Graduation Time!

Graduation Exercises for Students from St. Stephen - St. Edward School:

Wednesday, June 11 - 8th Grade Graduation Dinner Dance
Friday, June 13 - 8th Grade Graduation Mass and Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. in church
Monday, June 16 - Pre-K Graduation at 1:00 p.m. in the gym
Tuesday - Kindergarten Graduation at 1:00 p.m. in the church

Congratulations to all and thanks to our Faculty & Staff for a job well done!

Funeral Mass - Catherine Matula

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Catherine Matula on Wednesday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Casameno J. Polizze

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Casameno Polizze on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

The Cenacle

Pope Francis just came back from the Holy Land

1)    Inviting the two leaders to come to Rome & pray

2)    Praying at the dividing wall.

3)    Yad Vashem  "O Adam, where are you?"

4)    Mass in “The Cenacle”  Latin from cena – dinner. The Upper Room

 Upper Room on Mount Zion – just outside old city of Jerusalem.

Mt. Zion:  Catholic Cemetery (Oskar Shindler), Dormition Abbey, Tomb of David, Cenacle

Cenacle:  Last Supper – Gathered after Ascension – Pentecost – Sent Forth

 Holy Father – Cenacle speaks of:

1)    Service – the Washing of the Feet. Follow Jesus example of love. To serve the poor, sick and the outcast.

2)    Sacrifice – every Mass, Jesus offered Himself. So too, we can offer our lives, our work, our joys and sorrows. Offer it up! A spiritual sacrifice.

3)    Friendship – no longer servants but friends. To become a friend of the Lord Jesus – he is our friend – never alone – do not be afraid.

4)    Promise to Return – I will not leave you orphans. He will bring us to His Father’s house.

5)    Betrayal – by our sins, we betray Jesus.

6)    Fraternity, Harmony & Peace – From the Eucharist and from the Holy Spirit.

7)    New Family – church, a great family. WE find hope to keep moving forward, amid all the challenges and problems of life.

 Upper Room – almost impossible to have Mass there today. Only 2 times a year allowed: Holy Thursday and Pentecost. Special permission for the Pope. I visited Cenacle but offered Mass next door – in Dormition Abbey.

But as I always tell you, you do not have to travel to Mount Zion to find this – here in our Cenacle, here in our Upper Room, in the Sacraments, in one another, gathered in prayer with the Mother of Jesus, we receive what we need – so that WE can go forth! Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!

Change Of Pastors

Pastors of the Archdiocese of New York receive a six year term which is renewable, after an evaluation process, for another six years. Father Michael McLoughlin has completed twelve years as Pastor of St. Stephen’s. He has received a new assignment, effective this summer,  as Administrator of St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction. Father Jack Arlotta, presently the Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Highland Falls, will be the new Administrator of St. Stephen’s. Father Michael will offer Mass on Sunday, June 22 at 12:15 p.m. to be followed by a picnic on the church grounds. Hamburgers, hot dogs and bottled water will be provided free of charge. Bring whatever else you wish, including folding chairs. All are welcome! In case of bad weather, food will be served in the school. PLEASE NOTE – Help will be needed with set up on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m., and with serving the food (arrive 12 noon) and clean up (3:00 p.m.). Please call the parish office (986-4028) if you can assist. We thank the Warwick Valley Knights who have volunteered to cook.

Note about Administrator - Because the Archdiocese in the process of "Making All Things New," which may include the merging or closing of some parishes, Cardinal Dolan has determined that all of the assignments are as "Administrator" until the process is concluded.

Ascension Thursday

Masses will be offered on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. (school Mass) and at 7:30 p.m.

Pastors of St. Stephen's Church

I have been doing some research. This is the most accurate list of Pastors that I could come up with. If anyone has any additional information, please let me know!

Pastors of St. Stephen’s Church – Founded 1865

1786 – “Father Farmer” (Baptisms)

1865 – Rev. Benjamin O’Callaghan (First Mass)

1880 – Rev. Edward Byrnes (First Resident Pastor)

1889 - Rev. James Callaghan

1889 – Rev. John Creeden

1890 – Rev. John McCauley

1892 – Rev. Patrick Morris

1898 – Rev. Charles Meredith

1900 – Rev. P. J. Minogue

1907 – Rev. Peter Spellman

1914 – Rev. John Flynn

1921 – Rev. James Talbot

1924 – Rev. Matthew Duggan

1939 – Rev. Eugene MacDonald

1941 – Msgr. Joseph Grundner

1952 – Msgr. Joseph Kennedy

1954 – Rev. Thomas Egan

1959 – Msgr. Edward Monckton

1960 – Msgr. Henry Pregenser

1968 – Msgr. Thomas Crotty

1970 – Msgr. William Burke

1981 – Msgr. Bernard Corrigan

1997 – Msgr. Desmond O’Connor

2002 – Rev. Michael McLoughlin