Pastor’s Corner . . . What are you doing for the summer? Have you at least chosen a few good books to read?? Books!! No one reads books anymore! Well, I would hope you do. After all, this IS Saint John’s, and a good book list for the summer is an important part of mature summer experience that is both fun and good for you. So, if you’ve not yet chosen your summer reading, let me help you: let’s do some history, and jump back a few centuries, while remaining very modern.
The parish’s St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies has begun its fourth year of summer and fall lineup of reading groups, meeting each Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Rectory. The readings are all in good English translations. Here they are:

June: History of the Monks of Syria;
July: Popes of the Early Church;
August: Western Monasticism;
September: John Cassian’s Conferences;
October: The Cappadocian Fathers;
November: Saint Helena and her Shrines of
                   Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
 One of the great things about being Catholic, besides being a part of the Church established by Our Lord and the Apostles, is that we belong to the only Church found throughout the world, still teaching the same truth Christ handed on to His Apostles for the salvation of the world. So, for example, what does a study of the monks of ancient Syria have to do with anything? A lot! After Rome, the Church in Syria, centered in the city of Antioch, was the most dynamic. Both were established by Saint Peter, and both led the way in both theological definitions and in methods of holiness of life, seen especially in the life of hundreds of thousands of monks and consecrated women. The early writings of the Church Fathers speak to us today, since we share the same faith in the same Church.  We may live centuries and continents away from ancient Syria, but we are joined with those who professed and lived the same faith in the same Church, which is the Body of Christ.
 June’s study of the early popes of the first three centuries gives us a glimpse into the early life of the successors of Saint Peter in the city where Saints Peter and Paul lived, taught and were martyred; July, August and September return to various aspects of the monastic life, so vital for the development of European culture, and our own today. October will look into the lives and writings of some of the greatest eastern Catholic theologians, Saints Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Nazianzen and Basil the Great, whose theology and spirituality still affect us today; November will bring us to visit the two great shrines of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem and His suffering, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.  Still major places of pilgrimage, they enshrine those places where God entered human history and made mankind sharers in His divinity. 
 So, join us during the summer: you’ll be the envy of everyone at the beach because you’ll have the most interesting of summer reading!! Come back in the fall, and we’ll help warm up your minds with spiritual gems that will make your hearts and souls glow with the love of God.  All-in-all, you’ll discover how wonderfully modern it is to go back to the future and study the ancient Church, so still very much alive and new.
 The rectory front door is open at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday, so just walk in and join the other 20 or 30 parishioners who have already discovered the fun of Church history and come each week. Pick up a few St. Monica Institute book marks at all the church exits: great reminders to read during the summer. ---Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, Susan Perretta, 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… Mary Louise Deluca, Viola S. Russo, 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.

3 GREAT upcoming EVENTS:

AROUND the World DINNER:
 Sunday, June 22nd at 5:00 p.m.: Our annual fund raising supper and auction.  Please join us to help raise funds to repair our church bell tower. Tickets:  $100 each.  Details to follow!
 
MONASTIC RENEWAL OF SAINT BENEDICT: 11 a.m. Lecture/ 12:00 noon Choir Mass:  Sunday, June 29th at 11:00 a.m.: Father Cassian Folsom, founding Prior of the Monastery of St. Benedict in Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of St. Benedict, will speak on Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican II, in the Monsignor Nagle Hall, followed by 12 noon Solemn Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. The choir will sing the Tu Es Petrus Mass setting by Palestrina. All are welcome.

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 normally at Bennigan’s Restaurant – just across the street - from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month. THIS MONTH: Our JUNE 9th meeting will take place at the Parish Rectory, 279 Atlantic Street – COOKOUT. Bring a friend!

Banns of Marriage:    1st:  Ryan T. Supple & Mitchell Guevara
            3rd:  Vu Nhat Tran & Thao Vu
Sunday, June 1, 2008    $ 12,415.00

Sunday, June 3, 2007    $ 11,642.64

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) 246  (2) 187. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

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’ve got high school Latin, you’ll be fine; we all help each other; please join us: you know more than you think! Stay and join us for:

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies will next meet on June 11th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory:  History of the Monks of Syria: led by Doctor Lois Gandt, we will read English translations of the works by St. Theodoret of Cyrrhus.  All are welcome.  Please join us.

New Testament Greek . . . anyone interested in a summer introductory study group, please contact Monsignor DiGiovanni.

Bible Study…Monthly meetings. Our next meeting is June 19th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  We’re reading the Book of Revelation.  All are welcome!

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 July 8th.

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.

COFFEE HOUR…Not during the summer. Will return in September.

The Cardinal . . . We’re looking for anyone who appeared in that film, shot at Saint John’s in 1961. Even if only on screen for a moment as one of the school children or inside the church, please give me a call.  Msgr. DiGiovanni—324-1553, ext. 11
 
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.

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:
June 11, 1869: A CARD. “The children of St. John’s Roman Catholic Sunday School, take this method of expressing their thanks to Mr. Isaac Sellect, for the free use of his beautiful and romantic grounds, known as “Latin’s Rocks,” on the occasion of their first annual Picnic, held June 3rd, 1869. To Mrs. J. Ayres – that estimable lady whose kindness to us during the Fair will not be forgotten; and who so generously sent us a supply of ice-cream for our Picnic – we acknowledge our heartfelt indebtedness. Capt. Skiddy, for the generous loan of flags, will please accept our best thanks. J. B. Knapp, Esq., may rest assured that his liberal supply of ice, will in no way tend to chill our tender affection for him. Our Sunday-school teachers, who contributed so largely to our amusement during the day, will be remembered with lively gratitude. P. REILLY, Supt.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
June 9, 1894: STAMFORD.  “On Tuesday evening the Catholics of Stamford gathered at the parochial residence on Atlantic street to manifest, by their presence and enthusiasm, their love and respect for their former pastor, Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney. It was his first visit to Stamford since being elected Bishop and he received a right royal welcome. All the societies connected with the parish headed by St. John’s band, marched to the residence of Father Rogers, which was decorated in a very beautiful and artistic manner with American flags, bunting and Chinese lanterns. The moment the bishop and visiting clergyment appeared, cheer after cheer broke forth. Father Rogers introduced the Bishop in his usual cheerful way. Bishop Tierney declared that such a demonstration and reception was entirely unexpected and was only another token of the many which the people of Stamford ever manifested to him. Music and fireworks closed an evening which will long be remembered by all who were present. Thursday morning the sacrament of confirmation was administered by Bishop Tierney to five hundred children and thirty-six adults at St. John’s church. Every seat of the large edifice was filled , many standing during the entire service.”

The Stamford Advocate:
June 15, 1908: “Father Matthew of the Franciscan order closed the three days’ devotion which has been conducted in St. John’s R. C. Church by his order, yesterday. His sermons, both in the morning and evening, made a deep impression on the congregations. He has a remarkable voice with wonderful carrying power, and at times he could be heard right out on the street. He devoted a considerable portion of his morning sermon to the inconsistency of the attitude of many in rejecting mysteries of church doctrine, and accepting without question far greater mysteries in science and in nature. He instanced a number of scientific facts, which nobody can explain but the existence of which no one disputes. This theme was suggested by Trinity Sunday, and the great mystery of the Trinity.”

Mass Intentions
Saturday, June 7
4:00 +Elizabeth Daly req. Leon

Sunday, June 8
  7:30 Special Intention Richard Paul Kim req. Joseph & Mary Kim
10:00 Special Intention
12:00 Msgr. DiGiovanni – God’s Blessings req. Our Lady of Loreto Altar Guild
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, June 9
  8:00 +Rose Faugno, req. Beth & Frank Carpanzano
12:10 +Nicholas, Eva, Charles, Charles, Jr. Anne & Joseph Kronk req. Mary Churley

Tuesday, June 10
  8:00 Special Intention Stephen Piatt
12:10 Special Intention Yolanda Rodriguez

Wednesday, June 11
   8:00 +Joseph Villamagna req. Friends
 12:10 Special Intention Diane Strain req. The Valles Family

Thursday, June 12
8:00 In Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus req. Fabiola C.
12:10   +Dominick Sanseverino req. Pinto Family

Friday, June 13
  8:00 +Norman Baker Jr. req. Family
12:10 +Edward Boreski req. Stephen O’Hara

Saturday, June 14
  8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10    +William Mancusi req. Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Marchetti

Miraculous Medal Novena: Mondays, 8:30 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 …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 for the whole family: Eucharistic adoration, Benediction, a pot luck supper and spiritual talk.  More details to come.

St. Maria Goretti Society. . . for the spiritual formation of young ladies of the parish, from 8th-12th grades. Questions, please contact Fr. Walsh.

St. Dominic Savio Society…For the spiritual formation of young men from 8th – 12th grades meets monthly in the Rectory.  Any questions, please contact Frank Marchetti at 434-4734.


Prayer
                                 (a clarification)       -Fr. Terry Walsh
The Catechism (2726) cautions us about the nature of prayer – that it is fundamentally a relationship with God – speaking and listening: “Some people view prayer as a simple psychological activity, others as an effort of concentration to reach a mental void. Still others reduce prayer to ritual words and postures…” At first glance, it might seem that the Church is frowning upon prayers that are by nature, repetitive. Clearly, that is not the case. Rather, the Church cautions us as to the intention we hold in our hearts as we pray. Consider the beautiful devotion of the Holy Rosary. It is a devotion that focuses on 20 Mysteries of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each time we faithfully enter into these mysteries we grow in grace. By allowing the Mysteries to enter into us – into our hearts and minds - we become more aware of the Sacrificial love and the unparalleled humility of our Lord. When we truly enter into the devotion with our hearts lifted up to heaven, we will receive the graces we need to imitate our Lord. We will become like him. In the deeper regions of our hearts, He is there. And He helps us understand the beauty of the Incarnation, the joy of the Visitation, the new life of grace forged through his Nativity. Likewise, he teaches us about the cost of this life: the intensity of his suffering in the garden of Gethsemane and the pain of betrayal; the anguish of the Cross. We also meditate on the Glorious Mysteries that we are called to share – if we follow him. Meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary helps us see the path more clearly. Our petitionary prayer grows more refined because our awareness of our vocation becomes clearer to us. This of course comes about through many forms of prayer. In this example of the Rosary, the “repetitive nature” of the devotion is NOT a thoughtless repetition of the same words; rather, it is a pathway, a contemplative conduit of the words Jesus Himself gave to us – Our Father – and a humble consideration of what those words mean when we contemplate the Annunciation or the Baptism of our Lord, or the Agony of His Passion. It is a thoughtful consideration of the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, throughout His life. And, it’s the realization that we are indeed Her children and as such, are called to a life in imitation of Her Son. Through our Mother’s intercession, we will see the path more clearly. Every prayer we utter from the heart draws us closer to God. That faithful approach to the Rosary (or to the Devotion of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or any other “repetitive” prayer) – with BOTH Heart and Mind lifted up - is far different than a simple “recitation” of “repetitive” words. In addition, as we grow more spiritually mature, the effects of our prayers will touch us more profoundly and move us to a greater love. We leave behind the simple desire for the “feel good” consolation and move to a deeper understanding of the real and true PRESENCE of God IN us. That’s not to say that we will not receive the “feel good” consolation – but - that it’s not the end nor is it the reason for our prayer. The end is God Himself and the reason is a greater love for Him, a greater understanding of His love for us, and a clearer vision of how we may become more like Him. Put yourself in our Lady’s Hands. She will lead you to Her Son. Recall the words of our Lord: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will”(Mk 11:24).