Parish Administrative Assistant
Kim Monfils – 273-1240

Parish Accounting/Liturgy
Kathy Schimmel – 273-1240

Parish Communications
Office Hours: M – Th, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Phone: 273-1240
Fax: 464-0969
Email: ststephen@cox-internet.com
Website: www.ststephens-ar.org

Bulletin Deadline
Tuesday by Noon (5 days prior to the publication date of the bulletin).  Drop off or e-mail articles to the parish office.

Kids/Youth Faith Formation 

Catholic Kids & IMPACT Ministry
Suzanne Sutton
bizeemom65@yahoo.com
Pre-K thru 6^th grade
Office Hours: Monday 9:00-4:00 PM

DAWG Pound
Jenny Jones
jenjones23@sbcglobal.net
7^th - 8th grades

Spirit Seekers--Sally Carroll
ds.carroll@cox.net
9th grade - Confirmation

 Catholic Teens Growing in Faith
CTGIF
Amy Bray
fivebrays@wildblue.net
10^th – 12^th grades
Office Hours: Wednesday
8:30AM -11:30 AM

Services

Weekday Service (In the Chapel)
Thursday Mass 8:30 AM

Eucharist
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 7:45 AM & 10:00 AM
Holy Days as announced

Reconciliation
Second and Fourth Saturday of each month. 
9:30-10:30 AM

Infant Baptism
Second weekend of each month.  Contact the parish office.  Baptism preparation required.  Parents need to be registered members of St. Stephen.

Christian Marriage
Marriage preparation required.  Contact the Pastor at least six months in advance.

Nursery
Available for our little ones aged 1 - 3 years old during our Sunday Eucharist celebration.

RCIA
Sessions open to those interested in learning about or renewing their connection to the Catholic Faith.  For additional information, contact Carol Patterson.
 

As we move to the end of summer and school begins – for some it has already begun – it is time to refocus on our education needs. Our parish has a variety of children, youth and adult ministry programs to respond to our need to help us continue to grow in our faith. I am afraid many think they hit a stage – whether it is graduation from high school, Confirmation, or for priests -ordination and we do not need to continue to learn. I don’t know any profession or vocation that would accept that! But, we allow that mentality to continue about our faith. As a priest, twice a year, I join the other priests of our diocese for continuing education. I also attend other workshops and continue to read and learn about the Theology of our Church, our faith history, and how the church responds to new issues that are part of life today. We live in a constantly developing world. We would not take our new car to a mechanic who had no updates in car maintenance in the last 10 years. Yet we find it easy to take our faith development for granted.

Please watch the bulletin and listen to the announcements for when our children, youth and adult ministry programs begin and their times. Make sure your children and youth are registered for their appropriate level of learning ministry. If you have questions, please contact the parish office for the children/youth/adult ministers of the various levels of our educational ministries or check the front of the bulletin.


                                Fr. Mike
 

RCIA Registration
The RCIA program is designed to help nurture and educate through spiritual guidance of instructors and the community of believers in the understanding of what Roman Catholicism is. Our new program for the fall begins Sept. 3 at 7:00 PM. We follow the school calendar, so when school is out for vacation we are too. Anyone interested in seeking information or to register are asked to call the parish office now to set up a time to talk with Carol Patterson before fall classes begin. You may call or e-mail Carol at 273-1240 or campatte@cox-internet.com 

DAWG Pound (7th & 8th) and Spirit Seekers (Confirmation class):
We’re embarking on a sea-worthy adventure and you're o-fish-ally invited to come! Cool off with “Casting our Nets to Jesus,” an indoor barbecue kicking off our new year for DAWG Pound and Spirit Seekers! Hook up at 6 PM, Friday, Aug. 22, dockside at the Parish Life Center.
Join us for good food, games, and fellowship. A parent meeting will be held for each group following the indoor cookout. All youth and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend.
Each family attending is asked to bring a dish in the following category, based on their last name, and bring enough to feed 8 people: A-H: chips; I-Q: salads (potato salad, Jell-O; deviled eggs; pasta salad, tossed salad) and Q-Z: desserts.
Don’t rock the boat -- drop us a line and come reel in the fun! You’ll have a whale of a good time!
Please RSVP by Aug. 15 to: DAWG coordinator Jenny Jones at jenjones23@sbcglobal.net; 464-7076; or Spirit Seekers coordinator Sally Carroll at ds.carroll@cox.net; 273-7831.Ministry Training
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 PM as the next date for ministry training. If you are interested in being trained as a Eucharist Minister, Lector, Altar Server, Usher or Greeter, please call or e-mail the parish office so we my have adequate materials on hand. We especially need Ushers and Greeters at all Masses.



Mass Intentions
Please contact the parish office if you would like to schedule a Mass (current dates are available). The Diocese stipulates that a standard stipend for a Mass Intention is $10.00.



Parish Planning Meeting
For the last two years the parish council has worked on envisioning our parish future and planning for it. They have taken many small steps and are now prepared to take a much bigger one – planning a new building to house our continued population growth. Our education, gathering and meeting space is strained. As we look to the future, having experienced growth of 150 families last year, we will need more space. What will it look like? How will we use it? All parishioners are invited to come to a visioning night on Sunday August 24th from 6-8PM in our parish life center. Come and share what you believe we need and help develop what this space will look like. The idea will be to freely envision the space. There is no expectation that attendance means you must participate in future work. Come and help the parish leadership know what is wanted and needed from all perspectives.



Ministry Training
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 PM as the next date for ministry training. If you are interested in being trained as a Eucharist Minister, Lector, Altar Server, Usher or Greeter, please call or e-mail the parish office so we may have adequate materials on hand. We especially need Ushers and Greeters at all Masses.



Attention all 7th-12th Grade Students
We are looking to make two different choirs this year. If you are interested in singing in a youth choir this year, please sign-up on the choir table located in the Narthex. Joining the choir will not conflict with your Wednesday night education classes. This will help us to determine if there is enough interest. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jenn Siedsma at 685-0792.



Nursery
I'm happy to announce the nursery has re-opened! My name is Deeann Goseland and I am the new nursery coordinator. I look forward to meeting everyone and creating a happy and safe environment for your children. If you plan to use the nursery, please fill out a new registration card in order to keep our records current. Parents are also asked to provide dates they are available to volunteer in the nursery, so I may put together a schedule as soon as possible. Feel free to contact me at any time at 273-3716. Thanks.


CTGIF Kick-Off
Take us out to the ball game!!! We are going to have our CTGIF kick-off by going to a Natural’s baseball game and fireworks on Friday, August 22. We will meet at the church at 6:30 (game time is 7:30) and will ride together. Your tickets will be paid for, but any food is your responsibility. You MUST have a medical release form turned in before you can go, and you MUST RSVP to Amy or Michelle by Monday, Aug. 18. Contact Amy at fivebrays@wildblue.net or 273-3994, or contact Michelle at mlwevans@cox.net or 464-4350. Welcome back, CTGIF!
 

Food Pantry Items Needed
The  food pantry is in desperate need of the following items:  peanut butter, jelly, crackers, flour, tomato sauce, spaghetti, dry cereal, rice and beans.  Please drop any donated items in the plastic tub in front of the bulletin board located in the Narthex.
 

International Social Group (ISG)
As we continue to grow and see new faces we realize there are many different nationalities in our Church. That's a blessing, and a great starting opportunity for all to share our gifts and enrichments. With that idea in mind, the ISG is being created as a new international social group for adults. We will meet once at month with the main goal of creating a casual social forum for international and local parishioners to interact and get to know each other. At the same time, we have a unique venue of learning and appreciating other cultures without leaving the area. We have several other objectives in mind as well; one of them is to create bridges of harmony based on Christian values between the different cultures especially with the host country, make friendships, and exchange information and resources.

If you have lived or are from another country, experienced other cultures, want to learn about other cultures, or you know of someone who may benefit from this group, share this information and plan to attend our first meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd from 6 to 8pm at St. Stephen Church. It's going to be an enjoyable and relaxing meeting from 6-8pm with a potluck of international flavors. Please let Auri Eves know at auri@aurieves.com if you plan to attend and what international dish you will bring, so we can plan accordingly. Looking forward to meeting you all!



Attention all 9th-12th Grade Youth
“Be Bold, Be Proud, Be Catholic” is the theme for the Region 10 Catholic Youth Conference being held November 21-23 in Amarillo, TX. The Diocese of Little Rock is arranging bus transportation to depart from NW Arkansas. The cost is $300 per youth which includes transportation, hotel, conference fee and meals. If you are interested in attending this conference along with other Catholic youth from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, pick up a registration form from the table in the Narthex. Complete and return the form with a $100 deposit to the church office by Monday, August 25.



Second Collection
Next Sunday, our parish will be taking up a collection for the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. This Appeal supports missions here in the United States. The Catholic Home Missions Appeal offers Catholics across our country a wonderful opportunity to help fellow Catholics practice their faith in such rugged areas as Alaska, Appalachia, the Deep South, the Rocky Mountain states, the dusty Southwest, Puerto Rico, and island dioceses in the Pacific and Caribbean.
This Appeal is a practical way for our parish to share its faith and resources with the Mission Church here at home. Over 95 cents of every dollar donated to the Appeal goes directly to the missions to keep church doors open, to support pastors in their priestly ministry, and to provide basic pastoral services like religious education for children. Please give generously to assist fellow Catholics here in America. It’s one practical way our parish community can be good stewards of God’s gifts and make a difference.
 

Project Rachel Support Groups will be starting in mid-September in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Hot Springs (new facilitator). This is a spiritual healing journey for women who have suffered a past abortion. Small groups (6-8 women) meet once a week for 11 weeks. All calls are strictly confidential. For information call 501-664-0340, extension 357 or email with subject line “Project Rachel” adierks@dolr.org.



Guide Book & Directory Advertising Opportunity
We have contracted again with Guide Book Publishing to publish a Guide Book & Directory for our congregation that will be updated and delivered directly to your homes annually. This book will be the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of our Church. The book is being provided at no cost to our Church. Local businesses are being solicited to advertise in the book. If you own or manage a business and would like to find out about advertising in our book, please call the Parish Office at 273-1240.
Update Membership Information
Does our church database have YOUR family membership record correct? Here is your chance to update YOUR record for our annual Guide Book & Directory (if you haven’t already done so).

It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in YOUR family over the past year.

Have you changed your phone number? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Do you want your record published?

If you have not already informed the church office about changes to your record, please let us know now so that the information in the Guide Book & Directory is correct. The parish office number is 273-1240.



The 2009 Diocese of Little Rock directory is coming soon. If you need a Mass time for another parish or want to call or e-mail a parish, priest, deacon and religious in the diocese, the directory is an invaluable source. It costs only $10. Send your check or money order to Directory, Arkansas Catholic, P.O. Box 7417, Little Rock, AR 72217.



St. Scholastica Retreat Center
On September 20-26, 2008, St. Scholastica Retreat Center will present a 5 day silent retreat, “Drinking from the Life-Giving Waters of God,” led by author and retreat director Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB. Lectio Divina is an ancient way of praying the Word of God: breathing in the Word, careful reflection of the Word, abiding with the Word. Experience being drawn into the life-giving stream of God's Word as you allow this prayerful practice to transform you. You will keep company with God in the scriptures, through creation and with your life experiences. Themes will be drawn both from Sr. Macrina's book, The Song of the Seed, and from her Romancing the Word Little Rock Scripture Study columns. For more information, or to register, call (479) 783-1135 or visit http://www.stscho.org



MARRIED COUPLES: Fall is nearly here and it’s a busy time of year!! School, sports, carpooling, fall planting AND work! Take a break from the hectic pace and tell your spouse how much you love them. Gift them with a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. For more info please contact: Don & Fran Donaldson 501-354-9045 frandon@tcworks.net or JC & Debbie Finton 501-977-0295 jcdcme@aristotle.net. Upcoming date: Sept. 26-28, 2008 — Coury House, Subiaco. (Space is limited—sign up now!!)

Interested in Adoption? Come listen to parishioners of St. Joseph in Fayetteville, who have adopted, share their experiences with domestic and international adoption. Information will be provided about the whole process, from how to select an agency and get started to how to fund adoption. This is not a sales pitch for any one agency, but rather a chance to hear from fellow Catholics with first-hand experience. All are welcome. The session will be Thursday, September 11, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in room 301 downstairs at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1722 North Starr Drive in Fayetteville. For directions call 479-442-0890.

SCRIPTURE READINGS for 8/17/08
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28



 


MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday, August 9
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross


Sunday, August 10
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parishioners

Hugh Carney
by The Carney Family


Thursday, August 14
St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe
Hugh Carney
by Jim & Marti Pecoraro


Friday, August 15
The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Hernan Romero
by Ata Zemlicka

Saturday, August 16
St. Stephen of Hungary
Bob & Clara Dunn
The Dunn Family

Sunday, August 17
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time







PASTORAL COUNCIL
Saul Cordero
464-7237 - paolabeco@yahoo.com

Chris Davis
271-7030 - davis2939@cox.net

Doug Dulle
273-5040 - arboydad@cox.net

Michelle Evans
464-4350 – mlwevans@cox.net

Julie Geels
621-1219 - bgeels@cox.net

Kari Hill
271-7525 - johnandkari@sbcglobal.net

Brett Morrison
464-4590 – dsmroyer@aol.com

Scott Ray
254-7888 – scottray@mac.com

Michael Spivey
254-0939 – klowell@cox.net  

 

BUILDING
Building Fund                                2,271.00
Auto. Deductions                           2,640.00
Total Building                                    4,911.00

Endowment Fund                     $ 153,207.86
Weekly Expenses                       $ 20,812.68
Monthly Payment                        $ 9,975.57
Outstanding Payment                $548,652.85