The Helping Others Network Email: HelpingOthers@shaw.ca
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 HelpingOthers@shaw.ca 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 marilyncomchi@shaw.ca 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. Wrap Someone in Prayers and Love 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: Prayer Shawl by Joan Schneider 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. 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. 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…” “…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. PLEASE NOTE: The above title is for the article below that has no title. My apologies ... I'm still learning how to post the blog updates.
St. Stephen’s began hosting a monthly Inn for the homeless in June 2003 and ended by hosting the last one in January 2016. The executives of the Calgary Inn from the Cold Program shut down all Inn hosting's at the churches in February 2016 due to the executives’ desire to concentrate on serving homeless families in the Inn facility at 110 - 11 Avenue SE. The churches in the last year were not receiving any children – just adults. Some of these adults had issues involving drugs, mental health, and alcohol. There were a few unpleasant incidents at churches and at the Inn facility intake area. Consequently, the executives concluded that the homeless adults could have their issues better addressed at special facilities available to them, such as at the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre.
The three Inn coordinators at St. Stephen’s - Pam Verdonck, Dennis Yurkiw, and Ambrose Comchi - wish to thank all of the dozens of volunteers who provided the requisite labour each month during the past twelve and 2/3 years at St. Stephen’s Inn. They shared the work that involved setting up sleeping and dining areas, cooking and serving the 7 PM supper and 6 AM breakfast and preparing bag lunches. Volunteers were on duty all night and laundered the guests’ clothing during the night. In the morning they took down equipment, cleaned up the church Inn, and laundering the towels and bedding. Other volunteer duties included helping the guests’ children with school homework and providing any other support that was needed, including driving ill guests to a nearby health clinic. During our time hosting Inn From the Cold, our volunteers served nearly 2900 homeless guests. We also thank the parishioners who donated clothing, toiletries, and other items to be passed on to the guests. Special thanks are due to St. Stephen’s choir members who made significant donations of backpacks, socks, underwear, hoodies, jogging clothing, and toiletries each December for distribution over the following year. In addition, we offer a big thank you to individual parishioners, the Knights of Columbus, and the UCWLC for sizable monetary donations made to support the program. Finally, thank you to St. Stephen’s Council and clergy for their support and encouragement. Submitted with deep gratitude, 'Ambrose W. Comchi Ukrainian language classes for adults and youth (at least 12 years of age, preferably accompanied by a parent) will start in September.
Beginner - For those who have no or very limited knowledge of the Ukrainian language. Class time will be distributed evenly among reading, conversation and grammar. Students will learn to read Ukrainian. Wednesday evenings, commencing Sept 21, 2016: 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm. Higher Levels of Ukrainian Language Classes - Advanced levels of Ukrainian Language Classes are also offered. Tuesday evenings, commencing Sept 13: 6:30 - 7:45 pm & 7:45 – 9:00 pm. FEES / CLASS/ STUDENT: Adults $140.00 - Youth $80.00 WHERE: St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church 4903-45th Street SW, Calgary, AB NOTE: A minimum of 6 participants per class is required. Please pre-register for beginner class by September 18, 2016. WHO: For more information contact: Deborah Johnson 403-201-6225 or lornejn@telusplanet.net Register on-line: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aEBRdamHUTjkJHOOpVw97bZqcF037Ru2FmvGrQUvhS0/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link On Saturday July 9th we held our annual Stampede Breakfast. It was a fabulous morning with the weather man cooperating. We co-hosted the breakfast with our neighbours, Glenmorgan Church of God. Hats off to Carolyn Sclanders (St. Stephen) and Rachel Jesse (Glenmorgan Church of God) for organizing this very successful event! HUGE thanks to all the volunteers who helped get the "ranch" party ready, cook and serve the hungry cowpokes and those who helped clean up the "ranch" when we wrapped up.
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May 2018
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2023 DIVINE LITURGIES
SATURDAYS: 4:00 pm - Confessions, 5:00 pm - Great Vespers SUNDAYS: 8:30am Ukr / Eng 10:30am English WEEKDAYS: 9:00 am Divine Liturgies - Wednesdays and Thursdays |
Contact : Office:: 403-249-4818, ext 0 Email: Office@Protomartyr.ca| Pastoral Emergencies Telephone: 403-249-4818, ext 9 Address : 4903 45 St SW, Calgary, AB T3E 3W5 © COPYRIGHT 2016 St. Stephen Protomartyr, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |