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Parish life Fifth Sunday of Lent

Mar.21, 2021

From the Pastor (Page 9)

Holy Week 2021 ( Page 7)

From Our Music Director

( Page 4)

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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

Mass Intentions Saturday, March 20th Vigil 5:30pm Ramona Ortiz Sunday, March 21st Fifth Sunday of Lent 8:00am Mark Reinstadler 10:00am Felimon Flores 12:00pm All Parishioners 5:00pm Noel Vessalo Monday, March 22nd Lenten Weekday 12:00am Josephine & Carmel Xuereb

Pastor: Rev. Donald C. Baker .......................... frdcab@stelmo79.org Rev. Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers ........................... msgrlivers@stelmo79.org Weekend Associates: ...............................................Rev. Tony Ciorra Pastoral Associate: Ms. Maryann Tyrer ........ mtyrer@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Ms. Jasmine Gomez ..... jgomez@stelmo79.org Parish Manager: Mr. Michael Ward ............. mward@stelmo79.org Tuesday, March 23rd Lenten Weekday Music Director: Mr. John Zupan .................... jzupan@stelmo79.org Wedding Coordinator: Ms. Debbi Burdett . dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com 12:00pm Luis Jose Litrenta (Living) & Plant Manager: Guillermo Vanegas ......... gvanegas@stelmo79.org Dr. Lita Alonzo (Living) 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:

Wednesday, March 24th Lenten Weekday 12:00pm Emma Serrano Meza

Monday ............................................................. 9am - 5pm Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9am - 7pm Friday .......................................................Closed Saturday ................................................. 10am - 2pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays......................1pm - 2pm

12:00pm Helen, John Flack & Family

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

Thursday, March 25th The Annunciation of the Lord

Friday, March 26th Lenten Weekday 12:00pm Msgr. Richard Albert Saturday, March 27th Lenten Weekday 12:00pm Luis Rico 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

Bread & Wine This Week’s Bread & Wine In Memory of Msgr. Richard Albert Offered by Maria Litrenta

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 Desiree Amato Park, Michael Berry, Andres Rodriguez, Eileen Sullivan, Anna Sandel, Jasmine Gomez, James Mooney, Marcia Power, Denise Perez & all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Msgr. Francis Boyle, Rafael Romero, Emil De Spirito, Nora Hickey & Pascuale Ionta

Sanctuary Lamp This Week’s Sanctuary Lamp In Memory of Andrew Joseph Offered by Sue Joseph & The Joseph Family

Today’s Readings First Reading — I will make a new covenant; I will write my law upon their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34) or Ezekiel 37:12-14. Psalm — Create a clean heart in me, O God (Psalm 51) or Psalm 130. Second Reading — Christ learned obedience and became the source of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:7-9) or Romans 8:8-11. Gospel — If a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit (John 12:20-33) or John 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45].

Readings for the Week

Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62]; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 (procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1 — 15:47 [15:1-39]

A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: OUR ORGAN – PART 3: RENOVATION UPDATE I am happy to say that our organ contractor - Foley Baker is scheduled to come in the last week of March and install the new wind system. The winding of the organ is the heart of the instrument. When the organ was renovated in the ‘90’s old parts were repurposed and refitted to get the organ up and running. It was not intended as a longterm solution. I am happy to say what we are doing now is a long-term solution. What is in the new wind system install? 1. New blowers with more horsepower that will provide enough air to power the organ’s 2,989 pipes with the provision of 221 more. 2. Newly constructed wind trunks- think air conditioning ducts made of wood - that carry the air into reservoir tanks. 3. New reservoir tanks – which provide the air to the wind chests. Also, re-leathering of existing reservoir tanks.

Great Division – the pipes from the Great Division were removed for cleaning and repair. 1/2/21 - 1-7/21

Newly re-leathered reservoir

Great Division packed and ready for transport to the Foley Baker workshop. 1/2/21 - 1-7/21

Newly constructed wind trunk

Look for the next installment of our organ renovation: Cleaning and refurbishing the Great Division Pipes

Parish Life

Do you have ideas for Social Media Posts? Would you like to take pictures to capture the life of this vibrant Parish? Perhaps you are interested in helping us with the Livestream of Mass? Join the Digital Media Ministry by contacting Jasmine jgomez@stelmo79.org! No experience necessary! Jasmine will train you

You can go to ANY school building for FREE takeout meals! On weekdays, between 9am – 12pm, families & students can pick up free

grab-and-go meals On weekdays, between 3pm-5pm, multiple meals (breakfast & lunch) are available to the general public. ✔NO identification or registration is necessary ✔Vegetarian meals are available at all locations

K-8 Parish Religious Education: •

•

We continue to meet online each Sunday morning at 10:15am. Zoom links are emailed each week to all registered families. (We will not meet March 28 or April 4.) Check out the awesome Stations of the Cross Dioramas made by our Religious Education Families following our Virtual Family Faith Formation event earlier this month. They are on display in the back of the church throughout Lent.

Adult Faith Formation: •

Our Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation, an informal discussion of the Sunday Scriptures, led by a facilitator, is open to all. We meet on Sundays 10:15 to 11:30am, in the Parish Center. Social distancing and face masks are required. Please join us! No registration is required – you can drop in any Sunday. Learning more about your faith as an adult is an awesome Lenten practice! (We will not meet March 28 or April 4.)

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA):

If you have ever thought about becoming Catholic, or if you are a baptized Catholic who has not yet celebrated First Communion or Confirmation, please contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to discuss our adult initiation process (commonly known as the RCIA). You can begin this process at any time throughout the year, and options are available for face-to-face or Zoom meetings. We continue to pray for our Elect, Ronald Barth, Alissa Cherry, and Robert McCasky, who will celebrate Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on April 3. They, along with our adult Sacramental candidates, will be on retreat on Sunday, March 21. “Christ will be your strength! Learn to know and follow Him!”

Save the date!

Icon Painting Workshop

Reverend Peter Pearson, professional iconographer and teacher, returns May 3-7, 2021 to lead us in painting this icon of St. Joseph. We will gather in the Angelo Room (observing safe distancing and wearing masks) each evening of the week, 6:30-9pm. The $250 fee covers all the materials (board, brushes, paints, and tools) that you will need to paint your own icon, as well as the expert instruction of Reverend Peter Pearson. Don’t miss out on this annual opportunity! Contact Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to save your spot.

FINDING HOPE AND PEACE IN A TIME OF TRANSITION LENT 2021 Fridays in Lent – Each Friday in Lent, we offer the following: 12noon Mass, followed by Stations of the Cross, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and time for private Adoration until 3pm. At 3pm, members of the community pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which is followed by Solemn Benediction. All of this takes place in the church. Every Friday, we offer Vespers (Evening Prayer of the Church) at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (406 E. 80th St.) All are welcome to this lovely 20-minute service of psalms, prayers, song, and silence. Saturdays March 20 – we will have Solemn Vespers (Evening Prayer of the Church) at 5pm in the church. Confessions are also heard in the church during this time. The Vigil Mass for Sunday follows at 5:30pm. Wednesdays in Lent – The Social Justice Ministry in collaboration with Thrive For Life Prison Project invites you to pray Vespers on Wednesday nights during Lent via Zoom, starting Wednesday, February 17, 8-9pm. Register at STELMO79.org to receive the Zoom link.

Holy Week 2021 Passion (Palm) Sunday – March 27/28 – Regular Mass Schedule – Palms available for pick up in the church vestibule between the noon and 5pm Masses on Sunday for those viewing Mass from home. Reconciliation Monday – March 29 – Confessions in the church 3-6pm and 7-9pm Tenebrae Service – April 1, 2, and 3 at 9am in the Church – as service of Psalms and prayers, followed by Confessions Holy Thursday – April 1 – Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm – tickets required! – Adoration in the church continues until 10pm. Good Friday – April 2 – Stations of the Cross at 12 noon, Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord at 3pm – tickets required! – Stations of the Cross with Holy Communion at 7:30pm Holy Saturday – April 3 – Blessing of Easter Food at 3pm – Easter Vigil at 7:30pm – tickets required! (no 5:30pm Mass on April 3!) Easter Sunday – April 4 – Masses at 8am, 10am, and 12noon (no 5pm) – tickets required! Tickets for restricted liturgies are available at the Parish Center during office hours at no charge.

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – Palm Sunday - March 28, 2021 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 Mark 11:1-10 For our reflection this week we will take the Gospel read at the beginning of mass, which contains the proper Palm Sunday story. We will reflect on the passion as we near Good Friday When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ reply, ‘The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.’” So they went off and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They answered them just as Jesus had told them to, and they permitted them to do it. So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!” Monday Was there something in this reading that spoke to me? Comforted me? Challenged me? What was it? Why did it have this effect on me? Tuesday Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. He is going “up” as they say: in the center of Jerusalem there is a hill; Mount Zion, upon which is built the Jewish temple. The temple was the holiest place in the world for the Jewish people. The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, but to this day Jewish faithful gather around the remains of one of the temple’s foundation walls to pray. Do I have a holy place, a place that speaks to me of God’s presence in my life? If so, where is it, and how often do I go there? And if not, why not? Wednesday Jesus sends two disciples ahead. A donkey is waiting. The scene is depicted as if everything is planned beforehand. Knowing how the story is going to go on from here, that is a comforting thing to hear. It is almost as if from the very start, the Gospel writer wants us to know that God has everything under control. How do I face times like those Jesus is about to face? Do I believe that God is still in control? How does that make me feel? How does it change how I act? Thursday Jesus gets the colt, and he rides upon it. We might be mystified by the meaning of this. But people in Jesus’ day would not have been. They would have known the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that Jerusalem’s king would one day come riding into town on a donkey, a sign that this king would be humble, meek, in short different. Jesus was using this symbol to proclaim who he was, and most importantly how he would be our leader. How does this image of Jesus speak to me? How do I think of Jesus as a leader or a ruler in my life? Does this symbol speak to my under training? How does it change it? Friday The branches spread on the ground were the first century equivalent of a ticker-tape parade. Clearly the people had expectations of Jesus, whatever image he was trying to portray with the donkey. Do I have expectations of Jesus? If so, what are they? How do they jibe with the image of Jesus portrayed in this reading? Saturday The crowd cheers Jesus, saying, “Hosanna!” a word which means “God save us!” and clearly, they see Jesus as the one who will do the saving. Those of us who know the rest of the story that Jesus is the Savior; but not in the way they clearly expect. How do I understand Jesus’ title: Savior? How is Jesus a savior to me? and how does his saving me, affect my life now?

From the Pastor 03.21.21 Looking Back Over Six Years Back in 2015, our Parish Manager Mike Ward and I put together a plan for the renovation and expansion of the parish plant so that the newly merged parish would have renovated, energy-efficient, and expanded facilities in which our ministry could grow. We presented the plan to the Archdiocese and they gave us approval. In the last six years, much has been done. In the school, a capital campaign, which was publicly announced on March 11, 2020, has continued to raise funds for the expansion of the school into the former Franciscan Friary at St. Stephen of Hungary. The friary got a new roof, (which will become an early childhood playground) the original playground was expanded and covered to protect the students during inclement weather, in the school, classrooms were renovated and expanded, and in the former friary (now called the Francis Building) whole floors are being renovated to create both classrooms and spaces for specialized learning. And that despite a world-wide pandemic. In the parish, we have been busy completing projects begun in 2016. Making good on a promise we made early on, the church is now fully air conditioned. There is a new sound system, new lighting and on the risers for the air conditioning ducts, portraits of saints, chosen by our parishioners, beautify what could have been eyesores. We can now livestream masses, funerals, baptisms, and weddings. The organ is currently undergoing a restoration that in the coming years will become an expansion, as we bring our instrument up to the level it was originally built to be, and then beyond. The former convent for St. Monica parish has been renovated to become the Parish Center, housing offices, meeting spaces and a public chapel, named after St. Elizabeth of Hungary, for the merged parish. The Parish Center has already received a new roof, and we are in the final stages of installing a new high-efficiency gas/oil boiler, which will heat not only the parish center, but also the church, and our former school building, now rented to the Caedmon School. This year, the Parish Center will receive new windows, air conditioning, and a handicapped ramp so that the physically challenged can have easy access to the first floor of the parish center. There is still more to come. The next (last?) major project we have spoken of for some time is the renovation of the parish hall beneath the church. This project was slated to be done last year; but CoVID and lack of funds have caused us to push it back to at least 2022. But this project, though it is one of the last major projects, is nevertheless one that is near and dear to me. Having a fully renovated and handicapped accessible parish hall would enable our parish to gather, to celebrate, and to rent the hall out for meetings, parties, and wedding receptions. I don’t recount all of this to pat myself or our parish manager and staff on the back. I do it simply to let you know that, at the end of my first six-year term here, we have tried to be faithful to what we set out to do, and also to say that none of what we have done could have happened without your support. Sure, we have used the interest gained from our investments. But your gifts to the Renew and Rebuild campaign; your support of our school and its Faithful-Strong-Growing Campaign (you can still support that, by the way! Just contact me and I’ll tell you how) and your regular support in contributions, and Sunday collections have made the running of the place possible. I am thrilled at what we have achieved, and I look forward to working with you and for you in the years ahead. Father Baker

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