December 6, 2024
This Sunday's Gospel
You are invited us to prepare for Sunday Mass by reading and reflecting upon the upcoming Gospel. Click the image for the Sunday readings from the US Catholic Bishops. There you will also find an audio version, video reflection, Spanish version and a way to receive daily readings in your email.
Advent and Christmas Activities Flyer
Click the image for a downloadable PDF of the St Stephen the Martyr and St Anthony Parish schedule of Advent and Christmas activities.
Teen Programs Enjoy a Holiday!
Youth programming will resume this Sunday, Dec. 8, with a hodgepodge of holiday hoopla!
Archbishop Etienne's 2024 Advent Video & Reflections
Click the image above to view Archbishop Etienne's video message. Daily resources for Advent reflection and prayer can be found at https://archseattle.org/advent/
Immaculate Conception Monday, Dec. 9
Masses for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. This is a holy day of obligation.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrations Dec. 12
At St. Stephen the Martyr:
6:30pm Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe (English)
St Stephen's parishioners are welcome and invited to attend these activities
at St. Anthony Parish:
Morning: (Spanish)
5:00 – 6:00 AM Serenade to Our Lady:
5:00am Rosary:
6:00 – 7:00 AM Breakfast served in the parish hall
Evening:
5:00pm Procession
5:30pm Rosary:
6:00pm Representation of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the church:
7:00 pm Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe (bilingual) followed by procession to the parish hall for festivities and dinner.
All are welcome! Mass at 5:00 PM with reception following!
Simbang Gabi Celebration Saturday, December 21
Simbang Gabi or Night Mass is a novena of nine Masses to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as she prayerfully and joyfully anticipated the birth of our Lord, Jesus. It is a Filipino advent tradition that originated in Mexico in 1587 by Father Ray Diego de Soria. The Spanish missionaries brought Simbang Gabi to the Philippines and it became a unique custom for families to attend Masses at dawn before going to work. Parol (brightly lit star shaped lanterns) were used as decorations to symbolize the bright star that led the Three Kings to Bethlehem on their way to pay homage to Baby Jesus.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
- Psalm 34, 19
Grief Support
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, December 15th at 1:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Chapel as well as on Zoom. Our topic will be "Depression / Getting the Help You Need." For more information and to register, please contact Sharon Rasmussen at srasmussen910@yahoo.com.
Food Pantry Needs
Hope Everyone had a Wonderful Thanksgiving! The Food Pantry requests the following items:
Spaghetti
Spaghetti sauce
Peanut Butter
Thank you for your continued support.
Stewardship of Treasure
We are very grateful to the many parishioners who have returned a Stewardship of Treasure pledge to the parish. Your generosity directly supports the mission and the ministries of St.
Stephen the Martyr. As people that are entrusted 16with so much, let us acknowledge with gratitude all we have been given. We thank you for your good stewardship and for your incredible support of our parish and our family of faith. If you haven’t taken the opportunity yet to let us know what your 2025 giving pledge will be, please fill out and return a pledge card available in the pews and in the Narthex, or you can pledge online by clicking the image
https://archseattle.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/4047/responses/new
Stephen the Martyr. As people that are entrusted 16with so much, let us acknowledge with gratitude all we have been given. We thank you for your good stewardship and for your incredible support of our parish and our family of faith. If you haven’t taken the opportunity yet to let us know what your 2025 giving pledge will be, please fill out and return a pledge card available in the pews and in the Narthex, or you can pledge online by clicking the image
https://archseattle.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/4047/responses/new
Coffee & Donuts!
Coffee & Donuts will be hosted by the Knights of Columbus on Sunday after the morning Masses.
Advent Family Night
On Wednesday, December 11th all families with newborns to 5th graders are invited to an Advent Family Night in the social hall starting with dinner at 5:45 PM followed by fun faith-based activities.
Conference Secretary Needed
Would you be willing to share 2 hours of your time twice a month and be the Conference Secretary? If you would like to know more about the position and hours, please contact China Krismer at 206-393-0672 or email chinasvdp@gmail.com
Respect Life
Each year during Advent, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior at Christmas. As we anticipate this joyful celebration, we recall the well-known journey of the Holy Family from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Far from home, poor, and in great need, Mary and Joseph find refuge in a simple stable. But this humble setting among the livestock soon welcomes the heavenly host of angels and the Son of God himself....
Upcoming Funeral
Theresa Ralph’s funeral service (not a Mass) will be at Greenwood Funeral Home with burial following (350 Monroe Ave NE Renton, WA 98056 ) on Wednesday, December 11th at noon.
All are welcome! 6-9 PM St. Stephen the Martyr Friday, December 13th
Transformation Night Healing Service Dec. 13
During this sacred season of Advent, we are filled with hope, reminded that with God, all things are possible. We warmly invite you to join us for a truly unforgettable evening as we encounter Christ—the Divine Physician, our Healer, Savior, and Friend. Let us come together in prayer and reflection, opening our hearts to His transformative love and grace during this holy time of waiting and renewal. As Jesus said in Matthew 10:7, “As you go, proclaim this: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” We believe that as we seek the Lord, He will faithfully show up and do what only He can do. If you are in need of healing, or know someone who could use a touch from the Lord, we invite you to join us. This is a night you won’t want to miss.
Annual Catholic Appeal
St. Stephen the Martyr has met our goal of $184,000 for the Annual Catholic Appeal Campaign. Parishioners have pledged/given $184,200 from 383 families!
There is still time to contribute for those families who have not yet pledged/given to the ACA this year. All gifts received now will be returned to the parish to help support our ministries and outreach. Through the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal, our parish has been answering the call to support our local Catholic community. Your generous gifts support the needs of our faith family and help cultivate the future of our Church.
There is still time to contribute for those families who have not yet pledged/given to the ACA this year. All gifts received now will be returned to the parish to help support our ministries and outreach. Through the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal, our parish has been answering the call to support our local Catholic community. Your generous gifts support the needs of our faith family and help cultivate the future of our Church.
You can donate clicking the image, fill out a pew envelope, or go online to archseattle.org/GiveACA.
Annual Report to Parishioners Available Online
Click the image above to view the "flipbook" of our annual report.
Monthly Presider Schedules Available Online
Click the image above to access the monthly presider schedules for Masses at both St Stephen the Martyr and St Anthony. These schedules are downloadable PDFs presented in calendar form including both Sunday and daily liturgies.
St Stephen's is Livestreaming on Vimeo!
Our livestream broadcasts have been upgraded with the addition of the video hosting service, Vimeo.
Click the image or visit https://www.ststephenslife.com/holy-mass-live-stream where you can enjoy Mass and devotions live, within a media player right on our parish website (yes, you can expand to full screen). Want to watch yesterday's Mass? In our new Vimeo player the liturgy won't be interrupted with commercials! Still a big Facebook or YouTube fan? No worries; our liturgies will continue to be simulcast to those platforms as well.
Want to Learn More?
Click the image on the left to see our weekly bulletins