September 19, 2021

Parish life Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

09/19/2021

School Event (Page 4)

Parish Life

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Just a word (Page 9)

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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.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, September 18th Vigil 5:30pm Rita Pietrovito Sunday, September 19th Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am Gregorio Alvarez 10:00am Dr. Claudette Anglade 12:00pm All Parishioners 5:00pm Belinda Pizarro

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 ............................................................. 9am - 5pm Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9am - 7pm Friday .......................................................Closed Saturday ................................................. 10am - 2pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays......................1pm - 2pm

Monday, September 20th St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon

12pm

Annette Williams

Tuesday, September 21st St. Matthew 12pm

Grace P. Lorento

Wednesday, September 22nd Weekday

12pm Diana Fetonte Thursday, September 23rd St. Pius of Pietreicina 12pm Msgr. Anthony Frontiero (Living)

Friday, September 24th Weekday

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

12:00pm

John & Adele Ivers

Mass Schedule

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

Saturday, September 25th Weekday 12:00pm

Thanksgiving

For Mass Intentions, please visit the Parish Center

Baptism Announcement

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 Nereyda & Fran Rodriguez, & all those ill with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus and all Victims of Military Activities PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Adelina Alvez-Carrera, Nimia Concepcion, Millicent D’Angelo & Rob Gilbert

Today, there will be a Baptism service at 1:30pm At this service we will be baptizing: Lilly & Liam Walsh Please join us in congratulating: Kevin Walsh & Claire Many on their child’s new life in Christ

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

Today’s Readings First Reading — The wicked say: With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test (Wisdom 2:12, 17-20).

Psalm — The Lord upholds my life (Psalm 54).

Second Reading — The wisdom from above is full of mercy and good fruits (James 3:16 — 4:3).

Gospel — Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me (Mark 9:30-37).

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: Ezr 1:1-6; Ps 126:1b-6; Lk 8:16-18 Tuesday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-5; Mt 9:9-13 Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9; Tb:13:2, 3-4abefghn, 7-8;Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Hg 1:1-8; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Hg 2:1-9; Ps 43:1-4; Lk 9:18-22 Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; Jer 31:10-12ab, 13;Lk 9:43b-45 Sunday: Nm 11:25-29; Ps 19:8, 10, 12-14;

Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY ON THE COURSE WHEN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,2021 WHERE

PELHAMBAY &SPLITROCK GOLFCOURSES BRONX. NEW YORK GOLF SCHEDULE

11:30AM- REGISTRATION & BBQ LUNCH 12:3OPM- SHOTGUN START OPEN TO ALL

5:30PM- PARTY ON THEPATIO WITHCOCKTAI LS, HEAVY HORS D' OEUVRES. RAFFLE AND PRIZES “Anyone interested in providing a sponsorship or golfing can visit http://sshsgolf.givesmart.com”

Par � L�fe Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held in the church every Friday after the noon Mass until 3pm and concludes with the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Also on Fridays, Vespers (Evening Prayer) is prayed at 5:10pm in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Chapel (408 East 80th Street). If you are unable to attend in person, you can always join us online! All Masses and Devotions are streamed live on STELMO79.org

CALL FOR VIDEOS!!!

In an effort to celebrate our Parish Feast Day (Sept.

26th), we’re putting out a call for videos! What should this video entail? It should include your name, when you joined our Parish and what this Parish community means to you! Perhaps you enjoy the homilies, the

Our Media Ministry is actively recruiting! If you are

liturgical music (and/or the concerts) perhaps it’s the

interested in helping us with

faith sharing at Adult Faith Formation or what you

the livestream cameras, taking

have learned in Religious Education! Even if it is just

pictures for our social media

the good conversation at a Wine and Cheese or the

accounts or if you have ideas

connection with our team, we want to hear from you!

about posts (even if just a

Grab your phone and film in a quiet place at home (or

meme) please contact Jasmine

the church) if you prefer and send your video to

Gomez at Jgomez@stelmo79.org She will be happy to

Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, Jasmine Gomez:

connect with you and train you!

jgomez@stelmo79.org

Our Media Ministry helps people stay connected with us online and it is needed now more than everPlease join us!

Let’s celebrate the beauty of our parish and share its magic with our virtual community!

pg. 5

K-8 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation: •

• •

Sunday sessions begin October 3 at 11:11am on Zoom! We conclude at 11:55am. This timing allows your family to attend the Mass of your choice (in person or via Zoom). Participating in Sunday (or Saturday evening) Eucharist is an integral part of Religious Education in our parish!

Please register ASAP online at stelmo79.org, or in person at the Parish Center (406 East 80th St.) The Archdiocese of New York requires a minimum of two consecutive years of either Catholic School or Parish Religious Education prior to the reception of First Communion or Confirmation.

Adult Faith Formation: • • •

Have you ever said, “I wish I could update my religious education,” or “I wish I could deepen my faith,” or “I wish I could get to know some people in my parish?” If so, then Adult Faith Formation is for you!

Gather with other Catholics, and with those considering becoming Catholic, to learn more about our Catholic Faith in a communal setting over a cup of coffee or tea. Bring your questions and musings!

Beginning October 3, following the 12noon Mass and concluding at 3pm, in the Parish Center. Consider adding this to your fall calendar.

Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA): • • • •

Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic? Do you have a lot of questions about Catholicism?

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).

Volunteers

Want to learn more about your own faith while helping others to do the same? Catechists (those who share their faith with others) and assistants (with a variety of job descriptions) are needed in our K-8 Religious Education and our Adult Formation programs. Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org to find out how your gifts and our needs might connect!

Bereavement Ministry

Have you suffered a significant loss recently? Are you struggling with grief?

Are you trying to make sense of it all in the light of faith?

You don’t have to carry this burden alone. You are invited to Seasons of Hope – a group prayer and discussion series that will meet on Wednesdays in the Parish Center, 7-8:30pm, September 15 through October 20.

Contact Maryann at mtyrer@stelmo79.org, or call the Parish Center for more info, or to sign up.

L

Prayer for Catechists

oving Father, we pray today for our catechists. We thank you for their gift of ministry in your Church.

Grant them your wisdom that they may grow in the understanding and teaching of your Word.

Grant them also your love that they may be fruitful heralds of your Word and lead others to love you.

Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them wisdom about what is important; knowledge of the truths of faith; understanding of their meaning; right judgement about how to apply them in life; courage to persevere even in the face of adversity; reverence before all that is sacred and holy; and that loving zeal which leads others to a transforming encounter with your Son. We pray this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Image: Christ Healing the Blind, El Greco, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. To order publication no. 7-693, visit store.USCCB.org or call 800-235-8722.

A catechist is someone who echoes the Faith, who passes on our Catholic Tradition and Scripture to the next generation and to one’s peers.

We will commission our catechists at the 12noon Mass this weekend.

Let us pray with gratitude for those who serve in our Lifelong Faith Formation Programs: St. Stephen of Hungary School Sacramental Preparation Adult Initiation (RCIA)

K-8 Parish Religious Education Adult Faith Formation Parents and Guardians

FIVE MINUTE JESUS Using the Gospel for Prayer – The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 26, 2021 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.

Gospel Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Monday Was there something in this reading that spoke to me? Challenged me? What was it? Why did it have this effect on me?

Tuesday The disciples’ complaint to Jesus is not that someone is healing but that someone is not a follower of Jesus. They felt this person is not “one of us”. Who do I consider to be an outsider? How can I make this person feel more welcome?

Wednesday The disciples at this point feel insignificant. At times, don’t we all? How can I focus on the mission of Jesus and feel I can be more helpful in my community today?

Thursday How do I focus on Jesus’ mission without getting wrapped up in the reward of the mission?

Friday How do I carry out this mission and learn self-sacrifice for others?

Saturday The disciples’ vision was narrow and small-minded. They were easily distracted. We too can fall into the same trap. Pope Francis said “to get diverted by…superfluous things does not help,….focus on the encounter with Christ.” (Address, Oct. 14, 2013) How can I focus on my own encounter with Christ today?

From the Pastor 10.19.21 9/11 twenty years later Speak to people outside of New York who were alive 20 years ago and ask them, “where were you?” and your will here different stories but with one thing in common: a television. 9/11 was something they watched: horrified, enraged, saddened – but watched. Not so for New Yorkers. We did not watch – we experienced. We do not ask the question “where were you?” very often. We know where we were. At the office. In school. I was saying mass. But no matter: we were here. And we remember.

Over time, the telling of our memories becomes a narrative, a narrative that I have had to repeat again and again for relatives and friends who were not here. I soon tired of doing so. Their wish to hear “where I was” was more a desire to experience the sadness, to gin up the anger and revisit the fear they felt that day, than any real concern for us. As our nation slipped into decades of war, political polarization, and xenophobia our story became increasingly irrelevant. Who cared where we were? It was where we were going that was important.

This past weekend we celebrated the 20th anniversary of that terrible day. We remembered our narrative. We remembered what we lost that day. We remembered who we lost that day. We remembered where we were.

Last Saturday, some of us were here at the 12-noon mass, which was a memorial mass for 9/11. Unlike other years, the firefighters and police officers who fill our pews on that day were missing. They were downtown for the official memorial service. That left about 55 of us to sit here with our memories.

In the sermon he preached that day, Msgr. Ivers could have dwelt on where HE was 20 years ago; but he did not. He chose to speak about two discoveries in the weeks following 9/11. The first was that famous cross, that was uncovered as workers removed the rubble from Ground Zero. The second was that of a pear tree, burned and broken but still alive, that was one of the ornamental trees planted around the World Trade Center.

For many the cross and the tree are coincidences; one sad, the other happy. But for many, they are far more.

For another question has asked in the months and years following 9/11. Not just, “where were you?” but “where was God?” For people of faith God answered that question the way God always does: In sign, symbol, sacrament. These two trees – the tree of the cross and the survivor tree - reveal where God was and where God continues to be: right there hanging on the cross with us sharing our loss our suffering, our death, and right there in that tree, resurrected after the hell of that first 9/11, sharing with us the hope of life after loss, suffering and death.

The Cross now resides in the 9/11 museum. The pear tree is replanted just west of the memorial pools. Msgr. told us that seedlings from the tree are sent for planning at other memorials where people have suffered cataclysmic loss. In this way their loss is united with ours. For 20 years later we still remember. Not only where we were, but where God was and is; with us, still sharing in our suffering and sharing with us the hope of new life.

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: September 19th, 2021 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE PRINT 450 BULLETINS FOR THIS WEEK’S ISSUE