Theology on Tap is canceled tonight due to the impending snowstorm.




Pastor’s Corner . . .On December 8th, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Piazza della Propaganda

Fide, near the Spanish Steps, to lay a wreath at the foot of the statue of Our Lady of the

Immaculate Conception, which soars atop a 75-foot pillar.  The monument was raised in 1858

by Pope Blessed Pius IX to commemorate his definition of the doctrine that Mary, at the

moment of her conception in her mother’s womb [which was a normal, human conception], in

view of her important role in Christ’s work of salvation, was prepared by God and freed from

the Original Sin of Adam that all of us are born with, so that she would be a worthy and

totally stainless Mother of God. December 8th is so important a day that all Catholics are

required to attend Mass. While a belief held from the early centuries of the Church’s life,

the Immaculate Conception of Mary was only defined solemnly in 1854 by Pope Blessed Pius IX.

 It was defined because of a popular, worldwide groundswell, requesting such a definition. 

Devotion to Our Lady and to her Immaculate Conception had been gaining in popularity for

centuries, and received a strong stimulus by the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to an

unknown semi-cloistered nun in a working district of Paris, on the Rue de Bac, in 1830.

Saint Catherine Laboure received a number of apparitions of Our Lady, which is the beginning

of the devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, one that included the prayer, “Mary,

conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.”  In June, 1846, the American

bishops petitioned the pope to solemnly define the Immaculate Conception, and to place the

Church in the United States under Her patronage. On February 2, 1848, the pope wrote asking

the bishops around the world to give their opinion about defining the doctrine. The

universally positive response, reflecting the grass roots devotion to Our Lady, impressed

the pope to solemnly define as doctrine on December 8, 1854. The doctrine became even more

popular following the 1858 apparitions of Our Lady to a near-illiterate peasant girl, Saint

Bernadette Soubirous, in the backwater town of Lourdes, France, in which the apparition told

Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Since the pope’s definition of the doctrine

was never published in France, because of the anti-clerical French government, popular

belief saw Bernadette’s vision as a further ratification of the truth of the doctrine and of

the unique guidance by God given to the pope, as the successor of Saint Peter.

Since our country is dedicated to Mary Immaculate, let us take advantage of the spiritual

treasures of Christ’s Catholic Church, and turn our minds and hearts to Our Lady in a

particular way, especially during these weeks of Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the most

important event in human history:  the eternal Son of God, our salvation, became a man in

the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that mankind could share in His divine life.  --

Msgr. DiGiovanni

 

 

 

Please pray for the sick…John Darling, Joseph P. Valentine, Antoinetta Fiore, Lorraine

Lindahl, Marilyn Fabio, Robert Geikie, Alan Comier, Barbara Schuerger, Brady Rodgers, Mary

Anne Vagnone, Gail Ruge, Msgr. Constantino Caldas, Madam Wong Oi Ling, Fiona Farrell, Gerard

Albert, Christina Hanlon, Lisa Farina, Corrie M. Evans, Joseph M. Kirkland, Joan Bankowski,

Evelyn Bauman, Resa Mestel, Felix D’Olimpio

Please pray for those who have recently died…Msgr. Edward Petty, Robert A Kingsley, Rose A.

Roman, Simone Parisi, Helen Carr, Bishop Han Dingxiang, in China; Mary Ellen Armstrong,

Eleanor Keating, William E. Thomson III,

Moms and children of all ages…Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Marian Altar on the

first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. followed by a social gathering in the Church Hall

at about 10:30 a.m.  (Bring your own food for early lunch with the tots) Of course, there is

Confession available beginning at 11:30 a.m. and Mass at 12:10 p.m. for all.  See you on the

1st Tuesday…

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection . . . Please drop your special Retirement Fund for

Religious Collection envelope into the ONE basket that will be passed at the Offertory. 

There will only be one collection today.

Christmas Fair… Thank you to the many volunteers who so generously lent their time and

talents to the Christmas Fair and to all our parishioners who participated.  Even with the

snow, our profit is over $5,600.00, which will help defray the heating costs for our

beautiful church.

THEOLOGY ON TAP will meet on December 13th:  Hollywood: Friend or Foe. Stephen and Richard

Payne will discuss Catholic Film making.

Parents of our Religious Education Students…Are invited to meet each Sunday morning in the

Parish Rectory with Father Walsh to discuss our Catholic Faith. Come join us for a cup of

coffee and an opportunity to grow in knowledge and understanding of our faith.

Pro-Life Night…St. Mary’s Greenwich Forum (Young Adult Ministry), 178 Greenwich Avenue.

Friday, December 14, @ 7:15 p.m., with representatives from Rachel's Vineyard Ministry (a

spiritual retreat weekend for healing after abortion). It’s highly recommended for anyone -

especially those who know someone who has had an abortion.  It will be extremely helpful for

preparing Catholics to properly respond to those contemplating abortion and will help

educate about the long-term effects abortion has on women & society.  Following will be a

Q&A session and round table discussion.  Pizza & soda will be available.  Meeting is in St.

Mary’s Parish Center Library a $3:00 suggested donation. Email markvalley@optonline.net or

check www.greenwichforum.org.

Bible Study will resume in January.

Sunday, December 2, 2007     $ 9,935.00

Sunday, December 3, 2006      $ 9,560.58

“I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving to God, but do not give your leftovers.”
---Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta


Banns of Marriage:  1st    John Richard Meehan, Jr. &
Heather Patricia Mary Leydon

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 9  (2) 1.  The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the

hymnal at No. 289.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Missa prima: sexti toni – Giovanni

Croce, 1557-1609. Offertory Motet: Call to Remembrance – Richard Farrant, c. 1530-1580 (Call

to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercy and thy loving kindness which hath been ever of

old. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth: but according to thy mercy think thou

on me, O Lord, for thy goodness. [Psalm 25:5,6]). Communion Motet: Rorate cœli (The Advent

Prose – Traditional Roman (The text may be found in the hymnal at No. 305.). The Gregorian

chants proper to this Sunday are: Alleluia Lætatus sum (I rejoiced when they said unto me:

“Let us go up to the house of the Lord!” [Psalm 122:1]); Offertory Deus tu convertens

(You will turn toward us, O God, and restore our life again, and your people will rejoice in

you. Show us, Lord, your mercy and grant us your salvation [Psalm 85:7-8]); Communion

Ierusalem surge (Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high; and behold the joy that shall come

to you from your God. [Baruch 5:5;4:36]).

Charis Chamber Voices ... “Charis is the finest chamber choir in Westchester, with a blend,

a virtuosity, a clarity and command of pitch found in very few choruses.” (New York Times,

Oct. 2000). Artistic Director Scott Turkington will present A Candlelight Christmas Concert,

featuring Antonio Vivaldi’s joyous Gloria and Magnificat, accompanied by chamber orchestra,

as well as traditional carols of the season, today, Sunday, December 9 at 4 p.m. The concert

will be followed by a reception. Suggested donation is $25, $20 for seniors and students.

Tickets available at the door or call 914-931-6575 or visit www.CharisVocals.com.

Birthright …needs a special someone…YOU! 

Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service offering practical help and encouragement to

any woman who is distressed by her pregnancy.  Our guiding principle is “It is the RIGHT of

every pregnant woman to give BIRTH and the RIGHT of every child to be BORN.” Join today as a

friendship counselor (training provided), clerical or clothing helper.  Eleven (11) chapters

are in Connecticut Call 1-800-550-4900 for nearest chapter.

The Montfort Academy Information Night…A classical Catholic high school with separate boys’

and girls’ divisions, is pleased to announce its Information Night, which will be on

Thursday, December 13th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Montfort teachers, parents and students

will be on hand to answer questions.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information,

please contact the school at 914-767-0325, or visit www.themontfortacademy.org.  The

Montfort Academy is located at 99 Valley Road in Katonah, New York.

St. John’s In the News…100 years ago, or so:

December 11, 1874  “The frame work for the roof of the Roman Catholic church is well nigh in

position, and the building will be enclosed this winter. The rapidity with which the work is

pushed forward astonishes every one.”

December 14, 1889:  “Rt. Rev. L. S. McMahon, D. D., bishop of this diocese, administered

confirmation at St. John’s church on last Sunday evening, after the celebration of vespers.

Rev. J. J. Curtin of Rockville, who delivered the able sermon at Noroton, celebrated

vespers. The full choir, under the direction of F. J. O’Brien, was present, with Miss Nellie

 McCallion organist..”

December 11, 1931: St. John’s Church Is Filled At Mercy Order’s Centenary. “Before a

congregation that filled every available space in the church, a Solemn High Mass was

celebrated in St. John’s R. C. Church this morning at 9 in honor of the centennial

celebration of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy. During his brief talk on the significance

of the occasion, the Rev. Francis J. Lally, pastor of the church, called attention to the

fact that every priest in the parish was joining in the celebration. The Sisters of Mercy,

from the convent on South Street, were present with the pupils from St. John’s Parochial

School, and the parents, former pupils and friends began flocking to the church long before

the appointed hour for the Mass. The Sisters of St. Joseph, from Strawberry Hill, were

present in a body, with all of their pupils. The children marched into the church in a body

from the parochial school, and sang two songs before and after the Mass. Before the Mass,

they sang “Mother of Mercy” and afterwards, “Holy God”. Father Lally celebrated the Mass,

with the Rev. Jerome T. Cook as deacon, the Rev. Charles Corcoran, sub-deacon, and the Rev.

Henry M. Callahan, master of ceremonies. In his talk, Father Lally spoke eloquently of the

service of the Sisters of Mercy, telling how they went into the homes of those who needed

them and did actual physical service long before there was such a thing as organized social

service.”

December 12, 1932: SCOUT AWARDED GOLD EAGLE PALM. Everett Mastrich Qualified for Ten Merit

Badges – Court of Honor Meets. “At the December session of the Court of Honor, Stamford

Council, Boy Scouts of America, Scout Everett Mastrich of Troop 22, St. John’s Roman

Catholic, was awarded the Gold Eagle Palm, one year having elapsed since he became an Eagle

Scout, during which period he has qualified for ten merit badges in addition to the 21

required for Eagle. Merit badges were awarded Scouts as follows: Carpentry: George Reid,

Troop 22, St. John’s R. C.; Cooking: Charles Chidsey, Troop 22, St. John’s R. C.; Swimming:

Lawrence Benz, Troop 22, St. John’s R. C. Scout Johnson Murphy, Troop 22, St. John’s R. C.,

was promoted to Second Class.”

Join the Conversation…Bishop William Lori has started a “blog” to share news. 

www.BishopLoriBlog.org.


Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 8
4:00 +DeRosa, Kronk, Capobianco & Edwin Clark req. John & Joan Kronk

Sunday, December 9
  7:30 +John & Evelyn Sexton req. Hannah Young
10:00 Special Intention
12:00 +Mr. Peter Bolton req. Juanita Evans
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane

Monday, December 10
  8:00 Souls in Purgatory
12:10 +Carl Vorder Bruegge req. Tom Kolenberg
Tuesday, December 11
  8:00 Aimee Alcarex Cowan & Family
12:10 +Therese Laurion req. Bill Christiaanse

Wednesday, December 12
   8:00 For the Unborn req. Marion Morris & Family
 12:10 Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary req. Pedario Lauture

Thursday, December 13
  8:00 +Alexander Vanesch req. Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Marena
12:10      +George Halleck req. Tom Kolenberg

Friday, December 14
  8:00 Souls in Purgatory req. Mary Ann Vagnone
12:10 +Barbara Gentil 1st Anniversary req. Bill & Marion Morris & Family

Saturday, December 15
  8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10    +Filomena Tevolini req. Giannitti Family

Holy Name Society . . . for all men of the parish, meets in the rectory every Friday morning

for coffee, Eucharistic adoration Benediction & prayer, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.  Just

walk in the rectory front door.

Pray for an end to abortion every Wed. 7:00 -10:30 a.m., Planned Parenthood, 1039 East Main

St, Stamford. 

Eucharistic Adoration:  Fridays, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 noon

Are you a registered parishioner? … If not, please visit the parish office Monday - Friday,

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or call the office for more information [ext 21 or 17].

Sponsor Certificates for Baptism or Confirmation Sponsors…are happily given to parishioners

of St. John’s, i.e. those whose regular Mass attendance is known to the priests or can be

verified by the records of the weekly offertory (envelopes).        

St. Maria Goretti Society…For the spiritual formation of girls from 9th - 12th grades meets

monthly in the Rectory.  For more information, please call Rosa Marchetti at 348-023.

St. Dominic Savio Society…For the spiritual formation of boys from 8th – 12th grades meets

monthly in the Rectory.  Any questions, please contact Frank Marchetti at 434-4734.
 

Credit Card Offertory…Make weekly or monthly donations by credit card. You can set up

recurring credit card donations with the church secretary.  She can take your information

over the telephone.  Call 324-1553 x21.

 

Guadalupe
- Fr. Terry Walsh

“And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under

her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child….”(Revelation 12:1-

2).In 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the people in what had been the Aztec empire

and “crushed the head of the serpent” as it were, bringing about the conversion of millions.

She appeared to the people wrapped with the mantle of the stars, clothed with the sun, and

the moon under Her feet – and – she was pregnant. In the Book of Revelation, St. John

describes a great and mysterious vision of the Woman. Consider the insights of St. Gregory

concerning this vision: “The sun stands for the light of truth, and the moon for the

transitoriness of temporal things; the holy Church is clothed like the sun because she is

protected by the splendor of supernatural truth, and she has the moon under her feet because

she is above all earthly things.” Moreover, St. Bernard had this to add: “The sun contains

permanent color and splendor; whereas the moon’s brightness is unpredictable and changeable,

for it never stays the same. It is quite right, then, for Mary to be depicted as clothed

with the sun, for she entered the profundity of divine wisdom much much further than one can

possibly conceive.” Now, as the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary becomes the

Mother of all who are baptized into the Body of Her Son; we are Her spiritual children, and

our birth has come about through great pain, that is, through the suffering and death of Her

only Son – a suffering that Mary endured spiritually. We are part of the Mystical Body, the

Church, and Mary is the Mother of the Church. “The Mother of Jesus in the glory which she

possesses in body and soul in heaven is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be

perfected in the world to come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim people of

God”(Lumen Gentium, 68, Vatican II).  Recall the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a

virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”(7:14) as well as the

words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Galatians: “But when the time had fully come, God

sent forth His Son, born of woman…(4:4). The great Franciscan, St. Bonaventure, wrote: “God

could have made none greater. He could have made a greater world and a greater heaven; but

not a woman greater than his own mother.” ‘Mary is indeed our Queen, but She is even more

our Mother.’ And our Mother faithfully protects Her children She will crush the head of the

serpent. St. Cyprian wrote, “The devil is described as a serpent because he moves silently

and seems peaceable and comes by easy ways and is so astute and so deceptive that he tries

to have night taken for day, poison taken for medicine. So by deceptions of this kind, he

tries to destroy truth by cunning. That is why he passes himself off as an angel of light.”

Stay close to Mary and She will he will lead you along the true path into the very Heart of

Her Son. Take comfort in the words Our Lady of Guadalupe spoke to the humble Saint Juan

Diego (Feast Day, December 9th) in 1531: “Hear and let it penetrate your heart my dear

little son; let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart or

your countenance. Also do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here

who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of

life? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?”