February 15, 2026 — Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Ash Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 a.m. — Mass for †Ruth Albertson by Vern & Bev Smith

Friday, February 20, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Judy Sten by Jerry & Marilyn Kuznia

Saturday, February 21, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for Betty Laurin by Jim & Donna Safranski

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

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

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers For

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

February 8: Data not available

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.

2026 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL: IN CHRIST, WE ARE ONE! Have you made a commitment to the 2026 Diocesan Annual Appeal? If you have, thank you! If not, please make your pledge or gift this weekend. You can donate online at www.crookston.org/DAA. Prayerfully consider joining many others in the Bishop’s Guild. The ministries you support touch the lives of thousands of Catholics in the Diocese of Crookston! For questions about automatic sustained giving, which is the most recommended method for supporting the appeal, contact Renée Tate at rtate@coorkston.org or call 218-281-4533, ext. 432.

Thank you for witnessing to the love of God present in our world!

Ladies Aid

February Ladies Aid Leaders – Carmen Beauclair, Laura Efta, Karen Knutson, Patsy Kuznia, Sandy Kuznia (KC), Carol Riley, Sam Roets, Donna Safranski, Bev Smith, Priscilla Steinke & Jennifer VanHorn

Other Items and Future Events

No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion Join us this Lenten Season at St. Stephen’s Church for a study by Dr. Edward Sri titled No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion. This is more than a Bible study. It is a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for us. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. on five Wednesdays — Ash Wednesday, February 18, and February 25; and March 4, 11 and 25. The format will follow past studies with prayer, video, and small group discussion. Refreshments will be served! All are welcome to attend one, some, or all of the sessions! Please contact Tammi Anderson (218-478-4217) or Marilyn Kuznia (218-478-4273) if you have any questions.

Exchanging Masses Next Weekend — Saturday, February 21, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s and Confirmation Mass on Sunday, February 22, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose

CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Through CRS Rice Bowl, faith communities in every diocese throughout the United States put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For more information, please visit: www.crsricebowl.org. Rice bowls are now available. Please take one home and return it by the April 9^th collection date.

The Magnificat Lenten Companion is now available. Take a copy home for your use during this Lenten season.

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for February For children with incurable diseases Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

Diocese of Crookston

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

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. Applications are available at https://crookstoncursillo.weebly.com/.

Pre-Marriage Retreat — February 28-Mar 1, 2026 — All engaged couples are invited to come be Transformed in Love. On this weekend retreat, couples will learn about how God designed marriage to be a reflection of His love for humanity and how in marriage, couples get to participate in God’s absolute love. Couples will also learn practical tools for a healthy marriage while diving into a deeper understanding of the nature of marriage. Engaged couples are invited to participate in relationship-building conversations and activities with their future spouse and hear firsthand marriage experiences from our Diocese of Crookston host couples. 

Reason For Hope Retreat — March 7 at 2:00-March 8 at 2:00 p.m. — Are you a high schooler that is desiring to learn more about your faith? Have you had an encounter with the Lord that you desire to deepen? These retreats are for you! These 24-hour retreats are inspired by 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.

“Till Death Do Us Part” — from 6:00 p.m. on March 16 through Noon on March 18, 2026 — A retreat designed specifically for widows or widowers who are on the journey of life after the death of a beloved spouse. For more info: call Beth at 218-281-4533 or email her at bschauer@crookston.org or register at crookston.org/attend-a-retreat.

Mercy Hour Service for Individuals and Families Throughout the year, Bishop Andrew Cozzens will lead monthly Mercy Hour services across the Diocese of Crookston. Mercy Hours are services of Eucharistic healing for individuals, couples and families. Join Bishop Cozzens for this hour of adoration and prayer, culminating in an intimate moment of Eucharistic encounter. All are welcome! Next Mercy Hour: March 8 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Rose Church in Argyle, MN.

Mercy Hour Service for Middle-School & High School Youth on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN.

Redeemed: A Call to Catholic Men We are so privileged to be welcoming to the Diocese of Crookston the Redeemed Men’s Retreat, presented by the John Paul II Healing Center and co-hosted by the Diocese of Fargo. This will be a powerful opportunity for spiritual renewal and brotherhood. This three-day experience is designed precisely for husbands, fathers, sons, grandfathers, and all men seeking to deepen their identity and purpose in Christ.

The retreat will take place right here in the Diocese of Crookston March 19–21, 2026 (the feast of St. Joseph!) at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN. If you have questions, email JPIIRetreatMoorheadMN@gmail.com. Registration is now open at jpiihealingcenter.org or scan the code found on flyer on bulletin board, and there are options both in person and via livestream so that every man can participate.