Fourth Sunday of Lent March 27, 2022

Parish life

Fourth Sunday of Lent

3/272022

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

Mass Intentions Saturday, March 26th Vigil 5:30pm Robert Atkinson Sunday, March 27th Fourth Sunday of Lent 8:00am Lawrence Hart 10:00am Anna Corra 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm Mary McCauliff Monday, March 28th Lenten Weekday 12pm Patricia Brady Smith & Family Tuesday, March 29th Lenten Weekday 12pm Priests of St. Monica’s Wednesday, March 30th Lenten Weekday 12pm All Souls in Purgatory Thursday, March 31st Lenten Weekday 12pm Souls in Purgatory Friday, April 1st Lenten Weekday 12pm Stephanie Smith

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

Saturday, April 2nd Lenten Weekday 12pm Robert Atkinson 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

Eileen Ford, William Aguilar, Brian O’Connell & all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Jan Allen, Sean Breen, Jolanta Raffert, Jose & Gloria Zanarias

Today’s Readings First Reading — God’s people enter the promised land, observe the Passover, and eat of the produce of the land (Joshua 5:9a, 10-12) or 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a.

Psalm — Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 34) or Psalm 23.

Second Reading — We are now ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) or Ephesians 5:814.

Gospel — We must rejoice when our brother who was dead in sin repents and comes back to life (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) or John 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38].

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: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18;Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23;

Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Sunday: Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11;

Alternate readings (Year A):

Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8;

Rom 8:8-11;Jn 11:1-45

[3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]

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

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

Fr. Baker’s Book Discussion returns with The Poisonwood Bible

by Barbara Kingsolver Thursdays, May 12, 19, & 26 Begins with light supper at 6pm in the parish center

How to Participate in the Synod •

Upcoming Green Team Events

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Next meeting: Thursday, April 7, 7:30pm in the Parish Center Earth Day is April 22! How are you marking or celebrating this year? Join our Green Team at the Parish Center for a special movie screening and discussion, information on Pope Francis’ Care for Our Common Home movement to which our parish is aligned, and refreshments and networking with fellow stewards of creation. Save the date – more information is coming soon.

•

•

Get involved!

Be a part of our efforts to learn and act to care for our common home. Email us to get involved: greenteam@stelmo79.org.

Pray for the synod process. Pray that the entire Church may be open to the Holy Spirit.

Pray that we may rightly discern the movements of the Holy Spirit.

Reflect on your experience of Church – at the levels of parish, diocese, nation, and world. What fills your heart? What breaks your heart? Engage in conversation with your family, your fellow parishioners, with anyone who is interested in the topic. Reach out to friends and family who are no longer coming to church.

Let your voice be heard! While our parishlevel listening sessions have concluded, we still have a couple of slots open in our parish delegation to the Deanery Listening Session on Saturday, April 2, 10am to 1pm, at Our Savior Church in Manhattan. You must preregister with Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to participate.

Submit your feedback as an individual on the Archdiocesan website. Find the discussion questions and form for submitting your responses at https://archny.org/synod/contact-us/

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

Upcoming Sessions: March 27, April 3. (No sessions April 10 and 17) 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).

Sacramental Preparation: •

Please remember that the Archdiocese requires two years of Religious Education or Catholic School prior to the celebration of First Penance/First Communion (usually in 2nd grade), and prior to the celebration of Confirmation (usually in 8th grade).

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.

Adult Faith Formation: •

•

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.

We will meet on Sunday March 27, April 3. (No sessions April 10 and 17)

Join us for Lenten Guided Meditations • • •

Scripture, silence, guided meditation, and brief passages from the writings of Anthony de Mello Led by Desmond Towey, director of the De Mello Stroud Spirituality Center Thursdays, March 31, April 7 at 7pm in the Parish Center Chapel

LENT 2022 Fasting - Every person between the age of 18 and 59 must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting consists of one full meal per day, with two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal, and no snacks.

Abstinence – Every person 14 years of age or older must abstain from meat and items made with meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday of Lent.

Stations of the Cross Every Friday in Lent following the 12noon Mass Friday, April 8, 7pm - Living Stations presented by our Teen Confirmation Candidates Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration Every Friday after the 12noon Mass, concludes with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3pm, followed by Solemn Benediction Vespers (Evening Prayer) Spoken Vespers every Friday at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (406 East 80th Street) Sung Vespers every Saturday in Lent at 5pm in the church Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Every Saturday at 5pm in the church Reconciliation Monday, April 11, 11am to 1pm and 6-8pm in the church Adult Faith Formation (open to all who wish to deepen their faith) Sundays, 1:30-3pm in the Parish Center Thursdays in Lent, 7pm in the Parish Center, March 24, 31, April 7 – Reflections on the writings of Anthony DeMello, led by Des Towey of the DeMello Institute Deanery Synod Discussion and Listening Session, Saturday, April 2, 10-1pm at Our Savior Church, Manhattan. Limited slots, and registration required – contact mtyrer@stelmo79.org to sign up.

HOLY WEEK (April 10-17)

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - regular weekend Mass Schedule Holy Thursday Tenebrae Service with Confessions 9am in the Church Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm in the Church; Vigil in the Parish Center Chapel Good Friday Tenebrae Service with Confessions 9am in the Church Stations of the Cross at 12noon and at 7:30pm in the Church Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord at 3pm in the Church Holy Saturday Tenebrae Service with Confessions 9am in the Church Easter Food Blessing at 3pm in the Church NO Confessions at 5pm; NO 12noon or 5:30pm Mass Solemn Easter Vigil at 7:30pm in the Church Easter Sunday – Masses at 8am, 10am, and 12noon (no 5pm Mass)

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer – 5th Sunday of Lent – April 3, 2022 Its’s simple. 1. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells. 2. Reflect on the questions suggested for each day. 3. Make some resolution about how what you read can be lived that day. 4. Thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

The Gospel according to John 8: 1-11 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So, what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Again, he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. So, he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir,” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

Monday, March 28 Was there something in the reading that spoke to you? Comforted you? Challenged you? What was it? Why did it have this effect on you? What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking?

Tuesday, March 29 Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to stand before Jesus as if she were on trial. When they asked Jesus if she should be punished according to the law, he remains silent. Why? Are you surprised?

Wednesday, March 30 There is much speculation as to what Jesus wrote on the ground with his finger. The common assumption is that he was listing the sins of the woman’s accusers. Why would he do that? What would your list of sins look like?

Thursday, March 31 It always seems easier to point out someone else’s faults than recognizing our own need for conversion What is it about human nature that makes this so? In what areas of your life is there a need for conversion?

Friday, April 1 Jesus tells the woman and each of us, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” As we approach the end of the Lenten season, are you willing to extend the forgiveness Jesus offers to others? More importantly, can you accept the forgiveness Jesus offers you?

Saturday, April 2 The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful and powerful way to experience Jesus’ forgiveness. How long has it been since you’ve gone to confession? If it has been a while, why? Think about going to confession to bring Lent to a close and prepare for the celebration of Easter.

From the Pastor 03.27.22 Synod Process vs. Synodal Way? For over a year Catholics have heard Pope Francis call them to journey together in a process called a Synod. Synods are nothing new in the Church. They were the EARLIEST way the Church governed itself. The people of a local church would come together with their bishop and decide on issues affecting the Church’s life and ministry. The solutions decided upon were local, pastoral and practical. As the Church became the official religion of the Roman Empire, synods quickly were eclipsed by councils, at which only the ordained participated. Synods still happened, but the drive towards a uniformity in faith which supported political unity made local decision making less and less relevant.

The last council was the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). This council called for a synod of bishops which was to meet regularly to advise the pope on Church governance. This proposal was never really put into practice. John Paul II had synods, but the conclusions of the synod were presented to the bishops when they arrived in Rome, and all they were asked to do is debate them and approve them. Pope Francis created his council of advisors to help him restructure the Vatican, but they were all cardinals. The laity was nowhere to be seen.

The sexual abuse crisis changed all of that. Pope Francis saw a fundamental contributor to this crisis was the lack of connection between the hierarchy and the laity. It enabled a culture to fester in which clergy were not held accountable. As a result, Pope Francis called for a three-year synodal process culminating in 2023, in which lay people are invited to speak with the hierarchy, sharing with them their concerns and their ideas for solutions. This Synodal Process is welcomed by many, ignored by most, and feared by some Catholics, especially those who are more conservative. Reason for this fear is due to what they hear happening in Germany.

Der Synodale Weg (“the synodal way” in German) began before the Pope’s call for a Synod. It seeks to address the challenges the German Church has faced for decades. Those challenges came to a head with the revelation of sexual abuse and misuse of power in diocese after diocese in Germany. Germans are leaving the Catholic Church by the hundreds of thousands each year.

Vocations are practically nil. In the face of this crisis, the Church in Germany began a process of investigation and consultation known as the Synodal Way. As the German Synodal Way reaches its conclusion, American Catholics have begun to hear some of their recommendations.

They are calling for the ordination of married men to the priesthood, and of women. They are calling for a rethinking of the Church’s teaching on sexuality, taking into account the insights of psychology and sociology. They are calling for the blessing of same sex couples (Indeed all committed, loving relationships) in Church. They are also calling for a revision of the way in which power and authority is exercised by the hierarchy.

Reactions to this Synodal Way are predictable. Conservatives are horrified. Liberals are impatient, and most in the middle just wonder why they can’t find a half-way decent parish with normal liturgy, where their next priest is coming from and whether it even makes sense any more to be a part of a Church which seems only to care about itself rather than the faith it is supposed to proclaim. Perhaps this middle group is the real reason why the Synodal Process is important. A Church lives from the health of its parish communities. If parish communities are dying, then it doesn’t matter what changes in Church structure, liturgy or pastoral practice are implemented. A Church where the Gospel is no longer experienced as life-giving is simply no longer a Church.

Germany is seeking a solution. But what happens in Germany is not necessarily what will happen here – or in Africa, or India or Asia. Local churches have local problems. That was the whole reason for synods at the start of the Church’s history. It should not surprise us, when local churches devise local solutions. The question is to what degree the universal Church can approve of, or at least tolerate solutions that deviate from the norm.

But one thing is sure: the Church is facing a crisis. At times of crisis voices are heard, offering solutions. We cannot follow them all, but we need to listen and to heed their calls for reform. In the Book of Revelation (3:22), its author wrote, after listing the crises facing the seven churches to which this book was addressed, “Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” This advice is as valid in the 21st Century as it was in the 1st. The Spirit has not stopped speaking.

But it is still anyone’s guess if we have the courage to listen.

Our local Synod listening session is scheduled for April 2, 2022, at the Church of Our Saviour, 59 Park Ave. (at 38th St.) contact either myself or Maryann Tyrer for more information.

Father Baker

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