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

January 22, 2023 — Third 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:  Britni Gajeski, Kristin Gajeski, Katrina Halfmann, and Darrin Kowalski

Finance Council:  Alex Anderson, Daniel Gerszewski, and Brent Halfmann

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.

 

Knights of Columbus Insurance   The Field Agent for this area is James Suda.  Contact him at 701-430-0604 or by e‑mail at Jim.Suda@kofc.org.

 

New to the area?   Please contact the parish office to register.  Change of address/phone number.  Please contact the parish office.

 

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.  Please call Father Luis.

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, please 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, January 25, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Delphine Safranski by Laurie Safranski

Friday, January 27, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Merle DeFoe by Linda Thompson

Friday, January 27, at 10:00 a.m. at North Star Manor — Mass for †Raymond Kuznia by Family & Friends

Sunday, January 29, at 10:30 a.m. — Mass for the Parish Families of St. Stephen’s, St. Rose & Assumption Churches

(Rosary begins prior to Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m.)

 

Eucharistic Adoration on February 5 from 1-5 p.m.

Tri-Parish Mass Schedule for January, February & March, 2023

 

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. — St. Rose

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. — Assumption

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. — St. Stephen’s

Tuesday Mass at 5:00 p.m. — St. Rose

Wednesday and Friday Masses at 8:30 a.m. — St. Stephen’s

Thursday Mass at 6:00 p.m. — Assumption

Liturgical Ministry

 

Sunday, January 29, at 10:30 a.m.

Lector — Katrina H.

Altar Servers — Molly M. & Jacob S.

Eucharistic Ministers — Amy K.* & Katrina H.

Greeters — Doug & Jane S.

 

Rosary Leader for January — Mary K.

 

Special Prayers For

Edie Bartels, Margot Eliason, Joff Kuznia, Sage Sundby, Deanna Woinarowicz, & David & Darlene 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

January 15 Collection:  $1,807.00      Adults:  $1,755.00      Children:  $1.00      Plate:  $51.00

Children’s Altar Donations:  $12.00      Christmas:  $100.00      Solidarity Fund for Church in Africa:  $200.00

Budgeted Sunday offertory income for 7/1/22-6/30/23 = $94,100.00 (weekly = $1,809.62)

2023 Donation Envelopes   PLEASE NOTE:  The parishioner donation envelope system has been renumbered.  This has not been done in nearly 20 years and during that time many parishioners have come and gone.  Due to this change, do not use your 2022 envelopes in the 2023 year.  New envelopes are located in the vestibule.  Pick yours up today!

Year-end Statements have been sent out.  If you have any questions or did not receive your 2022 statement, please call the parish office.

Thank you   A BIG THANK YOU to Georgie Nelson, Carol Sunsdahl, and our substitute counters (Marlys Halfmann, Marilyn Kuznia, and Aggie Schindele) for counting the weekend collections.  All of your time and dedication is very much appreciated in helping with our church books.  Thank you! — Priscilla

Ladies Aid

Thank you to Carmen Beauclair, Jane Jensen, Carol Riley, Sam Roets, and Priscilla Steinke for providing the food and serving the Community Sunday gathering last weekend.  We again had a great turn-out for the gathering.  Next Community Sunday — Make plans to join together as a parish community on Sunday, February 19, as Bishop Andrew will be here to join us!

Pots and Pans   There are many unclaimed bowls and pans from past church events.  Please pick yours up today!

January Ladies Aid Leaders – Carmen Beauclair, Dorothy Borowicz, Yesenia Cantu, Jane Jensen, Carol Riley, Sam Roets & Priscilla Steinke

 

Other Items and Future Events

 

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children – January 23, 2023 — On January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday), the Church in the United States observes the annual “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.”  This day is set aside to pray for the legal protection of human life and to do penance for the violations to human dignity through abortion.  We are called to observe this day through prayer and penance.  You’re invited to join thousands of Catholics nationwide in prayer for the respect of human life.

“Coping With Life Alone”   Beginning Experience of Eastern North Dakota will begin “Coping With Life Alone” for widowed, divorced or separated persons on Tuesday January 24, 2023, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. — going 10 Tuesdays through March 28.  It will be held in the basement of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 524 5th Ave N, Grand Forks, ND.  There is a $45 fee for workbooks and other supplies.  Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee.  For information and/or to register, text or call Msgr. Daniel Pilon at 701-361-2051 or email daniel.pilon@fargodiocese.org

 

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend   Feeling disconnected?  Every married couple deserves the gift of a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend!  The next weekends in this area will be held February 4-5, 2023, in Saint Paul, and October 28-29, 2023 in Alexandria, MN.  Early registration is highly recommended.  For more information visit our website at:  northmnwwme.org or contact Miki at applications@northmnwwme.org or 507-227-8229.

 

Real Presence Radio Banquet   Join Real Presence Radio on Monday, February 6, for their annual fundraising banquet at the Delta Hotel by Marriott in Fargo.  The keynote speaker this year is author, speaker and theologian, Dr. Ralph Martin.  Join them as a guest, or consider hosting a table of ten, or even sponsoring the event at the $500, $1,500, $3,000, $5,000 or $10,000 levels.  For more information on sponsorship or registration, contact Blake at Blake@realpresenceradio.com or visit their website at RealPresenceRadio.com/banquet.

 

“Final Descent Outdoors” Sportsman’s Event to be held Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Our Savior’s Free Lutheran Church, Argyle, MN.  $20.00/ticket.  Numerous raffle items.  For more info, check out the flyer on the church bulletin board.

 

MCC - Catholic Advocacy Network  By joining you can be formed in the faith and informed on issues impacting life, dignity, and the common good and have the tools to take action to transform our state.  Also, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from January-May, you can visit their new office (located next to the State Capitol) to learn about their public policy agenda; and on the first Friday of each month from January-May, you can join them for Adoration.  For more information, check out the flyers in the vestibule.

 

Diocese of Crookston Announcements

 

Mercy Hour:  A Eucharistic healing service for marriages and family members.   As part of the Diocesan Phase of the Eucharistic Revival, Bishop Andrew Cozzens will travel the Diocese leading services of healing for marriages and families.  Married, single, divorced, widowed – every person belongs to a family and has a place in this experience. There will be exposition/adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a talk by Bishop Cozzens, prayers and intercessions, music and prayer stations all culminating in an intimate moment of a Eucharistic encounter offered for you as an individual, or as a couple or as a family.  All are welcome.  No registration is required.  Schedule for Mercy Hour Services:  Sunday, February 5, 2023, 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart, Roseau; Sunday, February 12, 2023, 3 p.m. at Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes; and Thursday, March 9, 2023, 7 p.m. at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston

 

Cursillo 2023   Where two or three meet together in my name, I shall be there with them.  Matthew 18:20.   Cursillo is a three-day learning, sharing and inspirational experience of living in a Christian community.  During the three days of a Cursillo weekend a person not only hears inspiring talks on what it really means to be a Christian, but actually experiences the joy of building and being part of a genuine Christian community.  Spring Cursillo Weekends:  Men’s — February 23-26, 2023, and Women’s — March 23-26, 2023.  For more information visit Crookston Diocese Cursillo page at https://crookstoncursillo.weebly.com/ or reach out to Stephen Wegscheid, Mike Wavra, Mike DeMars or Tom Schaefer.

 

National Eucharist Congress:  July 17-21, 2024 — Reserve tickets now!  As part of the three-year Eucharistic Revival, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be holding a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN, on July 17-21, 2024.  This event, primarily held at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, will feature times of adoration, speakers, prayer, and the celebration of Mass.  The Diocese of Crookston was able to secure 250 tickets and the Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Committee is asking pastors to indicate how many tickets they wish to reserve for their parishioners by January 31.  If you wish to attend, please let your pastor know.  The cost of each ticket is $200, and participants will have additional costs for accommodations (we have not been given hotel rates), meals and transportation.  A link to the National Eucharistic website information about the Congress is here:  https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/

 

Mass Offerings/Stipends   No one is to be denied Mass for his/her intention who cannot afford giving an offering.  In the Diocese of Crookston, Mass Offerings are $10.00.

 

Knights of Columbus Council #3385

 

Council Meeting   Knights of Columbus Council #3385 will be having its next council meeting on Monday, January 23, in the St. Rose Parish Hall at 6:30 p.m.  Our field agent, Jim Suda, is planning to attend for a short insurance presentation/update for any members interested.  Make plans to attend.

Knights Of Columbus 12 Days of Christmas Raffle Winners:

1.        Craig Halfmann

2.        Kevin Crummy

3.        Jaden Lubarski

4.        Lein Schiller

5.        Owen Osowski

6.        Pam Blair

7.        Marilyn Kuznia

8.        Daryl Olson

9.        Nicole Crummy

10.     Craig Halfmann           

11.     Steve McGlynn

12.  Katie Adolphson

    Congratulations to the winners and thank you for supporting our local council.

 

“He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him.”      Matthew 4:22

Just as Jesus called the first apostles, He calls each of us to follow Him, too.  Not everyone is called to leave their business or family behind, but we are expected to put God first in everything.  In gratitude to God, we should give our first and best of everything to Him: our time in daily prayer, our talent in participating in one of our parish ministries and our treasure to support the financial needs of our parish mission.