Donald Wunderlich

The celebration of this season is a preparation for Holy Lent. The three Sundays of Pre-Lent come seventy, sixty and fifty days before Easter.  The liturgical color of this season which prepares us to anticipate the spiritual rigors of the Lenten Season is rose.  Lent then takes on the somber hue of purple signifying the seven-week period of penitence and introspection and our conversion of heart.

During Pre-Lent the Alleluia heard before the proclamation of the Gospel is eliminated from the Mass and will continue to be so through Lent until Easter morning.   In place of the Alleluias, we will hear only a mournful chant called the Tract.  Also begun in Pre-Lent is the elimination of the singing of the Gloria which will remain silenced through the Lenten season until the Resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed on Easter. 

Floral adornments of the high altar are still appropriate through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, though such adornment may be abandoned if so desired.

On behalf of all of the members of Saint Stephen the Martyr Parish, I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Today is the first Sunday of the Advent Season.  Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare ourselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are booklets on the table in the vestibule.  Please take one and resolve to spend a few minutes each day in prayer and reflection so that you may truly appreciate God’s great gift to His people, Eternal Life in the form of the Baby Jesus.

The Annual Polish Picnic last Sunday was a great success!  Thanks to all of the volunteers for their tireless efforts be it in making food, helping the day of the picnic, financial support, donations or whatever else they may have done.  God bless all of you.  Special thanks to our picnic chairperson, Jay Rowe, for another great outcome.

The date of the Picnic is fast approaching (August 13th).  Please remember to spread the word to all you know and come in contact with.

CLICK HERE to view and print the flyer.

And don’t forget to sign up to volunteer to help work the picnic.  Sign up sheet is on the table in the vestibule.

I hope to see everyone there.

Please click READ MORE to see the winners of the Father’s Day Raffle

CLICK HERE

Our Annual Polish Picnic will be held August 13th at Saint Benedict’s Picnic Grove in Plowville.

CLICK READ MORE to see the flyer for more information.

Hope to see everyone there!

 The Polish National Catholic Church sets aside June as Sacred Vocations Month.  The Polis National Catholic Church, much like all denominations, suffers from a shortage of priests and deacons to serve the needs of the faithful.  Many more are needed.  Please remember to pray ever more fervently during this month that the Lord God Almighty will call more men to His service and that they may hear Him and answer His call.