Community

St. Stephen’s Parish seeks to assist those with physical/material needs through several ministries:

Food Drives

St. Stephen's conducts food drives for the local foodshelf each March, August and November.  The food is given to ACBC (Anoka County Brotherhood Council).

Family Table Meal

A hot delicious meal is served in St. Stephen's Faith Community Center the third Saturday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.  The meal is free of charge and open to anyone in need of a warm meal and companionship. 

Meals on Wheels

This ministry is a combination of friendly visitors and home delivered hot meals for individuals who cannot prepare their own food.  Volunteers pick up meals at Mercy Hospital and deliver them to several homes on a pre-determined route throughout the western Anoka/Champlin area.

Loaves and Fishes

This ministry allows parishioners to prepare food, serve supper and offer hospitality to those in need at River of Life Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis every third Tuesday of the month.

RideCare

Volunteer drivers provide transportation locally (Anoka, Ramsey, Andover or Coon Rapids) for appointments to the doctor, dentist, foodshelf.

Christmas Basket Program

Each November the parish receives referrals from parishioners, social service organizations and schools to assist families in need of food and gifts for Christmas.  Parishioners can "adopt" families and provide a Christmas Basket by purchasing food, toys, clothing, etc.   There are also toy collection bins in various locations around the church and a tree in the Gathering Place on which gifts of warmth (hats, gloves, mittens, socks) can be placed. The Christmas Baskets are typically distributed in early December.

St. Stephen’s Parish also ministers to the spiritual and emotional needs of the community:

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 is offered 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.

Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center

Mass is celebrated Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Weekly visits made by Fr. Terry Beeson and Joan Bednarczyk.

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.