Father Tony. March 19, Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2,5-8; John 4:5-42

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2 March 19, 2017 Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2,5-8; John 4:5-42 Possibly no other part of Scripture has caused more dispute among Christians than the meaning of Paul s Letter to the Romans. To many it is the text that gave rise to the reformation. So what does Paul mean when he writes: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ? And why has the Church chosen it for us today? What does it mean to be justified? From the start, it has been held by the Church that salvation is not something that we can ever achieve or earn on our own. It is always God s gift. If we accept this, then what role do we play in our salvation? Are we just puppets, with God pulling our strings? Are we able to sit back and rest on our spiritual laurels? Do our life choices, our good works or our commitment to the Gospel make a difference? For some, this idea that has all been decided ahead of time might sound attractive. If it has, then why worry? Why be faithful, honest or just in this life? Indeed, the litany of our own personal and communal sins becomes irrelevant if we simply think that God has already decided beforehand. But Paul doesn t stop with telling us that we have been justified, he goes on to say that we now have hope and access to God s grace. Because we have been justified, we can boast in hope of God s glory because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts, and makes us capable of more than just blind obedience or the bare minimum. In other words, Paul tells us that God is on our side revealing his mercy and forgiveness that pours forth like living water purifying, cleansing and renewing the heart that desires life with him. It is this image of mercy flowing like water that is central to today s Gospel. In an encounter that is full of symbolism and meaning, the Samaritan woman meets the One who reveals God s mercy to all. In the brokenness of her past, this woman is isolated and separated from her community. But in her encounter with Jesus, she goes from suspicious outsider, full of doubts and misunderstandings, to spiritual seeker, and finally becomes an evangelist ready to share the news of her renewal. Key to this change is her use of titles. First Jesus is a Jew, then Sir, then a prophet and finally the Christ. For her, it was a mini RCIA journey as the offer of living water slowly soaks into her very being, renewing her and finally changing her. How quickly this outsider becomes an insider, perhaps not to her community but certainly to the truth of the kingdom. Lent invites us to seek God s mercy, too. And just as we seek God, we come to know that God is also seeking us, taking the initiative so that we each might lead lives that are justified by him. This offer of living water is given to us today; let us drink freely of this life-giving and refreshing gift. May your Lenten journey continued to be filled with spiritual growth as we move into the half way junction of our journey. Thank you for joining us in prayer today. Father Tony

3 Our Liturgical Week Monday, Mar. 20 8:00 a.m. Adelaida R. Caunan Sp. Int. (By: Anonymous) Tuesday, Mar. 21 8:00 a.m. John Faliano (By: Faliano Family) Wednesday, Mar. 22 8:00 a. m. Pearl LaBelle (By: Eileen Rodman) Thursday, Mar. 23 8:00 a.m. Maria Bruno (By: Giovanna Hrvatin) 9:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross Friday, Mar. 24 8:00 a.m Griselda MacDonald Sp. Int. (By: Anonymous) Saturday, Mar. 25 8:00 a.m. 3:30 a.m. Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. William Keh (By: Adele Caunan) Sunday, Mar. 26 8:00 a.m. Virginia Webb (Fr. Tony) 9:30 a. m. Marygrace Dunn (By: Richard Dunn) 11:30 a.m. John Andrew Debono (By: Catherine Acosseria) 6:45 p.m. Mila Espina (Dorothy Over) Bold Indicates Mass Intentions Third Sunday of Lent March 19, 2017 While we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 First Reading When the people grumbled to Moses for water in the desert, the LORD heard and brought forth water from the rock for all to drink (Exodus 17:3-7). Psalm If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95). Second Reading God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1-2, 5-8). Gospel Ask, and you will be given living water so that you will never thirst again (John 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]). St Stephen Events Calendar Monday 8:00 a.m. School Play Rehearsal/ Hall 3:30 p.m. Faith Formation/Church & Offices Tuesday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 3:00 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/Hall 7:00 p.m. Women s Guild/Hall Wednesday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 3:00 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/ Hall 6:30 p.m. Lenten Soup Supper/Hall 6:30 p.m. Women s Guild/Art Room 7:00 p.m. RCIA/Parish Office Thursday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 3:00 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/ Hall Friday 7:30 p.m. G.A. Closed Meeting/EC Sunday 10:30 a.m. 1st Grade Fashion Show Practice/Hall 7:00 p.m. Adult Vollyball/Gym (Contact our office for more information) SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Third Sunday of Lent Monday: St. Joseph; Spring begins Thursday: St. Toribio de Mogrovejo Friday: Abstinence Saturday: The Annunciation of the Lord HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for our 9:30 a.m. Mass Today, Mar Antonette Glynn Sunday, Mar St. Vincent de Paul Sunday, Apr. 2 - Bob Anthony Team lease pray for the sick P and homebound of our community and for all those written in our book of the sick. May they know the healing touch of Jesus. Larry Barbiere, Edileide Jose Barbosa, Carol Dominguez, Eden Finn, Emma Lew, Al Gragnani, Maria Matthews, Nenita Sangalang, Juan Pablo Grover-Paez, Jovita & Richard Thompson, and Patricia Sullivan.

4 2017 ANNUAL APPEAL In Progress - thru Mar. 6, 2017 A reminder, that our Annual Appeal tax this year is $93, We ask that you pray over your donation and give according to your means. The total received to date is $13,760.00, leaving a balance of $79,668. We thank the following households for their participation in this year s appeal. (Fr. Tony) Anonymous Mrs. Dorothy Arata Mr. and Mrs. Paul Au Mr. and Mrs. John Azevedo Ms. Maria Baja Mrs. Maria Barzoloski Mr. and Mrs. Moises Bau sta, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James Brady Mr. and Mrs. John Bruno Mrs. Nancy Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Carlos R. Cajilig, Jr. Mrs. Be y Carley Miss Adelaida R. Caunan Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Cayabyab Mr. and Mrs. Graziano Cerchiai Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Champagne Mr. Nelson Chen and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Yata Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cleary Mr. James F. Cook Mr. and Mrs. Robert Defea Mr. and Mrs. Arsenio Del Rosario Ms. Irene Dobbins Tzvetana and Mike Duffy Mr. and Mrs. John J. Duggan Mr. and Mrs. David Dulany Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Fambrini Mr. and Mrs. Primo Fernandez Ms. Be y Ganduglia Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garcia-Kennedy Jennifer and Gavin Garzee Mrs. Elinor Ga o Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Guzman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hazard Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jarnutowski Ms. Cynthia G. Kelly Mrs. Elizabeth Knaus Donors: Rev. Tony La Torre Mr. Paul Laveroni Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leach Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leehane Margareta Lim Mr. and Mrs. Ma hew Lobre Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lou Mr. and Mrs. Warren Lubich Mrs. and Mrs. Ralph Mapson Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Mazzola Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. McDonough Mr. Daniel McGarry and Mrs. Courtney Cassinelli Mrs. Charles Meyers Dr. Charles Miller Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morello Ms. Ma lda Morey Ms. Lisa Perez Mr. and Mrs. James Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Prete Mr. and Mrs. Ma hew Quane Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ramos Dr. and Mrs. Mariano Rayos Mr. and Mrs. John Ritchie Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ryan Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Salvemini Ms. Debra A. Schneider Ms. Deborah Lobo Ms. Lutzie E. So o Ms. Louise Stagnaro Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stephans Mr. Noli Tamase Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Teshara Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Torres Mrs. Milagros Ubungen NOTE: It has recently come to our attention that some AAA donor s names aren t listed in the bulletin. This is due to a change in how the Archdiocese processes your AAA donations. Also, the new AAA year began on February 1 st (January donations were credited to AAA 2016). Envelopes put into the collection basket or mailed to the church are sent to the Archdiocese (unopened) 2-3 times each month. Electronic donations through our website are reported to the Archdiocese at the end of each month. February AAA electronic gifts were not reported to the Archdiocese until after March 6 th. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.

5 Wednesday Lenten Soup Suppers St. Stephen Parish welcomes you to our 2017 Lenten Soup Suppers. Three Wednesday evenings from March 15th to March 29th will begin with a simple soup supper in Donworth Hall. Each night begins at 6:30 for soup followed by a one-hour presentation by our guest speaker at 7:00. Second Collection Next Weekend A second collection will be taken at all masses March 25 and 26 for Catholic Relief Services Next week, our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection (CRSC). Funds from this collection provide food for the hungry, support to displaced refugees, and Christ s love and respect to all people here at home and abroad.. Next week, please give generously to CRSC and help Jesus in disguise. Learn more about the collection at THE BIG THREE (Matthew 6:3-4, 6, 27-18) We aren t just spiritual beings. We are also physical entities, and the way to the soul is through the body. That s why Lenten discipline has historically centered on the Big Three of Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer. FASTING is not just a spiritual diet. By denying our bodies, our physical hunger reminds us of the hunger of our souls for God, our longing for a deeper relationship with our Lord. ALMSGIVING teaches us to separate ourselves from material possessions. By freely giving of our money and possessions, we learn to trust the Lord more deeply for our own daily needs. Finally, an emphasis on PRAYER during Lent is a way to stir up our love and ardor by having a deepening conversation with the Almighty. Remember that the light of God s love shines more brightly in the darkness of the recognition of our March 22nd ~ Father Dave Pettingill Theme: Passover from a Catholic Priest s Perspective March 29th Taize Prayer Service ANNUAL APPEAL In case you have forgotten......in case you have not yet made your donation or pledge to this year s Annual Appeal, please take time this week to do so. We ask each household to share a portion of God s blessings with others by supporting the Annual Appeal. No gift is too small (or too big). Please give from the heart. We hope for 100% participation of our parish this year. Thank you for your support! Catholic Relief Services Lenten Rice Bowl Program Carolina Parrales, Office of Human Life and Dignity parralesc@sfarch.org crsricebowl.org or phone Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program wants to accompany you and your faith community throughout these forty days with stories, prayers, reflections, and faith formation. You can get started by downloading the app (at the website, above). You can also order material for your family, prayer group, or parish by ing Carolina Parrales, above. Bulletin Announcements Send your St. Stephen bulletin announcements via to the following address: e.prete@saintstephensf.org.

6 ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL CLASS OF th GOLDEN REUNION The Class of 1967 is planning their 50th Golden Reunion! For more information, please contact Reunion Committee Chairs Marty Cerles or Jeannie Perasso Peters at or Katherine Moser, School Development Director, at Want to contribute to a specific need? Please take a look at our wish list! St Stephen Pastor Wish List 1. Fifty New Monthly Donors ($100/month) 2. New Rectory Garage Doors ($7,400) 3. Replace Church Sound System ($44,000) 4. New Carpet Installation ($75,000) 5. Paint Church Interior ($100,000) Any gift you make to our ministry will help us bring the light of Christ to more parishioners at Saint Stephen Church. Want to make a difference? Our Altar Servers Our special thanks to our student Altar Servers who faithfully continue to volunteer their time and talent to our parish. Our Altar Servers for March 6 thru 12 were: Weekday Masses Dory Miller, Claire Curry, Elise Ramsey, Mericel Tao, Adrian Di Lena, Daniela Cerrri, Lauren Boilard, Claire Patankar, Lance Kuo-Esser and Dagny Wallace. Weekend Masses Aidan Dugan, Sarah Tuvo, Gino Andrini, Josh Pashby, Barry Cahalane, Caroline Wong, Melissa Hua, Isabella Ritchie, Elise Ramsey, Alyssa Fambrini, Esmeralda Ramirez, Hannah Morello, John Brooks, Emily Schmitt and Zachary Ferdon. Thank You! Our Mission Statement We are a Catholic Community that is called by God to follow Jesus Christ. We believe that we are called to worship God together, to lead God's people along the path of hope laid down by Jesus, to share his message through preaching, through the education and formation of our people, young and old, and through caring service and sensitive outreach to those in need Rev. Tony P. LaTorre - Pastor

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8 PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Pastor ext.25 Rev. Mr. Rory Desmond Permanent Deacon Rhonda Smith Coordinator of Music & Liturgy ext. 32 Mary Molly Mullaney Faith Formation Coordinator ext.27 Mrs. Sharon McCarthy Allen School Principal Jim Cook Parish Manager ext.23 Shay Ingelfinger Event Center Coordinator ext.33 Jan Almeida Bookkeeper ext.29 ST STEPHEN PARISH ORGANIZATION/MINISTRY CONTACT PERSON Altar Servers Giovanna Hrvatin Altar Society Joan Leehane Bridge Group Helen Perlite Caritas Nellie Hizon Church Hospitality Mary Molly Mullaney Communion Ministers Rhonda Smith Faith Formation Mary Molly Mullaney Fifty Plus Club Helga D Arcy Finance Council Laura Birsinger Grief Support Clergy Lectors Rhonda Smith Liturgy Committee Fr. Tony Marriage Preparation Clergy Men s Club John Bankovitch Music Rhonda Smith Parish Council Vicky Francisco RCIA Mary Molly Mullaney St. Stephen Book Club Veronica Wong St. Vincent de Paul Julie O Callaghan Ushers Bob Anthony Women s Guild Daniela Franco & Maira Hallinan Our warmest welcome to all who celebrate with us. You can sign up or update your information by completing this form & placing it in the collection basket, by mailing it to the Parish Office, by phone at or online at Name Address City/Zip Phone Our parishioners receive the Archdiocese weekly newspaper Catholic San Francisco. I am interested in assisting with the Parish in the following way(s): Acolyte/Altar Service Altar Society Children s Liturgy of the Word Choir Greeter/Usher Hospitality after Mass/Special Events Holy Communion Ministers to the Homebound Lector/Holy Communion Ministers Music/Choir