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St. Stephen the First MartyrWelcome toBackForwardPauseCaption
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ZENIT News / Vatican City, 04.21.2025
In the hours of the morning on April 21, the Catholic Church was shaken by the announcement that Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome, had died at 7:35 a.m. local time. The news was delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell: “With deep pain, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning, at 7:35, the Bishop of Rome returned to the house of the Father.”
Francis’ death marks the end of a papacy that was anything but ordinary. Elected in 2013 after the historic resignation of Benedict XVI, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis—signaling a pontificate centered on humility, simplicity, and radical care for the marginalized.
Over the course of more than a decade, Pope Francis redefined what papal leadership could look like in the 21st century. He stepped beyond Vatican walls with the urgency of a pastor who wanted to meet people where they were: washing the feet of prisoners, embracing refugees, denouncing the “globalization of indifference,” and reminding the world again and again that “reality is greater than ideas.”
He championed the poor, not just in speech but in action, calling the Church to become a “field hospital after battle.” His encyclicals—Laudato Si’ on the environment and Fratelli Tutti on social fraternity—resonated far beyond Catholic circles, weaving together moral theology, ecological urgency, and calls for political responsibility.
His was a papacy shaped not by grandeur but by gestures: the silent prayer at Lampedusa for drowned migrants; the image of him alone in a rain-slicked St. Peter’s Square during the pandemic, blessing a wounded world; the countless off-the-cuff encounters that brought dignity to the forgotten.
In Cardinal Farrell’s tribute, he recalled how Francis had “taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.” That, perhaps, is the heart of Francis’ legacy: a Gospel lived in action, stripped of pretense, filled with mercy.
Though his health had declined in recent years, and his appearances were less frequent, Francis remained intellectually vigorous and pastorally present to the end. He continued to speak of synodality, of the Church listening before speaking, and of a faith that walks with others, rather than judges from above. May he rest in peace, and may the Church he loved find in his memory a renewed courage to live what he preached.
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Prayer to St. Stephen The First MartyrOur Parish Prayer
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WITNESS
Dear St. Stephen the Martyr, you gave your life as a witness to your faith in Jesus Christ. I ask that you intercede for me and help me to live a life of faith and courage, even in the face of adversity.
PRAY
Dear St. Stephen, you contemplated the glory of God and prayed for your oppressors as you were being stoned to death. I ask that you help me to always pray for my neighbor as we draw closer to our Lord, just as you did.
WORSHIP
Dear St. Stephen, you were chosen to worship at the altar as deacon. I ask that you help me thirst for the Sacraments of our Lord and burn with zeal for the spread of His Kingdom.
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SERVE
Dear St. Stephen, you answered your call to serve as a deacon to work great wonders and signs among the people. I ask that through our service may we be more Christlike to those we encounter.Dear St. Stephen, you were full of grace and power, working great wonders and signs among the people. I ask that you help me to have a similar faith, that I may always grow in love and knowledge of God.
BECOME A SAINT
Dear St. Stephen, you are now in heaven, in the presence of God. I ask that you intercede for me that I may receive the graces I need to become a Saint so that in the Communion of Saints we may bask in the glory of the Lord forever and ever. Amen.
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Saturday, April 26, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PMEaster Campus Cleanup - April 26 All are welcome to assist with some outdoor Spring Clean Up on our parish campus. The Garden Ministry is leading the clean up this Saturday, April 26 from 1pm - 3pm. Garden gloves and tools/rakes are helpful! Please meet at the front entrance of the church for a short prayer and instruction.Read More
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Sunday, April 27Please join us for fellowship and refreshments in the atrium following all Masses this weekend. Donations of baked goods are always welcome and appreciated!Read More
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Sunday, April 27, 3:00 PMDivine Mercy Sunday - April 27, 3pm Reflection offered by Monsignor Robert Tyrala Confessions Divine Mercy Chaplet Adoration Our parish is blessed to be receiving a relic of Pope Saint John Paul II.Read More
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Monday, April 28, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Tuesday, April 29, 7:00 PMat National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. CarmelRead More
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Friday, May 02, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PMKnights of Columbus Cash for Gold Fundraiser May 2, 5pm - 8pm May 3, 10am - 1pm Parish Community Center's Conference Room Receive cash on the spot! Reservations are recommended and walk-ins are welcome. Please call 973-618-6920Read More
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Friday, May 02, 8:30 PM - 11:30 PM*PLEASE NOTE - ADORATION ENDS ON SATURDAY 8:30AM WITH BENEDICTION. “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?” ~ Matthew 26:40 Holy Hour is about cultivating our relationship with Jesus. The Christian life is about being in a personal relationship with Christ, which is expressed most powerfully in the Holy Hour with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. As St Alphonsus Liguori stated; “Of all the devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” (CCC 1418) There is no formalized way to spend a Holy Hour, but there are several suggestions; pray the Rosary, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, read Scripture, the Psalms and other spiritual literature, thank God for your blessings, ask for forgiveness, bring the petitions of all those who have asked for your prayers, write in a prayer journal, or you can sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament and do nothing at all… simply basking in His Presence, letting Him love you. Many graces and blessings are received from Eucharistic Adoration resulting in peace, healing, and making reparations for ourselves and the world; deepening our union with God and bringing everyone closer to Christ Jesus. Please consider taking the time to adore Jesus and commit to just one hour a month on First Fridays from 7:30 pm to 8:30 Saturday mornings (except for the months of January and February). The Master is waiting for us, let us watch one hour with Him and listen to His call. Immerse yourself in the Real Presence, allow yourself to be transformed, become an adorer. Thank you for your prayerful consideration, please call the Church office @ 845-986-4028 with your contact information, or email Anna at [email protected] “A Holy Hour of Adoration in our modern rat race is necessary for authentic prayer” Venerable Fulton SheenRead More
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Saturday, May 03, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMKnights of Columbus Cash for Gold Fundraiser May 2, 5pm - 8pm May 3, 10am - 1pm Parish Community Center's Conference Room Receive cash on the spot! Reservations are recommended and walk-ins are welcome. Please call 973-618-6920Read More
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Saturday, May 03, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PMPerennial Exchange - May 3, 3PM The Garden Ministry is hosting a Perennial Exchange on Saturday, May 3. ***This is a date change. Bring a plant a take a plant! This FREE event is open to the public. Stop by the Pennings Field Parking Lot! For more information, contact Melyssa at [email protected].Read More
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Sunday, May 04Mother's Day Hanging Basket Plant Sale Order the weekend of May 3 & 4 Pick up weekend of May 10 & 11 Sponsored by the Garden MinistryRead More
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Monday, May 05, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Thursday, May 08, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AMDesign and craft a flower crown. Fresh flowers, crown supplies, and light refreshments will be provided. Cost is $10 per person making a crown and $20 for a family pass. Come back at 3:30 pm and join the Sodality of Our Lady for their annual May Crowing featuring music and a Living Rosary.Read More
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Monday, May 12, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Monday, May 19, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Monday, May 26, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Sunday, June 01, 2:30 PMArchdiocese of New York The Golden Jubilee Mass for Couples Celebrating 50 years of Marriage during 2025 Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM Saint Patrick’s Cathedral His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Celebrant All those who wish to attend need to contact the Parish Office to register. Registration will close on Friday, May 9. Pews will be reserved for Golden Jubilee couples only. Up to four (4) additional family and friends will be accommodated in pews outside of the reserved section in general seating. All Golden Jubilee couples will receive a commemorative certificate. Couples who are unable to attend the Mass can request a certificate through their parish.Read More
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Monday, June 02, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Friday, June 06, 8:30 PM - 11:30 PM*PLEASE NOTE - ADORATION ENDS ON SATURDAY 8:30AM WITH BENEDICTION. “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?” ~ Matthew 26:40 Holy Hour is about cultivating our relationship with Jesus. The Christian life is about being in a personal relationship with Christ, which is expressed most powerfully in the Holy Hour with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. As St Alphonsus Liguori stated; “Of all the devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” (CCC 1418) There is no formalized way to spend a Holy Hour, but there are several suggestions; pray the Rosary, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, read Scripture, the Psalms and other spiritual literature, thank God for your blessings, ask for forgiveness, bring the petitions of all those who have asked for your prayers, write in a prayer journal, or you can sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament and do nothing at all… simply basking in His Presence, letting Him love you. Many graces and blessings are received from Eucharistic Adoration resulting in peace, healing, and making reparations for ourselves and the world; deepening our union with God and bringing everyone closer to Christ Jesus. Please consider taking the time to adore Jesus and commit to just one hour a month on First Fridays from 7:30 pm to 8:30 Saturday mornings (except for the months of January and February). The Master is waiting for us, let us watch one hour with Him and listen to His call. Immerse yourself in the Real Presence, allow yourself to be transformed, become an adorer. Thank you for your prayerful consideration, please call the Church office @ 845-986-4028 with your contact information, or email Anna at [email protected] “A Holy Hour of Adoration in our modern rat race is necessary for authentic prayer” Venerable Fulton SheenRead More
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Monday, June 09, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PMEvery Monday after 9AM MassRead More
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Friday, June 13, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMCraft rose water with local roses. Our newly made rose water will be blessed and become a specially scented Holy Water.Read More
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