THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, 12/17/2023
Upcoming Parish Events (pg 8)
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 16, Advent Vigil 5:30 PM - Erzebet Laszlo Huszar Sunday, December 17, Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM - Thomas Moran 10:00 AM - Nine Souls of Lima 12:00 PM - All Parishioners 5:00 PM - John P. Coates Monday, December 18, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Maureen Pace Tuesday, December 19, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Albany Valderrama Wednesday, December 20, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM -Kathleen -Kathleen M. Reddington Thursday, December 21, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Lawrence Freer
Friday, December 22, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - The Green Family Saturday, December 23, Advent Vigil 12 PM - Joseph and Rose Freer
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 Madeleine Tipton Jose Vasquez and all victims of military activities
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 Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after Mass in the church and live online 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.
Weekly Readings & Observances Readings for the week of December 17, 2023
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 Monday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17/Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6/Lk 1:26 38 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11 12, 20-21/Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd/ Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14/Lk 1:57-66 Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 (2a)/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Observances for the week of December 17, 2023 Sunday: Third Sunday of Advent Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: St. Peter Canisius Priest and Doctor of the Church Friday: Saturday: Saint John of Kanty, Priest Next Sunday: 4th Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve ©LPi
Father Donald Baker, Pastor, and Ms. Allyson Genova-Hall, Principal, share with pride and joy that our beloved school has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School. 408 EAST 82ND STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10028
(212) 288 - 1989 | www.saintstephenschool.org
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
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 17, 2023
*light the first two purple candles Scripture Reflection:
“And the Shepards returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.” Luke 2:20 *pause for reflection
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.
Advent Wreath Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during the busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the every day moment and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas, Amen.
Save the Date!
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!)
Bereavement Ministry will resume meeting January 10 and meet 6:30-8 PM in the Parish Center for six consecutive weeks. Anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one is welcome.
Third Sunday of Advent K-8 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: •
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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.
On November 19, we celebrated the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome, a significant milestone for those in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (the RCIA). Congratulations to Randi Armstrong and Nate Adams, our newest catechumens, and Mikel Ross, our newest candidate for full communion in the Catholic Church. Randi and Nate will be baptized, confirmed, and receive First Communion at the Easter Vigil. Mikel, already a baptized Christian, will be received into the Catholic Church, be confirmed, and receive First Communion at the Easter Vigil. Please keep them in your prayers!
On the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Catholics celebrate the joy that is rooted in a lasting hope.
Joy in Advent
O
n the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Catholics are encouraged to reflect on joy as Christmas approaches. The Latin word gaudete means “rejoice,” and the name Gaudete Sunday comes from the first word of the day’s Entrance Antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4–5). Joy is sometimes considered to be synonymous with happiness, but joy is deeper than good feelings. St. Paul notes joy among the fruits of the Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). In the first paragraph of The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis states that joy is found through encountering Christ. “With Christ joy is constantly born anew,” the Holy Father states. Joy is recognized by the peace that accompanies it. This fruit of the Spirit can be seen in people who have endured hardship and pain but keep their focus set on God. They may be poor in material goods but generous in spirit. They understand that no earthly thing can tamper with their relationship with God. For them, joy is rooted in a hope that lasts, as Pope Francis notes in The Joy of the Gospel: Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet
slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress. (6) The joy-filled know that they are dependent upon God. Among them are the poor who will take part in the Kingdom of God, the hungry who will be satisfied, the mourners who will be comforted, and the peacemakers who will be called children of God. They know that with God all is well, and all shall be well. The prayers in Advent assure us that Emmanuel, God is with us, provides the strength to wait in hope. Advent invites the faithful to cultivate joy while awaiting the coming of Christ again. Here are a few ways to do that: • Pray. Praying in hope opens hearts to experience joy. • Keep an Advent journal. Keeping tabs on the moments that bring joy throughout the day, no matter how insignificant, helps people to be aware of the joy that exists in their lives. • Help those in need. As Pope Francis says, “Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the seashore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others.” Joy is the magnet that attracts believers, and as such it is the best form of evangelization. As Mother Teresa said, “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
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. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on October 25, 2018.
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The Church of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Stephen of Hungary
DEC
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Reconciliation Monday: Confessions 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM (Church)
DEC
Theology Thursday: Advent Vespers - Justice in the Kingdom with guest preacher Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, 7 PM (Church)
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DEC
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The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Mass at 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM
DEC
Christmas Eve: 5:10 PM - Carol Service 5:30 PM - Family Mass 11:00 PM - Lessons and Carols 11:59 PM - Midnight Mass
24 DEC
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Christmas Day: Mass at 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM
*Please note, the Parish Center Offices are closed Tuesday, 12/26 through Saturday, 12/30. Daily Mass is at 9AM, Monday-Friday, in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel
DEC
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New Year’s Eve: 5 PM Mass followed by a wine and cheese social to toast the New Year!
Carols,
The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Stephen of Hungary
cookies, & C ocoa
JOIN US FOR A PARISH TRADITION!
The festivities will begin on the front steps of St. Monica’s Church for Christmas caroling, followed by cookies and hot chocolate!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17; 3PM *Please bring your favorite cookies to share to the church between 2:30-3:15 pm!*
Questions?
Email parishcouncil@stelmo79.org
Looking ahead to December 24, 2023: the Fourth 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.
LUKE 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Monday, December 18 What words or phrases caught your attention? What comforted you? What challenged you? Tuesday, December 19 Mary, being of the house of David, would have been aware of God’s promises of a Messiah through the line of David, but probably never dreamed it would be fulfilled through her. When have you been aware of God working through you? Wednesday, December 20 Mary was troubled by the angel’s greeting but is told by the angel not to be afraid. Have you ever been afraid of what God might ask of you? What would reassure you? Thursday, December 21 The Holy Spirit coming upon Mary and the power of the Most High overshadowing her echoes the creation story in Genesis and shows that God is creating something new through Mary. Where do you see God creating something new in your life, bringing new things to birth today? Friday, December 22 Both Mary and Elizabeth receive seemingly impossible news, yet both choose to believe that nothing is impossible for God. Do you believe that nothing is impossible for God? Where in your life might you struggle to believe this? Saturday, December 23 Mary agrees to allow God’s will to be done in her life. Where might you need to agree to allow God’s will to be done in your life? What will it take for you to trust God in this way?
DECEMBER 17, 2023 Rorate Caeli! What does that mean? . . . no, it is not the name of some foreign-born actor, nor a make of some foreign auto. It is not even foreign – at least if you’re a Christian. The words are Latin, and they are from the book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 45 Verse 8. There the prophet says, “Let justice descend, you heavens, like dew from above,” and it expresses the wish that God’s reign or Kingdom will come in its fullness upon the earth, bringing justice and righteousness. This hope was connected to the coming of a “just one” which was understood to be the Messiah, and who would bring this kingdom to fruition. For Christians this passage in Isaiah is seen as fulfilled in Jesus. In him the Messiah has come, and that is the reason why this passage from Isaiah is read during that time of the Church Year called Advent. In Advent, we prepare for the celebration of the Messiah’s birth at Christmas by hearing the promises of the Hebrew prophets such as Isaiah, who proclaimed that with him will come this kingdom of justice and righteousness. And that is just the rub: we may well have Jesus, but his justice and righteousness are in short supply. And they always have been. Of course, Jesus taught us to pray to “our Father who art in Heaven” that his kingdom might come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven, thus implying that it is not yet come or done in all its fullness. But just so, it is one of the reasons so many, including our Jewish brothers and sisters, do not believe that in Jesus the Messiah has come, and in him the Kingdom of God is at hand. For where is it? This year, as part of the observance of Advent, our Theology Thursday series offers two nights of Evening Prayer (Vespers). One was this past Thursday, December 14, and one on Thursday, December 21st with the theme of “Rorate Coeli!” Let justice descend! On December 14th we welcomed preacher Joanne Kennedy, the coordinator of Maryhouse, a community in the Catholic Worker movement located in the East Village. On December 21, we will welcome Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, the Senior Rabbi of Shaaray Tefila (Gates of Prayer) Synagogue and our neighbor on East 79th St. Both Joanne and Rabbi Joel speak to the themes of the Advent season from their own perspectives. Joanne, as a member of the Catholic movement Dorothy Day founded, and Rabbi Joel, as a member of a faith tradition which waits for the Messiah Christians believe has come, and which understands justice and righteousness as essential parts of a faith lived in hope for the healing of the world. Some might be asking, just what is Evening Prayer? It is a prayer service (i.e. not a mass with holy communion) prayed by millions of Christians every day. It grew out of the Jewish services of prayer, which Jesus would have prayed. In it, Psalms are sung, the Scriptures are read, and we pray for the needs of the Church and the world. It takes about 45 minutes, and afterwards we will offer a reception in the pack of the church for people to come together and meet our preachers. Especially in these dark times, when war and terror are on the rise, we need to hear messages of hope and to be challenged to act. I would ask everyone who can make the time to come, to experience the music, listen to our preachers, and be challenged by their words to build a world where justice descends from heaven and is lived on earth, so that God’s kingdom might come, and God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
-Father Baker