The Second Sunday of Easter

Parishlife The Second Sunday of Easter - APRIL 7, 2024

St. Monica Concert Series (pg 4) Celebrate Easter’s Fifty Days (pg 8) Just a Word: Merci Sunday (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

Saturday, April 6, Vigil 5:30 PM - Patrick & James McCulaugh Sunday, April 7, Second Sunday of Easter 8:00 AM - Robert Kubera & Michael Phillips 10:00 AM - Pietro, Salvatrice, Raffaele Mandara 12:00 PM - All Parishioners 5:00 PM - Nemecia Contreras & Belinda Mosquera Monday, April 8, The Annunciation of the Lord 12:00 PM - Jozsef Tomahatsch Tuesday, April 9, Easter Weekday 12:00 PM - Souls in Purgatory

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

Wednesday, April 10, Easter Weekday 12:00 PM - Dr. Vanes Bellevue

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

Saturday, April 13, Easter Weekday 12:00 PM - Andrew Lawler

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

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Mass Intentions

stelmo79.org

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@STELMO79

Thursday, April 11, Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr 12:00 PM - Rocco S. Boccia Friday, April 12, Easter Weekday 12:00 PM - Robert McAuvic

Baptism Announcement

On April 7 at 1:30 PM, we will be baptizing:

Laura Delphine DiMichael child of Mark V. DiMichael and Catherine Johnson

Ryan Patrick Mangan

child of Patrick M. Mangan and Jacqueline M. Elliot

Skylar Marie Mazurowski child of Stephen Mazurowski and Stephanie Gonsalez

Please join us in congratulating these families as they celebrate their children’s new lives in Christ!

Bread and Wine This week’s bread and wine is in memory of

Jozsef Tomahatsch

Offered by Bridgette Tomahatsch

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the 12:00 PM Mass until 3:00 PM in the church and live online Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after Mass in the church and live online

Weekly Readings & Observances Readings for the week of April 7, 2024

Sunday:

Acts 4:32-35/1 Jn 5:1-6/Jn 20:19-31

Monday:

Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38

Tuesday:

Acts 4:32-37/Jn 3:7b-15

Divine Mercy

Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26/Jn 3:16-21

Every Friday at 3:00 PM in the church and live online

Thursday:

Acts 5:27-33/Jn 3:31-36

Friday:

Acts 5:34-42/Jn 6:1-15

Saturday:

Acts 6:1-7/Jn 6:16-21

Vespers (Evening Prayer) Every Friday at 5:10 PM in the chapel and live online

Next Sunday: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19/1 Jn 2:1-5a/Lk 24:35-48

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 Monika Mroczkowski Aurora Sanchez and the victims of the Middle East

Observances for the week of April 7, 2024 Sunday:

Second Sunday of Easter

Monday:

The Annunciation of the Lord

Tuesday:

Easter Weekday

Wednesday: Easter Weekday Thursday:

Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr

Friday:

Easter Weekday

Saturday:

Easter Weekday

Next Sunday: Third Sunday of Easter

Prayers for the Sick

Rosemary Keating Jose Vasquez Neil O’Carroll Harry Rabonwitz Marylin Atkinson Jerry Schwegman Judith Farber Mary O’Connor Lynch Danielle Boros Michael Reilly Marcelle Ferrier

Mila Janina Marchio Mary O’Dowd Robert Estrada Marjorie Stamburg Pearl Silverman Dr. Vittorio Palmieri Maria Simanca Patricia Marino Besnik P. Desiree Amato Parks Maurine Lynch

and all those ill and victims of military activities

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SÁNDOR SZABÓ:

Organ Recital Dr. Sándor Szabó is a multi-faceted artist: an organist, pianist, harpsichordist, and conductor. Join us for his program which includes the dramatic "First Sonata Symphony" by Guilmant, colorful organ transcriptions by Lemare such as "Dance Macabre" and "Ride of the Valkyries," and the jazzy "Gershwinesca" by Hakim.

The Church of St. Monica 4

413 E 79th St. New York, NY 10075

SAVE THE DATE:

Our next six-week series of “Seasons of Hope” begins on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:30 PM in the parish center, and continues each Wednesday through May 22.

If you have lost a loved one, please join us for this weekly gathering of prayer, reflection, journaling, discussion, and support for your journey of grief. All are welcome!

Please RSVP to Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org or 212-288-6250.

ICON PAINTING WORKSHOP May 6 - May 10, 2024 Rev. Peter Pearson returns to lead us in another wonderful week of prayerful painting!

• No experience or artistic skill required – our excellent teacher will guide us through each step as we each create our own copy of this Our Lady of Guadalupe icon.

• 6:30 - 9 PM, May 6 - 10, 2024, in the parish center (406 E 80th St.) Please try to commit to all five evenings so you will be able to complete your icon.

• $250 fee includes expert instruction, board, paints, and all supplies and materials. Payment due before the first session.

• Pre-registration required and spaces are limited! Register and pay online starting April 1, or bring a check (payable to St. Monica’s Church) to the parish center to reserve your spot!

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Second Sunday of Easter K-8 Religious Education and Preparation: •

Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place during the 10:00 AM Mass on Sundays.

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K-8 Religious Education sessions resume on April 7 at 11:10 AM in the parish center.

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There will be no family mass in April, but save the date for our May 4th Family Mass with our Annual May Crowning, where all children will be invited to adorn Mary with provided flowers!

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First Communicants: If you haven’t made your banner yet, you are invited to a Banner Making Workshop – Saturday, April 13 from 3 - 4:00 PM in the parish center. Bring your banner kit!

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Teen Confirmation Candidates: Last call for sponsor forms and saint names! Confirmation rehearsal is Saturday, April 27 at 3:30 PM in the church. Candidates and sponsors must attend!

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA): Have you ever considered 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 for more information!

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities: • Join us for Adult Faith Formation every Sunday following the 12:00 PM 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.

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Theology Thursday will resume in the fall of 2024. If there are topics you would like to see presented, email Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org. We’re already beginning to plan for next year!

How Does Baptism Change Us? Kristopher W. Seaman During the Litany of the Saints at the Easter Vigil, the bishop invited Jenifer and her family to come to the font. This mother and her children had been awaiting Baptism for nearly two years. Jennifer decided she would go first, to show the children (ages eight to fifteen) how she would enter the waters into which they would follow. After the Blessing of the Water, the bishop helped her into the large, deep baptismal font. He then stepped in himself. All of a sudden, the smallest child ran to the bishop, waving his finger and exclaiming, “Do not drown my mom!”

The bishop was quite surprised. He reassured this child that he would not drown the mother. Then, turning to the assembly, the bishop said, “Did everyone hear that? He gets what Baptism is about—death, but also, we need to add, new life.” Then, the mother was baptized, followed by her children, and, of course, the most eager to be baptized, the young boy.

This story illustrates the power of sacramental symbols to evoke meaning at a deeply human or cosmic level. The child’s experience of water meant that he knew the destructive quality of water—it can unleash floods or quench one’s breath in drowning. But there is another side to water—it sustains life. The human body needs water to stay alive, specifically for the continual activity of the cells within the human body. The production of food requires water. Life at its fundamental is dependent on water. Baptism changes us to see the human and the cosmic as imbued with life-giving and death-wielding power.

DYING AND RISING

But there is also a theological significance to water. The theological meaning is tied to death and life, but particularly to the life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ Jesus. His life, Death, and Resurrection give meaning to Baptism. The baptized enter cosmically and bodily into the very life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. The blessed water ritually cleanses the person, provides access to Christ’s renewed life, and gives entrance into the Body of Christ, the Church. From the waters of Baptism, one receives the Holy Spirit, is washed clean from sin, and is renewed in the life and mission of Christ, a life and mission the Church promises to serve. Baptism changes us in such a way we are given a new mission, a new calling, and a new body because of the work of Christ’s Spirit in the font.

The anointing that may go along with the Baptism is also tied to Christ’s life, which is given in Baptism.

Baptism immerses us in Christ’s person and mission.

St. Augustine remarked that the anointing with the Cross, a symbol of Christ’s Death and life, is tied to the person and mission of Christ. (The word Christ is Greek for anointed one.)

To be anointed, therefore, is to be marked a Christian, a person dedicated and joined to the person and mission of Christ.

These baptismal waters are sometimes referred to as waters of regeneration. The waters not only drown our old selves but regenerate, or recreate, us into disciples of Christ. If Baptism immerses us into Christ’s person and mission, the rest of life is potentially a response to that baptismal call. Each day we are to discern how we might live as Christ. Baptism changes not only how we see the world but how we live according to Christ’s mission.

Text by Kristopher W. Seaman, dmin. Art by Steve Erspamer. © 2017 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609; 800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. Pastoral Liturgy® magazine, May/June 2017, www.PastoralLiturgy.org.

This page may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice must appear with the text.

It also may be downloaded at http://www.pastoralliturgy.org/resources/HowDoesBaptismChangeUs.pdf.

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CELEBRATE EASTER’S

50 DAYS Easter is the most important feast of the Christian year—so important that the Church sets aside a seven-week season to rejoice in Christ’s victory over sin and death. But how can a family sustain this “Easter spirit” of celebration all the way to Pentecost? Here are some ways to celebrate the fifty days. But don’t try to do them all!

Each week, try just one or two ideas that seem right for you. You’ll be rejoicing long after the last jellybean is gone!

Use a special candle at family meals to recall the light of Christ.

Every day, read together from the Easter story: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21.

Celebrate new life by doing something as a family to support unborn children and their parents.

Keep fresh flowers around.

Use the old Easter greeting and response: “Christ is risen! – He is risen indeed!”

Visit a lonely neighbor or do some other family act of kindness to express thanks for the resurrection.

Talk about baptism. Tell stories of family members’ baptisms.

Plan a family outing to a river, lake, stream, or ocean.

Make cookies in the shapes of Easter symbols.

Freeze some to serve throughout the season.

Learn how other cultures celebrate Easter. Try out some of their customs and foods.

Plant some seeds.

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Listen to Handel’s Messiah and other Easter music.

Read about the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24:1335); take a family walk.

Take a short trip to an interesting shrine or church.

Discuss what it means to be Christ’s “witnesses” (Luke 24:48). Help each family member to see that their witness matters.

Wear more white, or even gold! They’re the season’s special colors.

Just before his ascension, Jesus blessed the disciples. Pray Numbers 6:24-26 together as a way of communicating his blessing to one another.

Fly a kite to celebrate the wind of the Holy Spirit.

Find ways to make Sunday meals special during the Easter season.

Discuss why Sunday is holy (see John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, On Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy; Catechism, 2174-2195). Decide how you can keep the Lord’s Day as a family.

T T These donations were made in honor of: Mr. & Mrs. Vanes Bellevue

Norma and James Carney Oberman

Mr. & Mrs. Oge Bellevue

Rose Ventimiglia

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Blain

Ethan Alvarez

Michelle Bellevue Netus

Maryanne

Berenice Blain

The priests of St. Monica

Lucie Blain

Anrulfo, Maria, Antonio Reyes

Pauline Blain

All deceased members of the Soliven,

John R. Flack

Singson. Reyes, Lahoz Families

Thomas P. Clarke

Poor souls in purgatory

Helen E. Flack

Mercedes Villacorta

Magda Szabo

Melida Mohebbi

Helen & Ed.ard Cranckitas

Robert Anello

Mike ard

Frances and Giacinto Siste

Clarence and Juliette Lemke

The Dinapoli Family

Paul Lemke

Barbara Naughton Oliveri

Richard and Mtizi Vincelette

Brian Naughton

Dolores St. Martin

James and Rose Graham

George and Virginia Emery

Patricia Graham

Emil DeSpirito

Ed.ard and Eileen Hendrickson

Mary Castelli

Linda Gainey

Peter Plate

Fred Scheffold

Stephen and Anna Geosits

Thomas and Edith Costello

Harvey Humphrey

Elizabeth

Evangeline Vandermack

Ruth and alter Farley

Philomena Andrisani

Margaret and Tom Curran

Ben"amin Andrisani

Emma Buehler

Catherine Dillon

Isabel Cooney

Garrett Dillon

Rosie achter

Robert DeCola

Msgr. Leo Farley

Rocco Russo

Maria Rafaela Davalos

Deceased members and relatives

Aura Cruz

of the Grasso Family

Deceased members of Farley, Bender,

John R. LaPea

Curran and Hieschtter families

Frances and Eddie Lake

John LaPeaces

Eleanor and John arga

Pat ard

Daniel Lake

Christopher Canonico

im

Sister Louise

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Looking ahead to April 14, 2024: The Third Sunday of Easter 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.

LUKE 24:35-48 The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke you while I was sill with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

Monday, April 8 Which words or phrases caught my attention? Which comforted or challenged me? What conversion of mind and heart might God be asking?

Tuesday, April 9 The two disciples recounted how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. In this year of the Eucharist, how can I show a greater appreciation and devotion to Jesus’ eucharistic presence?

Wednesday, April 10 Jesus opened the two disciples’ minds to understand the Scriptures. How can I grow in my understanding of the Scriptures? Can I hear Jesus speaking through God’s Word? How can I make time during the week to meditate on and live the Word of God? Thursday, April 11 What are my encounters with Jesus like in my everyday life? Where is his presence clear? Where can I use help seeing him?

Friday, April 12 Jesus asks the disciples why they are troubled. What issues or circumstances in my life cause me anxiety or distress? How can faith help me address this unease?

Saturday, April 13 If Jesus were to appear right now, in the flesh, how would I react? What would I ask him? What is preventing me from asking those same questions of him now?

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APRIL 7, 2024 Merci Sunday “Merci” is probably one of the only words most Americans understand in French. Actually, our language is full of French words, but we just don’t recognize them as such: they are just English. But merci we do recognize as French. Ask most people what it means, and they will tell you: “Thank you!”

And they would be right, of course. But the word merci has a long history with deep roots. It goes back to the Latin merces meaning “favor, pity”; a word related to misereor, the Latin verb “to have pity”, or as we would say, to have mercy, an English word from the same French root.

You can follow how it gets its present meaning in French. Imagine a peasant, having received some benefit from their feudal Lord, asking for mercy for having been so bold as to ask for the favor in the first place. In time, it has become the typical response to a favor done or a gift bestowed.

However, there is another word that is rooted in merces. The word merces itself comes from the earlier word merx or mercis – the word we get merchandise from. In short, not something given freely, but something we work for, buy, or earn. Thus, we see a collision of meanings: gift vs. reward; purchase vs. free; gracious gift vs. meritorious work.

This collision does not affect our understanding of the French word, merci. But it has a tremendous effect upon our understanding of mercy. What is mercy? Is it something we are given freely? Or is it something we must pay for like a piece of merchandise? In our relationships with one another, we might lean toward the latter. For a person to show us mercy, we usually must do something to show we are deserving of it. And of course, if we are the one expected to be merciful, we usually expect the other to earn it.

But is it that way with God? Many would say so. Yet a polish nun, Faustina Kowalska, disagreed. Near the beginning of the twentieth century, she had a series of visions where she believed she spoke to Jesus. He appeared to her with his heart open and from which shone two rays of light, one red and one white. Faustina maintained that the Lord told her to have this image produced and venerated. Inscribed with the words, “Jesus, I trust in you,” this image has become the center of the fastest growing devotional practice of the Church in modern times. To this day, people gather all over the world at 3:00 PM to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet: a litany using a rosary like string of beads to ask for “mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. The image of the Divine Mercy is displayed in our sanctuary for all to see. It is not necessary to pray the chaplet to celebrate God’s gift of mercy, the love that it expresses, or the forgiveness that it offers. Simply share that mercy with others. Freely. Like God. This mercy that St. Faustina speaks of – the same mercy prayed for during devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet – it can never be earned; it’s not some piece of merchandise to be bought and sold with our good works.

It can only be received, shared, and given thanks for – in short, our only response can be to say,“merci!” *

* If you are a language nerd like me, you may be wondering, where does the English word “thanks” come from? It is related to the Proto-Germanic word “thankoz” which means “to think or feel.” In short, when we say thanks, we are promising we will remember the person who showed us a kindness – presumably so that we will show the same favor to them in the future.

– Father Baker

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