27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 familya 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

Mass Intentions

Saturday, October 7th Vigil October 7th Vigil

5:30pm Carolyn Devaney (Living) Carolyn Devaney

Sunday, October 8th October 8th

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinar y Time in Ordinary Time

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

8:00am Rober ta Chapey (Living)

8:00am Roberta (Living)

10:00am Patricia Per r y 10:00am Patricia Perry

12:00pm All Parishioners All Parishioners

5pm Rober to & Gloria Garcia Roberto & Gloria Garcia

Monday, October 9th Weekday October 9th

9am Alber t del Rosario Albert

Tuesday, October 10th Weekday October 10th Weekday

12pmT hanskgiving 12pmThanskgiving

Wednesday, October 11th Weekday October 11th Weekday

12pm Nora Roche Nora Roche

T hur sday, October 12th Weekday Thursday, October 12th

12pm Priests of St. Monica’s Priests of St. Monica’s

Friday, October 13th Weekday October 13th

12pm Souls in Purg ator y Souls in Purgatory

Saturday, October 14th October 14th

12pm Nine Souls of Lima Nine Souls of Lima

Monday, October 9th

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Every Friday after the Noon Mass until 3pm in the church and live online

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 for arrangements

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Neil O’Carroll, Kristopher kwait, Harry Rabonwitz, Jose Rodriguez, Christopher

Barbieri, Mark Rindler, Hang Mooi, Marylin

Atkinson, Celeste Consenza, Michelle Netus, Aicardo Vargas, Jerry Schwegman, Judith Farber, Camille Madonna, Mary

O’Connor Lynch, Caroline Yurkutat, Christopher

Elliot Lewis, Danielle Boros, Linda Clarke, Bruno

Franco Adame, Michael Reilly, Marcelle Ferrier, all those ill and victims of military activities

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED

Rev. Jonh Piterbone, Isidro Manalad, Adele Ivers, Elizabeth Hownen, Eugene Flynn, Sharon Sheldon, Robert Anello and Jennie Wachowicz

Baptism Announcement

On October 8th there will be Baptism service at the 12:00pm Mass. At this service, we will be baptizing:

Stephen Alexander Maher

Please join us in congratulating:

Kevin Frances Maher & Gabriela Vatanamu

on their child new life in Christ

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

Weekly Readings & Observances

Readings for the week of October 8, 2023

Sunday: Is 5:1-7/Ps 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20 (Isaiah 5:7a)/Phil 4:6-9/Mt 21:33-43

Monday: Jon 1:1—2:2, 11/Jon 2:3, 4, 5, 8/Lk 10:25-37

Tuesday: Jon 3:1-10/ Ps 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8/Lk 10:38-42

Wednesday: Jon 4:1-11/Ps 86:3-4, 5-6, 9-10/Lk 11:1-4

Thursday: Mal 3:13-20b/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Lk 11:5-13

Friday: Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2/Ps 9:2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9/Lk 11:15-26

Saturday: Jl 4:12-21/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12/Lk 11:27-28

Next Sunday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (6cd)/ Phil 4:12-14, 19-20/ Mt 22:1-14 or 22:1-10

Observances for the week of October 8, 2023

Sunday: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday: Columbus Day; St. Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs.

Tuesday:

St. John Leonardi, Priest

Wednesday: St. John XXIII, Pope

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday: St. Callistus I, Pope and Martyr

Next Sunday: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

©LPi

SSHS, parish school, is pleased to announce that the application for the 2024-2025 school year is available on the school website: www.saintstephenschool.org

SSHS Siblings and Parishioners of St. Monica-St. Elizabeth of Hungary - St. Stephen of Hungary Church are encouraged to apply (Pre K2 – Grade 8) by November 3, 2023 to be considered in the first wave of applications.

If you are interested in attending the upcoming Open House Tour on Friday, October 20th at 8:30 am, please email Judy Dickson, Director of Admissions, jdickson@saintstephenschool.org with any questions. We appreciate your help in spreading the word to your friends and neighbors.

Facing g the e Holidays s

After r the e Loss s of f a Loved d One e

All are welcome to amorning of reflection hosted by the Bereavement Ministry at the Parish of St. Monica –St. Elizabeth of Hungary –St. Stephen of Hungary.

Jayne Porcelliwill be our leader and speaker this year. For over 40 years Jayne Porcelli has loved her ministry in our church. Her pastoral work has included all aspects of parish work, education, retreat work and pastoral counseling. Currently she is enjoying working on writing/speaking projects and spiritual direction.

Saturday, November 4, 2023 –beginning at 9am(with coffee and donuts) –and ending with the noon Mass –in the Church (413 E. 79th Street,between 1st Ave. & York Ave.)

“How can I be thankful when I’m grieving a loss?”

“How can I celebrate Christmas when my heart is broken?”

“How do I get through this holiday season without him/her beside me?”

“What can I look forward to in the New Year?”

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, the holiday season can be especially painful. Expectations, seasonal events, and the celebration of those around us often collide with our loss and sadness. Join us for this morning of prayer, reflection, journaling, and ritualrooted in our Christian faith. Find comfort and hope in our faith, and in practical suggestions for navigating the holiday season.

Please RSVP in one of these ways by Tuesday, October 24, so that we have sufficient materials prepared:

On our website –www.stelmo79.org, or

To our parish center –212-288-6250, or

To our pastoral associate, Maryann Tyrer –mtyrer@stelmo79.org

If you haven’t already done so, you are welcome to bring a photo of your loved one to place at the St. Joseph Altar of our church for the month of November.

K-8 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: Registeronline NOWat https://www.stelmo79.org/reled-k8.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 10am Mass on Sundays - Young children (the content is geared to ages 3 or 4 up until 1st or 2nd grade) begin Mass with their families, and then are brought to the Ward’s Room (off the sacristy) during the Liturgy of the Word andreturn to their families during the Preparation of the Gifts. This helps them to participate in the Mass at an age-appropriate level.

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

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 others.Please contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to discuss our adult initiation process (commonly known as the RCIA)

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! Theology Thursdayspresentsa 4-week course onThe Apostles Creed by Fr. Baker, in the Parish Center, 6:30-8:30pm – October 5, 12, 19, 26. The Apostles Creed is in the Rosary, is an option at Mass, and is one of the central prayers most of us learn as children. Come and explore its meaning! This is an Archdiocesan Formation Course butis open to the public. However, registration is required as seating is limited! Please pre-register on the parish website or call the parish office.

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

• Specialized academies in the fields of Medicine, Business, Finance & Law, and STEM

• Honors and Advanced Placement classes offered

• Robust arts and dance programs

• Competitive sports program and rich extracurricular activities

• Academic scholarships and financial aid available

• $45+ millions of dollars in college scholarships and grants awarded each year

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15

- 3PM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25

- 8PM

Please contact Lynda Maer, a licensed sales agent in New York, at 917-685-1197 to reserve 917-685-1197 to reserve a seat for one of the following seminars:

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 12:00 Noon

Monday, October 30, 2023, at 4:00PM

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer – Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 15, 2023

It is simple Read the Gospel for the following 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 in this moment of your life? Make a resolution about how your reflection of God’s Word might be lived out that day. Thank God for speaking to you throughyour reflection.

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again spoke in reply to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out onto the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, “My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Monday, October 9

What word or words in this passage caught my attention? Comforted me or challenged me? Perhaps you might want to write them down and reflect on them during the week. What conversion of mind and heart might God be asking of me?

Tuesday, October 10

The Gospel parable makes it clear that our appropriate response to an invitation to a feast is acceptance. How have I experienced God’s invitation to a life of faith? How have I responded to that invitation?

Wednesday, October 11

“The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.” How do I prepare myself to celebrate the Eucharistic banquet of which the wedding feast is an image? Do I just walk into Mass, or do I spend time beforehand perhaps reflecting on the Scripture readings and asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me through God’s Word?

Thursday, October 12

“But he was reduced to silence.” When have I been silent in the face of sin and injustice? How can I best use my voice, especially on behalf of the marginalized?

Friday, October 13

What does the wedding attire in the parable represent? Pope Francis says it represents charity toward God and our neighbor. Why do you think he says this? Do you agree?

Saturday, October 14

The parable speaks of the generosity of the king. How can God’s generosity bring me peace and hope through the difficult times in my life?

Just a Word

From the Pastor 10.08.2023

What is Happening in Rome?

Back in 1962, there was perhaps not a single Catholic alive who did not know that the bishops of the world were gathering in Rome. Pope John XXIII called for an Ecumenical Council. Such councils are big events. The last one was in 1870, and the one before that ) recent council quickly became Va an II.

Pop that it could address the world with the Gospel in a clearer way. It met from 1962-65, and the rest, as they say, is history. So much of what we take for granted in the Church – the mass in English, where the priest faces the people across a free-standing altar, – all of it came about because of the Council. Many others would say that the loss of the sacred, disobedience of lay Catholics to the Church’s teaching - all of that was also the fruit

because Ecumenical Councils play such an important role. They are, with the Pope as their unpredictable –

Which is why when Pope Francis called for a Synodal Process leading to a more synodal Church, one of things that came out of hiding was the division in the Church over the meaning of plained that liberals would try to turn it into a ange doctrine . Liberals complained that the wanted to silence to strengthen their control.

Ecumenical Council – it does not pretend to be one and does not have the authority of one, and two, the synodal process is NOT NEW. In fact, being a synodal Church is one of the oldest ways of being the Church.

together, to speak, and look for

t in a synodal church they are counselled and informed by the rest of us.

th century happened because local clergy made decisions concerning doctrine

s at ’s control by proclaiming him Just ask the Pope.

y and advise the pope. There have been many since the council ended in 1965. Most of them, however, have been while Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict the XVI reigned. They both held a high view of papal infallibility and thus, synods under their tenure were

That is what makes the synod now invited, not

. Doctrine, especially the doctrine of infallibility has not been changed, nor can it be – save by the Pope and even he is bound by the guidance of Church teaching and

Over past 150+ years, strong Papal authority helped the Church weather two world wars and built an which was the envy of many for its clear doctrine and discipline. fester, scandalizing the very people it was supposed to serve. Many – not just the Pope – see the need for systemic change.

What the Synod is about then is changing the model of how we are as baby steps –

can. Pope Francis is asking us all to begin walking on a common path. People who walk - a common path which we learn to walk together.

Father Baker