C HURCH OF S T . M ONICA 413 EAST 79TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10075 RECTORY: 212-288-6250 W EBSITE : ASSOCIATES: REV. JOE A. FRANCIS REV. JOBY MATHEW IN SUNDAY SERVICE: REV. RICHARD AROLD ORGANIST & DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: MR. DAVID SCHAEFER CANTOR & LEADER OF SONG: MR. JOSEPH NEAL WWW . CHURCHOFSTMONICA . ORG PASTOR: REV. MSGR. THOMAS A. MODUGNO MASSES SUNDAYS: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00 NOON PRINCIPAL LITURGY WEEKDAYS & FIRST FRIDAYS: 7:30AM, 12:00 NOON SATURDAYS: 9:00AM, 5:30PM VIGIL BAPTISMS & MARRIAGES: BY APPOINTMENT. PLEASE CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE PARISH STAFF WELL IN ADVANCE. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: CONFESSIONS ARE HEARD AT 5:00PM ON SATURDAYS AND ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT. SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT: MARCH 4TH, 2012 Page Two SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT: MARCH 4TH, 2012 “He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all… will give us everything else along with him.” Somehow Abraham intuited this divine mercy in responding to God’s command to slaughter his son Isaac. Only this assurance could compel Abraham to such depths of obedience. Similarly, in the Transfiguration God reveals to Peter, James, and John a glory they could never otherwise imagine. It will require the slaughtering of the Son. “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.” Our faithfulness to Christ’s Passion guarantees the handing over of unfathomable life. TODAY’S READINGS … First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith (Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 I walk before the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 116) God did not spare his own Son (Romans 8:31b-34). This is my beloved Son (Mark 9:2-10). READINGS FOR THE WEEK … Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday Saturday Sunday Dn 9:4b-10; Lk 6:36-38 Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23: 1-12 Jer 18:18-20; Lk 16: 19-31 Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16: 19-31 Gn 37: 3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Lk 15 1-3, 11-32 Ex 20: 1-17 (1-3, 7-8, 12-17); Ps 19; 1Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2: 13-25 Alternate readings (Year A) Ex 17: 3-7; Ps 95; Rom 5: 1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 (5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42) SATURDAY: VIGIL 5:30 Michael and Mary Regan SUNDAY: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 7:30 Benilda Benitez 9:00 Kathleen Hogan 10:30 George Michael Faller 12:00 St. Monica Parishioners MONDAY: LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:30 Margaret Flood 12:00 St. Agata TUESDAY: LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:30 Walter Ferber 12:00 Joseph Pullara WEDNESDAY: LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:30 Vincent Stephens 12:00 Helen T. Quinn THURSDAY: LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:30 Anna Napolitano 12:00 Joseph Pullara FRIDAY: LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:30 Joseph and Stephen Stack 12:00 Nicholas, Nora and Edward Fredo SATURDAY: VIGIL 9:00 Robert Weiser HISTORY OF SALVATION… The first reading today continues the “history of salvation” narrative that we hear throughout Lent this year. Today’s story was among the best-loved in the Jewish tradition (surely Joseph told the story to young Jesus as he formed him in the ways of their faith); the early fathers of the Church were very fond of it as a means of explaining the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. The overall tone of the first reading, psalm, and second reading seems a little incongruous with the dazzling Gospel, until we remember that the Transfiguration was placed as the Gospel for this Sunday precisely to remind us of the glory that awaits those who live faithfully and obediently to the will of God. In the life of Jesus, it is a preview of the glory of his resurrection; for us it is a glimpse of the destiny of those who continue, as we heard in last week’s Gospel, to repent and believe in the Good News. Page Three STEWARDSHIP … Second Sunday of Lent (B) Making Room Welcome to St. Monica's! The music for today's Eucharist can be found in our hymnal on the following pages: Entrance Hymn Parce Domine 234 Penitential Rite 112 Responsorial Psalm I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. 506 Gospel Acclamation 114 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory! From the shining cloud, the Father’s voice is heard:This is my beloved Son, hear him. “Why would a loving God ask a father to kill his own son? I can’t read this story without getting angry,” said Michael/ The other members of his parish Bible study group nodded. “Even if Isaac’s life was spared at the last minute, it seems as if God wanted only blind obedience from Abraham. I don’t get it!” Discussion followed Michael’s remarks. Nora commented that our understanding of who God is and how God deals with people has evolved over time. Michael remained troubled. “I just can’t see that this story has any value for me today.” Jim spoke up, “Well, it hits me where I live.” Jim, the new one in the group, tended to hang back—but not today. “Isaac must have been the most precious thing in Abraham’s life: the one on whom all his hopes for the future were pinned.” Jim went on, “To be asked to give up that child was to be asked to give up his greatest treasure, but the relationship with God was a greater treasure than even his own son.” Jim paused and looked around him, “The most precious thing in my life has been my wife. We had no children so she’s been my whole world. When she got cancer I bargained with God—“I’ll do anything if you let her live”—and she did live. In thanksgiving for her recovery I joined the Tuesday prayer group and I signed up as a food pantry volunteer. Just doing those two things made me realize how much I wanted God and a life with God. My wife is still just as dear to me, but God had taken a hold on my life, my life in ways I could never have imagined before---because I have finally made room for God.” Stewards of Christ… Offertory Hymn Taste and See 437 Sanctus Memorial Acclamation Great Amen 185 * * The Lord's Prayer 120 Lamb Of God 187 Communion Hymn Eat This Bread 435 Recessional Hymn 243 Forty Days and Forty Nights *from the Mass For A New Era (for texts, see pew card) 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 gifts and make a gift to the 2012 Archdiocesan Stewardship Appeal VOLUNTEERING … Can you spare 4 hours/week? The Pregnancy Help Center reaches out to pregnant women in crisis. They need volunteers peer counselors (they will train you) as well as writing and computer savvy volunteers. Please call Cathy: (212) 243-0970 or send email to cathyphi@aol.com Cabrini Immigrant Services, located at 139 Henry Street, is looking for steady volunteers for the food pantry. One or two volunteers are needed Tuesdays from 9:00am-12:30pm for food distribution and Mondays from 11:00am-3:00pm for unpacking deliveries. Both positions involve lifting and stairs. If interested call Sr. Kelly (212) 791-4590 ext. 102 PLEASE REMEMBER… Both in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. - Romans 14 Please remember St. Monica’s Church in your will. Page Four BIBLE CLASSES… TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION… Join us for Bible classes with Rev. Joe Francis on Tuesdays, March 6th, 13th , 20th and 27th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the church. The topic will be “Liturgical Readings for Holy Week.” All are welcome to attend! Please bring your bible. The basis of Abraham’s test in the first reading is the fact that his neighbors followed a religious system that demanded human sacrifice. In offering Isaac’s life on an altar of sacrifice, he is following long-accustomed religious practice. Ancient people accepted this because they thought that life was an ever-renewing circle: what had been lost would be restored in time. But here, God springs this trap and gives Abraham, Isaac, and you and me, a future. From now on, God will provide the sacrifice. From this point on, our lives have a direction, a purpose, a goal. The faithful following of Lent and its consoling, challenging scriptures strengthens and prepares us to remember the Lord’s passion and resurrection. Today, many parishes welcome home the elect, men and women chosen on the First Sunday of Lent for the Easter sacraments, from a celebration with the bishop. The scriptures today are chosen with them in mind, to steady their steps, to clear their vision, to strengthen their resolve: ”If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8 :3 1 ) MEMORIAL OPPORTUNITIES … The weekly Sanctuary Light and the Bread and Wine used for the Celebration of the Eucharist may be reserved for your special intentions in memory of a deceased loved one, in thanksgiving for a favor received or for any other special need. The Burning of the Sanctuary Light In Loving Memory of the Freer Family requested by family + The Bread and Wine for the Celebration of the Eucharist In Loving memory of the Van Leuwen Family requested by family Because of the popularity of this privilege, we will offer these memorials on a weekly basis. Please stop by or call the rectory. LENTEN ‘POOR BOX’ OFFERING … During the 40 days of Lent, it has become our parish custom to give support to St. Monica’s Home for Lepers, Abandoned Elderly, and AIDS Patients in Kingston, Jamaica. Your prayers and generosity will be greatly appreciated. STEWARDSHIP APPEAL … 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 gifts and make a gift to the 2012 Archdiocesan Stewardship Appeal. DID YOU KNOW … Daylight savings begins Sunday March 11th the third first Sunday of Lent. Remember to adjust your clocks! REMINDER … Following the 12 Noon Mass on the Fridays during Lent, we will have Stations of the Cross. OUTSIDE THE PARISH… “Mother Teresa: Defense of Doubt” The Church of St John the Martyr will present the one-act play “Mother Teresa: Defense of Doubt” on Sunday, March 11, at 1:45 pm. St. John the Martyr is located at 250 East 72nd Street. A freewill offering will be taken up. For more information, contact: (212) 744-4880. THEOLOGY ON TAP … On March 5, 2012 Tom Peterson, President and Founder of VirtueMedia, Inc. and Catholic Come Home, will address Theology on Tap about our call to action to get our fellow Catholics to evangelize. To ToTNYC is located at Klub 45 Room-Connolly’s Bar, 121 West 45th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Event begins at 7:30pm and ends around 9:00pm. For more information, visit www.totnyc.org WHAT IS A PARISH … “The parish is where the Church lives. Parishes are communities of faith, of action, and of hope. They are where the gospel is proclaimed and celebrated, where believers are formed and sent to renew the earth. Parishes are the home of the Christian community they are the heart of our Church. Parishes are the place where God’s people meet Jesus in word and sacrament and come in touch with the source of the Church’s life. SPECIAL DEVOTIONS Rosary: Weekdays after the Noon Mass and on Saturday after the 9:00am Holy Hour: First Friday of each month after the Noon Mass Devotions: Miraculous Medal on Mondays after each Mass Page Five