August 3, 2025 — Eighteenth 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 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, August 6, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Thomas Stich by Eugene & Theresa Kuznia

Saturday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †Aaron Bazey by Todd & Kathy Bazey

(Rosary at 4:30 p.m.)

Eucharistic Adoration: August 3 from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for July, August & September, 2025

Special Prayers For

Vern Smith

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

July 27: Data not available at this time

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 July 23 St. Stephen’s Goal: $9,730 Committed: $9,955 (102.31% 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.

Other Items and Future Events

NEEDED A few individuals (at least two) to volunteer their time to count the weekend collections. Please call the office for more information.

Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends, a ten-week seminar, will begin August 26, 2025. Registration and sessions begin 6:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church basement, 524 5^th Ave N., Grand Forks ND. Using the above-named book by Dr. Bruce Fisher as a study guide, participants learn to rebuild their lives after the loss of a love relationship. It discusses rebuilding blocks related to the loss and help to provide an understanding of the past relationship and moving forward in a healthy way. There is a one-time fee of $55 for workbooks and other supplies. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee. For information and/or to register, text or call Msgr. Daniel Pilon at 701-361-2051 or email daniel.pilon@fargodiocese.org.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for August For mutual coexistence Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious, or ideological reasons.

Ladies Aid

August Ladies Aid Leaders – Carmen Beauclair, Carol Riley, Sam Roets, Donna Safranski & Priscilla Steinke

Diocese of Crookston

Safe Environment July begins a new year for safe environment. This year’s training is Safe Haven – It’s Up to You. This is part 1 of a three-part series. We will complete parts 2 & 3 next year. It’s Up to You is on grooming. Please note we all have a moral and ethical obligation to report. If you suspect any abuse, please contact your local law enforcement and Jim Remer, Bishop’s Delegate.

Diocese of Crookston Safe Environment Policy requires all diocesan employees to complete the Essential 3 and any volunteer who has the potential to be alone with a minor or vulnerable adult. The Essential 3 includes 1) acknowledgment of the Diocese of Crookston’s Code of Conduct for Church Leaders and appendices or Code of Conduct for Youth Employees; 2) Child Protection online Training Module; and 3) a criminal background check or two references in the case of a youth employee.

Here is the link https://crookston.cmgconnect.org/ for the safe environment training.

Background checks are completed every 5 years. If you are unsure if you need to renew your background check, please contact Reneé Tate, Safe Environment Coordinator at rtate@crookston.org or 218-281-4533 ext. 432.

Healthcare Ambassador – Crookston, MN Do you have a healthcare background? Do you love your Catholic faith and have a desire to help priests set and meet healthy living goals? Our diocese is seeking applications for a unique, part-time, mission-driven position dedicated to providing essential healthcare navigation and support for our clergy. This role does not require hands-on clinical care. Please submit your resume to vsheaffer@metacareusa.com For more information, scan the QR Code:

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/.

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.

“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Luke 12:15

The Gospel message is contrary to modern culture that continually tries to convince us that our joy comes from the material things we possess. That the more we acquire, the happier we will be. Jesus shows us that our true joy comes from our “invisible” gifts like love, mercy, and forgiveness. True joy comes from “emptying” ourselves, giving of ourselves rather than always taking. We are called not to hoard but to share. True joy comes from living a grateful and generous lifestyle; become more “God-centered” and less “self-centered.”