Page 5 - Annual Report to Parishioners RTP 2025 - 8 Page

many teens were going in-and-out of the youth room, studying scripture,
having fun, and growing as a community.
Lent brought blessings. Living Stations of the Cross grew an even bigger
cast. Their production was beautiful and inspiring, with even more props
and tech upgrades. On Holy Saturday, teens were visible at Easter Vigil:
10 were baptized and 3 completed sacraments. The Confirmation class
was 36, and for the Confirmation Mass we combined with St. Anthony,
totaling over 110 candidates! It was inspiring.

Our year brought an even bigger blessing: Michael and his wife became
parents! Their joy and faith were a great witness to the teens and our
parish family. In June, Michael discerned to leave full time ministry. He
plans to volunteer and continue serving at St. Stephen’s, so keep your
eyes open – you’ll see him helping in many, many ways! We will miss
Michael as the youth minister and are grateful his family will stay close.

This new year, Bill Swedberg (our very first youth minister) will be the Interim Youth Minister, giving us
time to find our next leader. Thank you, Bill, for this gift! It will be an amazing year, and our teens are
extra-blessed to have you!

Young Adult Ministry

Young Adult ministry at St. Stephen’s continues to be strong. In
the past year, we offered a variety of events to the parish,
including a country dance, guest speakers, bible study, service
nights, and summer nights around the campfire. We are a
gathering place every Wednesday for young people to drop in
and enjoy fellowship with other Catholics.

Adult Faith Formation

It was a blessed year for Adult Faith Formation, as we had many participants in Adult Faith Formation
programs in RCIA( now OCIA), Adult Confirmation, and Marriage Preparation. These Adult programs also
began in our first year of taking some initial steps towards collaborating and
coming together with St. Anthony’s parish.
The OCIA adult program went to the Rite of Election at
the Cathedral with St. Anthony’s OCIA program while
we had two separate Easter Vigils for OCIA participants
to receive their Sacrament. We are now planning for
further collaboration with both programs in the coming
year. Adult and Youth Confirmation from both parishes
was celebrated together in May 2025 with 121 youth
and adults being confirmed at St. Stephen’s by the
Archbishop. It was a wonderful bilingual celebration
made possible by the collaboration of staff members and volunteers from both parishes.
Marriage Preparation began offering couples a choice of which Parish to attend a Marriage Preparation
program and which Parish to celebrate their wedding. This coming year, St. Stephen’s Pastoral Assistant
for Marriage and Baptism will be coordinating the initial intake for all non-Hispanic couples from both
parishes.