Advent 2 - December 4, 2022

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 familya 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 Associate: .................................... Rev. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Weekend Associate:...............................................Rev. Edward Beck, CP

Pastoral Associate: Ms. Maryann Tyrer ........ mtyrer@stelmo79.org

Music Director: Mr. John Zupan .................... jzupan@stelmo79.org

Wedding Coordinator: Ms. Debbi Burdett.....dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com

Parish Manager: Jennifer DeSpirito.............................jdespirito@stelmo79.org

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 & Wednesday................................. . 9am - 4pm Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9am - 7pm Friday ....................................................... Closed Saturday ................................................. 10am - 2pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays..................1pm - 2pm Visit us at: www.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

Confessions: Saturdays at 5pm or by appointment

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 3rd Vigil 5:30pm Joseph O’Mara (Living)

Sunday, December 4th Second Sunday of Advent 8:00am Dorothy Clarke 10:00am Carla Betiana Litrenta (Living) 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm Elizabeth & Patrick McCormick & Family

Monday, December 5th Advent Weekday 12pm Carolyn Devaney (Living)

Tuesday, December 6th Advent Weekday 12pm Thanksgiving

Wednesday, December 7th St. Ambrose 12pm Francis Patrick McLaughlin 5:30pm (Vigil) Robert DeCola

Thursday, December 8th The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 12pm Dr. Stephen Digon

Friday, December 9th Advent Weekday 12pm Giselle Peña

Saturday, December 10th Advent Weekday 12pm Brian Thompson For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Holly Leber, Angelica & Lilian Zarate, Alejandra Castillo, Msgr. Leslie Ivers, Joe Grande, Steve Janec, Cindy Garnica Castro, Kathleen Roche, Madeline Tipton, Jennie Marmo, and all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED

Arthur Gillians, Eileen Janec & Kathleen Bohan

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.

Sanctuary Lamp

This Week’ Sanctuary Lamp

In Memory of Rosa Olga Teresa Litrenta Offered by Maria Litrenta

Baptism Announcement

Today, December 4th there will be a Baptism service at 1:30pm

At this service we will be baptizing:

Dylan Joy Virchaux David

Please join us in congratulating:

Dwayne A. David & Stephanie Virchaux on their child’s new life in Christ

Bap sm Services are open for members of the parish to join in the welcoming of our newest members

Today’s Readings

First Reading — He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the earth shall overflow with the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1-10). Psalm — Peace and justice will come in the day of the Lord (Psalm 72).

Second Reading — Glorify God by living in harmony with one another, welcoming each other as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:4-9). Gospel — Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, for the reign of God is near (Matthew 3:1-12).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26

Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14

Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30

Thursday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38

Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19

Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

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. Allyson Genova-Hall www.saintstephenschool.org

Interested in admissions to our parish school? admissions@saintstephenschool.org

Did You Know?

St. Stephen of Hungary School, the parish school of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Stephen of Hungary Church, is a warm, welcoming community on East 82nd Street between First & York Avenues. Our campus features unique learning spaces. Our dedicated, experienced faculty work collaboratively to offer our students top-notch educational opportunities. We are now accepting applications for PreK 3 – Gr. 8.

Consider St. Stephen of Hungary School for your family!

www.saintstephenschool.org admissions@saintstephenschool.org

Advent Longing

Ihave no sense of direction, so whenever I travel to a new place, I rely heavily on navigational systems. No matter which system is used, each makes the same announcement when the destination is reached: “Arrived.” That affirmation is welcome, since it says, “I made it.”

If only there were a similar application for navigating my spiritual life! How affirming it would be to hear “Arrived!” How encouraging it would be to know that I have made it and that I have reached my destination. But alas, along the way, people often experience wrong turns and plenty of detours. Spirits can feel lost and hearts restless—ever seeking, always searching.

The season of Advent is a reminder that we have not arrived. Rather, Christians remain pilgrims on a journey, ever seeking, always searching, and living in anticipation. In Advent, we await the feast of the Incarnation, the celebration of the coming of the Lord. Also awaited is the Lord’s return, as one of the Collects for the first week of Advent states: Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise.

Advent serves as a reminder of the pilgrim nature of the Christian faith.

Waiting is hard, and it is hard to be good at it since it is natural to desire the fastest routes, the shortest lines, and the closest parking spots. The Scriptures proclaimed during Advent provide direction for the journey. They are filled with images of what happens when we wait in hope: a desert blooms, a wolf befriends a lamb, and the poor finally have their day. Good news abounds as the angel Gabriel tells Mary: “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month for her she who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:36–37).

The waiting throughout Advent creates space for God and thus nurtures relationship with God. Waiting fulfills something inside humankind that instant gratification never could. God waits for us patiently, longingly, lovingly. So too, the faithful are called to await God’s presence and favor.

Connecting the Liturgy with Our Lives © 2019 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. Text by Kathy Kuczka.

Photo © John Zich. Excerpt from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on October 25, 2018.

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer – Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2022

It is simple. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells. Consider the questions asked each day. What conversion of heart, mind, and life might the Lord be asking of you? Make a resolution about how what you read and reflect upon might be lived that day. Thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regains their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind. Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing. Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Monday, December 5

What word or words in this passage caught my attention? Comforted me? Challenged me? What conversion of heart, mind, and life is the Lord asking of me?

Tuesday, December 6

The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, the Latin word for Rejoice. As we get closer to Christmas, what are you able to rejoice about? During a troubled world, where can you find joy? How can you share that joy with others?

Wednesday, December 7

“Are you the one to come, or should we look for another?” What people, events, or things distract me from God? How can I be more aware of God’s presence?

Thursday, December 8 “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” How have I shared my faith with those I meet? How do my words and actions proclaim the Good News? Am I a credible witness to the Gospel?

Friday, December 9 “He will prepare the way before you.” How can I help prepare the Lord’s way? What do I do to help members of my family recognize God’s presence in our lives? How can I make my heart ready to receive the Lord?

Saturday, December 10

Jesus tells John’s followers to witness to Jesus’s work. If you were asked to give an account of what you have seen, what would you say? Where in your life have you witnessed God’s healing work? What effect has that had on you?

Just a Word

From the Pastor 12.04.22

Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

Although by the time you read this, we are already half-way through advent, for me it is the weekend after Thanksgiving, and it is the first opportunity I have had to put into writing my thanks to all those who volunteered for our Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner.

This dinner, started 14 years ago by the former pastor of St. Stephen of Hungary, Father Angelo Gambatese, OFM was conceived of originally as an expression of the hospitality that is (or at least should be) at the heart of our Catholic faith. Father Angelo dreamt of a way we could welcome all the people of Yorkville together at a meal, and thus bring together the many different peoples, languages, cultures, and faiths. Thanksgiving was the obvious occasion.

Under the guidance of Ray and Barbara Murphy, Roz Panepento and so many other volunteers from our school, parish, and neighborhood, we once again served 200 dinners on Thanksgiving Day, plus offered scores of take-home meals; something especially important this year as well as some still do not feel comfortable gathering in large numbers due to the Covid 19 virus.

To all who organized, cooked peeled chopped and mashed; to all who set up cleaned up and served; to everyone who donated so that this meal might come to pass, THANK YOU. You are all examples of that generosity that Jesus calls us to, and that hospitality which will one day be revealed in the table at the Kingdom of Heaven, to which all are called, and at which all are welcome.

This weekend we have a guest preacher/speaker. Father Álvaro Ramos is a priest of the parish of Santa Teresa de Calcutta in Tegucigalpa (the capital of Honduras). Honduras is the second poorest country in the Americas. Father Álvaro coordinates a mission for 12,000 students in the most marginal areas of Honduras that in 2019 was awarded the King of Spain Human Rights Award. The mission has a unique feature. Older students are encouraged to self-manage the organization.

Father Álvaro is trying to spread the mission in the United States. The mission is supported by 30 volunteer groups and parishes in Spain and Canada. Volunteers have found an opportunity to apply God's Word and better understand it by serving the poor of Honduras. Father Álvaro seeks the opportunity to explain his mission to us and invite us to help further its aims.

Father Álvaro is originally from Spain. He has a JD from the Jesuit University of Spain and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before becoming a priest, he was a corporate lawyer, investment banker, and social entrepreneur.

I hope we all will welcome him with that welcome for which our parish has become known.

Father Baker

Women of Advent