News

  A couple of weeks ago, we made a small adjustment – ad experimentum – to the scheduling of the priests for confessions. On weekdays at the 7 am Mass, and at all confessions on Sundays, the current praxis remains unchanged. However, on weekdays at all Masses other than the 7 am Mass, instead of the celebrant hearing confessions before Mass and being relieved by a second confessor during Mass, we are having the second confessor simply arrive thirty minutes before Mass, and continue to hear confessions until Mass until the line of penitents is finished, always remaining, however, until after Mass has begun. A typical Thursday would look like this: 6:30 am Fr. Curtis hears confessions 7 am  Fr. Curtis says Mass 11:30 am Fr. Franco hears confessions (continuing during Mass) 12 pm  Fr. Lopez says Mass 5:30 pm Fr. Lopez hears confessions (continuing during Mass) 6 pm Fr. Franco says Mass   The advantages of this system are severalfold:   When I first arrived here, we had fewer weekday Masses and the number of penitents was generally much lower. I am hoping that this small adjustment will contribute to the overall sustainability of priestly ministry here at the

  We have compiled a handful of resources that may be helpful to parishioners with questions regarding the SSPX. They include: Open Letter to Confused SSPX’ers; On the SSPX Excommunications; and On Assisting at the Mass of Priests of the Society of Saint Pius X. Links below:   All of these are useful documents. I will highlight one particular point from the third linked article (from Art. 7, reply to objection 7), regarding the claim that without the SSPX, we would not have the Latin Mass: Archbishop Lefebvre’s movement was a real factor in the survival of the Traditional Latin Mass. But the objection rests on a counterfactual asserted as fact, and counterfactuals cut both ways: we cannot know what would have happened without the Society — nor how the ancient rite would have flourished under bishops with full pontifical mandate, had the Protocol of 1988 been upheld. What we do know is what did happen. The rite was never abolished, and permission for it, restricted but real, has never lapsed: the English indult of 1971, the indult of 1984, the Ecclesia Dei adflicta communities of 1988, the declaration of 2007 that the old Missal was never abrogated, and even the restrictions of

Adult Catechism   I encourage all parishioners to reach out to family members, friends, and co-workers that might be interested in learning about the Catholic faith. An excellent opener is: “Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic?” Or, “I’m going to be attending catechism classes at my parish, would you have any interest in joining me?” Depending on the response, you might assure the person that showing up for the classes –  and even registering – does not represent any firm commitment towards becoming Catholic; it is normal for people to attend the classes even if they are merely curious about or investigating the faith.   Our first class is Thursday, August 13 at 7 pm. Please note that parishioners with all their Sacraments need not apply in order to attend the class. Full schedule and registration are available at https://firstmartyr.com/become-catholic. For more details, those interested may e-mail me directly at frcurtis@fssp.com. Sr. Rebekah Kasak Clothing   Sister will be clothed and make her first temporary vows with the Benedictines on Monday, October 12. Rev. Mr. Matthew Lesinski, FSSP   Our deacon will remain at the parish until Friday, July 31. While he is here, expect to see him assisting with

  Father will be delayed in joining us, on account of the great number of transfers that took place this summer, which introduced many delays. His anticipated date of arrival is Wednesday, July 22; the plan is for him to take the evening Mass that day. I will be away on retreat when he arrives, but I look forward to welcoming him upon my return.   Fr. Lopez was born in San Diego, California, so this move represents a kind of return home for him. While I do not know him well, I have received innumerable good reports of his priesthood and character from many Fraternity priests, and I look forward to working alongside him.   He was ordained four years ago in May of 2022, and has spent his formative years as a parochial vicar in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I ask your prayers for his safe travel.   As Fr. Lopez is unlikely to arrive at the parish until July 22, we will be shorthanded for about three weeks. Please be patient if the priests are slow to respond to e-mails or other forms of communication.

  The schedule for next year’s adult catechism has been worked out. Classes will meet roughly every two weeks, on Thursdays at 7 pm, in the parish hall. Each class last about an hour and a half.   I encourage all parishioners to reach out to family members, friends, and co-workers that might be interested in learning about the Catholic faith. An excellent opener is: “Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic?” Or, “I’m going to be attending catechism classes at my parish, would you have any interest in joining me?” Depending on the response, you might assure the person that showing up for the classes –  and even registering – does not represent any firm commitment towards becoming Catholic; it is normal for people to attend the classes even if they are merely curious about or investigating the faith.   Our first class is Thursday, August 13 at 7 pm. Those interested in registering or in the full schedule can contact me by e-mail at frcurtis@fssp.com, or they can obtain forms from the parish bookstore. I will try to post the full schedule in next week’s bulletin, if possible.   Candidates can also be directed to the website page

Message from Fr. Schwab June 7, 2026   There is great joy this year for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter with the ordination of twelve new priests in Nebraska, and an additional thirteen more will be ordained from our seminary in Germany on the twentieth of this month of June. Twenty-five new priests for the FSSP! But with it comes some bittersweet news. To accompany the large number of newly ordained, there is a need for more transfers this year across North America. Therefore, I am officially announcing my transfer from St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish.   I am not yet at liberty of announcing my new assignment, as the paperwork is still being processed. And the date of transfer is yet to be determined as well. But as soon as it is finalized, you will be informed. In the remaining weeks of my time here, amidst the summer camps, I will do my best to be available around the parish for goodbyes. Words cannot express my gratitude to you all for the great blessing it has been to serve as one of your priests here at St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish. You will always have a

  Our annual parish festival, now on the first Saturday of every August (this year, August 1), is held in honor of our holy patron, St. Stephen the First Martyr. The festival coincides with the Feast of the Finding of the Relics of St. Stephen, which commemorates one of the most remarkable events in the early centuries of the Church. The discovery of the relics of our holy patron was a great source of encouragement to the early Church that was suffering the collapse of the Roman Empire under internal pressures and Gothic incursions (many thought the world was ending). His relics were solemnly presented all over the Christian world, and everywhere many miracles – even the dead brought back to life – were experienced by the faithful. St. Augustine shares a number of great miracles personally known to him, and then concludes that if he were to attempt to catalogue all of the miracles attributed to the relics, he should never be able to stop writing. Other Fathers of the Church also relate to us miracles attributed to the relics.   The parish festival includes an on-site roast of several pigs (hence the name), dinner, and a couple hours