All are Welcome! Parish Registration at Welcome Desk, all Masses.

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2 All are Welcome! 1544 Ba lefield Boulevard South Chesapeake, Virginia Phone: Fax: e mail: ssm@ssmrcc.org website: Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday, 5:00pm (Vigil) Sunday, 7:00, 8:30, 11:30am and 5:00pm Monday-Saturday, 8:30am Wednesday, 6:30am Thursday, 6:30pm Nursery and Children s Liturgy of the Word Sunday, 8:30 and 11:30am Masses Nursery is in Room 8 Reconciliation Thursday, 5:00-6:00pm Saturday, 1:30-4:30pm Also by appointment Parish Registration at Welcome Desk, all Masses. Parish Mission Statement: Baptized into the Body of Christ, Nourished by word and sacrament, Celebrating our faith in the Catholic Tradition, We are the people of St. Stephen, Martyr. We are called to create a community in the image of Jesus: Led by the Holy Spirit, Rich in forgiveness, Committed to service, Working for justice, A place of peace! For this, we give thanks. My Own Church is a dynamic resource for all parishioners allowing you to access and update all of your own family information, register for classes, financial giving history and more online! E-Giving and Text Giving options are available. Visit our website for more information. Baptism Families who would like to have a child baptized must register for a Baptismal Preparation Class. First Eucharist, Reconciliation & Confirmation You must be enrolled in Christian Formation programs. Separate registration forms, fees, and classes apply. Sacramental Preparation is separate from BLAZE and Life Teen. Marriage If a marriage is being planned, 6 months notice is required to the priest before a date can be set. During the 6 months, the couple will be required to complete the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program. OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 2

3 Welcome Home! Are you new to the Catholic Church or are you coming back? Would you like your children/ teenagers to learn more about the Catholic Faith? St. Stephen, Martyr has many programs for children and teenagers. Here is a brief list of our programs: Nursery-Runs year round for children 6 months up to 3 years and is available during the 8:30am and 11:30am Masses in room 8. Children s Liturgy of the Word-Children s worship that runs year round for children ages 3 through 1st grade and is available during the 8:30am and 11:30am Masses. Blaze-Children s Christian Formation runs from September to the end of May for children in grades 1-5. First Sacraments-Children baptized in the Catholic church who are in second grade or older. Edge-Middle school aged children, grades 6-8. Runs from September to the end of May. Life Teen-High school aged teens, grades Runs from September to the end of May. Confirmation-Teenagers in tenth grade and at least 15 years of age, who were baptized in the Catholic Church are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Catholics In Action- For Confirmed 11th and 12th graders. RCIC/RCIA-Children over the age seven and adults who have not been baptized in the Catholic faith and are in need of either Baptism, First Eucharist or Confirmation. My Own Church My Own Church is a new online tool that allows you to update your family s records and access your Tax Statements on the web! It s convenient and secure. Here are a few things we think you re going to like about My Own Church: Accurate records! Whether we re preparing sacramental certificates or getting in touch by phone, mail, or , having up-to-date information with properly spelled names for all of your family members helps us serve you better. Online registration! When it s time to register for religious education classes, you ll be able to fill out and submit the form online. Tax statements and giving history! Download your tax statement electronically without waiting for the mail. View your family giving history anytime you like. It s all right at your finger tips, but behind a secure login. St. Stephen, Martyr s 2018 Tax Statements will be released to My Own Church. E-Giving You can use E-Giving to donate to the church instead of using envelopes. This is a great way to simplify your weekly offerings. Step 1: Go to Step 2: Click on the link E-GIVING. Step 3: Follow the easy directions to set up recurring or one time donations. You can still reflect your E-Giving on your envelope and place it in the basket if you wish. If you are interested in registering at St. Stephen, Martyr please join My Own Church. Visit to see the five easy steps to join! If you have questions, please contact the church office at ssm@ssmrcc.org or St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 3

4 Upcoming Events! CAST Red Cross Winter Blood Drive We are getting prepared for our CAST week which is scheduled for January We will begin signups next weekend, January 5/6 after all Masses. We will continue signups the following two weekends. We will have boxes for travel size toiletries and long underwear in the Commons. Please be as generous as you always are for these items as the long underwear are the most requested item this time of year. Mary, The Holy Mother of God Our winter blood drive will be Wednesday, January 16 from 1:00-7:00pm in the Commons. Anyone at least 17 years of age, weighing 110 pounds and in good health may donate blood. Donors who meet certain donation criteria may elect to make a double red cell donation. Mark your calendars to donate!! Please stop by the Blood Drive table in the Commons to sign up to donate and/or volunteer. Sign ups will be after each Mass on the weekends of December 29/30, January 5/6 and 12/13. If you are unable to sign up after a Mass you can sign up on line at using Sponsor code ssmrcc. Our goal for this drive is 55 pints. Volunteers are needed to help set-up, clean-up, registration, and to serve in the canteen area. Church Un-decorating January 7-11: 9:00am: Monday-Friday This entire week we Un-decorate the Sanctuary and Commons. Each day starting at 9:00am until we are finished. Did you know that Tuesday, January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and a Holy Day of Obligation? What a wonderful time to thank Our Blessed Mother, the Theotokos, the "God-Bearer for giving birth to Our Lord. Mass Times Monday, December 31 at 5:00pm (Vigil Mass) Tuesday, January 1 at 10:00am Thanking you in advance for your continued help and support! Merry Christmas and Peace to all! Marcia Tschohl, Arts and Environment Coordinator MFT195610@gmail.com St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 4

5 Catholic Business Leaders of America Have you ever felt the need to leave your faith at the door as you enter your workplace? Or unsure of how to be a Catholic leader in a secular world? Catholic Business Leaders of America is a group of professionals committed to growing in our faith while working together to promote mutual business interests. Our group meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday morning of the month. Members are encouraged to attend 6:30am Mass. We meet following Mass from 7:00-7:45am in room 3. Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 23 and we will begin exploring and discussing the first two chapters of The Catholic Briefcase by Randy Hain. If you are interested in attending or would like more information about the group, please contact Lei Ann Galvez at lgalvez@smsvb.net or Casey Chmielewski at casey@bergchm.com. New Year Prayer God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another. As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at time. Amen. Amazing Grays Amazing Grays will meet Wednesday, January 9 at 11:00am for Mass followed by a short meeting and lunch. If you are 55 or older please join us! Maison Fortune Orphanage Collections Throughout the month of January the Haiti Committee will be collecting items for the Maison Fortune Orphanage. We are in need of the following items, twin/full sheets and bath towels. We will deliver them on our trip in February. If you have sponsored a child please consider sending cards, art and photos. We will take them with us. Place donated items in the gray tubs in the Commons. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you would like more information about Maison Fortune please visit or call Julie at St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 5

6 Adult Faith Formation RCIA/RCIC RCIA/RCIC will meet Thursday, January 3 from 7:00-8:30pm. The RCIA topic is on Rituals and Traditions. The RCIA topic is on The Four Marks of the Church. RCIA/RCIC meets in rooms 3 and 4. Please bring study materials. Upper Room Prayer Fellowship The next "Upper Room" Prayer Fellowship is Tuesday, January 8 from 7:00-8:30pm in the Sanctuary. The topic is on "New Beginnings". Turn over a new leaf and boldly do something different for your faith and family. We invite you, family and friends to join us as we worship God through contemporary praise, sacred scripture, testimonies of what God is doing in our lives, and how His mercy impacts us! We gather as did the first apostles, in prayer in the "Upper Room"! It may just change your life! Mass And A Family Movie Night! Save the Date! Would you like to have a family night out but don t want to be stuck watching a CAR- TOON?!?! Would you like to watch a movie with your spouse without paying BIG BUCKS for a babysitter?!?! Join us on Saturday, January 12 after the 5:00pm Mass! We will have pizza, popcorn and snacks available. The Adult Movie is St. Francis of Assisi - A Sign of Contradiction. The children's movie is The Original Frosty and will be shown in room 3 along with a special treat! More details are coming soon. Night Of Truth CALLING ALL MEN - 16 and older. Fr. Brian will address the men with a brief presentation on the impact pornography has had on our families, and what can we do both "practically and prayerfully" as men and/or the leaders of our homes? Our goal is to provide tools that help safeguard the lives of our wives, sons and daughters from the pervasive pandemic of sexual perversion "gripping" our society? Please join us Friday, January 11 from 7:00-9:00pm in the Commons. We will be serve pizza, wings and other fun food. Save The Date For Dr. Peter Kreeft Save the Date, Saturday, March 23! Dr. Peter Kreeft will present three key fascinating, yet controversial topics of our times. First, Angels and Demons. Second, 70x7 reasons to be both Catholic and Protestant, and finally is there any real difference between living as an atheist and living as a cultural catholic? Dr. Kreeft is a professor of philosophy at Boston College and The King's College. He has written over 75 books, and claims to be a Boston Red Sox fan! Dr. Keeft converted from Calvinism to Catholicism during his college years. More exciting information is coming soon about his visit! If you have questions, please contact the Adult Faith Office at scott@ssmrcc.org or St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 6

7 Save The Date KOC Valentine s Dance and Dinner NEW this year at St. Stephen, Martyr! The Knights of Columbus Valentine s Dinner and Dance is February 8 from 7:00-11:00pm. The cost is $70 per couple and includes prime rib or chicken marsala, red potatoes, green beans, house salad, rolls, and cake. Soft drinks, beer, wine and coffee will be served. We will have a DJ/band, a photographer with free picture and an opportunity to purchase a package deal! There will be 10 door prize tickets and a the ability to purchase tickets for an additional special drawing! Tickets will be sold before and after all Masses the weekends of January 19/20 and February 2/3. Mary, Mother of God Why Do We Do That? Catholic Life Explained Question: What do we know about Joseph, Mary, and the rest of Jesus' relatives? Answer: You may see pictures of Joseph, Mary, and a young Jesus on the feast of the Holy Family. What we do know of them has been treasured throughout the ages. Both Joseph and Mary came from the tribe of Judah and were distant descendants of King David. Tradition gives us the names of Mary's parents - Anne and Joachim - and we venerate them as saints. Joseph was a carpenter, and he taught Jesus his trade. We know that St. Elizabeth was related to Mary, and we call St. John the Baptist Jesus' "cousin." In the Bible, we also see references to Jesus' "brothers and sisters." Who were these people? The most likely theory rests in the language of the time period. The Hebrew people spoke Aramaic. This language had no words for specific family roles. All male relatives were "brother" and all female relatives were "sister." Like many people of his day, Jesus had a large family! So large that he got lost and needed to be found in the Temple. When you think of the Holy Family, remember that Jesus probably had quirky uncles, nosy aunts, doting grandparents, and cousins to play with, just like us! Helping a friend, volunteering for the church or school event, shoveling the sidewalk all of these actions require a yes. Becoming your parent s medical power of attorney, resigning from a job or accepting a new one our lives require yes after yes. Each one sets us up for even more choices. On January 1st, we celebrate Mary as Mother of God. This title is monumental. It elevates a simple girl from Nazareth to the most highly revered woman in all creation. And it all started with a simple yes! But it didn t end there. Being free from sin doesn t mean being free from temptation. Mary had countless opportunities to say yes or no to God throughout her life. She is an example for us on the power of graced perseverance! Whatever your resolutions or decisions in the coming year, ask for Mary s intercession to say yes. St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 7

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9 Everyday Stewardship Announcements Office Closed Do you practice good stewardship with your family? Stewardship is about more than offerings to a church or charity. It is about continually giving of ourselves in a way that gives glory to God. Sharing our gifts with those in our immediate family honors God and is evidence of your gratitude for these people in your life. How can we effectively accomplish this? One way is to reflect on how the 6 characteristics of an Everyday Steward are present in our family relationships. Are we mindful when we are with our family members? Do we focus on them and their needs rather than our phone or TV? Do we hold up our family in prayer? Their concerns should be our concerns. Do we find ways to show how grateful we are for having them in our lives? The office will be closed from Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1. We will reopen Wednesday, January 2. Happy New Year from the staff! 50/50 Is Back! Stop by the 50/50 table before or after all Masses the weekend of January 5/6. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5! You can win some money and help SSM! First Friday Adoration Make a New Year Resolution and spend an hour with Jesus Friday, January 4. Sign up at Worship, Eucharistic Adoration, Sign ups. When we find ourselves lacking in gratitude, we should reflect on what life would be like without them. Do we help one another without being asked because we have a gracious heart? It is easy to take for granted those we see all the time. Hospitality is not just for the stranger or guest. Are we committed to a life of stewardship that not only serves as a good example, but also helps our relatives thrive? Using our gifts without wisdom might mean we have little to give to those we love. Finally, do we hold each other accountable for our decisions and shortcomings? We are on the journey of life together, and no one exists in the Body of Christ alone. Stewardship is about the entirety of our lives. Our faith life is not reserved to Mass on a Sunday. It all begins and ends with those we love. -Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 9

10 Mass Intentions Our Gifts To The Lord The offertory numbers will be in the weekly due to the early submission of the bulletin. Monday, December 31 8:30am Mass 5:00pm Mass Vigil ( Holy Day Mary Mother Of God) Tuesday, January 1 10:00am Mass (Holy Day Mary Mother Of God) Wednesday, January 2 6:30am Mass 8:30am Mass (Joseph Szarwark) PARISH STAFF Pastor: Rev. Brian Rafferty (frbrian@ssmrcc.org) Deacon Keith Fournier (deaconfournier@outlook.com) Deacon Kevin Trail (kftrail@cox.net) Business Manager: Crystal Anderson (crystal@ssmrcc.org) Office Manager: Maura Waggoner (maura@ssmrcc.org) Communication Director: Zoe Barnette (zoe@ssmrcc.org) Facility Manager: Alex Shuflat (alex@ssmrcc.org) Liturgy: Marge Marino (marge@ssmrcc.org) Music Director: Jessica Kohan (jessica@ssmrcc.org) Religious Education: (K-5 grade) Traci Baker (traci@ssmrcc.org) Religious Education: (6-12 grade) Ashley Weaver (ashley@ssmrcc.org) Adult Faith Formation & Social Ministry: Scott Turbitt (scott@ssmrcc.org) Evangelization: Dr. Jack Buchner (jack@ssmrcc.org) Thursday, January 3 8:30am Mass 6:30pm Mass Friday, January 4 8:30am Mass 7:00pm Mass (First Friday) Saturday, January 5 8:30am Mass 5:00pm Mass (Mr.& Mrs. Timothy Holub 34 Wedding Anniversary) Sunday, January 6 7:00am Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr) 8:30am Mass (Don Reisch) 11:30am Mass (John Liptrap) 5:00pm Mass (Holy Souls in Purgatory) Your Prayers are Cherished for Loved Ones Inside our Parish Tony Cieslewicz Tudy Gibson Jessica Clendenning Sean Stroud Leonie Glynn The Epiphany Of The Lord January 5/6, 2019 Scripture Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 Your Prayers are Cherished for Loved Ones Outside our Parish Diane Esposito Richard Kubatko Mary Garrow Debbie Showers Ed Furgeson Bobby Campbell Emma Constaldo Rest In Peace Russell Ranck Jeannette Youmans Audrey McCain Fred Atwell St. Stephen, Martyr Chesapeake, VA Page 10