Pastor’s Corner . . . The Annual Bishop’s Appeal is moving ahead. By means of this diocese-wide collection, Bishop Lori is able to continue the many services offered by the Catholic Church in Fairfield County. Among those works funded by the Annual Bishop’s Appeal are: the soup kitchens here in Stamford and Bridgeport, Catholic schools, seminary studies for young men preparing for the priesthood, health care facilities and nursing homes, the Fairfield County Catholic, and the services of Catholic Charities.  Without the support of Catholics throughout the diocese, many of these services would be discontinued. In this time of economic difficulties, when families need help in so many varied ways, from financial assistance for basic necessities of life to counseling and rehabilitation programs, these services provided by the Diocese of Bridgeport are so very necessary.
Each parish contributes to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. Our parish goal this year is $85,000. So far, we’ve raised about $60,000. Please, if you have not yet made a donation to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, consider doing so today so that we can make our goal. Even if we fall short of the goal, the parish will have to pay the full $85,000, raising the money some way or another. I know very well how difficult things are for many of you, with cost of gas of other essential commodities rising daily. But, I ask you to consider helping those who have even less than you, and who need our help so very much.
Pledge envelopes can be found at the doors of the church. Please take one home, or fill it out today, and put it in the basket during the collection at Mass, drop it off at the rectory, or mail it to us at your convenience.
I am very grateful to those parishioners who have made a gift or pledge to the bishop, and ask those who have not, to make one today, so that Bishop Lori may continue the many good, charitable and educational works of our diocese. God bless you. —Msgr. DiGiovanni
 

Statue Report. . .Last week, the statue of Our Lady of Mercy was damaged when a vandal tackled it, toppling it from its pedestal in front of the rectory, trampling the garden and breaking the lighting in the process. I’m grateful to the Stamford Police Department for their speedy assistance given early Friday morning after I discovered the damage.  The Stamford Advocate, likewise, was kind enough to run a brief story on the front page, reporting the incident, as did Channel 12 News and Channel 8 News.  I am very grateful, likewise, to the many parishioners and fellow citizens of Stamford who expressed their concern. Our Lady will be repaired during the next few weeks, and should be restored to her garden by
June 1st.

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,

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,

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

Moms & Tots . . . a group of moms and children meet with Fr. Walsh each first Tuesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in church for Eucharistic adoration, followed by snacks in the parish hall. Please join us. Our next meeting will be on June 3rd.

Clothing Drive… is extended for one more week. The Sisters of Life are grateful for your support.

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 –
Fr. Ringley on The Mass

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies will next meet in June.

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!

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!

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

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.

Sunday, May 04, 2008    $ 12,132.00

Sunday, May 06, 2007    $ 11,643.57
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) Come, Holy Ghost (note: this hymn is in the Missalette at No. 273  (2) 92. 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 ‘Præparate corda vestra  – Steffano Bernardi, c. 1576-1636. Offertory Motet: Loquebantur variis linguis – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594 (The apostles spoke in many tongues, alleluia, of the great works of God, alleluia. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in many tongues of the great works of God, alleluia. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Alleluia.). Communion Motet: Veni Creator Spiritus – L. Abbott, b. 1948 (Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o'erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. [attrib. Rabanus Maurus]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Spiritus Dominus (The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world, alleluia; and that which contains all things, knows every language spoken by men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let those who hate him flee before his face. [Wisdom 1:7; Ps. 67]); Alleluia Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.); Sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus (The English text may be found in the hymnal at No. 313.); Offertory Confirma hoc Deus (Confirm, O God, that which you have accomplished in our midst; from your holy temple which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to you, alleluia. [Ps. 67:29-30]); Communion Factus est repente (Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a rush of a mighty wind, in the place where they were sitting, alleluia; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and announced the great God had done, alleluia, alleluia. [Acts 2:2,4]).

Happy Mothers’ Day to the moms of the parish!!

IMPRESSIONIST GIVERNY: AMERICAN PAINTERS IN FRANCE, 1885- 1915. You are cordially invited by the Stamford Historical Society on a day trip to the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT on Thursday, June 12th to view the new Impressionist exhibition recently highlighted in the Advocate. Bus transportation and lunch at the Old Lyme Inn are also included.  Call Mary Ann Lawlor at 203-461-9422 for details.

The Stamford Chorale…will perform the Faure Requiem on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 884 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT.  Tickets are $15.00 general admission.  Tickets may be obtained at the door or by calling Janet Gill-Gentry at 203-249-9072 for further information.

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

The Stamford Advocate:
May 19, 1871:  CONSECRATION OF THE NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY “Yesterday will long be a memorable day among the Roman Catholic fraternity of Stamford. The new cemetery was solemnly consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McFarland. The Bishop was attended by the local Catholic clergy, and many other clergymen from various parts of the diocese. An immense concourse of people were present to witness the ceremonies which were of the most imposing character. The remains of the late Rev. Fathers O’Neil and Reynolds were exhumed from their resting place in the churchyard and conveyed to the new cemetery where they were re-interred with ceremonies befitting the occasion. In the forenoon, the Bishop administered the rite of Confirmation in the church, over three hundred and fifty persons being confirmed.”
May 12, 1882: St. John’s School Entertainment “It was a scene of extraordinary interest which was witnessed in the Town Hall, last Thursday. In the Gallery every seat was occupied and very many found “standing room only.” The body of the hall, except a few of the rear seats, was equally crowded. The entire audience probably numbered not far from thirteen hundred persons. The stage itself presented an animated spectacle, which, probably for most of the audience, had greater interest than the very best scenic resources of Janitor Daskan. It was crowded by long rows of neatly dressed children, the youngest in front and the older ones ranged behind in the order of their stature. It was evident that the teachers and directors of the school had taken the greatest pains in preparing the entertainment, and though there was no lack of good material, there must have been some difficulty in managing so much of it. But everything moved finely. Each number of the programme followed its predecessor promptly and skillfully. Quite a number of young girls exhibited a good degree of proficiency on the piano. All the choruses were well – some of them excellently – rendered. Some of the solo parts showed merely that the teachers, who had done so much, could not put old heads on young shoulders, but if they could, perhaps on the whole, it would be better not to do it.”

The Connecticut Catholic :
May 14, 1881:  “Our beloved pastor, Father Rogers, sailed for the “sunny south” Saturday in company with ex Commissioner Brennan and his son, Charles Brennan. Rev. Father Walsh will take charge of the parish during Father Rogers’ absence.

The Stamford Saturday News:
May 15, 1886:  “Invitations have been sent out this week by the Rev. Father Rogers to the Reverend clergy to attend the dedication of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, on May 30th, Sunday. Services are to commence at 10:00 A.M. Mr. John Ennis is finishing the interior of the church in a most satisfactory manner. Everything about the church is full of life and activity. A most excellent musical program is being arranged by the organist, C.W. Smith, that will be appropriate for the occasion.”

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

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.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, May 10
4:00 +Vincent J. Freccia, Jr. req. Wife, Dolores Freccia
Sunday, May 11
7:30 +Lina De Vivo 49th Anniversary req. De Vivo & Munro Families
10:00 Intentions of the Mothers of the Parish
12:00 +Agnes Joseph req. Anne Marie Samedi, Niece
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, May 12
8:00 +Michel & Chenet-Jean Guillaume req. Brothers & Sisters
12:10 +Virginia Carr Birthday Remembrance req. Marie Carr & Eileen Carr
Tuesday, May 13
8:00 Special Intention James Cody
12:10 +John O’Hara Sr. & Son, John req. Stephanie O’Hara
Wednesday, May 14
8:00 +Mary Lou Remy req. Nancy Zerrenner
12:10 Special Intention Ferry Galbert
Thursday, May 15
8:00 +Patrick Kielty
12:10   Special intention Msgr. Stephen M. DiGiovanni
Friday, May 16
8:00 +Mary Lou Remy req. Chris Bassett
12:10 Special Intention George, Millie Terenzio & Family
Saturday, May 17
8:00 Special Intention Stephen Gannon req. Sharon Gannon
12:10    +Violet Logsdail req. The Lancasters

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

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

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).        

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.

St. Anne’s Family Society. . . will resume in September, meeting monthly on a Sunday evening for the whole family.

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.

 The One Perfect Sacrifice

Fr. Terry Walsh
Part 3

   (Reflection on 1Kings chapters 18 and 19)
Elijah recognized the Presence of God in the peaceful, gentle, whispering sound. We, likewise, meet our Lord in the quiet of our daily prayer, even when we’re in the midst of some particular “storm.” When we seek God, He reveals Himself to us, very often in the “tiny whispering sound.” Commenting on this Old Testament scene, St. Irenaeus wrote:“…the sweet rest and peace of the reign of Christ is foreshadowed [in the cave scene] as well. After the wind that moves mountains, after earthquake and fire, the calm and peaceful age of his reign will come, in which the Spirit of God will revitalize and gently encourage the growth of all mankind.” The One Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus Christ opens the door to the life of grace – the coming of the Holy Spirit – Pentecost. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit draw us into holiness through our faithful cooperation with Him and are manifested in all that we think and say and do. St. Augustine drew several interesting parallels between Elijah and our Lord. He wrote, “Elijah prayed and offered sacrifice, and Christ offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. Elijah prayed that rain might fall on the earth; Christ (prayed) that divine grace might flow into human hearts. Elijah’s command to his servant: ‘Go up and look out 7 times, is a foreshadowing of the seven-fold grace of the Holy Spirit to be given to the Church. And the small cloud rising up out of the sea that the servant saw is a symbol of the Incarnate Christ born in the sea of this world”(Sermons). Through their prayerful discernment, the Early Church Fathers peered into the Scriptures in a spiritual way and so offer us many wonderful insights. In the Book of Kings, for example, they suggest that the “Little Cloud” that Elijah’s servant points out is actually a figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The abundant rains pouring out of the Cloud that serve to nourish the dry earth are like the abundant graces that flow through our Lady - through Her humble “yes” to the Incarnation, the Source of all grace. The Early Fathers also suggest that the food that the angel gives to Elijah actually points to the spiritual food that will come to us through the One Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “by the grace of (the Eucharist) we enjoy the greatest peace and tranquility of conscience during the present life; and, when the hour of departing from this world shall arrive, like Elijah, who in the strength of the bread baked on the hearth, walked to HOREB, the mountain of God, we, too, invigorated by the strengthening influence of this heavenly food, will ascend to unfading glory and bliss.” The Catechism is filled with beautiful insights such as this and is a wonderful source for prayer.
The Holy Season of Easter ends today. We have journeyed to Calvary with our Lord throughout the Holy Season of Lent. We have rejoiced with the whole Church at His Resurrection and Ascension. And today, the Solemnity of Pentecost, we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. St. Basil teaches, “The Power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.” In other words, our relationship with God must be nurtured; it must be kept pure; it must be the true treasure of our hearts. St. Basil adds, “To all creatures that share in him he gives a delight limited only by their own nature, not by his ability to give.” Perhaps, in our prayer, when hear the Holy Spirit whisper in our ear, we might hear Him ask us the same question that He asked Elijah: “Why are you here?” We’re here because we love Him. We’re here to praise Him for His Sacrifice – the One Perfect Sacrifice that enabled us to eat from the Tree of Life and dwell forever in the Heavenly Jerusalem. We’ve come to encounter Him in the Confessional – where He whispers to us – “I ABSOLVE you from your sins.” He alone transforms our sufferings into Redemptive Grace, allowing us to participate in saving souls, beginning with our own. He enters our hearts and souls to nourish and strengthen us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Let us ask Him to repair the Altar of our Heart, to increase our faith, and to fill our souls with an ardent desire to imitate Him in Word and Deed.