St Stephens Catholic Church Stephen, Mn

St. Stephen's Catholic Church Stephen, Mn

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Website Contact: ststephens@wiktel.co m

Assumption Bulletin Website Contact: assumption@wiktel.com

St Rose Bulletin

April 21, 2024 — Fourth Sunday of Easter

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 Joe Caouette at 320-485-2202.

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. Please call Father Luis.

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, please 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 24, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Harris & Alice Grzadzieleski by Linda Thompson

Sunday, April 28, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Jim Stich by Eugene & Theresa Kuznia

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

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

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for April, May & June, 2024

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

Denese Nicholls & DeAnna 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

April 14: $1,853.00 Adults: $1,740.00 Children: $5.00 Plate: $108.00

Easter: $100.00

2023-2024 Budget for Sunday Offertory: $97,050 / 52 weeks = $1,866.35

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.

St. Stephen’s 2024 DAA Goal: $9,857 Committed as of April 12, 2024: $8,150 by 26 donors

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 territories are unable to fund the essential pastoral work their communities need. Your support of this appeal helps them meet these faith formation and sacramental needs. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this appeal. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/home-missions.

Ladies Aid

Pans and Bowls There are many pans and bowls in the kitchen from past events. Please pick yours up today!

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

Other Items and Future Events

World Day of Prayer for Vocations Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for vocations to the priesthood and religious life? Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead. Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister. Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call. Prayer cards for vocations are available in the vestibule.

Anointing Mass An anointing Mass will be held at St. Stephen’s on Thursday, May 2, at 11:00 a.m. A meal and games will follow the Mass. Please RSVP to Amy Kowalski at 218-478-4177 by May 1 if you plan to stay for the meal.

St. Stephen’s Church First Communion The Ladies Aid will be hosting the First Communion celebration on Sunday, May 5. The Ladies will be serving a pancake breakfast to the parish community following Mass. Everyone is welcome!

Pope Francis — Intention of the Month - April For the Role of Women Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.

“I am the good shepherd...and I lay down my life for the sheep…and they will heed my voice.” John 10:14-16

When you pray, do you only ask Jesus for the things that you want? Do you ever ask Jesus what He wants from you? How do you listen for His response? Many times Jesus responds in “quiet whispers” that are not so obvious. So, take time every day, in silence, to actively listen for His voice.

Knights of Columbus Council 3385

Knights Council Meeting The Knights of Columbus will be having a council meeting on Monday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at St Rose Parish Hall. Please make plans to attend.

SAC Seniors Remember to pick up your Knights of Columbus Scholarship application at the high school counselor’s office. It is available to any senior at Stephen-Argyle Central School who is member of the St. Rose of Lima, St. Stephens or Assumption Catholic parishes.

Knights of Columbus members or family members Remember that the Knights of Columbus does have a college student loan program for 2- and 4-year colleges. Feel free to contact Darrin Kowalski for more information at 218-289-1192.

Diocese of Crookston Announcements

2024 DAA Thank you for your generosity with the Diocesan Annual Appeal. To date the St. Stephen’s Parish/Church has committed $8,150 toward their $9,857 goal. Your gifts to the DAA provide ministries that impact everyone in our Catholic community, especially through the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist because Fr. Luis responded to a call to the priesthood. Please be as generous as possible! You can donate online at www.crookston.org/DAA. Thank you!

Child Abuse Prevention Month Did you know... Hope is rising. Throughout scripture there is evidence that we are called to be ambassadors of hope and healing. Did you know children of abuse long to hear this message of hope. Victims of crime, their family and loved ones need to know that their voices are heard. Organizations throughout the nation are striving to share the message that He has risen and there is hope. Each of us has a unique ability to support individuals who are hurting, to promote healthy relationships, and to build communities that are safe from those who may want to do harm. How has He called you to be an ambassador of hope and healing?

Copies of A Rosary for Healing and Protection are on the vestibule table. Feel free to take a copy home with you.

Mercy Hour The next Mercy Hour with Bishop Cozzens: May 12 at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Blackduck at 3:00 p.m.

Natural Family Planning Introductory Session The Crookston Diocese welcomes all couples to a free Natural Family Planning Introductory Session presented by Laura Golden, FCP and Sarah McKeown, CFCP. Here you will learn the Creighton model and will be provided with responsible parenthood instructions for achieving pregnancy, avoiding pregnancy, and monitoring fertility and cycles. Laura and Sarah will also provide you with real solutions to problems such as infertility, PMS, miscarriages, reproductive health concerns, and more! This will be at no cost to the couples, or the parishes. There are three free introductory On-line Zoom sessions (7:30-9:00 p.m.) offered in 2024, so feel free to go to https://www.crookston.org/offices/discipleship/marriagefam for more dates. Next session: July 23, 2024. To register, the QR code is located on the poster on the bulletin board.

Star of the North Eucharistic Congress - save the dates May 17-19, 2024 Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, and Bishop Daniel J. Felton of the Diocese of Duluth welcome you to the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, May 17 and 18 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, MN. The Congress is a collaboration between the Diocese of Crookston and the Diocese of Duluth, preceding the May 19 commencement of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage at the headwaters of the great Mississippi River in Itasca State Park. Join Bishops and pilgrims from across the Midwest as we gather to celebrate and glorify Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The Star of the North Eucharistic Congress will inspire pilgrims to increase their devotion in the Eucharist while learning ways to share the many graces of this great Sacrament through powerful talks and witness testimonies, panels, fellowship, praise and worship, Mass, adoration, confession, and a Eucharistic Procession. Featured Speakers include Bishop Robert Barron, Father Mike Schmitz, Jude Andrew Link, OP, Tanner Kalina of Saints Alive, Aly Aleigha and more speakers to be announced soon! The Star of the North Eucharistic Congress is for the entire family. All are welcome! Register soon as spaces are limited. For more information and to register visit CrookstonEucharist.org. To avoid extra registration processing fees, at this time tickets are available by calling Katrina Halfmann at 218-280-2388.

THE STAR OF THE NORTH EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS APPAREL’S ONLINE STORE IS OPEN! Are you attending the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress? We’ve got your wardrobe covered. Visit the new online store and order your official gear by May 3 in order to receive it in time for the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress! Visit www.CrookstonEucharist.org and click on the homepage banner, or visit http://parishgear.com/crookston, or simply scan this QR Code.

National Eucharistic Congress There are still tickets remaining for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Join 80,000 Catholics from across the Country for this powerful, once in a lifetime event! Please visit https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/. You are encouraged and invited to attend with the Diocese of Crookston delegation. For information about how to register for the congress as a member of the Diocese of Crookston Delegation, please visit https://www.Crookston.org/revival. The Diocese of Crookston is working with Corporate Travels who have arranged for hotel rooms near the venue and tickets to the event.