“We are a diverse faith-community that strives to conform ourselves into the image of Christ 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.”

320 W. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:59

Saint Stephen Martyr

Catholic Church

Fr. Leo Ortega, Pastor

Tel. (626) 573-0427

E-mail:

st.stephen.martyr@gmail.com

website: ststephenmpk.org

Christina Arellano, Principal

Tel. (626) 573-1716

119 S. Ramona Avenue,

Monterey Park, CA 91754

MASSES Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM (English)

Sunday 7:00 AM (English)

9:00 AM (Spanish)

11:00 AM (English)

2:00 PM (Indonesian)

Mon-Sat Daily Mass: 8:30 AM

Perpetual Help Mass & Novena

Wednesday 6:30 PM

Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish)

Holy Days as announced

Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30 PM—4:30 PM

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday thru Friday

9 am - 1 pm & 4 pm - 8 pm

Closed

1 pm - 4 pm

Saturday

1 pm - 5 pm

Sunday

Closed

The works of mercy

God’s mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience

of a faithful love, to become merciful in turn. In an ever new miracle, divine

mercy shines forth in our lives, inspiring each of us to love our neighbor and

to devote ourselves to what the Church’s tradition calls the spiritual and cor-

poral works of mercy. These works remind us that faith finds expression in

concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbors in body and spirit: by

feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them. On such things will we be

judged. For this reason, I expressed my hope that “the Christian people may

reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; this will be a way to rea-

waken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty, and to enter more deeply into the

heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy” (ibid., 15). For in the

poor, the flesh of Christ “becomes visible in the flesh of the tortured, the crushed, the scourged, the mal-

nourished, and the exiled… to be acknowledged, touched, and cared for by us” (ibid.). It is the unprece-

dented and scandalous mystery of the extension in time of the suffering of the Innocent Lamb, the burn-

ing bush of gratuitous love. Before this love, we can, like Moses, take off our sandals (cf. Ex 3:5), espe-

cially when the poor are our brothers or sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith. In the light of

this love, which is strong as death (cf. Song 8:6), the real poor are revealed as those who refuse to see

themselves as such. They consider themselves rich, but they are actually the poorest of the poor. This is

because they are slaves to sin, which leads them to use wealth and power not for the service of God and

others, but to stifle within their hearts the profound sense that they too are only poor beggars. The great-

er their power and wealth, the more this blindness and deception can grow. It can even reach the point

of being blind to Lazarus begging at their doorstep (cf. Lk 16:20-21). Lazarus, the poor man, is a figure

of Christ, who through the poor pleads for our conversion. As such, he represents the possibility of con-

version which God offers us and which we may well fail to see. Such blindness is often accompanied by

the proud illusion of our own omnipotence, which reflects in a sinister way the diabolical “you will be

like God” (Gen 3:5) which is the root of all sin. This illusion can likewise take social and political

forms, as shown by the totalitarian systems of the twentieth century, and, in our own day, by the ideolo-

gies of monopolizing thought and techno science, which would make God irrelevant and reduce man to

raw material to be exploited. This illusion can also be seen in the sinful structures linked to a model of

false development based on the idolatry of money, which leads to lack of concern for the fate of the poor

on the part of wealthier individuals and societies; they close their doors, refusing even to see the poor.

Even if it hasn't been easy to get

really engaged with Lent so far, we

can still make a beginning, even

now. The key is openness and de-

sire. If we can feel any attraction, any sign that the Lord is possibly drawing us, then the Lord can

work with us - no matter what resistance or fear we might also be experiencing. All we have to do is

act out of these desires and simply ask the Lord for the grace to help us be more honest and more

open to what he is offering us. For example, we can ask for the grace to examine our consciences

more thoroughly. We could try a different approach to facing any resistance we might have to the

Lord's working in us. We might not commit the big sins, but we may not have examined what we fail

to do. Who am I failing to love, to forgive, to be generous to? From whom am I withholding affec-

tion, care, reconciliation? Where can I live more honestly, with more integrity? How might I proac-

tively change my own personal patterns of escape with patterns of care for others?

It is a time of grace when we can experience moments of “recognition,” or self-understanding. But it

is not a grace to beat up on ourselves or become self-absorbed in our own guilt. It is grace to feel

grateful to the Lord for showing us obstacles to the life he is offering us. It is grace to feel our spirits

lighten as we feel drawn to greater freedom and peace. It is incredible grace when we are drawn to

celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This week, let us give thanks to the Lord who deeply de-

sires our greater freedom and joy. As we go to bed each night, let us thank the Lord for what we saw

that day and renew our desires for the next day of grace.

Fourth Sunday

of Lent

March 6, 2016

Friday Morning Mass (2/26)— $116.00

February 27th & 28th—$6,717.27

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

COMMITMENT TO YOUR PARISH

JOIN FR. LEO ORTEGA IN

THE STUDY OF THE

WEEK’S GOSPEL,

MONDAYS AT 7:00 PM

INSIDE THE PARISH HALL.

“Dining with the Saints”

The community will come together for a

meat-less dinner in the Parish Hall

every Friday thru March 18th at 6 pm. The dinner will be followed by a movie

showing of a Saint’s life. The dinners will be sponsored

by various parish groups.

Daily recitation of Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross is one of the most important devotions

honoring the passion of Jesus. Please join us in church, Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM to pray the Stations of the Cross. By accompanying him on the Way of the Cross, we gain his coura-geous patience and learn to trust in God who delivers us from evil. Guide booklets will be provided.

2016 Schedule

THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH LENTEN RECOLLECTION PART II 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH

LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS 5PM The Living Stations of the Cross ministry will share a

meditative, prayerful, and reflective presentation of our Lord's Passion. You are invited to come and watch, as the

Lord's walk to Calvary is brought to life, through narration, prayer, and live music.

MARCH 21ST, MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Chrism Mass (Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels

MARCH 24TH, THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK 8:30 AM Solemn Lauds (Chanted Morning Prayer)

7:00 PM Mass of the Lord’s Passion

MARCH 25TH, FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD 8:30 AM Solemn Lauds (Chanted Morning Prayer)

12:00 Tre Ore (Reflections on the Last Three Hours of Agony of the Lord on the Cross)

3:00 Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 5:30 PM Via Crucis (Spanish)

7:00 PM Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

MARCH 26TH, HOLY SATURDAY 8:30 AM Solemn Lauds (Chanted Morning Prayer)

7:00 PM Easter Vigil

Catholics age 14 and older should abstain from eating meat on all Fridays during Lent including Good Friday. In addition, on Good Friday, Catholics from age 18-59 should fast. Limiting themselves to one full meal and two smaller meals. Lent is also an ideal time to receive the sacra-ment of reconciliation (confession) in preparation for the cele-bration of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

NEW / USED / BROKEN RELIGIOUS ITEMS NEEDED

The Legion of Mary is collecting religious items for their ministry. Items needed include new, used and broken cross-es, medals, scapulars rosaries and holy cards. Please place your donated items in the box located in the ves-tibule of the church.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

SECOND COLLECTION

We will be having a Second Collection today to assist the

School in continuing to provide a Catholic Education. Please

be generous in your offering. We thank you in advance.

T he monthly billings for the Togeth-

er in Mission pledges have been

mailed. It is very important that these

pledges be paid so that our parish can

reach and, hopefully, exceed our goal.

PARISH GOAL: $33,900.00

AMOUNT PAID: $12,118.00

REMAINING BALANCE: $21,782.00

Thank you for your continued support of

Together In Mission 2016

Join us in the Parish Hall this Sunday, March 6th

for a Mexican Style breakfast after all of the morning Masses.

Menu will include Homemade Menudo, Sopes and Tacos.

Las obras de misericordia La misericordia de Dios transforma los corazones humanos; que nos permite, a través de la experiencia de un amor fiel, a ser

misericordiosos a su vez. En un nuevo milagro cada vez, merced divina resplandece en nuestras vidas, inspirando a cada uno de

nosotros de amar al prójimo y dedicarnos a lo que la tradición de la Iglesia llama a las obras espirituales y corporales de miseri-

cordia. Estas obras nos recuerdan que la fe se expresa en las acciones cotidianas concretas para ayudar a nuestros vecinos en el

cuerpo y el espíritu: por la alimentación, el visitar, reconfortante e instruirlos. En este tipo de cosas seremos juzgados. Por esta

razón, expresé mi deseo de que "el pueblo cristiano que se refleje sobre las obras corporales y espirituales de misericordia; esta

será una manera de despertar la conciencia, con demasiada frecuencia ha engrosado en el rostro de la pobreza, y para entrar más

profundamente en el corazón del Evangelio, donde los pobres tienen una experiencia especial de la misericordia de Dios "(ibíd.,

15). Para los pobres, la carne de Cristo "se hace visible en la carne de los torturados, el triturado, el flagelado, los desnutridos, y el exiliado ... para ser recono-

cido, tocó, y asistidos por nosotros" (ibíd.). Es el misterio sin precedentes y escandaloso de la extensión en el tiempo del sufrimiento del inocente cordero, la

zarza ardiente del amor gratuito. Antes de este amor, podemos, como Moisés, quitarse las sandalias (cf. Ex 3, 5), especialmente cuando los pobres son nues-

tros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo que están sufriendo por su fe. A la luz de este amor, que es fuerte como la muerte (cf. Ct 8, 6), los verdaderos pobres se

revelan como aquellos que se niegan a verse a sí mismos como tales. Ellos se consideran ricos, pero en realidad son los más pobres entre los pobres. Esto se

debe a que son esclavos del pecado, lo que les lleva a utilizar la riqueza y el poder no para el servicio de Dios y de los demás, sino para sofocar dentro de sus

corazones el sentido profundo que ellos también son sólo mendigos pobres. Cuanto mayor es su poder y riqueza, tanto más esta ceguera y el engaño pueden

crecer. Puede incluso llegar al punto de estar ciego a Lázaro pidiendo a su puerta (cf. Lc 16, 20-21). Lázaro, el pobre, es una figura de Cristo, el cual medi-

ante el pobre aboga por nuestra conversión. Como tal, representa la posibilidad de conversión que Dios nos ofrece y que bien puede dejar de ver. Tal ceguera

suele ir acompañada de la ilusión orgullosos de nuestra propia omnipotencia, que refleja de un modo siniestro lo diabólico "va a ser como Dios" (Gn 3, 5),

que es la raíz de todo pecado. Esta ilusión puede igualmente tomar formas sociales y políticas, como se muestra por los sistemas totalitarios del siglo XX, y,

en nuestros días, por las ideologías de monopolizar el pensamiento y la tecnociencia, lo que haría Dios irrelevante y reducir al hombre a la materia prima

hasta ser explotado. Esta ilusión también se puede ver en las estructuras de pecado vinculados a un modelo de desarrollo basado en la falsa idolatría del dine-

ro, lo que conduce a la falta de preocupación por el destino de los pobres por parte de los individuos y las sociedades más ricas; cierran sus puertas,

negándose incluso a ver a los pobres.

ADORACION NOCTURNA

Los invitamos a participar en la adoración nocturna del

Santisimo, el Segundo Viernes de cada mes. Los turnos

de adoracion son de una hora de duración. Oramos por

las Intenciones del Papa, por las de la parroquia y por

intencions personales. Empezamos a las 8:30 p.m. con

una junta informativa en el saloñ #1 de la escuela. Todos

son bienvenidos.

El Ministerio de Oración “Luz del Espirtu Santo”

Los invita a orar, alabar, glorificar al Señor y darle gracias

por todos Los beneficios recibidos cada dia de nuestra vida.

Nos reunimos los Miercoles de 7pm a 9pm en el salon par-

roquial de nuestra Iglesia San Esteban Martir.

"Cenando con los santos" La comunidad se reunirán para una cena

en el Salón Parroquial cada viernes hasta el

18 de marzo a las 6 pm .

La cena será seguida por una

película que muestra la vida de un Santo. Estas cenas

serán patrocinadas por grupos de la Parroquia.

Católicos de 14 años de edad y

mayors deben abstenerse de comer

carne todos los viernes durante la

Cuaresma incluyendo Viernes Santo.

Además, el Viernes Santo, católicos

de edades 18 a 59 debe ayunar. Lim-

itándose a una comida completa y dos comidas más peque-

ñas. La Cuaresma es también el tiempo ideal para recibir el

sacramento de la reconciliación (confesión) en preparación

para la celebración del Pasión de Cristo, su Muerte y

Resurrección.

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

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 camino

de la cruz , ganamos su paciencia valiente y aprendemos a confiar

en Dios, quien nos libra del mal . Se proporcionarán folletos de

guía .

SE NECESITAN ARTÍCULOS RELIGIOSOS

NUEVOS / USADOS / ROTOS

El grupo Legión de María está recolectando artículos religi-

osos para su ministro. Se necesitan cruces, medallas, rosari-

os escapularios y estampitas. Por favor de coloqar sus artícu-

los dentro de la caja que esta ubicada en el vestíbulo de la

iglesia.

SEGUNDA COLECTA

La segunda colecta de este fin de semans sera para el apoyo

de nuestra escuela parrquial. Por favor, sean generosos en su

ofrenda. Le damos las gracias de antemano.

DesayunoDesayuno

Acompáñenos en el Salon Parroquial este domingo, 6 de marzo

para un desayuno estilo Mexicano después de todas las misas.

El menú incluirá Menudo, Sopes y Tacos.

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016

5:00 pm Oscar Refuerzo (D)

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 7:00 am Maria Giovannina Mascitelli (D)

9:00 am Javier Compean (L)

11:00 am Josefa Fernandez (D)

Jose O. Fernandez (D)

Oscar Villamor Refuerzo (D)

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

8:30 am For all the Holy Souls in Purgatory

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 8:30 am St. Stephen Parishioners

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 8:30 am Kent Kishi (D)

6:30 pm Elizabeth & Mary Bartolini—Happy Birthday!

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 8:30 am Maria Isabel Perez (D)

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 8:30 am Maria Rivera (D)

7:00 pm St. Stephen Parishioners

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

8:30 am Kassandra Melendez—Happy Birthday!

Frances Salaises, Kitty Carlucci, Rosie Grego, Liza Anne Sesti,

Nicholas Velarde, Ana Nunez, Elaine Denery, Jose Galicia Sr.,

Connie Gonzales, Norma Salazar, Michlina Kubek, Maria Cervan-

tes, Maria Gonzalez, Jeanine Gregory, Peggy Jasso, Elena Dulay,

Alex Vasquez, Armando Loo, Annamae Koch, Rita Thoms, Eliza-

beth Dodge, Virginia Medina, Rita A. Durazo, Ernest Durazo,

Rudy Barraza, Sally Sandoval, Emilia Rodriguez, Dominic, Jason,

Rose Valdez, Antonia Castaneda, Natalia Castaneda, Kathy Garcia,

Helen Lawrence, Sandy Aguiar, Maria Castillo, Frances Montez,

Ramiro Sanchez, Judy Backer, Josefina Peralta, Tom Lujan, Maria

Ngan Fong Lung, Erin Gaffrey, Virginia Miranda, Frances

Mosqueda, John Jaurequi, Jeanine Lugo, Michael Alden Townsend,

Augie Koch, Natalia Orozco, Tisha Platt, Teresa Ycedo, Larry Her-

nandez, Marge LaVenture, Debbie Koch Mark, Vic Panganiban,

Concepcion Rodriguez, Elizabeth Canadas, Maria Mazloom, Phil

Cisneros, Kenneth Adler, Carol Tollstrup, Howard Lee, Eva Mon-

roy, Felipa MacCray, Rocco Polini, Al Acosta, Susan Acosta

Prayer list will be updated on a monthly bases. If you would like

to add a name or make changes to the above list. Please contact

the parish office.

Did You Know?

Teach children touching safety and boundaries

Predators are a very real danger to children today,

and parents should take every precaution to teach

children about safe and appropriate touching, and

what to do if these boundaries are violated.

Teaching touching safety is critical for kids, because it focuses

on empowering kids to resist predators. If a child learns about

touching safety, they will be able to respond to boundary viola-

tions in the best way possible and to talk about these situations

with a trusted adult. For a copy of the VIRTUS® article

“Teaching Touching Safety” email jvienna@la-archdiocese.org.

ST. STEPHEN BOOKSTORE

is open after each Mass, Saturday

and Sunday or by appointment.

12,000+ Gifts │ DVDs │ Books │

Bibles │ Jewelry and accessories

Rosaries │ Devotional and

Religious Items │ Artwork.

One stop shop for Catholic gifts

and resources. Support our

parish. Support the Saint Stephen

Bookstore.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK MARCH 6TH — MARCH 13TH

Sunday: Jos 5:9a, 10-12 or 1 Sm 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13a;

Ps 34:2-7 or Ps 23: 1-6; 2 Cor 5:17-21 or

Eph 5:8-14; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 or Jn 9:1-41

Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b; Jn 4:43-54

Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16

Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18;

Jn 5:17-30

Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47

Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23;

Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53

Sunday: Is 43:16-21 or Ez 37:12-14; Ps 126:1-6 or

Ps 130:1-8; Phil 3:8-14 or Rom 8:8-11;

Jn 8:1-11 or Jn 11:1-45