Fifth Sunday of Lent April 3, 2022

Parish life

Fifth Sunday of Lent

4/3/2022

Lent 2022 (Page 7)

Five Minute Jesus (Page 8)

Just a word ( Page 9)

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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. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Weekend Associate:...............................................Rev. Edward Beck, CP Pastoral Associate: Ms. Maryann Tyrer ........ mtyrer@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 ............................................................. 9am - 5pm Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9am - 7pm Friday .......................................................Closed Saturday ................................................. 10am - 2pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays......................1pm - 2pm

Visit us at: www.STELMO79.org

Mass Intentions

Saturday, April 2nd Vigil 5:30pm Steve & Hannah Klug Sunday, April 3rd Fifth Sunday of Lent 8:00am Alexander James Smith 10:00am Michael Egan 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm Subha Nad Karni Monday, April 4th Lenten Weekday 12pm Emil Sofsky Tuesday, April 5thLenten Weekday 12pm Thanksgiving Wednesday, April 6th Lenten Weekday 12pm Walter & Mary Ferber Thursday, April 7th Lenten Weekday 12pm Mary Rice Friday, April 8th Lenten Weekday 12pm Barry Kiely Saturday, April 9th Lenten Weekday 12pm Giselle Peña

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Mass Schedule

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

For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass until 3pm in the church and live on-line Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after Mass in the church and live on-line Divine Mercy Prayed every Friday at 3pm in the church and live on-line Vespers (Evening Prayer) Every Friday at 5:10pm in the Chapel and live on-line Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays at 5pm or by appointment Anointing of the sick Every third Saturday of the Month after the noon Mass.

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 would 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

Marie Bacarra & Victoria Collazo and all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Msgr. Peter Finn, Deacon John Maloney, Ismet Buzhala, Michael King, Shirley Dolan & Irene Huszar

Today’s Readings First Reading — The LORD does something new for the chosen people (Isaiah 43:16-21) or Ezekiel 37:12-14.

Psalm — The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126) or Psalm 130.

Second Reading — The supreme good is knowing Jesus as Lord (Philippians 3:8-14) or Romans 8:8-11.

Gospel — A woman caught in the act of adultery is brought to Jesus. He challenges anyone without sin to throw the first stone (John 8:111) or John 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45].

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: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

[41c-62];Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:12-20 (or

Jn 8:1-11 if Year A

readings were used on Sunday) Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52 56;Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9: Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10-12abcd, 13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Lk 19:28-40 (procession);

Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24;

Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:14 — 23:56

[23:1-49]

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

Memorial Mass for Elizabeth Gyenis Elizabeth (Betty) Gyenis, a long-time parishioner of St. Stephen of Hungary Church will be remembered at a memorial mass on April 9th at 2pm in St. Monica’s Church.

Betty was a pillar of the St. Stephen parish community serving as trustee, a member of Parish Council, Director of Volunteers and member of various committees.

All are invited to attend.

Fr. Baker’s Book Discussion returns with The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Thursdays, May 12, 19, & 26 beginning with light supper at 6pm in the parish center. Start reading this engaging and thought-provoking book now.

Upcoming Green Team Events

Next meeting: Thursday, April 7, 7:30pm in the Parish Center Earth Day is April 22! How are you marking or celebrating this year? Join our Green Team at the Parish Center for a special movie screening and discussion, information on Pope Francis’ Care for Our Common Home movement to which our parish is aligned, and refreshments and networking with fellow stewards of creation. Save the date – more information is coming soon. Email us to get involved: greenteam@stelmo79.org.

We’ve only just begun!

How to Participate in the Synod •

•

Senior Ministry: Friday, April 22, following the

noon Mass in the church, and our usual Pot-Luck Luncheon in the Parish Center, the Senior Ministry will sponsor the film The Jewish Cardinal. This 1-hour, 40minute, film is based on the incredible true story of JeanMarie Lustiger, a Jewish man who, at a young age, converted to Catholicism, became a priest, and was appointed Archbishop of Paris by John Paul II. Celebrating his dual identity as a Catholic Jew, he earned friends and enemies from both faiths. After WWII, he served as mediator in a conflict with the Carmelite nuns who wanted a convent built within the walls of Auschwitz. Please join us! RSVP to Gladys at 212-288-6250 to attend.

•

Pray for the synod process. Pray that the entire Church may be open to the Holy Spirit.

Pray that we may rightly discern the movements of the Holy Spirit.

Reflect on your experience of Church – at the levels of parish, diocese, nation, and world. What fills your heart? What breaks your heart? Engage in conversation with your family, your fellow parishioners, with anyone who is interested in the topic. Reach out to friends and family who are no longer coming to church.

Submit your feedback as an individual on the Archdiocesan website. Find the discussion questions and form for submitting your responses at https://archny.org/synod/.

Let your voice be heard!

K-8 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: • • • •

Upcoming Sessions: April 3, (No sessions April 10 and 17), resume on April 24.

Participation in Sunday (or Saturday evening) Eucharist is an integral part of Religious Education in our parish! Our 10am Mass on Sunday is now a Family-Friendly Mass every Sunday!

Sunday sessions run 11:11am to 11:55am on Zoom! The timing of Religious Ed sessions allows your family to attend the Mass of your choice (in person or via Zoom).

Registration for Fall 2022 will open in May.

Sacramental Preparation: •

Please remember that the Archdiocese requires two years of Religious Education or Catholic School prior to the celebration of First Penance/First Communion (usually in 2nd grade), and prior to the celebration of Confirmation (usually in 8th grade).

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA): • • • •

Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic? Do you have a lot of questions about Catholicism?

Or are you a baptized Catholic who has not yet celebrated First Communion or Confirmation?

You, and your questions, are warmly welcomed! Come and share the journey with others.

Please contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to discuss our adult initiation process (commonly known as the RCIA). Or join us on Sundays in the Parish Center following the 12noon Mass.

Adult Faith Formation: •

•

Each Sunday, following the 12noon Mass and concluding at 3pm, in the Parish Center. All materials provided. All are welcome! Expand your knowledge of the Bible and church teaching in a friendly, nonjudgmental environment. No long-term commitment – join us when you are able.

We will meet on Sunday April 3, (No sessions April 10 and 17), resume on April 24.

Join us for Lenten Guided Meditation • • •

Scripture, silence, guided meditation, and brief passages from the writings of Anthony de Mello Led by Desmond Towey, director of the De Mello Stroud Spirituality Center Thursday, April 7 at 7pm in the Parish Center Chapel (You do not need to have attended previously!)

LENT 2022

Fasting - Every person between the age of 18 and 59 must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting consists of one full meal per day, with two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal, and no snacks.

Abstinence – Every person 14 years of age or older must abstain from meat and items made with meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday of Lent.

Stations of the Cross Every Friday in Lent following the 12noon Mass Friday, April 8, 7pm - Living Stations presented by St. Stephen School Class of 2022.

Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration Every Friday after the 12noon Mass, (in Lent, following Stations of the Cross) - concludes with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3pm, followed by Solemn Benediction Vespers (Evening Prayer) Spoken Vespers every Friday at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (406 East 80th Street) Sung Vespers every Saturday in Lent at 5pm in the church Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Every Saturday at 5pm in the church Reconciliation Monday, April 11, 2-4pm and 6-9pm in the church Adult Faith Formation (open to all who wish to deepen their faith) Sundays, 1:30-3pm in the Parish Center Thursdays in Lent, 7pm in the Parish Center, April 7 – Reflections on the writings of Anthony DeMello, led by Des Towey of the DeMello Institute Parish Morning of Reflection - Saturday, April 9, in the church. Beginning with refreshments at 8:30am and concluding with the 12noon Mass, we will reflect on the theme of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Led

by Fr. Robert Joerger, C.P., this event will be live in the church, and also live-streamed on our website for those unable to attend in person.

HOLY WEEK (April 10-17)

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - regular weekend Mass Schedule Holy Thursday Tenebrae Service with Confessions 9am in the Church Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm in the Church; Vigil in the Parish Center Chapel Good Friday Tenebrae Service with Confessions 9am in the Church Stations of the Cross at 12noon and at 7:30pm in the Church Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord at 3pm in the Church Holy Saturday Tenebrae Service with Confessions 9am in the Church Easter Food Blessing at 3pm in the Church NO Confessions at 5pm; NO 12noon or 5:30pm Mass Solemn Easter Vigil at 7:30pm in the Church Easter Sunday – Masses at 8am, 10am, and 12noon (no 5pm Mass)

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – Palm Sunday – April 10, 2022 It’s simple. 1. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells.

2. Reflect on the questions suggested for each day. 3. Make some resolution about how what you read can be lived that day. 4. Thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

The Gospel according to Luke 22:14 – 23:56 The Gospel for Palm Sunday is Luke’s account of the Passion. Please read it in your bible.

Monday, April 4 Was there something in the reading that spoke to you? Comforted you? Challenged you? What was it? Why did it have this effect on you? What conversion of heart, mind, life is the Lord asking of me?

Tuesday, April 5 In the first part of the passion story Jesus gives his closest friends a distinct perspective on leadership when he says, “I am among you as the one who serves.” Jesus teaches us about servant leadership.

How does this gospel change your perspective on leadership roles you may have? How would people describe your style of leadership?

Wednesday, April 6 Today is sometimes referred to as “Spy Wednesday,” the day Judas made arrangements to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. Have you ever been betrayed by a family member or close friend? Were you able to move forward through that hurt? Was it possible to be reconciled, or has that relationship ended? What did you feel?

Thursday, April 7 Peter at the Last Supper professes his loyalty to Jesus, who tells Peter that he will deny Jesus three times, which Peter does. Have you ever felt that you let Jesus down? Has your faith ever been overcome by fear? Did you ever doubt that Jesus would forgive you?

Friday, April 8 The soldiers made Simon of Cyrene help Jesus carry the cross through the streets of Jerusalem. We know that the price of discipleship involves our carrying the crosses that God sends us. What people in your life have helped you carry your cross? How has Jesus helped you?

Saturday, April 9 Lent is over. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. How has my celebration of Lent 2022 prepared me to renew my baptismal promises at Easter Mass? What has changed in my spiritual life during these forty days that will enable me to live the Gospel more authentically? How will my heart feel when I sing out Alleluia tomorrow?

From the Pastor 04.03.22

(Due to the problems with our publisher, there was no bulletin for the weekend of 03.26-7. This column was to appear in that bulletin) Synod Process vs. Synodal Way? For over a year Catholics have heard Pope Francis call them to journey together in a process called a Synod. Synods are nothing new in the Church. They were the EARLIEST way the Church governed itself. The people of a local church would come together with their bishop and decide on issues affecting the Church’s life and ministry. The solutions decided upon were local, pastoral and practical. As the Church became the official religion of the Roman Empire, synods quickly were eclipsed by councils, at which only the ordained participated. Synods still happened, but the drive towards a uniformity in faith which supported political unity made local decision making less and less relevant.

The last council was the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). This council called for a synod of bishops which was to meet regularly to advise the pope on Church governance. This proposal was never really put into practice. John Paul II had synods, but the conclusions of the synod were presented to the bishops when they arrived in Rome, and all they were asked to do is debate them and approve them. Pope Francis created his council of advisors to help him restructure the Vatican, but they were all cardinals. The laity was nowhere to be seen.

The sexual abuse crisis changed all of that. Pope Francis saw a fundamental contributor to this crisis was the lack of connection between the hierarchy and the laity. It enabled a culture to fester in which clergy were not held accountable. As a result, Pope Francis called for a three-year synodal process culminating in 2023, in which lay people are invited to speak with the hierarchy, sharing with them their concerns and their ideas for solutions. This Synodal Process is welcomed by many, ignored by most, and feared by some Catholics, especially those who are more conservative. Reason for this fear is due to what they hear happening in Germany.

Der Synodale Weg (“the synodal way” in German) began before the Pope’s call for a Synod. It seeks to address the challenges the German Church has faced for decades. Those challenges came to a head with the revelation of sexual abuse and misuse of power in diocese after diocese in Germany. Germans are leaving the Catholic Church by the hundreds of thousands each year.

Vocations are practically nil. In the face of this crisis, the Church in Germany began a process of investigation and consultation known as the Synodal Way. As the German Synodal Way reaches its conclusion, American Catholics have begun to hear some of their recommendations.

They are calling for the ordination of married men to the priesthood, and of women. They are calling for a rethinking of the Church’s teaching on sexuality, taking into account the insights of psychology and sociology. They are calling for the blessing of same sex couples (Indeed all committed, loving relationships) in Church. They are also calling for a revision of the way in which power and authority is exercised by the hierarchy.

Reactions to this Synodal Way are predictable. Conservatives are horrified. Liberals are impatient, and most in the middle just wonder why they can’t find a half-way decent parish with a normal liturgy, where their next priest is coming from and whether it even makes sense any more to be a part of a Church which seems only to care about itself rather than the faith it is supposed to proclaim. Perhaps this middle group is the real reason why the Synodal Process is important. A Church lives from the health of its parish communities. If parish communities are dying, then it doesn’t matter what changes in Church structure, liturgy or pastoral practice are implemented. A Church where the Gospel is no longer experienced as life-giving is simply no longer a Church.

Germany is seeking a solution. But what happens in Germany is not necessarily what will happen here – or in Africa, or India or Asia. Local churches have local problems. That was the whole reason for synods at the start of the Church’s history. It should not surprise us, when local churches devise local solutions. The question is to what degree the universal Church can approve of, or at least tolerate solutions that deviate from the norm.

But one thing is sure: the Church is facing a crisis. At times of crisis voices are heard, offering solutions. We cannot follow them all, but we need to listen and to heed their calls for reform. In the Book of Revelation (3:22), its author wrote, after listing the crises facing the seven churches to which this book was addressed, “Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” This advice is as valid in the 21st Century as it was in the 1st. The Spirit has not stopped speaking.

But it is still anyone’s guess if we have the courage to listen.

Father Baker

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