November 27, 2019
Spiritual Healing December 2-5
Our Advent Parish Mission featuring Fr Emmerich Voght OP will take place the first week of December. Find the peace which the world cannot give—a peace that comes from a spiritual life led in union with Christ and according to Christian principles. Come and learn more about yourself by discovering a practical, spiritual program which, if lived one day at a time, leads to that “peace beyond all understanding.”
Monday through Thursday Two Daily Options:
1. Morning Conference 9:00 - 10:00 or 2. Evening Conference 7:00 – 8:00 Confessions Available 8:00-9:30
Daily Mass 8:00 AM & 6:00 PM
There will be a snack after the morning Mass and a reception after the evening conferences. A free-will offering will support this event. Childcare available: Contact Maria by Nov. 29 at 253-631-6175 ext 115
Volunteer Opportunity: Advent Decorating
Friday, November 29 is the day we prepare our church home for the Advent season. We will hang purple banners, make Advent wreaths, set up the giving trees, iron the new altar server cassocks, and bring Christmas decorations down from the attic. Meet at the font at 9:15 AM and work for an hour or two. Please RSVP to Janet at sstm.liturgy@gmail.com.
Advent Confessions in 5 Languages
John the Baptist preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Now is the perfect time to repent and make a good confession in preparation for the Advent and Christmas seasons. This year, in place of a one-night reconciliation service, Fr. Ed has arranged 4 nights of confessions in several languages. (See the schedule of languages below.) Confessions start at 8 PM on December 2nd - 5th, following the Advent Mission talk.
- Monday, December 2: English, Tagalog, Tamil
- Tuesday, December 3: English, Tagalog, Vietnamese
- Wednesday, December 4: English, Spanish, Tamil
- Thursday, December 5: English, Tagalog, Tamil
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES INCREASE BY ONE
St. Stephen parishioners have always been very generous in their Christmas Giving to those less fortunate. Traditionally, we have always had a tree for: Pregnancy Aid, St. Stephen Housing, Talbot Rehabilitation Center, and a Tree for the Homeless. This year we are adding a new tree. We debated dropping one of these trees, but it became quite clear this would be too difficult. This new tree has been requested by many, devoted to providing a happy Christmas to families in our parish. So, we are providing more opportunities, to give when you are called to give. This tree will be called the Parishioner Tree.
ARE YOU A PARISH FAMILY IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE THIS CHRISTMAS?
We are currently accepting applications for the 2019 Parishioner Giving Tree. If you are a parishioner at St. Stephen the Martyr and would like to be considered, please complete the online form at https://ststephenslife.com/christmas-giving-trees. For questions or additional information contact Darlene, in the Outreach office at 253-631-1940 ext.127 or darsimpson@gmail.com. The deadline to register for the program Has been extended to December 8, 2019.
PROVIDING GIFTS
You may take as many tags as you are able, please “click a pic” of each tag you as backup, in case it gets lost, for help in identifying gifts. We ask that gifts be wrapped in boxes (gift bags get torn) with the tag (information side visible) taped well to the outside of the package.
RETURN DEADLINE
We will need all gifts returned to the Parishioner Giving Tree on December 12, 2019.
Space Available in Parish Preschool
Little Saints Preschool has had some unexpected changes. We have a few mid-year openings in ALL classes; Tuesday/Thursday 3's, Monday/ Wednesday/Friday 3's and 4's, and Monday-Thursday Pre-K classes. It's not too late to join us for learning and fun! Please contact Abbie Nelson, Program Director, with questions at sstm.littlesaints@gmail.com.
Did you know Washington state laws allow a minor child to obtain an abortion without her parents' knowledge? The Catholic Bishops of Washington state strongly support and encourage gathering signatures for Initiative 1004, an initiative to institute a "parental notification law" that will require physicians to notify parents or guardians before performing abortions on minors. THOUSANDS more signatures are needed to add I-1004 to the November 2020 ballot. If you are registered to vote in Washington state and have not yet signed the petition, please do so at the reception desk in St. Stephen's office M-F 9-4. Please invite your friends to utilize downloadable resources to gather signatures for I-1004 at their churches from https://parentsandstudentsprotectingminors.org/.
Advent Gospel Reflections
DAILY MEDITATIONS FROM BISHOP ROBERT BARRON! Spend your time with Christ in the Gospel this Advent alongside Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire community. To receive these free daily Gospel reflections in your inbox every morning visit https://adventreflections.com/
Blood Drive Saturday, December 7th
Stephen the Martyr blood drive on the BUS in the parking lot. Blood drive hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (closed 11:00 am – 12:00 pm) To sign up, download the Bloodworks Northwest app or visit https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/ GroupLanding.aspx?s=1840 . Need help? E-mail schedule@bloodworksnw.org or call 1-800-398-7888 Ext 2. Walk-ins welcome around scheduled donors
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