ST. STEPHEN PROTOMARTYR PARISH April 26, 2020  Third Sunday of Easter

If you are new to St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish or just visiting — WELCOME! Visitors, please sign the Guest Book found near the main entrance to the church. If you would like to register in the parish, please call or email the parish office. Welcome to the neighborhood and parish community!

PARISH Father Ron Hopmeir, Pastor 3949 Wilmington Avenue [email protected] St. Louis, MO 63116 314-481-1133 … 314-481-6036 fax Mrs. Mary Regan, Pastoral Associate [email protected] [email protected] www.saintstephenstl.org @sspstl @sspstl Mr. Stephen E. Jones, Music Director ststephenprotomartyr.flocknote.com [email protected] youtube.com/StStephenProtomartyr Mrs. June Tessin, Office Manager / Bookkeeper [email protected] Chapel of Sts. Mary and Joseph 6304 Minnesota, St. Louis, MO 63111 Mrs. Michel Wendell, Principal @stsmaryandjosephchapel [email protected]

SCHOOL Mrs. Mary Paule, Child Safety Coordinator / Secretary 3929 Wilmington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 [email protected] 314-752-4700 … 314-752-5165 fax [email protected] Ms. Stephanie Oehler Wobbe, Communications Coordinator @SSPCatholicSchool [email protected] St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish www.saintstephenstl.org STEWARDSHIP: SHARING TIME, TALENT, TREASURE, and PRAYER “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32) How often do we take the time to discern what Jesus wants from us? Are our prayers always petitions, asking Jesus to do things for us? If so, that’s a one-sided relationship. Living our faith means developing a personal relationship with Jesus. Just like any friendship, there is give and take, each side listening to each other and helping each other out. Take time in silence to listen to what Jesus is asking of you.

SUNDAY CONTRIBUTION EASTER FLOWERS

April 19 Contribution $ 4,915.00 Thank you to all who donated toward our Easter flowers, Online giving contribution $ 3,175.00 in honor or memory of loved ones. The church looked so Total weekly contribution $ 8,090.00 beautiful for our Easter Mass. We are looking forward to it being full once again. R & I $ 231.00 Joann Evans Tuition Assistance $ 1,094.00 Marian Gartner (in memory and honor of the Gartner Catholic Home Missions $ 130.00 family) Catholic Relief Services $ 100.00 Tom & Karen Villa Holy Land $ 100.00 Mary Ann Simon (in memory of Anne Johnson, Ken Regina Cleri $ 315.00 Simon, and Michael Simon) St. Vincent de Paul, SSP $ 220.00 Beth Schlegel (in memory of Harold Schlegel)

Lois Herberts Special collections in April are for Catholic Home Missions, the Holy Land, and Regina Cleri. Tom Landholt (in memory of Rose Landholt) Herb & Catherine Pfaff During this time, we are continuing to pay our staff and Grace Forti (in memory of N.E. Forti) faculty members as well as our regular bills. Until public John Kopff Masses are reinstated, please consider mailing or dropping off your weekly contribution to the parish office or enrolling Andrew Kopff in online giving at https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/809. Madge Potrzeboski We appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity of all who Grace Phillips (in memory and honor of the Phillips, have dropped contributions in the mailbox or signed up for Zuckerman, Caldwell, & Monti families) online giving. Rita Wich THIS WEEK’S READINGS Marge Ulrich (in memory of the Ulrich and Stoh families, and in honor of Ron & Kathy Norvil) Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29 Tuesday: Acts 7:51—8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 & 7b & 8a, 17 & 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 DON’T TAKE THE BAIT Wednesday, St. Catherine of Siena: Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a; Jn 6:35-40 It seems that some phish-y emails Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 went out again under Father Ron's Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59 name. Just a reminder: If Father Saturday, St. Athanasius: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-13, Ron wants to speak with you, he 14-15, 16-17; Jn 6:60-69 will call you on the phone. Fourth Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; If something looks suspicious, it probably is. Err on Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10 the side of caution; don't open, just delete! April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Following the example of our patron St. Stephen, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love and to be a faith-filled, reconciling parish.

PARISH PICNIC UPDATE GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE

In light of the recently Attention all golfers, volunteers, announced extensions to local and our amazing sponsors: The stay-at-home orders and after St. Stephen Golf Tournament discussion with parish scheduled for May 2, 2020, will not leadership, our picnic chairs, be held this year due to the COVID Matt & Ann Marie Guntli, are -19 pandemic. We had hoped to most saddened to announce reschedule the tournament but that this year's parish picnic is because the courses at Forest Park are booked with cancelled. other tournaments most Saturdays and Sundays this While our customary gathering on the second summer, this is not going to be possible. Wednesday in June won't be happening, the committee While we do not know what is in store for us over the does have plans to raise our spirits as well as some next weeks and months, we hope that we can replace the funds. The picnic accounts for a significant portion of our golf tournament fundraising efforts with another event at parish revenue. the school when the social-distancing requirements are There will be more information to come in the next lifted. We will share this information as soon as it is few weeks, but as a snapshot: scheduled. • The Grand Raffle will take place as usual, chaired by Thanks to all our golfers, volunteers, and sponsors Dan & Jenny West. This will be managed as in years for all your support over the years. Please mark your past, through our network of sellers. calendars for next year's tournament to be held on May 1, 2021. See you there! • There will be official picnic t-shirts available for sale. • Lastly, the committee would kindly ask you to DAILY REFLECTIONS consider how much money you would normally have set aside for spending on Picnic Day -- ride Due to popular demand, what bracelets, game tickets, pull-tabs, chicken dinners, began as Mary Regan’s Daily raffle tickets, tacos & margaritas, beer, bingo ... We Lenten Reflections (via will be offering an opportunity for you to help make up Flocknote) is being expanded for the loss of this year's picnic proceeds. to year-round Daily Reflections. Anyone who has We hope you will consider sharing a bit of your already opted in to the Lenten reflections list will continue treasure in honor of the Picnic That Wasn't, in anticipation to receive the daily emails / texts. To start receiving the of the return of this great event in 2021. Stay tuned. reflections, go to ststephenprotomartyr/flocknote.com/ dailyreflect. Added feature! Some of the daily reflections will be SCHOOL NEWS provided by guest writers from the parish. Following the directive from Archbishop Carlson PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES regarding distance learning timelines at the elementary- and high-school levels, St. Stephen’s distance learning Our directory has been ready for printing for a while now, will culminate on Friday, May 8, 2020. The last day of but the facility which prints the books has been school for all Catholic elementary schools will be temporarily shut down. The printer is hoping to be Wednesday, May 13, 2020. operational again in early May, when they will begin Let’s keep our school staff and faculty, school working on their backlog. When more solid print and ship children, and their families in our prayers during this time. dates are known, we will share that information with you. St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish www.saintstephenstl.org

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL NEWS

From Jim Prag, SVDP President: Our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to say a BIG "THANK YOU" to all those who made the extra effort to contribute to our most recent Fifth Sunday collection May God bless all of those in our community who are during this difficult period. celebrating a birthday in the month of May! Your food donations for the pantry filled the truck bed, and your cash donations are being put to good use Bill Dorsam Emma Spencer Judy Mohan helping our Neighbors In Need with their many concerns. Mary Ellen Juresic David Ingenbohs Judy Hammer The pantry continues to get food into the hands of those Ernie Sciaroni John Pond Gary Heffernan requesting it, and some utility assistance is being Maya Wobbe Bailey Geist Rosann Hughes provided through our telephone HelpLine. Those getting Michelle Dougherty Katie Holley Sarah McGeehan the help are very appreciative.Thanks to all of you who Kay Hildebrand Tom Cusumano Ed Papes are making this possible. Your continued support and Mike Seemiller Chris Knapp Dave Asinger prayers are making a difference. Ryan Haines Dan Kriss Caleb Dill Isaac Joly Shirley Varga Evan Goedeker Jim & Judy Liermann will park their Sr. Joan Kaucher Alexander Edwards Michael Nigro pickup truck on the bell-tower lot next Tara Anderson Colleen O’Connell Debbie Mihic Sunday, May 3, 2020, from noon to 3 Wayne Rector Katie O’Connell Jake Hummel p.m., for the drop-off of non-perishable Spenser Owens Joe Rusch Andy Sciaroni donations to the food pantry. Please Jordan Palazzolo Jason Carrera Jim Gunter place your items in the bed of the truck. Abby Schweiger Nicole Dill Pam Holmes Madison Simons Kathleen Fleming Lisa Kovac Linda Wessels Sam Smith Stacy Pearson FRIENDS OF HONDURAS Lucas Cotner Gayle Chancellor Quenten Hibbeler Friends of Honduras-St Louis is an organization Sam Kean Michelle Darden Cosette Immer founded by John & Marilyn Hock (John is an alumnus of Joseph Lamie Emma Edwards Billy Mahfood our class of '64 and a former parishioner of SSP) to Nancy McEuen Tracy Schellert Lane Carrera improve the standard of living in the remote villages of Jill Pace Ruth Verbeck Cole Schellert Intibucá, Honduras. Tobie Smith Ben Borgmeyer Keith Vollmer The organization provided emergency food for the Carolyn Bellers David Borgmeyer Tim Martchink remote Honduran communities of Guanacaste and Nolan Hane Gibson Fyvie Larry Martin Aquacate during the COVID-19 quarantine. 130 families Melissa Rettig Elise Goedeker Ashley Lambkin received corn, beans, rice, lard, and coffee. Funds for Robin Venneman Julie Lopinot Brayden Murphy food were provided by the organization's medical team. Rhemi Anderson Margaret Martin Keith Ward Transportation and packaging expenses were covered by Jack Dennis Heather Mattingly Tim Cordia om the children of St Stephen Protomartyr School, from funds raised by their annual Mission Carnival. Marlee Kent Zoe Rector Claire Leach Emma Todd Teresa Carosone Carol Prag Glen Besse Ernie Kovac Cameron Spencer Sandra Majneric Bob Marx Kevin Whalen Alex Yezbick Gavin McManus Mary Jo Schulte

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

[Numbers 6:24-26] April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter

Christy Biundo and SSP's Busy Bee preschool class had their first Zoom meeting last week. Ms. Christy said, "It was so great to see all their faces!"

From Carol Anne Lorenz: I was looking at Thomas' writing, and found this very sweet paragraph about why he loves SSP. He said I could share it with you. St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish www.saintstephenstl.org

HOPE TO DISPEL THE DARKNESS will look after us. We are going to suffer in this life. These are only the birth pangs, but joy will come. The “That very day, the first day of the week, two of consoling words of Christ will wipe away every tear. Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles No more will there be crying, pain, worry, or death— from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were everything will pass away. Our hope is to know God. conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and (Oscar Romero: Reflections on His Life and Writings, debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with by Marie Dennis, Renny Golden, and Scott Wright) them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. (Luke 24:13-18) Ismael’s ability to find comfort and even hope in Christ is a powerful witness to us in these Easter days, In October 1979, the South particularly on this Third Sunday of Easter as we hear the American nation of El Salvador story of the journey to Emmaus. entered into a civil war that not Saint Luke presents Cleopas and his companion only allowed the rise of fleeing Jerusalem after the death and burial of Jesus and, oppressive military dictators, but although they had heard the testimony of the women that which also led to the systematic Jesus had been raised from the dead, their murder and oppression of tens of disappointment and grief would not allow them to believe thousands of Salvadorans, such an amazing story. Their despair is captured in one particularly poor farmers. simple but profound statement: “We had hoped …” Among those who lost their lives defending the rights And yet, Jesus was there with them, walking with of the poor and the Church was the archbishop of San them through their grief, helping them recognize how God Salvador, Saint Oscar Romero (d. March 24, 1980), and had been — and continued to be — at work in the four American missionaries: Maryknoll Sisters Maura violence of Good Friday and the silence of Holy Saturday. Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and As Father James Martin, SJ, reflected in his book Jesus: lay missionary Jean Donovan (d. December 2, 1980). On A Pilgrimage: “The Risen Christ tells the two disciples that November 16, 1989, a group of six Jesuits, along with hope is never dead, and nothing is impossible with God. their housekeeper and her daughter, were shot to death Then he shows them this by revealing himself fully. in their shared home because of their support of the poor. Seeing this, they are filled with joy. Hope has been The total number of those murdered, raped, and tortured rekindled and so their hearts burn. Their first impulse, as is known only to God. always in the Gospels and with us, is to announce the In the year after the death of Archbishop Romero, the Good News.” Jesuits of El Salvador began a bi-weekly publication The hope and promise of the Resurrection on that known as Letter to the Churches. The newsletter re-told Easter Day was able to dispel the darkness of grief and the stories of those who suffered from violence and terror despair for Cleopas and his friend, just as it did for Ismael at the hands of the military junta and its guerilla soldiers. and his companions as they hid in the forest in those In one issue, Letter to the Churches shared the terrible days in El Salvador. testimony of Ismael, a lay catechist, who shared some of This is what we celebrate as we continue to celebrate his experiences of living with the poor in a war zone, in this Easter Season: The Resurrection shows us that accompanying the people as they fled into the mountains there is always hope and that Christ remains with us, to try to find safety. There, hiding beneath the branches of journeying with us as we walk our pilgrim path. In the trees, with stars providing their only light (because the words of St. Oscar Romero: “Easter is a shout of victory! people were afraid to light candles), the people would No one can extinguish that life that Christ resurrected. retell and reflect on the stories of the Gospel. Recalling Not even death and hatred against him and against his those terrifying days, Ismael wrote: church will be able to overcome it. He is the victor!”

We suffer a great deal here. Our bodies are wasting By Brother Silas Henderson away, and we have many worries. The old people LPi Connect! and the children we have to carry concern all of us. We have no money, no clothing, no shoes. But God April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter MASS INTENTIONS Mass intentions have been scheduled at all of our regular Mass times for the next several months. Parish Office 314-481-1133 Father Ron does continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. He will offer those private Masses in The office will be closed until further notice, with most staff remembrance of your already-scheduled intentions working from home most of the time. The phone lines will move unless you let us know otherwise. If you prefer to to a Disaster Recovery System with a few options when you reschedule your Mass intentions once we are able to dial either the church or school office numbers. When you celebrate Mass publicly again, please call the parish office at 314-481-1133 and speak to or leave a message select one of the options offered, your call will be forwarded to for Mary Paule (Option #4). the cell phone of the person assigned to that option. Option 1: In case of emergency ...... Fr. Ron Hopmeir Monday, April 27 Private Mass — Rev. Thomas Grahon Option 2: Comms / Pastoral Care ...... Mary Regan Option 3: Finance ...... June Tessin Tuesday, April 28 Option 4: Protecting God’s Children ...... Mary Paule Private Mass — Rev. Donald L. Buhr Option 5: To leave a general parish-related voicemail message Wednesday, April 29 Private Mass — Martha Grega PLEASE NOTE: There is a bit of a lag between when you Thursday, April 30 select the option and the call being forwarded, so it might seem Private Mass — Virginia Stough as if the call has ended. Please stay on the line, and leave a Friday, May 1 message if the person you are trying to reach is not available. Private Mass — Jean Westrich

Saturday, May 2 Bulletin Article Deadline Private Mass — Harold Schlegel Monday at 12:00 p.m. prior to the weekend bulletin. Sunday, May 3 Infant and Child Baptism Private Mass — Pauline Guntli Baptisms are celebrated at any weekend liturgy or on the last Sunday of the month following the 10:30 am. Eucharist. Parents are asked to call the parish office to PLEASE PRAY arrange a Baptism. for our sick and recovering ... Adult Initiation / Reception into the Catholic Church Any adult who would like to know more about our Catholic Suzie Beck Paul Heidbrier Lois McClellan faith, and/or who is interested in becoming a member of the Liz Bentrup Thomas Lorenz Steve Moylan Catholic Church, please call the parish office. Ann Dosenbach Joe Mahfood Grace Phillips Erin Goedeker Bob Marx Ernie Sciaroni Marriage Jan Haffer Evelyn Matt Virginia Zenthoefer Please contact at least six months prior to the planned date of marriage. for our homebound ... Anointing of the Sick Jack Heffernan Albertine Honious Art Petersen We have a communal celebration of this sacrament at the weekend liturgies in the fall and in the spring. for family members serving in the military ... If you would like to be anointed before entering the Derek Hirtz Ryan O’Neil Dylan Schulte hospital or if you are homebound, please call the office. Tristan Moylan Brian Schoellhorn Mitch Sollmann Parish School of Religion PSR formal classes in our Catholic Faith DEVOTIONS Children: 4 yrs. through 8th grade and high school Please contact the parish office if you would like to pray Located on the campus of St. John the Baptist Parish. privately in the church. Call the PSR Director at 314-773-3070. CHIPPEWA ANIMAL HOSPITAL Bruce H. 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