First time at St. Stephen’s? No worries, we are a welcoming and friendly parish and we are excited to meet you!

What to expect

Inside a church, altar with religious banners and icons, two flower arrangements on side tables, large stained glass window depicting religious figures and symbols, wooden ceiling with spotlights.

Worship

Our worship is traditional, historic, and deeply reverent. You will experience the full force of historic Christianity: hymns, scripture readings, incense, chanting, and culminating in Communion. The 9.00 am is our simpler service (Low Mass with Sermon), while the 11.00 am offers a fuller liturgical experience.

People attending a church service with an altar and stained glass window at the front, wooden pews, and a wooden ceiling with hanging lights.

Liturgy

At St. Stephen’s, we worship God “in the beauty of holiness” (Ps. 96.9), which means our liturgy might be new to your experience. That’s okay! Everything you need to know is printed in our bulletin. We encourage you to prayerfully experience the liturgy without feeling any pressure to ‘follow along.’ If you have questions or would like to know more, please introduce yourself to one of our ‘Welcome Team’ members.

Communion

All baptized and confirmed Christians who repent of their sins and believe in Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament are welcome to receive Holy Communion at St. Stephen’s. If you’re not yet baptized or confirmed, we’d love to discuss it with you!

Children playing with toy cars on a colorful play mat.
People gathered inside a church during a service, with some standing and some sitting on wooden pews. The church has stained glass windows, crucifix, and religious artwork.

Nursery

Children of all ages are welcome to attend any of our services, but for parents who prefer it, we have a nursery and a playground facility. We understand that children love to ‘raise a joyful noise to the Lord’ and that sometimes it can be hard for parents, but we encourage parents to bring their little ones along for as long as possible to any of our services - it’s a great way for kids to learn and to be part of the worshipping community!

Sunday School

Christian education and formation are priorities at St. Stephen’s. We offer regular catechesis for both adults and youth. Each Sunday at 10.00 am, we offer classes for adults and those from pre-school through high school. Please consider joining us!

People dining at a large gathering with colorful tables and food, with many elderly and middle-aged individuals, some standing and serving food in the background.
A man giving a presentation in a room full of seated attendees during a meeting or conference. The room has large windows, hanging lights, and light-colored walls. The attendees are listening, taking notes, or drinking coffee.

Potluck Sunday

On the first Sunday of every month, our Spanish-speaking parishioners host a potluck lunch. This is a great time to gather, share a meal, and fellowship as a community. Everyone is invited to join us in the parish hall after the 1.00 pm mass! Please join us!