The First Sunday of Advent

Parishlife First Sunday of Advent DECEMBER 1, 2024

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Welcome!

The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Stephen of Hungry opens its doors to 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.

We invite you to join our family: a family seeking to know and love Jesus Christ!

Parish Staff

Weekly Schedule

Pastor: Rev. Donald C. Baker ................. frdcab@stelmo79.org Daily Mass: Mon - Sat, 12:00 PM Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 PM Parish Manager: Jennifer DeSpirito....jdespirito@stelmo79.org Sacristan: Pedro Pizarro.......................ppizarro@stelmo79.org Sunday Mass: 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 5:00 PM Confessions: Saturdays at 5:00 PM* Administration: Gladys Tejada..............gtejada@stelmo79.org (*or by appointment) Pastoral Associate: Taryn Tonelli...........ttonelli@stelmo79.org Pastoral Associate: Maryann Tyrer.........mtyrer@stelmo79.org Devotions Plant Manager:Guillermo Vanegas....gvanegas@stelmo79.org Music Director: John Zupan...................jzupan@stelmo79.org Miraculous Medal on Mondays after 12:00 PM

mass in the church and live online

Priest in Residence............................Rev. Michael K. Holleran Weekend Associate: .........................Rev. Anthony Ciorra, IVD Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Weekend Associate: ..............................Rev. Edward Beck, CP Every Friday after the 12:00 PM mass until 3:00 Wedding Coordinator: Debbi Burdett...dbweddingsnyc@gmail.com

PM in the church and live online Divine Mercy

Every Friday at 3:00 PM in the church and online Vespers (Evening Prayer) Every Friday at 5:10 PM in the chapel and online Sacrament of Reconciliation

Contact

Saturdays at 5:00 PM or by appointment

Our church is located at 413 E. 79th St, New York, NY 10075 Our parish center is located at 406 E. 80th St, New York, NY 10075 Anointing of the Sick (Phone): 212 - 288 - 6250 (Fax): 212 - 570 - 1562 Every third Saturday of the month after the 12:00 (Email): info@stelmo79.org PM mass The parish center offices hours are

Monday/Wednesday.............................. 9 AM - 4 PM Tuesday/Thursday ................................. 9 AM - 7 PM Saturday ................................................ 10 AM - 2 PM The office is closed Friday and Sunday and weekdays from 1 -2 PM for lunch.

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@stelmo79

stelmo79.org

Baptisms & Marriages

Please call the parish office for more information.

Communion for the Homebound: Those wishing to receive communion, but unable to travel to church due to illness/age, please contact the parish office for arrangements.

Mass Intentions

Prayers for the Sick

Saturday, November 30, Vigil Giancarlo Tonelli Anthony Anello 5:30 PM - Joseph Spina Steven Moses Angela Mitchell Desiree Amato Parke Daniel Murphy Sunday, December 1, First Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM - Regina Ford Peter Farley Sebastian Escobar 10:00 AM - Rosaria Guastella Mary Ann Ruddick Antoinette Paone 12:00 PM - All Parishioners Marybeth Hart Galvin Nancy Salerno 5:00 PM - Elizabeth and Patrick McCormack Anne Sabatini Angela Mitchell Monday, December 2, Advent Weekday Maria Simanca Daniel Murphy 12:00 PM -Rocco -Rocco and Angelina Boccia and all those ill and victims of military activities Tuesday, December 3, St. Francis Xavier 12:00 PM - Juan Ayastury Litrenta (Living) Wednesday, December 4, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Carla B. Litrenta (Living) Giacinto Sisto, Robert Anello, Pedro Ant. Minaya, Msgr.

Thursday, December 5, Advent Weekday Patrick J. Carney, and Rev. James Collins 12:00 PM - Maryann Luzimsky Friday, December 6, Advent Weekday 12:00 PM - Agnes and Timothy J. McCrohan Saturday, December 7, St. Ambrose Sunday, 12/1 First Sunday of Advent 12:00 PM - Purgatorial Society Jer 33:14-16/1 Thes 3:12—4:2/Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Prayers for the Deceased

Weekly Observances & Readings

Collections

WEEK ENDING 11/17/24 11/16, 5:30 PM: Mass Attendance: 113 Collections: $1037.00

11/17, 8:00 AM: Mass Attendance: 126 Collections: $964.00 11/17, 10:00 AM: Mass Attendance: 157 Collections: $1201.00 11/17, 12:00 PM: Mass Attendance: 214 Collections: $3073.00 11/17, 5:00 PM: Mass Attendance:168 Collections: $787.00

Gross Online WeShare Collections: $2317 $2317.00 .00

Monday, 12/2

Advent Weekday Is 2:1-5/Mt 8:5-11

Tuesday, 12/3

Saint Francis Xavier, Priest Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday, 12/4

Advent Weekday Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37

Thursday, 12/5 Advent Weekday Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday, 12/6

Advent Weekday Is 29:17-24/Mt 9:27-31

Saturday, 12/7 Saint Ambrose Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8

TOTAL: $9379.00 Next Sunday, 12/8

Second Sunday of Advent Bar 5:1-9/Phil 1:4-6, 8-11/Lk 3:1-6

Sanctuary Lamp

This week’s sanctuary lamp is in memory of:

Rosa Olga Litrenta Offered by Maria Litrenta 3

THE SAINT MONICA CONCERT SERIES

proudly presents

The Annual Christmas Concert Join our Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, Contemporary Ensemble, along with our St. Monica Chamber Ensemble for some holiday cheer!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024 7:00 PM For more information, visit stelmo79.org/concertseries or scan QR code

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Prime Time Ministry: Upcoming Events FRIDAY

DEC

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LOVE DEATH LOVE with E.L.Stilwell

The author of LOVE DEATH LOVE, Embracing the Journey to Death, Ellen Long Stilwell joins us to discuss acceptance of the process of death and dying, which allows for grief to flow. Ellen is a registered nurse, a trained death doula with seventeen years of experience working with hospice and a faculty member at Adelphi University, teaching “Caring for the Patient Nearing End of Life.” Her books are available on Amazon and will be offered at a special discount of $10 each! Please email any questions you would like discussed during this meeting to lovedeathlove.els@gmail.com.

PRIME TIME CHRISTMAS LUNCH DEC FRIDAY

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Primetime ministry invites all 50 and over for our Christmas lunch on Friday, December 13, at 1 PM. Join us for a homestyle meal, Christmas music, and a raffle with fun prizes. Share the Christmas joy with us!

Both events take place at 1:00 pm in the Parish Center.

Email primetime@stelmo79.org for more information!

(212) 288 - 6250

406 E. 80th Street, New York, NY 10075

stelmo79.org 5

CENTERING PRAYER GROUP Mark your calendars! Centering Prayer is a Christian contemplative practice popularized by the Trappists in the 1970's but based on a 15th century treatise on prayer called, "The Cloud of Unknowing." Fr. Michael Holleran will be establishing a weekly Centering Prayer group in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel on Wednesday evenings.

The Introductory session will take place at 7 PM on Wednesday, December 4th. Everyone is welcome!

The first sessions will include beginner instruction for those new to this type of prayer. The meetings will conclude around 8:15 PM. For more information about Centering Prayer, please visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org.

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MINISTRY

WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, AT ALL ARE WELCOME! 6

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Please pray for the children of our Parish Religious Education Program, St. Stephen of Hungary School, and The Caedmon School, who will celebrate their First Penance on Saturday, December 7!

From December 1 to December 15, our parish is holding a Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the Little Sisters of the Assumption in East Harlem.

Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy

to spread Christmas magic to a child in need!

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Hopeful Longing: A Spirituality for Advent Maureen A. Kelly, Ma One November a friend called, saying, “I have cancer and it’s inoperable. I only have a few weeks.” I could hardly respond. She broke the silence with words that brought a deeper understanding of Advent. “I’ve always loved the Advent readings, especially the prophets,” she said. “They’re my prayer of longing and hope as I wait.”

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.”

The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and the season when we both prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth and anticipate the second coming. The Church has intended this time as a period to consider how our lives are preparing the world for the second coming.

The Advent/Christmas season celebrates a truth about God. We believe that through the revelation of God in the human and divine infant, all of creation is reconciled to God. The words of the Advent hymn “O come, O come Emmanuel” speak our story. We long for ransom from the shackles that bind us to certain ways of living. We long to be saved as a community and a nation from oppression and the lure of cultural seductions that place us in exile from God’s love and friendship. We long to know that “The Lord, your God is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love” (Zephaniah 15b).

We can miss Advent’s power. We can become distracted from the essence of the meaning of the season: “Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path” (Luke3:4b – 5a).

Spend time reflecting on the Sunday readings. Absorb the hope in the first reading for each of the Sundays. That is what my dying friend did. If you think you do not have time, remember that we make time. Use these weeks for an examination of conscience and the celebration of the sacrament of Penance.

As you make preparations for Christmas, heed the response John gave the crowd after they heard his call for repentance. “Let the man with two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same . . . . Do not bully anyone. Denounce no one falsely. Be content with your pay” (Luke 3:11, 14).

Questions for reflection • What meaning does the phrase “coming of the Lord” hold for you this Advent?

• What changes would you make if you were told you only had a few weeks to live?

• How will you make time to celebrate Advent?

Actions to tAke • Participate in a faith sharing group in your parish.

• Set aside time to read the Sunday readings and ask, “What are these readings saying to me about my longings and hopes for a Savior for myself, for the world?”

• Put aside ten percent of your Christmas spending for the needy.

scripture corner Psalm 9—10; Psalm 33; Psalm 40 Think about how these psalms are messages of hope.

Maureen a. Kelly is an expert on sacramental catechesis and religious education. She holds an MA in theology from the Catholic University of Louvain and is a founding member of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate.

© 2006 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622; 1-800-933-1800; www.LTP.org.

Art by Julie Lonneman. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Rite magazine, page 31, September/October 2006, www.ritemagazine.org.

This page may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice must appear with the text.

It also may be downloaded at www.ritemagazine.org.

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First Sunday of Advent: December 1, 2024

Advent Vespers

Join us this Advent as we gather in the church at 6:30 PM for VESPERS: a service of prayer, reflection, and spiritual preparation.

The services will be followed by a wine and cheese reception.

December 5, 12, and 19 10

All are welcome!

DECEMBER 1, 2024 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year I have a recurrent dream. I am a kid, in one of those old metal kiddie cars, with pedals that would make the car go. The pedals never worked very well, and it took a lot of effort to make the thing move. Then I get the idea to go down a hill with it, the car starts moving, it goes faster and faster, I don’t even have to pedal, but then it starts to shake as the wheels get wobbly, the brakes don’t work and the steering wheel comes off in my hands. We get to the bo?om of the hill and there is a car coming right at me. . . and then I wake up!

I don’t think we need Dr. Freud to figure out this dream. Especially because of when I get it – at this Fme of year! This post-summer, pre-Christmas Fme of year builds up slowly in the parish, but really gets going in October and November, and then crests in these four December weeks leading up to Christmas. Anyone who has sat in mass and merely listened to the string of announcements concerning things going on in the parish, let alone read the bulleFn and seen the announcements for things knows how busy we are at this Fme of year. This year perhaps more than ever.

December will be just as busy, as we move through our normal cycle of concerts in both the school and the parish, events such as Cookies Cocoa and Carols (Dec 15th), all the new things happening with our young adult and PrimeTime ministries, plus the series of installaFons of our newly trained parish ministers: lectors, eucharisFc ministers, Hospitality ministers and altar servers in the first weeks of December.

Somehow, I think that the people who put the Church calendar together knew that this Fme of year would be crazy; that we would get so caught up with the preparaFons and demands of the season, that we forget the reason for the season. And that is why for the next four weeks, the Church tries to get us to remember.

The Advent Season we enter this weekend is designed to get us to stop. To wake up. To listen. To hope. To be open. To wonder. Just listen to the reading at mass in the coming weeks and remember that all the craziness is NOT the point. It may not be avoidable in our modern world and in our super-acFve parish, but none of it ma?ers if we forget that it is all about the birth of Jesus, and what he means for us and thus for the world.

One of the things that helps me stop, listen, wake up and to hope is the Advent Vespers series. Each year we offer a series of services on Thursday evenings during Advent. This year they start at 6:30pm. In the past we have had different themes, with guest preachers. This year we are keeping it “in house” with Maryann and I meditaFon on the themes of Hope, Joy and JusFce. All themes are very present in the Advent readings.

These services are not mass. but the ancient order of Vespers or evening prayer. There will be the opportunity for fellowship following each service.

It is wonderful in the midst of the craziness to stop. To listen. To pray and to hope. A`er all, what is the alternaFve to an Advent Season filled with hope and wonder? Riding down that hill without any brakes, yearning for the holiday season to be over!

I hope you’ll make this year the year to come and discover the reason for this season.

Father Baker

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