Month Archives: January 2026

Confessions for the Altar Guild   An old custom at St. Stephen’s, that has probably not been communicated to the younger generation of guild members or to the parish in some time, is a privilege for altar servers to “cut the line” for confessions before Mass. This is to allow them the opportunity for confession, which otherwise might not be possible for them, as usually the confessors have left the box by the time Mass is concluded and the servers have finished their duties at the altar. Servers, after they …

Renewal of the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary A thirty-day novena in preparation for the renewal of the Fraternity’s consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is being organized this year. It will begin on Sunday, January 11, and end on February 11, the anniversary of the consecration, when the act of consecration will be publicly renewed. The preparatory thirty-day novena will consist of the daily recitation of a decade of the Rosary and the Memorare. To conclude this thirty-day novena, the General House, the seminaries, the North American Province, and the Districts …

Chant Participation   I encourage all of the faithful to participate in the chant and hymns of the sacred liturgy, namely: the Ordinary of the Mass (on the hymn board, e.g. K9), the Creed (on the hymn board, e.g. C3), the posted hymns – found in the pew hymnals, and the Marian Antiphon at the conclusion of the Divine Office. I hope within a few years that all the faithful can be comfortable with these essential elements of our Catholic patrimony. Please do not be shy! Parish Donation Envelopes   …

Holy Water in General Holy water is a sacramental, almost certainly of apostolic origin. The Apostolic Constitutions ascribes the institution of the blessing of water to St. Matthias the Apostle. Concerning the water and the oil, I, Matthias make a constitution. Let the bishop bless the water, or the oil. But if he be not there, let the presbyter bless it, the deacon standing by. But if the bishop be present, let the presbyter and deacon stand by, and let him say thus: O Lord of hosts, the God of powers, the creator of the waters, and the supplier of oil, who art compassionate, …

Know, dear brethren, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior.   On the eighteenth day of February will fall Ash Wednes-day, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.   On the fifth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.   On the fourteenth day of May will be …

Priests Away from the Parish   I ask all the faithful to be mindful of the fact that we will be down a priest for the next six weeks or so, until Wed, Feb 18. Epiphany Water Blessing   The Epiphany water blessing will be held on Mon, Jan 5, after the 6 pm Mass, in the church. Some notes, please read carefully:   This blessed water should foster a real devotion to the mysteries of Epiphany, namely: the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Our Lord, and the …