St Stephens Catholic Church Stephen, Mn

St. Stephen's Catholic Church Stephen, Mn

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Website Contact: ststephens@wiktel.co m

Assumption Bulletin Website Contact: assumptionchurch@wiktel.com

October 6, 2024 — Twenty-seventh 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)

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 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, October 9, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †James Nelson by Lein & Susan Schiller

Saturday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m. — Mass for Eugene & Theresa Kuznia who are celebrating their 65^th Wedding Anniversary

by their children

(Rosary said at 4:30 p.m. before Saturday Mass)

Eucharistic Adoration at St. Stephen’s – October 6 from 1-5 p.m.

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for October, November & December, 2024

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. — St. Stephen’s

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. — St. Rose

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. — Assumption

Tuesday and Friday Masses at 5:00 p.m. — St. Rose; Wednesday Mass at 8:30 a.m. — St. Stephen’s; Thursday Mass at 6:00 p.m. — Assumption

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers For

Jack Borowicz, Emily Morris, Renata Storey & Roger Troska

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

September 22: $1,284.00 Adults: $1,155.00 Children: $1.00 Plate: $121.00 Children’s Altar Donations: $7.00

September 29: $1,988.00 Adults: $1,925.00 Children: $.00 Plate: $61.00 Children’s Altar Donations: $2.00

September Direct Deposits: $415.00

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

Fiscal Year-End Financials Copies for parishioners are available in the vestibule.

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

October Ladies Aid Leaders – Elaine Anderson, Rita Chwialkowski, Kim Clark, Marilyn Hanson, Gerri Kuznia, Julie Kuznia, Theresa Kuznia & Linda Thompson

Other Items and Future Events

Jesus and the Eucharist

We would like to invite you to grow closer to Jesus alongside fellow and neighboring parishioners through the Jesus and the Eucharist study. Each of the seven-week sessions are full of rich theological content, powerful testimonies, and unique and timely messages from individual bishops across the country, including Bishop Andrew Cozzens. This is a great opportunity to dive more deeply into the richness of our Eucharistic faith. This study will be a special time to grow in our communities, and we really desire you to join us.

Please join us on Wednesdays, October 2 through November 13, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Please contact Tammi Anderson (218-478-4217), Marilyn Kuznia (218-478-4273) or Katrina Halfmann (218-280-2388) if you have any questions. Come for one, two, three, four, more, or all the sessions! All are welcome, and hospitality will be provided! We hope to see you there!

Respect Life Novena October is Respect for Life month. Copies of a Novena have been placed on the vestibule table for your use.

Thank you to Craig and Marlys Halfmann for donating the new altar bells in memory of all of their deceased family members.

Thank you As the corporate fiscal year-end books have now been completed, I would like to thank Carol Sunsdahl, Georgie Nelson, and any substitute collection counters. As you have continued to diligently work behind the scenes throughout the year(s), I would like to thank you for your dedication of your time and assistance with the Sunday collections. Please know it is very much appreciated. Thank you! ~ Priscilla

Annual Rosary Rally will be held on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 12 Noon located at the Kurz Memorial Park in Argyle. Please plan to join together as voices are raised in unison for our country.

Women’s Fall Retreat In today’s world, we don’t hear a lot about hope, but it’s an extremely important virtue. We will say, “I hope you have a safe trip.” Or “I hope we don’t get caught in the rain.” But, do we say in earnestness, “I hope to see you in heaven.”? We invite women of all ages to join us at St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson, ND, October 18-20 for a weekend of prayer, reflection, and discussion on the Theological virtue of Hope. For more information, contact Sr. Christina at srchristinamarie@sfcretreats.org or 701-242-7195.

40 Rosaries for Life As in past years, the parishes of the Diocese participated in the “40 Rosaries for Life” campaign. St. Stephen’s scheduled date is October 19. On that day the Rosary said at 4:30 p.m. will be with the intention of Respect for Life from conception to natural death.

Real Presence Radio is proud to partner with EWTN to bring Dr. Ray Guarendi to Fargo, ND, for a live taping of his TV Show, Living Right with Dr. Ray. You can be part of the audience on October 23 and October 24 at 5:30 or 7:15 either night. Join us for this live event at Sts. Anne & Joachim’s Catholic Church located at 5202 25^th Street South. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

Have a question for Dr. Ray? Submit it when making your reservation; he will choose eight questions to answer for each episode.

To register or to find out more information scan the QR code or check out our website at RealPresenceRadio.com.

Fall Festival at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church – October 27 – serving Turkey & Ham Dinner from 12 Noon-5:00 p.m. — Bingo, raffle items, etc. Check out the flyer on the fundraiser wall in the vestibule.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for October For a shared mission — We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

October 6 from 1-5 p.m.

Diocese of Crookston Announcements

Mercy Hour Services 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: October 6 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Blackduck.

Bread of Life Conference 2024 — St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Dilworth, MN (207 Main Street North Dilworth, MN). In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as we dedicate the Month of October to the Holy Rosary, in observance of Respect for Life Month, and during the National Eucharistic Revival. All sessions begin at 7:00 p.m.

3 Presentations in Celebration of Christ in the Eucharist and the Sanctity of Human Life

· Monday, October 7 — Ben & Janelle Gergen — “We Brought Our Son to Jesus: Eucharistic Encounters on the Journey of Faithful Waiting”. To read a little more about their story, and the story of their son, John Paul, go to https://www.altru.org/blog/2013/december/rejoicing-life-while-welcoming-death-janelle-bens-story

· Tuesday, October 8 — Fr. Vincent Miller, STD — “A Priestly People: Living the Spirit of Our Baptism in the Eucharist”

· Wednesday, October 9 — Bishop Andrew Cozzens, celebrant: Holy Mass: “For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life”

Fall Cursillos Are you looking for a way to walk more closely with God? Cursillo may be what you are looking for. The Diocese of Crookston is offering a Men’s Cursillo on October 24-27 at the beautiful Pastoral Center in Crookston. For more information contact Heidi Huus at (701) 866-5350. Applications are available at crookstoncursillo.weebly.com.

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. Next session: October 29, 2024. To register: go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcOygrT0jEtdYyBgpizCMdu3ohzju48Eo or scan the QR code located on the poster on the bulletin board.

Marriage Encounter Weekend “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;” Listen with your spouse for God’s message of love by exploring a Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend. The next weekends are: November 8-10, 2024, in Medora, ND, and April 5-6, 2025, in Brainerd, MN. Early sign up is recommended. For more information visit our website at: northmnwwme.org or contact us at applications@northmnwwme.org or 507-227-8229.

“So out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.” Genesis 2:19

The creation story reminds us of two important points. First, since the start, God has put the entire world into our care.

Second, stewardship has been around since the beginning of mankind, it isn’t something recently invented by the Church. Just as past generations built our Church, it is now our responsibility to continue to nurture and develop these gifts for future generations.