Dear Saint Stephen the Martyr parishioners,
Our first full week of Lent has passed—how's it going so far? Are you making time to be with the Lord in prayer and worship?
Growing Closer to Christ:
Be Transformed & Renewed This Lent!
In the Family Activities for Lent email sent earlier this week, we read that Lent is a time of transformation and renewal. That's what our sacrifices are meant for! We shouldn't fast from cookies and donate to the poor for just these few short weeks. Lent should inspire us to change our lives every day of the year!
Find the email here: stephen.flocknote.com/note/15754280
What is one sacrifice you have made this Lent?
Reply to this email and let us know!
Get Involved
Love Donuts? How About Coffee? Or, Simply Enjoy Conversation?
Our Hospitality Ministry is going through some changes and we need to add more dedicated volunteers to our Ministry in order for Sunday Donuts and Coffee to continue on a weekly basis. What do we mean by that? We are looking to add 20 individuals to serve on this Ministry and commit to volunteering at least once monthly. We welcome adults of all ages and families to serve! If you are interested in serving, please complete a few questions below and we will be in touch! We are also looking for a few to help serve as co-chairs of this ministry to help with supplies, etc. If this is you, let us know below.
Are you interested in serving with the Hospitality Ministry?
YES, you can count on me
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YES, and I want to serve as a co-chair
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MAYBE, let me think about this more, but add me for now
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If YES, after which Mass time is your preference?
7:30 AM
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9 AM
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10:30 AM
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Volunteer at the Fish Frys!
Many volunteers are needed to make each Fish Fry a success for the many parishioners and community guests who come to enjoy a wonderful meal and fellowship. While the Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women have typically filled the roles needed, we encourage any adult who is Safe Environment Certified to help! There are also spots available for youth to help out along with a parent.
Upcoming
Starting on March 19th, we will return our servers to their full capacity of serving the altar at Mass. That means we need more servers to step up to help! We will have a series of training sessions for new and returning servers. These sessions are open to children in 4th grade through high school. No need to register/RSVP, just come for the time that works for you:
- Saturday, March 12, 1 – 2 PM
- Tuesday, March 15, 4 – 5 PM
- Friday, March 18, 4 – 5 PM
Serving at Mass is a great way for your children to learn about giving back to their community. It also provides a deeper engagement in the Mass! If you have any questions, please reach out to Logan Hepp, l.hepp@stephen.org.
Registration is now open for the Teaching Discernment seminar in May!
Father Gallagher will share the teaching pedagogy he has developed for instructing others in the Fourteen Rules for the Discernment of Spirits and will assist participants to find their way as competent teachers of these invaluable tools for daily spiritual life. Register early! Space is limited.
The Pastoral Council is seeking an engaged parishioner to join the team. In support of Fr. Dave, this Council strives to be consultative in nature, a medium for communication, and a model of cooperation and collaboration.
Applications are due by Friday, March 18th.
We are very excited to be bringing Totus Tuus to St. Stephen again in 2022! Save the dates!
Totus Tuus (Totally Yours) is a fun and energetic summer catechetical program for both grade school-age children and junior and senior high school youth.
Registration will open in late March. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Collection For Ukraine
Next weekend (March 19-20) is the USCCB Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, which will allow the faithful to give critical and timely humanitarian aid to the victims of war in Ukraine.
Bring your donation to Mass next weekend and place it in the 2nd Collection Basket or make a donation now online.
We Are Hiring!
Sacrament and Event Assistant
We have an immediate part-time opening for a Sacrament and Event Assistant in the Religious Education Department. This position will assist logistics of Youth Sacraments, summer programs (VBS and Totus Tuus), and RE Events. This person must be a practicing Catholic with strong communication and organization skills. We are looking for a team player who wants to help children come to know Jesus Christ and His Church. Learn more at stephen.org/sacrament-event-assistant
Director of Parish Operations
Help us find our next Director of Parish Operations! The Director serves as a key member of the pastor’s Leadership Team and oversees and directs a broad range of responsibilities to provide the necessary support and infrastructure for the mission of the parish to thrive. This person is responsible for overall leadership and direction of the parish operations team, including staff and volunteers, engaged in administration, development, communications, maintenance, and care of buildings and grounds, and information technology. Learn more at tephen.org/director-of-parish-operations
Facilities Manager
We also have an immediate opening for a full-time facilities manager responsible for the comprehensive care of all parish facilities and grounds. Applicants should have a strong working knowledge of heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, and all aspects of facility maintenance including safety, flooring, custodial services, vendor and volunteer management, and capital improvement projects. Applicants should be practicing Catholic, have strong customer service skills, and five-to-ten years of experience managing and maintaining large facilities. Please send a cover letter stating your interest and qualifications for the position, a current resume, and two or three references including names and contact information to Father David Belt at d.belt@stephen.org.
Martyr Mission
To help underwrite infrastructure costs associated with Martyr Mission, we invite you to prayerfully consider sponsoring or donating items for our silent and live auctions. All sponsors and donors will be recognized appropriately in the church bulletin, Parish News, online media platforms, event programming, and throughout the event. Your generous support will enable us to host a successful event on June 11th and secure financial support for St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church and School! Thank you for your consideration and generosity. If you have questions, please contact Catiana Urrutia, Development Associate at 402-861-4541 or c.urrutia@stephen.org
This Weekend
Second Sunday of Lent
This Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus wants to use us to be His instruments of forgiveness and compassion in the world today. But first, we must be transformed by His love and grace. In this season of Lent, let us make time to be with the Lord in prayer and worship. Let us make the time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to let go of the darkness of sin in our lives. Now is the time to change the world. Jesus has called us all to make a difference.
Be sure to read Sunday's bulletin for more news & upcoming events.
On the Calendar
Saturday, March 12th
- Rosary Devotion - 7:45 AM in the Worship Space
- Mass - 8:15 AM in the Worship Space
- Confession - 3:30 to 4:45 PM in the Reconciliation Rooms inside the Adoration Chapel
- Mass - 5 PM in the Worship Space
Sunday, March 13th
- Mass - 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM
- Donuts & Coffee - after Mass in the Dining Room
- Adoration & Vespers - 4-5 PM in the Worship Space
- Mass - 6 PM in the Worship Space
- Life Teen (Youth Ministry for High Schoolers) - 7-9 PM in the Parish Center
During the week & upcoming
- Confession: Tuesday, March 15, 5:30-6:30 PM in the Reconciliation Rooms inside the Adoration Chapel
- Stations of the Cross: Friday, March 18 at 6 PM in the Worship Space
- KOC Fish Fry: Friday, March 18, 5-8 PM in the Dining Room
See more of what is on the calendar at stephen.org/calendar.
Don't forget to Spring Ahead. Daylight Saving Time 2022 begins Sunday, March 13.
How can we pray for you this week?
You can reply directly to this email (which creates a private comment), or click the blue Reply button below to leave a public comment so that others may pray for you too!