MASSES FOR THE WEEKSATURDAY, MARCH 5th 4:30 p.m. BILL SHARKEY by Folino FamilySUNDAY, MARCH 6th FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

9:30 a.m. VOCATIONS by N.C.W.C.MONDAY, MARCH 7th

NO MASSTUESDAY, MARCH 8th

8:30 a.m. IRMA LEFTER by Anna Mae Kuchna, Betty Bahmer, Margaret FeltonWEDNESDAY, March 9th

NO MASSTHURSDAY, MARCH 10th 8:30 a.m REGINA HOLLOWAY by Dorothy ConklinFRIDAY, MARCH 11th

NO MASS3:00 p.m. STATIONS OF THE CROSS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12th 4:30 p.m. EDDY & BETTY ENTLER by FamilySUNDAY, MARCH 13th FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

9:30 a.m. GAY KROK by Diane & Nick Rosian

NOTE: If you would like to bring up the offertory gifts during a Mass that is scheduled for a family member or friend please see the ushers before Mass.

PLEASE NOTE: If you need to have communion brought to you at your seat, please notify the ushers before Mass.

WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP: ATTENDANCE: Saturday, February 20, 2016 4:30 p.m. Mass 165 Sunday, February 21, 2016 9:30 a.m. Mass 172

STEWARDSHIP: LAST WEEK YTD (33 wks) WEEKLY BUDGETED $5,788.00 $ 196,792.00 SUNDAY OFFERING $4,704.04 $ 185,533.72 Surplus / (Deficit) ($1,083.96) ($11,258.28)

184 Envelopes

DEBT REDUCTION: SECOND COLLECTION -0- $11,261.62

Past Debt owed to DOY 06/30/2015 $263,984.00 Past Debt owed Exponent 06/30/2015 $38,709.00

TOTAL OWED 06/30/2015 $302,693.00 Debt reduction payment sent 12/30/.2015 - $ 8,949.09

BALANCE OWED 12/30/2015 $293,743.91 Additional collected since 12/30/2015 in second collection but not yet sent $2,312.53

Thank you for your continued support of your parish.

THEME: EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIVES CAN BE HOLY, AS GOD IS EVER AT WORK IN OUR LIVES.Too many people think the experience Moses had was a once-in-a-lifetime event. The truth is that every moment is a holy moment, as God is always at work in our lives. The challenge is to continue to grow in our faith and love for the Lord, so that we may recognize the many and varied

ST S

TEP

HE

N C

HU

RC

HN

ILES

, OH

IOFebruary 28

th , 2016P

AG

E 1

E

ways he is present with us. If we do this, we cooperate with the Lord’s grace and help build up his kingdom on earth.

LITURGY OF THE WORDThe first reading from Exodus recalls God revealing himself, and speaking to Moses from a burning bush in the desert. The second reading reminds us not to grumble like our ancestors in the dessert did. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree and we learn that God offers us many chances to repent and bear fruit.

FAMILY PERSPECTIVEThe owner of the fig tree was impatient because the tree did not live up to his expectations. In families there are those who don’t live up to our expectations. Imitate the gardener and give them more time and help. Don’t cut them out of your life. Love asks us to be connected, not productive.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT “He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none.’” (Luke 13:7)Are you like the barren fig tree? How will you respond when God asks you what you have done with all the gifts He has given you? Remember, not only are we called to be generous, we are called to develop and nurture our gifts and return with increase.

REMINDER...SECOND COLLECTION FOR DEBT REDUCTION.*Any time there is a Diocesan second collection, we will suspend our debt reduction second collection for that week. Of course you may still use your debt reduction envelope at any time.

PARISH NEWS“MORE THAN JUST THE CHURCH BULLETIN”

Please be sure to visit our website: www.ststephenchurchniles.com.

ETERNAL FLAME INTENTIONS - Week of FEBRUARY 28th

IN MEMORY OF EDDIE & BETTY ENTLER by FamilyIN MEMORY OF CECILIA MARLEY

by Peggy McCaughtry

SANCTUARY LAMP INTENTIONIN MEMORY OF MARY ALICE BAKER

By M/M George Baker, Sr.

MINISTRIES TO THE SICK/HOMEBOUNDDo you know someone who would welcome the opportunity to receive the Eucharist at home? Please call the parish @ 330-652-4396 and they will be added to our visitation list.

VOCATIONS“I AM has sent me to you.” Like Moses, the Lord comes to each of us and invites us to follow his path. Could the Lord be calling you to proclaim His name as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Call Fr. Christopher Luoni (330) 744-8451, or by email at: cluoni@youngstowndiocese.org.

CEMETERY CLEAN-UPThe caretaker at St. Stephen Cemetery asks that all Christmas decorations be removed from graves by March 14. Any left after that date will be discarded. New spring decorations WILL NOT be removed.

ST S

TEP

HE

N C

HU

RC

HN

ILES

, OH

IOFebruary 28

th , 2016P

AG

E 2

One of our Eucharistic Ministers left his black leather jacket in the sacristy several weeks ago. If anyone has found it, please call the rectory 330-652-4396.

THANK YOU to Steve Simunich & Dennis McNamara for clearing the sidewalks at church, when the snow blower was broken.

Serving Mass MARCH 5th & 6th

Eucharistic Minister BreadMar. 5th J. Cullivan Mar. 6th T. SmaltzEucharistic Ministers CupMar. 5th J. Abraham/ J. YuhaszMar. 6th N. Hlad/ S. SylvesterLectorsMar. 5th A. GrannyMar. 6th M. SylvesterAltar Servers Mar. 5th F. Burke/ P. WilsonMar. 6th A. Butler/ D. McNamaraSacristans Mar. 5th D. DonnellyMar. 6th C. McGuirk

TUESDAY, MARCH 1st…….LITURGY COMMITTEE MEETING-6:30 at the rectory.

MONDAY, MARCH 7th …….PARISH COUNCIL MEETING-6:30 at the rectory.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15th......GRIEF 101- St. Stephen Bereavement Ministry is sponsoring a workshop presented by personnel from HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY. Grief 101 will take place at the rectory @ 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is requested. Please call the rectory @330-652-4396 to reserve your spot.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19th....LUCK OF THE IRISH ~ Reverse raffle and dinner at Ciminero’s Since we no longer have our Parish Sweepstakes, Luck of the Irish is the main

fundraiser for our Parish. We ask every family to participate in one way or another…attend, purchase a number or donate a basket. ALL DONATIONS MUST BE TURNED IN BY MARCH 11 in order to appear in our program. Bring

your donations to the rectory during office hours or bring with you to Mass. Please make sure all are labeled LOI and have donor name for recognition. We are in need of baskets and supplies to assemble baskets (filler paper, cellophane, ribbon, etc.) If you have any questions, please call Julie Abraham @ 330-544-8833 or Carol Hrosar @ 330-647-4187. This is such an enjoyable evening. If you have never attended, please consider it this year. Have fun and help your parish! We have been informed by the committee that there was a discrepancy between the printed tickets and the letters that were in the bulletin. The correct prices are: Raffle & dinner $50; Raffle alone $30; and Dinner alone $25. TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AFTER MASSES.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20th….ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be held following the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Please plan to attend.

ST S

TEP

HE

N C

HU

RC

HN

ILES

, OH

IOFebruary 28

th , 2016P

AG

E 3

More information at a later date.

BISHOP’S APPEAL UPDATEThe 2016 Bishop’s Appeal continues as we strive to meet our parish goal of $33,368.00. Remember that anything given above and beyond our goal will be rebated back to our parish for our own use. If you have not yet made your gift or pledge, please prayerfully consider doing so and place your envelope in the Sunday collection basket for the next two weeks. We will forward all envelopes to Catholic Charities for processing.

IN THE COMMUNITYTHE SERRA CLUB is sponsoring a TNT comedy “DRINKING HABITS”Sunday, March 6 @ 3 PM. Two nuns are secretly making wine to save the convent. Tickets are $15. And are available by calling Frank Burke @ 330-652-1232. Food and drink served at 2 pm and at intermission.

NILES COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARCH FOOD COLLECTION - PEANUT BUTTER and JELLY

HARRIET’S CUPBOARD – MARCH- TOOTHPASTE & TOOTHBRUSHES… There is a large basket in the vestibule of the church for those who wish to help with this mission of Catholic

Charities.

COMMUNITY SUPPERS...MARCH- OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH Suppers are free and open to the public on Thursdays from 4:45 to 6:00 p.m.

THE 50th ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE NILES INTERFAITH BANQUET will be held on April 2nd @ Ciminero’s Banquet Center. Tickets are $20.—and are available at the rectory.

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH---PIROHY SALE… March 4th ~KOLACHI…Mar. 11th, EASTER BREAD.. MARCH 18th Four varieties. (potato, sweet cabbage, sauerkraut, and lekvar [prune]) Cost: $5.50 dozen. Haluski $3.75 1 ½ lb. bag. Call in advance orders on Wednesday and Thursday from noon -4:00 p.m. at 330-393-0781.Pick up on Friday Mar. 4th noon till 4.KOLACHI bake sale will be held on Friday, March 11th. Nut, Apricot, Poppyseed and Lekvar. Cost: $9. You may place an order at our pirohy sale or by calling 330-393-0781. Pick-up noon-4:00 p.m. EASTER BREAD will be sold on March 18th from noon-4 p.m. Cost: $5. When you leave your order, please leave name and phone number or order will not be filled. Thank you.

The Year of Mercy...Calendar of EventsJanuary.... Instructing the People of GodFebruary... Sheltering the Homeless and Less FortunateMarch... Forgiving Offenses and Bearing Wrongs PatientlyApril... Counseling/Advising the DoubtfulMay... Visiting the Homebound and ImprisonedJune… Consoling the SinnerJuly... Comforting the AfflictedAugust... Clothing the NakedSeptember... Feeding the Hungry-Giving Drink to the ThirstyOctober... Visiting the Sick

ST S

TEP

HE

N C

HU

RC

HN

ILES

, OH

IOFebruary 28

th, 2016P

AG

E 4

November... Praying for the Living and DeadSUN., NOV. 20: Solemn Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m. St. Columba Cathedral