October 26, 2025 — Thirtieth 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 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, October 29, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Robert & Delphine Safranski by Jim & Donna Safranski & Family

Sunday, November 2, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Paul & Vi Halfmann by Bonnie Burnson

(Rosary at 8:00 a.m.)

Eucharistic Adoration: November 2 from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers For

Sue Anderson, Father Xavier Illango, and David Wesolowski

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

October 19: $2,263.00 Adults: $2,155.00 Youth: $4.00 Plate: $104.00

World Mission Sunday: $551.00

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.

Other Items and Future Events

NEEDED! One or two individuals to volunteer their time to count the weekend collections.

Fall Festival at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church — October 26 from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Turkey & Ham Dinner: Adults $15.00; Kids (6-12 years) $8.00 St. Rose Raffle: Grand Prize - $500; 2^nd Prize - $200; 3^rd Prize - $100. Need not be present to win. Make plans to join them at the Mall, 701 Pacific Ave., from 12:30-5:00 p.m. for bingo, baked goods and raffle items. Drawings will be held at 5:00 p.m.

Knights of Columbus members Bishop Corbett Council #3385 will being having a monthly council meeting on Monday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Rose Parish Hall. Please make plans to attend.

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for October For collaboration between different religious traditions. Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice, and human fraternity.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

November 2 from 1-5 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fall Dinner — November 2 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Minto Community Center, 114 Harvey Ave., Minto, North Dakota. Menu: Ham & Meatballs, Potatoes & Gravy, Sauerkraut & Pork, Carrots, Dinner Rolls, Pies & Desserts Cost: Adults: $15.00 Ages 6-12: $5.00 Under 5: Free Bake Sale—Quilt Raffle—Mini Raffles

Area Food Shelf is open every second Tuesday each month from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at St. Rose Church in Argyle.

Hunters’ Masses To accommodate the deer hunters, Masses will be said at Assumption-Florian on November 8 and November 15 at 7:00 p.m. (no 5:00 p.m. Mass). All hunters are welcome to wear their hunting apparel.

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass

[Liturgy is] the privileged setting in which God speaks to us in the midst of our lives; he speaks today to his people, who hear and respond. Every liturgical action is by its very nature steeped in sacred Scripture. ...From Scripture the petitions, prayers and liturgical hymns receive their inspiration and substance. From Scripture the liturgical actions and signs draw their meaning. – Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, 52.

Join us at St. Stephen’s Church for a study by Dr. Edward Sri titled A Biblical Walk Through the Mass. It is a scriptural tour through the prayers, hymns, and rituals of the Liturgy. Practically every part of the Mass finds its inspiration in Scripture, as Pope Benedict XVI has noted. After providing a general overview of the Mass, this study devotes a session to each of the major sections of the Mass: the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites. Readings from the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) draw participants into the meaning and background of the prayers and other elements of the Mass.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. following 8:30 a.m. Mass in the St. Stephen’s Church basement on Wednesdays, October 29; November 12 &19. 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 the sessions.

Please contact Tammi Anderson (218-478-4217) or Marilyn Kuznia (218-478-4273) if you have any questions.

Ladies Aid

Harvest Brunch The Ladies groups for October, November and December will be hosting a Harvest Brunch following the 8:30 a.m. Mass on November 2. Free-will offering will go to the St. Stephen’s Building Repair Fund.

October Ladies Aid Leaders – Tammi Anderson, Renee Borowicz, Rita Chwialkowski, Kim Clark, Marilyn Hanson, Gerri Kuznia, Julie Kuznia, Sandra Kuznia (Duane), Theresa Kuznia, Juliet Rogus, Aggie Schindele, Autumn Schindele & Danika Sundby

November Ladies Aid Leaders – Elaine Anderson, Kathy Bazey, Mavis Benson, Kathy Borowicz, Traci Chwialkowski, Marlene Dowdle, Amber Kuznia, Cindy Kuznia, Annie Osowski, Judy Osowski, Becki Sczepanski, Katie Sczepanski & Nicole Sczepanski

Daylight saving time ends November 2

Diocese of Crookston

Mercy Hour for Individuals and Families Join Bishop Andrew Cozzens for this hour of adoration and prayer, culminating in an intimate moment of Eucharistic encounter offered for you as an individual, a couple, or as a family. All are welcome. Next Mercy Hour with Bishop Cozzens: November 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Park, Minnesota.

Mercy Hour for Middle-School & High School Youth: December 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fosston, Minnesota.

Undone: Freedom for the Feminine Heart (Women’s Healing Retreat), November 20-22, 2025 The Dioceses of Fargo and Crookston are sponsoring the Undone Women’s retreat offered by the John Paul II Healing Center. This two evening (Thursday, Friday) and Saturday retreat will provide women with an authentic encounter with Mary’s model of radical receptivity to the Lord and will be an experience of truth, beauty, and transformation. Bring yourself, your mother, your sister, your adult daughters and friends. This is a weekend you won’t want to miss! Presented by the John Paul II Healing Center, and sponsored by the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Crookston, this event will be held at Stes. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo. The retreat is being offered in person OR virtually via livestream! Register online for either experience at https://fargodiocese.net/undone. Registration opens August 18th. Scholarships, student and missionary discounts available. Contact JPIIretreatFargoND@gmail.com for more information.

“…for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

Pride and ego are the root causes of most of our sins. Thinking your time is so valuable or your talent is better than anyone else or your money gives you status is another way of making those things “gods” before God. Pride is the opposite of humility. Remember, all that we have and all that we are is a gift from God. We should be humbled by God’s incredible generosity and be grateful for all we have been given. Ultimately, gratitude leads us to humility.