33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 11/13/2022

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 familya 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 Associate: .................................... Rev. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Weekend Associate:...............................................Rev. Edward Beck, CP

Pastoral Associate: Ms. Maryann Tyrer ........ mtyrer@stelmo79.org

Music Director: Mr. 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, 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 & 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 12th Vigil 5:30pm Bacsane Csiki, Judith

Sunday, November 13th Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00am Ruth Parley 10:00am Imelda Litrenta (Living) 12:00pm All Parishioners 5pm Edward Zyman

Monday, November 14th Weekday 12pm Josefa Ortiz Litrenta (Living)

Tuesday, November 15th Weekday 12pm Keith Lexa

Wednesday, November 16th Weekday 12pm Adela Molina

Thursday, November 17th St. Elizabeth of Hungary 12pm Kathleen M. Reddington

Friday, November 18th Weekday 12pm Agnes & Tomothy J. McCrohan

Saturday, November 19th Weeday 12pm Thomas Ayastury Litrenta

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

John Mulvey, Susan Balwin, Cindy Garnica Castro, Kathleen Roche, Gretty Beradin, Frances Tabeek, Jennie Marmo, Danielle Boros and all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED

Gerald Devaney, Msgr. Anthony Marchitelli, Tony Springob, Aracelis Limongi, Kip Silverman, Rev. Sam Matarazzo, Aracelis Limongi, James Roche & Ron Beradino

Baptism Announcement

Today, November 13th there will be a Baptism service at the 12noon Mass. At this service we will be baptizing:

Emely Marie Cikos

Please join us in congratulating: Robert Cikos & Bryanne Kluckon on their children’s new life in Christ

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

Today’s Readings

First Reading — There will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays (Malachi 3:19-20a).

Psalm — The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice (Psalm 98).

Second Reading — Paul speaks of his hard work among the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12).

Gospel — Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem, the persecution of his followers. But their perseverance will be their salvation (Luke 21:5-19).

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: Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 18:35-43

Tuesday: Rv 3:1-6, 14-22; Ps 15:2-5; Lk 19:1-10

Wednesday: Rv 4:1-11; Ps 150:1b-6; Lk 19:11-28

Thursday: Rv 5:1-10; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 19:41-44

Friday: Rv 10:8-11; Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131;Lk 19:45-48 or (for the memorial of the Dedication) Acts 28:11-16, 30-31; Ps 98:1-6; Mt 14:22-33

Saturday: Rv 11:4-12; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Lk 20:27-40 Sunday: 2 Sm 5:1-3; Ps 122:1-5; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43

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. Allyson Genova-Hall www.saintstephenschool.org

Interested in admissions to our parish school? admissions@saintstephenschool.org

In partnership with the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services in East Harlem, our parish offers the following opportunities for holiday giving:

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FOOD COLLECTION

November 12-20, 2022

Bring non-perishable food items (no glass!) to the St. Joseph altar of St. Monica Churchduring these dates Special need for holiday season food, and shelf-stable, readyto-heat meals

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY COLLECTION

December 3-11, 2022

Bring NEW, unwrapped toysfor children of anyage to the St. Joseph altar at St. Monica Churchduring these dates If the toy needs batteries, please consider attaching a pack of the appropriate size needed.

From our parishioner, Sr. Susanne Lachapelle, LSA: “Your generosity is overwhelming and unbelievable. Much gratitude for all you sharewith our center.”

Music: An Integral Part of the Mass

Walk or jog any track and people with earbuds or in-ear headphones will be seen. While some may be catching up on the latest podcast, the majority are listening to music.

Music motivates people to move and helps to focus attention. The rhythms and the pulse of the beats help with keeping a certain pace that is vital to effective exercise. Music and action have long been partners in exercise, dance, and liturgy.

In the liturgy, hymns and songs may highlight the Scripture readings, add to the solemnity of the liturgy, and foster a unity among the assembly. The Second Vatican Council document the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy calls the musical tradition of the universal Church “a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art” (112). Noting the “preeminence” of music, the document goes on to say that “as sacred song closely bound to the text, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.” Music, then, isn’t merely a nice extra in the liturgy; it is intrinsic to the liturgy.

Music is wedded to the action of the liturgy. The Entrance Song, for example, is meant “to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers” General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 47.

The purpose of the song during the procession to the Eucharistic table is “to express the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show gladness of heart, and to bring out more clearly the ‘communitarian’ character of the procession to receive the Eucharist,” General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 86.

These processional songs are reminders that the faithful are pilgrims who journey from God, with God, and toward God. As we journey, our common song unites hearts and voices in love. St. Augustine explained that singing is for lovers. It is what people in love do!

Hymns and songs highlight the Scripture readings, add to the solemnity of the liturgy, and foster a unity among the members of the assembly.

Who among us in the throes of falling in love hasn’t wandered about, singing or whistling a tune? God is in love with us! We are in love with God! Words are not enough to express our feelings! We must sing!

But singing takes courage and involves risk and vulnerability. Yet this is exactly what is asked of the assembly when the liturgy is celebrated—to be open, vulnerable, and willing to go beyond their comfort zones.

Often people fear that they cannot sing well, but everyone can sing at some level. The liturgy gives people a chance to return to God the voice they have been given. As you sing at the next liturgy, allow the music to move your heart in love and in song, returning your gift to God.

Connecting the Liturgy with Our Lives © 2019 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. Text by Kathy Kuczka.

Photo © John Zich. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on October 25, 2018.

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer – The Solemnity of Christ the King November 20, 2022

It is simple Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells 2. Consider the questions suggested for each day. 3. What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of you? 4. Make a resolution about how what you read can be lived that day. 5. Thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

Lk 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine, they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Monday, November 14

Was there something in this passage that spoke to you? Comforted you? Challenged you? What was it? Why did it influence you?

Tuesday, November 15

It is Good Friday, and “the rulers” mock Jesus, saying that if he is the Christ, the chosen one, he should save himself. That is because they believe his power should be like theirs. And clearly in this sense, Jesus is no king. What was Jesus’ true power? How do we see that power exercised, even here on the cross?

Wednesday, November 16

Jesus is mocked as “King of the Jews” with a sign hung over his head. The did this in crucifixions: put a sign on the cross to indicate what the criminal was crucified for. It was meant to scare people. But the Gospel writer Luke believed it true, as do we. Jesus is “King”. how do we make sense of this word, in a world where kings no longer hold real power? Is there some other word we would use that would describe Jesus’ relationship with us? How would you describe his relationship with you?

Thursday, November 17

Jesus is not alone at his crucifixion. Two thieves are crucified with him. One demands Jesus use his power to save himself and them. The other recognizes their sentence was just but Jesus’s was not. Instead of power, the “good thief” asks only for mercy. Do this teach us anything about our relationship with Jesus? Which thief are we?

Friday, November 18

The “good thief” acknowledges that there is a kingdom coming for Jesus. That he could do that, with Jesus dying on the cross next to him, would seem like insanity. But Luke sees it as faith. How do we understand the good thief’s faith? Have there been times when we have been challenged to trust god in the face of pain, defeat, loss or even death? What can we learn from the good thief?

Saturday, November 19

Jesus promises the good thief that on account of his faith, “today you will be with me in paradise”. This reflects the belief in Jesus’ day that when a just person dies, they go to a place of rest and peace. We see that reflected elsewhere in the New Testament, for example in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. It where we get our popular idea of heaven from. What do we imagine heaven to be like? And how does that belief in life after death, change how we live in this life?

Just a Word

From the Pastor’s Desk 11.13.2022

Parish Facilities Update

Renew and Rebuild: ring a bell? If it sounds like one of those acronyms that the Church rolls out when it wants to start something, you’d be right, except for us it was already over last year. Back in 2015, the Archdiocese began Renew and Rebuild as a capital campaign to compliment Making All Things New (Ring a bell?) the Archdiocesan plan for closures and mergers of parishes, in order, it was believed, to create stronger parishes. One can debate whether that was the result but Renew and Rebuild was meant to encourage the newly merged parishes to fund the updating and repair of their physical plants, so that parishes would have renovated buildings to serve them for years to come.

The new parish of St. Monica – St. Elizabeth of Hungary – St. Stephen of Hungary was included in the first group of parishes to start Renew and Rebuild. We eventually raised $1,030,830.00 in pledges and contributions. That amount has enabled us to complete many of our stated projects. The Francis Building at our school has a new roof. We reconfigured the parish hall creating a new space for the 79th St Workshop and a second access to the hall so that the hall might be renovated, with an elevator providing handicapped access. The Parish Center was renovated and received a new roof. And of course, we installed air conditioning in the church.

The parish hall renovation had to be put on hold when we discovered that the façade of the church was falling off. However, another of the projects for the campaign which is still not completed is a new high efficiency boiler which would heat the parish center, the Caedmon School (which rents that building from us) and St. Monica Church.

. . ., that project is completed. The boiler is finished and has been for months. It has been Con Ed which has dragged its feet in getting here, installing the meters, and turning on the gas. Oh, they have come, but every time they arrive, a different inspector finds some flaw or mistake which the previous inspectors said was no problem. If you go past the parish center this week you will see that we had to relocate exhaust pipes, which Con Ed told us we had to place where they were, because other inspectors decided they were a violation.

This would all be just a silly sad story about the incompetence New York City’s institutions, save for one thing: it is November. And while we have been blessed by abnormally warm weather this fall, soon it will be cold. Our church itself has a secondary back up heat system in the HVAC units we installed. The parish center also has partial heat because of the same system. But the Caedmon School (and thus, its children) is left without heat until Con Ed gets here, installs a meter for the gas, and turns a switch.

We are told that Con Ed will finally be here this week, to finish their work. Fingers crossed. When that happens, another project will be crossed off our Renew and Rebuild list of projects and we will be that much closer to having the renewed and rebuilt facilities so many of us gave money for.

.

. . and the façade?

You probably have noted that no one has been working on the church façade for the past couple of weeks. A stop work order was issued after, during the construction of the scaffolding a large metal pipe fell and pierced the driver’s side of a parked truck’s windshield! DOB came, shut them down for inspection and review and have only just permitted them to complete scaffold construction. We are told that the scaffold will be there at least until April.

Fr Baker

Upcoming Events at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture

The Four Last Things | November 1 at 6:30 p m A Virtual Tour of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece, “The Final Judgement,” with art historian and author, Dr. Elizabeth Lev. For one night only, Dr. Lev will lead New York art lovers on a virtual tour of this dazzling treasure of sacred art that Pope John Paul II praised as "a priceless cultural and universal heritage." Save $5 on tickets with the code: PARISH.

H Heavenly Bound: Paintings by Brother Mickey McGrath | November 4 30 at the Janet Hennessey Dilenschneider Gallery (free admission)

Inspired by the lives of Venerable Augustus Tolton and Servant of God Thea Bowman, this exhibit celebrates in illuminated word and image the timeless and timely example of these saintly figures of faith who embodied the Light of Christ and His Gospel message of Love and the Healing Power of Beauty in a world of violence and despair.

Ang el of the Amazon Present ed by Encompass New Opera Theater | Nov 10 13, Nov 17 20 Angel of the Amazon, a compelling music drama by composer Evan Mack, is based on the true story of Sister Dorothy Stang, who devoted her life to helping indigenous families of Brazil gain land rights and to protecting the Rainforest. In 2005, this 73-year-old nun was murdered by assassins hired by the owner of a logging company, who felt her passion for the Earth and all its gifts to be a threat. Her sacrifice launched a global movement to save the rainforest and to plant trees around the world.

Sheen Talks: The Art of Controversy | November 15 at 7:00 p.m. “Public Figures and the Eucharist

The Sheen Center kicks off a season of conversation with a new Sheen Talks series hosted by Gloria Purvis, host of The Gloria Purvis Podcast from America Media. The series will honor the spirit of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s words and the wise counsel of G. K. Chesterton that an ugly “quarrel” should never interrupt a good “argument.” Our first topic: Politicians and the Eucharist. This discussion will negotiate the so-called “Communion Wars” over whether political figures who publicly espouse views contrary to Church teachings should be allowed to receive Holy Communion. In doing so, the conversation will bring together both those who view the Eucharist (to quote Pope Francis) as, “a medicine and nourishment for the weak, not a prize for the perfect” and those who hold that doing so invites moral confusion among the faithful and erodes reverence for the Sacrament. Save $5 on tickets with the code: PARISH.

For more information or topurchase tickets, visit www sheencenter org Forgroup sales or senior /student discountsplease callthe Sheen Center at 212 219 3132