Pastor’s Corner . . . Pope Benedict XVI has declared this year to the Year of Saint Paul:  from June 28, 2008 until June 29, 2009. He announced this last year in a homily delivered at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on the eve of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul: “A very old tradition, which goes back to apostolic times, recounts that not far from here was where Saints Peter & Paul had their last encounter before martyrdom. They were said to have embraced each other, and to have blessed each other reciprocally. They are depicted on the main door of this Basilica in the scene of their martyrdom. From the very beginning then, Christian tradition has considered Peter and Paul inseparable, even if they each had a different mission to fulfill. Peter first confessed his faith in Christ; Paul received the gift of being able to plumb the profundity of its richness. Peter founded the first Christian community coming from the chosen people; Paul became the apostle of the gentiles. With different charisms, they worked for a single cause: building the Church of Christ. In the Readings, the liturgy offers for our meditation a well-known text of St. Augustine: "Only one day is consecrated to the feast of the two apostles. But they were also a single unit. Even if they were martyred on different days, they were one. Peter went ahead, Paul followed...Thus we celebrate this feast day, consecrated for us by the blood of these apostles" (Disc. 295, 7-8).
    And St. Leo the Great commented: "Of their merits and their virtues - which were superior from all accounts - we cannot think of anything contradictory or divisive, because election had made them equal, their efforts similar and their end alike" (In natali apostolorum., 69, 6-7).
Leo the Great said in this respect, addressing the city: "These are your holy fathers, your true shepherds, who, As much as they were humanly very different from each other, and even if their relationship was not without tensions, Peter and Paul therefore appear as the initiators of a new city, as a concretization of a new and authentic way of being brothers, made possible by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    And so we can say that today the Church of Rome celebrates its birthday, inasmuch as the two Apostles had laid down its foundations. Moreover, Rome now realizes with greater awareness that is its mission and its grandeur.
St. John Chrysostom writes that "the sky is not as bright when the sun sheds its rays as the city of Rome which radiates the splendor of those burning torches (Peter and Paul) through all the world...This the reason why we love this city...for these two pillars of the Church" (Comm. a Rom 32). 
    In Rome, the link that gave Peter and Paul a common mission has assumed from the first centuries a very specific significance. Like the mythical brothers Romulus and Remus, attributed with the founding of Rome, Peter and Paul likewise are considered as founders of the Church of Rome.
During this year of the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul, our parish will celebrate with two special activities: 
    --During the parish Advent and Lenten Missions, Monsignor James Turro, a world-renowned scripture scholar, will offer six lectures on the letters of St. Paul;
    --Fr. Walsh and I will visit and bless every parishioner’s home [of those who would like their homes blessed] during the year.
     For your part, parishioners might try imitating St. Paul by bringing family members or friends who have been away from the Church to Mass, in an effort to win hearts and minds for Our Lord.
May Saints Peter and Paul guide and protect us in this bi-millennial celebration, working for the Glory of God and the salvation of souls in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter, in the Church established by Our Lord on His Apostles.   ---Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick…Jim Bosilevas,  Felica Stamadinli, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, 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… Rose Magorane, Ralph Stain, Jr. Susan Perretta, Mary Louise Deluca, Viola F. 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.

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

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies will next meet on July 2nd at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory:  Popes of the Early Church: All are welcome.  Please join us. July’s topic will be the Popes of the Early Church. HOWEVER, because of traffic problems on some July Wednesday evenings, the dates are slightly altered for the reading course on the Popes. We’ll meet on Wednesdays: July 2 & 9, and on August 6th at 7:30 pm in the rectory. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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

St. John’s Bible Study… New and Improved: Bible Study will change its format and become more intense. We will use The Bible Timeline Series for 25 Thursdays beginning September 25th through May 7th.  If you are interested, please call the Parish Office to register so that we can order the appropriate materials.  BIBLE STUDY WILL NOT MEET DURING THE SUMMER. We’ll begin in September.
 
Peter’s Pence Collection . . . Please drop your Peter’s Pence Collection envelope into the ONE basket that will be passed at the Offertory.  There will only be one collection today.
 
Parish Picnic: Sunday, September 14th:  Parish picnic at Cove Island. Details to follow.  

St. John’s Towers Tenant Meeting . . . an important meeting will be held for the tenants of Saint John’s Towers on Monday, June 30th at 7:00 p.m. --Msgr. Nagle Hall.  All are most welcome to attend.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING:  An Instruction Session in NFP will be offered on Monday, July 7th at 7:30 p m.  All are welcome.  Please contact Lisa Frawley if you plan to attend (203-254-6615).

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.

Sunday, June 22, 2008    $11,115.00

Sunday, June 24, 2007  $ 10,304.13
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) 166  (2) 223.  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 ‘Tu es Petrus’ – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594. Offertory Motet: Tu es Petrus – Charles-Marie Widor, 1844-1937 (Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16. 18, 19). Communion Motet: Ave verum Corpus – William Byrd, 1540-1623 (Hail true Body, born of Mary the virgin; suffering, sacrificed truly on the cross for men; from whose pierced side water flowed and blood. Be merciful to us at the judgement of death, O sweet Jesus, O merciful Jesus, O Jesus Son of Mary. [From a 14th cent. Gradual at Limoges, trans. Rev. A. Fortescue]. The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Nunc scio vere (Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hath sent His Angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. [Acts 12, 11]  V.: Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. [Ps. 139. 1, 2]); Gradual Constitues eso (Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember Thy name, O Lord. V.: Instead of fathers, sons are born to thee: therefore shall people praise Thee. [Psalm 45. 17, 18]); Alleluia Tu es Petrus (Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. Alleluia. [Matthew 16. 18]); Offertory Constitues eos (Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember Thy name, O Lord, throughout all generations. [Psalm 45. 17, 18]); Communion Tu es Petrus (Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. [Matthew 16. 18]).

Ad Altare Dei Award. . . Congratulations to Reed McMurchy of Boy Scout Troop 9 on his recent reception of the Ad Altare Dei Medal from Bishop Lori at the annual Boy and Girl Scout award ceremony. Reed is the son of Jeannene and Kevin McMurchy.

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.

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.

St. John’s in The News . . .
. . . 100 years ago, or so:

The Connecticut Catholic:
July 4, 1885: “The national holiday this year in our town brings no public demonstration to the peoples’ view, and if it were not for our grand annual picnic at Woodside Park, the day in town would be quiet and pass almost devoid of enjoyment. The picnic this year will freely come up to any of former years and deserves to be patronized by a very large attendance, and considering the object for which it is given, all ought ensure its success beyond any question. Mass will be said that morning and afterwards the various societies will form in line and march to the Park. The children of the Sunday school will head the procession then the drum corps, St. Joseph’s Temperance society, St. John’s Benevolent society, St Patrick’s Temperance society, and A.O.H. headed by St. John’s Cornet band. Two very interesting games of baseball will be played at the grove. The Rose Hills of Stamford play the Port Chester club, and the Y and S of Stamford will try the Greenwich boys.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
July 3, 1886: “Mr. John Downey has returned home to spend his vacation from Montreal seminary.” (Editor’s note: The Reverend John Downey, a vocation from St. John’s, Stamford, celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest in 1937.)

The Stamford Advocate:
July 1, 1905:  Catholic Sisters Take Vows. “A profoundly solemn double ceremony – the profession and reception of members into the Order of Sisters of Mercy – was held in the little chapel of Mr. St. Joseph’s Convent at Hartford, yesterday morning. It was conducted by Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney. Bishop Tierney’s assistants in the service were Rev. Father Murray, chancellor, and Rev. Father Ryan of St. Patrick’s, Hartford. Priests from various parts of the diocese were in the sanctuary, and in the auditorium were many nums and friends of the candidates. Among the young women who took the black veil was Miss Harriet Kane, daughter of Mrs. Catherine Kane of this city, whose name in religion is Sister Rose Marie.” (Editor’s note: Sister Rose Marie taught fifth grade in St. John’s School from 1947 to 1949.)

The Stamford Advocate:
July 3, 1901:  LIGHTNING, HAIL AND WIND. CROSS FALLS FROM R. C. CHURCH  “The large granite cross that was fixed on the top of St. John’s R. C. Church was broken off near its base and sent flying to the ground below. The ponderous cross struck on the great granite steps of the main entrance to the church, smashing two of them in such a manner that it will be necessary to replace them, and knocking the heavy granite balustrade at the south of the flight, several inches out of plumb. Pieces of the cross struck the concrete walk and tore holes it it. The damage to the church is estimated at about $300. It is believed that the cross was blown from the edifice by the wind rather than demolished by lightning.”

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, June 28
4:00 +Vincent Freccia – Birthday Remembrance req. wife Dolores

Sunday, June 29
  7:30 +Simone Parisi req. Angelo Capponi & Family
10:00 Intention of the Holy Father
12:00 Intention of Father Joseph Camellien
 6:00 In honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Monday, June 30
  8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
12:10 +Roseanne Fazio req. her uncle Frank D’Amico

Tuesday, July 1
  8:00 Special Intention Susan Bobroske req. Fr. Terence P. Walsh
12:10 +Amy Reed req. Luz Contreras

Wednesday, July 2
   8:00 +Reddy & Alice MacDonald & Family req. Mary Maloney
 12:10 +Charles Pascale req. John Pascale

Thursday, July 3
8:00 +Dila Haidar req. Granddaughter
12:10     +Thomas Henry req. John, Tim, Tony

Friday, July 4
  8:00 +Robert S. Hill req. Family
12:10 +Anthony Ramos req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos

Saturday, July 5
  8:00 Gavin Samedi Birthday req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:10    All Souls in Purgatory req. Stephanie O’Hara

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 potluck supper and spiritual talk.  More details to come.

“Peter, do you love Me?”
-Fr Terry Walsh      

The most important journey we take in this life begins at the threshold of what can be an unfamiliar road – a road that can only be traveled with the help of God’s grace – it is that spiritual journey that leads to union with God. If we ask Him, our Lord will take us along the most beautiful roads. If we ask Him, He’ll bring us to spiritual heights that we simply haven’t even begun to imagine. The journey begins with the firm conviction that Jesus is truly present - in our midst – in all the most ordinary circumstances of our lives. As we begin to seek the path of holiness, we might begin to wonder exactly how it is our Lord will lead us along this unfamiliar road. The answer begins with a question: “Do you love Me?”
 Jesus asks each one of us the same question He put to Peter on the shores of Galilee. “Do you love Me?” It’s a question that demands thoughtful reflection. We ought to take care not to respond impetuously. If we take the leap – if we take that 1st step into the Heart of Jesus – everything will change! We’ll begin to see through the eyes of God. Our values will necessarily change. It all begins with that 1st step – that “I believe” – that sincere desire for fulfillment that can only be found in Christ – that pure gift of faith which is given when we ask for it. If we let Him, our Lord will astound us with incomprehensible graces and boundless love. If we let Him, He’ll captivate our hearts and minds and open to us the way to everlasting peace and happiness. He’ll reveal Himself to us – deep in our hearts – so that we will abide in His love. Perhaps, at this very moment, you find yourself at this crossroad in your spiritual journey to God. The world tugs away at your heart – it tries to pull you away from what is truly good and pure and beautiful with what is fleeting. Yet, your heart searches for something more – something you somehow know the world cannot provide. There’s a spark for what is real and true and holy. Perhaps, as you stand at that crossroad, you gaze down the trail blazed by Jesus and consider – for a moment – the cost. What will it take to travel that road? Do you ponder with wonder and awe – and with confidence? Or, has fear clouded your vision? What if I get lost along the road? What if I meet with unexpected difficulties? What will it cost me? While contemplating your path, imagine, for a moment, Jesus standing beside you. You don’t see Him – but He sees you. His gaze waits to see what you’ll choose, hoping you’ll choose Him. He’s almost begging with His eyes – pleading with your soul: “Follow Me – My yoke is easy, My burden Light.” ‘Let Me show you the wonders of my love. Please. Come on…If you only knew the gifts and fruits that await you. If you’d just try – take that first step. Turn off the TV – put aside the internet. Come, spend time with Me. Sit with me for 10 minutes and ask for whatever you want – I’ll give it to you.’ Is it wisdom you want – so that you can help your children negotiate the snares of this world – you’ll have it. Is it an understanding heart you desire – so that you’ll have compassion for those poor, forgotten souls suffering all around you – consider it done. Perhaps you seek the gift of fortitude - so that you can muster the strength to forgive a wound suffered at the hands of a friend – or, to ask forgiveness for a wound you’ve inflicted on another. I can help. Ask Me. Walk with ME. I am really and truly present. I’ll lead you – if you let Me. Trust ME. Peter did. He traveled the road of holiness. It wasn’t without suffering and trial. In Jesus’ greatest hour of need, Peter stared down the path of holiness and ran the other way. It cost too much. In the worst night of Jesus’ life, when He needed Peter the most, he denied Him – 3 times! That hurt. Yes, Peter fell. He struggled. He failed. He suffered the crushing agony of denying Jesus. He knew Him and still, He denied Him. But Peter did not despair. How many times have we been in Peter’s shoes? How many times have we turned away from Jesus at home, at school, at work? How many times have we calculated the cost and said ‘I’m not going to pay that price!’ It’s too hard. I can’t forgive. I won’t forgive. Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter answered Jesus by emptying Himself of his self-will. He stood up for Jesus and proclaimed His Name to the world – he no longer counted the cost - so that everyone could share in the same gift of love that he discovered when he took up his Cross and followed Jesus. He was ridiculed, thrown into prison, endured persecution – YEAH – it cost Him – and through each and every trial, Peter entered deeper and deeper into the abode of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He forgot himself and so discovered himself. He fed the lambs; he tended the sheep with the deepest humility – the greatest love – ultimately stretching out his hands – it cost him his life. If today you find yourself at that Crossroads, standing at the threshold – peering out at path of holiness that lies before you – considering the cost – listen for that gentle plea – ‘Be not afraid. Follow Me – I’ll provide all the necessary things – just say yes. Can you hear the echo of His voice in your soul: “Do you love Me?” I will fill your heart with every grace and blessing and like Peter, you too will be able to say with all your heart and soul, “Yes, Lord, I love you!”