St Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Parish

St Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Parish A united parish of three churches and a school, growing disciples of Jesus Christ in South St. Louis. Mass schedule at https://sspstl.org/mass-times

09/06/2026

Sunday Morning Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Recorded by SSP Media Ministry

09/04/2026

- DAILY REFLECTION -

Today's reflection compliments of Mary Raber.

Years ago, when I was an instructor at a Bible school in eastern Ukraine, my friend
and next-door neighbor, Serhii, invited me to his wedding. The night before, he showed me the beautifully decorated hall where the reception would be held. I knew that Ukrainian hospitality operates according to the principle that too much is just about enough, but this surpassed anything I had ever seen! The storeroom shelves literally sagged with food! Serhii was obviously proud of the lavish provision for his guests, but most of all he talked about Oksana, his bride-to-be. “I love her so much,” he confided, “I never knew I had it in me!” All of his thoughts, plans, and dreams were for Oksana because Serhii was her bridegroom—a man in love!

When the Pharisees grumpily point out that both their followers and those of John
the Baptist frequently fast and pray while Jesus’ disciples do not, He responds by referring to Himself as the bridegroom (v. 23). That is, Jesus declares Himself to be a man like Serhii, deeply in love with his bride, and intent on celebrating his wedding. It would be just as inappropriate for Jesus’ disciples to fast in those circumstances as it would be for Serhii’s wedding reception guests to refuse a bowl of beet borshch with sour cream! Who fasts when there’s a party going on? If Jesus calls Himself the bridegroom, what is He telling His listeners about Himself?

In the Old Testament, marriage is the most common analogy for the covenant
relationship between God and Israel. As a bridegroom loves and chooses a bride, so God has loved and chosen Israel (Deuteronomy 7:7-9; Isaiah 54:5). Consequently, Israel’s repeated failure to live up to that arrangement is termed adultery, vividly illustrated in the book of the prophet Hosea.

By calling Himself the bridegroom, Jesus identifies Himself with Israel’s God. He
also identifies Himself as a man in love. And who is the bride that He loves and longs for? The new Israel, of course, the new people of God who will eventually be known as the Church. Incredibly, that means us! Us!

Jesus is our bridegroom? My imagination fails. The most I can grasp is that Serhii’s
tender love for Oksana and their plentiful and delicious reception dinner somehow offer a faint hint of what Jesus wants for us.

Jesus, my Lord, my Bridegroom, please help me to receive the wonderful gift of
Yourself,

09/04/2026

Lord guide me through conflict!

09/03/2026

- DAILY REFLECTION -

Today's reflection compliments of Deacon Dana Engelhardt.

"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets."

I never realized this but in the Gospel of Luke, before this incident on his fishing boat, Jesus has already been to Simon’s house and cured his mother-in-law who was sick with a fever. Simon has already witnessed a miraculous cure by Jesus. Then down on the beach, Simon appears to cast aside his professional fishing experience to follow Jesus’ instructions. Simon goes out on a limb and trusts Jesus at His word.

What a crazy idea! How often do we wish that we could just trust in Jesus.

And, maybe, Simon only submitted to Jesus’ request because of the prior miraculous cure of his mother-in-law. We consider Simon’s experience. And we think to ourselves that Jesus has just not done the same for me. I haven’t witnessed a miracle. So, it’s harder for me to trust that Jesus will be there for me.

But, stop a minute. Think of the miracles we have experienced throughout our everyday lives. When things looked very grim, but somehow it turned out ok. When we have been lifted out of the mundane by something truly beautiful. We just have to let go of what we know and let the Lord take control. Trust in Jesus, that He has this. Jesus is working right alongside us as He guides us and sheds His light on the choices we have in front of us. The Holy Spirit continually moves us in directions that that will bring us closer to Jesus. As we get closer, we begin to recognize His hand in so many things that occur right before our very eyes. As we share those miracles with others, we help others along their own path to place more trust in Jesus. Maybe our nets will also be full as we allow Jesus to direct our paths and share our miracle experiences with others.

Jesus, I trust in you.

Recently, our parish joined together for 9 consecutive days to recite the St. Monica Novena. This special Novena grants ...
09/03/2026

Recently, our parish joined together for 9 consecutive days to recite the St. Monica Novena. This special Novena grants hope to those who long to see their loved ones return to the faith. You can start your own 9 day journey by following the prayer below:

Dear Saint Monica, you were once the mournful mother of a prodigal son. Your faithfulness to prayer brought you and your son so close to God that you are now with him in eternity. By your intercession and God’s grace, your son St. Augustine became a great and venerable Saint of the Church. Please take my request to God with the same fervor and persistence with which you prayed for your own son.
(Mention your intentions here)
With your needs, worries and anxieties, you threw yourself on the mercy and providence of God. Through sorrow and pain, you constantly devoted yourself to God. Pray for me that I might join you in such a deep faith in God’s goodness and mercy.
Above all, dear Saint Monica, pray for me that I may, like your son, turn from my sin and become a great saint for the glory of God.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
Amen.

09/02/2026

- DAILY REFLECTION -

Today's reflection compliments of Larry Driscoll.

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he talks about being God’s co-worker and us being the field, the building of God. His creation. This struck a chord with me. What if I am a co-worker of God and I am called to do God’s work? I don’t think there is a ‘what if’. I think we all are tasked with doing God’s work in the here and now.

We have a life thanks to God and a mandate to spread the Gospel message. How we do that is as varied as there are people. God didn’t create cookie cut-out people. He made us unique, one of a kind if you will. That gives us license to bring the Word to others in our own unique way. Maybe it’s by example, or conversation or maybe prayer. Sometimes it’s listening, sometimes it’s just presence. Whatever the method, we have our co-worker, God, right beside us. We are helping till the field and build the building bit by bit.

So, as we embrace this job of co-working, perhaps we can turn it into a ministry of co-working. It is a God given blessing to make our world, small and large, into a better place, a place where grace can dwell, and God is.

Peace fellow co-workers.
Larry

09/01/2026

Fr. Aaron Nord discusses the challenge of compromising for the sake of community.

09/01/2026

- DAILY REFLECTION -

Today's reflection compliments of Pam Holmes.

When I was young and in grade school I remember studying the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. There was one called “Fear of the Lord”. I didn’t appreciate that one because it made me think that I should be afraid of God. As I got older, I learned that “Fear of the Lord” was referring to feeling awe and wonder and amazement in God. I could understand that very well. I remember seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. I just stood and watched it. I kept thinking to myself that God was so amazing that He thought of creating this wonderful sight in front of me. The same feeling overwhelmed me the first time I saw the Rocky Mountains come into view as I was driving into Colorado.

The Communion Antiphon from today’s liturgy says, “Lord, how great is the goodness you keep for those who fear you.” Every minute in our lives provides an opportunity to just be amazed at the goodness that the Lord has sent our way. Be on the lookout today to see the surprises that God has lined up for you. He loves us all so much. And be aware that, indeed, our God is an Awesome God!

There are some super exciting changes coming to St. Stephen Protomartyr's youth ministry program! Sacred Sparks, our min...
08/31/2026

There are some super exciting changes coming to St. Stephen Protomartyr's youth ministry program!
Sacred Sparks, our ministry for kids grades K-5, will continue offering Parents Night Out on select Saturdays from 4:00pm to 8:00pm starting with Mass. In September the parish will launch Sacred Flames, a new program for 9th–12th graders meeting the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.

08/30/2026

Sunday Morning Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Recorded by SSP Media Ministry

Address

3949 Wilmington Avenue
St. Louis, MO
63116

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3pm
Tuesday 8am - 3pm
Wednesday 8am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 3pm

Telephone

+13144811133

Website

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