32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish life THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 11/12/2023

Parish Life ( Page 5)

LSA Thanksgiving Food Drive ( Page 7)

Just a word ( Page 11)

The Roman Catholic Parish of

St. Monica St. Elizabeth of Hungary St. Stephen of Hungary

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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, lifestyle, nationality, economic status and age, we endeavor to live as a community of faith and invite you to join our family a family seeking and to know and love Jesus Christ.

Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Donald C. Baker ............................ frdcab@stelmo79.org Weekend Associate: .................................... Rev. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Weekend Associate:...............................................Rev. Edward Beck, CP Pastoral Associate: Maryann Tyrer ...................mtyrer@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Taryn Tonelli......................ttonelli@stelmo79.org Music Director: John Zupan ............................jzupan@stelmo79.org Wedding Coordinator: Ms. Debbi Burdett......dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com Parish Manager: Jennifer DeSpirito..............................jdespirito@stelmo79.org 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, N.Y, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th Street, NY, NY 10075 Tel: 212-288-6250 Fax: 212-570-1562 Email: info@stelmo79.org Our Offices are open: Monday & Wednesday....................................9am - 4pm Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9am - 7pm Friday ....................................................... Closed Saturday ....................................................10am - 2pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays..................1pm - 2pm 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

Mass Intentions Saturday, November 11th Vigil 5:30pm Michael Egan Sunday, November 12th

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00am Ruth Farley 10:00am Keith Lexa 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm Roberta Chapey (Living)

Monday, November 13th St. Frances Xavier 12pm Imelda Litrenta (Living) Tuesday, November 14th Weekday 12pm Josefa Ortiz Litrenta (Living) Wednesday, November 15th Weekday 12pm Adela D. Molina Thursday, November 16th Weekday 12pm Thanksgiving Friday, November 17th St. Elizabeth of Hungary 12pm Agnes & Timothy McCrohan Saturday, November 18th Weekday 12pm Florence Castellano

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Patricia Leonard, Rosemary Keating, Christine Cullen, Jose Vasquez, Madeleine Tipton, Neil O’Carroll, Harry Rabonwitz, Marylin Atkinson, Michelle Netus, Jerry Schwegman, Judith Farber, Mary O’Connor Lynch, Danielle Boros, Michael Reilly, Marcelle Ferrier, all those ill and victims of military activities PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED, Martha C. Hutton Gonzalez, James Lombard and the victims of the Middle East.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass until 3pm in the church and live online

Baptism Announcement On November 12th there will be Baptism service at the 12:00am Mass. At this service, we will be baptizing:

Devotions

Samuel Aaron Riviera

Miraculous Medal on Mondays after Mass in the church and live on-line

Please join us in congratulating: Jared L. Riviere & Ann J. Kaczorowski

Divine Mercy Prayed every Friday at 3pm in the church and live on-line

on their child new life in Christ Vespers (Evening Prayer)

BapƟsm Services are open for members of the parish to join in the welcoming of our newest members

Every Friday at 5:10pm in the Chapel and live on-line

Weekly Readings & Observances

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 for arrangements

Sanctuary Lamp This Weeks’ Sanctuary Lamp

In Memory of Michael Egan

Readings for the week of November 12, 2023 Sunday:

Wis 6:12-16/Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (2b)/1 Thes 4:13-18 or 4:13-14/ Mt 25:1-13 Monday: Wis 1:1-7/Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10/Lk 17:1-6 Tuesday: Wis 2:23—3:9/Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19/Lk 17:7-10 Wednesday: Wis 6:1-11/Ps 82:3-4, 6-7/Lk 17:11-19 Thursday: Wis 7:22b—8:1/Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175/Lk 17:20-25 Friday: Wis 13:1-9/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5ab/Lk 17:26-37 Saturday: Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9/Ps 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43/Lk 18:1-8 Next Sunday: Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (see 1a)/1 Thes 5:1-6/ Mt 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21

Observances for the week of November 12, 2023 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday:

Offered by Noreen Egan Next Sunday: ©LPi

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin St. Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude, Virgin St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Join us on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM in the parish center for the following events:

November 16, 2023

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Care for God’s Creation

2-5 PM, St. Monica’s Church

Liz Philippe will share with us Pope Francis’ vision of care for the earth, our common home, as presented in his 2015 pastoral letter, Laudate Si, and his new pastoral letter on stewardship of creation, released on October 4, 2023.

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Open to all K-8 children with the family o At least one adult family member must attend with the child o For families in Parish Religious Education, St. Stephen School, or Caedmon School

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Hands-on activities and discussions o We’ll focus on reconciliation and healing in our families, our schools and offices, in our church, and in the world o Learn about or renew your understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation – excellent preparation for First Penance

November 30, 2023 Explanatory Mass Fr. Donald Baker will celebrate Mass in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (in the Parish Center) with explanations throughout the Mass on the prayers, actions, and postures. When we understand what we are doing, and why we are doing it during Mass, we can come to a deeper understanding and love of the Eucharist!

o Families will participate in all activities as a family unit •

Light snacks included – stay for the 5:30pm Mass and your Sunday is free o No K-8 Religious Ed on Nov. 19 Questions?

Contact Maryann Tyrer at: mtyrer@stelmo79.org

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time K-8 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: •

Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 10am Mass on Sundays - Young children (the content is geared to ages 3 to 9 years old) begin Mass with their families and then are brought to the Ward Room (off the sacristy) during the Liturgy of the Word, and return to their families during the Preparation of the Gifts. This helps them to participate in the Mass at an age appropriate level. Volunteers are needed to train as leaders and assistants.

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K-8 Religious Education sessions have resumed at 11:10am in the Parish Center. If you have not registered, bring your checkbook and arrive early to complete paperwork for your children!

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Coming up: Saturday, November 18, 2-5pm in the Church, Family Faith Formation: Forgiveness and Reconciliation. This family retreat is for all K-8 families (the whole family – at least one adult must attend with the child!) and is also an important part of preparation for First Penance. If your child is celebrating First Communion this year, this retreat is essential.

Families will explore themes of reconciliation and forgiveness through hands-on activities and discussions. Don’t miss this unique experience!

• There will be no sessions Sunday, November 19 (due to the Family Faith Formation event on Saturday, November 18) or the weekend of Thanksgiving (Sunday, November 26th).

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA) • Have you ever thought about 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 a wonderful community.

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities •

Adult Faith Formation, every Sunday following the noon Mass. Come to the Parish Center (406 East 80th Street) for refreshments and a facilitated discussion of the Sunday Scriptures. We end at 3pm. All adults are welcome!

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“Group of Guys,” our Men’s Faith Sharing group, meets every Tuesday at 12noon in the Parish Center. All men are welcome to join.

For all questions, comments, or to register for any of the above, please contact Maryann Tyrer, Pastoral Associate for Religious Formation, at

mtyrer@stelmo79.org

Thanksgiving F O O D

D R I V E

Each year, our Food Pantry helps provide holiday meals to families who might otherwise be unable to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

This year, our need is even greater.

Please consider supporting our pantry by donating non-perishable foods such as:

- Boxed Stuffing - Instant Potatoes - Pasta - Rice - Canned Fruit

If you're unable to support with physical goods, please consider making a donation. $30 buys a turkey for a family in need and $80 can provide a full meal for a family of four.

- Canned Vegetables - Corn Bread Mix - 100% Juice - Pie Crust Mix - Canned Pie Filling

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Looking ahead to November 19th, 2023 the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 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.

MATTHEW 25: 14-30 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one - to each according to his ability. Then he went away! Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, how I have made two more.’ His master said to him. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received one talent came forward and said,’Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

Monday, November 13 What words or phrases caught your attention? Which comforted or challenged me?

Tuesday, November 14 The servants in this parable were given different responsibilities. Why do you think that the first two servants were given even more responsibilities?

Wednesday, November 15 Why did the master refer to the third servant as wicked and lazy? What, then, were the consequences of the servant’s behavior?

Thursday, November 16 What might be some of the reasons that we hide or bury our talents?

Friday, November 17 The “useless servant” will be thrown into the darkness outside where there will be “wailing and grinding of teeth.” What does this phrase imply to you? What is an antidote to fear?

Saturday, November 18 Life requires growth. It requires using what I have been given by God to grow. What steps can I take to overcome spiritual drought - perhaps, the temporary absence of Jesus in my life?

Shortly after the presidential election in 2016, I began to get calls from parishioners and from people who just lived in the neighborhood. They needed someone to talk to. Many were depressed. Others couldn’t shake migraines. All were deeply dismayed with the results of the election and what that would portend for the country they loved.

I tried to offer what comfort I could, but reminded them that while they could be upset, we should not be surprised. For we were raised to believe that America would always be a country where civil rights would expand, decency was valued, and democracy was enshrined. As a result, we grew complacent, disconnected, and maybe even apathetic to the ways in which our country was changing. The economy has been transformed into one in which money makes money, so that those who had wealth could make far more, but those who did not were left behind. Politics has been reduced to a system in which being a politician is a lucrative career, but the government does not have the funding to maintain the services, the social programs and infrastructure that ensure the health and safety of its citizens. Our society has become one that rewards its winners but punishes its losers.

I said that if we wanted to understand why the election went the way it did, we had to understand that there were many Americans who saw themselves as losers – people for which the promised “American Dream” had turned out to be so much less. And they voted accordingly. And that if we wanted a different America, a better America, not only did we have to take their concerns seriously, but we had to stop being complacent and work to make our democracy stronger.

In my sermon following the 2016 election, I recalled Ronald Reagan’s final address to the nation as president, and his famous allusion to America as a “city set on a hill”: “a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it and see it still.”

I wondered whether in 2020 our country would even remotely resemble this Biblical vision. It is now 2023, soon to be ’24, and we can all still ask ourselves that question and arrive at our own answers.

However, whatever our answer is, if we truly want to renew American democracy rather than replace it with a sham, then we need to get to work.

Fundamental to that is voting. Especially on an “off year” such as this election year, it is easy to overlook our responsibility to vote. But it is so important not to forget that responsibility. Local elections affect our city in ways that even national ones do not. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regularly issues voting guidelines to help form consciences about voting. They do not endorse parties but rather advocate policies. They are available on their website: usccb.org.

This past Tuesday was Election Day, and I hope you got out to vote. For Americans, voting isn’t just a privilege – it is a fundamental right – one which we should cherish.

—Father Baker