May 9, 2025

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.

Joy and Blessings for New Pope Leo XIV

A Statement from Archbishop Paul D. Etienne

SEATTLE, May 8, 2025 – We share the joy of people around the world as we welcome Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. Let us pray the Lord fills him with the peace and consolation of the Holy Spirit in these first and early days of his pontificate. Since the Lord has chosen him as the Universal Shepherd of the whole People of God, may we now support him with our prayers and unity.

Pope Leo XIV is an amazing choice as the next successor of Peter. The name chosen tells us he will put the social teachings of the Church at the heart of this pontificate. I have found this man in my brief encounters to be humble, affable, confident and competent in carrying out his responsibilities. We have hopeful and bright days ahead!

We are also immensely grateful to the cardinals who so prayerfully entered the conclave process – a process that is both divine and human - to select the successor of St. Peter. By listening to the movement of the Holy Spirit and their own prayer and discernment, they elected Cardinal Robert Prevost and demonstrated for all of us how we are to live our baptismal calling, in the presence of God

The 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal Campaign

Thank you to all our recurring monthly donors and to everyone who has already made your gift or renewed your pledge to the Annual Catholic Appeal. Your gift makes a difference to our brothers and sisters in all walks of life, including those who are incarcerated, people who are at end of life, youth and young adults, those seeking refuge, and families seeking to grow in their faith and celebrate the sacraments. If you have not yet made your gift, you can use a pew envelope, scan the QR code on the envelope, or go online HERE, to make a contribution to the appeal. We are incredibly grateful for your consideration and your support.

In case you missed seminarian Evan MacKenzie's sharing on the ACA, you can see it by clicking here.

Mother's Day Breakfast this Sunday!

The Knights of Columbus Mother’s Day Breakfast follows both morning Masses this Sunday, May 11th! Menu: French toast, scrambled eggs, Monte Cristo sandwiches, bacon, juice, and coffee. Free-will offering requested: Net proceeds will go to Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) Program.

Women's' Retreat - Register by Tuesday, May 27!

May 31, 2025, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Church Social Hall)
We invite you for a Day of Renewal and Fellowship as we reflect on:
▪ The Scripture stories of Martha and Mary finding Radiant Joy!

▪ How Mother Mary and Elizabeth Shared Radiant Joy!

▪ Ways for women to Share Radiant Joy! in their everyday lives as friends, mothers, sisters, wives, and grandmothers.

Our featured speaker, Rev. Marlo F. Abad, has served in Seattle Archdiocesan parishes since 2023. Before coming to Seattle, he served as a Seminary spiritual director, music director, and missionary. Fr. Marlo has experience as a retreat facilitator and leading days of reflection for a variety of groups.

All are encouraged to attend 8:30 am Mass in the Church. Check-in will take place at 9:15 in the Social Hall. Registration Fee: $40 Includes light breakfast, lunch, snacks and materials. Questions: ask Tina, at sstm.womensretreat@gmail.com or 206-715-8462. Remember, space is limited - Click here to Register

Cookies for Confirmation!

Attention Cookie Bakers (and shoppers). Please support Confirmation Night by dropping off some cookies for the dessert buffet. Cookies can be homemade or store-bought. We need over 500 cookies dropped off on Sunday, May 18. Please bring them to the Social Hall. Thank you!

Also, please let us know if you can help plate the cookies on Monday, May 19, at 10:00 AM. For more information contact Beth bnieva@ststephenslife.com or Kim kanderson@ststephenslife.com

Breath of Aire Concert Friday, May 23 - 7:15 PM

Mark your calendar for an inspiring evening of music! Breath of Aire will be performing a benefit to support the Terrific Tuesday Meals program. This annual concert helps fund the program’s efforts for an entire year. To get a taste of the music click here!

Young Adult Dance!

Join the Seattle Catholic Dance Crew at St. Stephen the Martyr on Friday May 16th at 7:00 PM. Young adults (18 to 35) are invited to join us for a night of country swing, two step and line dancing. Lessons included!

Food Pantry Needs

Thank you for your continued support! The Food Pantry requests the following:
Please change the pantry requests to the following:

Peanut Butter & Jelly, Dry Beans
Small, Travel-sized toiletries: Body wash; toothpaste; Kleenex and wipes

For Gabriel/Prepares:
We need diaper sizes 4,5, and 6.

Seattle Men's Conference May 24

Attention Men: The 12^thIron Sharpens Iron Catholic Men’s Conference, is scheduled May 24, 2025 at Holy Rosary Parish – Edmonds. The dynamic lineup of speakers include: Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Jason Evert, Devin Schadt, Abraham Lucas, Mike Flood and our very own Pastor, Fr. Bryan Dolejsi!

NEW SPEAKER ADDED: Fr. Ed White will speak on: Praying with impact--the link between your mission & execution. Fr. Ed recently suffered a heart attack but he's committed to come to Iron Sharpens Iron for you!

Sign up today to be part of this very special day and secure the Early Bird Discount by April 25. Additional discount for your high school or college age son or grandson.

Stewardship of Time

We know you have been busy volunteering at St. Stephen's; It’s the Season of Service! When you can, please take the time to log your hours served from March to May 20 on the Time Wall? Beth will tally them up and submit them to the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese has a goal of 175,000 hours for our 175^th year. Thank you for all you do.

Reflection from the USCCB

Respect Life Reflection

When a woman finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, the news can come as a shock and bring overwhelming feelings of fear, shame, anxiety, and doubt. Without a strong support system, what should be joyful news, can instead be experienced as a crisis. Often, a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy may not know where she can turn for help and assistance.... click here to continue

Terrific Tuesday Meals

Our next Terrific Tuesday dinner will be served at 5:30 PM on May 27

All Are Welcome!

Upcoming Funerals

1. Funeral Mass for Paul Ringstad Friday May 16th at 11:00am.
2. Funeral Mass for Eleanor Bertagni Friday June 6th at 11:00am.

St. Anthony Feast Day

Please join our partner community for masses on June 13th 2025 at 8:00 a.m. in English and 7:00 p.m. bilingual.

Blood Drive June 28

The Knights of Columbus Blood Drive will be Saturday, June 28th, with the Bloodworks Northwest's mobile unit at St. Stephens. Please submit your name and e-mail (or phone number) to Randy Srnsky, randysrnsky@yahoo.com (or phone 206-940-5060). Donate blood - Save a life.

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