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June 11, 2017 Vol. 35 No. 44

St. Stephen’s Catholic Church 4601 Neely Avenue Midland, Texas 79707 (432) 520-7394 Fax (432) 520-7395

www.ststephensmidlandtx.com

Monsignor James P. Bridges, Pastor Assistant Pastor: Fr. Bala Anthony Govindu

Deacons: Leonard Hendon, Luis Mata, Fidel Saldivar, Larry Salazar Sisters: Gertrudis Muñoz, Leonila Torres

Youth Director: Deacon Larry Salazar Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

Dearly Beloved Parishioners, I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks for your love, support, care and encouragement for two and a half years here at St. Stephen’s. It has been a great blessing to work with our beloved pastor Msgr. James P. Bridges. I have learned a lot of good things from him which would enrich my ministry. Msgr. Bridges is a man of prayer, has a heart for the poor and needy, has zeal for souls, being available to everyone that is in need. It’s sad to see Msgr. Bridges retire

from being pastor of St. Stephen’s. Please continue to pray for me and Msgr. Bridges. I wish you all blessings of the Holy Trinity. ~Fr. Bala Anthony Govindu

Amados feligreses, Aprovecho esta oportunidad para expresar mi profunda gratitud y sincero agradecimiento por su amor, apoyo, cuidado y aliento durante dos años y medio aquí en San Esteban. Ha sido una gran bendición trabajar con nuestro amado pastor Mons. James P. Bridges. He aprendido muchas cosas buenas de él que enriquecerán mi Ministerio. Monseñor Bridges es un hombre de oración, tiene un corazón para los pobres y necesitados, tiene celo por las almas, está disponible a todos los que lo necesitan. Es triste ver Mons. Bridges retirarse de ser párroco de San Esteban. Me gustaría agradecer a las hermanas religiosas y a los diáconos por su apoyo ministerial. Por favor continúen orando por mí y Mons. Bridges. Les deseo todas las bendiciones de la Santísima Trinidad. Los llevo siempre en mi corazón. ~Padre Bala Anthony Govindu

We are going to miss you Fr. Bala. You have been a blessing to St. Stephen’s Parish. We wish you the

best in your new chapter and hope you come to visit us often! It was a pleasure working with you and we will dearly miss hearing your laughs throughout the

office.

~St. Stephen’s Staff~

Dearly Beloved, Carl Jung demonstrated rather convincingly in his many scientific studies that more than seventy percent of our behavior is motivated by unconscious needs and issues. What deep subconscious issue must be at work when a majority of our citizens vote to legalize what they would never do themselves because they believe it would be seriously and morally wrong, namely, killing unborn babies? What would be making our wonderful nation so mad that we are slaughtering our unborn babies

in unbelievable numbers? Let us look at the mothers of these murdered babies. For the most part they are very young and often unmarried with little or no means to support themselves or their children. If these precious babies were allowed to live, the burden of feeding, medicating, sheltering and educating them would fall on you and me. These young mothers seem to assume, like much of our current social philosophy claims, it is our duty and obligation to furnish all this when the parents are unable to do so. We have nothing to say about allowing these babies to be conceived. Yet, if they are allowed to be born, we are expected to provide for all their material needs as well as the material needs of their mothers. I am convinced this fuels unconscious rage which motivates our attitudes and behavior more than we are aware of or would ever want to admit. When there were no Food Stamps, no housing allowances, no funded medical care, there were no legal abortions because there was no underlying rage. This wild rage is intensified by the lack of any sign of gratitude. Our government grabs billions and billions from our paychecks and profits to provide all this food, medical care, shelter and education. The recipients never utter one word of thanks. We owe it to them. For the most part these mothers often provide homes so unsuitable for the proper development of children that most of their children will spend much of their adult life behind bars for crimes they perpetrate against the very ones who have clothed, fed, housed, educated, and medicated them from the moment of their conception. We must also foot the bill for their stay in prison which is not cheap.

Whether we are conscious of it or not, Americans are raging…a rage underlying a growing numbness and insensitivity of what is happening to millions of our most helpless children, the unborn. It’s not that we don’t care about the needy. The core of our national rage is the element of FORCE. We resent beyond words Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society’s premise that we owe the needy a certain standard of living. Charity may indeed charge a Christian to freely choose to respond to the human needs of the needy. But when we make it a matter of justice, something we owe them, then, we are fanning the flames of rage which will continue to fuel the Pro-Choice position on abortion. Collective as well as personal rage has to be properly and carefully managed. Our response must aim correctly. Legalizing abortion attacks the innocent, not the guilty. If anyone who has and/or provides an abortion is charged for murdering the most defenseless of all human beings and sentenced to life in prison without parole, the killing of our unborn babies would halt. Such sanctions would also be a needed and welcomed safeguard against irresponsible sexual behavior which is at the root of all abortions.

Yours in the Risen Lord,

Msgr. James P. Bridges

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Sunday, June 11 - Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

Monday, June 12

Tuesday, June 13- St. Anthony of Padua

Wednesday, June 14 - Flag Day

Thursday, June 15 -

Friday, June 16

Saturday, June 17 -

Sunday, June 18 - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Last Week’s Collection - 75,210.06

Regular $33,603.06 Building Fund $ 177.00 Poor of Midland $41,430.00

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of June 11, 2017

June 10 Catarina Garza Julian Jaquez

Abel Luna Glona Martinez

Stephen Simmons

June 12 Robert Galindo

Antonio Gallegos Yleanna Gallegos

Hector Garcia Evangelina martinez

Kara Ybarra

June 13 Maricela DeAnda

Lyric Gomez Elizabeth Gonzales Lorilynn McNamara

Joel Navarrete Jessica Pinal

June 14 Jessica Flores Warren Frazier

Bill Hobbs Sandro Loya

Becky Salgado Teddy Velarde Hope Williams

June 15 Michael Desparrois

Stanley Filip Edna Garcia

Luis Mata Klarissa Munoz Thomas Munoz Jerimiah Roman

June 16 Janelle Edwards Addison Jones Jesus Morales

Domingo Nunez Bethany Payan Omar Rosas Jr. Kelsi Schneider

Aiden Vega Joe Villa

June 17 Christopher Fuselier

Jaclyn Guerra Patricia Henderson

Evelyn Lassetter Cecilia Lujan

Santiago Montiel Jessica Rodriguez

June 18 Daniel Borrego Kyler Bussell

Jonathon Carrasco Lorena Deras Efren Franco Brian J Garcia Ivan Gomez

Okanu Ikechukwu Carol Kiowski Tiffany Tuck

Eucharistic Adoration Openings

Tuesday: 1:00 p.m.

Please prayerfully consider signing up to spend an hour with our Lord in adoration!

Call Linda Foster at 432-559-8888 for information.

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Club Dance St. Stephen’s Catholic Church,

4601 Neely Gloria Denman Ballroom

Date/Time: Friday, FRIDAY, June 30, 2017/7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Cost / Attire: $30.00 per person / Casual

Band: “Emily & the Rumba Kings” (Variety) Caterer: Felix Buenrostro with Catering Express

Menu: Meatloaf with Italian sauce, herbed baked chicken, rice pilaf, California blend vegetables, spinach salad with

strawberries, garlic bread, carrot cake, chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, tea and water.

NO ALCOHOL MAY BE BROUGHT INTO THE BALLROOM BY

INDIVIDUALS

**NOTE: NO BYOB is allowed due to change in church policy.

Reservations may be mailed to Club Dance, P. O. Box 7421, Midland, TX 79708. Reservation deadline is Wednesday, June 28, 2017. For more information, please contact Dianne Anderson at: 432-684-4560 or clubdancemidland@hotmail.com.

Vacation Bible School will be June 12-16th 2017 from 8am—12pm! Send your kids on an imaginative, impacting adventure this summer at St. Stephen’s! At Maker Fun

Factory VBS, kids discover not only that God made them the way they are, but for a purpose too! Register now! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Gretchen @ (432)520-7394.

ATTENTION ST. STEPHENS YOUTH: Are you going to 9th Grade this Fall 2017, then you can join us for Steubenville Lone Star Conference (Irving, TX) this summer. Incoming Freshmen and graduating Seniors 2017 under the age of 18 can attend. We only have room for a few more so hurry and reserve your spot before they are all gone. You can come by parish office for an application. The fee is $100.00 and the dates are Friday, June 23, 2017 through Sunday, June 25, 2017. For more information email Deacon Larry Salazar at lsalazar@sanangelodiocese.org or leave a message at the parish office (432) 520-7394.

Vanessa Renteria, Jesus Hernandez, Ann Plumlee, Paul Rindahl, Joe Wright & Kim Nearburg, Ruben Belloc & family, Dominga Belloc & family, Mark Clark, Esmeralda Cortes, Mercy Sanchez, Angi Morales, Rebecca Cedillo, Cecilia Reyes, Terisa Munoz, Jude Munoz, Brittny Garza, Daniel P., Max Mendoza, Kenneth B. Jones, Jaden Marmolejo, Mayra Favela, Tameron Ramon, Ines Rodriguez, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Javier Florez, Eiddie & Maria Laing, Jim Brimer, Alicia S., Noah Stone, Elia Gonzalez, IsaiahV., Vanessa V., Dina Angay, Reginald Odima, Mason Allen, Olga, Anthony, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Jose Luis Pando, Beatriz Pacheco, Bea Herrera, Acosta Family, Julio Orozco, Maria Orozco, Sandra Orozco, Yolanda Rodriguez, Dina Harper, Larry White, Arian Mendoza, Gina Angay, Dolores Higgins, Palmer Ann Anderson, Bob Field, Dorothy Markey, Helene Naydock, William Bernreuther, Bonnie Lentner, Gina Angay, Arian Mendoza, Jessie Castillas, Pepe Lopez, Cynthia & Christy, Margaret Robson, Juanita Avalos, Jesus Munoz, Anita Morin, Joe Munoz III, Bertha Renteria, Bill Hobbs, Michelle Rizo, Nora Lujan, Mary Ramirez, Enedina Gonzales, Morales Family, Olga Rodriguez, Joseph Young, Margarita Cereceres, Kaely Munoz, Alejandro Munoz, Jr., Jesse Julius Garcia, Dayton Martinez, Juanita Muniz, Brigido & Alma Garza & Family

Email frontdesk.sscc@att.net or call the office at

520-7394 to be added to the prayer list

SCHOOL’S OUT

Come celebrate that school is out and summer is here with us at

the youth building on Wednesday from 6pm—8pm. We will have youth group all of June and July so that you wont be bored this summer and we are kicking it off big. Bring a friend and we’ll see you there!

Young Adult Retreat (18-30 year old) will be selling tickets on June 17 & 18 to help pay for the Retreat. Applications will also be available along with more information.

11 DE JUNIO 2017

¡¡¡SANTÍSIMA TRINIDAD!!!

La Iglesia dedica el siguiente domingo después de Pentecostés a la celebración del día de la “Santísima Trinidad”.

Un solo Dios en tres Personas: El Padre, el Hijo y el Espíritu Santo. Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo tienen la misma naturaleza, la misma divinidad, la misma eternidad, el mismo poder, la misma perfección; son un sólo Dios. Además, sabemos que cada una de las Personas de la Santísima Trinidad está totalmente contenida en las otras dos, pues hay una comunión perfecta entre ellas. Con todo, las personas de la Santísima Trinidad son distintas entre sí, dada la diversidad de su misión: Dios Hijo -por quien son todas las cosas- es enviado por Dios Padre, es nuestro Salvador. Dios Espíritu Santo -en quien son todas las cosas- es el enviado por el Padre y por el Hijo, es nuestro Santificador. Lo vemos claramente en la Creación, en la Encarnación y en Pentecostés En la Creación, Dios Padre está como principio de todo lo que existe, en la Encarnación, Dios se encarna, por amor a nosotros, en Jesús, para liberarnos del pecado y llevarnos a la vida eterna, en Pentecostés, el Padre y el Hijo se hacen presentes en la vida del hombre en la Persona del Espíritu santo, cuya misión es santificarnos, iluminándonos y ayudándonos con sus dones a alcanzar la vida eterna.

Hermana Gertrudis Muñoz Mendieta I.C.A.S.

AVISOS:

• 13 de junio 100 años de las apariciones de la Santísima Virgen de Fátima, rezar el Santo Rosario en Familia y obtener indulgencias plenarias.

• 13 de junio Formación para Catequistas 6-8 p.m. • 16 de junio Encuentro de Matrimonios, trataremos el tema “El respeto entre la pareja”. • 17 de junio reunión de Mujeres con el tema “Esencia de Mujer”

El teléfono directa de hermanas es el (432)520-2057

Frutos del Espiritu

Ya dieron inicio las registraciones en la oficina de la inglesia para la escuelita biblica vacacional

en español para los ninos en la edad de 5-12 anos . $25. Sera Junio 19-23 de las 8am-12pm. Los esperamos! Se divertiran y aprenderan de la biblia!

ADORACIÓN DEL SANTÍSIMO Personas interesadas en pasar una hora con El Santísimo en Adoración una vez por semana, durante las siguientes horas:

Martes: 1:00 PM

Si El Señor te esta llamando para pasar una hora con El acompañándolo, comuníquese con Linda Foster (habla Español) al 432-559-8888.

Tengamos presente que Nuestro Señor está expuesto todos los días en la capilla,

no lo dejemos esperando. Tenemos mucha necesidad de oración.

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Thank you, Bob Verstge! Last Saturday afternoon Bob came into our store wanting to know a little more about our organization. He was from out of town, on his way from Arizona (his winter home) to New Jersey (his summer home). His car broke down in Midland and needed repairs, however because of the lateness of the day and the weekend, he would not have his car back until Tuesday. We gave him a tour of the building, explained what we do and how we functioned. He asked if it would be possible for him to come back on Monday and spend a day helping us. Obviously you know what our response was! Bob showed up bright and early on Monday morning and got to work. He blended in so well with the rest of the volunteers that he immediately felt like family. He explained to one of our volunteers that his wife passed away several years ago. He had been her caregiver until her death, and since then he has spent his time helping with Hospice and other nonprofit agencies. When we asked him how he found out about us he said that he was staying at the La Quinta and he saw our building from his bedroom window. What a delightful day we had with him!

The next day he stopped by on his way out of town with two dozen donuts and a card. The card read:

Dear Helping Hands,

It was so nice spending the day with you all, and the kind-hearted, warm people you are. I am so grateful to call you friends!

The inscription on the card read “just sending a little sunshine your way.”

He added under it: Because you sent a lot my way!

Your travel buddy, Bob Verstge

We made Bob promise that in the fall when he heads back to Arizona, that he be sure to stop in and at least have lunch with us. It’s the least that family can do for family! Thank you, Bob, and God bless!

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done last week: Electric 10 families $ 1,802.32 Water 7 families $ 1,741.89 Rent 21 families $ 16,319.28 Medical 1 family $ 684.28 Legal 3 families $ 4,608.00 Total $25,155.77 www.helpinghandsmidland.com

The Kermesse Committee would like to thank Monsignor Bridges for allowing us to have a fair to raise funds for our youth and adult ministries and a BIG THANK YOU to Father Bala for all the time he put into making the fair a success. We especially want to thank our Sponsors for their generosity and to all our volunteers who put in so much of their time into making this fair a success. This report is as of today. We still have a few outstanding invoices that have not come in. ~Josie Brenner~

TOTAL INCOME - $165, 836.73 EXPENDITURES - $ 83,793.22

NET INCOME - $ 82,043.51