The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parishlife JANUARY 28, 2024

The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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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, January 27, Vigil 5:30 PM - Carol Esposito Sunday, January 28, The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM - Catherine & Francis Coughlin 10:00 AM -Mary Kiss 12:00 PM - All Parishioners 5:00 PM - Lynch & Morris Family (Both Living and Deceased) Monday, January 29, Weekday 12:00 PM - Thanksgiving to St. Agata Tuesday, January 30, Weekday 12:00 PM - Elisa Lee Pazos Wednesday, January 31, St. John Bosco 12:00 PM - Robert Valdez Thursday, February 1, Weekday 12:00 PM - Thanksgiving for love and mercy Friday, February 2, The Presentation of the Lord 12:00 PM - Souls in Purgatory Saturday, February 3, Weekday 12:00 PM - Purgatorial Society

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

stelmo79.org

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@STELMO79

Prayers for the Sick: Marylin Atkinson Danielle Boros Marcelle Ferrier Judith Farber Rosemary Keating Anne Lesch Maureen Lynch Michelle Netus Neil O’Carroll Mary O’Connor Lynch Harry Rabonwitz Michael Reilly Desiree Amato Parks Jerry Schwegman Jose Vasquez and all those ill and victims of military activities

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Weekly Readings & Observances

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

Readings for the week of January 28, 2024

Devotions

Sunday:

Saturdays at 5:00 PM or by appointment

Dt 18:15-20/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 (8)/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mk 1:21-28 Monday: 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13/Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7/ Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday: 2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3/Ps 86:1- 2, 3-4, 5-6/Mk 5:21-43 Wednesday: 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17/Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7/Mk 6:1-6 Thursday: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12/1 Chr 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd/Mk 6:7-13 Friday: Mal 3:1-4/Heb 2:14-18/Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10/ Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32 Saturday: 1 Kgs 3:4-13/Ps 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14/ Mk 6:30-34 Next Sunday: Jb 7:1-4, 6-7/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (see 3a)/1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23/Mk 1:29-39

Anointing of the Sick

Observances for the week of January 28, 2024

Every third Saturday of the month after the 12:00 PM Mass

Sunday:

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

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 Deceased: Regina Ford Beatrice Indelicato Jim Killen Edward Warren Knowles II Msgr. John Meehan Msgr. Thomas Modugno Michelle Netus Louelle Salvador Ruben Vergara

and the victims of the Middle East

Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Celebrate Catholic Schools Week St. John Bosco, Priest The Presentation of the Lord, World Day for Consecrated Life

Saturday: St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; St. Ansgar, Bishop Next Sunday: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, ©LPi

Baptism Announcement On January 28th at the 10:00 AM mass, we will be baptizing

Grayson Carter Feliciano

Please join us in congratulating Deja C. Feliciano and Jeannie A. Nuñez on their child’s new life in Christ!

• February 1, 2024 -6:30 - 8:30 PM, Parish Center: Life in Christ: Foundations of Catholic Morality Join us for the final session of 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 responsible decision making and the development of our consciences.

• February 8, 6:30-8:30 PM, Parish Center: What’s Happening With the Eucharistic Revival?

During this single session, Maryann Tyrer will update us on the Eucharistic Revival currently underway in the United States, including information about this summer’s National Eucharistic Congress.

• February 22, 29, and March 7, 14, and 21 Parish Center: The Week Jesus Died, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John During Lent, Fr. Donald Baker will lead an examination of the Passion Narratives in the four gospels. How is each gospel account different from the other three; what do they tell us about the suffering and death of Jesus; what does that mean for us today?

Candlemas and Groundhog Day? - yes, they are connected!

On February 2nd, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also know as Candlemas. This day falls 40 days after Christmas. The Mosaic law commanded that a boy child was to be presented to God in the temple 40 days after birth, so Mary and Joseph did just that, giving thanks to God for the gift of Jesus, and dedicating him to the Lord. While there, Simeon and Anna prophesied about how this child would be a light to the nations and the salvation of the world.

Both Christians and pagans long celebrated a day midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, a day of longing for the increasing light of spring in the midst of the depths of winter. In addition to lighting lots of candles, a tradition developed in many countries of seeing in the activity of animals a prediction of the duration of winter.

In England, if the hedgehog saw its shadow on Candlemas, there would be six more weeks of winter; in Germany, it was a badger, and in the Unites States, a groundhog. Hence our secular celebration of Groundhog Day. Our Church celebrates Candlemas by inviting us to light and bless candles. This will take place at mass on February 2nd, and you are invited to bring candles to be blessed. Simply bring your candles to the table by the baptismal font before mass, and take them home afterwards. Lighting candles (with care!) during prayer times and meals is a wonderful way to remember that God is present in all times and seasons, and that Christ is the light of the world.

Seasons of Hope: Finding Comfort in Your Grief Bereavement Ministry will resume meeting on January 31 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the parish center for an additional three weeks. All those grieving the loss of a loved one are welcome regardless of 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, as well as discussion and sharing. Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org for more information.

Est. 1928

Catholic Schools Week is an annual initiative led by the National Catholic Educational Association to celebrate the excellence and impact of Catholic schools. Since 1974, Catholic schools observe through a variety of activities, emphasizing the importance of Catholic education.

MONDAY, M ONDA AY Y, 1 Y, 1/29 /29 C ELEBR RA AT A TING C OMMUNITY CELEBRATING COMMUNITY T UESDA AY Y, 1 Y, /30 TUESDAY, 1/30 C ELEBR RA AT A TING O UR SSTUDENTS TUDENTS CELEBRATING OUR & SSSHS SHS 9 5TH A NNIVERSAR RY Y 95TH ANNIVERSARY W EDNESDA AY Y, 1 Y, /31 WEDNESDAY, 1/31 C ELEBR RA AT A TING T HE N AT A TION CELEBRATING THE NATION

THURSDAY, T HURSDA AY Y, 2 Y, 2/1 /1 C ELEBR RA AT A TING V OCA AT TIONS CELEBRATING VOCATIONS FFRIDAY, RIDA AY Y, 2 Y, /2 2/2 C ELEBR RA AT A TING FFACULTY, ACULTY, CELEBRATING SSTAFF TA T AFF & V OLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS SSATURDAY, AT A TURDA AY Y, 2 Y, /3 2/3 FFAMILY AMILY M ASS MASS

408 EAST 82ND STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10028

(212) 2 (212) 288 88 - 1 1989 989 |

www.saintstephenschool.org www.saintstephenschool.org

Est. 1928

SAINT

STEPHEN

OF HUNGARY

SCHOOL

Saint Stephen School welcomed its first students on September 10, 1928, a few weeks before the building was complete. While awaiting the completion of the building, classes were held on the roof garden. The school was entrusted to the Daughters of Divine Charity and Sister M. Gabriella was the first principal.

Initially, the school educated 130 students from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. The school provided a safe, secure learning environment for the children of working families in the Yorkville area. In order to accommodate the community's working parents, the school's operating hours were 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., tuition was $0.50 per month, or $5.00 for the year, books cost $1.50 in first grade, $2.50 in second grade, and the parish paid for all books starting with third grade.

From its earliest days, Saint Stephen School welcomed students of all religions, races and creeds. Although much has changed since 1928, the standards upon which the school was founded remain the same.

Saint Stephen School continues to provide a safe, secure, learning environment for many children of diverse backgrounds. To this day, we strongly value the Franciscan tradition of kindness and consideration for all creation which is an essential part of our school culture.

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In November 2023, Saint Stephen of Hungary School was awarded the 2023 Blue Ribbon Award. Presented by the United States Department of Education, it is considered the highest honor an American school can achieve.

Est. 1928

A RICH HERITAGE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Highly credentialed and experienced educators are committed to providing a comprehensive, differentiated and holistic approach to teaching and learning, thus yielding several consecutive years of extraordinary achievement and growth in standardized assessments.

A VIBRANT, ROBUST SCHOOL COMMUNITY

CHRIST AS THE SPIRITUAL CENTER Rooted in the tradition of diversity emanating from the Franciscan tradition, students are enlightened and fully able to develop, appreciate, and integrate their gifts through a love of learning, passionate curiosity, and the commitment of service to others.

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time K-8 Religious Education and Preparation: • Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 10:00 AM Mass on Sundays o Volunteers are needed — please see below!

• K-8 Religious Education sessions continue at 11:10 AM in the parish center.

• Save the date: If your child is preparing to celebrate First Holy Communion this Spring, the First Communion Family Retreat is on Saturday, March 2 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM in the church. This is for families in our parish religious education, St. Stephen of Hungary School, and The Caedmon School.

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 3:00 PM. All adults are welcome!

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Our “Group of Guys” Men’s Faith Sharing Group meets every Tuesday at 12:00 PM in the parish center, and all men are welcome to join.

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Theology Thursday continues on February 1 at 6:30 PM with the final week of a four part series on Catholic Morality. All adults are welcome.

Volunteers needed!

Please consider helping with our Children’s Liturgy of the Word program during the 10 AM Mass on Sundays! Currently, we have two volunteers, but are looking for more to sustain this fantastic offering. After Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training, volunteers need only commit to serving once a month. All resources will be provided— just bring your desire to work with our pre-school aged children and willingness to complete to a background check!

Please contact Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to sign up.

We look forward to having you!

Why do we bless throats on February 3rd?

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life – February 2 In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.

Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.

If you have been educated and/or inspired by a religious sister, brother, priest, consider contacting them to let them know they are appreciated, or posting a positive message on social media thanking them for their service and inspiration.

Looking ahead to February 4, 2024: the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 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.

MARK 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door.

He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Monday, January 29 Which words or phrases caught my attention? Which comforted or challenged me?

Tuesday, January 30 When Jesus restored the health of Simon’s mother-in-law, he also restored her spiritual health.

Once healed she was able to serve those in need. How can I take time today to take care of my physical health so that I may help serve those in need in my community?

Wednesday, January 31 Prioritizing prayer, Jesus rises early and goes to a quiet place to be alone with God. Through prayer, Jesus gains strength from his heavenly Father. When in my busy life can I follow Jesus’ example and “slip away” for some time to pray today?

Thursday, February 1 The sick and possessed in today’s Gospel were the marginalized of the time. They were shunned by their society and by their religion. They depended upon the charity of others to survive. Who are the marginalized today? How can I reach out and help them?

Friday, February 2 Through prayer, Jesus becomes conscious of his mission: service. He calls his disciples to that mission. How can I deepen my commitment to Jesus’ call of service today?

Saturday, February 3 At the end of this passage, Jesus makes known that he is here not just to heal, but to proclaim the message of the kingdom of God – repent and believe the Good News! It is God’s kingdom that heals people, builds stronger communities, and speaks truth. In today’s tumultuous world, how can I proclaim this message to my community?

JANUARY 28, 2024 Post Game Wrap Up For many people, the football game isn’t complete until they watch the commentators on ESPN “relive” the game’s highlights, replay the footage, discuss the plays, speculate on the coach’s strategy, and predict what will happen in future games. They know that the coach and his team will do the same, fine-tuning their strategy so that their next time on the field will be even better.

Here at St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Stephen of Hungary, we do the same! A group called the Liturgy Committee meets several times a year, usually after holidays, to evaluate how the celebrations went, what went wrong, and most importantly, how can we change or improve the celebrations so that next year they are even better. We did that this past week for the Advent and Christmas seasons. That evaluation resulted in a decision that I want to share with you now, and will reiterate in the coming months, so that

by NEXT Christmas it will not come as a surprise.

When I first came here in 2015, I had two priest associates. Since 2022, I have I have had none. The reason why we have been able to maintain the mass schedule here, has been in large part because of the generosity of our Weekend Associates: priests, who come and help with Sunday and Weekday masses. Our parish would look so different without them.

However, they are not assigned here, and they have every right to schedule visits with family and friends on days like Christmas and Easter. That means that I end up saying most of the holiday masses. That is especially difficult with Christmas, with its masses at 5:30pm and then at midnight, and then the full Sunday compliment of masses on Christmas Day. When I was younger, that was not a big a problem. But as I get older, it is, especially on Christmas Eve, when I regularly don’t get to bed until 2:30 am, and then need to be up and ready for the 8am mass on Christmas Day. This problem is only compounded for our music director John Zupan and Pastoral Associate Maryann Tyrer, who keep the same schedule as I do.

As a result, the Liturgy Committee decided to implement a change in the Christmas Mass schedule.

Starting Christmas Eve 2024, The Mass at Midnight will be celebrated at 10pm. The 5:30pm Family Mass will remain unchanged. On Christmas Day, there will be TWO masses, at 10am and at 12, instead of three. The 8am mass on Christmas Day will no longer be celebrated.

Armchair quarterbacks, who listen to the post-game wrap-up, are not always happy with what they hear. I can imagine that this change will not make everyone happy. It challenges long-held traditions. Moreover, it is not like our masses are empty and need to be combined. While the 8am mass on Christmas morning was less attended, it was far from empty. All the others were full. However, I, we, ask your understanding on this. This is happening so that we (I) can continue to minister effectively and provide pastoral care to our parish for years to come.

—Father Baker