May 10, 2026 — Sixth Sunday of Easter

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 the 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, May 13, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Denis McGee by Rita Chwialkowski

Saturday, May 16, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †DeAnna Woinarowicz by Ted & Juliet Rogus

(Rosary said prior to Mass at 4:30 p.m.)

Next Eucharistic Adoration: June 7 from 1-5 p.m.

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers For

Jonathon Bolduc, Ron Jensen & Dennis Rousseau

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

May 3: $1,686.10 Adults: $1,610.00 Youth: $3.10 Plate: $73.00

Holy Thursday: $20.00 Good Friday: $20.00 Easter: $200.00 Catholic Home Mission: $20.00

April Direct Deposits: $440.00

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.

Second Collection Next week our special collection supports the Catholic Communication Campaign. This campaign represents a mission of love to share the gospel message of hope with people in the United States using the internet, television, radio, and print media. Half of the money we collect remains here in the Diocese of Crookston to fund local communications efforts. The other half supports the communication activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other projects across the United States. Your help spreads the gospel message! Learn more at www.usccb.org/ccc.

2026 DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL: IN CHRIST, WE ARE ONE! Thank you for your support of the Diocesan Annual Appeal! Your generous gift, joined with others, gives encouragement, strength, and purpose to our family of faith. If you have not had the opportunity to make your commitment, please make your pledge or gift this weekend. You can donate online at www.crookston.org/DAA. For questions about automatic sustained giving, contact Renée Tate at rtate@crookston.org or call

218-281-4533, ext. 432. Your gifts shine the love of Christ to every corner of our diocese! — St. Stephen’s Goal: $11,155 Committed by 30 donors as of May 5, 2026: $11,550 (103.54% of our goal)

Ladies Aid

Thank you to all who prepared the delicious salads for the Connie Kathman funeral lunch. Special thank you to Becki Sczepanski for organizing the food and to her, Traci Chwialkowski, and Cindy Kuznia for serving. Our Ladies Aid is a true ministry of service to others. "Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted".

May Ladies Aid Leaders – Mindy Gerszewski, Brooke Grochowski, Mary Gryskiewicz, Amy Kowalski, Holly Kowalski, Mary Kowalski, Brittney Kuznia, Marilyn Kuznia, Sarah Marquis, and Danielle Szklarski

Other Items and Future Events

Our condolences to the family and friends of Marcella “Marcie” Kazmierczak, who was recently called home to the Lord. May she rest in the peace of Christ.

Poppy Day will be held in Stephen on Thursday, May 14. The red poppy, inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," grew on battlefields and became a memorial emblem. The Stephen American Legion Auxiliary will be out with poppies at the post office and poppies will be available at our local businesses. The Auxiliary asks that you wear a red poppy proudly to honor those who have worn the nation's uniform and made the ultimate sacrifice. Proceeds from poppy distribution are used exclusively to assist veterans, service members, and their families.

May Day of Reflection at the St. Francis Retreat & Conference Center in Hankinson, ND You are invited to join them on Saturday, May 16, for a Day of Reflection (in-person or online). This month's theme, as they continue their Franciscan Spiritual Pilgrimage, will be "Saint Clare's Garden." The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register online at https://forms.office.com/r/qvVtezHnt9 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with questions at srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org / 701-242-7195.

New Life Through the Tender Compassion of our God Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31, at 2:00 p.m. for Phase II of the Planning for Mission gathering at St. Stephen’s Church. Refreshments will be served. For any questions, contact Tammi Anderson, Katrina Halfmann, or Marilyn Kuznia.

Mother-Daughter Days The Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, North Dakota, invite you to join them for their annual retreat, Mother-Daughter Days. Spend some quality time together, have a little fun, nourish your spiritual life, and even learn a little about the life of Sisters. Two sessions available: June 11-13, 2026 and July 9-11, 2026.

Register now at https://form.jotform.com/223145841391050 or contact Sr. Mary Ruth with any questions: (701) 242-7195 / srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org.

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for May That everyone might have food Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.

Diocese of Crookston

The RESCUE Project On October 10, 2026, from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., at the Alerus Center Ballroom in Grand Forks, North Dakota, our Diocese will be holding Rescue Live. Presented by internationally known evangelist Fr. John Riccardo and his team from ACTS 29, a missionary ministry based in Detroit. Rescue Live will be a gathering of parishioners from across the Diocese of Crookston. Fr. Riccardo will share the Rescue Project, which proclaims the gospel in a compelling and attractive way, and Bishop Cozzens will lead us in prayer and adoration during the day.

Registration cards for Rescue Live are located as you enter the church. Please use the QR code on the back to register by the end of May. In June, registration will open nationwide and so it is important that you register soon so that everyone from our Diocese who wishes to go can attend. There is a $50 entrance fee which pays for lunch and refreshments.

Nazareth Retreat House — There are many retreats being offered at the Nazareth Retreat House in 2026. For more information or to register: https://crookston.org/attend-a-retreat

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17

The old line says “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Many of us are diligent in our planning and making sure things are progressing smoothly. Then, disaster strikes, we don’t get the result we anticipated or an unforeseen problem arises. Many times, we may respond negatively and ask, “Why me? I did everything right!” Here’s the thing — adversity humbles us and reminds us of our dependence on God and not on our own self-reliance. Rest assured, God has a better plan in store for you.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC