UPCOMING EVENTS

OFFICE HOURS

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Rosary 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 weekday afternoon at 3 PM

Sacrament of Reconciliation: 5:00 PM on Saturdays Anytime by appointment

PASTOR: Rev. Donald C. Baker ASSOCIATES: ORGANIST & DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Rev. Joe A. Francis Mr. David Schaefer Rev Joslin (Joseph) K. Jose CANTOR & LEADER OF SONG :

Mr. Joseph Neal

Monday 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday 9 AM to 7 PM Wednesday 9 AM to 7PM Thursday 9 AM to 7 PM Saturday: 10 AM to 2 PM

The Rectory Office is closed on Friday & Sunday

Rectory Office will be closed for lunch daily from 1 PM to 2 PM

ST STEPHEN OF HUNGARY SCHOOL Sunday May 1st, 2016

PARISH STAFF

Early Bird 2's Program 408 East 82nd Street Phone (212) 288-1989 Pre-K 3 - 8th grade New York, NY 10028 Fax (212) 517-5877 Website: http://www.saintstephenschool.org Email: info@saintstephenschool.org

Caroline Walker—Principal

MASS SCHEDULE

Sundays: 7:30 AM; 9:00 AM; 10:30 AM & 12 Noon (Principal Liturgy & Choir) Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM

Weekdays: 7:30 AM & 12 NOON Saturdays: 12 NOON

THE GIFT OF PEACE We are offered another vision in today’s second reading, a vision of the New Jerusalem, “coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:10). Read between the lines describing the radiant city, and we find that the greatest beauty revealed is the beauty of perfect symmetry and order, a city founded on the faith of the twelve tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles, lit only by the glory of God. The first reading and the Gospel are linked to this idealized description of the New Jerusalem. In both we read of distress and disturbance countered by the gift of peace. “[M]y peace I give to you,” Jesus assures his disciples at the Last Supper (John 14:27). In keeping with that gift, the apostles and elders, in the reading from Acts, decide not to disturb the peace of new Gentile believers. The undue burden of circumcision will not be imposed on them. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Wednesday May 4th Rectory Office closed

9 AM– 2 PM For Archdiocese

Meetings _________________________________________________

Ascension Thursday Thursday, May 5th

MASS SCHEDULE INSIDE A Holy Day of Obligation

Church of St Monica St Stephen of Hungary St Elizabeth of Hungary Rectory Office 413 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 Tel: (212) 288-6250 Fax: (212) 570-1562 Website: www.stmonicanyc.org

.First Reading — The question of whether circumcision is necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29). Psalm — O God, let all the nations praise you! (Psalm 67). Second Reading — John envisions the holy city, the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23) or Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20. Gospel — The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in Jesus’ name, will teach us everything (John 14:23-29) or John 17:20-26. 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.

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READINGS FOR THE WEEK

SATURDAY April 30th Vigil 5:30 PM Rose Zedrossee

SUNDAY May 1st SIXTH SUNDAY Of EASTER 7:30 AM Fr Donald Baker (Living) 9:00 AM Sal Russo 10:30 AM Anne Le Pore 12 NOON Parishioners of St Monica, St Stephen of Hungary & St Elizabeth of Hungary

MONDAY May 2nd

7:30 AM Canning Family (Living & Deceased) 12:00 Noon Robert Kucera

TUESDAY May 3rd St Phillip & James 7:30 AM Frazetta Family (Living & Deceased) 12 NOON Shirley Kruysman

WEDNESDAY May 4th EASTER WEEKDAY 7:30 AM Dr & Mrs AJ Sabatini & Son 12 NOON Gigilo Family 5:30 PM Parishioners of Our Parish

THURSDAY May 5th The Ascension Of Our Lord 7:30 AM Parishioners of Our Parish 12 NOON Parishioners of Our Parish

FRIDAY May 6th EASTER WEEKDAY 7:30 AM Peter Lazazzera 12 NOON Mary & Beatrice O’Carroll

SATURDAY May 7th EASTER WEEKDAY

12 NOON For Grandmothers

TODAY’S READINGS

Maria Celina Vanegas, Susan Kingston

“I’ve gone to prepare a place for you.”

Please pray for our deceased parishioners and friends.

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED

Remember your loved ones by dedicating in their honor this week’s

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Please remember in your prayers

Rev John Meyer, Raymond Hooper, John Woods, Skylar Wolfson, Caroline O’Malley, Christopher

Pappas, Zachary Pappas, and All victims of Military Activity

BREAD & WINE

In Memory of Sal Russo

Offered by Diane Russo

SANCTUARY LAMP For the Intention

Rev. Donald C. Baker Offered by

Dr Maria Litrenta

Monday: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Jn 15:26 — 16:4a Tuesday: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19:2-5; Jn 14:6-14 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 — 18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11- 14; Jn 16:12-15 Thursday: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17- 23 or Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23; Lk 24:46 -53 (for Ascension); otherwise Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 16:16-20 Friday: Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-7; Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-10; Jn 16:23b

Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Easter; Julian Calendar Easter Monday: St. Athanasius Tuesday: Ss. Philip and James Thursday: The Ascension of the Lord Yom Ha-Shoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day) National Day of Prayer; Cinco de Mayo Friday: First Friday Saturday: First Saturday

ASCENSION THURSDAY

Thursday, May 5th, 2016 A Holy Day of Obligation

Masses Wednesday May 4th Vigil Mass 5:30 PM

Thursday 7:30 AM & 12:00 Noon

From Your Pastor 5/1/2016

Fr. James Gavin OFM Cap

This weekend we welcome Fr. James Gavin as our weekend associate. Many of us will recognize the letters after his name – OFM – an acronym for Ordo Fratrum Minorum – Latin for the ‘order of little brothers’ – the Franciscans. However Fr. Gavin has that extra abbreviation Cap.- short for Capuchin. The Capuchins are a reform movement that broke off from the Franciscans in the 16th century when their founder, Matteo da Bascio, decided that the Franciscans were no longer living the life the founder St. Francis called them to. The name capuchin comes from the hood (cappuccino in Italian) they wear, in honor of the Camaldolese hermits, who also wore that hood, and who sheltered them in the early years of their founding. (No they did not invent the famous coffee drink. Cappiccino is supposedly named such because the brown color of the coffee is the same color as the religious habit of a capuchin.) Welcome, Fr. Gavin!

Sameach Pesach!

Say what!? Well that is the problem. It is Hebrew and is pronounced, sah-MEY-akh PAY-sok. It means “Happy Passover!” And although the Passover holiday ended yesterday, it was celebrated in style this weekend by our parish at its first Interfaith Passover celebration. (Although at the time I am writing this the meal is still in preparation) I want to thank all those who worked to make this celebration a possibility, especially our music director, Rabbi David Schaefer who lead us, and Albert Walsh, a choir member who did the cooking. Thank you as well to all who volunteered, especially those who manned tables and sold tickets. Given the amount of religious prejudice and hatred in our world these days, it is important to remember that Jesus was Jewish, his followers were Jewish, the last supper was linked to the Passover meal by Matthew Mark and Luke, The candle we bless on Easter night is called the paschal candle (paschal from pesach), and of course we say again and again at mass Christ is the Lamb of God, linking him to that lamb in the Passover story which saved the Israelites from slavery and death in Egypt.

First Communions!

On Saturday, May 7th the children from the Caedmon School will make their first communion here at St. Monica’s at 10 am. On Sunday May 15th at the 12 noon mass our school children from St. Stephen’s will make their first communion. All are invited to the 12 noon mass for that festive event! It has been a while since St. Monica’s has had first communions and we celebrate and rejoice with the children of St. Stephen’s as they take the next step in their Christian Initiation. —Fr. Baker

As stewards and Disciples of Christ, we recognize that all the goods and riches in our life are gifts from God. Strengthened by the Eucharist, we respond to God’s generosity in our lives with gratitude by using and sharing our gifts in service of others. Please share your blessings and make a gift to the 2016 Cardinal’s Appeal. To date our parish has received $111,565 in pledges/gifts toward the 2016 Cardinal’s Appeal goal of $123.500 from 132 families. ministries that sustain the parishes across our Archdiocese. It is not too late to make your gift. Please be as generous as you can. Thank you for your kind support.

ANNUAL GOLDEN WEDDING JUBILEE

MASS

Couples celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary anytime during 2016 are invited to attend the

Annual Golden Wedding Jubilee Mass with Cardinal Dolan at the Cathedral of St Patrick, Saturday June 25th at 1:30 pm or Sunday, June 26th at 2:00 pm.

Pre-registration is required Please contact your parish for registration. The

closing date to register for the Mass is Tuesday, May 24th, 2016

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Invitations, News, Thoughts and Prayers

BABY SHOWER

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

MOTHERS DAY SPIRITUAL BOUQUET CARDS

One ancient Roman custom that was approved by the church was the veiling of the bride. When a single woman pledged her life to Christ, in a way of life not dissimilar to today’s religious women, the outward sign of this commitment was a veiling. In ancient Rome, a woman with uncovered head was unmarried, and a veiled woman was “off limits to suitors.” It was one small step to decide that a bride should receive a veil from the hands of the church as a sign of her new state in life. The prayer that accompanied the veiling was beautiful, and sung, a kind of consecratory prayer that was very similar to the prayer of ordination, or the prayers for blessing holy water or chrism. The “nuptial blessing” originally mentioned only the woman, although we know that the veil was often extended to cover the husband’s shoulders also. The blessing was located before the kiss of peace, which the priest gave to the husband, and the husband to his new bride. Remember that this is in the early centuries, long before the kiss of peace virtually disappeared from liturgy. The veiling and blessing was required when priests or deacons married, was recommended to laypersons, but forbidden for certain public sinners and second marriages. The veiling of the couple was preserved in England until the Reformation, and is returning to practice among Swedish Lutherans after having fallen into disuse about seventy-five years ago. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Our next family Mass will be Saturday Evening , May 7th at 5:30 PM, . We invite all of our parishioners (especially parents and children) to join us in the Eucharistic celebration, with the focus on families. We hope to see as many of you as possible.

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND

THE DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION AT ST MONICA’S

An image of the Divine Mercy can be found along the west side wall of our

beautiful church. Please take the opportunity to join our

growing prayer group at 3:00 PM every weekday.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Join us every Friday afternoon after the 12 Noon Mass for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Following the

Divine Mercy, there will be Benediction.

It’s time for Saint Monica’s annual May Baby Shower! Help support mother’s and babies in need by donating NEW and unwrapped items such as clothing, diapers, baby food, and toys. Your donations can be placed in front of Saint Joseph’s altar starting on May 2nd. These items will benefit the New York Common Pantry, the Pregnancy Help Center, and the Catholic Home Bureau.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th, 2015. This is a beautiful way to remember and honor our mothers both living and deceased. Spiritual Bouquet Cards are available with intention envelopes at the rear of the church. The envelopes can be placed in the offering box located at the Baptismal Font and then will be placed at the Blessed Mothers Altar for the month of May.

This weekend, April 30th and May1st we will take up the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This c o l l e c t i o n s u p p o r t s C a t h o l i c organizations that provide affordable shelter and train seminarians in a region that still struggles from the effects of Soviet rule. By providing pastoral care, catechesis, and funding for building renovations, your donations help to restore the Church and build the future in the region. Please give generously to the collection this week. Visit www.usccb.org (search “Church in Central and Eastern Europe”) to learn more.

ALL THE ADVANTAGES We want to give our children what we didn’t have; but let’s make sure we give them what we did have: our faith. —Anonymous

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