Pastoral Care/Outreach

Pastoral Care Ministry

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 100 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.

 

Ministry of Moms

Who Are We?
Moms gathering to share faith, friendship, fun and hospitality.

When Do We Meet?
The third Tuesday of the month 9:30-11:00 a.m. September 18 to May 20.

 

Where Do We Meet?
Donovan/Romero Rooms; Childcare is available.

 

Our Mission Statement:
To provide mothers an opportunity to meet and discuss religious topics and parenting issues, participate in craft projects, and share hospitality. By getting to know one another we strive to strengthen our faith and the important role it plays in our family. We also hope to broaden our understanding and appreciation of the larger faith community of St. Stephen.

 

Whether you are a new mom, a mom of toddlers, school ages, or teens, or a mom with grown children, participating in Ministry of Mom’s will be encouraging to you. Please join us for faith building, support, friendship and hospitality. New faces are always welcome!!

2008 Meeting Dates
January 15
March 18 - CANCELLED
April 15
May 20

Please call Rachel Mouser at 763-427-6675 to reserve a childcare spot.

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 250+ 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:  1st Friday of month at 12:00 noon in the           Donovan/Romero Rooms. 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.

 

St. Stephen’s Seniors

St. Stephen’s offers a ministry to senior members on the first and third Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon.  They gather to conduct business, share a meal, play cards, or hear a speaker.  It’s a great opportunity for seniors to get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company.

 

Ride Care

 

Ride Care was organized in 1996 in response to the huge unmet transportation needs in the community. We currently have over 40 active drivers providing 11-15 rides weekly to area food shelves, Workforce Center, doctor and dental appointments and nursing home visits.

 

Imagine being without a vehicle for a few days to appreciate the transportation challenges we face in this area. Consider providing a ride or two a month to someone in need and you and the recipient will both feel good about your generosity.

 

The church provides gas vouchers to off-set the high cost of maintaining a vehicle.

 

Call Joan Bednarczyk at 763-712-7441.

 

 

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 Thursday 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 Donovan Romero Rooms 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.

 

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.

 

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