January 3, 2021

Epiphany of the Lord

Jan. 3, 2021

JUST A WORD From our Pastor (Page 9)

LIFE FAITH FORMATION (Page 6)

FIVE MINUTE JESUS (Page 8)

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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 welcome and 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, life style, nationality, economic status & age, we endeavor to live as a community of faith and 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 Rev. Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers ........................... msgrlivers@stelmo79.org Weekend Associates: ...............................................Rev. Tony Ciorra Pastoral Associate: Ms. Maryann Tyrer ........ mtyrer@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Ms. Jasmine Gomez ..... jgomez@stelmo79.org Parish Manager: Mr. Michael Ward ............. mward@stelmo79.org Music Director: Mr. John Zupan .................... jzupan@stelmo79.org Wedding Coordinator: Ms. Debbi Burdett . dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com Plant Manager: Guillermo Vanegas ......... gvanegas@stelmo79.org Sacristan: Pedro Pizarro ................................ ppizarro@stelmo79.org Administrative Assistant: Gladys Tejada ..... gtejada@stelmo79.org Church Address: 413 East 79th Street, NY, NY 10075 Parish Center Address: 406 East 80th Street, NY, NY 10075 Tel: 212-288-6250 Fax: 212- 570-1562 Email: info@stelmo79.org Our Offices are open: Monday ............................................................. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday ....................................................... Closed Saturday ................................................. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays......................1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Mass Schedule Daily Mass: Mon-Sat, 12 noon Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12pm & 5pm Confessions: Saturdays at 5pm or by appointment

Mass Intentions

Saturday, January 2nd Vigil 5:30 pm

Sunday, January 3rd Epiphany of the Lord 8:00 am

Mary J. Reilly

10:00 am

Pedro Ant. Litrenta

12:00 pm

All Parishioners

5:00 pm

John Gilsenaine

Monday, January 4th St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 12:00 pm

Annette Williams

Tuesday, January 5th St. John Neumann 12:00 pm

Teresa Mulvey

Wednesday, January 6th Christmas Weekday 12 pm

Souls in Purgatory

Thursday, January 7th Christmas Weekday 12:00 pm

Constantino Carela

Friday, January 8th Christmas Weekday 12:00 pm

Visit us at: www.stelmo79.org Follow us on social media by searching STELMO79

Rosemary & Dominic Borello

Berenice Blain

Saturday, January 9th Christmas Weekday 12pm

Antonio Jon

For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass to 3:00 pm.

Baptism Announcements Next Sunday, January 10th there will be a baptism service during the 12Noon Mass At this service we will be baptizing: Antonio Giles

Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass

Please join us in congratulating: Peter E, Giles& Maria E, Mujica on their child’s new life in Christ

Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Chaplet is Prayed each Friday Afternoon at 3:00 pm.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays at 5pm or by appointment

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 or age, and world like to have communion brought to them, please contact the Parish office, so that we can arrange for a Eucharistic Minister to bring communion to them.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK For all who are sick, especially those sick with COVID-19 virus & Joan McKeagney

All Victims of Military Activities

Baptism Services are open for members of the parish to join in the welcoming of our newest members

Today’s Readings

First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6).

Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72).

Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6).

Gospel — Magi from the east arrived, looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12).

The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Readings for the Week

Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a;

Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72: 1-2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30 Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11; Ps 29:1-4, 3,

9-10or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6; Acts 10:34-38 or

1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

Bread & Wine

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Vito Palumbo, John Lynch, Ama Bremont & Gloria M. Duffy

This Week’s Bread & Wine In Memory of Melchor Apostle Offered by Luis Valero

St. Stephen of Hungary School

Pre-K through 8th Grade Catholic Parochial School

408 East 82nd St., New York, NY 10028 (212) 288-1989 Fax: (212) 517 – 5788 Principal: Ms. Kelly Burke

www.saintstephenschool.org Interested in admissions to our parish school?

admissions@saintstephenschool.org

Parish Life Our Green Team has many new and exciting initiatives all centered around caring for our common home, Earth!

Join them for their first virtual meeting on the year, on Thursday, January 7th. If you are interested in joining them, please email greenteam@stelmo79.org so that you may be sent the Zoom link.

The Young Adult Ministry is a curated space for those ages 18 to 39.

In 2021, we will be hosting virtual events which will center on mindfulness and contemplative practices.

These gatherings will seek to relieve stress and increase focus all while deepening our relationship with God and each other. If you are interested in connecting with this group, or attending our events, please visit www.stelmo79.org/ya-ministry

We are hosting a 2nd Sunday Social on Sunday, January 10th at 1:00 PM! This is an opportunity to learn more about our parish and hear about opportunities to get involved. If you are interested in attending, please visit STELMO79.org to register by Thursday, January 9th.

The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. -USCCB If you are interested in forming a social justice ministry team that will work to help our Parish live out Catholic Social Teaching in a deeper way, please email Pastoral Associate, Jasmine Gomez at jgomez@stelmo79.org

You can go to ANY school building for FREE takeout meals!

On weekdays, between 9am – 12pm, families & students can pick up free grab-and-go meals On weekdays, between 3pm-5pm, multiple meals (breakfast & lunch) are available to the general public. ✔️ NO identification or registration is necessary ✔️ Vegetarian meals are available at all locations There will be NO food service available on December 25th (Christmas Day) & January 1st (New Year’s Day)

K-8 Parish Religious Education:

• We continue to meet online each Sunday morning – but will be taking December 27 and January 3 off for the Christmas holiday. Sessions resume January 10, 2021.

Adult Faith Formation:

• Our Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation, an informal discussion of the Sunday Scriptures, led by a facilitator, is open to all. We meet on Sundays 10:15 to 11:30am, in the Parish Center. Social distancing and face masks are required. Please join us! We will not meet on December 27 or January 3, but will resume on January 10. Learning more about your faith as an adult is an awesome New Year’s resolution!

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA):

If you have ever thought about becoming Catholic, or if you are a baptized Catholic who has not yet celebrated First Communion or Confirmation, please contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to discuss our adult initiation process (commonly known as the RCIA). You can begin this process at any time throughout the year, and options are available for face-to-face or Zoom meetings.

Bereavement Ministry

Seasons of Hope is our parish grief support

group. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you may find comfort and peace from gathering with others (live or virtually) in prayer and mutual support. The format is a 6-week series on Thursday evenings, led by trained facilitators, and including prayer, reflection, confidential discussion, and journaling, utilizing a program published by Ave Maria Press. We plan to meet live in the Parish Center (socially distanced with facemasks), but we will utilize Zoom if necessary. The first series will be offered January 7, 14, 21, 28, and February 4 and 11, and sessions are 7-8:30pm. Please contact Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to register, or register online at www.stelmo79.org/bereavement. There is no fee, but advance registration is required.

The Epiphany of the Lord epiph·a·ny | \ i-ˈpi-fə-nē \ plural epiphanies Definition of epiphany 1capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ 2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being 3a(1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b: a revealing scene or moment (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphany)

The visit of the Magi occurs directly before the story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. Matthew’s Gospel tells a version of Jesus’ birth that is different than the one in Luke. Of the actual birth of Jesus, Matthew tells us little more than, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod . . . ” The story of the census is found only in Luke’s Gospel, but we hear about the visit of the Magi only in Matthew’s Gospel.

We know little about the Magi. They come from the East and journey to Bethlehem, following an astrological sign, so we believe them to be astrologers. We assume that there were three Magi based upon the naming of their three gifts. The Gospel does not say how many Magi paid homage to Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel, they represent the Gentiles’ search for a savior. Because the Magi represent the entire world, they also represent our search for Jesus.

We have come to consider the gifts they bring as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ role in salvation. We believe the meaning of the gifts to be Christological. Gold is presented as representative of Jesus’ kingship. Frankincense is a symbol of his divinity because priests burned the substance in the Temple. Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead for burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus’ death.

The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” Historically several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana. https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/epiphany-of-the-lord-sunday-connection/

For reflection: • How has Christ been revealed to me this Christmas season? Where have I seen the presence of God in our world this year?

• How have I made Christ manifest – known – to others this Christmas season? How might I be a “star,” leading others to Christ, during 2021?

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord – January 10, 2021 It’s simple. 1. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells. 2. Reflect on the questions assigned for each day. 3. Make some resolution about how what you read can be lived that day. 4.

Then thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

The Gospel according to Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Monday

Was there something in this reading that spoke to me? Comforted me? Challenged me? What was it? Why did it have this effect on me?

Tuesday

In Mark’s gospel account, there is no story of Jesus’ birth. Mark begins with the preaching of John the Baptist, and Jesus appears on the scene as an adult, being baptized by John. In what way was my own baptism the beginning of the good news (“gospel”) about me?

Wednesday

John recognized his role as calling others to be prepared for the coming of Jesus into the world. In what way am I called, like John the Baptist, to prepare others for the coming of Christ, or to recognize Jesus in our midst?

Thursday

While John baptized with water, he referred to Jesus as the one who would “baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Each of us received an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at our own baptism. How do I recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life?

Friday

Each of us is a beloved daughter or son of God, with whom God is well pleased. Take a moment to reflect on that, and imagine God saying those words to you.

Saturday

Take some time this week to recall your own baptism. If possible, talk to someone who was there with you (parent, godparent, sibling, etc.) and ask them to tell you about it. Look up the date of your baptism and celebrate that date each year as the birthday of your new life in Christ.

From the Pastor 01.03.2021 Christmas Thanks Christmas has come and gone. It has been a Christmas unlike any other. Gone were the parties, the tree lightings, the concerts, the tourists. Gone were the crowds at the stores, on the sidewalks in the subways and buses. It is a mazing that a virus, that we were just beginning to hear about last Christmas, could have so altered our world.

And yet Christmas happened. We DID have an Advent season, with carols and masses and religious education. We did have Christmas gatherings, if only online, where parish groups such as the parish council met and toasted the holiday in “Zoomtail” hours. We did have a Christmas concert, which was unforgettable. We sang carols on the church steps we decorated our church AND we had Christmas masses, which while also smaller and different, we livestreamed so that many more could be with us virtually as we celebrated the birth of Jesus.

All this was possible because of so many of you. However, I need to thank John Zupan our Music Director who coordinated the music and conducted the concert; Maryann Tyrer our pastoral associate for Christian formation, who organized servers and hospitality while also shepherding her religious education program; Jasmine Gomez, our pastoral associate for parish life, who operated our new state-of-the-art livestreaming equipment; Guillermo Vanegas our plant manager, who along with our Sacristan Pedro Pizarro cleaned disinfected and helped decorate our beautiful church in preparation for the holidays. I need to thank our office staff who folded worship aids and distributed tickets for masses and events. Thanks as well go out to our servers, especially servers such as Anne Sabatini who were here constantly serving when others could not or would not serve due to the pandemic. I mention these few names but there are so many others.

And of course, there are all of you, who support our parish with your presence, your prayers and your support. This pandemic has been the end of many institutions in our city and in our world but thank God St. Monica – St. Elizabeth of Hungary – St. Stephen of Hungary will not be one of them. Our parish survives and our school is strong and growing. That is due to God, of course, but also due to you. Or perhaps better put God working through us all.

Thank you.

2021 is coming. Despite the weather, slowly but surely the days are now getting longer. Spring is coming. The vaccine is here. Amidst the months of difficulties to come, there is hope. I wish you all a healthy happy start into the New Year. Together as a parish we will make it through.

Father Baker

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS 511510: Church of St. Monica/ St Elizabeth of Hungary / St Stephen of Hungary 406 East 80th Street, NYC., NY 10075 PHONE: 212 288-6250 CONTACT PERSON: Gladys Tejada/Office

SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 3rd, 2021 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE PRINT 450 BULLETINS FOR THIS WEEK’S ISSUE