April 20, 2025 — Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

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, April 23, at 8:30 a.m. — No Mass

Friday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m. — †Mass for Vi Halfmann by Jim & Renae Seibel

Saturday, April 26, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †Daniel Pietruszewski by Cecilia Teske

(Rosary at 4:30 p.m.)

Eucharistic Adoration at St. Stephen’s – May 4 from 1-5 p.m.

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for April, May & June, 2025

Special Prayers For

Pope Francis, Rita Chwialkowski, Jack & Linda Thompson, & David Wesolowski

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

April 13: $2,471.00 Adults: $2,350.00 Children: $4.00 Plate: $117.00

Flowers: $10.00

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

2025 DAA as of April 14: St. Stephen’s Goal: $9,730 Committed by 22 donors: $6,630 (68.14% of our goal)

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.

CRS Rice Bowl as Catholic Relief Services celebrates 50 years of the program. Rice bowls are available in the vestibule. Take one home and give to those in need during this Lenten season. Bowls will be collected April 24.

Catholic Home Missions Appeal Next week we will take up the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Today, nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its current and former territories are unable to fund the essential pastoral work their communities need. Your support for this appeal helps them meet these faith formation and sacramental needs. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this appeal. Find more information at www.usccb.org/home-missions.

Ladies Aid

April Ladies Aid Leaders – Marlene Dowdle, Laura Efta, Annie Osowski, Autumn Schindele, Danika Sundby & Jennifer VanHorn

Knights of Columbus Council #3385

Tootsie Roll Fundraiser The Knights of Columbus will again be having their annual Tootsie Roll Fundraiser the weekend of April 26 & 27. Proceeds are donated to the Marshall County Group Home in Argyle, MN. Please help support this local living community.

Monthly Meeting Bishop Corbett Council #3385 will be having a monthly council meeting on Monday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Rose parish hall. Please make plans to attend!

Other Items and Future Events

Eucharistic Ministers - PLEASE NOTE We have begun offering the Eucharistic cup as of April 20.

NEEDED The Ladies Aid is in need of a President (or with a friend as Co-Presidents) for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. If you are willing to fill this position and have any questions about it, please contact Amy Kowalski as soon as possible at

218-478-4177. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

North Star Manor Pancake Feed Fundraiser to be held on Sunday, May 4 — serving from 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Warren Senior Center, 110 West Johnson Ave., Warren, MN. Free-will donation.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for April For the use of the new technologies Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

Diocese of Crookston Announcements

Mercy Hour The final Eucharistic Healing Service for the season is being held at St. Mary’s Church in Warroad at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend one of these beautiful services, led by Bishop Cozzens, don’t miss this final opportunity!

The service is not just meant for couples or people who have experienced major trauma. Anyone who has ever been hurt by personal loss or the unkind actions of others is encouraged to attend. This is your personal invitation. Please take some time to bring your heart to Jesus in the Eucharist and receive healing, mercy and blessing.

Everyone welcome!

Worldwide Marriage Encounter “Lent is a time of spiritual growth. How is the spiritual growth going in your marriage? Are you and your spouse connecting the way God wants you to? Or are you desiring more but unsure what steps to take? Worldwide Marriage Encounter could be what you need! Worldwide Marriage Encounter enriches marriages through unlocking the power of relationships with new ways to say “I do.” The next opportunity in Crookston, MN, will be on April 25-27 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. To apply or for more info, visit WWME.org or call (507)-227-8229. Allow God to help you prioritize your relationship with each other this Lent!”

“… He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38

We can’t give what we don’t have. Open your heart to receive God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. Then, show the same

to others. As God’s adopted sons and daughters, we are made in His image and likeness. As Pope Benedict XVI says, “we are made for greatness.” Let our lives reflect His light to others. Pray to live a grateful and generous life. Strive for greatness!

We are made for more! We are made for God!

“Christ is risen!”—“He is risen indeed, Alleluia!”

FLOWER MEMORIALS 2025

Brian & Tammi Anderson – In Memory of Our Deceased Family Members & Friends

Mavis Benson – In Memory of Deceased Family Members

Ken & Arnette Borowicz – In Memory of Ray & Loretta Borowicz

Rita Chwialkowski – In Memory of Deceased Family Members

Craig & Marlys Halfmann – In Memory of Our Deceased Family Members

Marilyn Hanson – In Memory of Deceased Family & Friends

Roger & Yvonne Kazmierczak – In Memory of Ray & Bernice Kazmierczak/Casey & Irene Erickson

Eugene & Theresa Kuznia – In Memory of Francine Kuznia & Our Parents

Jim & Donna Safranski & Family – In Loving Memory of Arthur & Elvera Sundby/

Robert, Sr. & Delphine Safranski

Jim & Aggie Schindele – In Memory of Our Parents

Rick & Priscilla Steinke – In Memory of Bill & Agnes Steinke/Arnold & Adelle Kostrzewski/

John Schrank