The Roman Catholic Parish of
Saint Monica Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Saint Stephen of Hungary ————————————————————————————————————— Church : 413 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th St. New York, NY 10075 Tel.:(212) 288-6250 Fax: (212) 570 - 1562 www.STELMO79.org www.facebook.com/stelmo79
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The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time-July 12th, 2020
Office Hours
Parish Staff
Our Offices are open: Mo. 9am – 5pm Tu.-Th. 9am – 7pm Fri. Closed Sat. 10am -2pm Sun. Closed Our offices close for lunch: 1pm – 2pm daily
Pastor:
Rev. Donald C. Baker
frdcab@stelmo79.org
Associate:
Rev. Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers
msgrlivers@stelmo79.org
Weekend Associates:
Parish Manager: Music Director:
Rev. Jim O’Shea Rev. Tony Ciorra Ms. Maryann Tyrer Ms. Jasmine Gomez Mr. Michael Ward Mr. John Zupan
mtyrer@stelmo79.org jgomez@stelmo79.org mward@stelmo79.org jzupan@stelmo79.org
Wedding Coordinator:
Ms. Debbi Burdett
DBweddingsnyc@gmail.com
Pastoral Associates:
Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8:00am,10:00am,12:00pm,5:00pm Monday – Saturday: 12:00pm Confessions: Saturday: 5:00 – 5:30pm and by appointment Our church is open: 7:15am – 3:30pm daily for private prayer Vespers (evening prayer): 5:10pm Fridays in Parish Center Chapel St.
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
S
MISSION STATEMENT The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and 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 and 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. TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — My word will achieve the end for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:10-11). Psalm — The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest (Psalm 65). Second Reading — We, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves awaiting the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:18-23). Gospel — Some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit (Matthew 13:1-23 [1-9]). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
SATURDAY 5:30PM
July 11th Vigil Gjergi & Dana Micakaj
SUNDAY
July 12th Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time
8:00AM
Helen, John Flack & Family
10:00AM 12NOON 5PM
Walter & Mary Ferber All Parishioners Jack Shine
MONDAY 12NOON
July 13th Weekday Victor Vensas
TUESDAY
July 14th St. Kateri Tekakwitha Jane Sentuge
12NOON
WEDNESDAY July 15th St. Bonaventura 12NOON Brian Thompson
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday:
Is 1:10-17; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23;Mt 10:34 — 11:1 Tuesday: Is 7:1-9; Ps 48:2-8; Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday: Is 10:5-7, 13b-16; Ps 94:5-10, 14-15; Mt 11:25-27 Thursday: Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Ps 102:1314ab, 15-21;Mt 11:28-30 Friday: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Is 38:1012abcd, 16;Mt 12:1-8 Saturday: Mi 2:1-5; Ps 10:1-4, 7-8, 14; Mt 12:14-21 Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19; Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16;Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43 [24-30]
THURSDAY 12NOON
July 16th Weekday Morgan Walsh
FRIDAY 12NOON
July 17th Weekday Adam Armetta
SATURDAY 12NOON
July 18th Weekday James J. Murphy
If you wish to add the name of a loved one to the prayer list, please notify the parish center: (212) 288-6250
Sacramental Celebrations that were postponed in the Spring have been rescheduled as follows: • St. Stephen of Hungary 1st Communion – Saturday, September 19, 10am Rehearsals will be during school days • Parish Religious Ed and Caedmon 1st Communion – Sunday, September 20, at the 10am Mass Rehearsal for candidates and a parent– Thursday, September 17, 4pm • Confirmation for SSH group and parish group – Sunday, October 4, 2pm Rehearsal for candidates and sponsors – Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10am K-8 Religious Education • Registration is now open. You may download the form on our website, complete it, attach a check, and mail it in, OR, you may register in person and pay fees at the parish center. • K-8 Religious Education will be online (via ZOOM) this Fall! We hope this will make it easier for your children to participate regularly, and allay your fears about the COVID-19 pandemic. We simply do not have the space to allow for necessary social distancing. No ZOOM account is necessary - you will be sent a link to connect each Sunday morning. All you need is internet access and a tablet or computer. This method of delivery has been approved by the Archdiocese of New York and our pastor, and will fulfill all Archdiocesan and parish requirements. • Once you have completed registration, you will be notified of the dates when you can pick up your child’s textbook and support materials. Parent meetings will be offered in September via ZOOM. • The first K-8 Religious Education session is Sunday, October 4, 2020, at 10:15am. Registration must be completed by October 1. We hope the delayed start will allow everyone to settle in at school and prepare for the new religious education format. Sacramental Preparation for Children and Teens • First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation The Archdiocese of New York requires two years of either Catholic School or Parish Religious Education before the reception of First Communion (2nd grade or up) or Confirmation (8th grade or up). First Penance and First Communion have an at-home component that is to be completed in addition to regular attendance in Religious Education. Adult Faith Formation – open to all adults! • Sunday Morning Scripture Discussions resume on October 18, 10:15-11:45am at the Parish Center • Friday Evening Prayer year round in the chapel at 5:10pm each week – all are welcome Adults who are thinking about becoming Catholic, or Catholic adults who are missing First Communion and/or Confirmation - contact Maryann Tyrer, Pastoral Associate, to discuss our adult initiation process. You can begin the process any time throughout the year. Want to volunteer? Many different opportunities are available, with various time commitments – Contact Maryann to discuss how your gifts might meet our needs.
SPECIAL DEVOTIONS After all weekday masses Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass to 3 PM, with Benediction following the Divine Mercy Chaplet Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed each Friday afternoon at 3 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation: 5:00 PM on Saturdays & by appointment 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 Please remember in your prayers Joseph Catalano
left to right: Johanna Dunigan, Brad Ludwin, Bal Das, Tom Dunigan
CONGRATULATIONS! Our Elect (those adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion in the RCIA process), Brad Ludwin and Bal G. Das, (finally) celebrate their Sacraments of Initiation on Sunday, July 12, at the 12noon Mass!
ALL VICTIMS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY
They have been preparing since last Fall, and we had planned on celebrating their sacraments at the Easter Vigil this past April 11. But then the Coronavirus shut us down, and we had to postponed everything. But now that we are back to our regular Mass schedule, we are able to finally welcome these gentlemen in to the Catholic Faith.
PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED
Our Candidates for Full Communion, already baptized in other Christian denominations, will make a Profession of Faith, be received into the Catholic Church, celebrate Confirmation, and receive their First Communion. We congratulate our candidates, Carolyn Koleszar and Louisa Jelaco! (Photos to follow!)
Please pray for our deceased parishioners and family members Robert Castro, Judith Baron, Henry Lamour & Catherine Zemann
If you feel God may be nudging you to become Catholic, or to complete your Sacraments of Initiation, please contact Maryann Tyrer. You may begin the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Process at any time of the year!
On June 25th, our Young Adult Ministry (ages 18-35) in collaboration with the Senior Ministry, hosted aVirtual Movie Night The Movie Night included a screening of The Help. The night included a discussion on race and racism. This movie night was the first of a series dedicated to the topic of Race and Racism. The next movie night will be in a few weeks so be sure to look for the announcement in the next bulletin and/or our Website: stelmo79.org
Confessions happen every Saturday in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (408 East 80th St.) from 5-5:30pm and by appointment. Contact our Parish office if you would like more information.
St. Monica's Green Team is going virtual! Please mark your calendars for our first-ever Zoom meeting on Thursday, July 23, at 6:30 pm. If you would like to participate, please send an email to GreenTeam@stelmo79.org, and we will send you a Zoom invitation. The Green Team, also known as the Care for Our Common Home ministry, works to protect the natural world in accordance with the teachings of Pope Francis. On July 23, we will discuss the upcoming Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4) and what we as a parish can do to celebrate. We look forward to seeing you then!
Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 19, 2020
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 Matthew 13: 24-30 Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Sunday What does this Gospel tell you about God?
Monday What does this Gospel tell you about how evil operates? Can you use that information to guard yourself? Tuesday What or who has been a positive influence in your life? Negative? Wednesday Why do you think God allows this world to be filled with both wheat and weeds? Thursday How do you think that Jesus wants us to behave towards the perceived weeds in your life? Friday Spend some time today thanking God for being patient with you as you work to remove the weeds in you so that good wheat can grow
From your Pastor July 12th, 2020 Where were we? Before writing this column, I checked the last time I had written one. I wrote the last column almost four months ago – 3.15.2020. You never saw that column, because the day before, at approximately 1:30pm, the Archdiocese ordered us to cease all public activity in our churches. The Lockdown had begun. It is sobering to look back on that day four months ago, and then to consider all that has changed in our nation and world; economies in free fall, unemployment higher than at any time since the great depression, Millions infected and hundreds of thousands of dead from a virus that, even as I was writing those words in March, our government was dismissing as unimportant; and truth be told, many of us were as well. Ever since I was a young boy, people have been predicting the end of the world; preachers preached it; street corner prophets proclaimed it. Scientists have predicted its imminent arrival, either through climate change, energy shortages, Y2K. Politicians have warned us that our enemies were out to get us and whether it was Al Qaeda terrorists or Iranian nukes, the end was coming. And yet what has brought the world to its knees was nothing big, but microscopically small. It is a reminder that while many want to believe that there is nothing more powerful than humankind, a virus has shown us the limits of our power. And yet. Difficult decisions by some of our leaders have made it possible for New York, four months after that second weekend in March, to begin reopening. For us here at St. Monica – St. Elizabeth – St. Stephen, that has meant that for the past three weeks we have been back at work in the office. We are keeping modified hours for the summer, but are open Monday through Thursday, and then on Saturdays. When you enter the parish center you will see that we have done some remodeling; glass partitions and a new office for the receptionist will enhance security and enable better social distancing. We are also making plans for the fall. I will let Maryann, John and Jasmine inform you themselves of the details of their ministries in time, but we are trying to plan as normal a fall as possible, given the limitations imposed by the coronavirus. Will concerts be possible? Will choirs at mass be possible? Religious education will have to change until we can gather together again. Plans for all this are still being developed. We are working in collaboration with the Archdiocese of New York, which is scrambling to develop guidelines as we approach September. One of the things we have been talking about is dealing with the issues surrounding the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. His death and the protests surrounding it have raised so many issues. Many of our religious leaders have remained silent. We would like to discuss some of them from the perspective of faith. How do people of Catholic faith understand this death, and all the issues that have arisen from it? We are not sure what forms this discussion will take. A lot depends on how our city continues to open up. But stay tuned for more. One last thing: I guess it goes without saying that the pandemic has been a disaster for the churches. We depend on the contributions of our members. I think you can expect to see many churches, protestant as well as Catholic, close or merge in the coming year. However, there is an even bigger problem. Our Catholic Schools. Many schools that are part of the regionalized school system and financially supported by the Archdiocese are in trouble. Expect to hear sad news concerning many of them soon. However, let me emphasize that St. Stephen of Hungary is NOT one of these schools. St. Stephen is protected by being a parish-based school and is financially secure. So here we are. It is the middle of July. While many of us are still gone, I hope you are reading this first edition of the bulletin (online of course) in four months. It is another step in our gradual recovery from the pandemic. It is kind of like a convalescence. It is tentative, and we could have to go back into lockdown if we are not careful. But if we take care of ourselves, our community and our city we will continue to get better. The virus showed us that we are not as strong as we thought we were. But we believe in someone who is. Father Baker