May 17, 2026 — The Ascension 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, May 20, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Matt Kuznia by Gerri Kuznia

Saturday, May 23, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †Aaron Bazey by Todd & Kathy Bazey

(Rosary said prior to Mass at 4:30 p.m.)

Next Eucharistic Adoration: June 7 from 1-5 p.m.

Liturgical Ministry

Note: No Tri-Parish daily Masses May 25-29

Special Prayers For

Jonathon Bolduc, Ron Jensen & Dennis Rousseau

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

May 10: $1,255.66 Adults: $1,220.00 Youth: $2.66 Plate: $33.00

Catholic Home Mission: $25.00

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.

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.

Second Collection Today we take up the collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Your support helps CCC fulfill its mission of love to share the gospel message of hope with people in the United States using the internet, television, radio and print media. Half the funds we collect remain here in the Diocese of Crookston to support local efforts. The other half supports the communication activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other projects across the United States and abroad. Be part of this campaign to spread the gospel message. Support the collection today! Learn more at www.usccb.org/ccc.

2026 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL: IN CHRIST, WE ARE ONE! Thank you for your support of the Diocesan Annual Appeal! Your generous gift, joined with others, gives encouragement, strength, and purpose to our family of faith. If you have not had the opportunity to make your commitment, please make your pledge or gift this weekend. You can donate online at www.crookston.org/DAA. For questions about automatic sustained giving, contact Renée Tate at rtate@crookston.org or call

218-281-4533, ext. 432. Your gifts shine the love of Christ to every corner of our diocese! — St. Stephen’s Goal: $11,155 Committed by 30 donors as of May 5, 2026: $11,550 (103.54% of our goal)

Other Items and Future Events

Graduate Baccalaureate Worship Service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Free Lutheran Church in Argyle. All are invited to attend.

Congratulations to our parish senior graduates: Gavin E., Emily M., and Raydon W. We ask that God continues to bless them and guide them as they begin this new chapter in their lives. "Be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you where you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

New Life Through the Tender Compassion of Our God Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31, at 2:00 p.m. for Phase II of the Planning for Mission gathering at St. Stephen’s Church. Refreshments will be served. For any questions, contact Tammi Anderson, Katrina Halfmann, or Marilyn Kuznia.

Catholic Rural Life The mission of Catholic Rural Life has been renewed in the Diocese of Crookston. One of the first projects is to prepare and provide packets of marigold seeds. The Fertile Garden Center donated 10,000 marigold seeds to Catholic Rural Life and they have now been repackaged. Each packet has a prayer card attached with information about Catholic Rural Life and about the tradition of the marigold flower and Mary. Packets of these seeds are available on the vestibule table. We pray that all the seeds get planted in honor of Mary as May is the Month of Mary. You are encouraged to later bring some blooming marigold flowers back to the church for use in the environmental decorating.

A second mission is to pray for our farmers, fields, and gardens. Prayer cards of Isidore the Farmer (feast day of May 15) are also located on the vestibule table for your use.

Silent Directed Retreats Come away for a week of silence and reflection on the beautiful prairies of eastern North Dakota, where you can listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and experience His grace in a special way. Dates for 2026 include June 3-10,

July 1-8, and August 12-19. Enjoy daily Spiritual Direction, our beautiful chapels and grounds, Mass and Adoration (optional), and comfortable accommodations. Register at https://forms.office.com/r/7Rsr3C8y76 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth: (701) 242-7195 / srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org

Mother-Daughter Days The Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, North Dakota, invite you to join them for their annual retreat, Mother-Daughter Days. Spend some quality time together, have a little fun, nourish your spiritual life, and even learn a little about the life of Sisters. Two sessions available: June 11-13, 2026 and July 9-11, 2026.

Register now at https://form.jotform.com/223145841391050 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with any questions: (701) 242-7195 / srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org.

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for May That everyone might have food Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.

Ladies Aid

Thank you to Amy Kowalski for the delicious meal she prepared and served for our 2026 senior graduates, their families, and our parish family. Thank you to Mindy Gerszewski, Craig and Marlys Halfmann, and Holly, Finn, Cam and Leo Kowalski for helping serve the meal. It was a wonderful gathering to celebrate Emily and Raydon as their parish family. God Bless them on their new life journey.

Thank you to the Lazarean Committee for donating and serving the tasty bars and beverages following the Marcie Kazmierczak prayer service. Thank you to Mindy Gerszewski and Brooke Grochowski for organizing the food and workers for funeral luncheon. Thank you to all who prepared the delicious food! AND thank you to those who shared their time serving the lunch and clean up: Gary Anderson, Tammi Anderson, Allison Grzadzieleski, Craig and Marlys Halfmann, Donna Laudal, Roger and Georgie Nelson, and Lenore Pietruszewski. "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4)

Bowls and Pans Please pick up your bowls and pans that are on a table in the vestibule. Once again thank you for sharing!

May Ladies Aid Leaders – Mindy Gerszewski, Brooke Grochowski, Mary Gryskiewicz, Amy Kowalski, Holly Kowalski, Mary Kowalski, Brittney Kuznia, Marilyn Kuznia, Sarah Marquis, and Danielle Szklarski

Calling, preparing food, serving, and clean up are all part of this parish ministry — sharing

time, talents and treasures with others!

Diocese of Crookston

The RESCUE Project On October 10, 2026, from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., at the Alerus Center Ballroom in Grand Forks, North Dakota, our Diocese will be holding Rescue Live. Presented by internationally known evangelist Fr. John Riccardo and his team from ACTS 29, a missionary ministry based in Detroit. Rescue Live will be a gathering of parishioners from across the Diocese of Crookston. Fr. Riccardo will share the Rescue Project, which proclaims the gospel in a compelling and attractive way, and Bishop Cozzens will lead us in prayer and adoration during the day.

Registration cards for Rescue Live are located as you enter the church. Please use the QR code on the back to register by the end of May. In June, registration will open nationwide and so it is important that you register soon so that everyone from our Diocese who wishes to go can attend. There is a $50 entrance fee which pays for lunch and refreshments.

Calling All Quilters and Sewists ✨ The Nazareth Retreat House is seeking donated quilts to help create a warm and welcoming space for our retreat guests. We are in need of approximately 30 Twin XL quilts (70x95) and 2 Queen quilts (90x108) by June 1st. If you feel called to donate a quilt, please contact Jerrica Pribula at jpribula@crookston.org so she can track, organize, and coordinate pickup. Your craftsmanship and generosity will truly bless those who come seeking rest and renewal.

Nazareth Retreat House — There are many retreats being offered at the Nazareth Retreat House in 2026. For more information or to register: https://crookston.org/attend-a-retreat

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

“I am praying for them…” John 17:9

Prayer is the foundation of our Faith and the foundation of Stewardship. Prayer is always the first best option in any situation – not just our last resort. Pray for friends and family, and especially for those that don’t treat you very well. Pray to give praise, to thank, and to ask God for help. Pray to see what God wants you to do with the gifts He has given you. Teach others how to pray. It has been said that teaching someone how to pray is the best gift you can give someone.