The Day of Pentecost holds significant importance in Christianity as it marks the birth of the church and the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit. It commemorates the miraculous event described in the Acts of the Apostles, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them with the ability to speak in different languages and sparking the early church’s mission. 

This weekend we observe Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember and honor all of those brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrfice and gave their lives in the service of the United States of America. Please take a moment and pray for the repose of their souls that they may rest in peace with perpetual light shining on them. it is through their great gift that we may live in peace and security, without fear. AMEN!

I want to wish every mother a happy, healthy, joyous and blessed Mother’s Day.  We are all guilty of taking you for granted at least sometime during the year, so please accept our apologies and best wishes on this special day honoring God’s second greatest gift to mankind.

In these trying times, I urge you to take comfort and draw joy from the eternal Easter message, He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!   

Christ’s glorious resurrection is what being a Christian is all about and today is when we sing aloud our happiness and joy. For it is through Jesus’ eternal, perfect sacrifice on the cross that we are made whole, our sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life is bestowed upon us.  All we need to do to reap this greatest of all gifts is to believe in Him, our Lord and Savior, and to follow His teachings as He leads us on the road to the Heavenly Kingdom.

Please, be strong, take care and stay well as we once again join together as the one Body of Christ to sing praise, honor and glory to His most Holy Name.

From Fr. Sr. Donald and  your parish Committee:

Happy Easter!

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, one week before His death and resurrection. The event is remembered through the story of Jesus riding a donkey while crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna”. 

Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent or Passion Sunday.  Our solemn Lenten journey as we follow our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ along the path of His Passion is nearing its end with next Sunday being Palm Sunday.  Please be diligent in your daily prayers and meditations during this Lenten Season. Remember also to try to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays as a form of penance in honor of our Lord’s passion and sacrifice. A blessed and prayerful Lent to all.

Today, March 5th we observe Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Great Lent. We will celebrate Holy Mass with the blessing and distribution of ashes to the faithful at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM so that all may be accommodated. i hope to see you at one or the other of the Masses and I wish you a prayerful and holy Lent.

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.