Parish Life

Annulment Advocates

Annulment is the common name for a decree of invalidity of a marriage for Catholics.   After an investigation by a Church tribunal, if it is proven that the parties’ original marriage promises were invalid, then the marraige itself is null.

Rose and Joe Hartnett are here to help navigate the process.  Reach out to them anytime, (479)855-2344.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries.

For more information please reach out to Paula Winkel, (479)366-5188.

St. Stephen Columbarium

To rise with Christ, we must die with Christ: we must “be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8). With the Instruction Piam et Constantem of 5 July 1963, the then Holy Office established that “all necessary measures must be taken to preserve the practice of reverently burying the faithful departed”, adding however that cremation is not “opposed per se to the Christian religion” and that no longer should the sacraments and funeral rites be denied to those who have asked that they be cremated, under the condition that this choice has not been made through “a denial of Christian dogmas, the animosity of a secret society, or hatred of the Catholic religion and the Church”.

In total we have 288 niches for ashes of the faithful to be laid to rest in a sacred place.  Our Columbarium has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.

The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect, which eventuality is possible, most especially once the immediately subsequent generation has too passed away.  Each year on All Soul’s Day we hold a special ceremony in which each person’s ashes held here are prayed over.

To have your ashes held here the Funeral Mass does not have to be held here.  For more information please contact Charlotte Champagne, cchampagne11@yahoo.com.