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. THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST: JUNE 24, 2012 Page Two NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST: JUNE 24, 2012 Why does the Church celebrate the birthday of John the Baptist? Because “John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last.” (CCC. 523). He “goes ‘before [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah”’ (CCC 696). John the Baptist “is the Lord’s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way, “who “inaugurates the Gospel…. from his mother’s womb” (CCC 523). John the Baptist “proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the “voice of the Consoler who is coming” (CCC 719). “with John the Baptist, the holy Spirit begins the restoration to man of “the divine likeness.” (CCC 720) TODAY’S READINGS … First Reading — I will make you a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:1-6). Psalm — I praise you for I am wonderfully made (Psalm 139). Second Reading — John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance (Acts 13:22-26). Gospel — John is his name (Luke 1:57-66, 80). 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: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Mt 7:1-5 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36; Mt 7:6, 12-14 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3; Mt 7:15-20 2 Kgs 24:8-17; Mt 7:21-29 Vigil: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 119; Gal 1:11-20; Jn 21:15-19 Day: Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19 Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Mt 8:5-17 Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Ps 30; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43 [5:21-24, 35b-43] SATURDAY: VIGIL 5:30 Juste Gority SUNDAY: NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN the BAPTIST 7:30 Richard Glickman 9:00 William Mitchell (10th ann) 10:30 Ethel Mae Edwards 12:00 St. Monica Parishioners MONDAY: WEEKDAY 7:30 Margaret Finucane 12:00 Murray Joseph Friedman TUESDAY: WEEKDAY 7:30 Frances and Jennie Anne Maffeo 12:00 Jesse Martinez WEDNESDAY: ST. CYRIL of ALEXANDRIA 7:30 Special Intention 12:00 Alice Canizio THURSDAY: ST. IRENAEUS 7:30 Margaret Finucane 12:00 Francois Biron FRIDAY: STS. PETER AND PAUL 7:30 Mass for new Archbishop 12:00 St. Monica’s Parishioners SATURDAY: WEEKDAY 9:00 John Beamish FORERUNNER OF THE LORD … The story of the conception and birth of John the Baptist is a very human story. His aged parents, childless, conceive a son in their old age just as Abraham and Sarah had conceived Isaac. God’s promise of salvation seems to include the delayed birth of very extraordinary children! John was, as the prophet Isaiah says, known to God from his earliest days, fashioned in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth, in secret, before anyone but she knew. He was strong in spirit from before his birth, and he grew to become the most powerful preacher and prophet. He was the chosen forerunner of the Lord;Elijah the prophet come back to announce the coming of the Messiah and to prepare the people by a baptism of repentance. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Page Three Birth of St. John the Baptist MEMORIAL OPPORTUNITIES … Welcome to St. Monica's! The music for today's Eucharist can be found in our hymnal on the following pages: Entrance Hymn For All The Saints 424 Penitential Rite 112 Gloria (recited) * Responsorial Psalm I praise you, O Lord, for I am wonderfully made. 747 Gospel Acclamation 168 Offertory Hymn 378 Lord, When You Came to the Seashore/ Pescador de hombres 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 Murray Joseph Friedman requested by Adam Armetta + The Bread and Wine for the Celebration of the Eucharist In Loving Memory of Murray Joseph Friedman requested by Adam Armetta Please stop by or call the rectory to make a reservation. STEWARDSHIP … If indeed, our participation at Mass includes a gift, it is an appropriate gesture to use our regular, weekly envelope as a “gift wrapper.” Using your envelope allows you to place your gift in the collection basket in a consistent manner. Sacrificial Giving and the use of your envelope as a gift wrapper should be a decision that is reflected in regular, consistent giving – not occasional, or just in response to a certain appeal. That consistency is also a part of the practice of our faith and is part of the celebration of the liturgy each and every week. It also allows the parish the latitude to budget effectively. PREGNANCY HELP CENTER … Sanctus Memorial Acclamation Great Amen * * * The Lord's Prayer 120 Can you spare 4 hours/week? We reach out to pregnant women in crisis. We need volunteer peer counselors (we will train you) as well as writing and computer savvy volunteers. Please call Cathy at (212) 243-0970 or send email to cathyphi@aol.com Lamb Of God * THE GREATEST NEED … Communion Hymn You Are Mine 357 Recessional Hymn On Jordan’s Bank 194 The world’s greatest need is not more Christians but more Christian who practice their Christianity. PRAY THE ROSARY … Please join us on Saturday mornings immediately following the 9:00am Mass as we pray the rosary. PLEASE REMEMBER… Both in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. *from the Mass For A New Era; for texts, see pew card. Romans 14 Please remember St. Monica’s Church in your will. Page Four THE ROLE OF GODPARENTS … “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” To be chosen as a godparent is a special honor. You, above all others, have been entrusted with the responsibility to participate in this child’s Christian life and education. This privilege offers you the opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship – one that will last throughout this life and beyond. By living a Christian life in partnership with your godchild, both of you will experience the great joy of sharing a life of faith. BAPTISMS… We offer congratulations and a warm welcome to the families of those who were presented at our Baptismal Font and are members of our parish community: Bryn Margherita Guariglia Parker Brody Gregersen Andromeda Charalambides Sara Grace Krolicki Josef Eli Fabro Avani Grace Sithian Mateo Joseph Sandoval Benjamin Michael Thayer Connor Michael Hart Alexandra Victoria Flanagan Claire Eva Osei William Henry Wagg Jack McDermott Kelsh CHILD PROTECTION … Anyone who needs to report an alleged incident of sexual abuse of a minor by priest, deacon, religious or lay person serving in the Archdiocese of New York is asked to contact Sr. Eileen Clifford, O.P. at (212) 371-1000 x 2949 or Deacon George J Coppola at (917) 861-1762. Both may also be reached via e-mail at victimassistance@archny.org. Information can also be found on the Archdiocesan website; http://ny-archdiocese.org. In keeping with the Archdiocesan policy regarding sexual abuse of minors, this information is provided to ensure that our children remain safe and secure. OUTSIDE THE PARISH … Mount Sinai Hospital is in need of Eucharistic Ministers to visit the Catholic patients in the hospital. Days and hours are flexible. If you can volunteer a few hours a week please call (212) 241-5280 or Rev. Francis at friroot@gmail.com OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP … “Our Lady of Perpetual Help Feast Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 411 East 68th Street and First Avenue, tel. (212) 988-8300. Celebration starts with Rosary at 4:55pm followed by Mass at 5:15 pm, Exposition, Novena Prayers, Candlelight Procession and Benediction.” O GOD OUR CREATOR … From your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us The right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, And your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, You call us to live out our faith in the midst of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened: give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith. Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, A clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters Gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, So that, with every trial withstood And every danger overcome – For the sake of our children, our grandchildren, And all who come after us – This great land will always be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM … The Bishops of the United States have asked that all parishes observe a “Fortnight for Freedom” from June 21st (the vigil of the feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas Moore) to July 4th, Independence Day. The purpose of this observance is to have a special time of prayer, fasting, education, and witness for a new birth of Religious Freedom for our country. Here at St. Monica’s we will celebrate a “Fortnight for Freedom” on Thursday June 28th at 7:30 pm. Our Holy Hour for Religious Freedom will include music, special prayers, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Please join us on this important occasion. 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