March 8, 2020

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

SECOND SUNDAY

MARCH 8, 2020

JUST A WORD FROM YOUR PASTOR

SOCIAL & GREEN TEAM

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LENT & HOLY WEEK (Page 7)

SCHOOL INFORMATION

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Mission Statement The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and 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 and 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. Jim O’Shea and 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: 413 East 79th Street, NY, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th Street, NY, NY 10075 Tel: 212-288-6250 Fax: 212- 570-1562 Office Hours Monday ........................................ 9:00 am.- 5:00 pm Tuesday - Thursday ................ 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday ..................................... Closed Saturday .............................. 10:00 am- 2:00 pm

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

Mass Intentions Saturday, March 7th Vigil 5:30 pm Adriana Marcella & Angelo Vellucci & Pietro Ciccaglione

Sunday, March 8th Second Sunday of Lent 8:00 am

James Francis Dana

10:00 am

Anna Boller

12:00pm

All Parishioners

5:00 pm

Carmel & Josephine Xuereb

Monday, March 9th Lenten Weekday

12:00pm Giselle PeĂąa

Tuesday, March 10th Lenten Weekday 12:00pm

Wednesday, March 11th Lenten Weekday

12:00pm Helen & Richard Kirwan

Thursday, March 12th Lenten Weekday 12:00pm Walter & Mary Ferber

Friday, March 13th Lenten Weekday

Sunday ................................... Closed Our Offices

12:00pm

Close for Lunch ....................1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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

Werner Hertzel

Victor Vensas

Saturday, March 14th Lenten Weekday

12:00pm Priscilla Morse

For intentions, please visit the Parish Center

After all weekdays Masses

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Treasures of our Tradition

Baptisms & Marriages:

Nature and human nature—plagues and wars—turned late medieval Rome into a living hell, particularly for the sick and poor.

Frances, by birth and marriage well provided for, was a devoted wife and mother; but like Benedictine Oblates, who to this day “pray and work” while living with their families and working in the world, she joined like-minded laywomen friends in ministering to society’s most vulnerable. Frances’ charity was not only “hands on” but “in home.” Her palace became a hospital after the plague claimed two of her three children. When her husband’s death ended their loving marriage of forty years, Frances joined other widowed Oblates in community. In an interesting link to the United States, our nation’s premier religious congregation for women of color, the Oblate Sisters of Providence, in 1833 established bonds of spiritual communion with these Oblates of Saint Frances in Rome. Though Black History Month is past, take a moment to learn about the good work that Mother Lange’s spiritual daughters are doing still and consider supporting them as a Lenten project: www.oblatesisters.com.

Please call the rectory office for more information.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co

Every Friday after the Noon Mass to 3:00 pm.

Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass

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

Sacrament of Reconciliation: 5-5:30 pm Saturdays & by appointment

Communion for the Homebound:

TODAY’S READINGS

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please remember in your prayers

First Reading — The LORD said to Abram: All the families of the earth shall find blessing in you (Genesis 12:1-4a) Psalm — Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Psalm 33).

Second Reading — God has called us to a holy life, not because of our works but according to grace (2 Timothy 1:8b-10).

Gospel — Atop a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-9).

Cassie Foley, Lillian Banks, Bill Banks, James Quinn, Pamela Ruggio, Glenda Limongi, Judith Baron & Jean Stephens

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

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.

Please remember in your prayers

ALL VICTIMS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please pray for our deceased parishioners & family members

Jake Comfort, Glen Allen, William Hogan, Kathryn Arnold, Richard Brown, Donald Carroll, Albert Walsh & Jose Gutierrez

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

Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21;

Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12;

Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday: Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8;

Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]

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

To purchase a ticket, please visit: sshauction2020.givesmart.com

Second Sunday Social Have you registered to be a member of our Parish within the last year? Or are you considering becoming a member? Join us for our Second Sunday Social! It will take place on Sunday, March 8th, right after the noon mass (meet at the back of the church).

You will meet Parish Staff and Seasoned Parishioners, you will get to tour the Parish grounds and hear about everything our Parish offers. Still not convinced to attend? Well we offer coffee and doughnuts to sweeten the deal!

Please RSVP by e-mailing Pastoral Associate, Jasmine Gomez at jgomez@stelmo79.org

Our Young Adult Ministry (ages 18-35) is sponsoring a Wine & Cheese. Meet us at the back of the church on March 22nd after the 5pm Mass. This is a great opportunity to meet Young Adults from our parish and neighboring parishes! Don’t drink alcohol? Under the age of 21 Don’t worry, we will have sparkling apple cider on hand! Over the age of 35? Don’t worry, we’re not checking IDs ;-) all are truly welcomed so grab a friend and join us!

Every Friday at 5:10pm, our community prays Vespers (Evening Prayer)!

This is a super easy way to unwind from the stress of the week and begin your weekend in a more prayerful state. All it takes is about 20-25 minutes! Consider joining us in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (408 East 80th St.).

Open to all New York State residents, the Drive Clean Rebate offers a point-ofsale rebate towards the purchase or lease of a new electric car. Taking advantage of the Drive Clean Rebate is very easy: simply purchase a qualifying electric car from a participating dealer, and a discount of up to $2,000 will be applied when you pay.

In addition, there is a Federal Tax Credit of up to $7,500, and electric cars are cheaper to maintain.

More than 40 models of electric cars are available from

major automobile manufacturers, and there are now more than 2,000 charging stations in the state of New York (including 15 within a few blocks of St. Monica’s!)

If you’d like to learn how much money you can save with an electric car, while also helping the environment, please check out the calculator at: https://nyserda.wattplan.com

K-8 Religious Education •

We are in session each Sunday, 10:15-11:45am in the Parish Center.

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First Communion Family Retreats are coming up this month:

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For children (and their families) who will be celebrating First Communion on April 25

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For the whole family, but candidate and at least one parent/guardian must attend

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Parish Religious Ed and Caedmon students: Saturday, March 7, 2-5pm in the Parish Center

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St. Stephen of Hungary students: Wednesday, March 11, 5:30-7:30pm in the School

Auditorium •

Family Masses coming up: March 7, and April 4, at 5:30pm in the Church.

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Living Stations of the Cross – Friday, March 20, 7pm in the Church.

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Prepared by and presented by the 7th and 8th graders of St. Stephen of Hungary School

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All are welcome to participate in this family-friendly prayer experience

Adult Faith Formation •

Our Sunday Morning Scripture Discussion Group is in session, and runs 10:15-11:45am in the Parish

Center each Sunday that Religious Education is in session. This group is open to any and all adults – you can become a “regular,” or just drop in occasionally as your schedule allows.

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During Lent, this group will also meet on Thursday evenings (7-8:30pm) in the Parish Center Chapel.

Adult Sacraments •

Adults thinking about becoming Catholic, or Catholic adults who have missed First Communion or

Confirmation – it’s never too late! Contact Maryann Tyrer, Pastoral Associate, to discuss our adult initiation process. You can begin the process any time throughout the year. Sessions are held on Sunday in the Parish Center following the noon Mass. All inquirers are welcome!

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) – During Lent, we pray in a special way for, and with, our catechumens (those preparing for baptism) and candidates (those preparing to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church).

On the 2nd Sunday of Lent (March 8th) , our candidates, Carolyn Koleszar and Louisa Jelaco will participate in the Penitential Rite for Candidates at our noon Mass here at our parish. We will pray with them that God would remove any sinfulness, and strengthen them to be received into the Catholic faith, and to celebrate their Confirmation and First Communion.

On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent (March 15, 22, and 29), our Elect, Bal Das and Brad Ludwin, will participate in the Scrutinies at our noon Mass here at our parish. We will pray with them that God will free them from sin and the power of evil, and strengthen them as they make their final preparations for the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

While these catechumens and candidates are preparing for the Easter Sacraments, all of us are preparing to renew our own baptismal promises at Easter, and hopefully to deepen our understanding and appreciation of our own baptismal covenant with God.

“Each year You give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed.”

- from the Preface of Lent I

Thursdays in Lent - March 12, 19, 26, April 2 •

Adult Scripture Discussion - 7-8:30pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (in the Parish Center)

Fridays in Lent –March 13, 20, 27, April 3 •

Stations of the Cross following the 12noon Mass in the Church

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(Every Friday) Spoken Vespers at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (in the Parish Center)

Saturdays in Lent –March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 •

Sung Vespers at 5pm in the Church before the 5:30pm Vigil Mass

Sundays in Lent – March 8, 15, 22 only •

Adult Scripture Discussion – 10:15-11:45am in the Parish Center

Living Stations of the Cross – Friday, March 20, 7pm in the church •

Prepared and presented by the 7th & 8th graders of St. Stephen of Hungary School

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Open to all!

Family Masses – Saturday, March 7, and Saturday, April 4, 5:30pm in the church

Passion (Palm) Sunday •

Regular Mass Schedule April 4th & 5th

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The 5:30pm Mass on April 4th will be a Family Mass

Reconciliation Monday – April 6th – all Archdiocesan churches, including ours, will hear confessions in the church from 3-8pm. Confessions are also heard every Saturday at 5pm in the church.

The full Holy Week Schedule will be in next week’s bulletin.

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – Second Sunday of Lent - March 8, 2020 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 Matthew 17:1-9 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,“Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Sunday

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?

Monday

The Gospel says that Jesus led Peter James and John up a high mountain. This story is one of the roots of the

expression “mountaintop experience”; a transformative moment or experience in our life. Have I ever had a

mountaintop experience? What did it do for me? What did it teach me? Where was God on that mountaintop

with me?

Tuesday

Once on the mountaintop we discover Moses and Elijah are there. They are there to say that Jesus is the

fulfillment of everything the Law commands and the prophets preached. The Law and the Prophets are how

people in Jesus’ day referred to their “Bible”. Do I read the Bible - even if it is just the readings at mass? And

when I do, what do I hear? Are there moments when Moses, Elijah or Jesus himself speak to me?

What do they say? How do I respond?

Wednesday

Peter loved the mountaintop. He was even willing to build tents so that they could stay! Have I ever had a

mountaintop experience where I tried to stay? What happened to the experience then? Why did it happen? What

happened to me as a result?

Thursday

The “bright cloud” and the voice remind Peter, James and John of who Jesus truly is, and what they have to do:

listen to him! They are terrified. But when they DO listen to Jesus, his first words are “Do not be afraid”.

Scholars tell us that Jesus says “do not be afraid” more times than any other sentence in the Gospels. It must have

been very important for the first Christians to hear Jesus say that. Is it for me? Have I ever been afraid? Truly

terrified? What would it have meant for me to hear God say, “Do not be afraid” to me?

Did I hear that in some way? What was my reaction?

Friday

Sooner or later we have to come down off the mountain. And then we begin to tell others about our awesome

experience. But why did Jesus tell his friends they could not tell anyone about it? Have I ever tried to share an

experience with someone – and they did not understand? How did that feel? What did they need to see and

experience what I did?

And why was it so important that they remain silent until “the Son of Man had been raised from the dead”?

Just a Word

Lenten Odds and Ends

from your Pastor March 8th, 2020

Although the season of Lent has just begun as I write this, as you read my column it is already Lent’s second Sunday. Our Icon painting seminar is over (thank you, Father Peter Pearson) and we are moving through this season of renewal and return.

If you are still looking for something that will challenge the status quo in your faith life, or are simply wanting something special for Lent, may I make a few suggestions? None of them take much time but can be ways to mark the Lenten Season.

1) Daily Mass. Our daily mass is Monday through Friday at 12 noon. I know; it is not exactly

convenient for people who work outside the parish. But we Catholics live from the Word of God and

the Sacraments. The daily mass has both. Most daily masses take less than half an hour, thus giving

the following 30 minutes for a quick lunch. Even if you can come to St. Monica, daily mass can be

a way of deepening our connection to our faith and thus our God.

2) Vespers. Say what? Vespers also called evening prayer is prayed every Friday at 5:10 in the

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel at 406 E 80th St. It is quiet spoken service, with time for quiet prayer.

The custom of Vespers is ancient. It is rooted in the Jewish rhythm of daily prayer that Jesus prayed.

It was taken up by the early Christian church and formed the backbone for the prayer services celebrated

to this day in monasteries and convents all over the world. Vespers can’t be just sampled. It takes a bit of

practice to enter into the service, to learn to open up and listen to the Psalms that are prayed, the

readings that are read, and in that way join with people all over the world who are praying those same

psalms and reading those same readings. During Lent we also an abbreviated version of Vespers in

the main church at 5pm right before the 5:30pm Saturday evening vigil mass.

3) Scripture Sharing. Every Thursday evening at 7pm a group of adults gathers in the Chapel on

E 80th St. They sit with the readings we will hear on the coming Sunday. They read them, discuss

them and share their insights, ask their questions and seek answers to the challenges posed in the

readings. This also happens on Sunday mornings at 10:15 in the Parish Center on 80th St. You

don’t need a graduate degree in the Bible or Theology; just a desire to understand and find real

connections between our daily lives and the readings we hear week after week.

4) 5 Minute Jesus. For those who want to reflect on the Scriptures but can’t come on Thursdays or

Sunday mornings, we are placing in the bulletin each week a scripture reflection guide called

“5 minute Jesus” The Gospel for the coming Sunday is printed with questions to guide your reflection

each day of the week. Tear the page out of the printed bulletin and carry it with you through

the week or go to our website or social media for each day’s question.

5) Confession. Yes. I know. It has been a while. Yet nevertheless, during the Lenten season a good

confession is appropriate. We offer Confession from 5:00pm to about 5:25pm on Saturdays.

The Archdiocese also asks that we have priests in the church from 3-9pm on Monday of Holy

Week. Called Reconciliation Monday, this is an opportunity for people to receive the sacrament

of reconciliation before Easter. Confessions are also heard following the Tenebrae Services on

Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday at 10am.

Our parish’s motto for the year is printed on a banner on the outside of the church. It reads “The Hope of the Harvest is in the Seed.” What does this sentence suggest to you? Reflect on that this Lent. Look for some seed to plant in your life and the lives of others. Perhaps some of these Lenten prayer practices might just be one of those seeds, that will reap a harvest of renewed commitment, community and faith this Lent.

Father Baker

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