February 20, 2022 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish life Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

02/20/2022

Parish Life (Page 5

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 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, February 19th Vigil 5:30pm Michael McCarthy Sunday, February 20th Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am Patrick Kerrigan 10:00am Emil J. DeSperito 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm James Neary Monday, February 21st Weekday 12pm Kathleen M. Reddington Tuesday, February 22nd The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle 12pm All Souls in Purgatory Wednesday, February 23rd St. Polycarp 12pm Eleonor Danca Thursday, February 24th Weekday 12pm Leilani Molina (Bday-Living) Friday, February 25th Weekday 12:00pm Pedro Ant. Litrenta, Jr. & Margarita Simanca (Living) Saturday, February 26th Weekday 12pm Souls in Purgatory 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

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

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

Today’s Readings First Reading — David found Saul in a deep sleep, but would not harm him (1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23).

Psalm — The Lord is kind and merciful (Psalm 103).

Second Reading — We shall bear the image of the heavenly Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-49).

Gospel — Give to everyone who asks of you.

Lend expecting nothing back (Luke 6:27-38).

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 3:13-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6; Mt 16:13-19 Wednesday: Jas 4:13-17; Ps 49:2-3, 6-11; Mk 9:38-40 Thursday: Jas 5:1-6; Ps 49:14-20; Mk 9:41-50 Friday: Jas 5:9-12; Ps 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12; Mk 10:1-12 Saturday: Jas 5:13-20; Ps 141:1-3, 8; Mk 10:13-16 Sunday: Sir 27:4-7; Ps 92:2-3, 13-16;

1 Cor 15:54-58; Lk 6:39-45

February 22, 20221

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

Did you know? Simple steps can have a big impact on the health of our neighborhood.

For example, NYC sends over 1 million tons of food waste annually to landfills*, where it decomposes generating tons of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.

The good news is that turning this waste to compost has a ripple effect. Composting nourishes the soil for healthy trees and plants.

It reduces waste sent to landfills and creates renewable energy to heat and power homes.

All over NYC, the Sanitation Department (DSNY) is distributing latch-lid "brown bins" in residential buildings of all sizes to make it easier for everyone to do their part.

The more people sign up for the DSNY Curbside Composting Program, the faster the service will come to the Upper East Side.

Visit https://dsny.force.com/curbsidecomposting to learn more, spread the word, and help care for creation. * NYC.gov/plaNYC

Be a part of our flock!

Sign up for free messages from your parish. Help us to keep in touch with you.

Text stelmo79 to 84576 OR email stelmo79.flocknote.com Lent is coming!

Lent is coming!

Lent is coming!

Ash Wednesday is March 2.

Full calendar of events coming next week in the bulletin and at www.stelmo79.org.

Thursday, February 24

Young Adult Social

Visit the New Museum, Lower East Side, for

Sunday, February 27, following the 5pm Mass.

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.

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

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

Faith Ringgold: American People

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

Upcoming Sessions: NO SESSIONS FOR K-8 ON FEBRUARY 20, sessions resume on Feb. 27.

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).

Adult Faith Formation: • •

NO SESSIONS ON FEBRUARY 20. We will meet every Sunday between Feb. 27 and Palm Sunday.

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.

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. (NO SESSIONS FEBRUARY 20. We resume on February 27.)

The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter – Feb. 22

Please keep our Confirmation Candidates in your prayers this week as they make their retreats.

St. Stephen of Hungary students on Wednesday, February 23 Parish Religious Education students on Saturday, February 26

Saint Peter is considered the foundation of the Christian Church, which is now a symbol that his Chair represents. In honor of his service to the Church, a day of the Feast was celebrated, right from the earliest days of Christianity. It celebrates his authority and endless efforts to build a strong community around the teachings of Christ and has been celebrated since the earliest times in the Christian era.

There were two chairs associated with Saint Peter, one kept in St. Peter’s Basilica and the other in the Catacomb of Priscilla. Each of these chairs was revered and celebrated, however, because St. Peter’s Basilica is the final resting place of the Apostle, the ancient oak chair is the one that is referred to as the Chair of St. Peter. It is considered a historical treasure and is safely kept in the Papal Altar of the Basilica.

Every cathedral holds the cathedra (chair) of the presiding (arch)bishop of the (arch)diocese, symbolizing his teaching authority. Look for the cathedra the next time you visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral!

Henriette Delille Mother Mary Lange

1766-1853 Philanthropist New York, NY

1812-1862.

1794-1882.

1854-1897.

Founder Founder 1st Rcognized Sisters of the Oblate Sisters African American Holy Family of Providence priest in the US New Orleans, LA Baltimore, MD. Chicago, IL

c1833-1918 Philanthropist Denver, CO

1937-1990 Educator Evangelist Jackson, MS

All you holy men and women, pray for us!

For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission Pope Francis wants to hear from you!

Synodality means taking a spiritual journey together.

Save the dates for our parish level listening sessions: March 3, 10, and 17 7pm, in the Parish Center Make your voice heard!

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 27, 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 6:39-45 Jesus told his disciples a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?

No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

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 At first glance, this set of teachings seems much easier to accept than last Sunday’s exhortations to love one’s enemies and to give feely with no expectation of return. But the road of discipleship is never easy. We all want to be equal to our teachers, yet that only happens once we are fully trained. When do you find it difficult to accept training or critique from a superior?

Wednesday The idea of walking around with a wooden beam in our eye is humorous, yet we are often blind to our own faults and weaknesses, even as we are quick to see them in others. Spend some time reflecting on one area in your life where you might need to trim down your “wooden beam.”

Thursday We don’t often tolerate hypocrisy in others, and we really hate it when we are called hypocrites by others. Why do you think that is so? What is one small step you could take this week to grow in your own integrity?

Friday What good fruit is born by your life? Reflect on the good that has come to your family, your community, your sphere of influence, as a result of “the store of goodness” in your heart. Give thanks to God for that goodness.

Saturday What rotten fruit have you born in your life? How might you prune away the thorns or brambles in your life to allow the goodness to shine through? How might this upcoming season of Lent provide an opportunity to deepen the fullness of your heart?

From the Pastor 02.20.2022 Wait! Wait! One more thing . . .

Previously I reported on the reasons behind the scaffolding which now surrounds the front of our church. Water damage revealed rooves that needed replacing, walls that needed repointing, and a church façade which was crumbling and in desperate need of stabilization. This work should take between three to six months.

Meanwhile over at the school, we have been involved in a multiyear capital campaign, with the goal of renovating the adjoining Franciscan friary (Franciscans ran St. Stephen until the parish and school were merged with St. Monica and St. Elizabeth of Hungary in 2015) and turning it into added classroom and educational space for the students. The parish gave two million dollars from the sale of its air rights. This money was intended to provide a new elevator and stairwell to the friary, so that it might be fully utilized for students in accordance with the new Certificate of Occupancy that would have to be obtained from the City. The funding for the rest of the renovations was to come from the campaign contributions, and from a $500,000 donation from the School Foundation.

When COVID happened, we realized we needed to get the kids back into school. We fast tracked renovation on the school rooms, making them useable for social distancing. To do that we used the money slated for the elevator and the stairs. It was a crisis decision, and we believe it was the right one. Our school was one of a tiny handful of City schools that were open for 5-day in person education. We believe our students are the better because of it.

However, to continue, we need to be able to get that new Certificate of Occupancy for what we call the Francis Building , allowing us to use the entire friary for the education and enrichment of our children. That will entail finding the money for that new elevator and stairwell. Moreover, construction triggered an inspection of the main school building by the Fire Department, and they indicated that we would have to update the Certificate of Occupancy on that building, something which we hope will not necessitate costly upgrades to that facility.

The school itself is fine! We have plenty of kids, excellent teachers, and space enough to teach them. Moreover, once social distancing rules are lifted, we can welcome even more students into our school. And there is reason to believe that they will want to come.

However, if we wish to provide the facilities for our children to be formed and informed for the 21st century, the campaign and the renovation of the school’s facilities are essential. I share this with you because school parents were given this information in a letter from the Principal, Ms. Kelly Burke and me this past week. I believe that the school should know what is going on in the parish, and the parish should be informed and involved in the life of our school.

If you are wondering how you can help, Ms. Burke and I would love to hear from you. We do have plans for a way forward, pursuant on some more information which we will obtain from our project managers and architects in the coming weeks. We will keep you informed.

But if you want to help, please support the campaign! And also, pray. The education and formation of the next generation of Catholics is God’s work, but it is done with our hearts and hands. It not only takes money to make that happen - it takes faith.

I have faith that with the support of school and parish families, both our parish and our school will continue to grow and thrive despite the challenges we face, for many years to come.

Father Baker

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