St. Stephen's Catholic Church    Stephen, Mn

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website contact: ststephens@wiktel.com

Assumption Bulletin website contact:  assumption@wiktel.com

St Rose Bulletin website contact: stroser@wiktel.com

October 15, 2017 — Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Stephen’s Church

515 Fifth Street, PO Box 507, Stephen, MN 56757

Phone: (218)478-2231 ststephens@wiktel.com www.wiktel.net/ststephens

Pastor: Father Luis Buitron Phone: (218)242-5689 lbuitron@wiktel.com

Parish Coordinator: Priscilla Steinke

Office Hours: Tuesday — 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Wednesdays — 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Thursdays — 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

(closed all holy days and holidays)

Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator: Cindy Hulst, LSW, at (218)281-7895 (24-hour confidential number)

As of July 1, 2017

Pastoral Council: Britni Gajeski, Darrin Kowalski, Ethan Marquis, Donna Nelson, Carol Riley, Aggie Schindele and Lance Woinarowicz

Finance Council: Jim Blair, Theresa Kuznia and Vernon Smith

Trustees: Amy Kowalski and Agnes Kuznia

The Sacramental Life

Sacrament of Baptism: pre-baptism class is required; contact Father Luis Buitron

Sacrament of Reconciliation: before Saturday evening Mass: 4:15-4:45 p.m.; before Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mass: 7:45-8:15 a.m. or

call Father Luis Buitron for an appointment

Sacrament of Marriage: all Catholics who have made a decision to enter into marriage must see 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 full the requirements of the Catholic Church for the marriage to be validly recognized by the Catholic Church

Anointing of the Sick: please call the parish office during serious illness or before surgery

Shut-ins: if you know anyone who cannot come to church, please let the parish office know so they can be put on a visiting schedule by a Eucharistic Minister

St. Stephen’s Church Mass Schedule

Wednesday, Oct. 18 (Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist), at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Thomas Kuznia by Gerald & Marilyn Kuznia

Friday, Oct. 20, at 10:15 a.m. at the Tamarac — Mass for †Ralph Kuznia by Tom & Venita Rogus

Sunday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 a.m. — Mass for Tri-Parish Families of St. Stephen’s, St. Rose & Assumption Churches

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule — October, November & December, 2017

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. — St. Rose (Exception: Mass on Oct. 29 @ 10:30 a.m.)

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. — Assumption

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. — Stephen’s (Exception: Mass on Oct. 28 @ 5:00 p.m.)

(Rosary begins ½ hour before Mass)

St. Rose — Tuesdays — Eucharistic Adoration at 6:00 p.m. and Mass at 7:00 p.m.; Thursdays — Mass at 9:00 a.m.

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.

Stewardship of Treasure

“My God will supply whatever you need…” Philippians 4:19

God really does provide for those who are grateful and generous. This is very difficult for people that don’t live a stewardship lifestyle to believe. People are skeptical and say it’s just coincidence. If you are skeptical, try living a stewardship lifestyle for just one month — be generous with your gifts of time, talent and treasure and see how God provides for your needs.

October 8 Collection: $1720.00 Adult: $1670.00 Children: $4.00 Plate: $46.00

Building Repair Fund We have the Building Repair Fund if you wish to make a donation or memorial. This fund is used for general repairs to the church and rectory. Thank you to all who have donated to this fund, either as a general donation or as a memorial.

Prayer List

David Haugen, Raymond Kuznia, Donald Narlock & Larry Roberts

(To add or remove a name, please call the parish office. Names will be removed after four weeks. You may call and request 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.

Liturgical Ministry

Sunday, October 22: Lector: Roger K. Servers: Kayla K. & Jadyn S.

Eucharist: Roger K.** & Jane S. Greeters: Mike & Renee B.

From Your Pastor’s Desk

If you are homebound and would like me to visit you at your home, if you are having surgery, if you are in the hospital or a nursing home, please contact me on my cell phone — (218)242-5689. If you just need to talk to a priest, feel free to give me a call. OR If you would like me to bless your home, farm, etc., give me a call to set up a time and I will be more than happy to do the blessing. — Fr. Luis

Religious Education

Religious education classes for grades 1-11 WILL NOT be held on Wed., Oct. 18.

Host homes needed for NET Ministries Team I am in need of 2-3 host homes for the NET Ministries Team who will be arriving for the Fall Youth Retreat at St. Stephen’s. The host homes are needed for the evenings of November 5 and 6. Please call Priscilla at the parish office if you are willing to open up your home to these young adults.

High School Youth Rally The Diocesan High School Youth Rally for those in grades 9-12 will be held at Holy Rosary Church in Detroit Lakes on Sun., Oct. 29. Registration forms are due back to me by October 19.

NET Ministries Retreat The Fall Youth Retreat held at St. Stephen’s for those in grades 7-12 will be held on Tues., Nov. 7. Registration paperwork has been handed out. Registration forms are due back to me by November 1.

Other Items and Future Events

Community Sunday today following mass. All are invited to gather in the parish hall for food and fellowship.

Thank you to the many people who helped to provide hospitality after the funerals. To the group leaders, those who brought food, and the ladies that worked to serve, thank you. Sharing your time, talent, and treasures in this ministry is vital to our parish family. God bless your works.

Thank you to the group leaders, those who worked, and all who brought soup, sandwiches and pies for our annual luncheon (and those who attended). It was a huge success and financially supports our Ladies Aid projects.

People needed to lead the rosary before weekend masses. If you are willing to help with this, please call the parish office.

Saint John’s Bible Exhibit features 68 original folios of The Saint John’s Bible. This is the first illuminated, handwritten Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in 500 years. The exhibit will also include tools, sketches and rare books which tell the story of The Saint John’s Bible. The exhibit will be open from Oct. 1-Dec. 31 at the Hjemkomst Center located at 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead. It is open from 12-5 p.m. on Sundays and Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with the exception of Tuesdays when it is open until 8 p.m.

40 Rosaries for Life The next 40 Days for Life campaign will run from Sept. 27-Nov. 5.  This year the Diocese of Crookston will attempt to have a Diocesan-wide 40 Days for Life campaign.  The program is called “40 Rosaries for Life” and the goal is to have at least one rosary prayed by a group of parishioners in every parish in the Diocese of Crookston on a specifically assigned day so that each of the 40 days will be covered by one parish-based rosary. The scheduled date for St. Stephen’s Church is: Sat., October 21, at 7:00 p.m. All are invited to join together for this rosary.

OND ANNOUNCEMENT: Has your parish recently celebrated Rite of Confirmation or First Holy Communion? Are you or a loved one celebrating a significant wedding anniversary or birthday? Email a photo and caption to:  ond@crookston.org and it will be published in a digital photo album at: www.crookston.org/milestones.

Need a retreat? What a great time of year to take care of your spiritual health! Many in our parish have attended Cursillo weekends over the years and give great testimony to the power of such weekends. Cursillo is pronounced KER-SEE-O meaning — short course in Christianity. Weekends are being offered this Fall and next Spring at Sand Hill Bible Camp, just south of Fosston. The weekends include quiet time, inspirational talks, and most importantly, time to be with Jesus without the many distractions of daily life. Grow closer to Jesus by taking the time to join us. HE will bless your sacrifice of time for HIM. The weekend starts Thursday evening and ends Sunday afternoon. A Women’s retreat will be Oct. 26-29. If this date does not work into your schedule, there will also be weekends available next Spring. The Men’s will be held Feb. 22-25, 2018, and the Women’s will be Mar. 15-18, 2018. Contact Carol Olsonawski (218-689-9081) or Bobbi Mercil (701-866-5706) for more information applications can be printed at crookstoncursillo.weebly.com or picked up at your parish office.

Halloween Party & Haunted Hayride in Tabor, MN   A Halloween Party & Haunted Hayride will be held in Tabor, Minnesota, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Hall on Sat., Oct. 28, 2017.  The Halloween Party will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and will include a costume contest for children 16 & under with cash prizes, and free games with prizes.  Concessions will be available for purchase.  The Haunted Hayride will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The cost for the Haunted Hayride is $2.00 per person per ride.  All are invited to come out and enjoy an affordable, fun, family friendly event.  The Haunted Hayride will include a spooky trip through a neighboring farm.  It is recommended that young children or children who scare easily be accompanied by an adult.  For additional information, please call Susie Novak at (701) 739-0224.

Fall Festival at St. Rose of Lima on Sun., Oct. 29. Polka Mass at 10:30 a.m. Turkey & ham dinner served from 12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Raffle – need not be present to win. Bingo, fish pond, baked goods and fancywork at the Argyle Mall!

Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary Information Weekend This is an opportunity to learn more about priesthood and seminary life, to meet the students and faculty of the seminary, and to become familiar with St. Mary’s University. Dates: Nov. 11-13, 2017, and Mar. 17-19, 2018. Registration forms are located on the church bulletin board. Registrations are due two weeks prior to the session.

OCTOBER LADIES AID LEADERS: Marilyn Hanson, Julie Kuznia, Theresa Kuznia & Linda Thompson

October is Respect Life Month

“Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

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