March 1, 2020

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

March 1, 2020

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Just a Word - P. 9 from your Pastor

Life Faith Formation P. 7

ICON PAINTING WORKSHOP - P. 6

March 2-6, 7-9pm each evening

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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 29th Vigil

5:30 pm.

Gail Kirwan

SUNDAY

March 1st First Sunday of Lent

8:00 am.

10:00 am.

12NOON 5:00 pm.

Edmund Flood Sam LaForte All Parishioners Anne Keating

MONDAY

March 2nd Lenten Weekday

12NOON

TUESDAY

Jane Sentuge

12NOON

Thanksgiving to St. Agata

WEDNESDAY

March 4th Lenten Weekday

12NOON

Earl & Anna Heumann, Robert & Jeanne Atkinson & Sister Jeanne Atkinson

THURSDAY

March 5th Lenten Weekday

12NOON

Lawrence Gore

FRIDAY

March 6th Lenten Weekday

12NOON

John O’Donoghue

SATURDAY

March 7th Lenten Weekday

12NOON

Dorothy Williams

March 3rd Lenten Weekday

After all weekdays Masses

Treasures of our Tradition

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL (1858-1955)

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 PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please remember in your prayers Pamela Ruggio, Glenda Limongi, Patricia Kaye, Zulma Power, Judith Baron, Jean Stephens & Pamela Ruggio

March 3 Born into Philadelphia society, Katharine was an infant when she lost her mother. Her father remarried and the couple taught their daughters that their wealth was a “gift on loan” to be shared with the poor, whom they fed and cared for in their home. Invited by priest friends to witness firsthand the destitution on Native American reservations, Katharine resolved to devote her inheritance to this apostolate and enter a contemplative order. When, however, in private audience, she begged Leo XIII to send missionaries to staff the schools she was building, the pope replied, “My child, why not become a missionary yourself?” Katharine renounced a twenty-million-dollar fortune and founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, adoring Christ present in the Eucharist and ministering to Christ suffering in victims of racial discrimination.

Her Sisters established over sixty schools nationwide, including Xavier University, New Orleans, the first dedicated to professional education for African Americans. In 2000, John Paul II canonized “Mother Drexel,” praising her “excellent example of practical charity and generous solidarity with the less fortunate, long the distinguishing mark of American Catholics.”

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

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The man and the woman ate the fruit of the one tree that God had told them to avoid, and their shame overtook them (Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7).

Psalm — Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (Psalm 51).

Second Reading — Death reigned from Adam to Moses, but now grace and life abound in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]).

Gospel — Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit and there he fasted for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-11).

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.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15;Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 ALL VICTIMS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, Please pray for our deceased parishioners & family members Thursday:

7c-8;Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Raymond Valentine Timney, Saturday:

Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Glen Allen, William Hogan, Kathryn Arnold, Mt 5:43-48 Estrella Flores, Luis Felipe Pereira, Sunday:

Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Richard Brown, Donald Carroll, Albert Walsh

2 Tm 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9 & Jose Gutierrez

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

Saints in the Spotlight This new series will appear at least once a month and will feature information on the Saints whose images adorn our beautiful church.

SAINT PATRICK (c. 385-461) March 17

Patrick was born in Scotland, the son of a Roman soldier. At fourteen he was

captured by Irish raiders and enslaved for six years, forced to herd and tend sheep. After several attempts he was able to escape and returned to his homeland. Later he was ordained to the priesthood, and at the age of forty-six he returned to Ireland from the north as a bishop and missionary. Using the knowledge of the language and culture that he gained during his captivity, Patrick dedicated himself to evangelizing the leaders of the tribes, starting with the most influential and powerful. Despite threats against his life, he continued to preach the Gospel, founding convents, monasteries, and parishes. He strove to Christianize the pagan rites such as the Druid spring fires, which he transformed into the Easter Vigil’s “new fire,” openly defying the customs imposed by the priests of the Celtic religion. This almost cost him his life, but his victory was also one for Christianity. The patron saint of Ireland is also known for using the shamrock to teach the Holy Trinity, and he recast a Celtic “talisman” into the still-popular “Saint Patrick's Breastplate” (Christ Before Me).

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

Fr. Peter Pearson returns for our popular annual Icon Painting Workshop.

No previous experience is necessary - Fr. Peter will walk us through all of the steps for creating your own beautiful icon of St. Therese of Lisieux (image included next to this announcement). The workshop will be held nightly March 2nd - March 6th from 7 to 9pm in our Parish Center. The fee is $250 and Pre-registration is required.

Please contact the Parish Center to sign up

Care for Our Common Home Ministry, also known as St. Monica's Green Team is dedicated to education, service, and advocacy on behalf of the natural world, following the teachings of Pope Francis.

Please join us on Wednesday, March 4th at 6:30pm in the Parish Center; new members are welcome.

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? Don’t worry, we will have sparkling apple cider on hand!

Don’t fit into the age group? Don’t worry, we’re not checking IDs ;-) all are truly welcomed so grab a friend and join us!

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

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 –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 –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 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 1st Sunday of Lent, Bal Das and Brad Ludwin will be sent to the Cathedral for the Archdiocesan Rite of Election, joining hundreds of other catechumens. Cardinal Dolan will “elect” these catechumens for the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

On the 2nd Sunday of Lent, our candidates, Carolyn Koleszar and Louisa Jelaco will participate in the Penitential Rite for Candidates 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.

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.

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

from your Pastor March 1st, 2020 Can you hear me now? . . . maybe not yet, but hopefully soon. Starting March 9th, Monte Brothers, the company who installed our sound system is coming to install a new one. They will be working in the church that week to install a new speaker and microphone system that will reduce echo and eliminate those ‘dead zones’ in the church where people say they cannot hear clearly.

This sound system will not only benefit our lectors and cantors but also will give much greater flexibility in amplifying multiple voices, be they readers of the Palm Sunday Passion or voices at one of our many concerts.

During the week of March 9th there will be several days when the church will close immediately following the 12-noon mass. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this might cause, and we hope that at the end of the installation we will have a sound system which fills our church with clear voices and beautiful song.

Catholic Climate Declaration Statement Several weeks ago, we put out for parish review a statement from the Catholic Climate Covenant, an organization inspired and supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA, which seeks to grow ecological awareness and the need to implement Catholic social teaching on the environment.

Our “Green Team” (a.k.a. our Care for our Common Home group) reviewed the document and asked if we as a parish could sign on. The parish Council decided to put it before you for comment. Any comments we received were supportive of the goals stated in the document and so we have decided to officially add our parish’s name to the growing list of churches across the nation calling us all to be the stewards of God’s Creation that God created us to be.

While New York parishes served by religious orders have signed the declaration, we will be the first diocesan parish in Archdiocese of New York to do so.

St. John Paul II High School Choir Back when I was in seminary, I had a lot of friends who for one reason or another discerned that celibate priesthood was not for them. Most of the time when they left, they disappeared. The seminary was so much a part of the relationship that when it was removed, there was not much left.

But not always. One of the exceptions was Richard Fish, who has remained a trusted friend of mine since the seminary.

An exceptional musician and choir director, he has worked as music director in parishes in the Boston area, taught music in private school, and is currently the director of Performing Arts at the St. John Paul II High School, Hyannis, MA. Every year his high school choir tours during their Spring Break. Some of the parents of students at St. Stephen of Hungary might remember his school coming and offering a day-time concert to our students a year or two ago. This year they are coming to New York again and Richard asked me if they could sing at mass here. In this way their tour isn’t just about performance but prayer. And they get to share both with us.

I was thrilled to welcome them to sing at the 10am mass on Sunday, March 15th. They will offer music during mass from their repertoire but will also lead us in the singing of the parts of the mass. As this takes place in Lent the mass parts will be Gregorian chant, as is our custom. It will be wonderful to have their voices (54 of them!) as we worship on that day.

I hope if your schedule allows, you will be able to attend the 10am mass that day.

Father Baker

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