Wednesday, August 31, 2011

September 4th, 2011

South King County Young Adults (SKCYA) Come kick-off a new networking opportunity for Catholic young adults from South King County! Grow in fellowship with others while exploring topics relevant to living authentic Catholic lives in the 21st century. Open to all 18-35 year olds (single or married). Our first event is on Saturday, Sept 10 from 6:30 - 7:45 PM at St. Stephen's. Fr. Bryan Ochs, a newly ordained priest from St. Anthony's in Renton will be our guest speaker discussing the topic, "How to Pray Without Ceasing in a Busy World". Please RSVP to Sarah Deady (sarahdeady@msn.com) or the "SKCYA (South King Catholic Young Adults)" Facebook page by Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Mark Your Calendars NOW!Registration will be the weekend of September 10th and 11th after All Masses! Parents of 1st grade students classes are required this year to be eligible for 1st Sacraments in 2nd grade!

RCIA - Those who are “cradle Catholics” and baptized as infants never experienced the richness of learning as adults the wonder of being Catholic. RCIA -(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process designed to welcome adults into the Catholic Church. Participants learn about the Mass, Sacraments, moral and Catholic social teaching and much more. If you would like to enrich your faith, RCIA will be starting on Thursday, Sept 8 at 7 PM. Come with a friend, Catholic or not and let your faith grow! Contact Cynde Bosshart to sign up!

What is a "Returning Catholic"? - Do you have a friend who asks you questions about the Catholic Church and you don't know the answers? Did you grow up before or with Vatican II but no clarity on how it impacts your beliefs? Many people are raised Catholic but for a variety of reasons, quit attending Church. In order to feel better connected and to update them on current Church teaching, we have a process called Returning Catholics. This class also serves to prepare those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult. Our next series begins on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 PM in the Outreach Annex. Contact Cynde Bosshart to sign up.

Marriage Prep - If you are considering having your wedding at St. Stephen’s, please contact Sara Hoffman in the Faith Formation Offices as soon as possible. There is a significant amount of preparation, including classes you will need to attend and documents to be gathered. You will need to contact St. Stephen’s no later then 8 Months before your wedding to ensure everything gets done on time!
Childcare during Sunday Masses The Nursery will once again be open for all Sunday Masses (8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:30 PM) beginning Sept 18. Volunteers (18 and older) are still needed for Masses and events throughout the year. If interested, please contact Brigitte Gonzales at 425-351-5518 or ststephenschildcare@gmail.com.

The beC.O.M.E. (Calling of Motherhood Explored) Program is being developed right here at St. Stephen and replaces the 8-week self-reflective program called MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing). Motherhood at every stage is life-changing, and beC.O.M.E. seeks to help moms with children of all ages and stages fulfill the high calling of motherhood by digging deep into Scripture and Catechism to understand God’s design for motherhood; then explores the practical ways we live this calling in our twenty-first century lives. We support the vocation of motherhood by meeting weekly throughout the school year, as well as hosting special events and service opportunities. Join us Wednesdays from 10-11:30 AM, starting Sept 14; childcare is available starting at 9 AM, for those wanting to attend Adoration in the Chapel beforehand. An annual $30 fee contributes to the cost of materials and guest speakers. For more info, contact Abbie DeRuyter (abbiederuyter@gmail.com or 253-277-3891).

Calling Boys and Girls, Ages 10-14
The Knights of Columbus annual Soccer “Penalty-Kick” Challenge will begin with the Council Championship on Saturday, Sept 17, at 9:30 AM, at Renton High School's soccer field, followed by the District Championship on Saturday, Sept 24, at 9:30 AM at St. Stephen's Church campus. Please call Deputy Grand Knight Bob Lowenstein at 206-890-5251 to register. Thank you.

Blood Drive The Knights of Columbus and Puget Sound Blood Center are proud to announce the return of the Mobile Unit Blood Drive on Saturday, Sept 24, from 10 AM-4 PM (closed from 12-1PM) in St. Stephen's lower parking lot. To schedule your own appointment visit: www.psbc.org/programs/drive.asp?URL=1840. For more information call Cindy Mortimer at 253-939-6566.
Eucharistic Minister Training Eucharistic Ministers provide an important ministry by assisting the priest with distributing the Body and Blood of Christ to the parish community. If you are a Confirmed Catholic and interested in serving as a Eucharistic Minister, please join us at one of the upcoming Eucharistic Minister Trainings on Saturday, Oct 8 at 9 AM or Sunday, Oct 9 at 9:30 AM. Eucharistic Ministers are asked to serve at one mass of your choosing each month. Please sign-up at the back of the church or by contacting Mary Kay Elsner at 253-630-3607 or mmelsner@comcast.net.

Help End Abortion The St. Stephen Respect Life Committee invites you to pray with Helpers of God’s Precious Infants:
• First Wednesday, Sept 7, spend an hour in prayer with the Renton Helpers of God's Precious Infants at the Cedar River (abortion) Clinics, located in the Cascade Crest Building at 263 Rainier Ave. S. in Renton. Fr. Ed will lead a pro-life rosary at 11 AM. Contact Bernie (bkwit6gc@msn.com) to schedule an hour of your choosing between 7:30 AM - 5 PM so you will not be there alone.
• Second Saturday, Sept 10, pray with the Seattle Helpers of God’s Precious Infants (www.SeattleHelpers.org) starting with morning Mass at the Knights of Columbus Hall (722 E. Union, Seattle) and followed by a peaceful prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood (2001 E. Madison, Seattle). Call Louise for exact time at 425-271-7185.

Direct Aid:
For help with rent, utilities, or medical expenses contact parishoutreach.ststephen@gmail.com or 253-631-1044
Food Bank Hours: Monday & Friday 10 AM - 12 PM and Wednesday 4 - 6 PM. Please Help! The food bank espeically needs fruit (canned, fresh or dried), pancake mix, syrup and vegetables.

Terrific Tuesday Meals News: A generous parishioner donated a $500 gift certificate to the program for help buy items our homeless guests have asked for such as: sleeping bags, backpacks, car parts, toothbrushes, and bicycle repairs to name just a few. Thank you!

Socks! Socks! Socks!
The Terrific Tuesday Guests and the men in the homeless shelters are requesting socks. Please bring new socks to the Outreach Annex or leave them in the wicker baskets with the food donations in the Narthex. Thank you!

The St. Stephen Job Assistance Ministry is gearing-up to help our fellow parishioners with career counseling and help returning to the work force.This new, permanent ministry is being formed to offer a job bank and resume services, and provide education on understanding the job search process, how to use the internet to find jobs, and how to do an interview. We will also provide networking opportunities, mentoring, and support (including prayer support). We need volunteers with experience in any of the above areas to help launch this program. For more info, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Donations Wanted Please contact us if you have an automobile, truck or adult bicycle that you can donate (tax receipt available).
Great News! A Hoveround (riding chair) and electric hospital bed have been donated to St. Stephens and are available for use. If interested in borrowing, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

St. Stephen Housing Association would love your support! This is the time of year when many employers hold their Annual Giving Campaigns, and many also have gift-matching programs. Please consider making a one-time gift or author-izing a regular payroll deduction. We are a 501(c)3 program, so your donation is tax-deductible. Did you know on an average night over 8,000 men, women, and children in King County are homeless? SSHA offers affordable housing to homeless families with children. Together, we can make a difference by designating your gift to the SSHA. For those of you already giving, we appreciate your continued support! Questions? Please call our office at 253-638-9798.

Africa Mission Presentation
On Sunday, Oct 2 at 9:45 AM, a video of the December 2010 mission trip to Uganda and Kenya will be presented along with information about the upcoming mission trip next August! Please plan on attending in between the two morning masses that Sunday. For more information contact Diane Cooper at 425-652-1445 or imdcooper@comcast.net.

September 5 Monday – Parish offices CLOSED
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
5:30p – 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:30p – 7:00p MASS
7:00p – 8:00p Eucharistic Adoration
7:00p – 8:30p NO Boy Scouts due to holiday
September 6 Tuesday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
6:30p – 8:30p Fil-Am Choir
7:00p – 9:00p Knights of Columbus
September 7 Wednesday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
5:30p – 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:30p - 7:00p MASS
7:15p – 9:00p Choir Practice
September 8 Thursday
8:30a – 9:00a MASS
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
11:00a – 1:00p Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Group
7:00p – 7:45p Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena
7:00p – 9:00p RCIA
September 9 Friday
8:30a – 9:15a MASS
9:00a – 10:00a Reconciliation
9:00a. – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
September 10 Saturday
8:30a -- 9:00a Morning Prayer
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
3:00p – 4:00p Reconciliation
5:00p – 6:00p Vigil MASS
6:00p – 6:30p Faith Formation Class Registration
6:30p – 8:00p S. King Young Adults
September 11 Sunday
8:30a – 9:30a MASS (Nursery open)
9:30a – 10:00a Faith Formation Class Registration
9:45a – 10:45a Altar Server Training
11:00a – 12:00p MASS (Nursery open)
12:00p – 12:30p Faith Formation Class Registration
5:30p – 6:30p MASS on the Grass (Nursery closed)
6:30p – 7:00p Faith Formation Class Registration
6:30p – 9:00p Charismatic Prayer Group

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

August 28th, 2011

A Message from Fr. Brian

I thought that it was time to share with you as it has been quite a while since you have heard from me. I am home after my second stay in the hospital. Unfortunately, I am still dealing with some complications, which are delaying my recovery. Hopefully, that will change soon. I sincerely want to thank you all for your overwhelming care and support in whatever form it has taken. Words cannot really express what that means for me. Hopefully, I will be back with you all soon.
Blessings - Fr. Brian

Employment Opportunity Do you like meeting people and helping them? Do you like coordinating activities, multi-tasking, and working in teams? Are you a creative self-starter with a positive and optimistic attitude? If so you may want to explore applying for a new part-time position on our pastoral team: Steward for Talents (a.k.a. volunteer coordinator). Visit www.StStephensLife.com for full details and an application.

Mark Your Calendars NOW!
Faith Formation Class Registration will be the weekend of Sept. 10/11 after All Masses!

Parents of 1st Grade Students:
Classes are required this year to be eligible for First Sacraments in 2nd Grade!

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process designed to welcome adults into the Catholic Church and is also a great teaching tool for those who do not feel confident in their knowledgeof the Church. (Those who are “cradle Catholics” and baptized as infants may never have experienced as adults the richness of learning the wonder of being Catholic.) Participants learn about the Mass, Sacraments, moral and Catholic social teaching, and much more. If you would like to enrich your faith, RCIA will be starting on Thursday, September 8th at 7:00 PM (an Information Meeting is this Thursday, September 1 at 7:00 PM). Come with a friend, Catholic or not, and let your faith grow! Contact Cynde Bosshart to sign-up.

Who is a "Returning Catholic"?
Do you have a friend who asks you questions about the Catholic Church and you don't know the answers? Did you grow up before or with Vatican II but feel no clarity on how it impacts your beliefs?
Many people are raised Catholic, but for a variety of reasons, quit attending Church. In order to feel better connected and to update them on current Church teaching, we have a process called “Returning Catholics”. This class also serves to prepare those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult. Our next series begins on Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM in the Outreach Annex. Contact Cynde Bosshart to sign up (contact info on the last page of the bulletin).

If you are considering having your wedding at St. Stephen’s, please contact Sara Hoffman in the Faith Formation Offices as soon as possible. There is a significant amount of preparation, including classes that you will need to attend and documents that may take some time to gather. You will need to contact St. Stephen’s no later than 8 months before your wedding to ensure everything gets done on time!

Calling Boys and Girls, Ages 10-14 The Knights of Columbus will be holding our annual Soccer “Penalty-Kick” Challenge. Please join us Saturday, September 17 at 9:30 AM at Renton High School soccer field for our Council Championship, and Saturday, September 24 at 9:30 AM at St. Stephen the Martyr Church campus for our District Championship. Please call Deputy Grand Knight Bob Lowenstein at 206-890-5251 to register. Thank you.

Childcare during Mass Good news! We will be re-opening the Nursery for the Sunday 5:30 PM Mass beginning September 18. Thank you to Cheryl, Libby and Diana for their dedication to keep the nursery open all summer and also to all my young volunteers- we appreciate every moment you spend in our Nursery! Volunteers (18 and older) are still needed for all Sunday Masses and many events throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact Brigitte Gonzales at 425-351-5518 or ststephenschildcare@gmail.com.
24-Hour Adoration/Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place the first Friday-Saturday of every month. The next opportunity is from 9 AM on Friday, September 2 until 3 PM on Saturday, September 3. Everyone is invited to attend. We all come to Jesus with our praises, our thanksgivings, and our needs. Please sign-up for your favorite time(s) on the board by the Chapel doors. Questions? Contact Bernie Wittgens (253-631-5560).

The St. Stephen Honduras Mission team still has openings for our February 2012 trip to Honduras. If you are interested or would like more information about our trip, please contact Patrick Flanigan at 206-718-3607 or Debbie Dullenty at 206-755-6628.

See how the events in the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament Join us for The Bible Timeline Series: The Story of Salvation and gain a greater appreciation for the Scripture readings you hear during Mass and much more! For more info, contact Mary Ann Cullivan at mjcullivan@comcast.net or 425-413-4994. Registration after all Masses this weekend (Aug 27/28).
The Motherhood Ministry at St. Stephen is Evolving! Here at St. Stephen, over 100 moms have participated in the self-reflective study program called MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing). Many friendships were formed and many women continued to meet after the 8-week program ended. Now, after over a decade with that program, we’re excited to evolve our parish’s motherhood ministry. The new program is called beC.O.M.E. (Calling of Motherhood Explored). With a new name, new material, and new mission, we think you’ll be excited, too! Whether or not you’ve participated in the 8-week program in the past, we hope that moms with children of all ages and stages will join us. Starting September 14, we’ll meet on Wednesdays from 10:00 - 11:30 AM; childcare is available starting at 9:00 AM, for those who are able to attend Adoration in the Chapel beforehand. An annual $30 member fee contributes to the cost of materials and guest speakers. Stay tuned for details, or contact Abbie DeRuyter to learn more now (abbiederuyter@gmail.com or 253-277-3891).
If you are a parishioner in need school supplies, please contact Irene Davies at 253-856-7649 or ropeit0024@hotmail.com.

Socks! Socks! Socks! The Terrific Tuesday Guests and the men in the homeless shelters are requesting socks. Please bring new socks to the Outreach Annex or leave them in the wicker baskets with the food donations in the Narthex. Thank you!

The St. Stephen Job Assistance Ministry is gearing-up to help our fellow parishioners with career counseling and help returning to the work force.This is a new, permanent ministry being formed now to offer a job bank and resume services, and will provide education on topics including how to understand the job search process, use the internet to find jobs, and handle interviews. We will also provide networking opportunities, mentoring, and support (including prayer support). We need volunteers with experience in any of the above areas to help us get this program up and running. For more info, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Donations Wanted Please contact us if you have an automobile or truck or an adult bicycle that you can donate (tax receipt available).

Volunteers Wanted Park Orchard School needs volunteers once a month for 1 hour from October thru May.This is an art docent program sponsored by Green River College. Volunteer would need to take 2 ½ hrs. basic training before starting. All teaching aids and program are provided. Please contact Darlene if you are available at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Great News! A Hoveround (riding chair) and electric hospital bed have been donated to St. Stephens and are available for use. If interested in borrowing, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

REPORT: St. Stephen's Direct Aid Funds (fiscal year ending 6/30/11)
Utilities for 156 families $18,836.49
Medical Aid for 5 people 201.25
Rental Aid for 60 families 16,602.47
Food for Food Bank 991.19
Pregnancy Aid for 2 people 404.90
Other Aid for 14 families 3,881.93
Emergency Housing for 17 families 7,060.43

Total (254 families served) $ 46,175.89
(These funds are from the blue CSA envelopes and other donations to Outreach.)

Additionally, food donated to the parish Food Bank provided 3,854 bags of food, which have been given to families in need. The average value of each bag was $35, totaling $134,890 worth of food. (Last year we gave out $48,370.00 worth of food- what an increase!)
St. Stephen Housing Association would love your support! This is the time of year when many employers hold their Annual Giving Campaigns and many companies have a gift-matching program. Please consider making a one-time gift or even authorizing a regular payroll deduction. We are a 501(c)3 program, so your donation is tax-deductible. Did you know on an average night over 8,000 men, women, and children are homeless in King County alone? SSHA offers affordable housing to homeless families with children. Together, we can make a difference by designating your gift to the St. Stephen Housing Association. For those of you who are already giving, we appreciate your continued support! Questions? Please call our office at 253-638-9798
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 18 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the Peace & Spirituality Center (1663 Killarney Way, Bellevue). Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. RSVP by September 13 to 425-635-3600 or peace@csjp-olp.org. Freewill offering to support the Peace and Spirituality Ministry.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God.” Don’t let the world’s way tear your marriage apart. Plan to attend one of the upcoming WWME Weekends on Sept 9 - 11 in Centralia (contact John and Martha Ryland at 253-859-9174 or jmryland@comcast.net) or Oct 7 - 9 in Seattle (contact Rory and Dawn Myers at 206-772-2344 or seattlewwme@yahoo.com).

August 29 Monday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
5:30p – 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:30p – 7:00p MASS
7:00p – 8:00p Eucharistic Adoration
7:00p – 8:30p Boy Scout Troop 714

August 30 Tuesday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
6:00p – 6:30p Terrific Tuesday Dinner
6:30p – 8:30p Fil-Am Choir

August 31 Wednesday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
5:30p – 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:30p – 7:00p MASS
7:15p – 9:00p Choir Practice

September 1 Thursday
8:30a – 9:00a MASS
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
11:00a – 1:00p Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Group
7:00p – 7:45p Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena
7:00p – 9:00p RCIA Info Night
7:00p – 9:00p Pastoral Council

September 2 First Friday
8:30a – 9:15a MASS
9:00a – 10:00a Reconciliation
9:00a–3:00p SatEucharistic Adoration

September 3 First Saturday
7:30a – 8:00a Morning Prayer
8:00a – 10:00a SSM Men's Group
8:10a – 8:20a Benediction
8:30a – 9:00a MASS
9:00a Fri–3:00 Eucharistic Adoration
10:00a –11:30a Council of Catholic Women
3:00p – 4:00p Reconciliation
5:00p – 6:00p Vigil MASS

September 4 Sunday
8:30a – 9:30a MASS (Nursery open)
11:00a – 12:00p MASS (Nursery open)
7:00p – 8:00p MASS (Nursery closed)
6:30p – 9:00p Charismatic Prayer Group

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

August 21, 2011

Faith Formation Registration will be the weekend of Sept. 10/11 after all Masses!

Parents of 1st Grade Students: Classes are required this year to be eligible for 1st Sacraments in 2nd Grade year!

Sr High Kamikazi Falls Day Hike
(near Mount Si) Wednesday, August 24th 8am - 2pm The hike is 6 miles total (3 out and 3 back), with an elevation gain of 1350 feet. Forms available in the Faith Formation Office or online at www.ststephenslife.com

Help End Abortion
St. Stephen's 2011 4US (for ultrasounds) donation campaign has ended. However, online donations made at www.4us.org/teams/35 and/or your check made payable to "4US" with "Fr. Ed's Team Fiat" noted on the memo line will be matched by the Knights of Columbus to help pregnant mothers make INFORMED CHOICES. For more information, see www.ststephens.us. Thank you for your support!

The Vietnamese Community of St. Stephen invite you to our first-ever Mass Celebration in honor of Our Lady of La Vang on Monday, August 22. A special procession, prayers, and songs led by the Vietnamese Community begin at 6:00 PM, followed by Mass at 6:30 PM. After Mass, all are invited to join us for a Dinner Reception of traditional Vietnamese food provided by the Vietnamese Community of St. Stephen. All are welcome!

The St. Stephen Honduras Mission team still has openings for our February 2012 trip to Honduras. If you are interested or would like more information about our trip, please contact Patrick Flanigan at 206-718-3607 or Debbie Dullenty at 206-755-6628.

Scripture Study
See how the events in the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament Join us for The Bible Timeline Series: The Story of Salvation and gain a greater appreciation for the Scripture readings you hear during Mass and much more! For more info, contact Mary Ann Cullivan at mjcullivan@comcast.net or 425-413-4994. Registration after all Masses this weekend and next (Aug 27/28).

Playdate
Our last Park Playdate of the summer will be on Wednesday, August 24, at 11 AM, at Philip Arnold Park (720 Jones Ave S, Renton). The entrance is a bit tricky to find...Off Petrovitsky Rd, head North on 116th Ave. Pass the post office and school. When the road forks, start going left onto Puget Dr. but then make an almost-immediate right turn onto what looks like a semi-paved service road. Keep on going till you see the park on the left. Questions? Email parishplaydates@gmail.com.

South King County Young Adults (SKCYA
) Come kick-off a new networking opportunity for Catholic young adults in the South King County area! Grow in fellowship with others while exploring topics relevant to living authentic Catholic lives in the 21st century. Open to all 18-35 year olds (single or married). Events will be held the 2nd Saturday evening of every month, alternating among different parishes in the area. Our first event will be held here at St. Stephen's on the evening of Saturday, September 10 from 6:30 - 7:45 PM. Fr. Bryan Ochs, a newly ordained priest from St. Anhony's in Renton, will be our guest speaker on the topic, "How to Pray Without Ceasing in a Busy World". More information to come! If you are interested in coming, please RSVP to Sarah Deady (sarahdeady@msn.com) by Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Our annual Widow/Widowers potluck picnic will be at Pat and Hop’s starting at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 28. Please call 425- 226-3051 if you plan to attend. Thank you!

New Roman Missal
Changes in worship coming this Advent Sometimes when things are scheduled to change, we focus so intently on what is changing that we lose sight of what remains the same. When the Mass changes take place beginning this Advent, what will not change is our faith. There are no new doctrines; our Tradition remains unbroken as understood dating back to the life of Jesus and the Apostles. The liturgy remains Christ-centered and will give us new words to better connect with old truths. When we say things differently we listen with new ears and begin to see with new eyes, thus opening us to a vibrancy that might otherwise be lacking. Find out more on Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, when Fr. Kevin Duggan will be at St. Stephen’s to share the background and purpose of the changes.

Terrific Tuesday Meals are back at St. Stephen's. If you haven't joined us, please come. For more information, contact Celeste at ttmeals.ststephen@gmail.com.

THANK YOU to all the generous parishioners who donated school supplies. The St. Stephen Housing Association and St. Stephen Outreach are very appreciative- the students will be very happy as well! If you are a parishioner in need school supplies, please contact Irene Davies at 253-856-7649 or ropeit0024@hotmail.com.

Socks! Socks! Socks! The Terrific Tuesday Guests and the men in the homeless shelters are requesting socks. Please bring new socks to the Outreach Annex or leave them in the wicker baskets with the food donations in the Narthex. Thank you!

The St. Stephen Job Assistance Ministry
is gearing-up to help our fellow parishioners with career counseling and help returning to the work force. This is a new, permanent ministry being formed now to offer a job bank and resume services, and will provide education on topics including how to understand the job search process, use the internet to find jobs, and handle interviews. We will also provide networking opportunities, mentoring, and support (including prayer support). We need volunteers with experience in any of the above areas to help us get this program up and running. For more info, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Donations Wanted Please contact us if you have an automobile or truck or an adult bicycle that you can donate (tax receipt available).

Volunteers Wanted Park Orchard School needs volunteers once a month for 1 hour from October thru May.This is an art docent program sponsored by Green River College. Volunteer would need to take 2 ½ hrs. basic training before starting. All teaching aids and program are provided. Please contact Darlene if you are available at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Is this you?
- I bring a high level of tolerance and acceptance of diversity
- I am not intimated by points of pain or dysfunction
- I love the gladness, sadness, madness of humanity
- I need the freedom to take ownership
- I bring courage and creativity to problematic situations
- I need individual expectations that are created to fit a person
 If you have one or more of these strengths, you may have the calling to be a volunteer in the Direct Aid Office of St. Stephen the Martyr’s Outreach.  For more information, call Darlene at 253-631-1940 or any of the volunteers in Direct Aid at 253-631-1044.

Great News! A Hoveround (riding chair) and electric hospital bed have been donated to St. Stephens and are available for use. If interested in borrowing, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119  or darsimpson@gmail.com.


Employment Opportunity
Do you like meeting people and helping them? Do you like coordinating activities, multi-tasking, and working in teams? Are you a creative self-starter with a positive and optimistic attitude? If so you may want to explore applying for a new part-time position on our pastoral team: Steward for Talents (a.k.a. volunteer coordinator). Full details and application are at www.StStephensLife.com.

Thinking about Adopting? Catholic Community Services (CCS) is currently accepting applications for their South Korean Adoption Program. CCS has been placing infants and toddlers for adoption from South Korea for over 25 years. To learn more contact the Adoption Program at 206-328-5921 or visit our website at ccsww.org.

August 22 Monday
8:30a - 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
5:30p - 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:00p - 6:30p Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Celebration
6:30p - 7:00p MASS
7:00p - 8:00p Eucharistic Adoration
7:00p - 8:30p Boy Scouts (meet off-site)
7:15p - 9:00p Respect Life
7:15p - 9:00p Vietnamese Dinner

August 23 Tuesday
8:30a - 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a - 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
6:00p - 6:30p Terrific Tuesday Dinner
6:30p - 8:30p Fil-Am Choir
6:30p - 8:00p Cub Scouts (east end of Social Hall)

August 24 Wednesday
8:30a - 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a - 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
5:30p - 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:00p - 8:00p Baptism Class
6:30p - 7:00p MASS
7:15p - 9:00p Choir Practice

August 25 Thursday
8:30a - 9:00a MASS
9:00a - 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
11:00a - 1:00p Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Group
7:00p - 7:45p Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena
7:00p - 9:00p RCIA

August 26 Friday
8:30a - 9:15a MASS
9:00a - 10:00a Reconciliation
9:00a - 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration

August 27 Saturday
8:30a - 9:00a Morning Prayer
9:00a - 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
3:00p - 4:00p Reconciliation
5:00p - 6:00p VIGIL MASS

August 28 Sunday
8:30a - 9:30a MASS (Nursery open)
11:00a - 12:00p MASS (Nursery open)
7:00p - 8:00p MASS (Nursery closed)
6:30p - 9:00p Charismatic Prayer

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

August 14, 2011

Faith Formation Registration Mark Your Calendars NOW!Registration will be the weekend of Sept. 10/11 after all Masses!

Parents of 1st Grade Students: Classes are required this year to be eligible for 1st Sacraments in 2nd Grade year!

If you are a parishioner in need of school supplies: Please contact Irene Davies at 253-856-7649 or ropeit0024@hotmail.com.

Great News! A Hoveround (riding chair) and electric hospital bed have been donated to St. Stephens and are available for use. If interested in borrowing, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

THANK YOU! To all the generous parishioners who donated school supplies. St. Stephen Housing Assn. and St. Stephen Outreach are very appreciative. The students will be very happy as well.

SOCKS! SOCKS! SOCKS! SOCKS! SOCKS! SOCKS! Terrific Tuesday Guests and the men in the homeless shelters are requesting SOCKS. Please bring new socks to the Outreach Annex or leave in the wicker baskets with the food donations in the Narthex.

St. Stephen Job Assistance Ministry is gearing up to help our fellow parishioners. This is not a temporary situation. We are in the process of developing this ministry to offer a job bank, resume services including how to post resume’s, interviewing skills, job counseling, internet access and how to use the internet to find jobs, understanding the current job search process, help returning to the work force, career changes, mentoring and support, life plans/goals, networking, prayer support.

We need volunteers with experience in any of the above areas to help us get this program up and running. For more info, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Sr High Day Hike to Kamikazi Falls (near Mount Si, North Bend) Wednesday, August 24th 8am - 2pm The hike is 6 miles total (3 out and 3 back), with an elevation gain of 1350 feet Forms available in the Faith Formation Office or online at www.ststephenslife.com

Help End Abortion Are you about to recycle your old iPad? Please consider donating it to the St. Stephen Respect Life Committee; we will use them to display 3D images of babies to mothers at their own stages of pregnancy. For more info or if you can help, please contact Mary at 425-235-4911 or email StStephenChoosesLife@yahoo.com.

The Vietnamese Community of St. Stephen invite you to our first-ever Mass Celebration in honor of Our Lady of Lavang on Monday, August 22. A special procession, prayers, and songs led by the Vietnamese Community begin at 6:00 PM, followed by Mass at 6:30 PM. After Mass, all are invited to join us for a Dinner Reception of traditional Vietnamese food provided by the Vietnamese Community of St. Stephen. If you would like to help by participating in this event, please note the following:
- Those helping to supply or serve food, please contact Swan Pham at 253-630-5397 or kimswanpham@gmail.com
- Those helping at the Mass as Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, or Lectors, please contact Kim-Lein Nguyen at 425-228-0653 or Kim_JMJ@yahoo.com
- Those with children participating in the procession, please plan to arrive early and contact Quyen Nguyen at 425-306-2019 in advance for further for instructions

Playdate - Meet other families at our next Parish Playdate on Wednesday, August 17 at Wilson Playfield (13028 SE 251st, Kent- entrance by Zion Church/Sunshine Mountain Preschool). We meet starting at 11:00 AM and stay as long as the kids and weather hold out! Questions? Contact us at parishplaydates@gmail.com. Only one more playdate after this is left!

Employment Opportunity - Do you like meeting people and helping them? Do you like coordinating activities, multi-tasking, and working in teams? Are you a creative self-starter with a positive and optimistic attitude? If so you may want to explore applying for a new part-time position on our pastoral team: Steward for Talents (a.k.a. volunteer coordinator). Full details and application are at www.StStephensLife.com.

Bible Study See how the events in the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament Join us for The Bible Timeline Series: The Story of Salvation and gain a greater appreciation for the Scripture readings you hear during Mass and much more! For more info, contact Mary Ann Cullivan at mjcullivan@comcast.net or 425-413-4994. Registration after all Masses on Aug 20/21 and Aug 27/28.

The St. Stephen Honduras Mission team still has openings for our February 2012 trip to Honduras. If you are interested or would like more information about our trip, please contact Patrick Flanigan at 206-718-3607 or Debbie Dullenty at 206-755-6628.

Join the 50-Plus Group for a potluck on Friday, August 19 at 6:00 PM in the Social Hall. For further information, call 253-852-5864.

New Roman Missal - Special Presentation with Fr Kevin Duggan, Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Changes in worship are coming this Advent Come to learn more!

RCIA Invite “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” This woman whom Jesus is referring was not even from Israel but her faith surpassed that of the children of Israel. Her persistence on behalf of her daughter was great and Jesus responded to her wish. How persistent are we in our prayer? Do we give up after the first request or do continue until God responds? Faith is something that needs to be nurtured and formed. Would you like to experience a deepening of faith? Are you a non-Catholic (or maybe you know one) who would benefit from RCIA? Contact cyndebosshart@gmail.com or 253-631-1940, x104 for more information. Our next RCIA Information Night is Thursday, September 1 at 7:00 PM in the Outreach Annex.

St. Anthony School Uniform Exchange is this Sunday, August 14th after the morning Masses (7:30, 9:00 and 10:45 AM) in the school's Multi-Purpose Room.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” We only need to call on Jesus to help us have the best Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Orders. Plan to attend one of the upcoming WWME Weekends on Sept 9-11 in Centralia (contact John & Martha Ryland at 253-859-9174 or jmryland@comcast.net) or Oct 7-9 in Seattle (contact Rory & Dawn Myers at 206-772-2344 or seattlewwme@yahoo.com).

Weekly Calendar
August 15 Monday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
5:30p – 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:30p – 7:00p MASS (Assumption of Mary**)
7:00p – 8:00p Eucharistic Adoration
7:00p – 8:30p Boy Scout Troop 714

August 16 Tuesday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
6:00p – 6:30p Terrific Tuesday Dinner
6:30p – 8:30p Fil-Am Choir
7:30p – 9:00p Knights of Columbus

August 17 Wednesday
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer and Rosary
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
5:30p – 6:00p Evening Prayer
6:30p – 7:00p MASS
7:15p – 9:00p Choir Practice

August 18 Thursday
8:30a – 9:00a MASS
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
11:00a – 1:00p Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Group
7:00p – 7:45p Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena
7:00p – 9:00p RCIA
6:00p – 9:00p Knights of Columbus Dinner

August 19 Friday
8:30a – 9:15a MASS
9:00a – 10:00a Reconciliation
9:00a. – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration

August 20 Saturday
8:00a – 10:00a SSM Men's Group
8:30a – 9:00a Morning Prayer
9:00a – 3:00p Eucharistic Adoration
3:00p – 4:00p Reconciliation
5:00p – 6:00p VIGIL MASS

August 21 Sunday
8:30a – 9:30a MASS (Nursery open)
11:00a – 12:00p MASS (Nursery open)
1:00p – 2:30p Grief Support
7:00p – 8:00p MASS (Nursery closed)
6:30p – 9:00p Charismatic Prayer Group

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

August 7th, 2011

Faith Formation Registration will be the weekend of Sept. 10/11 after all Masses! Parents of 1st Grade Students:Classes are required this year to be eligible for 1st Sacraments in the 2nd grade year!

Sr High Day Hike Join us for another spectacular hike! Kamikazi Falls Day Hike (near Mount Si) Wednesday, Aug 24, 8am-2pm The hike is 6 miles total (3 out and 3 back), with an elevation gain of 1350 feet. Forms available in the Faith Formation Office or online (www.ststephenslife.com)!

Infant Baptism next class dates: August 24th 6-8pm Please contact the Faith formation Office to sign up, as space for classes is limited. Baptisms are held on weekends pre-determined by the Faith Formation & Liturgy Staff members, in conjunction with Father Ed. Families are not permitted to select their own dates.

Help End Abortion
• Are you about to recycle your old iPad? Please consider donating it to the St. Stephen Respect Life Committee; we will use them to display 3D images of babies to mothers at their own stages of pregnancy. For more info or if you can help, please contact Mary at 425-235-4911 or email StStephenChoosesLife@yahoo.com.
• St. Stephen Respect Life Committee invites you to pray with Helpers of God’s Precious Infants (www.SeattleHelpers.org) on the Second Saturday, Aug. 13, starting with 8 AM Mass at the Knights of Columbus Hall (722 E. Union, Seattle) and followed by a peaceful prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood (2001 E. Madison, Seattle). Need a ride? Call Louise at 425-271-7185.

New Roman Missal The way the church prays is the way of faith This truth is both hopeful and a caution. Has our prayer become so familiar and rote that the glory of our God is diminished for us? Do we walk through the Mass as if sleepwalking through a dream without remembering what we said, what happened or where we were? In the presence of community at liturgy we are to experience a communion with God and each other that is unparalleled because Christ is present in the Eucharist and in each of us. How do we enter into this profound encounter? With full, active and conscious participation. The New Roman Missal is intended to move us forward to an even richer experience of worship. Find out more on Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM when Fr. Kevin Duggan will be at St. Stephen’s to take us through the process and give a firm foundation for understanding so the liturgy will take on new depth for us. There is no cost for this presentation and sign-ups will begin in September.

Grief Ministry If you are grieving the death of a loved one, come find strength and compassion with the St. Stephen’s Grief Support Group on Sunday, August 21 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM in the Chapel. Our topic will be: Guilt- "If only….". Contact Sharon Rasmussen at 425-228-1437 for more info. He will wipe every tear from their eyes… for the old order has passed away. - Rev 21:4

Mothers & Children Play Join our next Parish Playdate on Wednesday, August 10 at Gary Grant Park/Soos Creek Trailhead (SE 208th and 137th Ave SE, Kent), starting at 11:00 AM. Bring your kids, your lunch, and your friends! Sponsored by the St. Stephen Mom's Group. Questions? Contact us at parishplaydates@gmail.com.

Honduras Mission The St. Stephen Honduras Mission team still has openings for our February 2012 trip to Honduras. If you are interested or would like more information about our trip, please contact Patrick Flanigan at 206-718-3607 or Debbie Dullenty at 206-755-6628.


Bible Study
Join us for The Bible Timeline Series: The Story of Salvation This is a fascinating 24-part Bible study with Jeff Cavins on DVD. Learn how the key people, places, and events in the Bible fit together to reveal God’s Plan for humanity. For more info, contact Mary Ann Cullivan at mjcullivan@comcast.net or 425-413-4994. Registration after all Masses on Aug 20/21 and Aug 27/28.

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Parish Outreach

Terrific Tuesday Meals are back at St. Stephen's. If you haven't joined us, please come. For more information, contact Celeste
at ttmeals.ststephen@gmail.com.

If you are a parishioner in need school supplies: Please contact Irene Davies at 253-856-7649 or ropeit0024@hotmail.com.

Job Seekers: St. Stephen’s is launching our own job bank and networking program. For more info, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.

Great News!
A Hoveround (riding chair) and electric hospital bed have been donated to St. Stephens and are available for use. If interested in borrowing, contact Darlene at 253-631-1940, x119 or darsimpson@gmail.com.