320 W. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754 Second Sunday “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” :59 of Lent February 21, 2016 Mary, the image of a Church which evangelizes because she is evangelized In the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I asked that ―the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy‖ (Misericordiae Vultus, 17). By calling for an attentive lis- tening to the word of God and encouraging the initiative ―24 Hours for the Lord‖, I sought to stress the primacy of prayerful listening to God’s word, especially his prophetic word. The mercy of God is a proclamation made to the world, a proclamation which each Christian is called to experience at first hand. For this reason, during the season of Lent I will send out Missionaries of Mercy as a concrete sign to everyone of God’s closeness and Fr. Leo Ortega, Pastor forgiveness. After receiving the Good News told to her by the , Mary, in Tel. (626) 573-0427 her Magnificat, prophetically sings of the mercy whereby God chose her. The of E-mail: Nazareth, betrothed to , thus becomes the perfect of the Church which evange- lizes, for she was, and continues to be, evangelized by the Holy Spirit, who made her vir- [email protected] ginal womb fruitful. In the prophetic tradition, mercy is strictly related – even on the ety- website: ststephenmpk.org mological level – to the maternal womb (rahamim) and to a generous, faithful and compas- Christina Arellano, Principal sionate goodness (hesed) shown within marriage and family relationships. Tel. (626) 573-1716 During this second week of Lent we 119 S. Ramona Avenue, continue to try to make use of more re- Monterey Park, CA 91754 flective time each day. We are using all the resources available to us to practice MASSES new habits and patterns. We are still in Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM (English) the beginning stages of that process, so we shouldn't be discouraged if it takes more prac- Sunday 7:00 AM (English) tice. 9:00 AM (Spanish) It is good to begin by being reminded that God is rich in mercy to us and that we should 11:00 AM (English) therefore be merciful to others. It is great to remember that exalting ourselves is dangerous and that there will be consequences for our mistreatment of the poor. We are like tenants of 2:00 PM (Indonesian) our Father's gifts to us. We can ask ourselves if we use them gratefully and return the fruits Mon-Sat Daily : 8:30 AM that our Lord desires, or do we reject the prophetic words that come to us? Do we reject Perpetual Help Mass & Novena himself? Wednesday 6:30 PM This can all be part of the background of our busy, daily life. Each morning, when our feet Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish) hit the floor, if only for a few moments, we can ask for a simple grace. At first, it might Holy Days as announced only be, “Dear Lord, help me today.” As we brush our teeth, wash and get dressed we Reconciliation: might specify our prayer more: “Dear Lord, give me the grace to recognize my impatience, Saturdays 3:30 PM—4:30 PM anger and judgment today. Help to soften my heart to hear your love. I need your healing, Lord.” Or we might get even more concrete, “Lord, Pat is such a struggle for me. Help me PARISH OFFICE HOURS to remember how much you love me when I see Pat today. And, when I'm tempted to be Monday thru Friday impatient or angry, just help me pause and give that over to you, in gratitude for your 9 am - 1 pm & 4 pm - 8 pm love.” Closed Each of us will be able to grow in our ability to have brief conversations with our Lord. 1 pm - 4 pm Whether driving or shopping, doing laundry or paying bills, working in our office or walk- ing down the hall to the bathroom, we can use brief “background” moments to connect Saturday with our Lord. These moments of “contemplation in action” will give a character and shape 1 pm - 5 pm to our day. Lent becomes a living reality for us when our days are spent with the Lord, lis- Sunday tening to his love for us, calling us to gratitude and freedom. Closed

“We are a diverse faith-community that strives to conform ourselves into the image of in and through the power of the Holy Spirit, and nourished by The Word, Sacraments and Tradition to give glory to God and to be a light unto the nations.” February 13th & 14th 2016 Schedule $6,046.72 Second Collection $1,007.00 THURSDAY, FEB.25TH, LENTEN RECOLLECTION PART I, 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday $1,755.00 THURSDAY, MARCH 3RD, LENTEN PENANCE SER- THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PARISH VICE 7:00 PM

Together in Mission 2016 follow up collection FRIDAY, MARCH 4TH, LENTEN PILGRIMAGE WALK February 27th & 28th. TO THE HOLY DOOR AND VOTIVE MASS OF MERCY PARISH GOAL: $33,900.00 AT 3:00 PM, AT THE SAN GABRIEL MISSION (Pilgrims will congregate in front of Saint Stephen AMOUNT PLEGED TO DATE: $15,900.00 Church at 12:30 PM. Walk to the Mission begins

Thank you for your continued support of this worthy promptly).

campaign. THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH LENTEN RECOLLECTION PART II 7:00 PM The Parish Office will be closed on Friday, February 26th from 9am—1pm. SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH LIVING STATIONS OF THE So that the office staff can attend this years CROSS 5PM Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim. The Living Stations of the Cross ministry will share a We will be open during our meditative, prayerful, and reflective presentation of regular afternoon hours 4pm—8pm our Lord's Passion. You are invited to come and watch, as the Lord's walk to Calvary is brought to life, NEW / USED / BROKEN through narration, prayer, and live music. RELIGIOUS ITEMS NEEDED

The of Mary is collecting religious items for their minis- Daily recitation of Stations of the Cross try. Items needed include new, used and broken crosses, The Stations of the Cross is one of the most important devo- medals, scapulars rosaries and holy cards. tions honoring the passion of Jesus. Please join us in church, Please place your donated items in the box located in the ves- Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM to pray the Stations of tibule of the church. the Cross. By accompanying him on the Way of the Cross, we gain his courageous patience and learn to trust in God who Thank you for your generosity and support. delivers us from evil. Guide booklets will be provided.

We would like to say THANK YOU to all St. Stephen’s parishioners for “Dining with the ” going above and beyond with your The community will come together for a generous donations and volunteer work for the Family Promise meat-less dinner in the Parish Hall Homeless Shelter program. Because of your acts of kindness, every Friday thru March 18th at 6 pm. you made it possible for our church to provide the families (7 The dinner will be followed by a movie children and 5 adults) with 3 meals daily, shelter and fellow- showing of a Saint’s life. The dinners will be sponsored ship. This all took place here at our parish hall the week of Feb- by various parish groups. ruary 7th through February 14th. Items donated for the children who ranged from 1 year old to 7 years old included new shoes, Catholics age 14 and older should new toys, new pajamas, toiletries, used clothes, a used high abstain from eating meat on all chair and a Valentine’s Day gift bag. You all contributed to mak- Fridays during Lent including ing a difference in the lives of these deserving families! Good Friday. In addition, on

Please join us for refreshments in the patio (Gathering Place), Good on the west side of the church, after the 7:00 am, 9:00 am and Friday, Catholics from age 18-59 11:00 am mass on Sunday, February 21st as a thank you for your should fast. Limiting themselves to one full meal and two mercy towards others. God bless you all for your kindness and smaller meals. Lent is also an ideal time to receive the generosity. (The Indonesian community ’thank you’ event will sacrament of reconciliation (confession) in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. take place after 2:00 pm mass on February 28, 2016) María, la imagen de una iglesia que evangeliza porque ella es evangelizada

En la bula de indicción del Jubileo extraordinario de la misericordia, pidió que "la temporada de Cuar- esma en este año jubilar se vivieron más intensamente como un momento privilegiado para celebrar y experimentar la misericordia de Dios" (Misericordiae Vultus, 17). Llamando para una atenta escucha de la palabra de Dios y fomentando la iniciativa "24 horas para que el Señor", buscaba subrayar la primacía de la escucha orante de la palabra de Dios, especialmente su palabra profética. La misericordia de Dios es una proclamación para el mundo, una proclamación que cada cristiano está llamado a experimentar de primera mano. Por esta razón, durante la temporada de Cuaresma enviará misioneros de la miseri- cordia como un signo concreto a todos los de cercanía de Dios y el perdón. Después de recibir la buena noticia contada a ella por el Arcángel Gabriel, María, su Magníficat, proféticamente canta de la misericordia por el que Dios la eligió. La Virgen de Nazaret, desposada con José, así se convierte en el icono perfecto de la iglesia que evangeliza, para ella era y continúa a ser evangelizados por el Espíritu Santo, que hizo fecundo su seno virginal. En la tradición profética, misericordia está estrictamente relacionada con – incluso a nivel etimológico– el seno materno (rahamim) y una bondad generosa, fiel y compasiva (hesed) se muestra en las relaciones de matrimonio y la familia. Segunda colecta para la campaña SE NECESITAN ARTÍCULOS RELIGIOSOS Unidos en Mision 2016 NUEVOS / USADOS / ROTOS 27 y 28 de febrero El grupo Legión de María está recolectando artículos religi- META PARROQUIAL: $33.900.00 osos para su ministro. Se necesitan cruces, medallas, rosarios CANTIDAD ACTUAL PROMETIDA: $15,900.00 escapularios y estampitas. Por favor de coloqar sus artículos dentro de la caja que esta ubicada en el vestíbulo de la iglesia. Gracias por su apoyo continuo de esta digna campaña. Gracias por su generosidad y apoyo. "Cenando con los santos" La Oficina Parroquial estará cerrada el La comunidad se reunirán para una cena viernes,26 de febrero de en el Salón Parroquial cada viernes hasta el 18 de marzo a las 6 pm . 9:00am a 1:00pm para que el personal de la oficina pueda asistir al La cena será seguida por una película que muestra la vida de un Santo. Estas cenas Congreso de Educación Religiosa de Los Angeles serán patrocinadas por grupos de la Parroquia. en Anaheim. Estaremos abiertos durante nuestro horario regular en la tarde de 4:00pm a 8:00pm Recitación diaria de las Estaciones de la Cruz

Las Estaciones de la Cruz es una de las devociones más im- portantes en honor a la pasión de Jesús . Por favor, únase a El Ministerio de Oración “Luz del Espirtu Santo” nosotros en la iglesia , de lunes a viernes a las 5:30 PM a rezar las Estaciones de la Cruz . Al lo acompañarlo en el Los invita a orar, alabar, glorificar al Señor y darle gracias camino de la cruz , ganamos su paciencia valiente y aprendemos a confiar en Dios, quien nos libra del mal . Se proporcionarán por todos Los beneficios recibidos cada dia de nuestra vida. folletos de guía . Nos reunimos los Miercoles de 7pm a 9pm en el salon par- roquial de nuestra Iglesia San Esteban Martir. Católicos de 14 años de edad y mayors deben abstenerse de comer carne todos los viernes durante la Exposición del Santísimo Cuaresma incluyendo Viernes San- to. Además, el Viernes Santo, Estas cordialmente invitado a participar el día católicos de edades 18 a 59 debe ayunar. Limitándose a una 4 de Marzo de 9:00am a 5:30 pm en la iglesia comida completa y dos comidas más pequeñas. La Cuaresma a la adoración del santísimo. es también el tiempo ideal para recibir el sacramento de la Ven a pasar tiempo en oración durante reconciliación (confesión) en preparación para la celebración estos tiempo. del Pasión de Cristo, su Muerte y Resurrección. WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016 5:00 pm Christine Diaz - Happy Birthday! Isabella Vazquez - Happy Birthday! Frances Salaises, Kitty Carlucci, Rosie Grego, Liza Anne Sesti, Maria Alvero (D) Nicholas Velarde, Ana Nunez, Elaine Denery, Jose Galicia Sr.,

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 Connie Gonzales, Norma Salazar, Michlina Kubek, Maria Cervan- 7:00 am St. Stephen Parishioners tes, Maria Gonzalez, Jeanine Gregory, Peggy Jasso, Elena Dulay, Alex Vasquez, Armando Loo, Annamae Koch, Rita Thoms, Eliza- 9:00 am Rodolfo Compeán (D) beth Dodge, Virginia Medina, Rita A. Durazo, Ernest Durazo, Jose Antonio Compeán (D) Rudy Barraza, Sally Sandoval, Emilia Rodriguez, Dominic, Jason, Rose Valdez, Antonia Castaneda, Natalia Castaneda, Kathy Garcia, 11:00 am Mayra Moya—Happy Birthday! Helen Lawrence, Sandy Aguiar, Maria Castillo, Frances Montez, Inez Sabatella (D) Ruben Arenas (L) Spiritual and Temporal Health Ramiro Sanchez, Judy Backer, Josefina Peralta, Tom Lujan, Maria Ngan Fong Lung, Erin Gaffrey, Virginia Miranda, Frances MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016 Mosqueda, John Jaurequi, Jeanine Lugo, Alden Townsend, 8:30 am Fatima Caracheo - Happy Birthday! Mary Hernandez, Augie Koch, Natalia Orozco, Tisha Platt, Teresa Olivia Martinez (D) Ycedo, Ruth Hernandez, Larry Hernandez, Marge LaVenture, Deb- bie Koch Mark, Vic Panganiban, Concepcion Rodriguez, Elizabeth TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016 Canadas, Maria Mazloom, Phil Cisneros, Kenneth Adler, Carol 8:30 am Yolanda Olivas (L) Tollstrup, Howard Lee, Eva Monroy, Felipa MacCray, Rocco Polini, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 Al Acosta, Susan Acosta 8:30 am Tony Herrera (D) Prayer list will be updated on a monthly bases. If you would like

6:30 pm Felipa MacCray (L) to add a name or make changes to the above list. Please contact the parish office. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016 8:30 am Bill Delury (D) Did You Know?

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 Kik Messenger and the dangers of anonymous messages 8:30 am Eleanor J. Chavarrio (D) Social media sites are available to anyone with an internet con- nection (computer, phone, tablet). Your kids may be sharing 7:00 pm St. Stephen Parishioners their lives with complete strangers, and parents should be

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016 aware of the sites they use, what they share, and who their 8:30 am Volunteers of St. Stephen Community Outreach friends are. One mobile app, Kik, is regarded as the most dan- gerous site for internet predators, because users can send READINGS FOR THE WEEK messages to anyone with a cellphone, including young chil- FEBRUARY 21ST—FEBRUARY 28TH dren. Kik has no options for parental controls, leaving kids ex- posed to the entire web. To learn more about this app in the Sunday: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Virtus® article “Mobile App Danger—Kik Messenger,” Phil 3:17—4:1 or Phil 3:20—4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 [email protected]. Monday: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 16:13-19 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 ST. STEPHEN BOOKSTORE Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; MT 20:17-28 is open after each Mass, Saturday Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 and Sunday or by appointment. Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; 12,000+ Gifts │ DVDs │ Books │ │ Jewelry and accessories Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Rosaries │ Devotional and Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Religious Items │ Artwork. Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 One stop shop for Catholic gifts and Sunday: Ex 3:1-8A, 13-15; Ps 103 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8,11 resources. Support our 1 Cor 10: 1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 parish. Support the Saint Stephen Bookstore.