Preparing our Hearts and asking for the Grace
We prepare this week by stepping up the longing. We move through this week by naming deeper and more specific desires.
Each morning this week, if even for that brief moment at the side of our beds, we want to light a second inner candle. We want to let it represent “a bit more hope.” Perhaps we can pause, breathe deeply and say,
“Lord, I place my trust in you.”
Each day this week, as we encounter times that are rushed, even crazy, we can take that deep breath, and make that profound prayer. Each time we face some darkness, some experience of “parched land” or desert, some place where we feel “defeated” or “trapped,” we hear the words, “Our God will come to save us!”
The grace we desire for this week is to be able to hear the promise and to invite our God to come into those real places of our lives that dearly need God's coming. We want to be able to say:
“Lord, I place my trust in your promise. Please, Lord, rouse your power and come into this place in my life, this relationship, into this deep self-defeating pattern. Please come here and save me.”
Each night this week we can look back over the day and give thanks for the moments of deep breath, that opened a space for more trust and confidence in God's fidelity to us. No matter how difficult the challenges we are facing - from the growing realization of our personal sinfulness, to any experience of emptiness or powerlessness, even in the face of death itself - we can give thanks for the two candles that faithfully push back the darkness. And, we can give thanks for the graces given us to believe that “Our God will come to save us” because we were given the courageous faith to desire and ask boldly.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come and visit your people.
We await your coming. Come, O Lord.
2nd Week, Advent (creighton.edu)
Since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, Catholics have two obligations to fulfill on Christmas weekend-one for the 4th Sunday of Advent and one for Christmas. Both obligations can be fulfilled on Sunday, just not at the same Mass. Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses are liturgically 4th Sunday of Advent Masses. Sunday afternoon and evening Masses will be Christmas Vigil Masses.
- 4th Sunday of Advent Vigil Mass - Saturday, Dec. 23rd: 5 PM
- 4th Sunday of Advent Mass - Sunday, Dec. 24th: 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM
- Christmas Eve Mass - Sunday, Dec. 24th: 4 PM, 4:15 PM (gym), 6 PM, 11 PM
Christmas Day Mass - Monday, Dec. 25th: 9 AM, 10:30 AM (live-streamed)
Disciple of Christ Winners
Rex Dvorak Grade 1
Cooper Anderson Grade 1
Jade Hollingsworth Grade 1
Merrik Murphy Grade 1
Dawson Smith Grade 1
Julia Joslin Grade 1
Everette Lorkovic Grade 1
Vivian Hoffert Grade 2
Amy Wiese Grade 3
Leilani Flores Grade 3
AJ Sullivan Grade 4
Evan Miller Franco Grade 5
Jenna Glab Grade 8
Clay Heilman Grade 8
Christian Riedl Grade 8
Cameron Johnson Grade 8
Catechist needed for 6th Grade Religious Education Class
Our 6th grade Rel. Ed. class on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM will need a new catechist for the second semester beginning January 10, 2024. All materials and lesson plans are provided. Please contact Eileen at e.smith@stephen.org if you can volunteer. Thank you!
Weather Cancellations
Should icy or snowy weather occur, the Religious Education program observes the school closing policies of the Millard School District. If Millard Public Schools cancel classes or evening activities due to inclement weather, we will not hold Religious Education classes that evening. Occasionally, because of deteriorating weather conditions during the day, we will need to cancel R.E. classes late in the afternoon or early evening, even when Millard has held classes. Cancellations and plans for re-scheduling activities will be published on the parish web-site at www.stephen.org. Parents will also be notified by text messaging or email. Parents should use their discretion as to whether it is safe for their children to attend class. The safety of our children is always our primary concern.
SSM Knights of Columbus Annual
Free Throw Contest
Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions. Just show up at the gym on January 5th; no registration required!
Upcoming Dates
- Dec. 13: Parish Reconciliation Service; 7-9 pm
- Dec. 19/20: Adoration Service & Christmas celebrations.
- Dec. 26/27: No Rel. Ed. Classes
- Jan. 2/3: No Rel. Ed. Classes
- Jan 9/10: Classes Resume
Main Office: 402-896-5683
Sandy Kimmey, Director of Religious Education
s.kimmey@stephen.org or 402-861-4510
Eileen Smith, Assistant Director of Religious Education
e.smith@stephen.org or 402-861-4513
Sam Jizba, Confirmation Coordinator, s.jizba@stephen.org or 402-861-4512
Anita Finger, Office Assistant & Copy Room Facilitator
a.finger@stephen.org or 402-861-4523
Office Hours
Monday: 9 am to 3 pm
Tuesday: 9 am to 6:30 pm
Wednesday: 10 am to 8 pm
Thursday: 9 am to 1 pm