July 20, 2025 — Sixteenth 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

Note: Father Luis will be unavailable from June 15-July 25. Please contact another priest for these sacraments.

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 a priest 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 a priest.

St. Stephen’s Church Mass Schedule

Saturday, July 26, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †Richard Hanson by Agnes Kuznia

(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 6: $1,864.00 Adults: $1,740.00 Youth: $.00 Plate: $124.00

July 13: $847.05 Adults: $650.00 Youth: $.00 Plate: $197.05

Peter’s Pence: $75.00

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

Our condolences to the family and friends of Pauline Kalis and Linda Thompson who were recently called home to the Lord. May they rest in the peace of Christ.

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

Vacation Father Luis will be returning July 25. There will be no Tri-Parish weekday Masses until July 29. As of July 1, 2025, Father Xavier Illango at Stes. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Warren and Father Maschio Mascarenghas of St. Patrick’s Church in Hallock will be the on-call priests.

Deepen Your Faith Beyond Sunday Catholic radio is here to accompany you every day of the week, not just on Sundays. Tune in to Real Presence Radio for inspiring conversations, solid Catholic teaching, and encouragement to live your faith fully. Listen on the radio - 92.5/1370, online at RealPresenceRadio.com, or on our free mobile app.

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for July For formation in discernment Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life, and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.

Ladies Aid

July Ladies Aid Leaders – Julie Bolduc, Arnette Borowicz, Britni Gajeski, Kim Gajeski & Nan Nelson

Diocese of Crookston

Who are You Going to Ask to Make the Fall Cursillo? Attention all Cursillista's! Now is the time to be praying about who you are going to ask to make the fall weekend September 25-28 for women and October 23-26 for men. Pray that God puts a name on your heart of someone you know who would find making a Cursillo a milestone in their faith life. Is there someone you have noticed that God is working on and seems to be searching for more in their relationship with Jesus? Remember, Christ is counting on you! Registration forms are available at online at www.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.

“…I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God.” Colossians 1:25

We are all called to evangelize – to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel. Our faith is more attractive to others by our actions than by our words alone. We may not be called to evangelize like St. Paul, but we should look for opportunities to share our faith through our actions and words, especially with those closest to us, like our family, friends, and neighbors. Pray for the courage to joyfully express your faith the next time the opportunity arises.