Second Sunday of Advent

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, 12/10/2023

Upcoming Parish Events (pg 4)

Five Minute Jesus

(pg 11)

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Mission Statement

The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Stephen of Hungary opens its doors to embrace all in our community.

We strive through worship, hospitality, and service to receive those seeking a spiritual home.

In the midst of diversity of thought, lifestyle, nationality, economic status, and age, we endeavor to live as a community of faith. We invite you to join our family: a family seeking to know and love Jesus Christ!

Parish Staff

Pastor: Rev. Donald C. Baker .................... frdcab@stelmo79.org Parish Manager: Jennifer DeSpirito................jdespirito@stelmo79.org Sacristan: Pedro Pizarro..........................ppizarro@stelmo79.org Administrative Assistant: Gladys Tejada........gtejada@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Taryn Tonelli.............ttonelli@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Maryann Tyrer..........mtyrer@stelmo79.org Plant Manager: Guillermo Vanegas...gvanegas@stelmo79.org Music Director: John Zupan.....................jzupan@stelmo79.org Weekend Associate: ...........................Rev. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Weekend Associate: ..................................Rev. Edward Beck, CP Wedding Coordinator: Debbi Burdett....dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com

Mass Schedule

Daily Mass: Mon - Sat, 12:00 PM Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM Sunday: 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 5:00 PM Confessions: Saturdays at 5:00 PM* (*or by appointment)

Contact

Church Address: 413 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th Street, New York NY 10075 Tel: 212-288-6250 Fax: 212-570-1562 Email: info@stelmo79.org Parish Office Hours Monday & Wednesday..............................9 AM - 4 PM Tuesday & Thursday ................................. 9 AM - 7 PM Friday ......................................................... Closed Saturday ................................................10 AM - 2 PM Sunday ....................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays from 1 - 2 PM

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Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 9, Vigil 5:30 PM - Ria McGoff and Joseph Spina Sunday, December 10, Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM - Jody and Joann Freer(Living) 10:00 AM - Anna Ensign 12:00 PM - All Parishioners 5:00 PM - Nine Souls of Lima Monday, December 11, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Jody and Joann Freer(Living) Tuesday, December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe 12:00 PM - Walter and Mary Ferber Wednesday, December 13, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Norma Ester Litrenta (Living) Thursday, December 14, St. John of the Cross 12:00 PM - Edmond Eisel

Friday, December 15, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Patricia Medici Saturday, December 9, Advent Vigil 12 PM - Patricia Roche Prayers for the Sick: Marylin Atkinson Danielle Boros Christine Cullen Judith Farber Marcelle Ferrier Rosemary Keating Maurine Lynch Regina Moscoso Michelle Netus Mary O’Connor Lynch Neil O’Carroll Harry Rabonwitz Michael Reilly Jerry Schwegman Madeleine Tipton Jose Vasquez and all victims of military activities

Prayers for the Deceased:

Gregoria Espinal Robert O’Brien Rafael Parra Zita C. Polymenopoulos and all victims of the Middle East

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the 12:00 PM Mass until 3:00 PM in the church and live online

Weekly Readings & Observances Readings for the week of December 10, 2023

Devotions

Sunday:

Miraculous Medal on Mondays after Mass in the church and live online

Monday:

Divine Mercy Every Friday at 3:00 PM in the church and live online Vespers (Evening Prayer) Every Friday at 5:10 PM in the chapel and live online Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays at 5:00 PM or by appointment Anointing of the Sick Every third Saturday of the month after the 12:00 PM Mass Baptisms & Marriages Please call the rectory office for more information.

Communion for the Homebound: If you know of anyone who cannot attend church because of illness/age and would like to have communion brought to them, please contact the parish office for arrangements.

Bread & Wine

Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 Is 35:1-10/Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14/Lk 5:17-26 Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/

Tuesday:

Jdt 13:18bcde, 19/ Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47

Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10/Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20/Ps 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 1213ab/Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19/Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Next Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-

54 (Is 61:10b)/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Observances for the week of December 10, 2023 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday:

2nd Sunday of Advent St. John Damascene I, Pope Our Lady of Guadalupe St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr St. John of the Cross, Priest, and Doctor of the Church

Friday: Saturday: Next Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Advent

Sanctuary Lamp

This Week’s Bread & Wine is in Memory of

This Week’s Sanctuary Lamp is in Memory of

Rita McGoff and Joseph Spina

Rita McGoff and Joseph Spina

Offered by Florence Spina

Offered by Florence Spina

©LPi

DEC

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Adult Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9PM (Choir Loft)

DEC

Senior Holiday Luncheon: 1PM An afternoon lunch sponsored by the Senior Ministry, join us to celebrate the holiday season! (Parish Center)

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DEC

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Nativity Pageant Rehearsal: 1:15-2:30 PM (Ward Room)

t the ea on

TO BE GRATEFUL:

A heartfelt thank you to the following Thanksgiving donors: Big John’s Moving Company Ottomanelli’s Agata & Valentina Morton & Williams Orwashers Bakery Starcell Five Mile Stone F& F Supplies

D’Agostino’s Eva’s Garden Shop East 82nd St. Deli The Students & Parents of St. Stephen of Hungary & Dwight Schools Girls from St. Vincent Ferrer High School All those community volunteers who helped make our 15th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner a huge success!

-Barbara Murphy & Roz Panepento

Your Advent Wreath

December 14 and 21 – 7:00 PM, Church Advent Vespers – Justice in the Kingdom Join us in the church for sung Advent Vespers with guest preachers!

• December 14 – Ms. Joanne Kennedy – editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper at Mary House in NYC, tireless advocate for human rights, peace, and justice • December 21 – Rabbi Joel Mosbacher – senior rabbi at Temple Shaaray Tefila Reform Synagogue on East 79th Street social justice leader, speaker, and author January 11, 18, 25, and February 1, 2024— 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Parish Center: Life in Christ: Foundations of Catholic Morality Join us for this four-part course, taught by Maryann Tyrer. Learn how the Church’s moral teaching developed out of the ten commandments and beatitudes and how it guides us in both responsible decision making and the development of our consciences.

Catechist Formation courses for the Archdiocese of New York are open to all as part of the Theology Thursday lineup. Please register with the Archdiocese by scanning the QR code below: (Please note, you’ll need to create an account with a valid email address to register!)

An advent wreath can be simple. A bit of real or faux greenery on a plate with four votive candles will work. If you cannot find three purple and one pink candle, use ribbon at the base of white candles. The important thing is to gather as a family to take a few moments in the business of the holidays to prepare spiritually as you count down to Christmas.

The Second Week of Advent: December 10, 2023

*light the first two purple candles Scripture Reflection:

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

Luke 2:4-7 *pause for reflection Advent Wreath Prayer: Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.

Source: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/adventwreath-prayers.html

Second Sunday of Advent K-8 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: •

Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 10am Mass on Sundays

o We are still looking for volunteers to train as leaders and assistants!

Please contact Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org if you are interested. o No session December 24 or 31.

• •

K-8 Religious Education sessions have resumed at 11:10am in the Parish Center.

Registrations are still being accepted for this year.

No K-8 Religious Education sessions on December 24 or 31.

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA): •

Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic? Or are you a baptized Catholic who has not yet celebrated First Communion or Confirmation? You, and your questions, are warmly welcomed! Come and share the journey with others. Please contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to discuss our adult initiation process (commonly known as the RCIA).

Join the process at any time in the year.

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities : •

Join us for Adult Faith Formation every Sunday following the noon Mass. Come to the Parish Center (406 East 80th Street) for refreshments and a facilitated discussion of the Sunday Scriptures. We end at 3pm. All adults are welcome! (Please note, there will be no sessions on 12/24 or 12/31.)

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Our “Group of Guys” Men’s Faith Sharing Group meets every Tuesday at 12noon in the Parish Center, and all men are welcome to join.

Did you know?

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December 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas and the Patroness of the Unborn. In 1531, a poor, native Aztec man named Juan Diego (the name given him at his Christian baptism) saw an apparition of Mary, who appeared as a pregnant, indigenous princess, and spoke to Juan in his own language. A shrine was built on that hill just outside of Mexico City, and millions of people have traveled there on pilgrimage to pray and be inspired by the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The season of Advent beckons the faithful to move closer to Christ, the true light.

Stillness

M

any years ago while on vacation near Moab, Utah, I looked up at more stars than I had ever seen. The sky was like an umbrella of cosmic radiance, and it seemed as if the entire universe was frozen in stillness. Southwestern skies are a stargazer’s dream. The skies are clearer there partially because of an absence of light pollution. The farther we are from artificial light the more natural light can be seen.

The season of Advent beckons Christians to move away from whatever artificial lights prevent the seeing of Jesus, the true light, more clearly. John the Baptist showed how to do this. He humbled himself, knowing that one greater than he was coming. John’s words “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30) are echoed in the cosmos. The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist in late June around the summer solstice, which heralds the beginning

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of shorter days and longer nights. On the other hand, the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord is celebrated around the winter solstice, the beginning of shorter nights and longer days.

Near Christmas, the northern hemisphere is a few days away from the winter solstice when the earth is tilted farthest from the sun, providing the year’s shortest day and longest night. The name “solstice” is derived from the Latin sol, meaning “sun” and sistere, meaning “to stand still.” If you tracked the movement of the sun from day to day, its daily descent in maximum height before the solstice is halted before reversing direction.

As the winter solstice and the final days of Advent approach, may we still our hearts to see more clearly Christ among us, that we too might be caught up in the cosmic dance, radiant with hope and peace.

Connecting the Liturgy with Our Lives © 2019 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. Text by Kathy Kuczka.

Photo © John Zich. NABRE © 2010 CCD. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on October 25, 2018.

Carols arols,

cookies, & C ocoa

JOIN US FOR A PARISH TRADITION!

St. Monica’s Church

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17; 3PM *Please bring your favorite cookies to share to the church between 2:30-3:15 pm!*

Questions?

THE SAINT MONICA CONCERT SERIES

Annual ChristmasConcert FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 7:00 PM

Looking ahead to December 17, 2023: the Third Sunday of Advent It’s simple. Read the Gospel for next Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells. Consider the questions asked each day. What conversion of heart, mind, and life might the Lord be asking of you at this moment? Reflect on how you might live out God’s Word each day.

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John.

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Monday, December 11 Which words or phrases caught your attention? Which comforted or challenged you?

Tuesday, December 12 John testified to “the light,” referring to Jesus. How is Jesus “the light” in your life?

Wednesday, December 13 The question asked of John, “Who are you?”, is echoed when Jesus asked his followers who they said he was. Who is Jesus to you? Do you sometimes fail to recognize Him? Thursday, December 14 John came to “make straight the way of the Lord.” What might you need to do to “make straight the way of the Lord” in your own life?

Friday, December 15 John shows amazing humility as he prepares the way for Jesus, “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” How can you balance humility and fulfilling the mission given us by God? Saturday, December 16 John baptized with water, but in Mark’s gospel, he points to Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Where do you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?

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