Pastoral Care/Outreach

 

Pastoral Care ministers provide prayer, support, and a listening ear to individuals who are struggling with physical, emotional, marital, and/or familial issues. These trained ministers are available to visit and bring Eucharist to those in the hospital, at treatment centers, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and private homes.

 

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry has been in our parish since 1980 and in that time we have commissioned over 300 lay ministers to this Christ-centered ministry of care and compassion. Stephen Ministers have been trained to be active listeners to individuals who are experiencing pain and grief in their lives (divorce, death, miscarriage, loss of job, mental health issues, etc.).  Contact Joan at
763-712-7441; jbednarczyk@ststephenchurch.org.

 

40+ Singles Ministry

 

A group formed for the purpose of providing a voluntary ministry within the parish and local community.  We welcome all singles over the age of 40 who share our vision of serving others.

Our Mission Statement:  †  Socially active while serving the community  †

Our group meets at the church on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to plan service and social activities.  Come join in the fun!

 

Women of Wonder

Who are Women of Wonder?

We are a group of women who gather for faith sharing, service projects, and the enjoyment of getting to know other women in the parish.

When and Where do Women of Wonder meet?

We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month from September to May in one of the rooms in the Faith Community Center.  We meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and childcare is available - $3.00 for 1 child, $5.00 for 2 or more children.

 

September 14 - Welcoming Potluck

October 12 - Discussion Topic-Living in Relationships

November 9 - For Kids Only Preparations

December 14 - For Kids Only Wrap up

January 11 - Mini-retreat with Joan Bednarczyk

February 8 - Discussion topic- Christ in the Home

March 8 - Discussion topic- Money in the Home

April 12 - Easter Craft

May 10 - Planning Potluck and For Kid only ordering

 

What is a Women of Wonder meeting like?

While the topics change throughout the year, we usually have some socialization with other members at the beginning of the meeting and then we have a guest speaker or an activity that corresponds with the topic of the day. If the topic is relationships, we will have a speaker who focuses on relationships.

What are the Women of Wonder Service Projects?

We will be running the For Kids Only shop during the Santa Brunch in December. We also make dinner a few nights for the Garage Sale volunteers. We hope to add more service projects in the future.

What do I need to do to join Women of Wonder?

All you need to do to join is come to any meeting during the year; we welcome women as often and at anytime they wish to join us! You can watch the bulletin for more information or call Joan Bednarczyk in the Parish Office at 763-712-7441.

 

 

 

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Stephen’s began in November, 2005. Knitted or crocheted with loving hands, the shawls are symbols of God’s all-embracing love and constant presence. Regardless of religious faith, knitting or crocheting for others allows those in the Shawl Ministry to open their minds and hearts to the pain of others. The shawls are filled with prayers for the specific individual in need, providing not only physical warmth but also great spiritual comfort and an understanding of another’s struggles or grief. 

 

This ministry is extremely rewarding for those making the shawls as they realize that they are helping themselves and the repetitive nature of knitting and crocheting and the attention to detail combine to create a meditative state, putting the knitter at peace with her own life.

 

We have a group of people from the parish who meet on the first Friday of the month to share stories and bring their finished projects.  Since our beginning we have given 750+ handmade prayer shawls to people who are going through difficult times in their lives.  After the shawls are finished they are blessed by the priests of the parish.

 

If you know of someone grieving, undergoing surgery, in need of healing, divorce, job uncertainty or loss, or facing another kind of deep loss due to health or other burden in their life and could use the comfort of a warm, cozy shawl, please contact this ministry so that a shawl might be made for them.

 

Meeting Time and Place:  First Friday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Donovan/Romero Rooms.  The group will not meet in July or August.  You will have the opportunity to meet members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry and see some of the many beautiful shawls already made by members of our community.

 

For Prayer Shawl requests, send email to Joan Bednarczyk, Pastoral Care Director, jbednarczyk@ststephenchurch.org
or call 763-712-7441. Confidentiality if desired.

 

 

WHO (We Help Others)

WHO has been very active since its inception in September of 2005. You will see our footprints throughout the St. Stephen campus as well as throughout the community. We've prepared meals, helped at St. Stephen School, volunteered at extended care facilities and assisted many families by doing chores they are unable to do. We'd like to feel we “wash the feet” of our neighbors.

 

We meet every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for ½ a day to do outreach or perform some tasks on the St. Stephen campus. You will find us in the Formation Room sharing prayer and hospitality before we begin our activities.

 

If you are looking for a way to give back for blessings received or if you would like to pay it forward consider spending ½ a day a week (or when your schedule permits) participating in this enjoyable ministry.

 

We are always looking for more volunteers as well as for more people to assist so check with your friends and neighbors to see if they have tasks they are unable to do.

 

If you know someone who need help call Joan Bednarczyk at 763-712-7441; if you are interested in getting involved call Tom Buchman (763-755-4330) or Don Kropp (763-427-1381). Think about it. You can be a part of WHO.

 

 

Ministry to the Community

St. Stephen’s Parish ministers to the needs of the community through its outreach to care centers, Mercy Hospital, assisted living centers, the local treatment center, correctional facility and those who are homebound.

 

Twin Rivers Care Center
Prayer service and Eucharist is provided the first Wednesday of every month.  Mass is celebrated the third Wednesday of every month.  Individual anointing offered twice a year and on an emergency basis.

 

Anoka Care Center
Prayer service and Eucharist the third Friday of each month.  Mass is celebrated the first Friday of each month. Individual anointing offered twice a year and on an emergency basis.

 

Mill Pond Gables

Prayer service and Eucharist offered weekly.

 

River Oaks Senior Housing

Prayer service and Eucharist the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 1:00 p.m.

 

Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center
Mass is celebrated Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Weekly visits made by one of the parish priests as well as Joan Bednarczyk, Director of Pastoral Care/Social Outreach.

 

Anoka County Correctional Facility
Mass celebrated on the second Sunday of each month at 8:00 a.m. Prayer service with Eucharist is offered on a rotating basis.  Individual requests can be made for a visit or Confession.

 

Mercy Hospital
Visits and Eucharist every Monday to parishioners who are hospitalized.  Visits and Eucharist every Thursday to all Catholic patients. Visits and Eucharist to all Catholic patients the fourth Sunday of every month.

 

Homebound
Visits and Eucharist to homebound parishioners on a weekly basis.

 

Walker Plaza
Visit and Eucharist to parishioners every Tuesday afternoon and occasional Sunday afternoon prayer service.

 

Contact Joan at 763-712-7441; jbednarczyk@ststephenchurch.org.