The Roman Catholic Parish of
Saint Monica Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Saint Stephen of Hungary ————————————————————————————————————— Church : 413 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075 Parish Center: 406 East 80th St. New York, NY 10075 Tel.:(212) 288-6250 Fax: (212) 570 - 1562 www.STELMO79.org www.facebook.com/stelmo79
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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe–November 24th, 2019
Office Hours
Parish Staff
Our Offices are open: Mo. 9am – 5pm Tu.-Th. 9am – 7pm Fri. Closed Sat. 10am -2pm Sun. Closed Our offices close for lunch: 1pm – 2pm daily
Pastor:
Rev. Donald C. Baker
frdcab@stelmo79.org
Associate:
Rev. Msgr. Leslie J. Ivers
msgrlivers@stelmo79.org
Weekend Associates:
Parish Manager: Music Director:
Rev. Jim O’Shea Rev. Tony Ciorra Ms. Maryann Tyrer Ms. Jasmine Gomez Mr. Michael Ward Mr. John Zupan
mtyrer@stelmo79.org jgomez@stelmo79.org mward@stelmo79.org jzupan@stelmo79.org
Wedding Coordinator:
Ms. Debbi Burdett
DBweddingsnyc@gmail.com
Pastoral Associates:
Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8:00am,10:00am,12:00pm,5:00pm Monday – Saturday: 12:00pm Confessions: Saturday: 5:00 – 5:30pm and by appointment Our church is open: 7:15am – 3:30pm daily for private prayer Vespers (evening prayer): 5:10pm Fridays in Parish Center Chapel St.
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
S
MISSION STATEMENT The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and 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 and 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.
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading -- The Lord said to David, You shall shepherd my people Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-3). Psalm -- Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord (Psalm 122). Second Reading -- Thanks to the Father who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light (Colossians 1:12-20). Gospel -- Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:35-43). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass (c) 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
SATURDAY 5:30PM
November 23rd Vigil Walter & Mary Ferber
SUNDAY
November 24th Our Lord Jesus Christ
8:00AM 10:00AM 12NOON 5PM
Mrs. Jesus Suarez Detective Luis A. Alvarez All Parishioners Annie Sweeney (Living)
MONDAY 12NOON
November 25th Weekday Maria Cecilia Litrenta (Living)
TUESDAY 12NOON
November 26th Weekday Pedro Ant. Litrenta, Jr.
WEDNESDAY November 27th Weekday 12NOON Ana Corra THURSDAY 9AM
November 28th Weekday (Thanksgiving) Jozsef Tomahatsch
FRIDAY 9AM
November 29th Weekday Ricarte L. Guatan
SATURDAY 12NOON
November 30th St. Andrew Mr. & Mrs. Albert Blain
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday:
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Dn 3:52-56; Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45; Dn 3:57-61; Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Dn 3:62-67;Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Dn 6:12-28; Dn 3:68-74; Lk 21:20-28 Thanksgiving Day, Suggested: Sir 50:22-24; Ps 145:2-11; 1 Cor 1:3-9;Lk 17:11-19 Friday: Dn 7:2-14; Dn 3:75-81; Lk 21:29-33 Saturday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Sunday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Monday: Thursday: Saturday:
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Thirty-fourth or Last Week in Ordinary Time; St. Catherine of Alexandria Thanksgiving Day St. Andrew
If you wish to add the name of a loved one to the prayer list, please notify the parish center: (212) 288-6250
K-8 Religious Education th • We’re in session, and meet 10:15-11:45am in the Parish Center (406 East 80 Street). Registration is closed for this year. • Parents who were unable to join us for the parent meeting, please come in and pick up your Parent Folder with the calendar for the year and other important information. • No K-8 Religious Education or Adult Faith Formation on Sunday, December 1, due to the Thanksgiving weekend. •
Adult Faith Formation Our Sunday Morning Scripture Discussion Group is in session, and runs 10:15-11:45am in the Parish Center each Sunday that Religious Education is in session. This group is open to any and all adults – you can become a “regular,” or just drop in occasionally as your schedule allows. Parents – this is an excellent way for your family to grow in faith together, and for you to set an excellent example for your children as to the value of formation in the faith at all ages.
Adult Sacraments • Adults thinking about becoming Catholic, or Catholic adults who have missed First Communion or Confirmation – it’s never too late! Contact Maryann Tyrer, Pastoral Associate, to discuss our adult initiation process. You can begin the process any time throughout the year. Sessions are held on Sunday in the Parish Center following the noon Mass. All inquirers are welcome! Volunteers • Subs and hall monitors on Sunday mornings, and special event assistants (various times) needed for our various Faith Formation programs. Contact Maryann for more information.
Solemnity of Christ the King “Jesus is the center of creation; and so the attitude demanded of us as true believers is that of recognizing and accepting in our lives the centrality of Jesus Christ, in our thoughts, in our words, and in our works.” - Homily of Pope Francis, Solemnity of Christ the King, November 24, 2013 On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas Primas (“In the first”) to respond to growing nationalism and secularism. He recognized that these related societal ills would breed increasing hostility against the Church. His encyclical reminds the faithful that while governments and philosophies come and go, Christ reigns as king forever. “The kingdom, already present and growing in our midst, engages us at every level of our being and reminds us of the principle of discernment which Pope Paul VI applied to true development: it must be directed to ‘all men and the whole man’.” – Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium, 181 The Kingdom is Holistic Secularism divides our public selves from our private selves. When governments limit the rights of religious ministries, secularists claim that religious freedom is not harmed because we still have freedom of worship – we are free in private but not in public. But the kingdom of God calls us to a whole life of worship and service in the public square. We cannot worship on Sunday and then deny Christ’s teaching in the way we run our ministries throughout the week. Nationalism, on the other hand, divides our loyalties. It is good to love one’s country, but ultimate loyalty is due only to Christ and his kingdom. Ideologies that ask us to put our nation above Christ and his Church are incompatible with service to the kingdom. Evangelii Gaudium, © 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. Homily of Pope Francis, © 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. Angelus Address, © 2015 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. The Kingdom Demands Discipleship We must work every day, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to draw closer to Jesus. In our own increasingly “post- Christian” society, we cannot be complacent in our spiritual lives. To acknowledge the kingship of Christ means that we should dedicate ourselves to prayer, to building up our families and our parish communities, and to bringing healing to a broken world. The Kingdom is Humble Jesus inaugurates a kingdom that grows through humble acts of service. Even as her freedom to carry out her ministries is threatened, the Church must patiently continue to serve the poor, educate the young, welcome the migrant, visit the prisoner, heal the sick, bury the dead, and love others. “The kingdoms of this world at times are sustained by arrogance, rivalries and oppression; the reign of Christ is a ‘kingdom of justice, love and peace.’ For a Christian, speaking of power and strength means referring to the power of the Cross, and the strength of Jesus’ love: a love which remains steadfast and complete, even when faced with rejection, and it is shown as the fulfillment of a life expended in the total surrender of oneself for the benefit of humanity.” – Angelus Address of Pope Francis Solemnity of Christ the King, November 22, 2015 Copyright © 2016, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved
SPECIAL DEVOTIONS After all weekday masses Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Friday after the Noon Mass to 3 PM, with Benediction following the Divine Mercy Chaplet Devotions Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed each Friday afternoon at 3 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation: 5:00 PM on Saturdays Anytime 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 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 Please remember in your prayers Judith Baron, Charles Senner, Anania Angeles, Maria Escobar, Martha Gil, Gerard Baray, Isabella De Sola, Emma Baruffi, Richard Baldwin, Glenn Allen, Jean Stephens & Albert Walsh.
ALL VICTIMS OF MILITARY ACTIVITY PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED
Please pray for our deceased parishioners and family members Mona Senner, James Francis Dana, Priscilla Morse, Lincoln Werden, Kathleen DelGaudio, Sam La Forte, Deacon Robert Esposito, Deacon Michael J. Hall, Adriana Marcella Velluci, Irene Bornheimer, David Johnson, Barbara Gordon, Esther Kaploun, Maria Altamirano, Ruth Roe & Msgr. George Thompson
FROM OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR
A NEW MASS SETTING Starting on the First Sunday of Advent, we will be singing a new Mass setting. It is called Mass of Joy and Peace by Tony Alonso. The music can be found in our Ritual Song hymnal starting at #284. The acclamations that we will learn first will be: • Gospel Acclamation (#287) • Holy, Holy, Holy (#290) • Memorial Acclamation A (#291) • Amen (#294) • Lamb of God (#295) The Mass of Joy and Peace is a relatively easy Mass setting to learn. We will start to rehearse these acclamations before each Mass. If you can, please try and arrive a few minutes early so we can all learn this wonderful new Mass setting together. “He who sings prays twice” – St. Augustine
Baptism Announcement Next Sunday, December 1st, there will be a baptism service at 1:30PM At this service we will be baptizing: Harrison Hendrix Shiel Please join us in congratulating: Christopher Ryan Shiel & Kathryn Elizabeth Cellino on their children’s new life in Christ. Baptism Services are open for members of the parish to join in the welcoming of our newest members.
FAMILY MASS
Our Next Family Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7th at 5:30 PM. All Families and Parishioners are invited. Sanctuary Lamp This Weeks’ Sanctuary Lamp In Memory of Pedro Ant. Litrenta, Jr. Offered by Maria Litrenta
Church of St. Ignatius Loyola October 25th, 2019 The Reverend Donald C. Baker Church of St. Monica 413 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075 Dear Don: This year the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola has the honor to host the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, that brings together the faith communities of the Upper East Side . For the past several years this gathering has been hosted by Temple Shaaray Tefila. This annual prayer service is an opportunity for us to come together as brothers and sisters and thank for the bounty of blessings that we have received throughout the year. It is a prayer that our minds and hearts are opened to the reality that binds us together is far greater than anything that can separate us. The very foundation of our faith, no matter what religion or tradition we follow, is our absolute and total dependence on the graciousness of God. Each Thanksgiving season we gather to celebrate our common bond and to thank God for God’s providence care of us. Please extend the invitation to your congregation to join us on Tuesday, November 26th at 7PM, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Avenue. I have enclosed a flyer that you may wish to copy for distribution to the members of your congregation. Finally, I respectfully invite you to participate actively in the service. You may offer prayer and reflection, recite a verse of Scripture or a poem, chant a prayer or scriptural verse of your faith tradition, or extend the felicitations of your congregation. If you choose to participate , I ask that you limit yourself to no more than 5 minutes and notify me by Tuesday, November 20th, so you may be acknowledged in the printed program. I looked forward to welcoming members of your congregation and you on November 26th.
Dennis J. Yesalonia, S.J Pastor
OFFICE OF THE PASTOR 980 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10028, T: 212-288-3588 F: 212-734-3671 WWW. STIGNATIUSLOYOLA.ORG
From your Pastor November 24th, 2019 Christ the King Today is New Year’s Eve – kind of – The feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the Church’s year. The feast is not an old one. It was established in 1925 by pope Pius XI in the face of the Russian Revolution and the spread of Communism, which promoted a materialism which excluded any consideration of God. Over the years I have heard people advocate getting rid of this feast, saying that since the fall of Communism, it is no longer needed. But looking around our world at the growing list of leaders, who might not claim to BE God, but act as if there were not one, it strikes me that the reminder of Pius XI is more relevant than ever. Pius wanted the world to remember that no matter how important our leaders think they are, all of us, from the greatest to the least, will one day stand before Christ to give an account of our lives; and we will not be judged on what we have, how rich we were, what offices we have held or rewards we have received, but simply on how we have served “One of these least ones”, as it says in 25th Chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Advent Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus which means “coming” or “arrival”. It is that period of the Church year where we focus on the coming of Christ – as a baby in Bethlehem, as the Messiah (chosen one) in his adult life, and as the Lord at the end of the world. Central to our observance of Advent is a wreath with four candles. The Advent Wreath originally comes from Germany and is a way to mark the passing of the season –The light grows the closer we get to Christmas. The color priests wear is purple - just like in Lent. That should clue us in that Advent, like Lent, is a time of preparation. You’ll also note that three of the four candles on the Advent wreath are purple as well. But the candle that get lit on the third Sunday of Advent is pink. This is a throwback to the ancient practice of fasting during Advent like in Lent. After two weeks of fasting, people needed a break! So the third week the fasting was lifted; pink is the color that symbolizes that “lighter” discipline. To this day priests wear “rose” vestments on that day. Church Lights Those who worship on Saturday or Sunday evenings have already noticed that the earlier setting of the sun means it is downright dark in the church. I notice it because people have given up even trying to sing the hymns or follow their worship aids. The replacement of lighting in the ceiling will require scaffolding in the church for weeks; I told the lighting company that I did not want that at Christmas. They are currently working on a temporary solution so that we will have a brighter church this Christmas, and then a permanent solution in the new year. Fr. Baker