In observance of Thanksgiving, the school will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Nov. 26, and the parish office will be closed Thursday and Friday. Blessed holiday to you all!
Click below to read an important note from Father Ron about Advent and Christmas as well as some worship-related changes to begin next weekend.
LITURGY & SACRAMENTS
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Masses: Saturday, Nov. 20, 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m.
At both Masses this weekend we are blessing couples who are celebrating "milestone" wedding anniversaries this year.
Coming Up, At Church ...
- Last weekend for Giving Tree!
- Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, is at 9 a.m. Read more about the collection for SVDP and the food pantry. After Mass head to Carondelet Park for the traditional Turkey Bowl soccer match between the 8th graders and their parents.
- The first weekend of Advent is Nov. 27-28. Bishop Mark Rivituso will join us for Mass on Nov. 28. The "little blue books" of daily Advent meditations will be available at all church doors.
- Virginia Herbers hosts "Hidden Figures in Advent," on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m.
- Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-noon. Our 2nd graders celebrate the sacrament for the first time on Dec. 16.
- Make time to join us for a Christmas Novena (or all seven!), daily from Dec. 17 through Dec. 23, at 7 p.m.
- Decorate the church for Christmas on Dec. 19 after 9 a.m. Mass.
All are invited to ponder the poetry of the Advent season with Irish poet Padraig O'Tuama. Subscribe to our limited-time "Advent Unbound" Flocknote.
SALT Project created the lovely content, which we've enhanced with direct links to the poetry recordings, music suggestions, and other references.
You'll receive a total of six notes: An introduction, one each weekend of Advent, and a final note on Christmas Eve.
PLEASE PRAY
In the charity of your prayers, please remember the sister of Denise Poepsel and the cousin of David Borgmeyer, both of whom died this week.
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Let us also keep in prayer those undergoing surgeries or in recovery, especially Liz Bentrup, Sue Kriegshauser, Jan Oppelt, John Pond, Vince Stehlin, and the grandchildren of Pat Stamm.
STEWARDSHIP & SERVICE
If anyone is interested in helping out with dinners for music director Stephen and his wife, Dolores, while they recover from illness, you are welcome to participate in our meal train. Please note the dietary restrictions.
Who's Been Eating Their Wheaties?
With the uncertainty around anything being shipped these days, we didn't get much notice before our fantastic new school desks and chairs showed up this week! Because the students will not be in school next Wednesday, we plan to move the desks from the Parish Hall to the classrooms on Nov. 24, beginning at 8 a.m.
We might over-use the "many hands make light work" line around here, but this time, we really, REALLY mean it! If any strong folks out there could lend a hand for any length of time next Wednesday morning -- a great opportunity for high school students looking for service hours! -- we would could really use the help. Thank you in advance!
NEWS & EVENTS
Come one, come all! Get a head start on your New Year's resolution of getting more involved in the parish by joining us at the first meeting of the 2022 Gala Auction Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. at the Joly home (6203 Marwinette). The committee will identify potential auction items for the Gala's silent and live auctions. It's fun! Contact gala@saintstephenstl.org with questions.
You might be accustomed to meeting up with Santa at breakfast. This year you'll find him on our Parish Center lot! After dark! Click the image for more information about how to register.
Last weekend Cub Scout Pack 104 and Boy Scout Troop 104 hung bags on front doors for the Scouting for Food collection that will take place tomorrow, Nov. 20. Scouts will pick up between at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pick up items placed on your porch in the bag provided or clearly marked. Items especially needed are peanut butter and canned soup, beef stew, beans, chili, vegetables, fruits & potatoes. Nothing perishable, frozen, or in glass.Thank you in advance!
Questions? Contact Alesia at 314-496-1045.
There are TV stars in our midst! School parents Stephanie & Tony Minor and family are featured in a recent episode of "Call the Closer" on HGTV!
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select "St Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone.
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features.
3. Select "St Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church" as your charity.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app.
SCHOOL
With the widespread teacher shortage, our school is in immediate need of substitutes. If you are a retired or certified teacher, please reach out to see how you can help. Contact principal Greg Sturgill at 314-752-4700, ext 320, or greg.sturgill@saintstephenstl.org.
Contributions to our #iGiveCatholic campaign this year will subsidize repairs and improvements to the school's public-address system. Advanced Giving for the #iGiveCatholic campaign runs through Giving Tuesday proper, which is Nov. 30. Donations by cash or check can be marked “Giving Tuesday” and dropped in collection or at parish office, but the online #iGiveCatholic platform makes donating super-easy. Thanks to all who have already given!
Eighth graders Lucy Borgmeyer and Ava Stolte helped load the van with our Operation Sunscreen donations. The soldiers will appreciate the goodies -- thanks to all who donated Slim Jims, cheese crackers, and candy!
PTO Winter Fundraisers
Our Choral Club embarks on its holiday singing season next week!
The singers are looking forward to sharing their joyful talent at various outdoor venues between now and Christmas. Follow their schedule on our website. All are welcome to show up and sing along!
BEYOND ST. STEPHEN
Click on the event links for complete information
Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: St. Mary Magdalen Craft Fair
Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: St. Louis Metro Singers (Gary & Betsy Stoff are members) sing at Sounds of the Season at the Missouri History Museum
Dec. 3, 8 p.m: Joy to the World: A Christmas Concert to benefit Catholic Charities
Dec. 4, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.: Flea Market at St. Anthony of Padua
Dec. 10-12: "Voices in the Wilderness: A Call to Re-Engage" Advent Retreat at Marianist Retreat & Conference Center
Dec. 12, 3 p.m.: Advent Lessons & Carols at the Old Cathedral
REFLECTION
And all that we can offer, Your boundless love imparts;
The gifts to You most pleasing are humble, thankful hearts.