Pastor’s Corner … The date for the beginning of the New Year has not always been on January 1st. In fact, not until 1582 did January 1st become New Year’s Day, when it was declared such by Pope Gregory XIII, who instituted the present day calendar, replacing that which was in use since the time of Julius Caesar.  Before that, New Year’s Day was determined by the use in different countries and cities.  New Year’s Day was the beginning of a period known as the Indiction, usually a 15-year cycle begun during the Roman Empire, begun in the 3rd century reign of the Emperor Diocletian, to help establish land taxes. It is similar to the use by Queen Elizabeth of England, or Pope Benedict XVI, referring the year of their reign to date something, rather than the common estimation of dates. So, for instance, an act in England would be dated as occurring in the 27th year of the Queen’s reign; or in Rome, as in the 2nd year of the Pope’s reign.  In other cities and countries, New Year’s Day began on church feast days: In Venice, the year began on March 1st; Florence began the year on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th; France began its year on Easter, whose date changed each year; the Byzantine Empire began its year on September 1st; Rome, the Papal States, England, Ireland and Alexandria in Egypt, on Christmas Day; Spain, depending on the kingdom, by the 12th century New Year’s Day was either Christmas or the Circumcision of the Lord, January 1st; by the 17th it was usually the latter.  In any event, whatever date you celebrated the beginning of the New Year, the day before was one of thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year. For us, this year, that thanksgiving is on Sunday, December 31st.  On that New Year’s Eve, whatever date you observed it, the Church as always offered a Plenary Indulgence: the full remission of the temporal punishment due for sins the guilt of which has already been forgiven in Confession. One can obtain this by: 1) going to confession sometime within 7 days of December 31st; 2) freeing oneself from all attachment to sin; 3) receiving Holy Communion worthily; 4) performing the act of faith and charity prescribed the Church: in this instance, the public recitation of the hymn, Te Deum, and praying one Hail Mary and one Our Father, for the intentions of the Holy Father. All this will be done after each Sunday Mass at St. John’s. My suggestion for the New Year is to ignore the more exotic resolutions, such as losing 100 pounds or such. Resolve, rather, to live a more virtuous and pious life during this New Year.  Choose one weakness and work on that so that this year we might imitate Our Lord more perfectly. As we begin the year with a grant of special graces of Our Lord through His Church in the Indulgence, let us continue it by practicing virtue and charity more closely. Happy New Year! Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… 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… Lou Tosches, John Darling, Joseph P. Valentine, 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,

January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, is a holy day of obligation when all Catholics are obliged to attend Mass. Please mark your calendars: Mass schedule will be in next week’s bulletin [or consult the back flap of today’s bulletin: the schedule is that for Holy Days of Obligation.

NEW YEAR’S CONFESSION SCHEDULE:
December 31st :  4:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.;
January 1st : 7:30 am-7:50 am;11:30am-12 noon;
4:30 p.m.-5:00p.m.

NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE:
December 31st: New Year’s Eve: 5:15 p.m.;
January 1st: New Year’s Day: 8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 5:15 p.m.

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…

There will be no coffee hour after the 10:00 a.m.  Mass on the weekend of December 29-30th.

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.

Bible Study will resume in January.

Sunday, December 23, 2007     $ 10,687.00

Sunday, December 24, 2006     $   9,887.32

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

---Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 13  (2) 21.  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 ‘O magnum mysterium’ – Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: O magnum mysterium – Victoria (O great mystery and wondrous Sacrament. [Responsory for Christmas]). Communion motet: The Blessed Son of God - Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958 (The blessed Son of God only In a crib full poor did lie; With our poor flesh and our poor blood Was clothed that everlasting good. Kyrie eleison. The Lord Christ Jesu, God's Son dear, Was a guest and a stranger here; Us for to bring from misery, That we might live eternally. Kyrie eleison. All this did he for us freely, For to desire his great mercy; All Christendom be merry therefore, And give him thanks for evermore. Kyrie eleison. [Miles Coverdale]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Alleluia Gaudete iusti in Domino (Rejoice in the Lord, O you just. It is fitting that loyal hearts should praise him. [Psalm 33:1]); Offertory In te speravi, Domine (In you have I put my trust, O Lord; I said: “You are my God, my destiny is in your hands.” [Psalm 31:15,16]); Communion Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? (My son, why have you treated us so? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you. –  How is it that you were seeking me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business? [Luke 2:48,49]).

Choirs . . . Please consider joining the Saturday 4:00 p.m. Adult Choir (rehearsals are each Saturday at 3:00 p.m.) and/or enjoining your children in the St. John’s Children’s Choir or Teen Choir, which sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Please call Scott Turkington at ext. 18 for information

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.

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

Theology on Tap (January) will feature Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life, on SUNDAY, the Epiphany, January 6th.  Monsignor General Thaddeus Malanowski will accompany Fr. Pavone. The meeting will take place in the Church Hall at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome!

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

December 31, 1875 “The musical portion of the worship – especially at the vesper services – in St. John’s R. C. church, has been largely increased in attractiveness since the congregation began to occupy their new chapel. Numbers from other denominations are present at nearly every service.”

January 3, 1921:  “The Rt. Rev. John G. Murray, auxiliary bishop of the Catholic diocese of Hartford, and Mayor David E. Fitzgerald of New Haven, are to be the principal speakers at a rally in the Alharnbra Theatre here on Sunday, January 18, under the auspices of the Holy Name Society of St. John’s Catholic Church. The rally is to be held in the evening, and it is for the male members of the society and their male friends only. There will be chorus singing and solo or quartette singing, as well as the speaking. Senator Matthew H. Kenealy will preside. The members of the society will receive communion in the church on the morning of Jan. 16. The chaplains and other officers of every Holy Name society between, and including, Westport on the east and East Port Chester on the west, have been invited to attend the rally, which is to be held for the purpose of arousing interest in and increasing the membership of the societies. Bishop Murray and Mayor Fitzgerald both are eloquent speakers and the message they will bring to the meeting will be well worth hearing. At a meeting of St. John’s Holy Name Society, last night, the following officers were elected: President, William H. Brennan; vice president, Harry T. Hart; secretary Charles H. Hart; treasurer, the Rev. Henry Callahan; marshal, William F. Nevins. After the meeting, the members practiced some of the hymns they are to sing at the meeting on Jan. 16.”

January 3, 1935:  “The first smoker of the recently reorganized Holy Name Society of St. John’s R. C. Church will be held, Monday night, in the school hall. Every male member of the church is expected to attend. The committee in charge has prepared a program of entertainment, which will be featured by talks by Michael J. Flanagan, clerk of the Superior Court of Fairfield County, who is believed to be the only man living who has seen every game of every world series. He will tell of some interesting experiences while compiling that record. George “Kiddo” Davis, New York Giant center fielder, is expected to accompany Mr. Flanagan here and tell of the experiences of a major league player. Plenty of refreshments and cigars and cigarettes have been secured by the committee in charge.”

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 29
4:00  +John Maloney req. Mary Maloney

Sunday, December 30
  7:30 +Michael J. Obzud req. Family
10:00 Special Intention
12:00 Special Intention Aimee Alcarez Cowan & Family
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, December 31
  8:00 +Robert Vota req. Wife
12:10 +Pasquale Russo req. Mr. & Mrs. Anthony

Tuesday, January 1, 2008
  8:00 +Charles Cycon req. Cycon Family
12:10 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
  5:15 Joseph, Mary, Eleanor, Theresa & Richard req. Joseph & Mary Kim

Wednesday, January 2
   8:00 Terese Kung req. Joseph & Agnes Kung
 12:10 +Souls in Purgatory req. F.C

Thursday, January 3
  8:00 +John & Mary Gannon req. Sharon Gannon
12:10      +William Thomson req. Mary Maloney

Friday, January 4
  8:00 Sacred Heart of Jesus req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:10 Souls in Purgatory req. Mary Ann Vagnone

Saturday, January 5
  8:00 +Dominick Aulenti req. Maryanne Koller
12:10    +Souls in Purgatory req. F.C.

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.

Mary, our Spiritual Mother
- Fr. Terry Walsh

In this wonderful Christmas Season, as our thoughts turn to the birth of our Lord Jesus, we also contemplate the Motherhood of Mary, the perfect human person, our “Spiritual Mother.” As baptized members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we became children of Mary at the moment of our incorporation into the Body of Her Divine Son. She is truly our Mother.
While the Christmas Season ‘ends’ next week with the celebration of The Baptism of our Lord, it formally concludes on The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd when we celebrate that day when Mary and Joseph presented the Child Jesus in the Temple 40 days after His birth in observance of the Mosaic Law. This feast, also known as “Candlemas,” begins with the blessing of Candles, symbolizing the Light who is Christ. Jesus is presented in the Temple to God the Father with great joy - for the Salvation of the world.
This Feast is also a wonderful day to reflect upon the sacrifice of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Mary and Joseph were leaving the Temple, they were greeted by the Prophet Simeon who said to Mary, “…and a Sword will pierce your Heart…” referring, of course, to the Spiritual Sword of Sorrow that would pierce Her Immaculate Heart as She witnessed the Passion of Her Divine Son, and in particular, the thrust of the Centurion’s spear into the Heart of Her dead Son on the Cross – a thrust that broke open the saving Blood and Water that gushed from His wounded side. In offering Her Son to the Father for our Salvation, the Blessed Virgin Mary was at the same time accepting the suffering of His Sorrowful Passion in Her heart and soul for love of all Her children – that is – for all of us.
It is a wonderful time to revisit the Spiritual Classic “True Devotion to Mary” written by St. Louis de Montfort. “It’s aim is to lead us to a closer union with Christ through a more faithful observance of our baptismal promises…”(p. ix). It is great spiritual food and well worth reading each year. What better time than between Christmas and the Annunciation?  Simply read and reflect upon a few paragraphs each day and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to a more reflective understanding of Mary’s role in God’s plan of salvation. She is your true Mother.
The book contains 273 ‘paragraphs’, each offering helpful insights about our Lady. It’s a wonderful source of fruitful meditation.  In St. Louis de Montfort’s words, “Mary is the earthly paradise of Jesus Christ, the new Adam, where He became man by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish in Her wonders beyond our understanding.”
January 1st: Solemnity Mary Mother of God