Today, I was blessed meeting a man of incredible faith and knowledge of the bible. He studies about two hours a day. He shared sad news that his wife has cancer and his belief in God and acceptance of His will for him right here, right now, is unbelievable. He is an evangelist by word and example. Before he ever knew that I was Catholic, let along served in ministry, he was sharing the bible. He puts me to shame because he knows AND understands the bible chapter and verse. Going beyond that he applies God’s word to life in general and his current life situation in particular.  

I soon discovered that the man was not Catholic but his life reflects God and I am sure that if he could understand all that our Catholic faith offers and that the Bible directly points to God and His teachings he would attempt to share more with us.  It led me to reflect on just how many individuals are away from God and their faith because they have not decided to take that leap of faith. There are so many reasons why some have not reached that point.  Our life experiences command us to share our innermost desires and turn to God.  There is no one else!  He is the source of our life and the core of our faith as Catholics. 

It is so exciting here at St. Stephen’s to see an explosion of Bible Studies taking place. People are even asking for more as sessions end. In our parish it is on the best seller list.   Deacon Rick leads the way each week by offering more and more studies.  He may be reach by phone at the church office 689-4900 or email deaconrick@ststephencatholic.org.

How can we help? We know that pushing something up a steep hill is next to impossible for us to do alone. It takes teamwork.   It takes for us to listen to each God moment that is placed before us.  There are so many we may miss if we do not take the time to sit and listen.  Here again, it takes a community which is why we have such an awesome Order of Christian Initiation which is a process by which those interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith more importantly God.  It is a terrific studying, praying, sharing and support community of catechists (teachers of the faith) and those who feel that they may be or are ready to be led up the hill.  This wonderful process is coordinated by Rosie Bridges. She may be reached by phone at the Office of Religious Education 671-4434 or email: rbridges@ststephencatholic.org

There is also a process for those who have as our protestant friends remind us “backslidden” and decided to go it alone.  Or, there may have been someone who has hurt us in some way and we can’t find our way back to God and our Catholic faith.  We are here to share….it is not God who left us…it is each of us at certain times in our lives that stray and say “I don’t need God, I don’t need to community of faith believers”.  For them the process is called Catholics Come Home/Return to Faith.  For further information about this process please call or email me, Jeanne Schneider at 689-4900, Ext. 314   jschneider@ststephencatholic.org.  Let us welcome you home!

God bless,

Jeanne Schneider, Pastoral Assistant

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Every day in the life of the St. Stephen Community is dynamic. God is certainly sharing his grace through wonderful miracles each day.  When our community is happy we share in their happiness when there is sadness we offer support and prayer. We are truly a faith community “in the world but not of the world.”

My experiences today were but a glimpse of our spiritual vitality..As a staff member my day is filled with phone calls, paperwork, appointments, and walk-in’s which are always inspiring.    

• Today in particular, as I walked in the door I heard voices in what is always a quiet area. There, I heard big and little voices and saw children of various ages and their parents making flowers to take to a nursing home --- there was Jesus at work in our world.
• I then went over to the main building and remembered I needed to speak to a mother. There sitting around the table were mother’s discussing their faith life.  (The little ones were down stairs playing.)   There was Jesus in our world.
• I finished in that building and came back to the office as a Bible Study was coming in. They were listening and learning about the Bible and the times it was written. ---there was Jesus in our world.
• I was back to the main office and smelled this wonderful aroma. Of course I followed it and there was the Lunch Bunch sharing a meal and enjoying each other’s company. I sat down and joined them and entered into some delightful conversation---there was Jesus in our world.

I am soon leaving the office to go home and I cannot wait to tell Jesus about my day as I drive home. If you want to see Jesus, just look around. Remember,St. Stephen  is always ready to help you in your search as you find Jesus and want to grow closer to Him.

Jeanne Schneider, Pastoral Assisdtant

Contact: jschneider@ststephencatholic.org

Every person that is created by God is spectacular. The real question should be am I living a life of purpose. After all, using the past tense usually implies that something is over and our life is not over on earth until our last breath has been taken.

A while back there was a book that everyone was reading, The Purpose Driven Life and before that Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Successful People. Both of these books presented excellent approaches to improving the way we live, work and play but we are called to live on a supernatural plane, that is above what our human body and mind  are capable of doing and we are equipped to do this.

The unfortunate thing is that so many are not aware of this. They feel that living life on a higher plane is impossible. They do not understand the meaning of the Catholic Christian Faith which we became a member of in Baptism. We have grace, a free gift from God and we have Confirmation to give us strength in our decision making and actions. We have Reconciliation when we fall and are hurting to pick us up and forgive us and to help us on our journey. There is a sacrament for every age and stage of life. Of all the Sacraments the one that Catholics hunger for the most is the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. It is truly “food for the journey.”  It is Jesus, Himself uniting with us physically in a gentle manner. We are transformed; we are in a personal encounter with Jesus.

For those of us who have been Catholic all our life we can fall into a routine and approach the altar just as a routine, part of the liturgy action. We take God for granted. He understands and nudges our mind back to the reality of His presence. Sometimes I find myself asking, “Why come to me, Jesus?” The answer is always the same. “Because I love you” 

I have learned because He first loved me I can love others with His purpose!    

What is your purpose for living. Share it with us:.  jschneider@ststephencatholic.org

Jeanne Schneider