May 31, 2026 — The Most Holy Trinity

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, June 3, at 8:30 a.m. — Mass for †Tom Sczepanski by Eileen Sczepanski

Saturday, June 6, at 5:00 p.m. — Mass for †Jim Nelson by Donald & Kathy Kuznia

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

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

Liturgical Ministry

Special Prayers

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 24: $1,555.00 Adults: $1,455.00 Youth: $.00 Plate: $100.00

Catholic Communication Campaign: $65.00 Catholic Home Missions: $20.00

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

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.

Real Presence Radio Take Real Presence Radio with you wherever you go with the RPR mobile app! Listen live, pray with us, access podcasts, and stay connected to uplifting Catholic programming anytime, anywhere. Plus, exciting new app updates are coming soon for an even better listening experience! Scan the QR code or find us by searching Real Presence Radio on Google or Apple app store.

Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for June For the values of sports Let us pray that sports be an instrument of peace, encounter, and dialogue among cultures and nations, and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

June 7 from 1-5 p.m.

Ladies Aid

Bowls and Pans Please pick up your bowls and pans that are on a table in the vestibule. Once again thank you for sharing!

June Ladies Aid Leaders – Tammi Anderson, Kathy Borowicz, Renee Borowicz, Rita Chwialkowski, Kim Clark, Alison Grzadzieleski, Marilyn Hanson, Gerri Kuznia, Julie Kuznia, Sandra Kuznia (Duane), Theresa Kuznia, Juliet Rogus, Aggie Schindele, Autumn Schindele, & Danika Sundby

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.

Calling All Quilters and Sewists ✨ The Nazareth Retreat House is seeking donated quilts to help create a warm and welcoming space for our retreat guests. We are in need of approximately 30 Twin XL quilts (70x95) and 2 Queen quilts (90x108) by June 1st. If you feel called to donate a quilt, please contact Jerrica Pribula at jpribula@crookston.org so she can track, organize, and coordinate pickup. Your craftsmanship and generosity will truly bless those who come seeking rest and renewal.

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 God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” John 3:16

Is your love conditional? Is there a price others have to pay to receive your love and forgiveness? Are you generous with your time, skills, money and possessions? If you give someone something, do you expect something in return? Do you give your time freely or do you “fit it in” when it’s convenient for you? God desires a personal relationship with us so much that He gave us His Son, unconditionally! Pray for a grateful and generous heart.