January 11, 2026 — The Baptism 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)

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

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

Trustees: Todd Chwialkowski and Paul Rogus

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

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 call the priest 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 14, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Daniel Pietruszewski by Theresa Nelson

Friday, January 16, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Linda Thompson by Jerry & Marilyn Kuznia

Sunday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. — Mass for Tri-Parish Families of St. Stephen’s, St. Rose & Assumption Churches

(Rosary said prior to Mass at 10:00 a.m.)

Eucharistic Adoration: February 1 from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for January, February & March, 2026

Special Prayers For

Sue Anderson, Ron Jensen, Carol Sunsdahl, David Wesolowski and Joyce Woinarowicz

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 4: $3,764.00 Adults: $3,545.00 Youth: $3.00 Plate: $216.00

Christmas: $100.00 Solemnity of Mary: $449.00 Children’s Altar Donations: $9.25

2025-2026 Budget for Sunday Offertory: $101,630 / 52 weeks = $1,954.42

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.

Other Items and Future Events

Our condolences to the family and friends of Carol Bolduc, who was recently called home to the Lord. May she rest in the peace of Christ.

Friday Masses will be held at St. Stephen’s at 8:30 a.m. beginning January 9 through the end of March.

Thank you to all who donated to our Advent Gift Giving Project and to Jerry and Marilyn Kuznia for taking the gifts to the St. Gianna & Pietro Molla Maternity Home.

Council Meetings Rescheduled for Thursday, January 15 — Pastoral Council at 7:00 p.m.; Finance Council at 7:30 p.m.

January Day of Reflection – St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson, ND You are invited to join them on Saturday, January 17, for a Day of Reflection (in-person or online). This month's theme, as they continue their Franciscan Spiritual Pilgrimage, will be " St. Clare's Basilica." The event lasts from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register online at https://forms.office.com/r/qvVtezHnt9 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with questions at srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org / 701-242-7195.

2026 Donation Envelopes and Calendars are now available in the vestibule. Please pick yours up today!

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for January For prayer with the Word of God Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

Ladies Aid

Thank you to Brittney Kuznia for organizing the December Ladies Aid functions-funerals and potluck. Thank you for sharing your time.

January Ladies Aid Leaders – Katie Adolphson, Julie Bolduc, Arnette Borowicz, Britni Gajeski, Kim Gajeski, Katrina Halfmann, Marlys Halfmann, Nan Nelson, Barb Price, Connie Price & Carol Sunsdahl

Diocese of Crookston

Mercy Hour for Individuals and Families Join Bishop Andrew Cozzens for this hour of adoration and prayer, culminating in an intimate moment of Eucharistic encounter offered for you as an individual, a couple, or as a family. All are welcome. Next Mercy Hour with Bishop Cozzens: January 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, Minnesota.

Bemidji March for Life The St. Gianna’s Group of St. Philip’s in Bemidji will be hosting the annual Bemidji March for Life on Saturday, January 24, 2026, beginning at Noon in front of the Beltrami County Courthouse. The local March for Life is sponsored by the St. Gianna’s ministry and the Bemidji Knights of Columbus.

Mercy Hour for Middle-School and High School Youth: January 28, 2026, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Diocesan 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 19-22 and the Women’s Cursillo on the weekend of March 19-22 at the Nazareth Retreat House in Crookston. Applications are available at https://crookstoncursillo.weebly.com/.

Nazareth Retreat House in Crookston has many retreats and cursillos scheduled. For more information go to the Diocese of Crookston website or call 218-275-2403.

“John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you are coming to me?’” Matthew 3:14

The Catholic Catechism states that “Jesus’ immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God’s will.” In other words, as baptized Catholics there is only one gift that we need to give to Jesus – the gift of ourselves. Surrender yourself to God, place your trust in Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you for the greater glory of God.