February 13, 2022 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish life Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

02/13/2022

Our School (Page 4)

Faith Formation (Page 6

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 Follow us on social media by searching STELMO79

Mass Intentions Saturday, February 12th Vigil 5:30pm John Downes (Living) Sunday, February 13th Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am Lucia Roman 10:00am Brian Thompson 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm Rosemary & Dominick Broello Monday, February 14th St. Cyril 12pm Adam Armetta Tuesday, February 15th Weekday 12pm Marjorie Baker (Bday-Dec) Wednesday, February 16th Weekday 12pm Mrs. Vanes Bellevue Thursday, February 17th Weekday 12pm All Souls in Purgatory Friday, February 18th Weekday 12:00pm Samuel Molina (Bday-Dec) Saturday, February 19th Weekday 12pm Gail Kirwan For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

William Aguilar, Mario Gonzalez, Brian O’Connell & all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED

Mass Schedule

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

Noreen Delaney, Detective Wilbert Mora, Detective Jason Rivera, Selina Garcia, Glen Allen, Fernanda Leiming, Francis X. Maloney, Frank Mulzet, Patricia Adams, Francis Edden & Patrick Rudden

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

Baptism Announcement Today, Feb. 13th there will be a Baptism service at the 12N Mass At this service we will be baptizing: Gisele Elena Quirk

Divine Mercy Prayed every Friday at 3pm in the church and live on-line

Please join us in congratulating: Brian A. Quirk & Liliana Di Luisa on their child’s new life in Christ

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

Today’s Readings First Reading — The one who trusts in the LORD is like a tree planted beside the waters (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

Psalm — Blessed are they who hope in the Lord (Psalm 1).

Second Reading — Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20).

Gospel — Blessed are you who are poor, hungry, weeping. Woe to you who are rich, filled, laughing (Luke 6:17, 20-26).

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: Jas 1:1-11; Ps 119:67-68, 71-72, 75 76;Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Jas 1:12-18; Ps 94:12-13a; 14-15, 18 19;Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Jas 1:19-27; Ps 15:2-4ab, 5; Mk 8:22-26 Thursday: Jas 2:1-9; Ps 34:2-7; Mk 8:27-33 Friday: Jas 2:14-24, 26; Ps 112:1-6;

Mk 8:34 — 9:1 Saturday: Jas 3:1-10; Ps 12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8; Mk 9:2-13 Sunday: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; Ps

103:1-4, 8,10, 12-13;

1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38

We are our proud to be part of a community that follows Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home. Would you like to participate in any projects? We could really use your input and help!

Please email us at greenteam@stelmo79.org.

Young Adult Social Sunday, February 27, following the 5pm Mass.

Wine, cheese, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served, and all are invited.

March 2 is Ash Wednesday let’s celebrate Mardi Gras style!

Thursday, February 24 Visit the New Museum, Lower East Side, for

Faith Ringgold: American People

Upcoming Movie

Friday, February 18 1-3:30pm, Parish Center

Ms. Ringgold, age 91, is an American painter, whose paintings reflect the civil rights movement intertwining the political and personal as well as “story quilts” depicting Michael Jackson, etc. and geometric abstractions inspired by Tibetan silks and embroideries. Faith Ringgold: American People is the most comprehensive exhibition to date of this groundbreaking artist’s vision.

Time to be announced. If you are interested in this event, please contact Gladys at 212-288-6250.

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

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).

Upcoming Sessions: February 13 – no sessions for K-8 on February 20, sessions resume on Feb. 27.

Adult Faith Formation: •

Each Sunday, following the 12noon Mass and concluding at 3pm, in the Parish Center. All materials provided. All are welcome! Covid safety protocols in place: masks required, social distancing, no food or drink offered for the next couple of weeks. Expand your knowledge of the Bible and church teaching in a friendly, non-judgmental environment. No long-term commitment – join us when you are able. We will meet every Sunday between now and Palm Sunday.

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.

Who Was the Real St. Valentine?

Valentine was a priest in the early Church, and a doctor, and his example of always acting with love inspired many people to become Christians. At a time when Christians were persecuted, and forbidden to marry, he secretly performed marriages between Christians, and encouraged his community to stay strong in their faith and to trust in the love of Jesus. He was eventually arrested and held in jail. It is said that he healed the sick daughter of one of his jail guards, and even in prison, brought many to the faith.

While in prison, he wrote letters to members of his Christian community, and to others who were imprisoned for their faith. It is said that he signed his letters, “love, your Valentine.” Through his preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, he taught many about God’s love. He was executed around the year 270, and is the patron of engaged couples, happy marriages, and love.

Servant of God, Mother Mary Lange (1787-1882)

Mother Mary Lange was born Elizabeth Clarisse Lange in a French speaking community in Santido de Cuba. By 1813 Elizabeth arrived in Baltimore, Maryland where there were no schools for black children. For many years she offered education for those children in her home.

She is the founder and first superior of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first successful religious community for women of African Descent. The community educated the youth and slaves who had been purchased and freed, provided a home for orphans & elderly and nursed the terminally ill.

During times of poverty and racial injustice, Mother Mary never lost faith in Providence. Her perseverance and endurance are signs of her close union with God which she boldly asserted “Our sole wish is to do the will of God.” until she went home to be with Him on February 3, 1882.

In 1992, Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore officially opened a formal investigation into Mother Mary Lange’s life which could lead to her canonization as a saint.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! Several bins full of children’s hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens were collected during our WINTER WARMTH DRIVE. Thank you for warming the hearts – and bodies – of the children of East Harlem served by the Little Sisters of the Assumption.

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 20, 2022 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 Luke 6:27-38 Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?

Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Monday Was there something in this reading that spoke to you? Comforted you? Challenged you? What was it? Why did it have this effect on you?

Tuesday As we continue to reflect on the Sermon on the Plain from Luke’s gospel account, we encounter some challenging teachings. Do you find these teachings to be unrealistic in today’s world? What would it take to actually put this way of life into practice?

Wednesday Nestled amid this reading is the “Golden Rule” (Do to others as you would have them do to you.) This teaching is found in a similar form in most of the religions of the world. Why do you think it is such a universal teaching? Do you think it is universally practiced? Why or why not?

Thursday Jesus says, “love your enemies” twice in this one Gospel passage. And we are told the reason: because God “is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Think of a time when you have been shown mercy by someone else, when someone didn’t punish you for a mistake you made, or wrote off a debt, or forgave you for some wrong. Recall how relieved you felt. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for that person.

Friday What is your reaction when you see someone else get in trouble for their wrongdoing? Why are we quick to judge others, but slow to show compassion? Why is it so difficult to forgive someone who has hurt us?

Saturday When we hear that the measure with which we measure others is the measure by which we will be measured, are we comforted? Or we challenged? What are the standards by which you judge others? Are you comfortable with those same standards being applied to you?

From the Pastor 02.13.22 Saint Monica Joins the Upper East Side

Our parish shares much with the Yorkville community in terms of history faith and culture. But one thing we have not had up until now that almost every other building around us has had or has . . . is scaffolding. But that changed this past Saturday when the scaffold that we see outside the church was erected.

The reason for the scaffolding began when we noticed water damage in the church months ago. We hired a company to do an investigation. They indicated that some of the damage was due to water seeping in around the windows way high up near the ceiling. Other damage indicated that, at very least, the two rooves over the side aisles of the church would need to be replaced. And very possibly the main slate roof. Moreover, they noted that there were several places where weathering had destabilized the church façade. To investigate that, we had to bring in a “cherry picker”, which we did two weeks ago. What the workers found was sobering. There were pieces of the masonry and decorative carving that had long since separated from the building. Some stones were just sitting there, the only thing keeping them from falling being their weight. We had the scaffolding erected as soon as possible.

What will happen now is that workers will thoroughly check the entire façade for loose masonry. The two side rooves will be replaced, and the main roof will be examined to see if it too needs to go. We expect the scaffolding to be up between three to six months.

This is all incredibly expensive. How are we paying for this? Well, when we sold the air rights over the church, we created two investment accounts. One, which contains the bulk of the money and from which we draw interest, which funds things like the music program and religious education, as well as pays bills. The other was created for the projected costs of the various capital projects we hoped to complete in coordination with the Renew and Rebuild Capital Campaign, which we ran in 2016 and which winds up this year. So many of those projects are finished or are in their final stages of completion, with one exception: the Parish Hall beneath the church. The remaining money was slated for that job but will now have to be used for these repairs. The parish hall will have to be postponed.

This is incredibly disappointing. We remain committed to renovating and reopening the hall. It is essential to expanding our ministries to children and young adults. but without the funds, it will be a while. Some have suggested taking money from the other investment account. But that would be penny-wise and pound foolish, as we need the interest that comes from it. Others ask, why we can’t just sell St. Elizabeth of Hungary, which has stood empty and decaying for the last 7 years. Certain of the former parishioners of St. Elizabeth’s maintain a petition in Rome for its reopening. Until that is dealt with, Rome refuses to permit the sale.

Nevertheless, despite this unwelcome discovery, when we are finished, the church will have new rooves and renovated exterior to go along with its renovated interior. That, along with the new heating, air conditioning, windows, and handicap accessibility in the parish center our parish offers a modern, comfortable place to gather, worship, and learn in the Yorkville community we have served for so many years.

I will keep you posted!

Father Baker

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