April 8, 2020
Holy Week Livestream Schedule
Please note our special Mass times below:
Wednesday, 6:30 PM
Holy Thursday, 7:00 PM
Good Friday, 3:00 PM
Easter Vigil 8:45 PM (Saturday)
Easter Sunday 9:00 AM
Live-Streamed Masses (Non-Holy Week)
During this time period when we are restricted from celebrating Mass publicly, St. Stephens is live-streaming daily Mass. You can find links by clicking the image above.
The current Mass schedule is: Sunday at 9:00 AM; Monday – Thursday 6:30 PM; Friday & Saturday 8:30 AM
You can find the readings for Mass here.
Please pray with our whole parish the weekly Prayers of the Faithful.
St. Stephen the Martyr is Currently Closed
Dear Brothers and Sisters, given Governors “Stay Home” order, we have closed the Church until further notice & Archbishops guidance.
Our Governor has issued an order that all in Washington state are prohibited to hold gatherings of any size. In obedience to his authority and trusting that it is in the best interest of saving lives, the church will be closed temporarily. Please note this closure includes the cancellation of adoration and confessions until further notice.
Our Governor has issued an order that all in Washington state are prohibited to hold gatherings of any size. In obedience to his authority and trusting that it is in the best interest of saving lives, the church will be closed temporarily. Please note this closure includes the cancellation of adoration and confessions until further notice.
Church Open on Limited Basis for Private Prayer Wednesday, April 8th from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
Please note there will be specific procedures and limited capacity to observe mandatory social distancing and disinfecting of the facility. Please observe all signs and instructions.
Jesus is still available in all the tabernacles of the world. Please keep your adoration hour at home, uniting your heart to His. Pray for an end to the corona virus, for all who are suffering, and for God's holy will to be done.
Parish Offices are closed for now, but accepting phone calls 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. We are available for you, so don't hesitate to call! Staff are working from home but will be checking emails and phone calls left on their office phones. If you have trouble reaching staff call the main office number and Betty will help you to get in touch with that staff person.
Parish Offices are closed for now, but accepting phone calls 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. We are available for you, so don't hesitate to call! Staff are working from home but will be checking emails and phone calls left on their office phones. If you have trouble reaching staff call the main office number and Betty will help you to get in touch with that staff person.
Haven’t Received a Phone Call From The Church?
St. Stephen’s Reach Out Ministry has been calling parishioners to see how they are doing at this difficult time, and to see if they need any assistance we may be able to provide. If you haven’t received a call, it may be because we have an incorrect phone number for you! Many people have given up their land-line phones for cell phones, and we don’t have those numbers—but would like to. If you haven’t received a call from a fellow parishioner by April 8th please call Betty at the church office (253-631-1940) to let us know how you are doing and to update your contact information.
Please Remember to Pray for those Preparing to be Received into the Church this Easter Season.
Holy Week Prayer Intention - RCIA( Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Please keep in your prayers those preparing to be received into the Church this Easter. Although their sacraments will be delayed this year they are continuing their preparation and we are praying that in May they will be able to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Please keep in your prayers those preparing to be received into the Church this Easter. Although their sacraments will be delayed this year they are continuing their preparation and we are praying that in May they will be able to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Please Continue Your Financial Support
The suspension of public Masses will seriously impact our weekly collection. Like most parishes, 90% of our revenue comes from the generous support of our faith community. This generosity supports the many ministries of the church as well as maintenance of the building and grounds, utilities, insurance, and payroll. Please remember our parish in your prayers and by making your regular donation. You may donate through the mail or drop off donations during office hours, weekdays from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Consider signing up for electronic giving by clicking here.
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
If your loved one is in need of anointing, please call the St. Stephens parish office to make arrangements for Fr. Ed or Fr. Jockim to visit. If the person in need of anointing has or is suspected of having COVID-19, we will assist you in connecting with one of the dedicated Priests the Archdiocese has commissioned to administer sacraments to COVID-19 patients.
Additional Resources for At Home Spirituality
Here are some online resources to help you stay connected during this unprecedented time in our world.
Catholic Current from USCCB (United States Corporation of Catholic Bishops)
Rosary: Sacred Heart Radio
Stations of the Cross: Busted Halo
Bishop Mueggenborg's Sunday Gospel Reflections:
Sacred Heart Radio (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - after the 1pm Rosary) Download Weekly Reflections
Mass Readings and Prayer Resources
Mass from the Vatican: Pope Francis' morning Mass will be broadcast live. You can view it in real time and find English narrations at 7:00am Central Eastern Time on www.vaticannews.va.
At Home With Faith: Click here or marriagefamilylife.seattlearchdiocese.org
Rosary: Sacred Heart Radio
Stations of the Cross: Busted Halo
Bishop Mueggenborg's Sunday Gospel Reflections:
Sacred Heart Radio (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - after the 1pm Rosary) Download Weekly Reflections
Mass Readings and Prayer Resources
Mass from the Vatican: Pope Francis' morning Mass will be broadcast live. You can view it in real time and find English narrations at 7:00am Central Eastern Time on www.vaticannews.va.
At Home With Faith: Click here or marriagefamilylife.seattlearchdiocese.org
Food Bank Donations Still Needed!
Our food bank continues to operate and is offering a limited number of specific foods. Remember, our food bank is there for everyone!
If you are able to make a donation of food, please purchase items from the following list: applesauce, canned beans, canned chicken, tuna, salmon, spam and ham, canned vegetables, olive oil and canola oil, crackers, dried herbs and spices, canned or dried fruit, granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, shelf-stable meals in a box, nuts, pasta, peanut butter, rice, shelf-stable and powdered milk, soup, stew and chili, whole grain cereal. Other items can be donated, but please no junk food, items with glass or cellophane packaging, that can be broken in transit. Nothing that needs can openers or special equipment to open.
Donations can be left at Food Bank during scheduled hours, or whenever the Church is open for Private Prayer, in the Narthex.
If you are able to make a donation of food, please purchase items from the following list: applesauce, canned beans, canned chicken, tuna, salmon, spam and ham, canned vegetables, olive oil and canola oil, crackers, dried herbs and spices, canned or dried fruit, granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, shelf-stable meals in a box, nuts, pasta, peanut butter, rice, shelf-stable and powdered milk, soup, stew and chili, whole grain cereal. Other items can be donated, but please no junk food, items with glass or cellophane packaging, that can be broken in transit. Nothing that needs can openers or special equipment to open.
Donations can be left at Food Bank during scheduled hours, or whenever the Church is open for Private Prayer, in the Narthex.
Thank you for your Support!
Legislative Advocacy
During the current effort to halt the spread of communicable disease, Governor Inslee has specifically exempted abortion from the current ban on all elective medical procedures. In addition to taking innocent human life, abortion centers use medical supplies needed to treat the sick, supplies that are currently in short supply at medical facilities treating the sick. Please see https://ststephenslife.com/legislative-advocacy and consider taking action today!
4US Matching Funds Program for Lent - Quadruple Your Gift!
Please consider a Lenten challenge to multiply your donation to 4US to help save lives during the remaining days of Lent and until Easter Sunday. Every $25.00 gift saves 4 lives. Learn how this works and how you can help at https://4us.org. Click on DONATE, find "Are you looking for the 40 Days 4US 4X Match?" and follow instructions; OR donate by calling 209-315-LIFE (5433). Don't delay, donate today!
Want to Learn More?
Click the image on the left to see our weekly bulletins