St Stephen’s Catholic Church

St Stephen Martyr Catholic Church

The sacrament of reconciliation is being offered during the following times no appointment needed.

Staurdays

We Thank You for your continued support and understanding during these difficult times. We miss all of you so much and look forward to seeing you soon in person!

Facemaks are not required, but they are strongley recommended.

Your weekly donations are crucial and may be made on-line or mailed to:

St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church 320 W. Garvey Ave Monterey Park, Ca. 91754.

We are dependent on your generosity which helps us not only to continue to reach out to those most in need, but also to keep the parish in solid working order and pay our staff during this uncertain time. Please click on the link below too make a donation.

From The Diocese Of Owensboro

Visit the Diocese of Owensboro website for diocesan news and information.

Each month, Bishop William F. Medley discusses topics, issues, or ministries in and around the Diocese of Owensboro. Across the Diocese Video Series

The Diocese of Owensboro Office of Safe Environment works for the protection of children, young people, and other vulnerable individuals entrusted to our care. For information, visit

Jerusalem As Capital Of Palestine

The views East Jerusalem as occupied territory according to . The Palestinian Authority claims Jerusalem, including the , as the capital of the State of Palestine, The PLO claims that West Jerusalem is also subject to permanent status negotiations. However, it has stated that it would be willing to consider alternative solutions, such as making Jerusalem an .

The PLO’s position is that East Jerusalem, as defined by the pre-1967 municipal boundaries, shall be the capital of Palestine and West Jerusalem the capital of Israel, with each state enjoying full sovereignty over its respective part of the city and with its own municipality. A joint development council would be responsible for coordinated development.

Some states, such as and , recognize the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. affirmed that the Palestinian people have the right to sovereignty over East Jerusalem.

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*new* 2023 Mass Schedule

Beginning in 2023 St. Stephen will have a new Mass Schedule. Please make a note of it!

Mondays: 8am English

Tuesdays: 8am English, 7pm Spanish

Wednesdays: 8am English, 7pm Spanish

Thursdays: 8am English, 7pm Spanish, 3rd Thursday of the Month 7pm Healing Mass

Fridays: 8am English, 1st Friday of the Month 7pm Spanish

Saturdays: 8am English, 3-4pm Confessions, 4:30pm English, 6pm Spanish

Sundays: 7:30am English, 9:00 Spanish, 11:00 am English, 12:45pm Spanish, 4pm English, 5:30pm Creole

Status Under Israeli Rule

Following the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel extended its jurisdiction and administration over East Jerusalem, establishing new municipal borders.

In 2010, Israel approved legislation giving Jerusalem the highest national priority status in Israel. The law prioritized construction throughout the city, and offered grants and tax benefits to residents to make housing, infrastructure, education, employment, business, tourism, and cultural events more affordable. Communications Minister said that the bill sent “a clear, unequivocal political message that Jerusalem will not be divided”, and that “all those within the Palestinian and international community who expect the current Israeli government to accept any demands regarding Israel’s sovereignty over its capital are mistaken and misleading”.

In April 2017, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced it viewed Western Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in the context of UN-approved principles which include the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. On 15 December 2018, officially recognized West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but said their embassy in Tel Aviv would stay until a two-state resolution was settled. The decision was reversed in October 2022.

Government precinct and national institutions

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Divided City: Jordanian And Israeli Rule

As the British Mandate for Palestine was expiring, the recommended “the creation of a special international regime in the City of Jerusalem, constituting it as a under the administration of the UN.” The international regime was to remain in force for a period of ten years, whereupon a referendum was to be held in which the residents were to decide the future regime of their city. However, this plan was not implemented, as the , while the British withdrew from Palestine and .

In contradiction to the Partition Plan, which envisioned a separated from the Arab state and the Jewish state, Israel took control of the area which later would become West Jerusalem, along with Jordan took control of East Jerusalem, along with the West Bank. The war led to displacement of Arab and Jewish populations in the city. The 1,500 residents of the of the Old City were expelled and a few hundred taken prisoner when the Arab Legion captured the quarter on 28 May. Arab residents of , , and the were driven from their homes. By the time of the armistice that ended active fighting, Israel had control of 12 of Jerusalem’s 15 Arab residential quarters. An estimated minimum of 30,000 people had become refugees.

• Israeli policemen meet a near the .

• of flying over the in East Jerusalem when it was under Jordanian control, 1965.

St Stephens Catholic Church In The Fifth Century And The Current Basilica

The first temple was built to commemorate the martyrdom in the 5th century when Empress Eudoci had a chapel dedicated to St. Stephen built on the site of the current basilica and was buried there after her death. Unfortunately, the chapel was destroyed with the arrival of the Persians in 614 and the subsequent siege of Jerusalem.

St. Sophronius built a small church in 638, which was later restored. And enlarged by the Crusaders before being destroyed by them so that it did not fall into the hands of Sultan Saladin.

The French Dominicans conquered the site of the ancient Crusader ruins in the nineteenth century. They built the convent and the current basilica, consecrated in 1900.

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Flea Market Schedule 2023

Come to our great St. Stephen Flea Markets. Vendors from all over the area, from fruit sellers to garage sales, inhabit our North and East parking lots once a month. If you need to sell some goods or just want to look around there is stuff for you! To reserve a space call the rectory at …954-987-1100.

Growth Group Parish Community

Be Part of our Online Parish Growth Groups Community!

Join the Parish Growth Groups Community by downloading the app or participating online from your computer, tablet, or mobile device! Welcome to all parishioners! Get inspired! See what your fellow parishioners are thinking and talking about their faith! Everyone is welcome! Click the button below to learn more! Click on the picture or this link to !

WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS,

We are always in the process of updating our website to make it better for our HCJ-SBJL Community. If you have suggestions or some links are not working well, please feel free to send us a note! We will fix it!

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Programs To Enlighten And Bless

RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation For Adults Are you interested in learning about the Catholic Church? Are you presently Catholic and havent been Confirmed? Sr. Angela is available to assist you in your faith journey. Contact: or call 443-955-1198.

Scripture Study Summer offering: This Amazing Mass in July/August. In-person on Wednesday afternoons 1pm to 2:15pm. or virtual offering on Wednesday evenings 7pm to 8:15pm. Contact: Sr. Angela at or call 443-955-1198.

Annulment Advocacy: What is an annulment? This investigative process is not simply a legal one. For the Petitioner and Respondent, the honest examination of the breakdown in the marriage can also be a source of healing and reconciliation. Sr. Angela, an Archdiocesan Annulment Advocate, is available to journey with you through this process. Contact: or 443-955-1198.

Our Lady Of Altagracia Novena Prayer

Join us for a Novena Prayer to Our Lady of Altagracia starting Tuesday, January 10th to Saturday January 21st at 7:30pm in the Church, except on Sunday January 15th when it will take place during the Creole Mass at 5:30pm.

Come on Saturday 21Th at 6 pm and Join us to Procession to Our Lady of Altagrace, Mass and We will sharing delicious food.

Unanse a nuestra Novena de la Señora de Altagracia en Inglés, Español y Creole empezando en el martés 10 de Enero hasta el Sábado 21 de Enero a las 7:30pm en la Iglesia, excepto el Domingo 15 de enero ya que se realizará durante la Misa en Creole a las 5:30 pm.

El Sabado 21 de enero a las 6 pm se realizará la Procesión en Honor a nuestra Señora de Altagracia, continuarémos con misa y finalmente haremos un festejo con bebidas y alimentos.

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The Stoning Of Stephen

Stoning of Saint StephenGiovanni Battista Lucini

Thus castigated, the account is that the crowd could contain their anger no longer. However, Stephen looked up and cried, “Look! I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!” He said that the recently resurrected Jesus was standing by the side of God. The people from the crowd, who threw the first stones, laid their coats down so as to be able to do this, at the feet of a “young man named Saul” . Stephen prayed that the Lord would receive his spirit and his killers be forgiven, sank to his knees, and “fell asleep”. Saul “approved of their killing him.” In the aftermath of Stephen’s death, the remaining disciples except for the apostles fled to distant lands, many to Antioch.

Location of the martyrdom

The exact site of Stephen’s stoning is not mentioned in Acts instead there are two different traditions. One, claimed by noted French archaeologists Louis-Hugues Vincent and Félix-Marie Abel to be ancient, places the event at Jerusalem’s northern gate, while another one, dated by Vincent and Abel to the Middle Ages and no earlier than the 12th century, locates it at the eastern gate.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ii

Dear Parishioners

As I am sure you all are aware Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died today. As a community we would like to join the Royal Family and the country in honouring her faithful service to the nation and the Commonwealth .St. Stephen’s Catholic community expresses our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family In honour of our Queen, who was a faithful Christian throughout her life. If you would like to offer prayers and to light candles the church will be kept open from 7.30 a.m. till 9 p.m Friday to Sunday . Everybody is welcome to come and pray during this time. God Bless us all.

Fr. John Victor -Parish Priest

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General Hcj & Sbjl Information

Parish Mission Statement:

We, the Roman Catholic Parishes of Holy Child Jesus and St Benedict Joseph Labre , striving to be a faith-filled community, commit ourselves to live a deeper life with Jesus and to celebrate His Gospel in worship and service as witnesses of His presence, thereby enriching the spiritual life of our parish and community with His love. We further commit ourselves to the causes of social justice and equality for all. Aware of this Christian call, we hope to accomplish our mission through liturgy, education, service, and example for the individual, the family, and the entire community.

Holy Child Jesus Church

111-11 86th Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11418

St. Benedict Joseph Labre

94-40 118th Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11419

PARISH OFFICES

Holy Child Jesus – The Leonard Center

86-13 112th Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11418

HOURS:

94-40 118th St, Richmond Hill, NY 11419

HOURS:

All Other Days CLOSED

Holy Child Jesus Catholic Academy

Your Ongoing Giving Is Deeply Appreciated

We recognize as we welcome back everyone to mass as the phase two gathering protocols provide a relaxation of the previous mandatory requirements such as face masks, which are strongly encouraged but now optional. That many families are still adjusting to the changes and have been longing for normalcy. To read more about the phase two Covid-19 Gathering Protocols issued by our Bishop, .

While we are in transition, we are all ready to have the pandemic well past us. Our weekly collections must also continue to sustain our operations and care for the Church. Your giving still matters. Over 90% of our operating budget comes from your donations. We as a parish need your support.

For many of you, your weekly donations traveled with you as you attended Sunday Mass. Understandably the pandemic prevented many from coming to mass for many months. We encourage you to either mail in your weekly donation or better yet, to sign up for recurring giving online. I realize we live in difficult times. However, I ask you to continue your generous support of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.

Please prayerfully consider making a donation today to support your Parish.

Always remember You are the Church. You are the Body of Christ.

With profound gratitude,

Fr. Rodney, Fr. Kevin & The St. Stephen’s Administration

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Views Of Stephen’s Speech

Saint StephenLuis de Morales

Of the numerous speeches in Acts of the Apostles, Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin is the longest. To the objection that it seems unlikely that such a long speech could be reproduced in the text of Acts exactly as it was delivered, some Biblical scholars have replied that Stephen’s speech shows a distinctive personality behind it.

There are at least five places where Stephen’s re-telling of the stories of Israelite history diverges from the scriptures where these stories originated for instance, Stephen says that Jacob’s tomb was in Shechem, but Genesis 50:13 says Jacob’s body was carried and buried in a cave in Machpelah at Hebron. Some theologians argue that these may not be discrepancies, but rather a condensing of historical events for people who were already familiar with them. That Jacob’s body was carried to a final resting place in Shechem is not recorded in Genesis, though it does not exclude the possibility that his bones were transferred to Shechem for a final burial place, as was done with the bones of Jacob’s son Joseph, as described in Joshua 24:32 Other scholars consider them as errors. Still others interpret them as deliberate choices making theological points. Another possibility is that the discrepancies come from an ancient Jewish tradition which was not included in the scriptures or may have been popular among people of Jerusalem who were not scribes.

Historical Role And Public Image

The Armenian Apostolic Church is “seen by many as the custodian of Armenian national identity”. “Beyond its role as a religious institution, the Apostolic Church has traditionally been seen as the foundational core in the development of the Armenian national identity as God’s uniquely chosen people.” According to a 2018 survey by the , in Armenia 82% of respondents say it is very or somewhat important to be a Christian to be truly Armenian.

According to a 2015 survey 79% of people in Armenia trust it, while 12% neither trust it nor distrust it, and 8% distrust the church.

As both Eastern and Western Armenia became under Persian and Ottoman rule, the Armenian Apostolic Church was the centre of many Armenian liberation activities..

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St Stephen Catholic Church

Office open Mon-Thurs from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.email:

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St Stephens Speech: The People Of Israel And The Ways Of The Lord

St Stephen was one of the apostles most confident men he spoke and defended Jesus very well, which caused some consternation among the Jews. As a result, according to tradition, he was brought before the nations Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin, to be accused of false witnesses. Who argued that Stephen claimed Jesus would destroy the temple and abolish the laws of Moses.

However, the saint did not panic on the contrary, he delivered an impressive speech in which he recalled the entire history of the people of Israel . And urged the Jews to repentance, chastising them for not only not recognizing the Savior but also crucifying him.

They dragged him out of town and stoned him, filled with rage.

Those who stoned him left their clothes next to a young man named Saul , who approved of the crime. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, Stephen said as they stoned him. Lord, do not hold this sin against them, he shouted, kneeling. And with that, he died.

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St Stephens Catholic Church: A Descriptive Study

We know very little about Stephens life before this appointment. His name is Greek, implying that he was a Hellenist. That is a Jew who was born in a foreign land and whose native language was Greek. However, according to a 5th-century tradition, Stephanos was simply the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic Kelil . Which may have been the protomartyrs original name and was inscribed on a slab found in his tomb.

Stephen did not appear to be a proselyte, as the fact that Nicholas is the only one of the seven named as such suggests that the others were Jewish by birth. It has been recommended that Stephen was a disciple of Gamaliel based on his able defense before the Sanhedrin. But this has not been proven.

We also dont know when or under what circumstances he became a Christian. Its debatable whether St. Epiphanius claim that Stephen was one of the seventy disciples is accurate. His ministry as a deacon appears to have been primarily among Hellenistic converts. With whom the apostles were initially less acquainted.