Learn Your Faith

 

We can get our flames to go higher, burn hotter, and shine brighter if we will learn more about our faith.  Their are four pillars to Learn Our Faith:  BIBLE STUDY, FAITH FORMATION, RCIA, and SPIRITUAL READING.  Select one or more for yourself. Please, give your faith the priority it deserves!

 

Learning about our faith starts at the earliest ages, even before pre-school programs, and it continues to one’s senior years. The main place where the faith is learned and then practiced is in the home, and the programs here at church are supposed to support what happens at home. The programs below will help with spiritual nourishment.

Bible Study

If you want to better Learn Your Faith, a great starting point is to learn more about the Bible. If we want to learn about Jesus, we must read and study the gospels. If we want to learn more about God and what the Church teaches, we need to study scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

 

Sacraments

Baptism: Welcoming the child into God’s family is not only joy for the family, but for St. Stephen’s community as well. We ask the family to become members of the parish and attend an information session before reception. Please call the parish office at 763-421-2471 for more information. >Read More

Confirmation preparation: Invites young people in 11th or 12th grade to formally commit to a deeper understanding and involvement in their Catholic faith. Candidates must have participated in faith formation via St. Stephen’s programming or their Catholic high school curriculum in 9th and 10th grades and must be enrolled and actively participating in Small Group Formation in 11th grade. Confirmation preparation offers participants large group events, ritual and prayer experiences, and a weekend retreat. Contact: Patrick Quillan, 763-712-7480, pqullan@ststephenchurch.org >Read more

First Eucharist: Registered families with children in 2nd or older are invited to prepare for and celebrate First Eucharist after Easter. Sacramental preparation is in addition to being enrolled in Faith Formation programs or attending St. Stephen’s School or any Catholic school. Parents are provided all the details and the child’s First Eucharist book at the parent meeting and work with their child at home. Parent/Child events will enhance the preparation. A copy of the child’s baptismal certificate is required in order to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Contact: Laura Barron, 763-712-7430, lbarron@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Registered families with children in 2nd grade or older are invited to prepare for and celebrate First Reconciliation in
November. Sacramental preparation is in addition to being enrolled in Faith Formation programs or attending St. Stephen’s School or any Catholic school. First Reconciliation preparation requires two parent meetings and parent/child participation in the Learning Centers and Reconciliation Retreat. Parents are provided a First Reconciliation book and all details at the parent meetings. Families use this text as they provide at-home preparation. Contact: Laura Barron, 763-712-7430, lbarron@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

Faith Formation

Women of Wonder : This group meets the second Tuesday of the month from September until May, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. This gathering is for women who like to share faith, friendship, fun and hospitality. They strive to strengthen their faith and the important role it plays in their family’s lives through prayer, retreats, speakers and activities. Childcare is available. Contact: Parish Office, 763-421-2471. >Read More

Sunday School Formation: On Sunday morning, during the 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Masses, children that are 3 ½ through 1st grade gather for Faith Formation. The program is designed to introduce children to the life of Jesus through gospel stories, music and activities. Children meet in small groups for 20 weeks beginning in October. Contact: Erica Prond, 763-712-7456, eprond@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

Vacation Bible School: This four day VBS program is full of exciting and engaging bible adventure for children age four through 5th grade and takes place the first week of August. There are many volunteer opportunities involving older siblings, parents and grandparents making VBS fun for the whole family! Contact: Erica Prond, 763-712-7456, eprond@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

 

Grades 1-5 Faith Formation: All children in 1st - 5th grade are invited to participate in a Faith Formation program held Tuesdays 6:15 p.m. -7:30 p.m. or Wednesdays 6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The children gather in grade levels in the Faith Community Center as they explore their faith with small and large group leaders who share their experiences of faith and teach about the beliefs of our Catholic faith through compelling stories and scripture, along with activities, prayers and seasonal celebration. On the alternate weeks, parents work with their children at home. Contact: Laura Barron, 763-712-7430,
lbarron@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

 

Grades 6-8 Faith Formation: Young people in 6th - 8th grade are invited to participate in a Faith Formation program held Tuesdays 6:15 p.m. -7:30 p.m., or Wednesdays 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. They gather in grade levels in the Faith Community Center with small and large group leaders who share their experiences of faith and teach about the beliefs of our Catholic faith. Through these sessions teens will reflect on their own varied experiences, dialog with others, connect with the faith life of the Church and put their faith into action through a variety of stories, prayer, literary forms and questions. On the alternate weeks, youth complete their lessons at home with their family. Contact: Erica Prond, 763-712-7456, eprond@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

Faith at Home Faith Formation (FAH): FAH has components for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. This program gives parents the opportunity to create a faith-filled learning experience in their home with a schedule that compliments other family activities. Families purchase user-friendly curriculum and staff support is always available. Contact: Laura Barron, 763-712-7430, lbarron@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

High School Small Group Formation: Youth in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade gather in small groups in the Faith Community Center on Sunday afternoons or evenings for faith sharing, fun and fellowship. They meet during the months of September through May. “Confirmed in a Faithful Community” by Tom Zanzig helps prepare the students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They also participate in a group service project, a retreat and attend large group events with a parent/guardian. Contact: Patrick Quillan , 763-712-7480, pquillan@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

High School Teens in Action Faith Formation: Small groups of 9th and 10th grade youth gather together throughout the year to participate in service projects and small group lessons. The curriculum content is centered on justice and service. They also attend large group sessions with a parent/guardian and attend a retreat. Contact: Patrick Quillan, 763-712-7480, pquillan@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

RCIA

The RCIA is intended for three special groups of people: for Catholics who have not completed their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), for Catholics who are baptized but have not made their First Communion, or for Catholics who have received Baptism and Eucharist, but are not Confirmed. The RCIA is also for non-Catholics who would like to become Catholic; and for the unbaptized who would like to be baptized.

 

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): This process invites individuals into a time of conversion, leading to celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Contact: Pam Havel, 763-712-7437 or phavel@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

RCIA – The Youth Track: refers to the same Rite process, but is adapted for children ages 7-17. The process is designed for young people who are not yet baptized, who come to us from another faith tradition, or, in some cases, are past 3rd or 4th grade and have had no formal religious education and who
wish to celebrate First Communion and/or Confirmation. Contact: Pam Havel, 763-712-7437, phavel@ststephenchurch.org

 

Youth Ministry

Open Refuge: The Refuge is open on specific evenings throughout the year. The young people are invited to come to the youth room to play games, listen to music, eat food, and hang out with old and new friends. No RSVP is needed and friends are always welcome to attend, even if they are
not parishioners. Contact: Patrick Quillan, 763-712-7480, pquillan@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

Middle School Madness: This is a community building event for youth that is held four times during the school year from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings. It is a lock-in style event that has included: dodge ball, ping pong tournaments, dancing, Nerf wars, bingo, beach volleyball, card/board games and a movie theater with snack bar! Contact: Erica Prond, 763-712-7456, eprond@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

High School Mission Trip: St. Stephen’s plans a yearly week-long summer experience for our high school youth and adult chaperones. Mission trip participants have the unique opportunity to serve others, travel to a different part of the country, deepen their relationship with Jesus, meet new people, and experience a different culture and way of life. Registration begins in November. Contact: Patrick Quillan, 763-712-7480, pquillan@ststephenchurch.org >Read More

 

Spiritual Reading

Spiritual reading is a key ingredient to keeping one’s faith alive and growing. All of us do plenty of reading to stay informed: newspapers, magazines, Internet, text books, road signs, TV, instruction booklets. >Read More