Pastoral Care/Social 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 Amy Chabot, Pastoral Care Director, at 763-712-7441; achabot@ststephenchurch.org.

 

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 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The meetings have a particular topic/focus for discussion as well as social time.  Childcare is available: $3.00 for 1 child, $5.00 for 2 or more children.

 

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 the Parish Office at 763-421-2471.

 

2011-2012 Schedule

 

September 13 - Welcome Social

October 11 - Fun with Fitness

November 8 - "For Kids Only" gift shop preparation

December 13 - Physical, Spiritual and Emotional Health

January 10 - Spiritual Mini-Retreat

February 14 - Living in Relationships

March 13 - Share Your Faith

April 10 - Craft Day - making cards for soldiers

May 8 - End of the Year Social

 

 

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.  Our June and December meetings include a potluck and typically begin at 11:30 a.m.  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 Amy Chabot, Pastoral Care Director, achabot@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 needs help call Amy Chabot 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.

 

Golden LivingCenters - Twin Rivers
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 every other Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

 

River Oaks Senior Housing

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

 

Suite Living

Prayer service and Eucharist every other Wednesday at 11:00 a.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 the Director of Pastoral Care/Social Outreach.

 

Anoka County Correctional Facility
Mass celebrated on the second Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Prayer service with Eucharist is offered on a rotating basis.  Individual requests can be made for a visit or Reconciliation.

 

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 Amy at 763-712-7441; achabot@ststephenchurch.org.

 

Alzheimer's Support Group at St. Therese

An Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake every second Monday evening of the month at 6:00. Anyone welcome! The purpose of an Alzheimer’s Association support group is to offer individuals support and information that is specific to dementia. For more information please call Diane at 763-493-7006. Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake, 5200 Oak Grove Parkway, Brooklyn Park.