September 14, 2025 — The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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 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

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 a 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, September 17, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Daniel Pietruszewski by Clark Schiller

Saturday, September 20, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †Linda Thompson by Rita Chwialkowski

(Rosary at 4:30 p.m.)

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

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers For

For the repose of those who lost their lives and for strength and healing of all those affected by

the Mass shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis

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

September 7: $1,550.50 Adults: $1,487.00 Youth: $2.50 Plate: $61.00

Assumption: $60.00

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.

2025 DAA as of September 3 St. Stephen’s Goal: $9,730 Committed: $10,755 (110.53% of our goal)! Have you made a commitment to the 2025 DAA? If you have, thank you! If not, you can make a donation by placing it in a DAA envelope located in the vestibule and dropping it in the mail or in the Sunday collection, or you can donate online at www.crookston.org/DAA. Help the Diocese of Crookston reach their goal. Thank you!

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.

Collection for the Church in Latin America This weekend we take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America! Many people in Latin America and the Caribbean lack access to church programs and ministries because of a rising secular culture, rugged rural terrain, and a shortage of ministers. Your generosity enables our brothers and sisters in Latin America and the Caribbean to share in the life of the Church and grow closer to Christ. Please be generous in the special collection! To learn more, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Other Items and Future Events

Thank you to Daniel Gerszewski for donating and laying the sod on the west side of the church. It looks wonderful! Thank you!

NEEDED! A few individuals (at least two) to volunteer their time to count the weekend collections.

Eucharistic Ministers Your copy of Communion of the Sick to be used when distributing the Eucharist to the sick in their homes is located in the vestibule. Please pick your booklet up today!

Parish/Finance Council Meetings will be held on Thursday, September 18. Parish Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Finance Council to follow at 7:30 p.m.

St. Stephen’s Choir will sing at Mass on Saturday, September 20. Practice will begin following the Rosary. New members are always welcome!!

Area Food Shelf is open every second Tuesday each month from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at St. Rose Church in Argyle.

Bridal Shower Please join us for a bridal shower honoring Lexie Norby, bride-to-be, of Alex Anderson on Saturday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stephen American Legion.

Marriage Encounter A “perfect marriage” is simply to imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other! As Fall begins, plan to attend the October 11-12 Marriage Encounter in order to fall deeper in love. Weekends are held at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington. Register at: www.marriages.org If you have any questions, please call Mary Jackson at: 651.454.3238.

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for September For our relationship with all of creation Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

Days of Reflection We are excited to announce Days of Reflection at St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson, ND, facilitated by Sr. Mary Ruth Huhn, OSF! This coming year (2026) is the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death. The days of reflection will serve as a spiritual pilgrimage to significant sites in the Assisi and the Umbrian valley. They may be attended in-person or online. The September Day of Reflection (Sept. 20) is entitled: Going Forth, Going Within Retreat. Details: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (includes lunch); suggested donation is $30; register online at https://forms.office.com/r/qvVtezHnt9 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with questions: srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org or 701-242-7195. Informational flyer is located on the bulletin board.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16

God created us to be in relationship with Him. Sin broke that relationship. Jesus came to earth so that we may reconcile our relationship with God. Following Jesus’ example, we can be blessed with a joy-filled life on earth and eternal life in Heaven. These four points are known as the “kerygma” – the first proclamation of the Gospel. This core message is the basis of our Catholic faith. How do you live this out in your daily life?

St. Stephen’s Church Annual Ladies Aid Soup & Sandwich Luncheon

Friday, September 19, 2025

Serving from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall

Ladies Aid

September 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

2025-2026 Booklets have been or will be received soon. Thank you for your continued service to our parish community.

Diocese of Crookston

Employment Opportunity Are you passionate about retreat ministry, hospitality, and leading others into deeper encounters with Christ? The Diocese of Crookston is seeking a full-time Director for Nazareth Retreat House — a sacred space where lives are changed and Christ is intimately encountered. This is more than a job — it’s a mission-driven leadership role ideal for someone with strong organizational skills, a heart for spiritual renewal, and a desire to grow a vibrant diocesan ministry. Location: Crookston, MN Start Date: Negotiable (Interviews are underway!) Apply by sending a cover letter, resume, and references to: jgergen@crookston.org

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s 35th Building Dedication Anniversary All are invited to attend Solemn Vespers with Bishop Andrew Cozzens in honor of the 35^th anniversary of the building dedication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, September 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We invite everyone to come together in prayer and thanksgiving as we mark this special milestone in the life of our Cathedral.

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 Women’s Cursillo on the weekend of September 25-28 and a Men’s Cursillo on the weekend of October 23-26 at the Crookston Pastoral Center. Applications are available at https://crookstoncursillo.weebly.com/.

Mercy Hour 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: October 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ada, Minnesota.

9th Annual Parish Musician’s Workshop (hosted by Diocese of Fargo) All parish musicians are invited to the 9th Annual Parish Musician’s Workshop, hosted by the Diocese of Fargo Liturgy Office. This year’s theme is “Salvation through Song: Meeting the Mystery of God in Music” with keynote speaker Christopher Carstens. Location: St. Paul’s Newman Center, Fargo, ND Dates: Friday, October 24 – Saturday, October 25, 2025

The workshop includes keynote talks, breakout sessions, Lectio divina, Eucharistic Adoration, the Liturgy of the Hours, and singing in choirs matched to ability and interest. Each choir will help lead music for the Saturday evening Mass with Bishop Folda. For full details and registration, visit: www.fargodiocese.org/sacredmusic

Undone: Freedom for the Feminine Heart (Women’s Healing Retreat), November 20-22, 2025 The Dioceses and Fargo and Crookston are sponsoring the Undone Women’s retreat offered by the John Paul II Healing Center. This two evening (Thursday, Friday) and Saturday retreat will provide women with an authentic encounter with Mary’s model of radical receptivity to the Lord and will be an experience of truth, beauty, and transformation. Bring yourself, your mother, your sister, your adult daughters and friends. This is a weekend you won’t want to miss! Presented by the John Paul II Healing Center, and sponsored by the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Crookston, this event will be held at Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo. The retreat is being offered in person OR virtually via livestream! Register online for either experience at https://fargodiocese.net/undone. Registration opens August 18th. Scholarships, student and missionary discounts available. Contact JPIIretreatFargoND@gmail.com for more information.

Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain, and France Join Father Chuck Huck on an unforgettable pilgrimage through Portugal, Spain, and France from June 16-June 27, 2026. This 11-day journey promises to be a spiritual and cultural immersion, providing a unique opportunity to visit some of the most revered and historical sites in these magnificent countries. Fatima, Lourdes, and viewing two Eucharistic miracles are on the itinerary.

We will fly out of Minneapolis, ensuring a comfortable journey to Europe. The tour includes medical and dental insurance for peace of mind, and two meals per day to keep us nourished throughout our travels. Additionally, travelers under the age of 23 are eligible for a special rate, making this pilgrimage accessible for younger participants.

Copies of an agenda are available in the vestibule. For more information and to sign up, visit educationaltravel.com/huck-3967 or contact Father Chuck directly at 218-329-6572. Do not miss this chance to embark on a spiritual journey that will enrich your life and deepen your faith.