We had another successful and fun-filled Harvest Happenings on Friday, November 8, with our parish community! People came to gather outside the church courtyard, beginning with the blessing of Father George, the presentation of the Oviedo High School JROTC team, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem sung by our parish choir.

Throughout the evening, delicious food was served along with drinks from our Knights of Columbus and yummy treats through the Council of Catholic Women. Our DJ played a lot of classic and fun songs enjoyed by all ages! Kids played different ball games and other activities, including children’s bingo. And the highlight again was our tractor hayride, bringing people of all ages on a fun drive on campus. Father George even took the tractor for a spin during part of the evening!

Thank you to all who came out to enjoy a lovely evening together. And a BIG THANK YOU to all our volunteers who helped plan, set up, and run the many roles needed for the event, and for helping take down afterwards. Your service to our parish community is greatly appreciated!

On the weekend of November 16 & 17, we will be taking a special collection for Catholic Charities of Central Florida. Your generous giving will help to support organizations and ministries in our diocese that serve the people in Central Florida. Please watch the video below to hear some of those stories of service and charity.

You can give online by clicking the button below, or you can bring your contribution with you to Mass on November 16 or 17. Please place your donation in the special collection or visitor’s envelope so we can make sure your money goes to Catholic Charities of Central Florida. You can drop your envelope in the wooden collection boxes in the Narthex.

We are starting up a new feature to be included regularly in our bulletins called “Ask Father George!” Parishioners are invited to ask Fr. George Nursey any questions about the Catholic faith—pastoral, theological, spiritual. We will publish Fr. George’s answers in the bulletin.

Wow, St. Stephen has wonderful parishioners! You responded overwhelmingly to the Blood Drive on September 8 by donating 14 units of blood. Because of your generous giving, we are able to save 42 lives. Thank you for all you do to make St. Stephen a vibrant parish community.

Thank you to all who attended our Ministry Fair on Sunday, September 18. A special thanks to our volunteer parishioners who helped set up, serve coffee and donuts, and represent their ministry at the Fair! We had many individuals, couples, and families visit and learn about the many different ways of being active in the parish community.

If you missed attending the Ministry Fair, no worries! You can always contact our parish office if you are interested in joining a particular ministry or in helping out with any of our year-round parish events. Give us a call at: 407-699-5683.

All women of the parish are encouraged to come join the SSCCW, St. Stephen Council of
Catholic Women ministry. Women in SSCCW work through Spirituality, Service and
Leadership to provide programs that respond with Gospel values to the needs of the
Church and society in the modern world. Membership is $20 annually.

This year our theme is: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if serving the Lord” (Ephesians 6:7).

Our first meeting of the year will be on Thursday, September 12, from 7:00pm – 8:30pm in EC-1. The topic will be “Mary and Martha, Sisters Serving”. You do not have to be a member to attend any of our meetings, however we pray you will. Please visit us at the table out in the courtyard for more information and to sign up.

Council of Catholic Women also presents: “Visions of Mary” by Toya Martin.

Two Presentations in one!
The first part focuses on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, providing personal information about
her life. The second part highlights various instances where Mary has appeared to the
people of the world.

Saturday, September 28
Tickets are $5 (Cash or check only)
From 9:00am – 11:30am, a light breakfast will be served.
Tickets will be on sale in the courtyard after Mass on:
Aug. 24/25, 31, & Sept. 7/8, 14/15 21/22

Tickets also on sale at Eventbrite.com (Search: Visions of Mary)

Please read the letter from our pastor Fr. George Nursey on the relocation of the cross in the church.

The Search from FORMED is a video-based journey that tackles the key questions of every human heart. In seven beautifully filmed episodes, Chris Stefanick and experts from the fields of science, medicine, psychology, art, and religion examine our place in the larger story of existence. Watch the trailer here.

Parishioners can access the entire seven-part series on FORMED for free on www.formed.org.

Inquiry meetings are in EC-1 Room 107 from 5:00 – 6:15 pm. If you are interested or have any questions/concerns, please contact Vera Howard at VeraH@St-Stephen.com.

Wednesday July 10:               Episode 1—What Do You Seek?

Wednesday July 17:               Episode 2—Who Are You?

Wednesday July 24:               Episode 3—Why a God?

Wednesday July 31: Episode 4—What’s Our Story?

Wednesday August 7:            Episode 5—Who Is Jesus?

Wednesday August 14:          Episode 6—Am I Saved?

Wednesday August 21:          Episode 7—Why a Church?

At our Town Hall meeting in March, we discussed the critical fixes and rejuvenation project that need to be done on the church building. As the project begins in mid-April, we will be keeping parishioners aware on the latest work and costs. Check our “Church Restoration Project” page (under the main menu tab “Our Parish”) on our parish website for new updates.

On Friday, June 7, our pastor Father George Nursey will consecrate our St. Stephen parish to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on its feast day. Parishioners are invited to attend the 7:00 AM Mass in the chapel and stay for the prayers of consecration afterward.

When we consecrate something to the Sacred Heart, we place that thing (ourselves, our family, finances, etc.) totally under the loving care of Jesus. We trust that God will remain close to us, and become reminded of this special relationship we have made with consecration.

We invite you to also join in the 9-day novena to the Sacred Heart leading up to the feast day at your homes. For the novena, please pray daily the Act of Consecration linked below, starting on May 30 through June 7.