November 15, 2020

Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nov. 15, 2020

JUST A WORD From our Pastor (Page 9)

FROM OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR (Page 4 )

FIVE MINUTE JESUS (Page 8)

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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. 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 ............................................................. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Mass Intentions

Saturday, November 14th, Vigil

5:30 pm

Sunday, November 15th Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am

All Parishioners

5:00 pm

Carolyn Devaney (Living)

Monday, November 16th Weekday 12:00 pm

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

12:00 pm

Daily Mass: Mon-Sat, 12 noon Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12pm & 5pm Confessions: Saturdays at 5pm or by appointment

Adam Armetta

Wednesday, November 18th Weekday 12 pm

Thomas Yastury

Thursday, November 19th Weekday 12:00 pm

Kathleen M. Reddington

Friday, November 20th Weekday 12:00 pm

Mass Schedule

Brian Thompson

Tuesday, November 17th

Closed for Lunch Weekdays......................1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Visit us at: www.stelmo79.org Follow us on social media by searching STELMO79

Joseph O’Mara (Living)

12:00 pm

Friday ....................................................... Closed Sunday ..................................................... Closed

Ruth Farley

10:00 am

Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday ................................................. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Mary Daniano

Hugo Alberto Litrenta (living)

Saturday, November 21st The Presentation of the Blessed VirgIn Mary 12pm

Mary McAuvic (Living)

For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass to 3:00 pm.

Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass

Bread & Wine This Week’s Bread & Wine In Memory of Thomas Ayastury Litrenta Offered by Maria Litrenta

Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Chaplet is Prayed each Friday Afternoon at 3:00 pm.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays at 5pm or by appointment

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 world 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 Myrna Moreno & Ananias Angeles All Victims of Military Activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Stephen Groarke, Luis Rico, Maria Rodriguez, Ernesto Angeles, Francisco Enaguas, & Victoria Tiongson,

Bans of Marriage III Reginald St. Louis & Natalie Cereghino

Sanctuary Lamp This Week Sanctuary Lamp In Memory of William (Bill) McFarland Offered by Bonnie Taylor & Rebecca Rodosevick

Today’s Readings First Reading — The woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31).

Psalm — Blessed are those who fear the Lord (Psalm 128).

Second Reading — Brothers and sisters, you are children of the light (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6).

Gospel — Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities (Matthew 25:14-30 [14-15, 19-21]).

The English translation of the Psalm Responses from 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, or

(for the memorial of the Dedication)

Acts 28:11-16, 30-31; Ps 98:1-6; Mt 14:22-33 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 Saturday: Rv 11:4-12; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Lk 20:27-40 Sunday: Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; Ps 23:1-3, 5-6;

1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Mt 25:31-46

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

A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Advent is a season of hope. A season of joy where we await the coming of Jesus Christ. In today’s world a sense of hope can be difficult. The coronavirus has certainly changed the way in which we pray. This can clearly be seen at our Masses with the use of masks. Yes, they can be a nuisance, but they are necessary. We also can see that there are fewer of us gathering in person each Sunday. Another sign of uncertainty and precaution. But as we make our way through this pandemic with a vaccine close, we will have a reason to hope. It may not be as soon as we would like so we will have to wait.

Waiting! Waiting is the next big theme of Advent. We await the coming of Christ. We unfortunately as a society are not encouraged to wait. With same day deliveries, and with texts and emails directly sent to smart phones and watches, we want all our needs fulfilled instantaneously. But Advent reminds us that we must find patience. We need to remember that the season is one of joyful expectation. And as isolated as the coronavirus may make us feel, we as Christians are not isolated. For over two thousand years we have waited and continue to wait together for the Incarnation of Christ at Christmas and the Second Coming at the end of time.

So, what will our liturgical music look like this Advent season? Well, the Advent season is like the Lenten season. It is a penitential season. The musical guidelines are similar. We are encouraged to use simpler forms of hymnody. The organ accompaniments will be sparse and lighter. We will continue to use music that is constructed with refrain/verse settings and have our cantors sing the verses. Our Mass setting – Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, Lamb of God – will change back to the Heritage Mass. That was the setting we sang before we learned our current one – Mass of Joy & Peace. The 5pm Mass will also change its setting to the Mass of St. Ann. We will of course light our Advent candle each week as we journey towards Christmas.

Sadly, our choirs cannot safely meet. To me, that is one of the most unfortunate safety guidelines we must follow. I still meet with the Adult & Children’s Choirs weekly, but it is through Zoom. It is a big challenge, but I am grateful we can at least have that. When it is safe to be back at Mass both groups will be ready to go!

So, what does that mean for Christmas?

Traditional Christmas Concert on December 19th at 8pm. Yes, we will have the concert. However, it will regrettably be without our Adult Choir. There is no safe way to perform a concert with that many people. Instead, we will feature our cantors and a few additional voices that will be socially distanced in the sanctuary. Further, the Children’s Choir will perform a few songs as they did last year. However, it will be in groups of three, socially distanced in the sanctuary. In addition, we will have a string quartet playing. The concert will be different this year, but I am grateful that we will be able to present the traditional Christmas Concert. Due to the coronavirus, we can only seat 150 people. And something new this year is that we will be selling tickets for $5. You can purchase them at the parish office. It will be first come, first served.

Christmas caroling. December 20th at 4pm. Something that our choirs can do is Christmas caroling, because it will be outside on our church steps. Feel free to stroll by the church and enjoy the music. I am hoping this can become a new tradition here at our church.

Christmas Masses. Our Christmas Mass schedule will be the same, however our choirs will not be singing. The 5:30pm Mass on Christmas Eve will still feature some of our Children’s Choir but not the full group. Our Carol Service and Midnight Mass will have a quartet of singers upstairs with a quartet of strings and timpani. We unfortunately can not have brass or woodwind players this year. Christmas Day will have cantor & organ at the 8am. The 10am & 12 noon will have a quartet of singers upstairs with a quartet of strings and timpani. Due to limited seating you will need to get free tickets at the Parish Center for all the Christmas services.

2020

Every year, our parish offers you opportunities to give back to others but this year, there is a bit more urgency due to the great need that has arisen as a result of the pandemic. Below we highlight some opportunities to give back. More information can be found on our website: STELMO79.org From November 14th through November 22nd, we will be conducting our annual food drive to benefit the New York Common Pantry. Please bring corn muffin mix, stuffing, gravy, canned corn, canned green beans and canned sweet potatoes to St. Joseph’s Altar by Sunday, November 22nd!

Little Sisters of the Assumption is collecting monetary donations to supply their families with turkeys. Each turkey costs $25 and A link has been posted on our website to should you wish to donate.

Beginning November 28th, we will begin collecting toys for our Annual Toy Drive which will benefit the Little Sisters of the Assumption.

More details to follow!

K-8 Parish Religious Education: •

•

We continue to meet online each Sunday morning – but will be taking November 29th off for the Thanksgiving holiday.

If your child is not in a Catholic School, two years of religious education are required prior to First Communion, and again prior to Confirmation.

Adult Faith Formation:

Our Sunday morning Scripture Discussions are underway, each Sunday, 10:15-11:45am, in our Parish Center (with masks and social distancing). All are invited to join us any Sunday to learn more about your faith, and how the Sunday Mass Scripture readings can be a guide for living our faith in today’s world. No registration required – simply come to the Parish Center (406 East 80th Street) and ring the doorbell.

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.

Face-to-face gatherings (with masks and social distancing) are underway immediately following the 12noon Mass, at the Parish Center. An online Zoom link will also be made available for those who are unable to join us in person due to health issues or remote location.

Baptism Preparation for Parents and Godparents of Young Children

If you wish to have your infant/young child (under the age of 7) baptized, you will need to participate in a Baptism Preparation Class. Godparents are strongly encouraged to take the class as well. These sessions are offered here in the parish three times a month, including an online option. If you are serving as a godparent at another parish, you may participate in our class, and will receive a certificate of participation to bring to the parish of baptism. Call the parish center to sign up.

Bereavement Ministry at our Parish This is a new and developing ministry at our parish. We seek to: • accompany those who are grieving a significant loss, • assist them in acknowledging and understanding their grief, • offer a Catholic Christian faith perspective that brings hope and healing to their bereavement.

If you feel called to join the facilitator team for this ministry, training will be offered in December.

Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org for more information.

Once in a decade opportunity: July 8-16, 2022 Reserve your seat today!

In 1633, the people of the German village of Oberammergau made a promise: if their community was spared from the plague, they would perform a Passion Play every ten years in thanksgiving. The village was spared, and the first play was staged the following year. Over 2000 citizens make up the cast, chorus, orchestra, and technicians that produce the play, and hundreds of thousands of people now make the pilgrimage from all over the world to see this spectacular event.

Travel to Germany and Switzerland with Fr. Donald C. Baker, pastor of the Church of St. Monica – St. Elizabeth of Hungary – St. Stephen of Hungary, and one of Collette Tour’s wonderful guides. Explore the Bavarian region around Oberammergau, Germany; see the 42nd installation of the famous Passion Play; visit beautiful Zermatt and Lucerne in the Swiss Alps.

Tour package includes flight to/from JFK, all airport and hotel transfers, tour bus, full-time tour guide, local tour guides, all hotel accommodations, 13 meals, taxes and fees. $200 discount for bookings ($800 deposit) by November 23, 2020. Because it is estimated that 750,000 people will attend the Passion Play over its 5-month run in 2022, we must book this far in advance in order to secure play tickets and area accommodations.

For more information, visit gateway.gocollette.com/link/938182 or contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org

Advent is just around the corner!

The 4 Sundays of Advent this year are November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20.

Upcoming events: • Vespers in the Church at 5pm each Saturday (just before the 5:30pm Mass) • Christmas Concert – Saturday, December 19 at 8pm – more information to come – save the date!

• Advent Adult Faith Formation Series – Advent: Christ Comes in History, Mystery, and Majesty o December 2 – History – How do we understand the events of that first Christmas? o December 9 – Mystery – How does Christ come among us in our daily lives? o December 16 – Majesty – How will Christ return in glory, and how can we be ready?

All three sessions are 7-8:30pm in the Parish Center Chapel on 80th Street. Save the dates!

• Reconciliation Monday is on December 21 – extended hours – confessions heard 3-5pm, and 7-8pm Get your (free) tickets for this year’s Christmas Masses at the Parish Center – only 150 available per Mass!

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer – The 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time – November 22, 2020

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 Matthew 25: 31-46 When the Son of man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory.

All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me." Then the upright will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you? When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?" And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me."

Then he will say to those on his left hand, "Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food, I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink, I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, lacking clothes and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me."

Then it will be their turn to ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or lacking clothes, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?" Then he will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me." And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.'

Monday Was there something in this reading that spoke to you? Comforted you? Challenged you? What was it and why did it have this effect on you?

Tuesday Why do you think people are called sheep and goats? Why are they separated? What is the reward for the sheep?

What is the punishment for the goats?

Wednesday When considering the sheep and the goats, who do you identify with most? Why? Thursday A kingdom is prepared for those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome ethe stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the incarcerated. There are many ways to answer this call to action. What ministry work do you think God is calling you to? Ask God for the grace to say “yes”.

Friday Many Christians downplay any thought of final judgement and its consequences altogether, even in their own minds. Does all this Hell talk remind you at all of the urgency in living out the Gospel?

Saturday After having reflected on this Gospel all week, what do you think is its main theme?

From the Pastor 11.15.20 The Election Back when I was in school, it was common to teach us that a democracy was the best form of government. It was government “of the people, by the people and for the people” As president Lincoln famously said. As a result, it was strong, I never understood that. For to me, democracy was weak. Why? In a kingdom, all power flows from the king; he has the right to force people to his will. The same is true of any dictator or authoritarian. They are not bound to any law but their own. But in a democracy power flows from the people. Our leaders are bound to our will. However, if a majority of people prefer a king or a dictator, they can vote him in, and thus destroy the very system which chose him. This is what happened in Germany in the 1930s.

For Catholics this election proved complex. On the one hand, our nation has its second Catholic President. However, he is embraced by a party which does not represent the fullness of Catholic teaching. And for many, that invalidated him from the start. Some Catholics believe that we cannot vote for anyone who does not fully support what we believe. Of course, neither party does this, but nevertheless much internet traffic occurred calling into question both the President-elect’s integrity, his values; his faith itself.

That is unfortunate, and it reveals another weakness with democracy; or at least our understanding of it.

A democracy is not a theocracy; we elect, not a leader who is perfect, but a president who most decidedly is not. In a Democracy we must often choose in conscience the lesser of two evils in a candidate, in order to choose the best leader for our country.

And yet, this past week we elected a new president. All the predictions of insurrection, rioting, “proud boy” intimidation and dysfunction were proven wrong. Instead our nation pulled off an election with higher vote tallies than in any other election in American history. And it all went smoothy.

And so, our 240-year-old democracy has proven itself strong. And for that, whether we celebrated on Saturday last week or mourned, we should give thanks. Because for the winners there is always the obligation to make true the promises that got them elected, and for the losers, there is always the next election to make their case anew.

And for the people – all of us – to continue to pressure our leaders to represent our values and realize our highest aspirations for our country. Four years ago, on the Sunday after the election I suggested that we Catholics have a pivotal role to play in our nation as bridge builders. (You can read the homily on our website). I still believe in this role for our Church. Again, it remains to be seen if we live up to this role. I have been wrong before! But I thank God for that. For whatever I thought about democracy as a child, our democracy is strong. And for that, as American Catholics, we give thanks.

Father Baker

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS 511510: Church of St. Monica/ St Elizabeth of Hungary / St Stephen of Hungary 406 East 80th Street, NYC., NY 10075 PHONE: 212 288-6250 CONTACT PERSON: Gladys Tejada/Office

SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION: November 15th, 2020 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE PRINT 450 BULLETINS FOR THIS WEEK’S ISSUE