December 6, 2019

Honor our Blessed Mother at Feast Day Masses Next Week

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 9 at 7:00 PM
Mary, the Immaculate Conception, is the Patron Saint of the United States

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
Mary, the Virgin of Guadalupe, is the Patron Saint of Mexico

Neither Mass is obligatory for Catholics this year.

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

Are you a Baptized Catholic Who has Never Received Confirmation?
Wouldn’t it be a blessing in your life to receive the GIFTS of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation?
Adult Confirmation Sessions Begin January 23rd, 7-9 PM! To learn more about our Adult Confirmation program (adults over the age of 19) call or e-mail, Anne Merklin 253-631-1940, ext. 126, or sstmassociate@gmail.com.

Are You or Someone You Know Thinking of Returning to the Catholic Church?

While people become separated from active Catholic life for all kinds of reasons, but Christ extends His invitation of love for all to return home. Our parish community welcomes anyone looking to rediscover their Catholic Faith! It is our hope and prayer that you’ll feel welcome to join us for a time of rediscovery. Contact Bill Swedberg at billswedberg@gmail.com or 253-631-1940 ext 121 to learn about our group meetings beginning soon!

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.

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.

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/

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/.

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