The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parishlife JANUARY 21, 2024

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Come Follow Me”

An Essay by Peter Simunovich (pg 9)

Five Minute Jesus (pg 10) Just a Word (pg 11)

Scan to eReader

Mission Statement

The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Stephen of Hungary opens its doors to 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, lifestyle, nationality, economic status, and age, we endeavor to live as a community of faith. We 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 Parish Manager: Jennifer DeSpirito................jdespirito@stelmo79.org Sacristan: Pedro Pizarro..........................ppizarro@stelmo79.org Administrative Assistant: Gladys Tejada........gtejada@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Taryn Tonelli.............ttonelli@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Maryann Tyrer..........mtyrer@stelmo79.org Plant Manager: Guillermo Vanegas...gvanegas@stelmo79.org Music Director: John Zupan.....................jzupan@stelmo79.org Weekend Associate: ...........................Rev. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Weekend Associate: ..................................Rev. Edward Beck, CP Wedding Coordinator: Debbi Burdett....dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com

Mass Schedule

Daily Mass: Mon - Sat, 12:00 PM Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM Sunday: 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 5:00 PM Confessions: Saturdays at 5:00 PM* (*or by appointment)

Contact

Church Address: 413 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th Street, New York NY 10075 Tel: 212-288-6250 Fax: 212-570-1562 Email: info@stelmo79.org Parish Office Hours Monday & Wednesday..............................9 AM - 4 PM Tuesday & Thursday ................................. 9 AM - 7 PM Friday ......................................................... Closed Saturday ................................................10 AM - 2 PM Sunday ....................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays from 1 - 2 PM

stelmo79.org

|

@STELMO79

Mass Intentions

Saturday, January 20, Vigil 5:30 PM - Theresa Vasquez Sunday, January 21, The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM - Patrick Heany 10:00 AM -Steve, Eileen, and Kevin Ryga 12:00 PM - All Parishioners 5:00 PM - Bridget, Pauline, and John Downes Monday, January 22, Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children 12:00 PM - Carmel and John Sherry(Living) Tuesday, January 23, Weekday 12:00 PM - Peace for the World Wednesday, January 24, St. Francis De Sales 12:00 PM - Carmela and Joseph Pisani (Living) Thursday, January 25, The Conversion of St. Paul 12:00 PM - Ed Knowles Friday, January 26, St. Timothy and St. Titus 12:00 PM - Raffaele nd Giovanna La Rosa Saturday, January 27, Weekday 12:00 PM - Bernadette Fahey

Prayers for the Sick: Marylin Atkinson Danielle Boros Judith Farber Marcelle Ferrier Rosemary Keating Anne Lesch Maureen Lynch Neil O’Carroll Mary O’Connor Lynch Michelle Netus Harry Rabonwitz Michael Reilly Jerry Schwegman Jose Vasquez and all those ill and victims of military activities

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Weekly Readings & Observances

Every Friday after the 12:00 PM Mass until 3:00 PM in the church and live online

Readings for the week of January 21, 2024

Devotions

Sunday:

Miraculous Medal on Mondays after Mass in the church and live online Divine Mercy Every Friday at 3:00 PM in the church and live online Vespers (Evening Prayer) Every Friday at 5:10 PM in the chapel and live online Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays at 5:00 PM or by appointment Anointing of the Sick Every third Saturday of the month after the 12:00 PM 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/age and would like to have communion brought to them, please contact the parish office for arrangements.

Prayers for the Deceased: Regina Ford Jim Killen Msgr. Thomas Modugno Edward Warren Knowles II Ruben Vergara and the victims of the Middle East

Jon 3:1-5, 10/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a)/1 Cor 7:29-31/Mk 1:14-20 Monday: 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10/Ps 89:20, 21-22, 25-26/Mk 3:22-30 Tuesday: 2 Sm 6:12b-15, 17-19/Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10/ Mk 3:31-35 Wednesday: 2 Sm 7:4-17/Ps 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30/Mk 4:1-20 Thursday: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22/Ps 117:1bc, 2/Mk 16:15-18 Friday: 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10/Mk 4:26-34 Saturday: 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17/Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17/Mk 4:35-41 Next Sunday: Dt 18:15-20/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 (8)/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mk 1:21-28 Observances for the week of January 21, 2024 Sunday: Monday:

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children Tuesday: St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr; St. Marianne Cope, Virgin Wednesday: St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Thursday: The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Friday: Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops Saturday: St. Angela Merici, Virgin Next Sunday: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Celebrate Catholic Schools Week ©LPi

Est. 1928

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MONDAY, 1/29 CELEBRATING COMMUNITY TUESDAY, 1/30 CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS & SSHS 95TH ANNIVERSARY WEDNESDAY, 1/31 CELEBRATING THE NATION THURSDAY, 2/1 CELEBRATING VOCATIONS FRIDAY, 2/2 CELEBRATING FACULTY, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

408 EAST 82ND STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10028

(212) 288 - 1989 |

www.saintstephenschool.org

January 25 and February 1, 2024 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Parish Center: Life in Christ: Foundations of Catholic Morality Join us for the remaining parts of this four-part course, taught by Maryann Tyrer. Learn how the Church’s moral teaching developed out of the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, and how it guides us in responsible decision making and the development of our consciences.

Catechist Formation courses for the Archdiocese of New York are open to all as part of the Theology Thursday lineup. Please register with the Archdiocese by scanning the QR code below: (Please note, you’ll need to create an account with a valid email address to register!)

THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME "When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel" (GIRM, no. 29).

--These words from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) set before us a profound truth that we need to ponder and make our own. The words of Sacred Scripture are unlike any other texts we will ever hear, for they not only give us information, they are the vehicle God uses to reveal himself to us, the means by which we come to know the depth of God's love for us, and the responsibilities entailed by being Christ's followers, members of his Body.

What is more, this Word of God proclaimed in the liturgy possesses a special sacramental power to bring about in us what it proclaims. The Word of God proclaimed at Mass is 'efficacious' that is, it not only tells us of God and God's will for us, it also helps us to put that will of God into practice in our own lives. How, then, do we respond to this wonderful gift of God's Word?

Finding Comfort in Your Grief Bereavement Ministry will resume meeting on January 24 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the parish center for an additional four weeks. All those grieving the loss of a loved one are welcome regardless of faith.

Those who have participated in this program in the past are welcome, as well as those joining us for the first time. Sessions include prayer and reflection, as well as discussion and sharing. Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org for more information.

We respond in word and song, in posture and gesture, in silent meditation and, most important of all, by listening attentively to that Word as it is proclaimed. Following each reading we express our gratitude for this gift with the words "Thanks be to God" or, in the case of the Gospel, "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ," and it is appropriate that a brief period of silence be observed to allow for personal reflection. Following the first reading we sing the Responsorial Psalm, a meditation on God's word through the inspired words of one of the psalms from the psalter, the Bible's prayer book. © 2024 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time K-8 Religious Education and Preparation: • Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 10:00 AM Mass on Sundays o Volunteers are needed — please see below!

• K-8 Religious Education sessions continue at 11:10 AM in the parish center.

• Save the date: If your child is preparing to celebrate First Holy Communion this Spring, the First Communion Family Retreat is on Saturday, March 2 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM in the church. This is for families in our parish religious education, St. Stephen of Hungary School, and The Caedmon School.

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA): • Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic? 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.) Join the process at any time in the year.

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities: • Join us for Adult Faith Formation every Sunday following the noon mass. Come to the parish center (406 East 80th Street) for refreshments and a facilitated discussion of the Sunday scriptures.

We end at 3:00 PM. All adults are welcome!

•

Our “Group of Guys” Men’s Faith Sharing Group meets every Tuesday at 12:00 PM in the parish center, and all men are welcome to join.

•

Theology Thursday continues on January 18 at 6:30 PM with the third of a four week series on Catholic Morality. All adults are welcome.

Volunteers needed!

Please consider helping with our Children’s Liturgy of the Word program during the 10 AM Mass on Sundays! Currently, we have two volunteers, but are looking for more to sustain this fantastic offering. After Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training, volunteers need only commit to serving once a month. All resources will be provided— just bring your desire to work with our pre-school aged children and willingness to complete to a background check!

Please contact Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to sign up.

We look forward to having you!

Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

By Msgr. Daniel Kutys Identifying the reading and interpreting of the Bible as “Protestant” even affected the study of Scripture.

Until the twentieth Century, it was only Protestants who actively embraced Scripture study.

That changed after 1943 when Pope Pius XII issued the encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu. This not only allowed Catholics to study Scripture, it encouraged them to do so.

And with Catholics studying Scripture and teaching other Catholics about what they were studying, familiarity with Scripture grew.

Average Catholics asked today how often they read the Bible likely would say that they do not read the B i b l e r e g u l a r l y.

However, if asked how often they read Scripture, the answer would be different.

Practicing Catholics know they read and hear Scripture at every Mass.

Many also recognize that basic prayers Catholics say, such as the Our Father and the Hail Mary, are scriptural. But for most Catholics, the Scripture they hear and read is not from the Bible. It is from a worship aid in the pew.

Scripture awareness grew after the Second Vatican Council. Mass was celebrated in the vernacular and so the Scripture readings at Mass were read entirely in English. Adult faith formation programs began to develop, and the most common program run at a parish focused on Scripture study. The Charismatic movement and the rise of prayer groups exposed Catholics to Scripture even more.

All of this contributed to Catholics becoming more familiar with the Bible and more interested in reading the Scriptures and praying with them.

Scripture always has played an important role in the prayer life of the Catholic Church and its members.

For the ordinary Catholic in earlier centuries, exposure to Scripture was passive. They heard it read aloud or prayed aloud but did not read it themselves. One simple reason: Centuries ago the average person could not read or afford a book.

Popular reading and ownership of books began to flourish only after the invention of the printing press.

Once the printing press was invented, the most commonly printed book was the Bible, but this still did not make Bible-reading a Catholic’s common practice. Up until the mid-twentieth Century, the custom of reading the Bible and interpreting it for oneself was a hallmark of the Protestant churches springing up in Europe after the Reformation.

Protestants rejected the authority of the Pope and of the Church and showed it by saying people could read and interpret the Bible for themselves. Catholics meanwhile were discouraged from reading Scripture.

-

In a round-about way, aspects of U.S. culture also have encouraged Catholics to become more familiar with the Scriptures. References to John 3:16 appear in the stands at sporting events. Catholics who hear of and see other Christians quote or cite Scripture verses wonder why they cannot. Such experiences lead Catholics to seek familiarity with the Bible.

--

Such attitudinal changes bode well for Catholics, especially when reading and praying with the Word of God leads to lessons learned, hearts inspired and lives profoundly moved for good.

©2024 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Author Msgr. Daniel Kutys is a pastor in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Join us for an evening

OF BOARD GAMES & COCKTAILS 1462 1ST AVE (AT E. 76TH STREET) | $20 TICKET INCLUDES 2 HOURS OF GAMES & LIGHT BITES (PURCHASE WITH QR BELOW)

*full food/drink menu avaliable - cash bar*

SUNDAY, 1/28 AT 6:15 PM (FOLLOWING THE 5PM MASS)

Looking ahead to January 28, 2024: the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time It’s simple. Read the Gospel for next 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 at this moment? Reflect on how you might live out God’s Word each day.

MARK 1:21-28 Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Monday, January 22 Which words or phrases caught your attention? Which comforted or challenged you?

Tuesday, January 23 Today we hear of Jesus’ authority over evil; new and filled with courage and wisdom. Consider the man with the unclean spirit: are there "unclean spirits" within me that need the authority of Jesus to cast them out?

Wednesday, January 24 In what areas of my life do I struggle with submitting to the authority of Jesus? How might I grow in surrendering to him?

Thursday, January 25 How does acknowledging Jesus’ authority impact my decisions, relationships, and overall perspective? What steps can I take to deepen my understanding of Jesus' authority in my daily life?

Friday, January 26 The unclean spirit represents forces that pull us away from God. Whatever darkness may surround us, Jesus will be there to free us. When have I been pulled away from God? What brought me back?

Saturday, January 27 When Jesus was baptized, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and furthermore able to demonstrate a new authority. We too, through our baptism, are strengthened with the Holy Spirit. How can I use that strength to help those in my community who are suffering spiritually?

JANUARY 21, 2024 Actions and Reactions When I was in science class in school, it was one of the most basic lessons. The professor would put a ball on a table and roll another ball into it. Both would bounce off each other and travel in different directions.

“Every action produces an equal and opposite reaction” he would intone, and we would all nod our heads.

Of course, he was right – it is one of the basic principles of Newtonian physics. And yet, even in my little eighth grade mind I had a question. Undoubtedly the ball reacts to being hit by another ball. That we can predict. But the directions the balls would travel after collision? How can we predict that?!

I am sure that a scientist could. She would measure the mass of the ball, the precise angle at which it hit the other ball, etc. Pool players do something similar. But even they are not 100% accurate, and when we are talking about real life, and not the counter of a science lab or the smooth green top of a billiards table, who can measure and calculate to any degree of accuracy? Real life is not like a science lab, and the law of action and reaction is not limited to billiard balls.

To look around the world these days is to see this: the Houthis attack ships, the US and UK attack the Houthis.

They are supported by Iran, and thus Iran threatens retaliation. Hamas slaughters Israeli civilians, the Israeli Defense Force pounds Gaza back to the Stone Age. To read the news in the Church is to see this: The pope criticizes the Cardinals for their lifestyle, the Cardinals push back, undermining his authority. The pope calls a synod, allows discussion and the conservative forces in the church label him an "Antipope.”

To follow the political circus our country has become is to see this: Democrats move to impeach, then Republicans move to do the same. Budgets are upended, spending agreements threatened, and the people who are elected to govern see their office as little more than a stage to posture to their most extreme supporters.

Newton was right – but so is my criticism: we may see reactions, but have no idea which direction they will lead. And any student of history knows that often such directions can lead a people, a country, the Church, or the world into the abyss.

It can be frightening. Which is why our reaction to the changes and threats in our world matters. It must be based on something. Something we believe is certain and secure. Our faith in the words and actions of Jesus Christ is important because if he is what we say he is, then he is God in the flesh; he is God’s word spoken into this world, so that to get to know him is to get to know God. And when we follow him and allow him to influence how we think and feel, how we act and how we treat others, then we have found our place to stand, trusting that while we do not know which way the world is going, he does.

This promise and its challenge are important, especially in these dark times. We here in our part of Yorkville cannot change the directions the world or the Church are going – we’d need a bigger ball! But we CAN make a difference here. As I often say, we do not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds our future.

Use the time leading up to Lent and Easter to come to know Jesus: what HE says and does, how HE acts and reacts to the challenges he faced. And then do likewise.

—Father Baker