The Roman Catholic Parish of
Saint Monica Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Saint Stephen of Hungary ————————————————————————————————————— Church : 413 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th St. New York, NY 10075 Tel.:(212) 288-6250 Fax: (212) 570 - 1562 www.STELMO79.org www.facebook.com/stelmo79
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Third Sunday of Advent –December 15th, 2019
Office Hours
Parish Staff
Our Offices are open: Mo. 9am – 5pm Tu.-Th. 9am – 7pm Fri. Closed Sat. 10am -2pm Sun. Closed Our offices close for lunch: 1pm – 2pm daily
Pastor:
Rev. Donald C. Baker
frdcab@stelmo79.org
Associate:
Rev. Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers
msgrlivers@stelmo79.org
Weekend Associates:
Parish Manager: Music Director:
Rev. Jim O’Shea Rev. Tony Ciorra Ms. Maryann Tyrer Ms. Jasmine Gomez Mr. Michael Ward Mr. John Zupan
mtyrer@stelmo79.org jgomez@stelmo79.org mward@stelmo79.org jzupan@stelmo79.org
Wedding Coordinator:
Ms. Debbi Burdett
DBweddingsnyc@gmail.com
Pastoral Associates:
Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8:00am,10:00am,12:00pm,5:00pm Monday – Saturday: 12:00pm Confessions: Saturday: 5:00 – 5:30pm and by appointment Our church is open: 7:15am – 3:30pm daily for private prayer Vespers (evening prayer): 5:10pm Fridays in Parish Center Chapel St.
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
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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. TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The barren deserts will rejoice and flower (Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10). Psalm — Lord, come and save us (Psalm 146). Second Reading — Be patient, for the coming of the Lord is as sure as the rain (James 5:7-10). Gospel — Tell of what you hear and see: The blind regain their vision, the crippled their movement, the deaf their hearing (Matthew 11:2-11). 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: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25: 4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9;Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17;Mt 1:1-17 Wednesday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19;Mt 1:18-25 Thursday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Friday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Sunday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7;Mt 1:18-24
SATURDAY 5:30PM
December 14th Vigil Werner Hertzel
SUNDAY
December 15th Third Sunday of Advent
8:00AM 10:00AM 12NOON 5PM
Michael Hanraha Stephens Geosits All Parishioners Huscar Laszlo Erzsebet
MONDAY
December 16th Advent Weekday Adam Armetta
12NOON TUESDAY 12NOON
December 17th Late Advent Weekday Frances Marzek
WEDNESDAY December 19th Late Advent Weekday 12NOON Anthony Bourdain
THURSDAY
December 20th Late Advent Weekday
12NOON
Raymond & Kevin Swanchak
FRIDAY
December 21st Late advent Weekday Tom Baxter
12NOON SATURDAY 12NOON
December 22nd Late Advent Weekday Martin Burges
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Monday: Saturday:
Third Sunday of Advent Las Posadas begins St. Peter Canisius; Winter begins
If you wish to add the name of a loved one to the prayer list, please notify the parish center: (212) 288-6250
K-8 Religious Education th • We’re in session, and meet 10:15-11:45am in the Parish Center (406 East 80 Street). Registration is closed for this year. • No K-8 Religious Education or Adult Faith Formation on Sunday, December 22 and 29, due to the Christmas Holidays. 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. • Advent Scripture Discussion – Thursdays, December 19, 7pm in the Parish Center Chapel – all are welcome to these evenings of Advent reflection! 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! Advent • This season of preparation for Christmas continues until Christmas Eve. • We have Sung Vespers in the Church on Saturday, December 14 and 21 at 5pm, before the 5:30pm Mass. This is a beautiful way to “hit the pause button” on all the busyness of the season, and enter into a few moments of prayer and reflection. • We always have Spoken Vespers in the Parish Center Chapel on Fridays at 5:10pm – all are welcome to this simple service of prayers and psalms. • Adult Faith Formation - Scripture Discussion on Thursday evening, December 19, at 7pm in the Parish Center Chapel. Please join us! Christmas • Mass Schedule: December 24, 5:30pm (Family Mass) December 24, Midnight (Carols begin at 11:15pm) December 25, 8am, 10am, and 12noon (no 5pm)
Congratulations to our young people celebrating their First Penance this weekend! St. Stephen of Hungary School Maya Catherine Aggarwala Lucas Claudio Barry-Garcia Lillian Claire Bernhard John Luca Bosco Emilia Casalins Eloise Claire Cognetti Zoe Olivia Dias Clelia Anya Finegan-Manzoni Ava Grace Frydl Sophia Danielle Garzon-Chabel Mason Gray Giarraputo Maxwell Ryder Giarraputo Evann Elizabeth Gillian Adriana Faith Iacovone Charles John Jackson Ella Kathryn Jacob
Eric Jonsson Guzman Taisho Anthony Kisaka Maximilian Logan de Souza Laing Isabela Viana Bogado Leite Amelia Keenan Lipson Antonio Karim Maio Addison Jennifer Margolis Sarah River McGilly Luca Aydin Friedrick Memmo Britton Elizabeth Murgio Jack Maurice O’Herlihy Carolina Rose Quinn Kayleigh Lora Quinn Thomas Irving Sigal Charlie Williamson Utt Fiora Paloma Valdes-Fauli Sebastian David Vazquez-Lombardo Serena Fitch Vivolo
Parish Religious Education Isabella Cajigas Samuel Cajigas Grayson Blinn Heintz Harrison Pierce Heintz Evan Ronald Hofsdal Katelyn Ann Phillips Daniela Teresa Torres John Francis Tricarico
The Caedmon School Cody Morgan McComb Nicholas Pereira-Maskel Valentin Robb Schmidt
What are the “O” Antiphons? The Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah. • O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! • O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! • O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! • O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! • O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death! • O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! • O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God! (source: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/the-o-antiphons-of-advent.cfm)
SPECIAL DEVOTIONS
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
After all weekday masses Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass to 3 PM, with Benediction following the Divine Mercy Chaplet Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed each Friday afternoon at 3 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation: 5:00 PM on Saturdays Anytime 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 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 Please remember in your prayers Antoinette Paone, Luis Garcia, Aura Jimenez, Eileen Hedrickson, Jose Lebron, Luis Garcia, Judith Baron, Ananias Angeles, Richard Baldwin, Glenn Allen, Jean Stephens & Albert Walsh.
ALL VICTIMS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY
PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please pray for our deceased parishioners and family members William Gemel, Charles Senner, Mona Senner, Vincent James Dana, Priscilla Morse, Kevin O’Sullivan
& the victims of the shootings at Pearl Harbor & Pensacola Fl.
SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS (c. 1542-1591) December 14 How beautiful the experience of love for God and neighbor, a fire deep within! How disheartening when love suddenly cools and our souls grow dark, our prayer arid. How painful when misunderstanding, even rejection, comes our way, sometimes from those we least expect. For all such “seasons of the soul,” an inspiring fellow-pilgrim is the poet and mystic John of the Cross. As a young Carmelite, he was recruited by Teresa of Ávila for her Discalced (“barefoot,” evangelical poverty) Carmelite reform, striving to renew the Church from within after the Protestant Reformation had led countless religious away. John suffered unspeakably harsh abuse, even imprisonment, from friars who rejected this reform. Yet during these times of deepest suffering, John composed spiritual masterpieces that still guide souls to God, their titles reflecting his own painful yet ultimately victorious journey: from The Dark Night of the Soul through The Ascent of Mount Carmel to his Spiritual Canticle and The Living Flame of Love. John summarized his spirituality simply: “Put love where there is no love, and you will find love.” —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
BANS OF MARRIAGE II-Vladimir Normil Cadert & Jasmine Abla Attikese
Thanksgiving Dinner
SENIOR MINISTRY NEWS
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Big Thank You to Local Merchants for Generous Donations to our Dinner: Ottomanelli’s, Fairway, Big John’s Moving Company, Community Emergency Relief Team(CERT), Morton & Williams, D’Agostino’s, Agata & Valentina, Eva’s Garden Shop, Gracie Mews, East 82nd St. Deli, Italian Village, Cosco, Five Mile Stone Bar, Two Little Red Hens, Moduwa Deli, East 82nd Street Deli and East 82 Street Farmers Market & to all those that volunteered for this event. THANK YOU!! Barbara Murphy & Roz Panepento, co-chairs of Thanksgiving Dinner Decorating the Church for Christmas Like to decorate? Then come join us on December 23rd as we spruce up the church for Christmas. We are starting around 2PM.
ALL ARE WELCOME!!
The Senior Ministry of St. Monica-St. Elizabeth & St. Stephen of Hungary. Celebrates Our Annual Christmas Luncheon from 1-3PM Friday, Dec. 20th, 2019at the Parish Center. Please contact Gladys at the Parish Office if you are planning to attend 212-288-6250 We look forward to seeing you! The Senior Committee: Anne, Barbara, Pat G & Pat Q.
Menu Appetizer Sicilian Caponata (eggplant recipe) Main Dishes Meat lasagna Vegetable lasagna Salads Green salad Caesar salad Tomato & Mozzarella salad
Desserts Assorted cookies & cakes Drinks Coffee, tea, ….
Side Dishes Italian bread Gluten-free bread Raffles 2 Scratch cards 4 Centerpieces (Flowers or plants) A surprise!!!
From your Pastor December 15th, 2019 It is Finally Time! Several months ago, I wrote about the risers for our new air conditioning system. I wrote that because of the way they had to be built to avoid the church foundation, they created a series of 14 shelves around the perimeter of the church. What I thought would be an eyesore turned out to be an opportunity. These shelves could be used to display images of saints, creating shrines for personal devotions. We had an election, and the 12 winning saints were: 1. St. Francis of Assisi 2. St. Jude 3. St. Theresa of Calcutta (Mother Theresa) 4. Pope St. John Paul II 5. St. Michael the Archangel 6. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 7. St. Anthony of Padua 8. St. Thomas Aquinas 9. St. Augustine 10. St. Mary Magdalene 11. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini 12. St. Patrick of Ireland Once placed, the pictures will look not unlike the way the picture of our Lady of Perpetual Help looks on the west side of the church. The pictures we are purchasing however will not be photos on paper but prints on canvas made to look like real oil paintings. They will all have gold frames. I suggested that there would be an opportunity for parishioners to memorialize these pictures. Memorialized pictures will each have a small plaque placed at their bases which will read: “Please Pray For . . . “and then the name of the person or family to be memorialized. It is now time to open that opportunity. So far two saints: St. Patrick and St. Francis of Assisi have been chosen for memorialization. The cost for each picture is $675.00. Memorialization will be done on a first come, first serve basis. Thank you again to everyone who participated in this process! Once placed in their appropriate niches, these images will enhance the beauty of the church as well as give expression to the Catholic belief on the “Communion of Saints”. Reconciliation Monday Just a reminder that this Monday is Reconciliation Monday, that day before both Christmas and Easter when priests are in the church for an extended time to hear confessions. Priests will be available in St. Monica from 4-6pm and then again from 7-8pm.