First Communion
Please keep the 140 children of our parish in your prayers as they receive First Holy Communion in the upcoming weeks. Having these children join us at the Eucharistic table is a very special occasion in our parish life. Our children are also blessed by their parents, catechists and teachers who have worked so hard this year to prepare them for both First Reconciliation and First Communion.
First Holy Communion is celebrated at special Masses in the Worship Space. Communicants sit with their families. Please have your child at church15 to 20 minutes before their First Communion Mass. Rehearsals for First Holy Communion will start right at the assigned time. A parent needs to attend the rehearsal with the child.
Mass Assignments
Sunday, April 24 @ 1:00 pm
Rehearsal-Thursday, April 21 @ 6:00 pm
- Day School Section 2B (VanGerpen)
- Day School Section 2C (Schweers)
Sunday, April 24 @ 3:30 pm
Rehearsal-Thursday, April 21 @ 7:30 pm
- Day School Section 2A (Gill)
- Rel. Ed. Wednesday 7 pm (Parks/Cameron)
Sunday, May 1 @ 1:00 pm
Rehearsal-Thursday, April 28 @ 6:00 pm
- Rel. Ed. Home School
- Rel. Ed. Wednesday at 4:00 pm (2AW4-Loftin)
- Rel. Ed. Wednesday at 5:30 pm-(Meyer/Augustine)
Sunday, May 1 @ 3:30 pm
Rehearsal-Thursday, April 28 @ 7:30 pm
- Rel. Ed. Tuesday at 4:15 pm (Klasna)
- Rel. Ed. Tuesday at 5:30 pm (Howe)
- Rel. Ed. Wednesday at 4:00 pm (2BW4-Glab)
2022 High School Graduates
We are proud of our graduates! Come celebrate with us! High School Graduates of our parish and their parents are invited to share in the Mass at 9:00 am, followed by breakfast at 10:00 am in the Dining Room.
Fall Catechist Sign Up
Stop by the Religious Education Office
to volunteer for next year!
A catechist is a person of faith called to hand on the living tradition and teachings of the Catholic Church. To be faithful to this sacred calling, a catechist studies church doctrine, develops appropriate teaching skills and nurtures his or her spiritual life and personal faith formation.
The qualities of a catechist include:
■ A strong awareness of the working of God’s grace in their lives and a growing faith life in response to that grace.
■ A personal commitment to Jesus Christ who is the center of the message.
■ A strong understanding of love for the Church, evidenced by a personal commitment.
■ A person who can nurture the development of Christian community.
■ An ability to appreciate different types and stages of individual growth and development.
■ An ability to communicate effectively with persons to be catechized and a willingness to continue their own religious formation.
Lesson plans and materials are supplied.
All volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained.
Rel. Ed. Tuition is waived for Catechist's children.
Life Teen Weekend Retreat
for 8th-12th Grade Teens
Friday, May 20th-Sunday, May 22nd — We need some JOY in our lives! And we want a chance to welcome and celebrate our incoming Freshmen. That’s why 8th graders and High School Teens are invited to take the weekend to get away from the world and rediscover true joy, how to find it, and how to sustain it. Throw in some friends, loads of laughter, the Sacraments, maybe even a NERF war or two, and this will be a retreat to remember! Our retreat will be held at the Pro Sanctity Center in Elkhorn. Cost is $80 per participant and includes lodging, meals, a retreat t-shirt, and a special retreat keepsake. Register at www.smartwaiver.com/v/springretreat2022. Register by Noon on Friday, April 29th to be guaranteed a retreat t-shirt.
Martyr Mission
Our largest fundraiser of the year, Martyr Mission, is rapidly approaching and we need your help! Please click on the link to sign up and donate an item to support our Religious Education sponsored Silent Auction basket:
Make Everyday a Sundae!
Mark your calendars, call your friends and join us for this year’s Martyr Mission, Night In White, at St. Stephen the Martyr on June 11 from 6-11 PM! Enjoy fellowship, fundraising and fun under the moon and stars with an indoor/outdoor reception; catered, plated meal; DJ music and dancing; cocktails; beer; wine; and a silent and live auction. White attire is encouraged. Tickets, $100 per person, go on sale April 15th. Event proceeds benefit St. Stephen the Martyr Church and School, including our youth and family Religious Education. Thank you for your support!
Volunteers are needed to make VBS happen!
Station Leaders and Youth Volunteers are the core of our Monumental VBS. Will you consider helping? Sign up below.
*Adults-If you sign up as a station leader, you may waive the cost of one child attending VBS. VBS Registration is closed, but we have left a few spots open for our awesome volunteers' children! Email me and I will send you a form to fill out. Completing the Adult Station Leader form is required also.
Spirit Catholic Radio Art Contest
Grade K-8
Spirit Catholic Radio will be producing a calendar showcasing artwork submitted by grades K – 8 students from across our listening area during our annual Spirit Catholic Radio School Calendar Art Contest. The theme for the 2023 calendar is "Who is Jesus?" And new this year: the calendar will be a full 12-month calendar! This means more winners! The winning calendar artists will receive prizes and a calendar! Calendar Art Contest entries can be submitted throughout the month of April and are due by April 30th. More information below.
The clinic is open to all SSM School & Religious Education girls' grades 3-8 (2022/2023 School Year). Registration for the Volleyball Clinic will open in April! Click above for more details.
Upcoming Dates
- Apr. 21: First Communion Rehearsal 6 & 7:30 pm
- Apr. 24: First Communion
- Apr. 28: First Communion Rehearsal 6 & 7:30 pm
- May 1: First Communion
- June 13-17: VBS
- June 26-July 1: Totus Tuus
Get in Touch
402-896-5683