February 23, 2020

The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary & St. Stephen of Hungary

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-FEBRUARY 23RD, 2020

Ash Wednesday - P. 7

February 26, 2020 in the Church

Just a Word - P. 9

from your Pastor February 23rd, 2020

ICON PAINTING WORKSHOP - P. 6

March 2-6, 7-9pm each evening

FEB 23 2020

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

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

Mass Schedule

Daily Mass: Mon-Sat, 12 noon Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm

For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center.

Below are this week’s intentions.

SATURDAY

February 22nd Vigil

5:30 pm.

Carolyn Croke (Living)

SUNDAY Febrero 23rd Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am.

Susan Gantt Helstein 10:00 am.

Deceased memeber sof the Doherty Family 12NOON All Parishioners 5:00 pm.

Teresa OKeffe MONDAY

February 24th Weekday

12NOON

TUESDAY

Leilani Molina (Living)

12NOON

Adam Armetta

WEDNESDAY

February 26th Ash Wednesday

February 25th Weekday

7:30 AM Kathleen DelGaudio 12NOON Robert McAuvic 3PM Prayer Service 6PM William Finneran THURSDAY February 27th Thursday after Ash Wednesday 12 NOON Anna Corra FRIDAY February 28th Friday after Ash Wednesday 12NOON

Elizabeth Ford

SATURDAY February 29th Saturday after Ash Wednesday 12NOON

Madeline Carbonaro

After all weekdays Masses

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 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: 5:00 pm. and Saturdays 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.

Please remember in your prayers

Treasures of our Tradition ASH WEDNESDAY Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving: these disciplines, prescribed by Jesus himself in the Sermon on the Mount, along with strict instructions not to flaunt them in public to win recognition and praise (Matthew 6:1-18), have been embraced by all the saints at the beginning of every Lent for almost two thousand years. But mention Lent, and many react with a grimace or slight shudder—even now, years after official obligations have been reduced to a minimum! No wonder the Eastern Rite’s “Lenten Announcement” sounds surprising: “Let us receive with joy, O faithful people, the divinely inspired announcement of Lent! The Lenten Spring shines forth! Begin the fast with joy! Let us fast from passions as well as food, taking pleasure in the good works of the Spirit, and accomplishing them in love!” Saint John Chrysostom, whose feast is September 13, elaborates: “Do you fast? Give proof by your works. If you see a poor person, take pity. An enemy, be reconciled. A friend gaining honor, don’t be jealous.” A positive approach! May the saints help us keep such a Lent!

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

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — Take no revenge and cherish no grudge; love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18).

Psalm — The Lord is kind and merciful (Psalm 103).

Second Reading — You are the temple of God, and holy (1 Corinthians 3:16-23).

Gospel — Offer no resistance; love your enemies (Matthew 5:38-48).

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please remember in your prayers

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.

Patricia Kaye, Elinor Flatow, Luis Cesar, Eileen Maloney, Zulma Power, Richard Baldwin, Judith Baron, Glenn Allen Jean Stephens & Pamela Ruggio

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

ALL VICTIMS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please pray for our deceased parishioners & family members William Hogan, Felix Parra, Kathryn Arnold, Estrella Flores,Luis Felipe Pereira, Richard Brown, Donald Carroll, Albert Walsh & Jose Gutierrez

Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday

Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Rom 5:1

Jas 3:13-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 9:14-29 Jas 4:1-10; Ps 55:7-11a, 23; Mk 9:30-37 Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 — 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; 2-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11

THE LITURGICAL MUSIC OF LENT I can’t believe that the season of Lent is fast approaching. Our wonderful Christmas season is over and done.

We are at the end of Winter Ordinary Time. We as a parish community again begin our journey of renewal and purification. The season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that leads us to nurture humble, contrite and merciful hearts is upon us. This year through our RCIA program, we have Bal Das and Brad Ludwin who will begin their final weeks of preparation for their baptism which will take place at the Easter Vigil. Their journey, as they grow through the process of understanding the riches hidden in Christ, becomes our journey as the baptized to further understand those riches and repent. We also have Carolyn Koleszar who is already baptized but now wishes to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church through confirmation and eucharist.

As we begin the liturgical season of Lent, we have two very noticeable changes that happen every Lent; the Gloria is omitted, and the Gospel Alleluia is silenced until the Great Easter Vigil.

In the Ceremonial of Bishops, a book that describes the Church services to be performed in the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church., we are reminded of the dual nature of Lent: “Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery” (CB, 249). In the Paschale solemnitatis, the circular letter concerning the preparation and celebration of the Easter Feasts, it recommends that on the First Sunday of Lent, “there should be some distinctive elements that underline this important moment; e.g., the entrance procession with the litanies of the saints.” (PS 23) So, with the emphasis on baptism and the importance of marking the season, we will begin our first Sunday of Lent by gathering and singing the Litany of Saints. What a wonderful way to begin our Lenten journey in communion with the saints that will accompany Bal and Brad to the baptismal font at the Easter Vigil!

To further highlight the penitential nature of Lent, we will be extending the Penitential Act. We will be asked to kneel (if you are able) and pray in silence. Then we will sing Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison. We will return to the setting we learned last year, the Kyrie chant from the Gregorian Mass known as Missa Orbis Factor.

Further in the Paschale solemnitatis it also states: “In Lent the altar should not be decorated with flowers, and musical instruments may be played only to give the necessary support to the singing. This is in order that the penitential character of the season be preserved” (PS 17) In addition, it is recommended that the Eucharistic acclamations used for Lent be very simple and sung with as little accompaniment as possible. With these musical guidelines in mind, we will be using Mass parts from two simple chant settings. The gospel acclamation “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ” will be set to the Missa Orbis Factor which is the same setting as the Kyrie. The Holy, the Memorial Acclamation, and Lamb of God (in English) is the chant setting from the Roman Missal. This is the same setting we used last Lent so hopefully it will be familiar. If you would like to review the setting it can be found in our Ritual Song 2 Hymnal #239, #242C & #245.

The last notable change for our Lenten season will be in the concluding rites of the Mass. In all our church documents there is no appointed recessional psalm/hymn/song. The Mass simply ends and we as Catholics are sent forth into the world to spread the Gospel message. A final hymn certainly helps with the movement of the presider and liturgical ministers from the altar but again nothing is appointed. So, to further move into the reflective nature of Lent we will have instrumental music in place of a hymn. If you remember we started this practice last year.

Lastly, before the 12 noon Mass begins, our choir will be chanting the Introit – an antiphon and psalm appointed for each Sunday of Lent. If you would like to listen to the old chants from centuries past, I recommend you get to church a little early. It is a beautiful way to help prepare you for the celebration of the Eucharist.

John Zupan

K-8 Religious Education • We are in session each Sunday, 10:15-11:45am in the Parish Center.

• Our next Family Faith Formation will be on Sunday, March 1st, 9-11:45am. This is in place of regular religious education that day.

• First Communion Family Retreats are coming up next month: o For those who will be celebrating First Communion on April 25 o For the whole family, but candidate and at least one parent must attend o Parish Religious Ed and Caedmon students: Saturday, March 7, 2-5pm in the Parish Center o St. Stephen of Hungary students: Wednesday, March 11, 5:30-7:30pm in the School Auditorium 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.

• 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!

Family Faith Formation

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ICON PAINTING WORKSHOP

• March 2-6, 7-9pm each evening

in our parish center - 406 E. 80th • $250 fee covers all materials and

expert instruction • NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! • Pre-registration at the parish office is required.

Sunday, March 1st, 9-11:45am, in the Parish Center The whole family is invited, but at least one parent must attend with each child Lenten-themed interactive learning, hands on activities, prayer and reflection, and a snack!

No cost – just register at the door at 9am.

Questions? Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org

“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

Ash Wednesday – February 26, 2020, in the Church • 7:30am Mass (with distribution of ashes within the Mass) • 12noon Mass (with distribution of ashes within the Mass) • 3pm Prayer Service (with distribution of ashes within the service) • 6pm Mass (with distribution of ashes within the Mass) Thursdays in Lent - Feb. 27, March 5, 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 – Feb. 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 • Stations of the Cross following the 12noon Mass in the Church • (Every Friday) Spoken Vespers at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (in the Parish Center) Saturdays in Lent – Feb. 29, 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 Family Faith Formation – Sunday, March 1, 9-11:45am in the Parish Center • Interactive event for families with school-age children to learn together about their faith • A parent/guardian must attend with each child • No charge – just sign in when you arrive at 9am Icon Painting Workshop – March 2-6, 7-9pm each evening, in the Parish Center • Pre-registration and fee payment required – contact the parish office for more information 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 • Open to all!

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

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 4:1-11 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Sunday

as there something in this reading that spoke to me? Comforted me? Challenged me? What was it?

W Why did it have this effect on me?

Monday

e Gospel says that Jesus was led into desert to be tempted. Nowadays we don’t have to go so far.

Th What would the devil offer me in the desert? Jesus quoted Scripture each time to defend himself.

What do I do?

Tuesday

J esus’ first temptation is hunger for food; he had been fasting. We practice a faint reflection of this rigorous discipline when we “give up something” for Lent or when we abstain from meat on Lenten Fridays. Have I ever truly given something up for God? For someone else? What did I learn from that that I can use in my relationship with God??

Wednesday

J esus’ second temptation is pride; the devil challenged him to revel that he was God’s Son by glorifying himself, rather than through the humility of the cross. It is still common to refer to suffering or a burden as our “cross”. What is my cross? Do I shoulder it willingly as Jesus would soon do, or would the devil’s offer sound good to me?

Thursday

J esus’ final temptation is power; He could rule the world, all he had to do is break one little commandment – which is of course the first of the ten Commandments – worship God alone. None of us believe we commit idolatry. And yet, each day we put things in our lives ahead of our worship and service of God. What have I done today to put God first in my life? (yes, this prayer counts).

Friday

fter Jesus’ temptation is finished, it says Angels came and ministered to him. The word Angel A means “messenger”. Jesus was comforted, supported, strengthened by these messengers. Have I ever been ministered to by an angel? When was it? And what was God’s message for me? (Remember, they don’t all have wings).

Just a Word

from your Pastor February 23rd, 2020 Bulletin Changes When we first hired Jasmine Gomez as Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, some of you said, “Great Idea father. . . but what is she gonna do?” I hope that by this time everyone sees at least part of her job is to oversee all the ways in which the parish communicates with us and we with one another. Those of you who have signed up on our social media platforms get regular updates and reports about what is going on. However, there are still parishioners who get their information through the bulletin distributed after mass. With all the focus on the internet and social media, you might have thought that the bulletin was neglected.

However, Jasmine and the rest of us have been at work on the bulletin too. If everything goes as planned, this weekend the bulletin should look different; more color, more content and bigger. In the weeks and months to come, we will include more voices; parishioners will report on their ministries and parish and school activities. Members of our parish staff will write periodic columns detailing aspects of their ministries or teaching some aspect of Catholic faith or practice. Mike Ward will write a periodic column about parish finances. I will write my weekly column, and of course there will be all the basic information on mass intentions, schedules, Treasures from the Tradition, marriage banns, baptismal announcements that you have come to expect.

5 Minute Jesus One thing that will be new is an opportunity to engage in something that our Parish Council has done for several years and found a very rewarding way to begin meetings. We take the Gospel for the coming Sunday and we pray over it; we read it slowly and then we ask ourselves questions about it and discuss it. It has been so successful, that the parish staff thought it might be good to open up this way of praying to the whole parish.

So, in this bulletin you will find a new section called: “5 Minute Jesus”, it is an invitation to reflect on the Gospel reading all week long in preparation for Sunday. Each week the Gospel for the following week will be printed. Along with it, you will find a series of questions for each day of the week. In this way you can keep the page from the bulletin at home. You can pin it to the fridge. You can stick it in your briefcase or purse. And when you have five minutes, you can take the page, reread the gospel slowly and prayerfully, and then reflect for a few minutes on the question for the day. At the end you finish by thinking of some way your reflection could be lived out that day in your life, and by just saying a brief thank you to God. Those people who subscribe to our social media sites will get this as a daily reminder; a link to the Gospel Reading and the Question for the Day. For those who have had a little more formal training, this method of reading the bible is not called “5 Minute Jesus” of course; it’s called Lectio Divina. It is one of the oldest ways Christians have studied and prayed with Scripture. We hope that it becomes the newest way for many of us. At very least we hope that it will be a way you enter into the spirit of prayer and reflection this Lent.

“Why did they say that?!”

A couple of months ago I wrote in a column that another aspect of our parish’s outreach will be through the spoken word; Podcasts! I introduced the idea of a podcast series titled, “Why Did They Say That?!” which would take some difficult to understand Bible passage and unpack it, explaining it in its context and helping people to understand how that passage might be Good News to us.

I asked people to send me examples of stories, bible passages, etc. that they did not understand . . . and I waited (sound of Crickets). Actually, one person did write me (thank you!), but I want to have at least five to do the series. So, I am asking again; are their bible stories, passages, etc. that you have heard for years and have wondered “Why did they say THAT?!”

Here’s your chance to find out! I want the podcast to appear during the Easter Season, so I need to start now! Just email me at frdcab@stelmo79.org or write me a note and drop it by the parish offices.

Father Baker

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