September 6, 2020

Twenty Third Sunday In Ordinary Time

Sept. 6, 2020

JUST A WORD From our Pastor (Page 8 & 9)

FAITH FORMATION (Page 6)

FIVE MINUTES JESUS (Page 5)

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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 Schedule

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

Mass Intentions

Saturday, September 5th, Vigil

5:30 pm

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

Souls in Purgatory

Sunday, September 6th, Twenty Third Sunday In Ordinary Time

8:00 am Megan, Matthew, Sarah & Ryan

(Living)

10:00 am

Albert Walsh

12:00 pm All Parishioners 5:00 pm

Maria Teresita Litrenta (Living)

Monday, September 7th Weekday

12:00 pm

Richie Kavanaugh

Tuesday, September 8th The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

12:00 pm

Giselle PeĂąa

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

Wednesday, September 9th St. Peter

Tuesday - Thursday ....................................... 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

12:00 pm

Our Offices are open:

Friday ....................................................... Closed Saturday ................................................. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Sunday ..................................................... Closed Closed for Lunch Weekdays......................1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Joseph B. Williams

Thursday, September 10th Weekday

Friday, September 11th Weekday

12:00 pm

Werner Hertzel

12:00 pm Visit us at: www.stelmo79.org Follow us on social media by searching STELMO79

Mass of Remembrance 9/11

Saturday, September 12th Weekday 12:00 pm

Adelaide Vitello

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

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 Gilberto Rodriguez, Lucille Clats, Desiree Parke, Dough Knox, Billy Banks, Jennifer Sayte, Dennis Cronin, Sr. Margaret Mary, Edward Ackerly, Maria Jose & Norka Chiang All victims of military activity PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Rev. Michael Cedro, Sr. Eileen Clifford, Maureen Healy, Helio Flores, Sharon Lee Daly Theresa McNamara, Judy Baron & Robert Castro

Treasures of our Tradition September 9 Nearly two hundred years before the Declaration of Independence proclaimed “that all men are created equal,” two hundred fifty years before the Emancipation Proclamation mandated an end to slavery, three hundred fifty years before Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream,” and four hundred years before the election of an American president boasting African heritage, Peter Claver left his native Spain behind to volunteer for the Jesuit missions in Colombia. There, he was horrified both by slavery as an institution and by the inhuman brutality inflicted upon the slaves. He solemnly vowed to become “the slave of the slaves,” and lived that vow heroically for close to forty years. Not knowing their language, Peter began his ministry among the slaves by using the universal language of practical charity, providing medical care and a tangible though wordless assertion of their human dignity: “We spoke to them not with words but with our hands, kneeling beside them, bathing their faces and bodies, encouraging them with friendly gestures” (see Liturgy of the Hours, Volume 4, p. 2018). Then came evangelization and baptism.

Holiness as human wholeness: Peter Claver’s enduring witness.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Today’s Readings First Reading — Warn the wicked and try to turn them from their ways (Ezekiel 33:7-9).

Psalm — If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95).

Second Reading — Owe nothing to anyone, except mutual love (Romans 13:8-10).

Gospel — If two agree about anything for which they pray, it shall be granted to them (Matthew 18:15-20).

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: 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5:5-7, 12; Lk 6:6-11,

or, for Labor Day, any readings from the

Mass “For the Blessings of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911 Tuesday: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6;

Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 [18-23] Wednesday: 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12, 14-17; Lk 6:20-26 Thursday: 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab,

23-24; Lk 6:27-38 Friday: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27; Ps 84:3-6, 12; Lk 6:39-42 Saturday: 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13, 17-18; Lk 6:43-49 Sunday: Sir 27:30 — 28:7; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12;

Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35

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

Parish Life On September 3rd, our Young Adult Ministry (ages 18-35), in collaboration with our Senior Ministry, hosted a virtual discussion on the film The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011). It was the third film in a series dedicated to discussing race and racism in America. The discussion was lively and the relevancy of the Black Power Movement in today’s Black Lives Matter protests were explored. There are only 2 more films in the series so be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for the announcement of the next film!

You can contribute to our presence on social media! Whether it is a back to school picture, a family vacation picture of even an article that you think would benefit your fellow parishioners, all of it can help our presence on social media! If you have an idea (for a campaign or posts), are interested or curious contact Pastoral Associate Jasmine Gomez jgomez@stelmo79.org

Our Green Team is looking for new members and a new team leader! The team is dedicated to education, service, and advocacy on behalf of the natural world, following the teachings of Pope Francis. If you are interested, please email Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, Jasmine Gomez at jgomez@ stelmo79.org

Second Collection

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shut-down of masses, we were unable to have the collection for the Holy Land on Good Friday. Therefore, the archdiocese has asked us to hold a special second collection, next week, Sunday 9/13, in order to collect any donations toward the Holy Land

Mass Book 2021

Our 2021 Mass Book will be open for intentions beginning Tuesday, September 8th during office hours at the Parish Center 406 East 80th Street

Five Minute Jesus Using the Gospel for Prayer – Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 6, 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 18:15-20 Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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

Monday Think of a time when someone has sinned against you. What did you feel then? How do you feel now? How did you respond at the time? How has that impacted your relationship with that person? With God? Tuesday Jesus tells us to go and talk to the person who has sinned against us. Is this difficult for you to do? What obstacles make it difficult? What happens when you are unable or unwilling to talk to the other person about the situation? Have you ever asked God to help you to forgive someone?

Wednesday How does bringing another person or two into the situation affect it? Who would you bring into the conversation? How might that affect your relationship with the person who has sinned against you?

Thursday What does it mean to treat someone “as you would a Gentile or a tax collector?” In Jesus’ day, they would be excluded from the Jewish community. But how did Jesus treat Gentiles and tax collectors? How does his example challenge us?

Friday Jesus promises to be in our midst whenever we gather with others to pray. Do you pray with others? How might you pray with others this week? How might you become more aware of God’s presence in your midst?

SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS:

First Communion for those who completed preparation last year at St. Stephen of Hungary School will be at 10am on Saturday, September 19, with rehearsal during school days.

First Communion for those who completed preparation last year at Caedmon School or in our Parish Religious Education Program will be at the 10am Parish Mass on Sunday, September 20, with rehearsal at 4pm on Thursday, September 17.

K-8 PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:

Registration is now open. Our program will be online via Zoom this Fall, and begins on Sunday, October 4 at 10:15am. You can register via our website (www.stelmo79.org), or download the forms there and deliver them with payment at the Parish Center (406 East 80th Street.) Please register promptly so that we can order books and materials and set up classes. The Archdiocese of New York requires two years of either Catholic School or Parish Religious Education before the reception of First Communion or Confirmation.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION:

Our Sunday morning Scripture Discussions will resume on Sunday, October 18 at 10:15pm in our Parish Center.

You 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.

ADULT SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION:

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, and no commitment is required during the initial phase of Inquiry.

PARISH OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Virtually – via Zoom – Be a catechist or assistant for our K-8 religious education program, and help to pass on the faith to the next generation Offsite – Serve as a prayer partner for someone preparing for a Sacrament of Initiation this year Onsite – in person – Service as a discussion leader or sponsor for our RCIA program, serve as a hospitality assistant for our Lifelong Faith Formation events throughout the year, serve as a member of our new Bereavement Ministry team.

Contact Maryann Tyrer at mtyrer@stelmo79.org or 212-288-6250 to discuss how your gifts and talents could meet our needs and opportunities here at the parish. No experience needed, as all training and materials will be provided.

Once in a decade opportunity: July 8-16, 2022

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 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

From your Pastor September 6th, 2020

Worship in the time of Pandemic (Part Two) When I was a small child, I used to wake up early. For whatever reason, my parents often slept in, leaving me to my own devices.

One thing I would do is watch TV; back then early in the morning, the channels were given over to public service programming, which included religious shows from various denominations. I remember revivalist choirs, old men in black suits and starched clerical collars, and my favorite, Davey and Goliath. I used to watch these programs for hours. Until my parents got around to sending me to Sunday School these cheaply made, poorly filmed, shows made up the bult of my contact with religion.

Over 50 years later, the world has changed. Now anyone can produce professional quality video and audio. As a result, there are millions of channels, web-based platforms, cable options and apps offering a bewildering array of content. One thing is consistent, however, with the programming of my childhood; much of this content has to do with religion.

Especially during the pandemic, individual parishes and whole archdioceses got into the act, broadcasting masses, prayer services and Bible studies on their webpages and on YouTube.

We have been doing this; putting up daily masses on the web during the lockdown and Sunday masses ever since churches have been allowed to reopen.

So many of you have written expressing your thanks. It has meant so much to you to see your familiar ministers, celebrating the familiar rituals of the mass. Let me tell you, it meant a lot to us to be able to celebrate them for you!

However, not everyone has been happy with the idea of “televised masses”. Many people have sharply criticized the idea that one can “watch” mass. It is not a spectator event, like some sort of spiritual theater, that we attend, but in which we have no part. Or perhaps more to the point, if the mass is a work of divine drama, it is one in which we are ALL actors. We all participate in mass. Or at least that is the goal; to come together and sing and pray and receive communion in the real presence of real people; so that we can experience and enjoy the Real Presence of Christ in Communion.

Of course, they are right. It is why our Church understands it to fall under the Third Commandment “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy”. Rooting weekly mass attendance in the Commandments is the Church’s way of emphasizing its importance.

Nothing can replace being present at mass.

And yet. Our Church’s theology often holds up the ideal but is flexible to recognize that real life falls short. What if we are too sick to attend mass? What if we cannot receive communion?

What if war, weather, a shortage of priests, or a global pandemic limits our ability to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist? Do we do nothing?

Of course not. In these and so many other cases the Church has found work-arounds, to see to it that people gather, hear and reflect on the Scriptures, and pray. Ministers visit the sick and bring communion to them. People gather for eucharistic adoration and communion services led by lay people.

And in the modern world, the Church has long supported the broadcasting of mass for the benefit of the sick, the elderly, and during the lockdown, for all Catholics who could not celebrate the Eucharist together.

Our parish is now open for the celebration of mass; we offer our regular schedule of masses, and we are careful to follow the guidelines for social distancing. The vast majority of our parishioners show respect and concern for others by wearing their masks. There is no danger in coming and celebrating the Eucharist with us, and more and more people are realizing that while it might be nice to watch the mass on TV with a cup of coffee in your hand, it is simply not the same as actually being here, surrounded by the art and the music of our church, comforted and (hopefully) challenged by the preaching of our priests, and supported by the worshiping members of our parish family.

However, we will continue to put Sunday masses online for the benefit of our parishioners who are too old, sick or frightened to venture out into a world still very much in the midst of the pandemic. It will also enable our former parishioners to maintain contact with our parish in their new homes. And who knows? Maybe someone will stumble upon one of our masses online, as I did the religious programming of my childhood. And maybe it will change their lives. It did mine.

Labor Day This weekend is Labor Day weekend, which marks the unofficial end of what has been an incredible summer in an unimaginable year. School will begin, one way or the other, and people will hopefully begin to return to the City and restart their lives. But this fall will be like no other in memory. We, the pastoral staff of St. Monica – St. Elizabeth of Hungary – St. Stephen of Hungary commit to being there for you in months ahead, as we face the pandemic, the race for a vaccine, and the looming election. We wish you a peaceful Labor Day weekend, a gentle start to the fall, and remember, no matter what goes on in our city our world you are always welcome here.

Father Baker

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