July 3, 2020
New Procedure for Mass Registration
Our registration process for attending Mass at St Stephen's is changing. Both weekend Masses beginning next Sunday, (July 12th), and weekday Masses beginning tomorrow (Saturday, July 4th) will be conducted via a simple new, online form. Our original registration pool will no longer be in use after July 5th. The new form will show the number of spaces available for each liturgy and allow you to select your preferred Mass time. Registration will now be on a first come, first served basis. Links to the new registration forms will be published in advance of their activation via Flocknote and the parish website. Those without internet access can register by calling Betty Mencke at 253-631-1940. To register for tomorrow morning's (Saturday) 8:30 AM Mass please click here.
Outdoor Public Masses Expands to Two Liturgies!
We are delighted by the opportunity to celebrate outdoor public Masses on a limited basis at St. Stephen the Martyr! This weekend we will hold two public Masses on Sunday, June 28 at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.
Per State and Archdiocesan guidelines our plan is for a Mass celebrated by pre-registered attendees, to take place in our lower Church parking lot area. Registration is mandatory as we are required to have a record of all who attend our public Masses. As much as it pains us, we strongly encourage those who are 65 and older, or who may have underlying health conditions, to remain home until it is safe for you to come back to public Mass.
For those who wish to attend, please register by completing the registration form (to be posted and activated mid-week. (Please see the above article) Those who do not have internet access may register by calling Betty Mencke at 253-631-1940.
Per State and Archdiocesan guidelines our plan is for a Mass celebrated by pre-registered attendees, to take place in our lower Church parking lot area. Registration is mandatory as we are required to have a record of all who attend our public Masses. As much as it pains us, we strongly encourage those who are 65 and older, or who may have underlying health conditions, to remain home until it is safe for you to come back to public Mass.
For those who wish to attend, please register by completing the registration form (to be posted and activated mid-week. (Please see the above article) Those who do not have internet access may register by calling Betty Mencke at 253-631-1940.
PLEASE NOTE: The original registration pool will no longer be in use past July 5th. It will be necessary to make new registrations for future Masses.
Given the Archdiocesan and State guidelines, everyone will have plenty of elbow room! You will be asked to wear a mask, bring your own outdoor chairs and remember to prepare for the weather - these Masses will happen outdoors rain or shine!
Important Note: This weekend's live-streamed Mass will feature the 9:00 AM outdoor public Mass.
Given the Archdiocesan and State guidelines, everyone will have plenty of elbow room! You will be asked to wear a mask, bring your own outdoor chairs and remember to prepare for the weather - these Masses will happen outdoors rain or shine!
Important Note: This weekend's live-streamed Mass will feature the 9:00 AM outdoor public Mass.
Please pray for our community as we move forward to this important time!
St. Stephen the Martyr is Opening the Grounds
We are keeping our Church closed most hours of the week in communion with the Archbishop's directives. We do have the Church OPEN for PRIVATE PRAYER on Wednesday from 7:30pm - 9pm. PLEASE NOTE: There is no longer a open Church time on Sunday.
We are also gradually reopening our adoration program one hour at a time. All this is being done with "best practices"; which means physical distance/handwashing/face masks. We ARE able to provide the Sacraments of Anointing, Confession and Holy Communion whenever possible. Call the office at 253-631-1940 ext 100 for information on how to access Sacraments.
Parish Offices are closed for now, but accepting phone calls 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. We are available for you, so don't hesitate to call! Staff are working from home most of the week, 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.
We love you, are praying for you, and miss you,
Fr Ed
We love you, are praying for you, and miss you,
Fr Ed
Pastor's Corner
Click the image above for a direct link to Fr. Ed's weekly bulletin article.
Food Bank News
Parishioners may go the drive-up at the food bank (during food bank hours)
and request one of the farm to family food boxes. This week the choice is:
Dairy - 2 gallons of milk, yogurt, cheese, & more
and request one of the farm to family food boxes. This week the choice is:
Dairy - 2 gallons of milk, yogurt, cheese, & more
Or the Combo - 1 Gal milk some dairy products, and some produce
Also please note at this time the food bank needs:
Brown paper bags (grocery bag size)
Bread
Canned fruit
Jam/Jelly
Also please note at this time the food bank needs:
Brown paper bags (grocery bag size)
Bread
Canned fruit
Jam/Jelly
Please join us in praying a 9-day Novena for Our Nation, Saturday, June 27th, through Sunday, July 5th. The daily novena prayer, Eucharistic Adoration for Our Nation (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), July 4th Patriotic Rosary, will be available online during and after their live-streaming from St. Stephen’s FaceBook site at 10:00 AM daily. A condensed version of the novena prayer will be included in St. Stephen’s Sunday Mass (also live-streamed to FaceBook). Details at https://ststephenslife.com/legislative-advocacy
Online Rosary
Click the image above to pray the Glorious Mysteries, presented by priests and parishioners of St Stephen the Martyr.
Witness to Love - Marriage Renewal Program
Join top Marriage Champions from around the country for a 5 part marriage enrichment and renewal series. During this time of social isolation, our Domestic Church is in even greater need of relationship with God and others. This is our time as married couples to shine and be the light to those in our homes and communities. Register today and let your marriage BE LIGHT!
Together we will explore various topics including belonging, expectations, the need for community, couples works of mercy and living as missionary disciples. We will dive deep into catechesis, marriage formation and evangelization as we grow closer to our beloved and in relationship with God. This series is designed to meet the needs of couples who want to use the challenge of social distancing to grow closer to each other and build relationships with other couples.
Each date night will include a video from a dynamic couple, reflection questions and recommended resources. The feel will be a combination of date night/parish mission/retreat/small group. You are encouraged to work through the series at your own pace- nightly, weekly or monthly date nights as a couple or in small groups. Take this time to renew your marriage and build new relationships with other couples! Click the image above for information and free registration!
Night of Hope: Free Online Conference for Adults
We find the brightest light in the deepest darkness and we can’t help but be drawn to it. You don’t have to feel alone or disoriented by the shadows hanging over our world. Click the Image above for information and registration.
Join us for a Night of Hope to come together as Church, to be encouraged, and to pray with one voice to Christ our Light. Take hope in the fact that Christ is with us through this moment all the way into eternity. You don’t have to feel alone or disoriented by the shadows hanging over our world. Come together as Church for this FREE virtual event! Featuring:
- Host: Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT
- Worship Leader: Bob Rice
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Scott Hahn
- Priest: Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR
Livestreamed Masses
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 here
The current Mass schedule is: Sunday at 9:00 AM; Monday – Thursday 6:30 PM; Friday & Saturday 8:30 AM
Distribution of Holy Eucharist following Masses - Communion is offered in the Church plaza (near front doors) one hour following the start time of weekday Masses. Monday – Thursday 6:30 PM Mass, distribution at 7:30 PM; Friday & Saturday 8:30 AM Mass, distribution at 9:00 AM. Sunday distribution at 12:30 PM.
You can find the readings for Mass here.
Please pray with our whole parish the weekly Prayers of the Faithful.
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 Consider signing up for electronic giving by clicking here.
Outreach is in Need of Your Support!
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic many people have lost their jobs or their livelihoods. Our Outreach ministry provides financial assistance for rent, utilities, or other assistance to parishioners in need. Non-parishioners are helped by our St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Our Food Bank continues to help folks in need. This past Wednesday alone, groceries were distributed 102 people!
If you can Donate: please make out your Check to St. Stephen the Martyr and put on the Memo line "Outreach." You can mail your Donations to Church or you can bring them to the Food Bank, in an envelope marked "Outreach," during scheduled hours, or whenever the Church is open for Private Prayer, and put them in the Narthex baskets. Thank you for your Support!
If you can Donate: please make out your Check to St. Stephen the Martyr and put on the Memo line "Outreach." You can mail your Donations to Church or you can bring them to the Food Bank, in an envelope marked "Outreach," during scheduled hours, or whenever the Church is open for Private Prayer, and put them in the Narthex baskets. Thank you for your Support!
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.
Need Some Help? The Parish's Reach Out Ministry is Here for You!
Parish Staff and Volunteers have built support teams to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic. Life has gotten more challenging for all of us. Do you need help with shopping for groceries or running errands? Would you like a parishioner to call you to check-in with you or pray with you? Would you like to be part of a small group of families/singles who want to walk with other parishioners? (Using phone, Zoom, skype, etc.) This is something simple and friendly, and a great chance to build community, especially with others who are far from family or live alone. Are running short on food due to job loss or pay reduction? Come to our Parish's Food Bank and get free bags of food during Food Bank hours. To find out more about how the Reach Out Ministry can help you; call the parish office, at (253) 631-1940, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM and you can get connected!
Want to Learn More?
Click the image on the left to see our weekly bulletins