St. Stephen the First Martyr Parish Warwick

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

St. Jude pray for me; I am so helpless and alone 🙏

09/09/2026

NEW DONATION BIN! 👕🧺

If you’ve donated clothing to Four Seasons Kids at the St. Stephen Parish Center before, you’ll notice something new!

We’ve replaced our old donation box with this much larger rolling laundry cart. So when you stop by with clothing donations, this is the new receptacle to look for.

📍 Located in the lobby of the St. Stephen Parish Center
🕘 Open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

We accept any amount, any season of gently used children’s clothing, newborn through size 12 only.

Please remember that we do not accept shoes, stuffed animals, toys, bedding, or other children’s items.

Thank you to all of our repeat donors — and our new ones too — for continuing to pass along clothing your children have outgrown so it can help another child right here in our community. ❤️

09/08/2026

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Judah, of the stock of David the King, from whom the Son of God was born by the Holy Spirit and became man, that he might free us from the age-old slavery to sin.

09/08/2026

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, rejoicing in the birth of the Mother of God, whose entrance into the world heralds the dawn of our salvation.

Quick facts every Catholic should know about the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

1️⃣Traditionally celebrated on September 8, exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
2️⃣The feast originated in Palestine around the 5th century, linked to the consecration of a church in Jerusalem identified as the Basilica of St. Ann.
3️⃣Mary is one of only three figures (with Jesus and John the Baptist) whose earthly birth is celebrated liturgically. Her birth marks the end of the Old Testament expectation and the dawn of the New Covenant.
4️⃣The day is defined by themes of joy and light, symbolizing the arrival of the "dawn" that precedes the "Sun of Justice" Christ the Lord.

Our Lady's birth brought great joy to a world awaiting redemption, preparing the sacred dwelling place for the Savior. As the morning star that precedes the rising sun, Mary points us unfailingly toward Jesus Christ. May her holy nativity renew our hope, fill our hearts with heavenly joy, and inspire us to say "yes" to God's divine plan in our daily lives."

09/07/2026

PRAYER FOR LABOR DAY

As the sun rises to bring in the new day:

We remember those who descend into the earth, their work begins in darkness, pulling from the earth, the resources we steward.

We remember those who work inside a building away from the light and brightness of the day.

We remember those who work outside in the harsh elements of our world, the bitter cold and sweltering heat of extremes.

We remember those who do not have a job to go to, who are struggling to meet the needs of their daily living expenses, for whom the day becomes long and arduous.

As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest:

We remember those who work in the night.

We remember those who are trying to recover from their labor and toils of the day.

We remember those who participate in unsafe and dangerous work.

We pray for a renewed sense of dignity in their lives and in their work.

God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the worker. Make a place in our hearts for compassion to the men and women who labor tirelessly for basic necessities. Ensure a place for the men and women who are struggling to find work. Grant us your wisdom to greet and care for those who are unable to work due to illness or circumstances that prevent their participation. Be with the children who are not able to run and play, but instead must put in a hard day’s work to help their family afford to eat, to live.

Be with us all, Christ Jesus, as we go about the busyness of our work. Hold us accountable not only for our actions, but most importantly to each of our neighbors. May we continue to work together to bring about your reign! We ask this in your holy name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SOURCE: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

09/05/2026

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta, a woman whose life was dedicated to serving Christ in the poorest and most vulnerable.

From the streets of Calcutta to communities around the world, Mother Teresa reminded us that every person is worthy of dignity, love, and compassion.

Her altar at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a beautiful reminder of her enduring witness to a life of faith and service.

St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.