June 1, 2025 — 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 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, June 4, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Paul & Vi Halfmann by Bonita Burnson

Thursday (Anointing Mass), June 5, at 11:00 a.m. — Mass for †Harris Grzadzieleski by Linda Thompson

Friday, June 6, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Ted Chwialkowski by Matt & Gerri Kuznia

Sunday, June 8, at 10:30 a.m. — Mass for Tri-Parish Families of St. Stephen’s, St. Rose & Assumption Churches

(Rosary at 10:00 a.m.)

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

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

Special Prayers For

Linda Thompson

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 25: $1,658.00 Adults: $1,520.00 Children: $5.00 Plate: $133.00

Catholic Communication Campaign: $25.00 May Direct Deposits: $500.00

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

2025 DAA as of May 21: St. Stephen’s Goal: $9,730 Committed: $8,180 (84.07% of our goal) $1,550 from 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 us reach our goal. Thank you!

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.

Ladies Aid

June Ladies Aid Leaders – Tammi Anderson, Kathy Borowicz, Renee Borowicz, Sandra Kuznia, Tina Lacrosse & Juliet Rogus

Cemeteries Committee

Thank you to all who remember their dear ones with flowers etc. during this time. PLEASE remember all items brought during this time must be removed by June 15. This is very important especially with the strong winds — items become scattered throughout. After June 15 items will be picked up and discarded. Once again thank you to everyone.

Other Items and Future Events

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

Anointing Mass Our annual Anointing Mass will be held on Thursday, June 5, at 11:00 a.m. A meal and bingo will follow.

New Life Through the Tender Compassion of Our God

Join us on Wednesday, June 4, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s for prayer, inspiration, testimony, and time for sharing faith in your “walk with one” journey. Refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, contact Tammi Anderson (218-478-4217) or Marilyn Kuznia (218-478-4273).

Father Luis Buitron to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of His Ordination to the Priesthood on June 5, 2025 The Ladies Aid will be serving cake and coffee in honor of Father Luis on Sunday, June 8, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Everyone is welcome!

Summer Mother Daughter Days Mother and their daughters are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, ND, this summer for a time of fun and faith while also having a glimpse into life as a Sister. Our theme this year is “Come, Follow Me.” We offer two sessions of “Mother Daughter Days,” each beginning Thursday evening at 7 p.m. and concluding around noon on Saturday. The dates are June 12-14 and July 10-12. To register, visit ndfranciscans.org/vocation-events or contact Sr. Mary Ruth for more information at (701) 242-7195 / srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org.

Polish Day – Assumption Church, Florian Polish Day will be held Sunday, June 22, in Florian, MN. Polka Mass @ 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Church followed by a fundraiser dinner serving from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the church basement. Proceeds going towards church building fund. Dolina Polish Folk Dancers and Cathy Erickson & MaryJo from 1:00 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Fun for the entire family!

Rosary Rally at St. Mary’s Church, 511 Cedar Ave., Warroad, to be held Sunday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m. You are invited to join them in a Rosary procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary for the Church’s renewal. In case of inclement weather, the procession will be moved inside the church.

Come & See Do you sometimes wonder: What is it like in Convent? Am I called to Religious Life? What is the Franciscan charism? Come & See with the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, ND. This year’s theme is “Come, Follow Me,” and our first weekend experience will be June 27-29. Visit ndfranciscans.org/vocation-events or contact Sr. Mary Ruth at srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org / (701) 242-7195.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for June That the world might grow in compassion Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

June 1 from 1-5 p.m.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelations 22:13

This is a reminder of how we should live our lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – putting God first in all that we do. Not only when I am at Mass and parish activities, but when I am in the world, at work, or at school. Living gratefully and generously is an intentional lifestyle. Every decision you make either moves you closer to God or farther away. Choose wisely!