Parish Life

Today, January 26^th; Annual Parish Membership Meeting at 10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall.  I urge every member of Saint Stephen the Martyr Parish to attend this important meeting.  Many issues vital to the health and success of our parish will be discussed and decided upon. The key to success in any democratically oriented organization is in the participation of the membership.  Our parish is facing many challenges and your thoughts and ideas on how to solve them are of the utmost importance. Please plan to attend, engage and to elect or volunteer to be elected representatives to the various offices and positions in our parish for the upcoming terms.  Our ancestors fought for this right when they founded the Polish National Catholic Church one hundred and twenty seven years ago.   Please respect it and make use of it by attending and participating. 

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Oplatek Dinner scheduled for next Sunday has been CANCELLED.  We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause anyone.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!

On behalf of the Parish Committee and myself, I would like to wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Blessed and most prosperous New Year!

Tuesday, December 24^{th –} Christmas Eve

Choir Presentation prior to Mass at 11:45PM

.Shepherd’s Mass – “Pasterka” at 12:00 Midnight

Wednesday,  December 25^th – Christmas Day

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord – Mass at 9:00 AM

Thursday, December 26^th – Feast of Saint Stephen

Holy Mass at 9:00 AM

Please encourage all you know, family, friends and neighbors to join us as we celebrate the birth of Our Lord.

December 1^st is the first Sunday of the Advent Season.  It is also the start of a new church or liturgical year, Cycle “C” during which the Gospel readings each Sunday will primarily focus on the Gospel according to Saint Luke.  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. Please 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.

Today, at 10:45 AM, we will host a Special Breakfast and Service in the Fellowship Hall recognizing our veterans.  We will be honored by the presence of a guest speaker from the PA National Guard, Captain Brandon Sweeney.   This breakfast and service will be free to all who attend.  Please see the flyers on the table in the vestibule for more information.  Take several and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.   November 11^th is set aside each year to remember and to honor all those who serve or who have served in the armed forces of the United States of America, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and for our freedom.  Please, do not forget or diminish their service in any way.  Go out of your way to thank a veteran or active duty member this week and pray for their safety always.

The Annual Polish Picnic is over!  It was a great success.  Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard in any way to make it so.  And thanks to all of our guests for your continued support!  SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!

 

As we continue to enjoy this beautiful, albeit hot, summer season with which the Lord has gifted us, please try to take a moment out of your busy days to remember those of our brothers and sisters who are less blessed than ourselves.  If you are able, reach out financially, spiritually, socially or bodily and act on the Lord’s behalf.  Go, as the Lord sent His disciples, and spread His love to all of those who feel neglected or forgotten. Show them that they are not alone and that God loves them and so do we.

Wishing a Happy Fathers’ Day to all fathers everywhere especially those of our Parish.  And prayers for the repose of the souls of those fathers who have passed to life eternal.