January 19, 2025 — Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Stephen’s Church, Stephen

515 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 507, Stephen, MN 56757

Phone: 218-478-2231 ststephens@wiktel.com www.wiktel.net/ststephens

Pastor: Father Luis Buitron lbuitron@wiktel.com Phone: 218-242-5689

Parish Secretary: Priscilla Steinke

Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday — 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

(closed all holy days of obligation and holidays)

Youth Minister: Ethan Marquis

Pastoral Council: Kristin Gajeski, Katrina Halfmann, Autumn Schindele, and Danika Sundby

Finance Council: Alex Anderson, Daniel Gerszewski, and Darrin Kowalski

Trustees: Todd Chwialkowski and Ethan Marquis

Diocesan Victim Assistance If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual misconduct on the part of a priest, deacon, or individual representing the Diocese of Crookston, its parishes, or its schools, your first call should be to law enforcement. In addition, the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator is available at 218-281-7895 (24-hour confidential number).

Project Rachel Ministry: Healing After Abortion The Project Rachel ministry is offered to women and men who have had a past experience with abortion and wish to seek healing and reconciliation. A trained counselor can be reached through this confidential phone number (218‑470‑0112) on Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-Noon.

New to the area? Please contact the parish office to register. Change of address/phone number. Please contact the parish office.

Knights of Columbus members: If you have insurance questions, please contact Field Agent Aaron Kaiser at 218-280-4707 or by email at Aaron.kaiser@kofc.org.

Mission Statement of St. Stephen’s Church

We the community of St Stephen’s are believers in Jesus Christ; striving to proclaim His Gospel in word and in deed. Through worship, evangelization, formation and service we invite our brothers and sisters to know the Lord.

The Sacramental Life

Please contact Father Luis at 218-242-5689 to schedule an appointment.

Baptism: Pre-baptism class is required for parents.

Reconciliation: available before Saturday evening Mass: 4:30-5:00 p.m.; before Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mass: 8:00-8:30 a.m.; or by calling Father Luis for an appointment. No Reconciliation before 10:30 a.m. Mass. If you are homebound or handicapped, call Father Luis for an in-home appointment.

Marriage: All Catholics who have made a decision to enter into marriage must meet with a priest six months before the proposed wedding date. If a Catholic is contemplating marriage to a non-Catholic, the Catholic must still contact a priest to fill the requirements of the Catholic Church for the marriage to be validly recognized by the Catholic Church.

Pastoral Visit/Anointing of the Sick: If you or a family member would like to receive a home visit, the Holy Eucharist for the homebound, or the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call Father Luis.

St. Stephen’s Church Mass Schedule

Wednesday, January 22, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Gina Maus by Craig & Marlys Halfmann

Sunday, January 26, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Pat Osowski by Todd & Kathy Bazey

(Rosary said at 8:00 a.m. before Sunday Mass)

Eucharistic Adoration at St. Stephen’s – February 2 from 1-5 p.m.

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for January, February & March, 2025

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. — Assumption

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. — St. Stephen’s

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. — St. Rose

Tuesday Mass at 5:00 p.m. — St. Rose

Wednesday Mass at 8:30 a.m. — St. Stephen’s

Thursday and Friday Masses at 6:00 p.m. — Assumption

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers For

Linda Thompson

To add a name to the prayer list — ask their permission first, then contact the parish office. Names are left on the list for four weeks. If you want a name kept on the prayer list, call the parish office for an additional four weeks.

Prayer Chain Please call the parish office with prayer requests.

Prayer Blankets Please contact Theresa Kuznia if you know of anyone who needs comfort and prayers and would like a prayer blanket from the Ladies Aid.

Stewardship of Treasure

January 12: $1,117.00 Adults: $1,090.00 Children: $2.00 Plate: $25.00

Solemnity of Mary: $100.00

2024-2025 Budget for Sunday Offertory: $101,450 / 52 weeks = $1,950.96

Donations while away for the weekend When you are away from Stephen for weekend Mass you can still give to your home parish by dropping your donation envelope in the collection basket at the church where you are attending Mass and it will be mailed back to St. Stephen’s. OR Did you know that St. Stephen’s Church has the option for automatic debit from a checking or savings account? Contact the parish office at 218‑478‑2231 to set this up.

Building Repair Fund If you wish to make a donation or memorial, we have the Building Repair Fund. Funds are used to maintain and make repairs and updates in the church, rectory and grounds.

Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa This weekend we take up our collection to support the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa. The people of Africa are joyous and faith-filled—but as the Church in Africa grows, the pastoral needs of the people also increase. Clergy formation, communications programs to bring the Gospel to remote territories, youth ministries that engage the next generation of disciples—these and all the Church’s needs are wide-ranging. The Solidarity Fund is an opportunity for our parish to stand with the people of Africa. Our contributions help them face these challenges and build lasting foundations of missionary discipleship. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this collection today. To learn more, visit today. To learn more, visit www.usccb.org/africa.

Ladies Aid

January Ladies Aid Leaders – Carmen Beauclair, Carol Riley, Sam Roets & Priscilla Steinke

Other Items and Future Events

Congratulations to our 2025 Confirmation Students: Emily Marquis, Brodyn Szczepanski, Jadyn Szczepanski, Ayla Woinarowicz, and Raydon Woinarowicz. On this special day, our prayer for each of you is that you will always remember that Jesus loves you and that you continue to have faith in Him.

Parish/Finance Council Meetings will be held on Thursday, January 23. Parish Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Finance Council to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Stephen-Argyle Class of 2026 Spaghetti Supper will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 — serving from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the SAC High School Cafeteria in Stephen. Menu: Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Salad, Breadstick, Bar & Beverage — Cost: Adults: $10 Students: $7 Ages 3 & Under: Free Note: The Storm Seller will be open from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Come out and support the Class of 2026!

Real Presence Radio invites you to attend the fundraising banquet in Fargo on Monday, February 3, at the Delta by Marriott.

For more information about the event or to register as a guest, visit our website or scan the QR code. To become a table host or event sponsor call Sunshine Diem at 701-960-0453 or email sunshine@realpresenceradio.com. Check out the flyer on the bulletin board for more info.

Second Saturday of Reflection - The Beatitudes at St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson, ND. Facilitated by

Sr. Mary Ruth Huhn, OSF. This month’s retreat is: February 8 — The Beatitudes. Newcomers welcome. Retreat Details:

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (includes lunch) Suggested donation: $30 Register online at https://forms.office.com/r/qvVtezHnt9 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with questions at srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org or 701-242-7195.

Marriage Encounter A “perfect marriage” is simply to imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other! In this month of love, plan to attend the February 15-16 Marriage Encounter and begin to create the marriage of your dreams. Weekends are held at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center. Register at: www.marriages.org.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for January For the right to an education Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

Knights of Columbus Council #3385

2024 12 Days of Christmas Raffle Winners:

The Knights of Columbus Council 3385 would like to thank all who helped support our council by purchasing tickets for our annual 12 Days of Christmas drawing. Funds raised are used to support council activities including: the annual Free Throw Contest, KC scholarships awarded to members of our parishes attending SAC, and Christmas baskets distributed to members of our communities to name a few. Congratulations to the lucky winners.

Diocese of Crookston Announcements

Mercy Hour Services Throughout the year, Bishop Andrew Cozzens will lead monthly Mercy Hour services across the Diocese of Crookston. Mercy Hours are services of Eucharistic healing for individuals, couples and families. Join Bishop Cozzens for this hour of adoration and prayer, culminating in an intimate moment of Eucharistic encounter. All are welcome! Next Mercy Hour: January 19 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Francis in Moorhead, MN.

Six Stone Jars Married Couples Retreats - Who Am I? Who are You? Who Are We? Why a Married Couple's Retreat? The primary purpose of a retreat is to encounter Jesus Christ. The goal of Six Stone Jars Mission is to provide opportunities throughout the weekend retreat for that encounter to occur. Where: Diocese of Crookston Pastoral Retreat Center in Crookston, MN Dates: January 31-February 2, 2025 For more information, dates and locations, visit https://sixstonejars.org.

Men’s and Women’s Cursillos Would you like to deepen your faith and let Jesus become more involved in your life? Let the Spirit lead you on a Cursillo. The Diocese of Crookston is offering a Men’s Cursillo on the weekend of February 20-23 and a Women’s Cursillo on the weekend of April 3-6 at the Crookston Pastoral Center. Applications are available at https://crookstoncursillo.weebly.com/.

“To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

St. Paul tells us that God has blessed each of us for a reason. How has God blessed you? Are you using your gifts according to God’s plan? How are you helping to build God’s kingdom here on earth? Remember that if you don’t do the work God planned for you, no one else can do it. Live the life God has intended for you. Take time to discern your charisms (gifts from the Holy Spirit). Experience the supernatural Peace and Joy God desires for each of us.