Pastor’s Corner . . .For most of us, Easter is over—two weeks ago!  Time to move on to more important things—like Income Tax! While we might skip lightly past Easter, the Church does not, and celebrates Easter for 50 days, the amount of time Our Lord appeared in his resurrected body to His apostles and disciples.  Why drag out Easter for 50 days? Here are a few reasons, expressed by some of the Church’s greatest early writers:
“Beloved, the paschal mystery is new and old, eternal and temporal, mortal and immortal. To the old belongs the Law of Moses, prefigurations, the sacrifice of sheep; to the new belongs the Word, grace, and the Lord’s life. ‘He [Jesus] was led like a sheep to the slaughter,’ [as scripture says] but he was not a sheep; he was slain ‘like the lamb that waits in silence,’ but he was not a lamb...God replaces the lamb, a man the sheep, and the man is Christ, who sums up all things in himself. The sacrifice of the sheep, the celebration of Passover, and the writing of the Law [of Moses] looked therefore to a fulfillment in Christ Jesus, for whose sake everything in the old covenant, and much more took place. For the Law gave place to the Word, as the old Law became the new; precept yielded to grace, image to reality, lamb to Son, sheep to man, and man to God. Though the Lord was God, he clad himself I manhood, having suffered for suffering man, having been bound for the captive, condemned for the guilty, and buried for man, who was buried beneath the weight of sin, He rose from the dead and addressed his fellows: ‘I have released those who were condemned, given life to the dead, and brought the buried from their graves. Come, then, all you nations of men, who are joined in a brotherhood of sin, and receive forgiveness. For I am your forgiveness, the saving Passover Victim, the Lamb slain for you. I am your cleansing and life, your resurrection, light, and salvation, your King. I bring you with me to the heavenly realm. I shall raise you up and present you to my heavenly Father. I am mighty, and I shall exalt you.” [Melito of Sardis, Homily on the Paschal Mystery.]
“In recalling the salvation given to us, St. Paul says:‘As death entered the world through Adam, so salvation was restored through Christ’; and again, ‘The first man [Adam] was of the earth and earthly, the second [Jesus] from heaven and heavenly.’ He added:‘We carried in us the image of the earthly man,’ that is, of man grown old in sin; ‘let us carry in us the image of the heavenly man as well.’ That is, let us receive from Christ the saving grace of being redeemed and cleansed in him.  As St. Paul says:  Christ is the beginning, that is, the source, of resurrection and of life. Those who belong to Christ, that is, who live in sinlessness as he does, will be sure of sharing his resurrection and the heavenly glory he promises, for the Lord himself says: ‘He who follows me will not perish but will pass through death to life.’The Savior’s suffering is thus mankind’s salvation. He willed to die for us that we who trust in him might live forever. He willed to become for a time what we are so that we might share his promised eternity and live forever with him. All this, then, is the grace proper to the heavenly mysteries which we are celebrating; it is the paschal gift given on this feast which we yearn for all year through, and it is the beginning of a new existence. Those reborn from the Church’s sacred baptismal font are clad in the simplicity of little children and give voice by their conduct to a sinless conscience. What day is Easter? The day that gave us the source of light and life, the Lord Jesus Christ, who said of himself: ‘I am the light of day; he who walks in that light shall not stumble,’ that is, he who wholly follows Christ shall pass in his footsteps into the land of eternal light.” [2nd century Easter homily] --Msgr. DiGiovanni 

Please pray for the sick… George Terenzio, Eleanor McNamee, Nancy Geikie, Vicki Manes, Anthony Sansone, Margaret Woods, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops, Titina Tarantino, Jennifer Tomasello, Janet Rodgers, Antoinetta Fiore, Lorraine Lindahl, Marilyn Fabio, Alan Comier, Barbara Schuerger, Brady Rodgers, Gail Ruge, Madam Wong Oi Ling, Fiona Farrell, Billy Therriault, David Lloyd

Please pray for those who have recently died… Robert Geikie, Florence DeSilva, Margaret Mine, Reta Satoriti, Marcello Santagata, Louis Manes, Paul Dudash, John Borron, Fouchard Paulemon, Louis Meyer, Phillis Doherty, 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,

SAVE THESE DATES: 2 GREAT EVENTS:

Solemn Vespers and Benediction:  Friday, May 30th at 6:30 p.m., to celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of our church in 1886. This will be an annual event, so please plan to join us.

Passport to the World:  Sunday, June 22nd at 5:30 p.m.: Our annual fund raising supper and auction.  Please join us to help raise funds for our church bell tower. Tickets: $100 each.  Details to follow!

Faith on Tap for All Ages…“The Priest Hood” by Father Grey J. Markey in the Msgr. Nagle Hall on Thursday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m.
 
Young Adult Faith on Tap… 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!  Next meeting: Monday, April 14.

Parents of our Religious Education Students…While your children 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.

COFFEE HOUR… After the 10:00 a.m. Mass.  All are welcome.

Join the Conversation . . . Bishop William Lori has started a “blog” to share news: www.BishopLoriBlog.org.
Easter Sunday, March 30, 2008    $ 13,750.00

Easter Sunday, April 01, 2007      $ 13,092.64

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) 82 (2) 76.  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: Mass for Four Voices – William Byrd, 1540-1623. Offertory Motet: Haec Dies – Marc’Antonio Ingegneri, 1547-1592 (This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Ps. 118:24,1]). Communion Motet: This joyful Eastertide – David’s Psalmen, 1685, arr. Charles Wood, 1866-1926 (The text may be found in the hymnal at No. 84.). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Jubilate Deo (Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to his name, alleluia; praise him with magnificence, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Say to God: “How awesome are your deeds, O Lord! In the greatness of your power, your enemies will be convicted of lying to you.” [Ps. 65:1-3]); Alleluia Oportebat pati Christum (It was necessary that Christ should suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. [Luke 24:46]); Offertory Lauda anima mea (Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord throughout my life; I will sing to my God for as long as I live, alleluia. [Ps. 146:2]); Communion Surrexit Dominus (The Lord has risen and has appeared to Peter, alleluia. [Luke 24:34]).

YALE & TOWNE: Portraits Locked in Time: An exhibit of photos outlining the life and impact of Yale & Towne in Stamford: April 1st - 12th, Monday - Thursday & Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.; Fridays & Saturdays: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m: at Antares Investment Partners, 333 Ludlow Street, Stamford: North Tower, 1st Floor Lobby.  All are welcome!

Citizens Day . . . April 26, 2008: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: attorneys and paralegals will assist with U.S. Citizenship process for no charge: at Stamford UCONN:  One University Place, Room 108, Stamford.

The Latin reading group is 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!

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . will next meet every Wednesday in April at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. This month we will read patristic works [in English translations] concerning the Incarnation and Resurrection of Christ. Everyone is welcome.

Bible Study…Our next meeting is April 17th, 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  We’re reading the Book of Revelation.  All are welcome!

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

The Stamford Advocate:
April 7, 1871:  “Rev. Eugene Gaffney, of the Roman Catholic church, has left Stamford to take charge of a parish in Thomastown, Conn. His place is supplied by Rev. Father Daly.” (The Reverend Eugene Gaffney served as an assistant at St. John’s from 1867 to 1871)

The Connecticut Catholic:
April 9, 1892:  “Prof. Patrick Reilly, who was visiting at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Edward Flynn on Green Avenue, died on Sunday morning after a short illness. He was well known in Stamford and old and young will remember him as a prominent resident in this town in former years. He was principal in the parochial school for over fifteen years and organist of St. John’s Roman Catholic church.”

The Stamford Advocate:
April 6, 1898: An Artistic Monument “The Roman Catholic cemetery at Springdale will soon be adorned by a monument that will probably be regarded as the most artistic in the burial-ground. It is being finished at Dean & Horton’s. The monument is surmounted by a marble statue of the Crowned Virgin, made by a sculptor in Rome, and at the base will be the “Hail Mary,” in English.”

The Stamford Advocate:
April 13, 1927: K OF C TO OBSERVE 40TH ANNIVERSARY. Communion Breakfast to Be Served in Elks’ Hall. “Plans are under way for an observance by the membership of the 40th anniversary of St. Augustine Council, No. 41, Knights of Columbus, which will occur on Sunday, April 24. The program will open at 8:30 a.m. when the knights will attend a mass in St. John’s Catholic Church to receive communion in a body. Following this, there will be a communion breakfast served in the Elks’ Hall for which an attractive program has been prepared.” (St. Augustine’s Council (Stamford) was organized May 8, 1887 and is Council number 41.  There are presently over 14,000 councils. Charter members admitted to Council 41 on that day were: John Fitzgerald, Patrick Boyle, James T. Brennan, Andrew J. Morris, Michael Hayes, Anthony Daly, John J. Murphy, Michael Welsh, James Hays, John Pendergast, Richard Bolster, John J. Mason, John Tierney, James F. Coughlin, George W. Murphy, Joseph Triacca, William M. Scanlon, Michael J. McIntyre, John J. Kearns, John J. Jordan, William P. O’Brien, John A. Engle, and John H. Ryan. Charter Officers were: Grand Knight, John Fitzgerald; Deputy Grand Knight, Patrick Boyle; Chancellor, William M. Scanlon; Recording Secretary, James T. Brennan; Financial Secretary, Andrew J. Morris; Treasurer, Michael J. McIntyre; Warden, John J. Kearns; Lecturer, Michael Hays; Inside Guard, Anthony Daly; Outside Guard, John J. Mason.)

Mass Intentions
Saturday, April 5
4:00 +Virginia Carr req. Marie Carr

Sunday, April 6
  7:30 People of the Parish
10:00 +Eva, Charles, Sr., Nicholas Kronk & Mary Fedonchuks req. Mary Churley
12:00 +Sister Christine Marie Lopatosky req. Friends
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, April 7
  8:00 +Florence DeSilva req. Daughter & Family
12:10 +Sister Christine Marie Lopatosky req. Dottie & Gerry

Tuesday, April 8
  8:00 +Fernando Carbajo req. Shirley Hinnau
12:10 +Corcione Family req. Ann & Jo Corcione

Wednesday, April 9
   8:00 +Martin & Katie Maloney & Family req. Mary Maloney
 12:10 +John & Angelina Pascale req. John Pascale

Thursday, April 10
8:00 +Mario Imbrogno req. Eugenio & Rosira Marsico
12:10   +Frank F. Alagia, Sr. 1st Anniversary req. The McAleer Family

Friday, April 11
  8:00 Special Intention Frank & Lillian Janesch req. Cycon Family
12:10 +William Michael Koller req. Maryanne Koller

Saturday, April 12
  8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10    Diane Strain – God’s Blessings req. Marion Morris & Family

Holy Name Society . . . for all men of the parish: the rectory every Friday morning for coffee, Eucharistic adoration benediction & prayer, from 7:00-8:00 a.m.

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.

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.

True God and True Man
- Fr Terry Walsh
 
I would like to share with you a beautiful reading from the Liturgy of the Hours written by St. Leo the Great. It offers wonderful insights into the Incarnation and is worthy of our thoughtful contemplation throughout this Easter Season. His words are about “The Mystery of man’s reconciliation with God.” St. Leo writes:
“Lowliness is assured by majesty, weakness by power, morality by eternity. To pay the debt of our sinful state, a nature that is incapable of suffering was joined to one that could suffer. Thus, in keeping with the healing that we needed, one and the same mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, was able to die in one nature, and unable to die in the other. He who is true God was therefore born in the complete and perfect nature of a true man, whole in his own nature, whole in ours. By our nature we mean what the Creator had fashioned in us from the beginning, and took to himself in order to restore it.
 For in the Savior there was no trace of what the deceiver introduced and man, being misled, allowed to enter. It does NOT follow that because he submitted to sharing our human weakness he therefore shared in our sins.
 He took the nature of a servant without stain of sin, enlarging our humanity without diminishing his divinity. He emptied himself; though invisible he made himself visible, though Creator and Lord of all things he chose to be one of us mortal men. Yet this was the condescension of compassion, not the loss of omnipotence. So he who in the nature of God had created man, became in the nature of a servant, man himself.
Thus the Son of God enters this lowly world. He comes down from the throne of heaven, yet does not separate himself from the Father’s glory. He is born in a new condition, by a new birth.
He was born in a new condition, for, invisible in his own nature, he became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, he chose to come within our grasp. Existing before time began, he began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the universe, he hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, he did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. Immortal, he chose to be subject to the laws of death.
He who is true God is also true man. There is no falsehood in this unity as long as the lowliness of man and the preeminence of god coexist in mutual relationship.
As God does not change by his condescension, so man is not swallowed up by being exalted. Each nature exercises its own activity, in communion with the other. The Word does what is proper to the Word, the flesh fulfills what is proper to the flesh.One nature is resplendent with miracles, the other falls victim to injuries. As the Word does not lose equality with the Father’s glory, so the flesh does not leave behind the nature of our race.
One and the same person – this must be said over and over again – is truly the Son of God and truly the son of man. He is God in virtue of the fact that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He is man in virtue of the fact that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
       Recommended: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, chapter 2