LENT 2024Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14th - Easter, March 31st.
10th AnniversaryThe St. Stephen's Catholic Church website is now 10 years old. It first debuted in February 2014 and was created on Weebly.com by Father Leo and Mike Opdahl; it has been managed by Sheila Denault and is updated once a month or more.
Stained Glass WindowsThe work has begun on rehabilitating and preserving the beautiful windows at St. Stephen's. These pictures were taken early in February.
Join the KC's for the annual Fish Fry on Friday, March 8th from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Tell all your friends!
Please join the Altar Society for the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross starting at 5:30 pm. Pictures from the Fat Tuesday lunch on Feb. 13th.
Eucharistic AdorationHow the altar looked during Eucharistic Adoration on Friday morning, March 1st.
Dates to RememberMarch 6, Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30pm -Eucharistic Adoration and Confession. March 8, Friday, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Knights of Columbus Fish Fry in church basement. March 8, Friday, 5:30 - the Rosary and Stations of the Cross by the Altar Society March 9, Saturday, after 5:00 Mass - a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers, and Lectors. March 17, Sunday, after 9:00 Mass - Altar Society meeting. March 24 is Palm Sunday March 28, Holy Thursday, 7:00 March 29, Good Friday, 3:00 March 30, Holy Saturday, 7:00 March 31 is Easter Sunday Mass Schedule: Monday - No Mass Tuesday - 5:30pm Mass Wednesday -5:30pm Mass Thursday - 9:00am Mass Friday - 9:00am Mass Saturday - 5:00pm Vigil Mass Sunday - 9:00am Mass CCD classes - For grades K-6 meet on Sunday morning, from 10:00-11:00am, in the church basement. For grades 7-12 meet on Sunday morning, from 10:00-11:00am, in the church basement. The Word Among Us has the readings, prayers, and responses for all the daily and Sunday masses. It's available to pick up in the narthex (foyer), if you can't find a copy there ask Fr. Casey for one.
Bible readings for: Sunday, March 10, 2024 Fourth Sunday of Lent 2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23 Psalms 137:1-2,3,4-5,6 Ephesians 2:4-10 John 3:14-21 Prayer Intentions of Pope Francis for 2024 March
FOR THE MARTYRS OF OUR DAY, WITNESSES TO CHRIST We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm. The Stations of the Cross1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus carrying his cross. 3. Jesus falls the first time. 4. Jesus meets his blessed mother. 5. Simon helps Jesus to carry his cross. 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. 7. Jesus falls the second time. 8. Jesus consoles the holy women. 9. Jesus falls the third time. 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments. 11. Jesus is nailed to the cross. 12. Jesus expires on the cross. 13. Jesus is taken down from the cross. 14. Jesus is laid in the sepulcher. Christmas at St. Stephen's 2023The elementary students performed their Christmas program on Sunday, December 17th, entitled "Ten Little Angels". Following the program was the potluck dinner in the basement, and then the assembly and decorating of the Christmas tree. More decorating took place on the morning of Sunday, December 24th with the placement of the beautiful poinsettias and real, fresh garlands and wreaths. It takes many hands to accomplish this work but sometimes only a few are available, a big thank you to these dedicated individuals. Oh yes, and I don't want to forget the hands that placed both the outdoor and indoor Nativity scenes, thank you!
Today as I am posting these pictures on the website it is December 26th, the feast day of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. CCD Christmas ProgramSt. Stephen's Angel TreeHeritage Sites TourThe Larimore Community Museum presented the Heritage Sites Tour on Saturday, September 16th. St. Stephen's was on the tour along with the Hoover house, the McCanna house, the Avalon Theater, and the Museum. At the church we received about 40 visitors, we served lemonade and cookies. Father Casey and Greg McMahon led the tours of the main floor and basement.
JoAnne Uglem decked out the church with fall decorations the previous week, along with help from 4 or 5 other members of the congregation. Teresa and John Gorman get the credit for the flower pots, flower beds, and shrubs outside the church, keeping them colorful and lovely. Confirmation and First CommunionConfirmation and First Holy Communion took place at St. Jude Catholic Church in Thompson on Sunday, May 21. Four children from St. Stephen's received the sacraments, they were: Larissa Pietron, Adrienne Olson, Kinley Olson, and Aubrey Capp. On Sunday, May 28 there was parish recognition of our confirmands during Mass followed by refreshments in the basement.
Religious EducationSunday, May 7th started with the Crowning of Mary and it was the last day of CCD classes. Our catechists were recognized by our DRE Jenna Kyllo for teaching and guiding our children in their faith this year. They were Charlene Sather, Cassandra McDonald, Stacey Beckel, Mandy Hoverson, Lacey Pietron, Rose Funseth, and JoAnne Uglem.
The graduating seniors were recognized by Brian Stark of the Knights of Columbus. They were Jacob Warnke, Lane McCoy, Mercedes Hoverson, and Jebb Gerszewski. After Mass, the kids all went to the basement to play Bingo for some really fun prizes. All 75 numbers were called for blackout Bingo before all the cards won! Their teachers prepared lots of pizza and rootbeer floats for them while they were playing Bingo and it was enjoyed by all. Easter 2023Holy ThursdayThe Mass, the Washing of Feet, Night Watch Adoration, the Scriptural Rosary.
Good FridayThe Liturgy of the Word, reading of the Passion of the Lord, the Solemn Intersessions, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.
Holy SaturdayThe Blessing of the Fire and the Blessing of the Paschal Candle, the Easter Proclamation, the Liturgy of the Word, the Blessing of Water, the Renewal of Baptismal Promises, the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the LordThe Mass and Renewal of Baptismal Promises.
KC's Lenten Fish Fry 2023The Knights of Columbus hosted the Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, March 24, 2023 in St. Stephen's Church basement. They served battered, deep-fried cod loins, baked potatoes, corn, rolls, beverage, and ice cream bars. They had a good turnout for the dinner even though the spring thaw was just beginning and it was a bit muddy outside.
Rose Funseth and Karen Landman of the Altar Society led the Friday night Rosary and Stations of the Cross at 5:30 since the Knights were busy in the kitchen. Thank you to all parishioners who participated in the evening and to all community members who attended. Garage Replacement Project at St. Stephen'sWater and Sewer Replacement
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Join us as we serve the Lord:We invite you to "make a difference" in the St. Stephen's Parish community. Please contact Father Casey or Teresa Gorman to find out how you can:
Prayer Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous: teach me to serve You as You deserve: to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing I am doing Your will. St. Ignatius of Loyola Please pray for the health of: For our Congregation, for our families, friends, neighbors, our diocese, our country, and around the world. We pray for Ukraine and Israel.
Prayer for the Sick
Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the Sick, we turn to You in this time of illness.. O dearest Comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with Your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in Your hands. We place our sick under Your care and humbly ask that You restore Your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge Your holy will and know that whatsoever You do, You do for the love of us. Amen. Holy Rosary videoPray the Rosary with Bishop Barron! The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, which are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays during Lent, are:
2:13 - The Agony in the Garden 7:28 - The Scourging at the Pillar 12:10 - The Crowning with Thorns 17:05 - The Carrying of the Cross 21:46 - The Crucifixion and Death ObituariesJacqueline Marie (Landeis) McMahon, 94, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at her home in Grand Forks.
Jacqueline was the first born to Jack and Angeline (Kadlec) Landeis on September 2, 1929, in Mandan, North Dakota. When Jacqueline was five years old her family moved to Pisek, ND where she attended a country school for first and second grade. Her family then moved to their farmstead in Orr, ND. When Jacqueline was in fourth grade she went to live with a family in New Richmond, WI where she continued her education until graduation from high school. Upon graduation she returned to Orr, ND to the family farm and helped her parents with her siblings. Jacqueline met her true love, Judd McMahon at a dance at Bachelors Grove. They married at St. Marks Catholic Church in Pisek, ND on June 14, 1948. Jacqueline and Judd lived on the McMahon farmstead where Judd farmed, and Jacqueline raised their five children. Jacqueline was an avid gardener, both vegetable and flowers, her summers were busy gardening, canning, serving meals to hired hands in the field and at the kitchen table. When Jacqueline wasn’t in the kitchen, she would spend her days at their lake home fishing and relaxing. Jacqueline would spend her winter months at the bowling alley, she was a lefty but bowled right-handed and was an excellent bowler. Jacqueline was also the secretary for the Merry Niters Homemaker Club for over 40 years until the club disbanded in 2018. Jacqueline loved to keep busy, she worked at the Larimore Flower Shop where she found her true niche of designing floral bouquets and floral arrangements for all occasions. After all the children left the nest, Judd and Jacqueline moved to Larimore, ND due to Judd’s failing health. After the move, Jacqueline continued her gardening, canning, baking and was able to help chauffeur her grandchildren in a pinch. She continued to develop more hobbies of bird watching and walking. Judd passed away in November 1988. After his passing, Jacqueline moved to Grand Forks, ND and began her career as a volunteer. She was a volunteer at the Grand Forks Sheriff Department for 12 years and the Grand Forks Mission where she would bake the monthly birthday cakes and crafting at the Myra Museum. Jacqueline was best known for her wonderful cooking and baking and her famous potato salad, buttermilk brownies and homemade buns. Jacqueline is survived by a brother, Joesph (Fran) Landeis, sisters-in-law, Evelyn Landis and Gayle Landeis; children, Marilyn Picket, Vicki (Blair) Dawes, Jon (Karen) McMahon, Kelly Sander and son-in-law, Ricky Rawson; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jacqueline is proceeded in death by her husband, Judd McMahon; her parents, Jack and Angeline Landeis; siblings, Robert and spouse, Carol Landeis, Phillip Landis, Marvin and spouse, Karen Landeis, AJ Landeis, and Yvonne and spouse, Dean Frost; a daughter, Peg Rawson; grandchildren, Dayviene Wolfe, Courtney Dahlen and Conner Sander. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bellevue Cemetery, P.O. Box 148 Larimore, ND 58251 or Larimore Ambulance, P.O. Box 766 Larimore, ND 58251 Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Saturday. Burial: In the spring of 2024, at Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, ND. The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com. The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND) Darlene Kirchen, 81, Larimore, N.D., died Sunday, Feb. 18, in First Care Health Center.
Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m., followed by a service at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 29, at Good Samaritan Chapel in Larimore. Burial will be in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, N.D. Arrangements by Bakke Funeral Home in Larimore. Joseph G. Hunt Jr., age 81, longtime resident of Larimore, ND, died on February 14, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Larimore.
Joseph “Joe” Gerald Hunt Jr. was born on December 29, 1942, in Grand Forks, ND to Kathleen V. (McCabe) and Joseph Gerald Hunt Sr. Joe was raised with his sisters: Mary and Colleen in Larimore. He grew up in Larimore, attended elementary school and graduated from high school with the Class of 1960. Joe was also a lifelong member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and was baptized there as a child. On January 4, 1964, Joe married Rita Johnston at St. Stephen’s Church. To this union, seven children were born: Suzanne, Daniel, Michael, Thomas, Marie, Dominic and Erin. Joe, Rita and their family recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 4,2024. Joe relished being a father and family man while owning and operating several successful businesses (Hunt Oil, EZ Stop, VelMar Motel, Everson’s part store) and managed and ran his own farm. He also was involved with the community volunteering as an EMT and volunteered as a Deputy with the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office. Joe was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed participating in anything that had to do with the “great outdoors” and being out in “God’s country” - his beloved North Dakota prairie. He was also known for his love of flying and airplanes, personally piloting a Cessna and Piper Cherokee. He was always very vocal and proud of his Irish heritage. He was an avid hunter, marksman, firearm collector and mechanic. He found solace with animals, tenderly observing and caring for any family pets and any wildlife that was nearby. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Rita Hunt; children: Suzanne Brevik, Daniel Hunt, Michael Hunt, Thomas Hunt, Marie Tansy, Dominic Hunt, and Erin Meiers; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sons-in-law: Leroy Schneider, Denny Tansy, Craig Meiers; daughters-in-law: Taunya Hunt, Tanya Hunt, Cynthia Hunt, Nicole Hunt; and many other family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph G. and Kathleen Hunt; two sisters: Mary Lempe and Colleen Cavara. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church starting at 10:00am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the National Rifle Association or to Bellevue Cemetery in Larimore. Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Roberta “Bobbi” Larimore passed away peacefully on November 16th, 2023 at the age of 80. Bobbi was born on October 25th, 1943, the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Dorothy “Dot” Wadsworth. She grew up in Gloucester, MA and graduated from Gloucester High School. After high school Bobbi attended Mass General School of Nursing in Boston. Although she had many stories of her rotations in nursing school, it’s no surprise she settled on working with children in the child burn unit at Mass General.
In 1968 she married Jameson “Jim” Larimore III and moved to North Dakota. Together they had 4 children, Linda, Stacy, Jameson IV, and Steven. Bobbi maintained her nursing license by volunteering both on the Larimore Ambulance and the schools in Larimore. She enjoyed golf, bowling, playing bridge and spending time with family and friends while raising her 4 children. A great source of pride for her was donating blood for years as often as allowed. As her children grew up Bobbi found love again with Tom Solseng. Together they enjoyed racing in Sabin, a few winters in Las Vegas and trips to the local casinos. During this time Bobbi managed the Larimore Golf Course until her retirement. Over the last few years Bobbi still enjoyed occasional trips to the casino and weekly “gin” nights with family. In her final months her oldest grandchild, Chelsey Larimore came to stay with her to help in taking care of her. Whether you called her mom, grandma, sister or friend she was one of the most amazing people you knew. She had a huge impact on our lives and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Linda, granddaughter Jennifer Rose, and special friend Tom Solseng. She is survived by her brother, Robert Wadsworth, children Stacy (Jim) Schlett, Jameson “Jim” IV(Rachael), Steve (Stephanie), stepchildren Parker and Annie Solseng, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services and burial will be held in Massachusetts. Obituary for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away in the Lord on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, which the 95- year-old Pope emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013. His death was a result of advanced age. Pope Emeritus Benedict was born, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in Marktl Am Inn, Bavaria, Germany. He was the youngest of three children born to Joseph Ratzinger, Sr., a police officer, and Maria (Peintner) Ratzinger. Joseph Ratzinger studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and, along with his brother, Georg, was ordained to the priesthood at Freising, Germany, on June 29, 1951. He pursued ministry as an academic, establishing himself a renowned theologian. While a professor at the University of Münster, he was selected as a peritus (theological expert) to the Second Vatican Council. He attended the Council with then Bishop Karol Wojtyla— later Pope John Paul II. In May of 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed Father Joseph Ratzinger Archbishop of Munich. One month later, in an unusual move, the Pope created Archbishop Ratzinger a Cardinal. In 1981, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the most important posts in the Curia, by Pope John Paul II. As Prefect, Cardinal Ratzinger was at the center of every burning debate within the Church. The ideas he championed played a vital role in the Papacy of Saint John Paul II. With Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger worked zealously to implement the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. On April 19, 2005, following the death of John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Supreme Pontiff. He selected the name “Benedict,” in honor of Pope Benedict XV, who served as Supreme Pontiff during World War I. At age 78, Ratzinger was the oldest man to be elected to the papacy since Pope Clement XII in 1730. Benedict's election marked the first time there were two consecutive non-Italian Pope since the Avignon papacy during the 14th Century. Pope Benedict is remembered for his teaching on the importance of friendship with Christ, his defense of Christian morality against relativism, promoting the integration of faith and reason, and his teachings on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. On February 11, 2013 Benedict XVI announced that he would resign from the Papal Office, effective February 28, 2013. He was the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415 and the first to do so without external pressure since Celestine V in 1294. At the time of his resignation, Benedict was the fourth oldest pope, at 85 years, 318 days. After his resignation, Pope Emeritus Benedict resided in Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, a former convent, in the southwest corner of Vatican City. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen Prayer of the Month For Martyrs of Our Time Good and Loving Father: Because we have been saved by your Son Jesus, the deceiver and father of lies hates us and stirs up persecution that, from the time of Jesus and of the early Church, continues to this day. The martyrs have had the grace to confess Jesus to the end, unto death. They suffer, they give their lives, and we receive God’s blessing for their witness. May the memory of these ancient and recent heroic witnesses confirm us, O Lord, in the awareness that the Church is Church due to the sacrifice of martyrs. We pray to you today for the new hidden martyrs, those men and women faithful to the gentle power of love, to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who in their daily lives seek to help their brothers and sisters and to love God without reservation. The Church needs those who have the courage to accept the grace to be witnesses to the end, even unto death. They are the living blood of the Church, they are the witnesses who lead the Church forward; those who attest that Jesus is Risen, that He lives. May we learn through their coherence of life that with the strength of love, with meekness, we can fight against arrogance, violence and war. and with patience we can achieve peace. Amen Prayer for Peace
Mary, Queen of Peace, save us all, who have so much trust in you, from wars, hatred, and oppression. Make us all learn to live in peace, and educate ourselves for peace, do what is demanded by justice and respect the rights of every person, so that peace may be firmly established. Amen Pope Saint John Paul ll Teresa Gorman, pictured here in her office at St. Stephen's, is our new secretary/bookkeeper as of June 1, 2019. She succeeds Kris Stark who retired after 10 years of faithful service as the church secretary.
Parish Council & Finance CouncilTom McMahon - Finance Council
Tim Pietron - Finance Council Bob Landman - Lay Director Greg McMahon - Lay Director JoAnne Uglem -Northwood -Parish Council Chair Lisa Durkin - Niagara/McCanna Gladys Trottier - Northwood Ronald Roch - Northwood Rose Funseth - Music Meg Farrell - Altar Society Mandy Hoverson -Director of Religious Education John Gorman - Youth Director Administration and MaintenanceTeresa Gorman - Secretary/Bookkeeper
Mary Ann Smith - Sacristan Sheila Denault - Church Website Dwight Stark - Snow Removal - Parking Lots Jim Lempe - Snow Removal - Sidewalks Allen Farrell - Lawn Care JoAnne Uglem -Deanery Council Rose Funseth - Deanery Council Parish CouncilClick below to read the minutes from the June 2023 Parish Council meeting.
Altar SocietyClick below to read the minutes from the February 2024 Altar Society meeting.
Click below to read "2016 St. Stephen's Projects - Make a Five Year Plan of Action" outlined by JoAnne Uglem.
Click on the file below to hear Paulette sing "Ave Maria".
For the martyrs of our day, witnesses to Christ – The Pope Video 3 – March
This month, I want to tell you a story that is a reflection of the Church today. It is the story of a little-known witness of faith. Visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, a man told me, “Father, I am Muslim. My wife was Christian. Terrorists came to our place, looked at us and asked what our religion was. They approached my wife with a crucifix and told her to throw it on the ground. She didn’t do it, and they slit her throat in front of me.” That’s what happened. I know he held no grudges. He was focused on his wife’s example of love, a love for Christ that led her to accept, and to be faithful to the point of death. Brothers, sisters, there will always be martyrs among us. This is a sign that we’re on the right journey. A person who knows told me there are more martyrs today than at the beginning of Christianity. The courage of the martyrs, the witness of the martyrs, is a blessing for everyone. Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive. And to be open to the grace of martyrdom. For the terminally ill – The Pope Video 2 – February 2024
In a new Pope Video prayer intention, Pope Francis reminds us that the terminally ill have the right to medical, psychological, spiritual and human assistance. He also explains to us that “healing is not always possible, but we can always care for the sick person.” And he remarks that “families should not be left alone.” 🙏 Let us pray with Pope Francis “that the terminally ill and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and assistance.” When some people talk about terminal illnesses, there are two words they often confuse: incurable and un-carable. But they are not the same. Even when little chance for a cure exists, every sick person has the right to medical, psychological, spiritual and human assistance. Sometimes they can’t talk; sometimes we think they don’t recognize us. But if we take them by the hand, we know they are relating with us. Healing is not always possible, but we can always care for the sick person, caress them. Saint John Paul II used to say, “cure if it is possible; always take care.” And this is where palliative care comes in. It guarantees the patient not only medical attention, but also human assistance and closeness. Families should not be left alone in these difficult moments. Their role is decisive. They need access to adequate means so as to provide appropriate physical, spiritual and social support. Let us pray that the terminally ill and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and assistance. The video for the Diocese of Fargo 2024 God's Gift Appeal campaign.
The Veil Removed is a short film that reveals the coming together of heaven and earth at Mass, as seen by saints and mystics, revealed by scripture and in the catechism of the Catholic Church.
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