Fourth Sunday of Advent

Parishlife FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, 12/24/2023

Five Minute Jesus (pg 10) Just a Word (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

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 23, Advent Vigil 5:30 PM - Thomas Costello Sunday, December 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM - Roberta Chapey (Living) 10:00 AM - Bessie Lancaster McKeanna 12:00 PM - All Parishioners Sunday, December 24, Christmas Eve 5:30 PM - The Anderson Family (Living and Deceased) 11:59 PM - All Parishioners Monday, December 25, The Nativity of the Lord 8:00 AM - Jozsef Tomahatsch 10:00 AM - Helen, John Flack & Family; Magdalena Raimund; The Perz Family; Mary, Matthew Tscherne & Family 12:00 PM - Jozsef Tomahatsch Tuesday, December 26, St. Stephen 9:00 AM - Eddie Perry

Wedding Coordinator: Debbi Burdett....dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 27, St. John 9:00 AM - Corina Khan

Mass Schedule

Thursday, December 28, Holy Innocents 9:00 AM - Pauline Blain

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

stelmo79.org

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@STELMO79

Friday, December 29, Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 9:00 AM - Maria Litrenta (Living) Saturday, December 30, Sixth Day within the the Nativity of the Lord 12 PM - Nine Souls of Lima

Prayers for the Deceased: Lidia Engracia Rodriguez Nereyda Rodriguez, 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 24, 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.

Prayers for the Sick:

Marylin Atkinson Danielle Boros Judith Farber Marcelle Ferrier Rosemary Keating Michelle Netus Mary O’Connor Lynch Neil O’Carroll Harry Rabonwitz Michael Reilly Jerry Schwegman Eladio Tejada Jose Vasquez and all victims of military activities

Tuesday:

2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29/ Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/ Mt 1:1-25 or 1:1825 Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13/Ti 2:11-14/ Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:1112/Ps 97:1, 6,11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17/Mt 10:17-22

Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8/Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6/Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10/Lk 2:36-40 Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/ Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 Observances for the week of December 24, 2023 Sunday: 4th Sunday of Advent; Christmas Eve Monday: The Nativity of the Lord Tuesday: St. Stephen, First Martyr Wednesday: St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Thursday: The Holy Innocents, Martyrs Friday: St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr Saturday: Next Sunday: The Holy Family; New Year’s Eve ©LPi

This week’s Sanctuary Lamp is in memory of Jozsef Tomahatsch offered by Bridgette Tomahatsch

408 EAST 82ND STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10028

(212) 288 - 1989 |

www.saintstephenschool.org

Your Advent Wreath

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!)

Finding Comfort in Your Grief: Bereavement Ministry will resume meeting January 10 and meet 6:30-8pm in the Parish Center for 6 consecutive weeks. Anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one is welcome, regardless of your faith.

Those who have participated in this program in the past are welcome, as well as those joining us for the first time. Sessions include prayer and reflection, and discussion and sharing. Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org for more information.

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 Fourth Week of Advent: December 24, 2023

*light all four candles Scripture Reflection:

“And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ ” Luke 2:10-11 *pause for reflection

Advent Wreath Prayer: Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

Source: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/advent-wreathprayers.html

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

FAMILY FAITH FORMATION – Saturday, January 6, 3-5 PM in the Parish Center. Families of K-8th graders are invited to celebrate the Epiphany! We’ll have stories and discussions, crafts and activities, and snacks1 At least one parent/guardian must attend with each child, but the whole family is invited to participate. No Religious Education sessions on Sunday, January 7th.

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.)

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.

Theology Thursday resumes on January 11th at 6:30pm with the first of a four week series on Catholic Morality.

The Christmas Season Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. Celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the culmination of the mystery of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to become one of us. Because of this belief, God is not only Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Emmanuel (God-with-us). While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present condition to reach Him), He is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise toward Him). Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar. The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us.

The Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are popular symbols of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. It is also traditional to exchange Christmas gifts with family and friends to honor God the Father's gift of his only son to the world. Having received the gift of Christ, we naturally want to pass that gift along to our loved ones. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/christmas

An Incarnate Christmas

A

trip to Bethlehem inspired me to purchase a Nativity set hand carved from the wood of olive trees grown in the Holy Land. That set brings a piece of the traditional birthplace of Jesus into my home.

Since 1223, when St. Francis of Assisi assembled a Nativity scene with a live ox and donkey in a cave in central Italy, Christians have depicted Christ’s birth in the manger in settings in churches, towns, and homes.

Whether simple or elaborate, the scenes bring comfort and joy, for they tell of the birth of a child and the fulfillment of God’s promise.

The Order for the Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene in the Book of Blessings articulates the story of the Incarnation. It is a story of how God loved his people so much he sent his Son to be with them: God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.

To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.

Christmas celebrates that God became flesh and lives with us.

Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

This blessing reveals how Jesus came for all, and that through our Savior, all are connected. It reveals, too, that the coming of Christ was part of God’s plan from the beginning of creation. Listening to these words, the faithful may understand that if the Messiah came through a humble person such as Mary, God can break through ordinary lives and can come in ways surprising and wondrous. When people surrender, like

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Mary, to God’s will, they can bear Christ, becoming a vessel of joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.

Christian lives can bear Christ even during a chaotic time where peace seems to be distant. Jesus was born into turbulence. He was conceived in an unmarried woman, at birth was placed in a feeding trough for animals, and soon was hunted by a jealous king. Despite these circumstances, God chose to be born anyway. Knowing this can strengthen people to bear witness to God’s presence even when uncertainty marks their lives.

May we who adorn our homes and churches with Nativity sets remember that Christmas is not only about the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus two thousand years ago, but that God became flesh and lives with us now, today, forever.

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

Art by Michele Wood. Excerpts from the English translation of Book of Blessings © 1987, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation.

Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on October 25, 2018.

With Heartfelt Gratitude Lynn Lemay Laura Ferran Mr. & Mrs. Albert Blain Mr. & Mrs. Vanes Bellevue Mr. & Mrs. Oge Blain and Family Berenice Blain Lucie Blain Pauline Blaine John Flack Sr. John R. Flack Thomas P. Clarke Philip J. Curtin Michael Marciano Grace Marcianio Anthony Marciano Judy Ryan Patrick Ryan Fred C. Scheffold Claude & Dorothy Scheffold Joe & Liz DeMama The Keating Family The Minihan Family The McAuvic Family Luciana Silvani Jean & Michael DelVecchio Michael John DelVecchio The O’Connell Family The Egan Family Leilani Molina Healing Annulfo, Maria & Antonio Reyes Caridad, Jose Ramon, Amelia Roque & families

Marian C. Siesta Agnes & Timothy J. McCrohan The Canning Family The McCrohan Family Rose & William Shinnick Vinny & Jimmy Migliore Ruth Farley Walter Farley Reg Leo Farley Carmin Delia Collazo Diane Lomonaco Alvino, Rosa, Agilbato, Ronaldo Karolczak Omar and Helena Gloria F Jesus Aschoredr Nicholas Cavalconti Frank and Dorothy Merrell Laura Ferran Theresa Vasquez Eric Hemphill Robert Anello Giancinto Sisto Frances Sisto Antionette Felazo Peter Grillo Catherine Grillo James Grillo Nancy Baldaya C & G & M Oloen K & I Macbeth M. Saunders C. Orgilly C. Quigley Most forgotten souls

Denise Ann Sherwood Louis D’Antuono Carolina HuttonGonzalez Vincent Walsh Bridget Walsh All living Walsh Members All deceased McDermott and Walsh members Alonzo Youngbeck Marie Grasso Charles, Salvator, John T. Phil Grasso Domenica and Venerendo Grasso Deceased members of the Grasso family Ed & Eileen Hendrickson Espe Dalcanay Molina Family Mike Wark Clarence and Juliette Lemke Paul Lemke Dolores St. Martin Emil DeSpirito Mary Castelli Bob DeSpirito Pete Plate George and Virginia Emery Kind and caring souls

Sr. Suzanne LaChapelle IN LO V I NG M EM O RY OF

AUGUST 8 , 1 9 3 8 - DECEMBER 25, 2022

Join us for a

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Wine & Cheese Social

SUNDAY 12/31, POST 5PM MASS

Looking ahead to December 31, 2023 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 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.

LUKE 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Monday, December 25 What words or phrases caught your attention? What comforted you? What challenged you?

Tuesday, December 26 Mary and Joseph travel to Jerusalem to fulfill the obligations of their religion. How seriously do you take the obligations of your religion? What is your motivation?

Wednesday, December 27 Jesus is presented to, consecrated to, the Lord. At your baptism you were “claimed for Christ.”

What difference does it make to you that you belong to God? Thursday, December 28 Simeon and Anna waited faithfully for the fulfillment of God’s promises of a Messiah, and of the redemption of Jerusalem. What promises of God are you awaiting?

Friday, December 29 Both Simeon and Anna gave public thanks and praise to God when God’s promises were fulfilled.

Have you ever shared with others how God has answered your prayers?

Saturday, December 30 Upon the family’s return to Nazareth, Jesus “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” How have you grown in your faith lately? What might you do to be more filled with wisdom?

DECEMBER 24, 2023 Moveable Feasts and Immovable Faith One of my favorite books is David Ewing Duncan’s Calendar. In it he outlines humanity’s attempts to match the phases of the moon and the cycles of the sun with the days of a year. A large part of the book deals with religion – for many calendars were initially developed to keep track of religious festivals. Winter and summer solstices, festivals to honor the Gods, the birthdays of saints and sometimes their martyrdom— all of it required calendars.

Jews follow a lunar calendar, which matches only approximately with our sun-based Gregorian calendar. Christians are rather unique in that our calendar is a mix of fixed and moveable feasts, with Christmas rooted in the solar calendar’s December 25th, and Easter, whose date is calculated according to the phases of the moon.

As a result, Easter slides all over the spring calendar, dragging with it its six-week season of preparation, Lent, and pushing its eight-week season of Easter, back and forth through the months of February, March, April and May. Christmas has its own four-week season of preparation called Advent. This season, however, is fixed to the four Sundays before December 25th. Since Christmas is fixed to a particular date on the solar calendar, it moves through the week. When Christmas lands on a Sunday, as it did last year, Advent is at its longest – a full four weeks. But when the 25th is a Monday…

Then we have what happens this weekend: the masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning are the fourth Sunday of Advent, but come sundown, it is Christmas Eve, with its evening and midnight masses, and then the full complement of masses on Christmas Day For calendar geeks like me, this is fascinating! For priests like me, it is exhausting. But for pious Catholics, it can be confusing. Am I supposed to go to church on both Sunday morning and Sunday evening? How do I fulfill my obligation — can one mass do it, or must I go twice? Officially we go twice: Saturday evening and Sunday evening.

Or Sunday morning and Monday morning. Or some combination thereof. In short, we do our best to honor both the Advent season of preparation and the celebration of the birth of Christ on Christmas.

There are many who would dismiss this as out of hand. They are tired of the Church’s rules. I get that: but the calendar is important because the Church year is a map, and its feasts are a series of signposts on it. The signposts may change, but they all point in the same direction – to Christ and our faith him whose birth we celebrate this weekend.

Especially nowadays, we know change. It seems that in the last several years our whole world has turned upside down. Government is divided and its leaders often impotent. Democracy itself is torn and embattled. Nations are at each other’s throats in senseless wars, which now more than ever, reveal that people are the victims of their leaders rather than citizens of their lands. And the Church seems headed for at best, irrelevance, and at worst, suicide, as scandals empty its pews and schisms threaten to tear it to pieces.

The world can seem so dark and confusing, that what we need is a map! The Church calendar is that map, and its cycle of Sundays, feasts, and holidays we celebrate throughout its year all point to the one thing that does not change: not how we love God – no, that slides all over the place like the date of Easter – but how God loves us. So much that God becomes one of us, lives with us, teaches us by word and example how to return that love, shows us the extent of that love by dying because of it, and finally rises to promise us that this love is stronger than death.

This love is what we celebrate throughout the calendar days of the Church year, and this weekend we celebrate its birth in our world. Love takes flesh, loves us, and invites us to love in return. Yes, I know, it is so inadequate. But maybe if more people followed the signposts to that love, and lived that love, rather than allow the darkness of FEAR to rule their world, the world would begin to change. It would be as if Christ were born again into the world.

Because when we love after the manner of his love, he is born . . . in us. Merry Christmas!

—Father Baker