From the Pastor’s Desk . . .The Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter on February 22nd.  The Chair, or cathedra in Greek, is the chair upon which Peter sat as the first Bishop of Rome.  Tradition has it that this was the chair at the house of St. Pudens, in which Saint Peter celebrated Mass for the early Church in Rome.  The Chair is now in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, enshrined in a splendid work by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  In fact, as you enter the Basilica, the reliquary of the Chair is at the farthest western wall, framed by the bronze canopy or baldacchino, also created by Bernini, that rises above the Tomb of St. Peter and the High Altar.  Bernini’s reliquary of the Chair is a masterpiece: four Church Fathers, St. Augustine and St. Ambrose in the front, and St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom in the back, support the four corners of the enormous bronze reliquary–formed as a large chair in which is the actual Chair itself–above which is a window of the Holy Spirit, around whom is a whirl of angels and cherubs.  Bernini’s symbol is clear: the Chair represents the Church founded by Christ on St. Peter, whose name means the Rock. This is the Church formed by Christ and supported by the Holy Spirit, against which the “Gates of Hell shall not prevail”, as Our Lord told St. Peter when He gave Peter the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt. 16:13-19). The four Fathers represent the teachers of the Church, the bishops, and the doctrine of Christ’s Church, which, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, guides and strengthens the faithful of every time and place.   The Feast day is not simply about this ancient and venerable relic.  It is about the reality symbolized by St. Peter’s episcopal chair: the authority of Peter and his successors, the popes, given by Christ as the source of unity and truth for the Church. All those who are members of the Church founded by Christ are in communion with Peter’s Successor.  That is the reason we pray daily at Mass “for Benedict our Pope”, to demonstrate the unity in the Eucharist and in one, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith with the Successor of St. Peter.   Without such a guarantee of unity, without this one authoritative teacher, the Church would be divided into small camps and groups, each believing whatever they felt convenient.   Our faith is not based upon ourselves, but upon the objective reality of God who has revealed Himself through His Son, and formed the Church by the Holy Spirit, as His instrument to teach us the truth and to strengthen us in the Sacraments for eternal life.  The Chair of St. Peter is the symbol of that Church, and of the guarantee to truth made by Our Lord to those who believe and live united with Peter and His Successor, the Bishop of Rome. –Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Margaret Woods, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops, Titian Tarantino, Jennifer Tomasello, 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, David Lloyd, Billy Therriault, Gloria Beverly

Please pray for those who have recently died…Violet Roddy, Wallace Stewart, Patrick Farenga, Marie Swanson, Neill Carey, Margorie Watkins, Antoninette DeMott, Rose Harrington, Maria C. Roldan-Ranero, Frances C. 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, Neil Cary, Rev. Fr. Daniel Kennedy

Monthly Collection . . . The second collection today will be the monthly collection for the parish.  Your generosity is appreciated.

Lenten Parish Mission . . . will be March 3rd, 4th  & 5th at 7:30 p.m. with Fr. Benedict Groeschel.  Plan to attend.

Parents of our Religious Education Students…While your kids are in religious education class on Sundays join us in the Parish Rectory with Father Walsh for a cup of coffee and learn more about our Catholic Faith.

St. Monica Institute . . . Meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  We are parishioners 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.  We meet each Wednesday in February.  This month is a study of the Roman Catacombs.

The Latin reading group will begin translating St. Augustine’s Confessions. All are welcome on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. in the rectory.  If you have only studied Latin during high school, please join us: you know more than you think!

Bible Study… We meet every third Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm in the rectory. [Except in MARCH, which is Holy Thursday]. Next meeting: Feb. 21st. We’re reading the Book of Revelation. All are welcome!

Stations of the Cross . . .Every Friday during Lent at 4:00 p.m.  NOT on Good Friday.

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

Theology on Tap…. is expanding its horizons. In addition to our current program that will continue in the Church Hall, we’re pleased to announce a NEW PROGRAM for men and women in their 20’s and 30’s at Bennigan’s Restaurant – just across the street - from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  We will meet there the 2nd Monday each month - bring a friend!

Birthright …needs YOUR Help!  Volunteer, please:
Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service offering practical help and encouragement to any woman who is distressed by her pregnancy.  Call 1-800-550-4900 for nearest chapter.

Sunday, February 10, 2008     $ 11,534.00

Sunday, February 11, 2007     $ 10,940.30

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) 249  (2) 113.  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 de feria – Orlandus Lassus, 1532-1594. Offertory Motet: Nolo mortem peccatoris (Nolo mortem peccatoris; Haec sunt verba Salvatoris. Father, I am thine only Son, sent down from heav’n mankind to save. Father, all things fulfilled and done according to thy will I have. Father, my will now all is this: Nolo mortem peccatoris. Father, behold my painful smart, taken for man on ev’ry side; ev’n from my birth to death most tart, no kind of pain I have denied, but suffered all, and all for this: Nolo mortem peccatoris. (Text anonymous)] - Thomas Morley, c. 1557 – 1602. The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Tibi dixit dor meum (My heart declared to you: “Your countenance have I sought; I shall ever seek your countenance, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.” The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? [Ps. 27:8,9,1]); Gospel Acclamation Miserere mei Deus (Ps. 50, Graduale Romanum); Offertory Meditabor (I will meditate on your commandments which I love exceedingly; I will lift up my hands towards your commandments which I love. [Psalm 119:47,48]); Communion Visionem quam vidistis (Tell no one about the vision you have seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. [Matthew 17:9]). Postlude: Psalm 50 – Tonus peregrinus.

Lenten Concert . . . A wonderful tradition here at St. John’s has become to observe the fifth Sunday in Lent with a spiritual exercise through the great art of the composer Franz Josef Haydn. On Sunday, March 9th at 3:00 p.m., the Arianna String Quartet will perform The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross at 3:00 P.M. One of most highly regarded string quartets of all time and among Haydn’s last and best works, this vivid musical portrait of the crucifixion of Our Lord is narrated by Msgr. DiGiovanni and is only 45 min. in length. There is a free pre-concert lecture by Scott Turkington at 2:30 p.m. in Nagle Hall. $10.00 suggested donation. Please come!

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

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

The Stamford Advocate:

February 23, 1872: Volunteers at Work  “On any of the pleasant days of this or last week there might have been seen – to be more particular there was seen – a small army of stalworth men actively at work building stone walls around the new Catholic burying ground. A casual observer seeing the steady and persistent labor of so many men, and witnessing their extraordinary exertions, would at once surmise, that for some reason that it was necessary that the Herculean task should be accomplished within a limited time, and that the men were paid double wages in order to encourage them to an even greater exertion. But, no, these were volunteers, and their enthusiastic and energetic labors were given without money and without price.”
February 20, 1899: Father Mulville to Preach. “At the mass for children in St. John’s R. C. Church, which is held in the basement at nine o’clock, there was congregational singing yesterday for the first time. The children sang very well indeed. At the services Wednesday evening, Rev. Frank Mulville of Hartford is announced to preach. Father Mulville is a Stamford man, and, as he is said to be a preacher of considerable ability, much interest will be taken in the sermon. There was a meeting of St. Ann’s Ladies’ Aid Society yesterday afternoon.”
February 20, 1914: OLD SINGING SCHOOL. Catholic Choir Entertains a Large Audience “St. John’s Catholic Church choir and Miss M. Margaret Kennedy, directress of the choir, scored a decided success last night, in the assembly hall of St. John’s School in “A Singing School of ye Olden Time.” The singing school was one of ye olden time affairs. The costumes were of the early colonial period, and the language and deportment of that period were mimicked and portrayed well. The entertainment was delightfully and entertainingly remindful of the long ago.”
February 18, 1927: ST. JOHN’S TRACK SQUAD IS SHAPING UP NICELY “The St. John’s squad for the indoor track is shaping up nicely. A number of eliminations were held last night and some of the more promising candidates are as follows: Maurice Kiley, Edward Goldkopf, Joseph Donahue, and John Hennessey. These boys will be in the 50 yard dash in the class under 100 pounds. In the other class some of the more promising entries are: George Deenihan, Jack Cleary, John Lemon, and John Gasher. A nice team will also be made up for the sack race probably from the following: James Eagan, Ward Cleary, George Deenihan, William Murphy, John Donahue and Robert Hushion.”

Sacraments for Adults (RCIA) . . . 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 in the rectory, at 7:30 p.m., until April 8th. Please call the rectory [324-1553, ext 21] and leave your name with the secretary, Providencia.

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.

Mass Intentions
Saturday, February 16
4:00 +Robert S. Hill req. Family

Sunday, February 17
  7:30 +John & Evelyn Sexton req. Hannah Young
10:00 Our Lady of Lourdes req. Elia Pochette
12:00 +Larry Tersigni req. Marchetti Family
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine & Family

Monday, February 18
  8:00 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola Contreras
12:10 +James & Adele Henson req. John Pascale

Tuesday, February 19
  8:00 Mary Young Kim her Health req. Joseph & Mary Kim
12:10 +Stephen, Irene & Nicholas Churley req. Mary Churley

Wednesday, February 20
   8:00 +Martin & Katie Maloney & Family req. Mary Maloney
 12:10 +Robert Flinn req. Friends

Thursday, February 21
8:00 Kenneth & Lisa McGraw Wedding Anniversary req. William & Josephine McGraw
12:10     +Dottie Civitillo req. Mario & Marcie Civitillo

Friday, February 22
  8:00 Special Intention of Eleanor Theresa Kim req. Joseph & Mary Kim
12:10 Intentions of The Holy Father

Saturday, February 23
  8:00 Special Intention of Richard Paul Kim req. Joseph Mary Kim
12:10    +Robert Goldman 1st Anniversary req. Dr. Joseph McAleer

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.

Novena of the Miraculous Medal:  Monday 8:30 a.m.

IF / THEN
- Fr Terry Walsh
At the beginning of Lent, the Prophet Isaiah set the compass heading for each of us by directing our hearts to an honest assessment of our intentions. Why do we fast? Do we hold in our hearts the proper disposition for the sacrifices we offer to God – what is the true intention? Echoing the words of the Prophet Joel, ‘Rend your hearts, not your garments’, the Prophet Isaiah likewise calls for an interior transformation, a cleansing of the heart, that place from which our thoughts, words, and deeds flow. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”(Isaiah 58). What sort of burden have we placed on others? What Cross have we laid on the shoulders of family members, friends, co-workers, or anyone else for that matter? Are we willing to ease their burden and help carry their Cross, even while we work at carrying our own? The Saints remind us that God will never be “outdone” in generosity. If we look to the needs of others, our Lord will help us with our needs. Huge Graces flow from sacrificial love. Indeed, we’ll be renewed in strength – God’s strength working in us – not only to find ways to help others, but to embrace our own burdens with greater love and fidelity. “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard”(Is. 58). In other words, forgive your enemies and pray for those that lay burdens upon you – do good to those who cause you grief. You will be imitating Jesus. He will rush to your aid. He knows your heart and the intentions therein and when your heart is directed to him and you are acting with love for him, especially in the face of trials and tribulations, He will supply all the grace you need to complete the task at hand and what’s more, because of his generosity, he will heal you of your wounds, your faults and failings as well. “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and he will say’ Here I am”(Is. 58). Jesus’ own words come ringing back in our ears, “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you…He who has my commandments and keep them, he it is who loves me…and I will love him and manifest myself to him”(John 14). And so we may ask Him, ‘Lord, fill me with your love. Help me to accomplish your will in my life. Strengthen me in wisdom and understanding and give me the courage to act with love and kindness. Help me to become like you – free from the yoke of sin, eager to provide spiritual nourishment to those far from God, and having an ardent desire to heal others of the effects of spiritual and material affliction.’ And he will answer us, “If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday….and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not”(Is. 58).
Lent is a joyful season. It is a time of spiritual renewal, a time to truly take to heart the words of St. Paul: “Your inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man”(Ephesians 4: 23-24).