I. Planning for our Future! We are at the beginning of a process to create a long-range plan for the future of Saint Stephen Cathedral Parish. The first step in this process is our parish survey, now available online on our website at www.ststephencathedral.org. Please take a few minutes (about 5 is all it takes!) to complete the survey, which will help assess the spiritual health of our parish including our sense of community, parish leadership, and more. If you do not have computer or smart-phone access, we will provide a paper copy for you. Just call the Parish Office or stop by during business hours. Thank you for your participation! Everyone has a voice; WE WANT AND NEED your input. Thank you for taking the survey and most of all for being a member of our parish family!
II. Prayer of Lament and Reparation: Tuesday, February 5, at 6:00 pm here at the Cathedral. Please join Bishop Medley in offering lamentation to God, and asking for God’s wisdom, guidance, and intervention in repairing what is broken and keeping safe the most vulnerable among us. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. February 5 is the memorial of St. Agatha, patron saint of sexual abuse victims.
III. Blessings of Throats will be offered as an option after all the weekend Masses February 3, the Feast of Saint Blaise. As our throats are blessed, we pray that we be spared from all illnesses of the throat, as well as words that detract, diminish, deflate, tear down, divide, including calumny, detraction, and all gossip and cursing. May our voices be used to build up and glorify God!
IV. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be offered on Monday, February 11 at the 12:05 Mass. The sacrament of anointing of the sick is appropriate for those suffering from physical or psychological illness, facing major surgery, or enduring the difficulties of advanced aging. Through this sacrament Christ refreshes our spirit to persevere and strengthen us in the midst of suffering; He reassures us of His constant presence and that the whole Church shares in our suffering. We are not alone. Pray for all those on our parish sick list.
V. FORMED.org is free and it’s easy to register! There’s no code required to register now…just visit http://www.ststephencathedral.formed.org to sign up for access to inspiring, excellent Catholic resources including audio talks, e-books, movies, and video-based studies. Our parish has invested in FORMED to offer everyone in our parish free access to great resources.
VI. Cathedral Pre-School Registration for Saint Stephen Cathedral parishioners and currently enrolled families begins February 4, 2019. Registration will be open to the public on February 11th. The Five-Star status granted recently to our Cathedral Pre-School honors the professional and caring commitment of our teachers & staff, along with the leadership of Pam Weafer, our director. Over 95% of our families with children in our preschool hear about it by word-of-mouth. Spread the good news! Also, the Pre-School is hosting a fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse on Tuesday, February 5 from 4 pm-10 pm (dine-in or carry out). You’ll need a flyer when ordering; flyers are available on the Pre-School or Saint Stephen Facebook pages, at the doors of church, or by calling Pam at 270-926-1652. Thanks for your support!
VII. Have a February Birthday? Calling Aquarians and Pisces! Since I will be in India during much of my birthday month of February, I will host a party for all of us who celebrate February birthdays! Let’s celebrate the last day of February, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm, in our Cathedral Rectory. Circle Thursday the 28th on your calendar!
Institution of Acolyte: All are welcome to join us at 9:00 am Mass on Saturday, February 9, as Seminarians Martin Mana Ling, Chris Kight, and Corey Bruns receive the Ministry of Acolyte (to “assist Priests and Deacons in carrying out their ministry, and as special ministers to give Holy Communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick”) from Bishop William F. Medley. Let us keep in prayer all those discerning vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Matthew 9:38