Pastor’s Corner . . . Come Monday, the Church returns to Ordinary Time in the celebration of

Mass and public prayer. A friend of mine once termed it “Boring Time”, because nothing

special happened during it. While a bit sarcastic, he was correct. The seasons of Advent-

Christmas-Epiphany and Lent-Easter-Pentecost, obviously emphasize certain specific

historical realities of salvation history: the world expected a Messiah, He came, having

been born in Bethlehem, he preached and brought about our salvation by his sacrificial

suffering, death and resurrection, and established the Church as the instrument through

which He would continue sanctifying all humanity, in every place and century, until He

returns at the end of time. Ordinary Time celebrates no one event of our salvation, but it

offers us the time to reflect upon the impact those historical events of Christ’s saving

work have for each of us now in our daily, ordinary lives. 
 
    But, we are never separated from all of Christ’s works, even if performed nearly

2,000 years ago. The Mass is unique in that it is a true sacrifice, whereby Christ Crucified

and Risen is once again offered to the Father, but in a bloodless manner. But there is more

to the Mass, in that every aspect of Christ’s saving life and work is present and expressed

at each Mass. So, every Mass is Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Holy Thursday, Good Friday,

Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Christ the King and All Saints.  
 
    For example, the people of Israel waited for the Messiah, as we see in the Old

Testament. Each Mass recalls that waiting, and more, since He actually came at Bethlehem,

and more, since He comes every day to individual souls in a sacramental way, especially

during Mass.  Another example, is redemption: it was made necessary by the sin of Adam and

our own; it was announced and prepared for by the prophets, realized in the life, Passion,

death and resurrection and ascension of Christ.  But redemption continues and is realized

through the Church, and personally in the soul of each individual. This is achieved by the

receiving God’s revelation and by the grace of the sacraments and our cooperation with

grace, which urges a turning from sin, and allows Christ to transform us to be more like

Himself in daily, ordinary life. 
 
    The Mass is the one, single action by which all phases of the mystery of Christ are

made present to us, not just symbolically, but truly, under outward signs, so we can

understand them better.  And, so we can incorporate them into our daily lives: what does it

mean for you that God humbled Himself to become a man? –and humbled Himself further, dying

as a slave or criminal to grant you eternal life? If it means nothing, then you are a poor

hard-hearted individual.  Ordinary Time is that time to look at ourselves—not as we usually

do, for vanity’s sake—but in humility before God. He did all this for you, how do you repay

His love for you and His generosity for you?  Your response in time—now--determines your

future, beyond time. If you come to love Him, you will be with Him forever. If not, why

WOULD you want to be with Him forever in heaven?  Rather simple and ordinary: God’s love and

our concrete, real response. Get cracking on it, since Ordinary Time begins on Monday!
--Msgr. DiGiovanni

 

 

Please pray for the sick… Eugene Lops, Janet Rodgers, Antoinetta Fiore, Lorraine Lindahl,

Marilyn Fabio, Robert Geikie, Alan Comier, Barbara Schuerger, Brady Rodgers, 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… Francis Delaney, Mary Anne Vagnone, Bridget

Leen, 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,

Errata . . . After my return from Rome, I wrote a note in the bulletin thanking those who

worked on the Christmas Fair. Of course, I forgot some people! I wish to make amends by

thanking Mrs. Susanne DePreta and Ms. Suzanne DePreta and their friends for their very hard

work and dedication, which made the fair and its raffle so successful. Please accept my

gratitude, and my apologies for my late thanks. Msgr. D.

Second Collection . . . The second collections today will be the Fuel Collection for the

parish.  Your generosity is appreciated

Moms and children of all ages…Has been cancelled for the next two weeks and will resume on

Tuesday, January 22nd. 

Parents of our Religious Education Students…join us 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.

St. Monica Institute . . . Meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  All are

welcome. This is a group of lay men and women who study the writings of the early Church.

YOU NEED NOT BE SCHOLARS: we read everything in English and join in open discussions of the

texts. The next meeting is Wednesday, January 16th. Please join us: just walk in the front

door nearest the church—it’s open!

Bible Study… will begin again on Thursday, January 17th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. We will

meet every third Thursday of each month [except in APRIL, which is Holy Thursday]. We will

be studying the Book of Revelation, with commentary by Scott Hahn.  We will use Hahn’s book

The Lamb’s Supper. Call Providencia [ext. 21] at the rectory for your copy. All are welcome!

SACRAMENTS For ADULTS . . . Any adult, from 18 years and older, who has not yet received the

sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, First Penance or Confirmation, are invited to join

us for adult catechism classes in order to receive the sacraments in the spring.  We will

meet every Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm, beginning at February 22nd through April 8th. Please

call the rectory [324-1553, ext 21] and leave your name with the secretary, Providencia.

Holy Name Society . . . will host its annual supper for members in the rectory, on Saturday,

February 2nd following the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Members only: please call the rectory to reserve

your spot. 

Coffee Hour… Please join us at the Msgr. Nagle Hall after the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass for

coffee and donuts.


Sunday, January 06, 2008     $ 11,457.00
Sunday, January 07, 2007     $ 12,590.95
“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) 47  (2) 187.  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 quam gloriosum’ – Tomás

Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: Inveni David – Giovanni Pierluigi da

Palestrina, 1525-1594 (I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him.

My hand shall hold him fast and my arms shall strengthen him. [Ps. 89:21-22]). Communion

motet: O esca viatorum – Heinrich Isaac, c. 1445 – 1517 (The text may be found in the hymnal

at No. 123.). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Alleluia Inveni David (I have

found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. [Ps. 89:21]); Offertory

Benedictus qui venit (Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the

house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light, alleluia, alleluia. [Ps. 118:26,27]);

Communion Omnes qui in Christo (As for all of you who have been baptised in Christ, you have

put on Christ, alleluia. [Galatians 3:27]).

A warm welcome to our artist in residence! ... Dean Applegate will be with us for two months

while on sabbatical and will be working with all the choirs of St. John’s. A very

distinguished American Church musician, Dean has degrees from Linfield College, Colgate-

Rochester Divinity School and the University of Oxford. Founder and director of the annual

William Byrd Festival, he is currently on the teaching staff of Ecce Veritas, a private

academy in the Catholic tradition, and is the Organist/Director of Music for Holy Rosary

Parish in Portland, Oregon. A professional choir director since 1973, he has dedicated his

career to the restoration of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony. To that end, in 1983 he

founded Cantores in Ecclesia, a choir of children and adults dedicated to the musical

excellence of the Catholic Church's rich liturgical tradition. After many years in residence

at St. Patrick Church, Cantores in Ecclesia received 501(c)3 non profit status in September

of 2002. Married since 1968, Dean and Janine Applegate have two children, Blake (Assistant

Director) and Jane, both of whom still sing with the choir.

For Caretakers of the Elderly and Infirmed…The Sisters of Life at Villa Maria Guadalupe are

hosting a special Day of Recollection, by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, Director of Education at the

National Catholic Bioethics Center: January 26th, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Please call for

reservations:  203-329-1492.

Birthright …needs YOUR Help! 
Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service offering practical help and encouragement to

any woman who is distressed by her pregnancy.  Eleven (11) chapters are in Connecticut Call

1-800-550-4900 for nearest chapter.

 

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat for Healing After Abortion…If you are suffering from an abortion,

whether it happened recently or forty years ago, experience the healing love of Jesus on a

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat weekend from January 25-27, 2008.  Retreats are small,

participation is strictly confidential and participants have their own private room.  For

more information, please call the retreat director at 203-218-0291 or e-mail her at

Jeremiah31v17@aol.com or visit our website at www.rachelsvineyardbpt.com. 

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

log onto www.BishopLoriBlog.org.

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

January 15, 1869: “Father Fagan, of the Roman Catholic church, though but a short time here,

has already, as we learn, won the respect and confidence of his numerous parishioners. He

takes a great interest in the temporal as well as spiritual welfare of his people, and in

this he is ably and efficiently seconded by the Rev. Eugene Gaffney, his assistant. The

temperance movement receives the hearty support of both these gentlemen. A Catholic Fair and

Festival will be held in Seely’s Hall, commencing next Tuesday and continuing through the

week. A large assortment of fancy articles will be distributed to the fortunate winners.

Among these are a splendid worked chair, a fine chamber set, china sets, ladies’ watches,

fancy clocks, a gold mounted revolver, a fifty dollar greenback, a marble top table,

furniture, etc. Good music will be in attendance, and refreshments served to all who

desire.”


January 16, 1880:  “A lecture will soon be given under the auspices of the Temperance

Societies connected with the Roman Catholic church, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, for

the benefit of the fund for the relief of Ireland.”


January 17 1903: “Tomorrow will be the Feast of the Holy Name and will be specially observed

by Roman Catholics. In St. John’s church, the Holy Name Society, which has membership of

about 500 men, will receive Holy Communion at the 7:30 o’clock mass. The other masses will

be at 9. 9:30, and 10:30, and for Poles and Hungarians at 11.”


January 16, 1906: “Miss Rose L. Kearns, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kearns, of Maple

Avenue, was married, this morning, to Thomas J. Hart. The ceremony was performed in St.

John’s R. C. Church, by the rector, Rev. James C. O’Brien. A nuptial high mass was

celebrated by Father O’Brien, assisted by Father Rizzo and Father Sullivan. The maid of

honor was Miss Helen Reese and the best man was William Nolan. The bride has been secretary

to Supt. Of Schools Everett C. Willard.”


January 20, 1932:  Girl Scout Troops 18 and 12 Have a Tenderfoot Ceremony  “The Girl Scouts

of Troop 18 and Troop 12 held their weekly meeting together at the Franklin School, this

week at 4. After the games, which were held on the playground of Miss Gladys Erickson, a

Tenderfoot ceremony was conducted. Dorothy Lee and Ruth Smith of the St. John’s R. C. Church

troop, and Lorraine St. Onge, June Porter, Audrey Nichols, Dorothy Brown and Antoinette

Grampietro of the Franklin School Troop received their Tenderfoot pins which were presented

by Mrs. Arthur Erickson, Troop leader. After the new Girl Scouts were cheered by both

groups, the troop songs were sung, and the meeting closed with the singing of Taps.”

Heads’ Up: Ash Wednesday is February 6th. Start thinking about Lent and repentance.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, January 12
4:00  Special Intention Ronald Juwonputro req. Filumena & George
Sunday, January 13
  7:30 +Ida Delaney 44th Anniversary req. Family
10:00 +Kenneth Deicke req. Pinto Family
12:00 Thanksgiving Mass req. Anne Marie Samedi
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, January 14
  8:00 +The child of Idalina Estanislau req. Tony Janiero, Jr.
12:10 +Tina Mastranunzio req. Lisa Fabrizio
Tuesday, January 15
  8:00 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
12:10 In honor of St. John the Evangelist req. Celia Joseph
Wednesday, January 16
   8:00 +Margretta DeVivo req. Sis Conners
 12:10 Souls in Purgatory
Thursday, January 17
  8:00 Sis Conners req. Martha E. Margaret & Terry III
12:10     +Marie Flortta Helaire req. Josephine Languedoc
Friday, January 18
  8:00 Mary, Help of Christians
12:10 Mass of Liberation req. Celia Joseph
Saturday, January 19
  8:00 In honor of the Sacred Heart
12:10    +Victoria Santagata req. Angela Giannitti

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.


Christian Perfection
- Fr. Terry Walsh
Revisited

 Our Lord ‘calls and shouts and breaks through our deafness’ that we may abide in Him

and He in us.  “God is present to our inmost being: ‘In Him we live and move and have our

being.’ In the words of St. Augustine, God is ‘higher than my highest and more inward than

my innermost self’”(ccc300). As we come to understand that God calls us to share in a life

of unimaginable happiness we begin to understand what this relationship entails. It’s an

active, meaningful journey unto spiritual perfection that begins at the very moment of our

Baptism. This path to Christian Perfection is paved with our active and sacrificial love.

This path is groomed and prepared by identifying and sifting away vice. The surface is paved

with the moral virtues and traveled well as these virtues are informed by and strengthened

through the supernatural graces provided by God Himself. When we are docile to the Holy

Spirit and develop the habit of virtuous living we travel through every bend and pothole

guided by the Light of Christ. Only vice from within our own engine can cause a breakdown

and perhaps even end our journey.  Vice leads us away from God.
 Jesus reminds us of this danger. He quotes the prophet Isaiah: “This people honors

me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me…” Christian

Perfection is forged in the heart or, as St. Paul teaches, “Faith working through love.”
 St. Augustine traveled a very bumpy road for many years until at last he came to

understand the love God had for him. His profound conversion of heart is recorded in the

Spiritual Classic, The Confessions. No longer would he travel the road of self-indulgence.

He opened his heart to the truth and God flooded his soul with grace and peace. There was no

turning back. He lived now for Christ. He confesses:
 “Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under your guidance into the inmost depth

of my soul. I was able to do so because you were my helper. On entering into myself I saw,

as it were with the eye of the soul, what was beyond the eye of the soul, beyond my spirit:

your immutable light…this light was above me because it had made me; I was below it because

I was created by it. He who has come to know the truth knows this light….you overcame the

weakness of my vision, sending forth most strongly the beams of your light, and I trembled

at once with love and dread. I learned that I was in a region unlike yours and far distant

from you, and I thought I heard your voice from on high: ‘I am the food (Eucharist) of grown

men; grow then, and you will feed on me. Nor will you change me into yourself like bodily

food, but you will be changed into me…
 Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You

were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my

unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was

not with you…You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you

shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath

and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me,

and I burned for your peace.”