bulletin may 23

Parish life Pentecost Sunday

May 23, 2021

Life Faith Formation Page 5)

Five Minute Jesus ( Page 7)

Just a Word (Pages 8 & 9)

Scan to eReader

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. 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 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 Visit us at: www.STELMO79.org

Mass Intentions

Saturday, May 22nd Vigil 5:30pm Avi Yakov Melcer Sunday, May 23rd Pentecost Sunday 8:00am Anne Marie Stefamik 10:00am John Sherry (Living) 12:00pm All Parishioners 5:00pm Christopher Nardone

Monday, May 24th The Blessed Virgin Mary

12:00pm Annette Williams Tuesday, May 25th Weekday

12:00pm Nicolai Schreiber (Living) Wednesday, May 26th St. Phillip Neri

12:00pm

Thanksgiving

Thursday, May 27th Weekday

12:00pm

Anna Corra

Friday, May 28th Weekday

12:00pm

Maria Encarnacion Litrenta

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, May 29th Weekday

12:00pm

Mary J. Reilly

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

Sanctuary Lamp This Week’s Sanctuary Lamp In Memory of Maria Encarnacion Litrenta Offered by Maria Litrenta

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 Rev. Patrick Curly, Joshe Jose, Frank Simanca, Roseann Seacur, Elizabeth Paparello, Joshe Jose, Anu Jorno, Michael Berry, Zita Zilverman, Nancy Dorsinville, Andres Rodriguez, Robert Atkinson, James Mooney, & all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Tina E. Gaviola, Willin Saenz, George & Nancy Samra, Mary Jose, Esperanza Pascual, Concetta & Angelo Sultana, Guzeppa Cauchi, Carmen Falzon, Deacon Kevin Wright, Deacon Lawrence Kawala, Michael Ruddy, Susan Trombetta, Belgica Pizarro, Elizabeth Paparello, Cecilia Sison, A.J. Ackel, Ralph Meis & Eileen Sullivan

Today’s Readings First Reading — They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in different tongues (Acts 2:1-11).

Psalm — Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104).

Second Reading — There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13) or Galatians 5:16-25.

Gospel — As the Father has sent me, so I send you: Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:19-23) or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15.

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: Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14;

Ps 87:1-3, 5-7; Jn 19:25-34 Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23;

Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday: Sir 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13;

Mk 10:32-45 Thursday: Sir 42:15-25; Ps 33:2-9; Mk 10:46-52 Friday: Sir 44:1, 9-13; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b;

Mk 11:11-26 Saturday: Sir 51:12cd-20; Ps 19:8-11; Mk 11:27-33 Sunday: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22;

Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20

Par � L�fe Join us on May 26th at 7:30pm for a virtual gathering titled Centering Myself with Contemplative Prayer.

All of the tech demands

Are you ready for the unofficial start of Summer? How

on us in this pandemic, have been shown to increase

about joining the Green Team for a walk in Central

anxiety, inattentiveness and more. Practices like

Park next Saturday, June 5th.

Contemplative Prayer can help us feel more grounded, more focused and most importantly, do wonders for

We are looking forward to our first Laudato Si prayer

our spiritual life! Join us to learn more about this

walk and reflection in Central Park. The event will last

practice and how it can best help you.

about one hour .The group will meet at 11:00 AM at the entrance to the Park on 79th and 5th. Southwest

About the Speaker:

corner of the street. Feel free to bring a water bottle ( Lauren Gentry is a

reusable of course! ).

speaker and youth minister based in New

Please email us at greenteam@stelmo79.org if you

York City. She is

would like more information. All are welcome!

passionate about

Young and Old, Strollers and Pets..

sharing the deep love of

RSVP is encouraged , but not mandatory.

the Heart of Christ.

Lauren is blessed to be in her fifth year of youth

Tip of the week: Are you thinking about getting new

ministry at a parish in Queens, and she travels and

plants? Are you confused about so many choices?

speaks for various youth conferences, retreats, and

Plants such as Ferns and Snake plants are ideal for

young adult events. Lauren also serves as one of the

purification! Check them out...

co-founders of The Fire Place, a revival ministry, along with working on the Catholic Mission Staff for Young Life.

K-8 Parish Religious Education: Religious Education continues to meet online each Sunday morning at 10:15am. Zoom links are emailed each week to all registered families. Remaining sessions for this catechetical year are May 23, June 6, and June 13. (No sessions on May 30, Memorial Day Weekend.)

Our final K-8 Religious Education session for the year will be on Sunday, June 13, and it will be a Family Faith Formation event via Zoom. Save the date for the whole family!

Photos from the First Communion and Confirmation liturgies are now available at patrickbrophyphotography.com.

Adult Faith Formation: Our Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation, an informal discussion of the Sunday Scriptures, led by a facilitator, is open to all. Only three sessions remain in our catechetical year. We meet on Sundays 10:15 to 11:30am, in the Parish Center on May 23, and June 6. Social distancing and face masks are required. Please join us! No registration is required – you can drop in for either of our remaining sessions before our summer break.

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.

At the 5:00pm Mass on May 23, Pentecost Sunday, we will celebrate the following who complete their Christian Initiation: • Merrill Healy, Lauren Basit, and Brandon Bush – Reception into Full Communion in the Catholic Faith, Confirmation, and First Eucharist • Jeison Diaz – Confirmation and First Eucharist • Ruth Diaz and Juliette Shoukry - Confirmation

Spring Choir Concert: Save the date – Saturday, June 12 at 8pm.

Happy Birthday to the Church!

You have a reason to eat cake and ice cream on Pentecost!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Ways of Celebrating Pentecost With Your Family

Wear red – it’s the liturgical color of the day Fly a kite – feel the power of the wind – the Holy Spirit was felt as a rushing wind on Pentecost – if you don’t have a kite, running with a lightweight ribbon works!

Light a candle – safely! The Spirit appeared as tongues of fire over the Apostles – let the flame of the candle lead you into meditation on the power of the Holy Spirit Speak another language – The people of Jerusalem heard the Apostles speaking in their own various languages – learn how to greet someone in another language Go bird-watching – a dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (and pigeons are in the same bird family!) – See how many different birds you can see in one of our many city parks Have cake and ice cream – Pentecost is often seen as the “birthday” of the universal Church, so celebrate accordingly Talk to someone about your faith – the Apostles told everyone in Jerusalem about Jesus – how would you sum up your faith in Jesus?

Remember your baptism and confirmation – times when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon us – tell your children about their baptism (and show them pictures!) Light your baptismal candles Contact your baptismal godparents or confirmation sponsor – thank them for their witness and support Reflect on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord – which one do you need most in your life right now?

Reflect on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit - charity, generosity, joy, gentleness, peace, faithfulness, patience, modesty, kindness, self-control, goodness, and chastity – are you bearing good fruit in your life?

Pray to the Holy Spirit – Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit, help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Alleluia!

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Scripture for Prayer – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity- May 30, 2021 It’s simple. 1. Read the reading 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.

Mt 28: 16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Monday, May 31 Was there something in this reading that spoke to me? Comforted me? Challenged me? Why did it have this effect on me?

Tuesday, June 1 On the day of our baptism, we were “immersed” not only in water, but in the mystery of the Trinity. Every time we make the Sign of the Cross, we call upon our God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Trinity is not a way of thinking about or describing God, it is our way of knowing God. Our God is a God of relationships. In my spirituality and in my prayer, which of the three persons in God do I relate to the most, the best? Why? Wednesday, June 2 Matthew tells us that the disciples present at Jesus’ Ascension back to the Father “…worshipped, but they doubted.” We gather to worship each week, but don’t we also have our doubts at times? Is this a contradiction, or can we have faith but still have our doubts? What may some of your doubts have been? How did you move beyond doubt to faith?

Thursday, June 3 Jesus telling his disciples to “make disciples of all the nations” is often referred to as the Great Commission. Giving witness to the Gospel is a task for all Christians. How have you recently given witness to your faith? What feelings did you have when you did this? Did your giving witness help your own faith to grow?

Friday, June 4 Jesus assures his disciples that “I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” Two millennia later this promise still is true. How do you experience the presence of Jesus in your life through God’s Word? In the sacraments of the Church?

In people? In events? Think of a recent way you have encountered Jesus. Call to mind a person who has been an instrument of God’s presence in your life and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for her/him.

Saturday, June 5 The Church Fathers used the image of a dance as a way of describing this unique, mysterious bond between the Father who is our Creator, the Son who is our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, who is our Sanctifier. We are probably familiar with the Shaker hymn Lord of the Dance. Dancing is a joyful activity. Dancing brings two people close together as they move as one on the dance floor. Yet one person sets the pace and takes the lead, and the partner follows. Can we imagine ourselves in a “dance” with God? Do we let God take the lead?

From the Pastor 05.23.21 Virtual Communion?

The other day I was speaking with a protestant friend of mine.

Her church has not been open for months. I mentioned that we had opened months ago. She was horrified. “Aren’t you afraid?” I said that we follow the protocols, and we are careful.

And I added, Communion is important to Catholics.

“Communion?” she asked. “Oh, we receive communion.” Her church distributes prepackaged kits with a communion wafer and a plastic shot of grape juice. The pastor prays online, they all open the packages and take communion! “It’s very safe!” she said.

I keep thinking about that statement: Communion is safe. She meant that the way they do it runs no risk of infection. But after I heard her say it, I thought of the parishioners who told me of how they loved being able to go to mass in their PJs with a cup of coffee in their hands, and if they were watching a prerecorded liturgy, of forwarding through the parts they did not like!

And when I asked, “But what about Communion?” some replied, “Communion!? That’s not safe!” In this case however, their safety has nothing to do with infection, but with control.

Annie Dillard, the famous 20th Century Catholic author, when writing of the mass once said: Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? . . . It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return.

(Annie Dillard, Teaching a Stone to Talk. Harper and Row, 1982) We want to be in control - even of our relationship with God. But if the God we believe in is anything more than the projection of our wishes and fears onto the heavens, then GOD - not us - is in control. And according to Annie, God draws us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to trust. Trust when it is frightening, even when it might seem dangerous.

This past year has been frightening. Family members and friends sickened and, in many cases, died. We retreated into our apartments, our second homes, our families, our “pods”. Our friendships drifted and our relationships were strained by distance both physical and emotional.

It is only recently that we have begun to realize what we lost. The warmth of the sun after weeks of isolation in our apartment. The smell of grass and flowers now that our faces are freed from that mask. The smile on other people’s faces that we can see, now that they are freed from theirs. We see that while we were able to communicate online, there is a deeper

communication that we have been denied in all of this: a communication called communion. It is the deep bond we feel with nature. The connection we feel with friends. It is the love we have for our families. The coming together as one which no Zoom meeting can replace.

It is no surprise that the word communion is also used in Church. We tend to think of it as the union of my soul with Jesus in the act of receiving communion. A deep personal bond. Very spiritual. Very safe.

But it is not; for communion is not just about me and Jesus. St. Augustine, writing in the 5th century wrote about receiving communion. Even back then the priest held up the bread and said to the communicant, “The body of Christ.” Augustine concluded: What you hear then is The Body of Christ, and you answer, Amen. So be a member of the body of Christ, in order to make that amen true. (Augustine Sermon 272) Communion is not just receiving the body of Christ; it is being the body of Christ. It is gathering as one body, working together, praying together, learning together and yes, coming to our common table and eating and drinking together.

That communion in the body of Christ can never be replaced by online prayer and prepackaged kits. It means putting on those crash helmets and safety vests and realizing that Communion has always been dangerous. We have always handled hymnals touched by others and embraced one another. We have eaten food placed in our hands and drunk from cups other lips have touched. Communion is physical, not virtual, and nowadays it frightens many.

We will all have to decide the degree to which our church and the communion it offers – with God and with one another - is something we wish to return to. If you are reading this, it is because you took the bulletin after mass – you’ve made your decision. But there are many others who are not so sure. Even though they risk a grocery store or subway, they are still afraid of church – they think it is dangerous.

And they are right! Because Communion is dangerous – but in the way that Annie Dillard meant. For in Communion “the sleeping God” wakes our hearts so that we can say Amen to who we truly are, and the “waking God” draws us out – out of our comfort zone, out of our isolation - out of our fear, so that we can live again.

And really, isn’t it time? You know, to live again? Maybe as we live our lives here, and others watch it at home, they will hear the invitation to a fuller life that communion should be, must be, has always been, and choose to live again.

Father Baker

UPPER EAST SIDE PSYCHOTHERAPY

Peter Demetri, LCSW

Anxiety, Depression, Relationship, Grief, Loss & More Mindfulness, Solution-Oriented, Emotion-Focused, Insight & More TeleVideo Therapy Available Accepting Medicare, Aetna, Cigna & More

Consider Remembering Your Parish in Your Will.

For further information, please call the Parish Office.

www.UpperEastSidePsychotherapy.com

845.702.2162 YORK AVE - 78TH ST - NYC

pdemetri1701@gmail.com

Eva’s Garden Florist Proudly Serving NYC Since 1978

212.744.8710

www.evasgarden.com 1506 1st Ave | New York, NY 10075 WEDDINGS | SYMPATHY AND FUNERALS CHRISTENINGS | SPECIAL EVENTS | SEASONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Download Our Free App or Visit www.MY.ONEPARISH.com

(CST 2117990-70)

Catholic Cruises and Tours and The Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America

email: evasgardenflowers@gmail.com

Take your FAITH ON A JOURNEY. Call us today at 860-399-1785 or email eileen@CatholicCruisesandTours.com

www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com

Grow in your faith, find a Mass, and connect with your Catholic Community with OneParish!

DO YOU HAVE SALES EXPERIENCE? ARE YOU WELL NETWORKED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?

J.S. PALUCH COMPANY

NATIONAL PUBLISHER OF CHURCH BULLETINS • Full Time Positions Available with Excellent Earning Potential!

• Medical Benefits, 401K, Life & AD&D Insurance Available • Excellent Commission Compensation Program EARN

Interested? Call Kay Leane 1.800.621.5197 x2823 or Email Resume to RECRUITING@JSPALUCH.COM

could be in this space!

Get this weekly bulletin delivered by email - for FREE! Sign up here:

MONEY! GOOD! MAKE A

POSITIVE IMPACT!

www.jspaluch.com

Your ad

DO

Grow Your Business, Advertise Here.

Support Your Church & Bulletin.

Free professional ad design & my help! email: sales@jspaluch.com

www.jspaluch.com

For Information ... Call 800.524.0263

www.jspaluch.com/subscribe Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc. Serving Yorkville Since 1982 Se

212-535-4480

om Ro le rty ab s Pa vail w A son A Lo er As per P 0 $2

Medical Alert System

1617 York Avenue (Corner 85th Street)

✂ Please Cut Out This “Thank You Ad” and Present It The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers

$29.95/Mo. •

One Free Month

•

No Long-Term

John S. Krtil, Owner/Manager “Dignified, Affordable and Independently Owned Since 1885”

1297 FIRST AVENUE

billed quarterly

Contract Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin.

I am patronizing your business because of it!

•

Price Guarantee

•

Easy Self Installation

(between 69th & 70th Streets)

Call Today!

212.744.3084 ✦ www.KrtilFuneralHome.com 511510 St Monica Church

Toll Free 1.877.801.8608 www.jspaluch.com

For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263