October 11, 2020

Twenty Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time

Oct. 11, 2020

JUST A WORD From our Pastor (Page 9)

FAITH FORMATION

(Page 6)

FIVE MINUTES 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

Mass Intentions

Saturday,October 10th, Vigil

5:30 pm

Werner Hertzel

Sunday, October 11th Twenty Eight Sunday In Ordinary Time

8:00 am

Thomas Moynihan

10:00 am John Tolve 12:00 pm

All Parishioners

5:00 pm

Kathleen Shortt

Monday, October 12th Weekday

12:00 pm

Souls in Purgatory

Tuesday, October 13th Weekday

12:00 pm

Mort Shepetin

Wednesday, October 14th Weekday

12:00 pm

Victor Vensas

Our Offices are open:

Thursday, October 15th

Monday ............................................................. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

St. Teresa of Jesus

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

12:00 pm

Friday, October 16th Weekday

12:00 pm

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

Brian Thompson

Saturday, October 17th St. Ignatius Of Antioch

12:00 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

Jorge A. Lopez Ovejero

Adam Armetta

For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center.

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: 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 Frank Penepento, Matthew D’Ortona, Lirika Buzhala, Kip Silverman, Mona Gilsenaine, Joanne Jack, Jennifer Garcia & Lucille Clats

Treasures of our Tradition SAINT TERESA OF JESUS (1515-1582) October 15 Let nothing disturb you; let nothing frighten you. Gifted with a passionate spirit, young Teresa dreamed of converting Muslims and becoming a martyr. All things are passing; God never changes. But her mother’s death when Teresa was fourteen inspired lifelong devotion to Our Lady, and Teresa entered the Carmelites, Mary’s order, despite her father’s objections and her own fragile health. Patience gains everything. Initially, she enjoyed her lax convent’s sociability and “busyness,” but mystical prayer and John of the Cross’s collaboration inspired her to reform the Carmelites.

Whoever has God, lacks nothing. When her ideals encountered resistance and brought suffering, she maintained her peace—and humor. Discovered devouring leftovers, she told her mildly scandalized nuns, “When I fast, I fast!

When I eat, I eat!” To nuns demanding less work and more prayer in the convent schedule, she retorted: “What we really need around here are fewer starry eyes and more strong arms!” God alone is enough! The italicized sentences here are her “Breviary Bookmark,” the simple, profound prayer of Teresa, the first woman Doctor of the Church.

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

Today’s Readings First Reading — On this mountain the LORD will make for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines (Isaiah 25:6-10a).

Psalm — I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life (Psalm 23).

Second Reading — God will supply whatever you need (Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20).

Gospel — I have prepared my banquet, and everything is ready. Come to the feast! (Matthew 22:1-14 [1-10]).

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.

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Neil Petti, Hernan Restrepo, Judy Baron & Robert Castro

Readings for the week Monday: Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 — 5:1;

Ps 113:1b-5a, 6-7; Lk 11:29-32 Tuesday: Gal 5:1-6; Ps 119:41, 43-45, 47-48; Lk 11:37-41 Wednesday: Gal 5:18-25; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 11:42-46 Thursday: Eph 1:1-10; Ps 98:1-6; Lk 11:47-54 Friday: Eph 1:11-14; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13; Lk 12:1-7 Saturday: Eph 1:15-23; Ps 8:2-3ab, 4-7; Lk 12:8-12 Sunday: Is 45:1, 4-6; Ps 96:1, 3-5, 7-10;

1 Thes 1:1-5b; Mt 22:15-21

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 Back to School!

On September 9, we welcomed back our Saint Stephen of Hungary students both in-person and online.

Some of our PreK and Kindergarten students have returned to school to newly renovated classrooms in the Francis Building.

And our 2nd graders have made their new socially distant home in the Auditorium.

We are so excited to see all our students both in-person and online!

Parish Life On Sunday, October 18th, we will be hosting our first Bike Pilgrimage! We will be visiting 5 Historical Catholic sites in Manhattan and at each place we visit, not only will we learn more about the history of our faith in New York, but we will also pray a decade of the rosary.

We will be finishing the Pilgrimage with Brunch! This is a great opportunity to bike, learn more about Catholic History in New York and of course- FELLOWSHIP :) If you're interested in joining us, visit STELMO79.org to register.

In 13th, Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. Join us as newly ordained Deacon, Zach Presutti (founder of Thrive for Life Prison Project), provides reflections from a theological & social work perspective. Ask questions and listen to insights from Parishioners at St. Monica-St. Elizabeth of Hungary-St. Stephen of Hungary AND St. Ignatius Loyola!

Please watch the film before the event and be sure to register at STELMO79.org to join us.

Did you know that you can contribute to our social media feed?

Please contact Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, Jasmine Gomez at jgomez@stelmo79.org

Baptism Announcement

K-8 Parish Religious Education: Our program will be online via Zoom this Fall, and began on Sunday, October 4 at 10:15am. IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP. You can register via our website (www.stelmo79. org), or download the forms there and deliver them with payment at the Parish Center (406 East 80th Street.) The Archdiocese of New York requires two years of either Catholic School or Parish Religious Education before the reception of First Communion or Confirmation. We will accept registrations throughout the month of October.

Adult Faith Formation: Our Sunday morning Scripture Discussions will resume on Sunday, October 18 at 10:15pm in our Parish Center (with masks and social distancing). You are invited to join us any Sunday to learn more about your faith, and how the Sunday Mass Scripture readings can be a guide for living our faith in today’s world. No registration required – simply come to the Parish Center (406 East 80th Street) and ring the doorbell.

Adult Sacraments of Initiation: 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 no commitment is required during the initial phase of Inquiry. Face to face gatherings (with masks and social distancing) will begin on October 18 immediately following the 12noon Mass.

PARISH OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS Offsite – Serve as a prayer partner for someone preparing for a Sacrament of Initiation this year Onsite – in person – Service as a discussion leader or sponsor for our RCIA program, serve as a hospitality assistant for our Lifelong Faith Formation events throughout the year, or serve as a member of our new Bereavement Ministry team.

Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org or 212-2886250 to discuss how your gifts and talents could meet our needs and opportunities here at the parish. No experience needed, as all training and materials will be provided.

Bereavement Ministry • Memorial Mass for Covid-19 victims – Monday, November 2 at 6:30pm in the church.

• Morning of Reflection – “Facing the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One” –

Saturday, November 14, 10am – concluding with the 12noon Mass – in the church.

Next Sunday, October 18th, there will be a baptism service at 1:30PM At this service we will be baptizing: Jack Nathan Kinney Please join us in congratulating: Daniel J. Kinney & Katherine B. Davis on their child’s new life in Christ.

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

Bread & Wine This Week’s Bread & Wine In Memory of Dr. Jorge A. Lopez Ovejero Offered by Maria Litrenta

Fordham Prep School Fordham Preparatory School Forming Leaders in Faith, Scholarship, and Service since 1841 For details on admissions, including virtual events, visit: fordhamprep.org/admissions Admissions Office Contact Information 718-584-8367 Admissions@fordhamprep.org

Civil Dialogue: A Better Way Forward The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a year-long campaign calling for civility throughout this election year. Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate invites Catholics to pledge civility, clarity, and compassion in the public square and to call on others to do so as well. As Catholics, our strong tradition of social teaching compels us to be actively engaged in the building up of our communities. And yet today, many shy away from such involvement because our national and local conversations are filled with vitriol and harsh language, often directed at people themselves.

Civility is different than remaining silent in the face of disagreement. Listening to opposing views is a part of seeking clarity and can be a creative process. All are invited to bring and share their values, beliefs, and questions.

What is needed is good, honest, civil dialogue. This means that we must treat everyone as worthy of being at the table, worthy of our respect, and worthy of being heard. Civilize It challenges Catholics to model love for neighbor through respect, civility, and compassion during the 2020 election cycle. Put your faith into action and make room in your heart for those with whom you disagree.

As part of this campaign, the USCCB and our diocese will put forth materials to help us form our communities through civil dialogue, opportunities for prayer, and resources for conscience formation. Pledge dignity beyond the debate and find these and other resources at Civilizeit.org.

Tips for Engaging in Civil Dialogue: 1.

Listen first and seek to understand the whole picture.

2.

Ask ques�ons for clarifica�on.

3.

Use ‘I’ statements; pay a�en�on to

4.

body language. Listen to what feelings are present and pay a�en�on to how you respond.

5. Summarize what you’ve heard and ask for feedback.

FIVE MINUTE JESUS Using the Gospel for Prayer – The Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time OCTOBER 11 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.

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, ""The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?'

But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen."

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

Monday This parable summarizes the relationship of God with the Jewish people and the church. It reminds us that God invites us to a joyful feast – the heavenly banquet. We miss that joy if we refuse to attend as the first guests did.

They thought, why do I need to go? I have more important things to do. Do you sometimes feel like the first guests? The invitation is the call from God to follow Christ. Can you reflect on specific times when you may have turned down that call? How can you say yes to God’s invitation to the heavenly banquet?

Tuesday This invitation, the call of Christ, can be inconvenient. Saying we are followers and living that call are separate things. We may find it easy to accept Christ but find it harder at times to live out his message. Our lives get busy. We make choices and need to prioritize. Our discipleship can take more time than we are willing to give.

How can you make time today to live your discipleship?

Wednesday God’s invitation to partake in this great banquet is not restricted to the Jews. God in his mercy and love sends this invitation out to all people, without any distinction, even to those who seem unworthy. How can I be more like God and show mercy and generosity to others I meet today?

Thursday God’s love knows no bounds. He invites all to the banquet of salvation, but we must prepare ourselves for the event when it comes; we need to be ready. The man who came without his wedding garment was not prepared.

We do not know the time when we will be called to the feast. Therefore, we always need to prepare by clothing ourselves in our faith. We need to follow the example that Jesus has given us. Only then when we find ourselves before the Lord, we will be ready. How can you prepare for that moment today?

Friday As Jesus says at the end of this story, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” This invitation from the king is a gift freely given. It is our choice whether we accept it. It is our choice whether we clothe ourselves in Christ love. How can I do that today?

Saturday This banquet is free. And at this feast God gives us his grace and love and most importantly forgiveness. All freely given. The invitation has arrived. How will you respond?

From your Pastor October 11th, 2020

As we move through this unusual fall season, with less happening in our parish due to the Coronavirus and the limitations impose on social gatherings, I am using this column to go deeper on some things that are happening in our parish and explain them.

Vespers – Is that a Moped? . . . no, that is a Vespa. Vespers is a prayer service that happens each week here at St. Monica – St. Elizabeth of Hungary – St. Stephen of Hungary. It is not something new; in fact, it is old; very old.

It is older than Jesus. Vespers are rooted in the prayer of the Jewish people. Most people are probably aware that the Bible is really a series of books, over 60, in fact, and comprise history books, story books, poetry and even novels. But what most people don’t realize is that there is also a hymn book. The Book of Psalms is the hymnbook of the Bible. It is made up of sung poetry, much but not all, attributed to King David. The Psalms run the gamut of human emotion directed in prayer to God. The Book of Psalms forms the backbone of Jewish prayer. At certain times of day; in the morning and in the evening for example, Jews pause, and gather and pray, using psalms and other prayers and scripture to “sanctify the day”; calling the person praying to mindfulness; to the fact that all of life is a gift from God, and that the response to this gift is thanksgiving and service. Sometimes in the early morning we still see Jewish men, carrying a small bag under their arms, walking along the street. They are on their way to morning prayer in their synagogue.

Jesus was Jewish. So were the first Christians. We know from the Bible that they continued Jewish prayer patterns even as they celebrated the Eucharist. Long before mass was celebrated daily, Christians gathered as their Jewish neighbors did, and prayed the psalms. When religious life began in earnest in the 6th century with the Benedictine religious order, their common life was rooted in the practice of praying at various hours in the day.

This once simple practice evolved in religious communities over centuries into an elaborate schedule of prayer services. The stereotype we have of monasteries with people chanting is rooted in the singing of the psalms to the music known as Gregorian chant.

Sadly, this form of Biblical prayer fell out of use amongst most people. It required the ability to read, and after the fall of the Roman empire, such skills were largely lost. Other forms of prayer (rosaries, Eucharistic devotion, novenas, etc.) took their place.

However, the Church never lost the practice of what was called the Liturgy of the Hours. Religious communities continued to pray it. Priests are still required to pray a briefer version of it (the so-called Breviary). At the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, a simpler version of the Liturgy of the Hours was called for so that lay people might pray it and sanctify the hours of the day, just like the first Christians did. Just like Jesus did.

This simpler form focuses on three of the hours; morning, evening and night, before bedtime.

Vespers is the evening prayer service. Vespers comes from the Latin vispera; it was the hour the lamps were lit at home. It consists of a hymn, and psalms and spiritual songs found in the Bible. There is a reading from Sacred Scripture, time for quiet prayer, the praying of Mary’s song of praise a.k.a. the Magnificat, a set of intercessions, the Our Father and a blessing. It takes about 20 minutes.

We pray Vespers every Friday evening at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel in the Parish Center at 406 E. 80th St. (between First and York Avenues). It is a practice of prayer that needs to be learned. But after a few weeks of getting comfortable with the rhythm of the prayer, it takes root and becomes a way we unite our hearts with Christians all over the world who are praying this liturgy. We also rediscover our roots, in that we pray and sanctify the day along with our Jewish brothers and sisters, including one first century carpenter named Jesus of Nazareth.

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: October 11th, 2020 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE PRINT 450 BULLETINS FOR THIS WEEK’S ISSUE