Phone:_______________________________________