St. Stephen Catholic Church

As we begin our 40 days for life campaign; I wish to clearly state the official teaching of the church as stated in the Catechism number 2271:

"Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law."

There is NO moral justification for the killing of an innocent child. Every human life is valued because every human life is a reflection of God’s love to the world.

You can have political leaning to the right, you can have political leaning to the left, however, you can never, with a clean soul, claim you have the right to kill a child because it is convenient to your lifestyle, or you judge they could not have a quality life. We are not the masters of life and death; we are not God!

Pope Francis challenges us: “Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you. No child should be deprived of the right to be born, the right to be fed, the right to go to school.”

We, as a faith community, will pray, sacrifice, and keep vigil, these next 40 days, and if you hear the call of the Spirit, to give public witness to your belief by praying outside an abortion clinic, St. Stephen will be at the 2010 Fletcher abortion clinic on Saturday, Oct 8 from 8 AM to 5 PM. Also, each 2nd Saturday of the month you can pray outside the clinic with other parishioners, or you can come to the parish and pray a Rosary in community after the morning Mass. During these 40 days before Weekend Masses a special decade of the Rosary will be prayed.

Let not deception fool your heart and conscience. No matter what you may hear in advertisements no matter what politicians say: the Catholic Church and all persons of good will, will stand for life! We must defend those who have no one else to defend them. We must love those who others consider unlovable.
 
We are people of life, because Jesus Christ tells us in the Gospel of John, “I have come so that you may have life and have life abundantly.” 

Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Dermot

Hurricane Ian has caused significant damage throughout the state of Florida. Many in the most impacted areas have lost everything. In response to the devastation the Diocese of St. Petersburg is asking for donations for their Disaster Relief Fund. One hundred percent of the funds collected will benefit people affected by natural disasters including Hurricane Ian.

If you would like be part of the response by giving you can give your donations through the parish during the second collection that will take place this weekend, October 08-09, or please visit: dosp.org/disasterrelief/  

To read the letter from the Bishop click here

Donations can also be sent by mail to:
Disaster Relief Fund
Diocese of St. Petersburg
P.O. Box 40200
St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0200