Saint Stephen Church

05/13/2026

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Masses 6PM Saturday / 10AM Sunday

"...as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, 'Men of Galilee, why are you looking at the sky?' This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will return in the same way you have seen him going into heaven." Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11

As we prepare to celebrate the Ascension, this 2024 post featuring the center piece scene of the SSC mural is offered for your reflection.

05/13/2026

FIRST COMMUNION FOR SSC CCD STUDENTS
Communicants Crown Mary in Mother’s Day Tradition

Sunday’s 10AM Mass at Saint Stephen Church was joyously busy.

SSC CCD students Evan and Harry received their First Communion.

At the end of Mass, Fr. Kallaher offered a Mother’s Day blessing and flowers were distributed.

Then the congregation gathered at the Mary grotto outside the church as Fr. Tom Fitzsimmons led the traditional May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin. The First Communicants made the presentation of flowers.

The parishioners of Saint Stephen Church congratulate Evan and Harry - as well as their parents and family - on the occasion of their First Communion. Our thanks also to SSC CCD teacher Julie Clifton.

For more on the tradition of May Crowning see:
https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/devotion-may.../80840

05/13/2026

Deacon Daniel Jasek interned at Riverview Catholics in 2025.

05/01/2026

NO SUNDAY MASS @ SSC ON MAY 3
Flying Pig Marathon Hogs Eastern Avenue

Located at the twenty-mile point on the Flying Pig Marathon course, Saint Stephen Church will not be accessible by car on Sunday morning, May 3 – there will be no 10AM Mass.

6PM Saturday Vigil Mass at SSC will be celebrated at as usual.

St. Rose, also on the race course, will not have Sunday Masses.

For all Riverview Catholics Mass schedules see: https://riverviewcatholics.org/about-us/mass-times-2/

Flying Pig Marathon info: https://flyingpigmarathon.com/

05/01/2026

04/27/2026

SHALOM COALITION / HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
2nd Collections held at SSC & CTK

Saint Stephen Church parishioner and choir member Bob Brandstetter, an active builder in the Shalom Coalition of Habitat for Humanity (HFH), spoke briefly before last weekend’s Masses - at which second collections were held to benefit the Shalom Coalition’s work.

Bob Miller, a long-time Shalom Coalition builder and advocate, spoke recently at his home parish of Christ the King before their second collection to benefit this worthy ministry.

Did you miss giving? It is not too late to drop a contribution in the collection basket (envelopes are available at SSC) or you can mail your check to:

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati
4910 Para Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45237
Please indicate your parish on your check.

The Shalom Coalition is made up of ten area congregations (including SSC & CTK) that partner with HFH of Greater Cincinnati building affordable housing for families who might otherwise be unable to own a home. The Shalom Coalition’s 31st area build will begin in May in Madisonville.

For more information on the Shalom Coalition and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati: https://www.habitatcincinnati.org/faith-partners/shalom-coalition

To contact the Bobs directly on how you can join the build:
https://riverviewcatholics.org/9490-2/

04/17/2026

FR. TOM FITZSIMMONS RECEIVES AWARD
Knights of Columbus Recognize Lifetime of Service

Father Tom Fitzsimmons was recognized for sixty-three years of priesthood and service with a Lifetime Appreciation plaque at the Greater Cincinnati Chapter Knights of Columbus’ Salute to Religious and Vocations Dinner. The event took place April 9, 2026 at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Archbishop Robert Casey was the keynote speaker. Fr. Tom was nominated for the award by Saint Stephen Church parishioner Tony Russo of the Archbishop Moeller Council.

SSC’s retired priest-in-residence, Fr. Tom was ordained to the priesthood August 15, 1962. He has served in parishes throughout the archdiocese including seventeen years as the pastor of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Eaton and St. John the Evangelist in New Paris. He has resided at SSC since 2014. In addition to his other priestly duties, Fr. Tom presides at the SSC 9AM weekday Mass.

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.9 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people. Interested in the Knights of Columbus? See: https://riverviewcatholics.org/ministry/knights-of-columbus/

04/10/2026

SSC SERVES MEALS IN OTR
Reflecting Christ to Others

Volunteers from St Stephen Church continued their long-standing service at the St. Francis Seraph Ministries (SFSM) Mother Theresa Dining Room on Thursday, April 9. With our 2nd Thursday dinner shift, SSC supports the 350 meals SFSM serves each weekday to the homeless and working poor of Over-the-Rhine.

All Riverview Catholics are invited to participate in this worthy ministry. Carpooling is available and free parking is provided. Volunteers staff bag check and the serving line as well as bussing tables and working in the dish room. The SFSM staff is very organized and the jobs are well defined. SSC volunteers often work with college and high school students who are filling community service requirements.

To volunteer with SSC and Riverview Catholics parishioners, see the Riverview Catholics website: https://riverviewcatholics.org/ministry/francis-seraph/

To volunteer directly with SFSM see: https://sfsministries.org/volunteer/

Pictured from L to R: Maureen & Vic Tenkman, Brian Van Dolah, Mike Kovasckitz, Susan Kelley-Fernandez, Judy & David Hammer.

04/05/2026

EASTER AT ST STEPHEN CHURCH

Then the angel said to the women in reply,
“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said."

03/29/2026

PALM SUNDAY AT SSC
Holy Week Begins

Holy Week began Saturday evening with the traditional blessing of the palms and the reading of the procession Gospel on the front steps of St. Stephen Church.

Led by Fr. Tim Kallaher, parishioners gathered to hear Matthew’s account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem before processing into the church with blessed palms to begin the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass.

So begins a week unlike any other in the Catholic Church.

HOLY THURSDAY (APR 2)
Mass of the Last Supper
7 PM: Holy Cross – Immaculata
7 PM: St. Rose

GOOD FRIDAY (APR 3)
12:01 AM: Praying of the Steps begins at Holy Cross-Immaculata
12 Noon: Stations of the Cross at St. Stephen
3PM: Good Friday Service at St. Stephen (and all Family parishes)

HOLY SATURDAY (APR 4)
9PM: Easter Vigil at St. Rose

EASTER SUNDAY MASS
10 AM: St. Stephen Church

This is just a partial listing of opportunities to participate in the many Holy Triduum Masses and Services offered in the Riverview Catholics Family of Parishes. For the full schedule, see the Weekly Bulletin here: https://discovermass.com/church/st-stephen-cincinnati-oh/