Pastor’s Corner . . . May, the most beautiful of all months, when the icy grip of winter finally loosens, celebrates the most beautiful and most worthy of all women in human history, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. From its very beginning, the Church has revered Our Lady because of her personal holiness and intimate relationship with the Divine Persons of the Trinity.  The most popular prayer, the Hail Mary, is based on the words addressed to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee,” recalling the wonders God was about to work in her life for the salvation of the world, by which as Our Lady responds, “all generations will call me blessed.” [Luke 1:46-55] Even during her lifetime, Mary was held in high esteem, as was any mother in Jewish society, but especially the mother of someone famous or powerful.  By the end of the first century, Mary is venerated, NOT worshiped, since only God receives worship.  Mary is venerated as the New Eve, especially described in the writings of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who had been taught the faith by Saint Peter himself.  Mary, the most perfect representative of our human race, now makes up in her own virtuous life of faith for the sins of the first Eve. God the Father recreates all creation through Christ, the New Adam, with Mary as the human co-operator.  Saint Athanasius, one of the greatest of the Church Fathers, wrote: “O’ Virgin, your glory transcends all created things because of Christ, O Mother of God the Word. We say that cherubs are sublime, but you are more sublime than they: cherubs support the throne of God, but you support God within your arms.  Seraphs are close to God, but you are closer than they: Seraphs hide their faces with their wings, unable to look at the perfect glory of God, but you not only contemplate His face, but caress and suckle Him.” [Virgin Mother of God] The Council of Ephesus in 431 formally defined the role of Mary in our salvation: Mary can be called the Mother of God, since she gave human form to the Eternal God.  She didn’t create God, as no mother creates her child, but gave birth to the Eternal God in the flesh. The centuries-old popular devotion to Our Lady then became even more popular. As the Church spread throughout Europe in the 5th century and during later centuries, Mary was held in reverence as the mother of all believers, constantly interceding with Her Son for us while constantly pointing us toward her Son.  In Northern Europe, where the winters are harsh, May was the first month of new life, with flowers finally blooming after long winters.  Mary, the greatest boast of our race, and the most perfect representative of humankind, who shared her humanity with God in Jesus, was honored in May especially with flowers that represent the new creation by God through Christ, such as the lily, the rose, the marigold, and numerous wild-flowers, lady-fern, lady’s mantel, lady’s slipper, maidenhair fern, lady’s thimble, to mention only a few.  Our Lady is the exemplar of the Christian life, of one who is totally dedicated to Our Lord.  She is also our mother, the New Eve, who gave birth to a new creation in Christ, who prays constantly for our salvation.  May is naturally the most beautiful of months.  Let us imitate that natural beauty by dedicating ourselves to follow Our Lady, making our lives blossom in virtue in her honor and for the love of Her Son. --Msgr. DiGiovanni 

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.

Please pray for the sick… 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… William Speranza, George Lampman, 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,

Catholic Homes Missions Appeal Collection . . . Please drop the Catholic Homes Missions Appeal Collection envelope into the ONE basket that will be passed at the Offertory.  There will only be one collection today.

Ascension Thursday . . .is a holy day of obligation. Masses will be offered at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30th and on the Feast Day, May 1st, at 8:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

4 GREAT upcoming EVENTS:

Church in China Mass: Saturday, May 24th at 12:10 p.m. The Holy Father has asked that Masses be offered in Catholic churches around the world for the government persecuted Catholic Church in China.  Saint John’s will offer Mass on May 24th. Representatives of the Cardinal Kung Foundation will be present.  All are welcome.

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!
 
Parish Picnic: Sunday, September 14th: Parish picnic at Cove Island.

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, May 12th.

TAXES: IT’S NOT TOO LATE…If you live on Social Security and do NOT file Income Taxes, you still QUALIFY for the Economic Stimulus Program. Simply file a return and you will receive the money you are entitled to receive.

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

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!


Sunday, April 20, 2008    $ 9,655.00
Sunday, April 22, 2007    $ 11,324.47

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) 198 (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: Missa in F – Claudio Monteverdi, 1567-1643. Offertory Motet: If Ye Be Risen Again with Christ – Orlando Gibbons, 1583-1625, Heidi Vanderwal & Mellissa Hughes, sopranos  (If ye be risen again with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on heavenly things and not on earthly tings, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Whensoever Christ, which is our life, shall show himself. Then shall we also appear with him in glory. Amen.). Communion Motets: Credo quod Redemptor – Alonso Lobo, 1555-1617 (I believe that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And in my flesh shall I see God my Saviour.). Little Lamb, Who Made Thee? – John Rutter, b. 1945, Anika & Heidi Vanderwal, sopranos  (Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life and bid thee feed, By the stream and o’er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, wooly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice: Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee; He is called by thy name, For he calls himself a lamb: He mis meek and he is mild, He became a little child: I a child and thou a lamb, We are called by his name. Little Lamb, God bless thee.). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Vocem iucundidatis (Spread the news with a voice of joy; let it be heard, alleluia; speak it out to the very ends of the earth; the Lord has liberated his people, alleluia, alleluia. Shout joyfully to God all the earth; sing a psalm to his name; praise him with magnificence. [Cf. Isaiah 48:20; Ps. 65]); Alleluia Ego vos elegi (I have chosen you from the world, in order that you might go, and bear fruit, and that your fruit should last. [John 15:16]); Offertory Benedicite gentes (O nations, bless the Lord our God, let the voice of his praises resound; he has restored my soul to life and he has not suffered my feet to stumble; blessed be the Lord who has neither rejected my prayer nor turned away from me, alleluia. [Ps. 67:8,9,20]); Communion Ego vos elegi (I have chosen you from the world, in order that you might go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should last. [John 15:16]).

Charis Chamber Voices Presents . . . “Love’s Language: the Song of Songs”, Artistic Director, Scott Turkington. Here at St. John’s, the Charis Chamber Voices will present settings by classical and modern composers of the celebrated Old Testament poem, Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon. The concert will include works by Orlando di Lasso, Billings and samplings of 19th century German music, 20th century British motets. Saturday, May 3, at 8 p.m. Suggested donation $25.00 ($20.00 for students & senoirs). Please come & bring your frineds!

Trinity Catholic Middle School Entrance Exam . . . will take place on Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  The exam is open to those students not presently attending a Catholic school in Stamford.  Parents of prospective students need to register before this date by calling 322-7383.
Bible Study…Monthly meetings. Our next meeting is May 15th at 7:30 P.M. in the rectory.  We’re reading the Book of Revelation.  All are welcome!

Lost and Found . . . The parish has a collection of items left behind in church. If you have lost something, you may find it at the parish office in the rectory: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
 St. John’s In the News…100 years ago, or so:

The Stamford Advocate:
April 28, 1902: FORTY HOURS DEVOTION “A forty hours’ devotion of the Blessed Sacrament was begun in St. John’s R.C. Church, yesterday, at the close of the 10:30 service – a solemn high mass which was celebrated by Rev. Father Genet of Hartford, assisted by Rev. James C. O’Brien, Rev. Eugene Sullivan and Rev. James Q. Dolan of St. John’s. The devotion opened with a procession of the children of the Immaculate Conception sodality, flower-strewers, and the altar boys of the church, who escorted the Sacrament, carried by the celebrant of the mass beneath a canopy of richly gilded cloth, in solemn procession from the main altar around the church and back again to the altar, where it was exposed for the devotions of the congregation. The little girls were gowned in white and a wreath of smilax encircled the head of each. In the hands of a number were baskets of delicate flowers, which were strewn before the Sacrament. As the procession moved about the church, the chancel choir intoned the solemn words of the Pange Lingua. The large altar of the church was covered with delicate flowers – roses, magnolias, lilies, smilax and other vines. Above the tabernacle on which the Sacrament rested was a large piece of Easter lilies and beautiful white roses. The sanctuary was filled with palms and plants, and in the evening scores of candles were arranged in the form of a cross, stars, and triangles, the glow of which shed a beautiful luster. Hundreds of the congregation visited the church during the day. Guards of honor were present constantly to watch over the Sacrament. During the day members of the Children of Mary and of the Immaculate Conception Sodalities performed this duty. At night member os St. Augustine Council, K of C, and of the Holy Name Society kept vigil. The duty of watching over the Sacrament devolved today upon the Children of Mary and the Immaculate Conception, and this evening on the members of the St. Joseph’s Cadets..”
May 1, 1905:  AN AUTOMOBILE WEDDING. Mr. Bruno and Miss Nanize of Dumpling Pond Set a New Fashion. “Joseph Bruno of Mt. Vernon and Christina Nanize, of the Dumpling Pond district, set a new style in matrimony here, yesterday. Throwing convention to the winds, they rode from the bride’s home to St. John’s Catholic Church in automobiles, and in the rear came a dozen hacks bearing the invited guests. At the head of the procession, attired in all their wedding finery and unmindful of the gaze of hundreds, rode the bride and groom and the maid of honor in a big Cadillac touring car. Following came the other attendants, also in Cadillac touring cars. The guests rode in carriages. The interesting cortege arrived at St. John’s about 9:30. the bridal party formed on the sidewalk and entered the church in order. The couple were united in marriage by Rev. Father Rizzo. After the ceremony the party returned to the bride’s home, where a reception was held.”

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

 Mass Intentions

Saturday, April 26
4:00 +John Mannes 47th Anniversary req. Mannes & De Vivo

Sunday, April 27
  7:30 Wedding Anniversary Thang & Diep Nguyen req. Thang Nguyen
10:00  Special Intention Birgitta O’Brien-Costantino
12:00 +James & Ismalia Machado req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, April 28
  8:00 +John McBrien req. Fr. Terrence P. Walsh
12:10 +Joseph P. Valentine, Sr. req. Msgr. Stephen M. DiGiovanni & the Priests of the Parish

Tuesday, April 29
  8:00 Special Intention Kathleen Galpin req. Fr. Terrence P. Walsh
12:10 Special Intention Teresa Mulhern req. Grandchildren

Wednesday, April 30
   8:00 Special Intention The Cassidy Family
 12:10 Special Intention John Paul & Angela Marchetti req. Alessandro Marchetti

Thursday, May 1
8:00 +Amy Red req. Fabiola C.
12:10   In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary req. Fabiola C.
 5:15 +Joseph Fialko req. Kimberly & Alec Young

Friday, May 2
  8:00 Special Intention Thomas & Donna Cycon & Family
12:10 Special Intention Fr. Check req. The Koetke family

Saturday, May 3
  8:00 +Alfred Reginald Simcock 1st Anniversary req. Renee & Delwyn Antao
12:10    +Eleanor Ingram req. Lisa Fabrizio

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.

The One Perfect Sacrifice
                                     Part 1            -Fr. Terry Walsh
St. Paul teaches us in his letter to the Romans: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a Spirit of slavery to fall back into FEAR, but you received a Spirit of Adoption, through which we cry, ABBA, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are Children of God, and if Children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if only we SUFFER with Him so that we may also be GLORIFIED with Him”(Rm. 8). As we prepare for Pentecost, it’s important to reflect on the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Gift made possible through the Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This series of columns requires a bit of reading: see the story of Elijah that’s found in the 1st Book of KINGS, Chapters 18, 19 (Old Testament). It’s the story of the great Prophet Elijah battling the false prophets in Israel, whose teachings had corrupted God’s people and contributed to their infidelity to the Holy Covenant that God established with His people. Their vision became clouded and they were led astray. As you read the story in your Bible, be mindful of the Altar of the Lord that Elijah seeks to repair, as well as his preparation of the Sacrifice, made in Faith.
 Now, we’re all called to an Active Participation in our Life in Christ – that is – a deliberate act of our will to raise our Hearts and Minds to God – to CRY OUT to our Heavenly Father as His faithful children with complete confidence in His Love. Active Participation isn’t ‘Busyiness’ – but rather, it’s a conscious decision to place ourselves in the Presence of God throughout each day and to order our lives according to His precepts, His Commandments, His teachings. When we seek Him with sincere hearts He will fill our Hearts with the ‘Fire of His Love’ and wash us clean with His infinite Mercy. He will sanctify us with His 7 Fold gift of Grace and speak directly to our Hearts through His Word – and the Word will set us free – free from sin and darkness – free to love, in the Light.
The story of Elijah and the false prophets demonstrates that God is ONE and that all are called to worship Him alone – to offer Him an acceptable sacrifice upon the Altar of our Hearts. We prepare our sacrifice through the great Sacrament of Confession. We purify our sacrifice through the Waters of our tears – that is, through our genuine sorrow for having offended God through sin. Moreover, we offer to God are sufferings and embrace our trials – our Cross, with love – all for the one Who took upon Himself our lowly human nature, died in the flesh, rose in the flesh, and nourishes us each day with His Flesh – because of His love for us. Indeed, when we have been sanctified through the Grace of Confession and offer our sufferings to God the Father in the Holy Mass – through His Only Begotten Son – we actually participate in the Redemption of the world – we help to save souls.
Now let’s take a little closer look at Elijah and the People of Israel. Elijah begins by asking God’s people: “How long will you straddle the issue? (In the RSV, “How long will you go limping with 2 different opinions?) If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, follow Him.” Elijah is questioning the integrity of the people – they’re playing both sides of the fence and Elijah has exposed their duplicity. Yet, he offers them a chance to be reconciled with God by following Him, unreservedly – by placing both feet firmly in the Lord’s camp. We likewise are called to seek Him with an undivided heart – to stay close to Him in the Sacraments – to Pray – to live the Gospel in imitation of Christ!                        PART II NEXT WEEK…….