August 12, 2022

Block Party Tomorrow! -

There is still time to sign up for the fun tomorrow afternoon! The party will feature great music, food, games and more!

Be sure to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket!

This event is free, and proceeds from donations will go to the Terrific Tuesday Meal program and St. Stephen the Martyr Food Bank. Join us in bringing our community together and helping our neighbors in need!

Let us know you are coming! In order to manage food and parking, we are requesting that everyone register by clicking the image. Donations for Terrific Tuesday Meals and the Food Bank can be made at that time as well.

Caution: Main Entrance this Saturday

In order to keep everyone safe during tomorrow's Block Party the normal exit driveway will be closed and the main entrance will be divided for traffic in each direction. Please stay right on your way in and out, and keep your eyes open for pedestrians.

Upcoming Funerals

Funeral Mass for Josie Hipolito will be Monday August 15 at 11:00. There will be a Rosary at the Grotto before the funeral. Reception following funeral. Burial the next day at Tahoma National Cemetery at 11:00.

Funeral Mass for Mary Ann Schofield will be Tuesday August 16 at 11:00. There will be a Rosary in the church around 10:15. Reception following funeral. Burial the next day at Tahoma National Cemetery at 12:30.

Both funerals will be live-streamed at https://ststephenslife.com/funeral-mass-livestream. May the families be comforted as their loved ones rest in the peace of Christ.

Join us for Adult Scripture Study!

Each session includes large group prayer, video, and small group discussion. Meetings will be Tuesdays, Sept. 20 – Dec 13.
AM Group: In-Person - Tuesdays, 9:20-11:30 am (Possible AM Zoom if a volunteer comes forward to run it-Tuesdays, 9:20-11:30 am)
PM Group: In-Person - Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm
Registration is Online. Go to ststephenslife.com/bible-study Class Fee: $35 Deadline to Register is September 13 (After September 13, no registrations will be accepted.) Contact us with Questions: Office - Maria Trejo, (253) 631-6175, ext. 115, sstm.yfmoffice@gmail.com or Scripture Study Coordinator - Karen Buchert, kasbuchert@comcast.net

Little Saints Preschool Director Search

It's time to finalize plans for the new school year, yet we continue to search for our new Little Saints Preschool Director (at St. Stephens)! Community, please join us in praying a Surrender Novena. You can also recommend potential candidates. Do you know a teacher who's secretly dreading the start of the new year? Maybe they are being called to a new purpose at Little Saints! To pray or recommend, click the image or go to: https://ststephenslife.com/little-saints-director-search Contact: Shannon Battles, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, (253) 480-7112, ststephenskids@gmail.com.

Becoming Catholic

Wondering about Becoming a Catholic Christian? Do You Know Someone Who Might Be Interested in Becoming a Catholic Christian? Join Us for Inquiry Sessions Starting Tuesday, September 20th; 7-9:00 PM Inquiry Sessions are the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). These Sessions are for adults interested in exploring the Catholic Faith in a non-judgmental atmosphere, these include: Seeker and Inquirers who want to learn about the Catholic Faith, Traditions and Sacraments. Adults from other Faith Traditions who are interested in joining the Catholic Church. Baptized Adult Catholics who have not received all their Sacraments. Inquiry Sessions are Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM, in the Parish Social Hall and meet current COVID guidelines. For Information or Questions contact: Anne Merklin at sstmassociate@gmail.com or 253-480-7108 (ext.126).

Adoration Retreat!

Adoration Retreat, all are invited on Saturday August 27th from 9am to noon. We will be learning about the spirituality of Adoration Of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The retreat will begin with Mass in the church at 8:30am. After Mass there are snacks and fellowship in the narthex as well as exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the church. At 10am Father Ed will lead us in "Adoration: Resting in the Lord" with reflections, song, and silence. At 11am we gather in the Social Hall for Q&A and sharing. The retreat will close with Benediction in the church at 11:45am. Come and be refreshed in the Lord.

Coffee & Donuts

Our St Vincent de Paul conference will be serving coffee and donuts this Sunday August 14th following the morning Masses. Proceeds will go to support the needy in our area.

Homeschool Co-op

Please join us on August 18, in the Social Hall, to learn all about Homeschooling and the Co-Op at St. Stephen's. Contact sstm.homeschool@gmail.com for more info

Grief Ministry

If you are grieving the death of a loved one, come find strength and compassion with the St. Stephen’s Virtual Grief Support Meeting on Sunday, August 21st at 1:00pm. Our topic will be “Guilt—If Only….". For more information and to register, please contact Sharon Rasmussen at srasmussen910@yahoo.com.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes…for the old order has passed away.” Revelation 21, 4

**Annual Catholic Appeal - Update: Yay!!!**

We Have Met our Annual Catholic Appeal Goal! As of today $183,000. has been pledged, and the great news is that since our goal was $172,000, the overage will return to St. Stephen's and be used for upgrading our driveway entrance and exit. A HUGE THANK YOU to all who pledged! Your generosity is greatly appreciated. If you have not yet pledged, please prayerfully consider doing so, as it will benefit our parish in its plan to improve signage and lighting for our campus. If you cannot make a financial pledge, please pledge to pray for St. Stephen's and its parishioners. If you have not yet made your gift, please prayerfully consider what you can give to help support the Archdiocesan parishes, programs, Priests and Deacons. Make your pledge using this link: https://archseattle.org/give-serve/giving-opportunities/annual-catholic-appeal/giveaca/, or an envelope found at the ACA table in the Narthex, which may be mailed or included in the collection.

Thursday Crew Becomes Wednesday Campus Crew

Do you ever wonder how our grounds & buildings are so beautiful and peaceful? We have a very dedicated, talented and generous Campus Crew who come every week, now on Wednesdays between the hours of 8am and noon. They mow, weed, blow the parking lots clean; they paint, change light bulbs and more! We have changed the project day from Thursday to Wednesday, to better accommodate daily Mass and funerals. Our mission is to prepare the way for all our guests, as they enter our campus for worship & praise of God. All are welcome to share their God given talents in this ministry. For more information and to join the crew, contact Kim Anderson at sstm.facilities@gmail.com or Mike Pitardi at mikepitardi@gmail.com.

August 2022 Respect Life Month Events

August 1-31 - PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A PRAYER PARTNER Prayer Partners stand vigil at the Cedar River Clinic, 263 Rainier Ave S, Renton. Our goal is to have at least two prayer warriors present at the Renton Cedar River Clinic from 7:30AM until 7:30PM, Monday-Saturday. The following are times that are normally covered by Partners, but you are welcome to join them.
• Wednesdays - ~7:30am-9:30am, ~10-10:15am-~11-11:15am
• Thursdays - ~7:30am-9:30am, 9:30-10:30AM, 12:00-1:00PM
• Fridays - ~7:30am-9:30am, 11:30AM-12:15PM
• Saturdays - ~9:45am-11:30AM
The Care Net van is also with us from 9:30AM-2:30PM in the parking lot of the City View church on Thursdays.
August 5 - Respect Life Ministry Eucharistic Adoration 6:30pm-7:30pm All Life Ministries are Welcome. Please come and pray for LIFE! Note the New Time.
August 11 - Respect Life Meeting 7:00pm ALL ARE WELCOME! Our meeting will be on site at St Stephen the Martyr church office workroom. Questions: email 19jmj54@comcast.net.

Please submit your resume to Kim Anderson at sstm.facilities@gmail.com and any questions regarding this custodial position.

Custodial Position Open

Custodian Lead Position at St. Stephen the Martyr 5 days a week, 36 hours, afternoons to evening work hours. Responsibilities include: Restroom cleaning & supplies; Vacuuming & Garbage/Recycle in our buildings; Event set up & take downs (tables & chairs); Inventory of supplies for cleaning & kitchen items; Work closely with fellow custodians, staff & parishioners; Security lockup of Campus. Pay will be based on work experience. Benefits are provided. Applicant should be supportive of the mission of the Church.

Records Update!

It has become evident that our parish database is in dire need of an update! So many folks have changed their contact information or had children that our records are now inaccurate or incomplete. Please click the image to go directly to our online update form.

St Stephen's Now Livestreaming on Vimeo!

Our livestream broadcasts have been upgraded with the addition of the video hosting service, Vimeo. Click the image or visit https://www.ststephenslife.com/holy-mass-live-stream where you can enjoy Mass and devotions live, within a media player right on our parish website (yes, you can expand to full screen). Want to watch yesterday's Mass? In our new Vimeo player the liturgy won't be interrupted with commercials! Still a big Facebook or Youtube fan? No worries; our liturgies will continue to be simulcast to those platforms as well.

Want to Learn More?

Click the image on the left to see our weekly bulletins