It’s a busy week with Pass it On and Praznyk this weekend.  However, many hands make light work so just a reminder of the upcoming Work Bees where we will need volunteers to make both events run smoothly:
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TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY 21st,  PEROGY PINCHING (FOR FALL SUPPER)  9:00 AM
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 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23                     CABBAGE ROLL MAKING FOR PRAZNYK   9:00 AM
​ SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24               PRAZNYK HALL SETUP                                9:00 AM

 
We are still short of volunteers to help on Praznyk Sunday.  Watch for an updated list and PLEASE sign up where you can.
 
Thanks​!
Stacey E. Bobyn, President
St. Stephen’s UCWLC
[email protected]
403.860.2185

 St. Stephen's ​Pastoral Care Volunteers  work in several areas:
Communicators:
are members of one of St Stephen’s many groups who keep the team informed if a member of their group requires:
·         Addition to the prayer group list for the week
·         A card from our St Stephen’s Community
·         A visit from our St Stephen’s Pastoral Care Team
·         Holy Communion taken to the residence
·         Confession to a priest
·         Divine Liturgy – usually reserved for family members and for extraordinary circumstances.
If the Pastoral Care Team isn’t informed, there is a chance that they will not be aware of the need and therefore will not be responding. 
Please let us know:  
Parish Office:  403-249-4818 or Marilyn Comchi at [email protected]  or 403-220-9624.
Visitors:
Are the members of St Stephen’s who visit people who are unable to attend church regularly. They keep in touch via phone and email and visit parishioners at home or in care facilities.  Some support Father Bo as he says Liturgy every Friday at Westview.  
Holy Communion Volunteers:
Have received instruction to prepare themselves to take Holy Communion to those who cannot attend church.  They work closely with Father Bo, Deacon Andrij, and the Lectors.
Volunteer Training:
The accredited course “May I Sit With You Awhile” will be offered in St Stephen’s Parish Centre on November 4 and 5.   
This program offered by the Calgary Pastoral Care Association will run Friday evening and all day Saturday.  All members of the Pastoral Care team are encouraged to sign up for it, and indeed all parishioners are encouraged to take it as all of us at one time or another will be called on to walk with people who are lonely and afraid.  Expect to hear more about this course and its partner “Accompanying the Grieving” in our bulletin.
St. Stephen Support Network Volunteers:
Ideally all St Stephen’s parishioners would be members of this network. 
As members of The Network when we become aware of a need within our community we look for a solution.  We’ve been in existence for almost 10 years and our strength is our life experiences. 
When some parishioners decided to downsize and move into smaller quarters they’ve found that one of their big issues was getting rid of “stuff”.  Des Peplinski stepped forward and helped match up people who needed items with people who had items to give away.
We have been asked to find a barber who would go into a hospital to tend to a parishioner, and we had someone there within a few hours later.  A young nursing mother with her first baby ran into some rather severe problems, and we were able to get her coaching almost immediately so that she could remain at home and avoid a possible excruciating wait in emergency with a crying baby.  We’ve supplied guidance to people worried about their next steps in life.  We received a call that a person in care had immediate need of a wheelchair with options different than the one available; we were able to respond very quickly and bring her relief.  We have been able to match people up with others who have dealt with similar issues and have provided gentle guidance.
We are in the process of creating an inventory of items that might be useful to parishioners.  Since we have no storage space at church for them, we are asking people to store them and we are keeping track of who has what.  If you have an item that you think may be of use and that you are willing to store until someone needs it, please let the team know about it.
How The Network Works
When a member hears of an issue, they consult the people they know who may be able to help with the concern, and if a solution is not immediately obvious, they then go to the membership at large by email, state the need and provide the contact information.  Then they keep tabs on the outcome.  To consult The Network or to become a member please contact St Stephen’s Office at 403-249-4818 or Marilyn Comchi  at 403-220-9624 or [email protected] .
Administrative Volunteers:
Have indicated that they are willing to help keep all this straight and help us to remain organized and on top of things.  Some will work as a support team helping at times with special Christmas and Easter efforts. 
 
It should be noted that the wonder of volunteering with any of our St Stephen’s groups is that the volunteers themselves gain so many graces and blessings - one them being that we become more united with our church family through the strong attachments we develop with each other.
“This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you!”  John 15:12

​The Helping Others Network      Email: [email protected]   
 
This group, formed originally by Des Peplinski, makes surplus household furnishings and clothing available to disadvantaged people in the Calgary area via a network of faith organizations and others, such as social workers who wish to help this segment of society.  The internet makes this charity possible and efficient.  Contacts are linked via email, and donors are matched up with recipients.
 
Why This System Instead Of Free On Kijiji
 
The contacts direct the items to disadvantaged folks; whereas, public websites allow anyone to get the items.  Also, there is less risk to donors responding to folks referred by contacts.
 
Others Involved
 
The Network has about 400 contacts.  About 150 are St. Stephen’s parishioners who have an interest in helping the less fortunate.  The others are people from about 20 different faith communities and many secular people.  All are on the email exchange list.  These 400 individuals link with others in their social networks. Items are supplied to newcomers, orphanages, group homes for handicapped people, as well as disadvantaged individuals.  Many immigrant associations and special interest groups are also involved including:
·         Saint Vincent de Paul with 600 volunteers.
·         Calgary Catholic Immigration Society with 200 volunteers.
·         Medical Mercy: overseas medical support in very poor areas.
·         Immigrant communities in Calgary that help each other, such as the Philippinos, Venezuelans, and Colombians.
·         Addiction recovery organizations such as the Dream Centre.
 
When Does It Take Place or What Time Of The Year Is It Active?
 
This activity is ongoing year round.  On average about two van loads of goods are exchanged during the week.
 
How it is done?
 
People contact The Network at [email protected] and indicate what it is they need or what it is they have to donate, including perhaps a description, the dimensions and a photo. The 400 people on The Network read the request, and if they can respond they do directly to the person making the request, and they take it from there.  No money ever changes hands.
Most donors are very grateful for this service, because they want their surplus items to go to someone in need rather than into landfill, and it often saves the donor the cost of renting and filling dumpsters.
Almost all the donated items are of good quality, and many are valuable, such as almost-new appliances and furniture. The Network has so many contacts that even large completely furnished houses have been “cleaned out” within a 24 hour deadline. 

​All of Us Need Prayers
We are a group of people who are here to prayerfully support those around us.  When we know of somebody who desires our prayers, whether it is for a big life changing challenge or a joyful thank you, we spread the word and say a prayer.
Instituted over 20 years ago by Chris Dewald, The Prayer Group with over 70 members prays for all intentions passed to them. 
The Prayer List is emailed out every Friday and Urgent Requests are sent out as needed.  Each member prays in their own way: some pray together, some alone in their own prayer space during their devotional time, some the leave the requests on their computer screen for the week and pray each time they use the computer, and some pray with their families.
All members observe strict confidentiality.   There is no talk or gossip or mention of who or what appeared on the list.  Families members are asked to observe the same confidentiality. 
There is no fee or donation required.
If you would like to join our group or if you or someone you know is in need of prayers,
contact Marilyn Comchi at 403-220-9624 or [email protected] or contact the Parish Office at 403-249-4818

The Pastoral Care Committee sends cards and makes requests for divine liturgies on behalf of St Stephen’s parishioners for St Stephen’s parishioners.
If you know of someone in our Parish Family who the committee should be attending to, please contact Anne Lozinski at 403-241-8905.
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​What is a “Prayer Shawl”?
The knitting of a prayer shawl is a spiritual practice which embodies thoughts and prayers for the person who will ultimately receive it.  The shawl brings to the recipient blessings, prayers, and warm wishes.

Who can receive a prayer shawl?
A prayer shawl is for everyone – baby to senior.  We have larger and smaller ones.  We have some that are suitable for someone in bed or a wheel chair.  We have different colours for males or females.
A recipient is anyone who could use blessings, prayers, and a warm hug: a new bride, a pregnant  woman, a new mother, a sick child,  a child fighting for life after a premature birth, a student leaving home for the first time, a person dealing with debilitating, worrisome health issues. 
The person does not have to be a St Stephen’s parishioner, a Catholic, or a Christian.
Prayer shawls never lose their effectiveness and thus can be passed on from person to person.

​How are they presented?
You will receive a presentation bag and a letter to the recipient explaining what a prayer shawl is. We have bags with the following poem available as an insert explaining what a prayer shawl is:
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Prayer Shawl
by Joan Schneider
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Just a simple prayer shawl, made with prayers for you
To cover you in blessings, for times you’re going through.
I pray that wrapped around you, you will feel our Saviour’s arms
Holding you and loving you, and keeping you from harm.
“…and lo, I am with you always…”
Matthew 28:20

What do I do to order a prayer shawl?
You cannot order a prayer shawl. They are not made to order.  They are not for sale.  They can never be purchased but are freely given.  The volunteer craft persons wish to remain anonymous.
To request a shawl, call Sharon Oryschak 403-242-5105 and she will arrange for a prayer shawl for you.  Since the program began just over a year ago shawls have been presented of just under 100 people!

You can request a certain colour and if we have it we will give it to you, and if not we will give you what we have.  Mostly we rely on the Holy Spirit to make the selection.
You can contribute to the prayer shawl ministry by donating to St Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church and noting that your donation is to go to the Prayer Shawl Fund.
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What do I have to do in order to become one of the volunteers?
Contact Sharon Oryschak so that you will be on the volunteer mailing list (see her number above).
 Select a pattern – they are readily available on line or in wool shops
 Use yarn that is very soft and washable – we recommend Lion’s Homespun – Michael’s has good deals
 Start to knit or crochet – colour, pattern, fringe or no fringe are all your choice
·Bring yours and place it on the table under the icon of St Stephen for blessing on the 4th Sunday
​ of every month. 
After the shawls are blessed, the committee will store them along with presentation bags and presentation letters ready to be given away.
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What recipients have had to say about the ministry:

“Dear Prayer Shawl Angels,
With much prayerful thanks and love to you for ministering to me and all whom you touch with these beautiful prayer shawls.  I wish everyone could feel so wrapped in love and caring.”

“…when words and gestures are not enough, the shawls speak of love and comfort…”
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“…my friend is taking her shawl with her to comfort her during her treatments…”

​*Many thanks to Rose Storoshenko for allowing us to share this photo.
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