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The Deacon Community
Of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Ego Vobiscum sum, sicut qui ministrat
Saint Stephen’s Fund
Blessed Stephen was the 1st Christian martyr and one of the first
deacons of the Christian Church. Saint Stephen was one of seven
men selected and ordained by the Apostles to provide aid to the
poor, elderly widows within the Church community. He was a
gifted evangelist, respected for his preaching abilities.
The early years of St. Stephen’s life is unknown, but his Greek name,
Stepanos, suggests that he was a Hellinistic Jew. However, according
to 5th century tradition, the name Stephano was a Greek equivalent
for the Aramaic Kelil and the name Kelil was inscribed on a slab found in
St.Stephen’s tomb. St. Stephen ministered mostly to the Hellinistic converts,
with whom the Apostles had difficulty speaking. St Stephan was greatly
admired for his oratorical skills and the Church had publicly acknowledged
him as a man “of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts
6:3).
But St Stephen was not without opposition. The Libertines, the Cyrenians,
the Alexandrians and those Cilicia and challenged St Stephen. He was forced
to stand before the Sanhedrin and endure false accusations. When St Stephen
spoke, herecited the mercies of God towards Israel and of Israel’s
ungratefulness. The Jewish people were enraged by his words and their fury
was incensed when he accused them of murdering the Just One as the Prophets
foretold.
St Stephen looked to heaven and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). At this, the
enraged crowd ran violently upon him and cast him out of the city. Stephen
was stoned to death but had cried out to the Lord to not condemn his enemies.
St Stephen Fund -- This fund is established
according to the Archdioceses of Santa Fe
by-laws and constitution. It is an approved
fund for the designated purpose of giving
financial assistance to Permanent Deacons
and/or their wives.
The St Stephen Fund is intended to be
temporary assistance during a time of crisis
or when grave financial need has been
identified. Assistance from the fund is
intended to be a one-time gift, but under
certain circumstances the St Stephen Fund
Committee may decide to help on more
then one occasion.
The Permanent Deacon or widow requesting
assistance must complete a Request for
Assistance form and send to the St Stephen
Fund Committee for review and then forward
to the Office of the Director of Deacons for
action.
Request for Assistance Application
Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Direct Contributions
You can now make direct contributions to the St Stephen’s Fund
through the below link:
The St. Stephen’s Fund