Flocknote

Second Sunday of Advent

The second Sunday of Advent signifies peace. The second purple candle is known as the Bethlehem Candle. It commemorates Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, reminding us of their faith and the peace that Christ's birth brings to the world. This week encourages reflection on reconciliation and the peace that comes from Christ, while also emphasizing that individuals can promote peace through understanding and compassion in their communities. The themes build upon the first Sunday's focus on hope and prepare for the upcoming Sundays of joy and love.

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Religious Education Families!

Catechist Assistants Needed

Volunteers Wanted: Do you have an hour available to help in a 7th grade class on Wednesdays at 5:30 or a 6th Grade on Tuesdays at 4:30? We are looking for an assistant to help in either of these classes. This is a wonderful way for parents to be involved without the additional commitment of leading a class. This role functions more as a chaperone vs. instructor. Please contact our office if you are available to volunteer at 402-896-5683 or fill out the volunteer form below.

Volunteer Form

Saint of the Week

St. Lucy is a virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily, whose feast is celebrated on December 13th. According to tradition, Saint Lucy was born to rich and noble parents in the year 283. Her father was of Roman origin, but his early death left her dependent upon her mother, whose name, Eutychia, seems to indicate that she was of Greek heritage.

Like so many of the early martyrs, Lucy had consecrated her virginity to God, and she hoped to devote all her worldly goods to the service of the poor.

Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her, but for three years she managed to postpone the marriage. Lucy prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha to change her mother’s mind about her faith. As a result, her mother's long haemorrhagic illness was cured, and she consented to Lucy's desire to live for God.

Saint Lucy’s rejected bridegroom, Paschasius, denounced Lucy as a Christian. The governor planned to force her into prostitution, but when guards went to fetch her, they could not move her even when they hitched her to a team of oxen. The governor ordered her to be killed instead.

After a gruesome torture which included having her eyes torn out, she was surrounded by bundles of wood which were set afire, but the fire quickly died out. She prophesied against her persecutors, and was then executed by being stabbed to death with a dagger.

Feast Day-December 13

St. Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye disorders

RSVP

As we enter December, it is a good time to review our inclement weather policy.

St. Stephen the Martyr Religious Education observes the school closing policies of the Millard Public Schools (MPS) and/or Omaha Catholic Schools (OCS). When school is canceled, we will send families a text and/or email (using the Flocknote communication system).

If either district calls off school due to inclement weather on a Tuesday or Wednesday, Religious Education classes will be cancelled for the evening. In the event that MPS and/or Omaha Catholic Schools issues a late start, we will issue our own weather announcement based on weather conditions impacting the evening. If MPS announces a remote learning day in lieu of a snow day, classes will be cancelled.

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.

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.

Youth Conference-July 10-12, 2026

Open to 9th Grade -College Freshmen

Register Here

Over the next few months, all our classes will be going over the Circle of Grace curriculum. This is a curriculum for the safe environment education of children and young people supported and mandated by the Archdiocese of Omaha. Please look over the following documents for more information on the program and on helpful tips on how to discuss important topics with your children.