ONLINE Giving is available for St. Stephen.
Sign up now and never have to write checks or worry about remembering your envelope again!
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Go Forth in Faith and Generosity: Annual Catholic Services Appeal
You can help us meet our Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) goal. St. Stephen is at 62% St. Theresa is at 59%. Thank you to all who have already made a gift! If you have not yet had the chance to give, please send in your pledge card with a donation or a promise to contribute a payment this year today! Thank you for your prayerful support and generosity!
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​Sanctuary Renovation: (Photos May 7 and June 20, 2025) The St. Stephen Sanctuary renovation painting is finished! The design and painting was accomplished by Conrad Schmitt Studios, of Wisconsin. Their crew of three were here for two weeks, to lay out the design, and meticulously hand paint everything.
Scaffolding and drywall by Pumford Construction of Saginaw.
The woodworking will be done the week of September 8th. That will include a new 1/2 wall, wall mounted statue stands, a new altar and new ambo.
Conrad Schmitt will be back the week of September 22, to paint the final details on the 1/2 wall and new altar.
We have received 72% of the costs of this project in donations! THANK YOU! Donations toward this project may be made online through our ParishSoft online giving platform by texting GIVE to 231-241-6105 or go to http://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/ststephenlakecity. You will be given the option of which account the money goes to. Or you may drop it in the offertory basket, with your donation marked Sanctuary Renovation. Or mail it to St. Stephen, PO Box 379, Lake City, MI 49651. Or drop it off at the office.
The renovation project began four months earlier than originally anticipated. The project will be completely finished September 26.
Bishop Walsh will be here for the consecration of the new altar, during the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, September 27. The CCW will coordinate an appetizer/dessert reception afterwards.​​​
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Spanish Mass with Bishop Walsh, Saturday, September 27, 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephen. All are welcome to attend Mass in Spanish, presided by Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh, concelebrated by Fr. Wayne Dziekan, Episcopal Vicar of the Hispanic Ministry.
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Pledge to Pray for an Increase in Vocations to the Priesthood
Bishop Walsh is inviting you to make a Pledge to Pray for vocations to the priesthood in our diocese. He is launching a new “Called By Name” vocation program. This program will help the Vocation Office identify faithful young Catholic men who may be open to learning more about the priesthood. Please use the cards in your pew to Pledge to Pray for seminarians and men who are considering priesthood. Your prayers are vital!
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Celebrate The Birthday of Our Blessed Virgin Mary AND the Canonization of our Two Newest Saints, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati on Sunday, September 7, after 11 a.m. Mass, with donuts, ice cream, and a brief talk about both saints.
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Embrace Your Faith at St. Stephen meeting, Tuesday, September 16, after 6:30 p.m. Mass. Embrace Your Faith group is formed to create more ways for our parishioners of all ages to be more engaged in the many celebrations of our Catholic faith.
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Don't forget the Wednesday morning Mass is available each week at 11:30 a.m. No adoration or confession on Wednesdays, as Fr. Kunal will be at St. Ann for the 9:00 a.m. School Mass first.
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First Saturday Mass at St. Joseph Chapel, September 6, 2025, following 8:30 a.m. Rosary​
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​Celebrate 2025 Jubilee Year-Pilgrims of Hope
Grab your passport for fun, when you visit each of these Designated Year-Round Jubilee Sites:
St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Gaylord
Cross in the Woods National Shrine, Indian River
Our Lady of the Woods Shrine, Mio
SEPTEMBER 14, 10:30 AM: Cross in the Woods, Indian River Outdoor Mass Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross
OCTOBER 11,5 PM: Holy Cross, Cross Village Mass Bishop Baraga’s legacy in the Diocese of Gaylord
NOVEMBER 4-13 Rome, Italy Pilgrimage to Italy, Pius visit and procession
through the Holy Doors
JANUARY 3, 2026, 5 PM: St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord; Closing Mass for the
Jubilee Year Thanksgiving for the Jubilee​​​​​​​​​​​​
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All Saints Community Men's Group: Meets on Wednesdays, during the school year, in the Emmaus Room at St. Ann, following the 9 a.m. Mass. An evening session will begin mid-September. Watch the bulletin for start date and time. All men are invited to attend, as we discuss the readings and reflections of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy to help foster spiritual growth. Contact Wilbur Potvin at 231-590-3200 or Dennis Mishler at 810-588-8662 for more details. Currently on summer hiatus.
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Order of Christian Initiation of Adults or OCIA
OCIA is a beautiful journey that allows us to grow in knowledge and love of the Catholic faith and in Christ himself. We invite everyone to enter into this conversion as we meet to pray, study, explore, and share. Registration forms are in the church entryways. Call Jen at St. Ann to learn more. 231-775-2471.
​Music Help Wanted: The St. Stephen music team is looking for a keyboardist (organ or Kawaii), to join them occasionally to support congregational singing at Mass. Go to https://dioceseofgaylord.org/job-opportunities to apply online​
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Sacramental Preparation
For all families with youth interested in receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, contact Jen Geiger for more information. 231-775-2471.
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Join the St. Monica and St. Andrew Society to Increase Vocations in Our Diocese
Email vocations@dioceseofgaylord.org or call 989-705-3500 to join, and learn how you can help increase the number of priests and religious in the Diocese of Gaylord. Everyone is needed! Let’s do this together!
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Holy Hour for Priests
Please make one or more Holy Hours for our priests, for Advent, or as a practical, needed, heart felt gift year round. Let them know our love for them by your holy hours. Our priests are currently at a critical juncture, as our diocese has two priests on leave of absence, and several priests are responsible for as many as 5 parishes. They need our prayers.
Record holy hours in the blue folders near the Confessionals at St. Ann and at St. Stephen. Record the date and your initials, to be included in the total in a Christmas card that is sent to all Diocese priests and seminarians. This includes Holy Hours at another church or at home
You can include any of the prayers that you would normally pray, and prayers specifically for priests are provided in the folders for you to use. Just think how many hours we could shower our priests with, if everyone did only one. If you have questions, please call Marlene McGiness 231-839-7114.
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​Sign Up for the New “Up North Catholic E-Newsletter”
Receive a weekly e-newsletter from the Diocese of Gaylord, including Bishop Walsh’s “Checking In” video every Wednesday afternoon. Sign up at: dioceseofgaylord.org/subscribe.​
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Al-Anon Meetings, Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m., St. Stephen Hall (Church basement).
The bulletin may be viewed online at discovermass.com or MyParish App; or you may pick one up by the double doors to the church.
Items to be put in the bulletin need to be emailed to bulletin@stanncadillac.org or given to Jeanne Johnson, Secretary/Business Manager at St. Stephen, or Sandie Baumann, Business Manager at St. Ann. They share duties to continue to keep you up to date. Please submit all bulletin items 9 days prior to the date of bulletin you wish it to be in.
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Travelers: Check the website http://www.catholicmasstime.org/ to find a Catholic Church near your destination.
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Free Large Print Bibles & Missalettes
Since 1900, Xavier Society for the Blind has been providing free braille, audio, and large print materials to Catholics who are blind/visually impaired. Learn more at xaviersocietyfortheblind.org.
If you or anyone you know is interested:
Call 800-637-9193 or 212-473-7800; Email: info@xaviersociety for the blind
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Up North Catholic E-Newsletter
The Diocese of Gaylord has recently launched a weekly e-newsletter that will help deepen your understanding and relationship with God. Subscribe now and receive a variety of faith-based content including Bishop Walsh's "Checking In" video via email every Wednesday afternoon. Sign up today: dioceseofgaylord.org/subscribe.
