Pastor’s Corner… August 6th is the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.  This is an ancient feast.  It was first celebrated in the 5th century and became a popular feast only in 1457 following the Catholic defeat of the Turks at the gates of Belgrade.  The feast is based on an historical event: Our Lord being transfigured on the top of Mount Tabor.  Why would Christ show Himself in His glory as God?  What was the point?  We must put this into the context of Our Lord’s public ministry.  The Transfiguration of Christ is reported in four places in the New Testament: Matthew 17: 1-9; Mark 9:29; Luke 9:28-36; the Second Letter of St. Peter, 1:10-21.  Our Lord had begun the second part of His public ministry, and His predictions of His death on the Cross had begun.  His Apostles were nervous about His repetitious mention of His crucifixion, especially since they put their hopes in the mistaken belief that Jesus was to be a political messiah, liberating Israel from subjugation to the Roman Empire.  Our Lord now took His three most trusted Apostles, St. Peter, St. John, and St. James, up to the peak of Mount Tabor, and manifested to them the reality of who He is: God; and the reason for which God had come as a man: to save mankind from slavery to sin and death, not to free mankind from political slavery.  There, showing the Apostles His glory as God, Jesus manifested also that He is the fulfillment of all the Prophets and the Law of the Old Testament, by His being accompanied by the Prophets Elijah, the greatest of the Old Testament Prophets, and Moses, who received the Ten Commandments from God.  The Transfiguration of Our Lord speaks also to us today.  Jesus is not simply another prophet or religious teacher.  He is God, and He calls us to share in His divine life and glory in Heaven, by means of the graces flowing from His Cross, that come to us by means of the Church established by Him.  The Cross, which Jesus repeatedly referred to, and which frightened the Apostles, is the only means by which our slavery to sin and death is ended.  We come into contact with the Cross by the Church and Her Sacraments, given us by Christ to begin His changing of our lives to become more like God in this life, and to share in His glory in Heaven.   On August 6th, meditate on Our Lord’s generosity, and the means by which He gives us new life.  By taking on our human nature and becoming one like us in everything but sin, and by offering Himself on the Cross to pay for our sins, Jesus showed His true nature and work: God became man so that mankind could become God. We can share in that glory by a life of faith and virtue, heeding the Word of God in our daily lives and allowing God to transform us through His grace in the Sacraments.  Christ’s glory on Mount Tabor in the Transfiguration is to be ours, if we are in love with the God who became man, Jesus Our Lord.
-- Msgr. DiGiovanni
 
Please pray for the sick… Margaret Timon, Felix Fiore, Mather Dearbone, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, Eleanor McNamee, Nancy Geikie, Vicki Manes, Anthony Sansone, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops, Titina Tarantino, Jennifer Tomasello, Janet Rodgers, Antoinetta Fiore.

Please pray for those who have recently died… Margaret Barko, Margaret Roth, Jane C. Hlavaty, Joan Bankowski, Fr. David Krahel, Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick, Eileen Dulski, Guglielmo Labrosciano, Mary Connaly, Christopher Kanel, Rose Sobieski, Rose Magorane, Ralph Stain, Jr. Susan Perretta, Ann O. Tartaglia

            THE PARISH MYSTERY THEATER
Presents the
                    Rectory Players
         

 In a Radio Style Presentation
                    of:
                      AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
                   The Unexpected Guest
         At 7:00 p.m. August 7, 8 & 9
                         In The Rectory Ball Room
                             45 seats - $30.00 each
                           (Beverages & Desserts)
                                     (16 minimum age)

Religious Education . . .Classes begin on Sunday, September 21st at 8:30 p.m.  All classes will be held on Sunday mornings.  Please find registration forms in the vestibule of the church, or stop by the office during the week: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Catechists . . . needed!! Anyone interested in teaching religious education classes, please call the rectory: 324-1553, ext. 21.

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 August 5th.

The Latin reading group is translating St. Augustine’s Confessions…will meet every Wednesday evening in the rectory at 6:15 pm.  If you’ve studied only high school Latin, you’ll be fine; we all help each other; please join us: you know more than you think! Following the Latin reading group, Stay and join us for:

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies:  Popes of the Early Church:  We will next meet on August 6th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. All are welcome.  Please join us at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory

New Testament Greek . . . anyone interested in a fall introductory study group, please contact Monsignor DiGiovanni. We’ll begin in September or October, depending upon interest.

Sunday, July 27, 2008   $ 11,074.00

      Sunday, July 29, 2007  $ 9,756.50
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) 221  (2) 265.  The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

Parish Picnic SEPTEMBER 14th… Please call the Parish Office and let Providencia know how many family members will be attending the Parish Picnic so that we may plan accordingly.  Please call as soon as possible – it is fast approaching!!!

Retrouvaille of Connecticut…If your marriage has become troubled and stressed, unloving or uncaring, or cold and distant, even if you are divorced or separated but you want to try again, then the Retrouvaille program can help you.  The next Retrovaille weekend will take place September 12, through 14, 2008.  For more information, please call our confidential number 1-800-470-2230 or e-mail us at 3001@retrouvaille.org.

St. John’s Bible Study… New and Improved: 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.  We’ll begin in September.

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.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Fatima…Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.  In St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull, CT.  Celebrant:  Rev. Father Andrew Apostoli Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and EWTN.

St. Maurice Church… is looking for crafters and vendors who are interested in renting tables at our Autumn Craft & Vendor Sale on Saturday, September 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  If interested or have questions please contact St. Maurice Parish Office 324-3434 by Tuesday, August 19th.

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.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…will NOT meet in August – we will resume in September…see you then….

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

In The Stamford Advocate

August 5, 1870: Sacred Concert. “We understand that a sacred concert will be given under the direction of our townsman, Mr. Charles W. Smith, in St. John’s Roman Catholic church, August 15th. Artists from St. Mary’s church, Norwalk, together with resident talent, have kindly volunteered their services for the occasion. As to Mr. Smith’s musical ability, that is sufficiently well established, and known, especially among his own townspeople. Selections from Mercadante, Verdi, Gaggiola, Ruzio, Millard, and other eminent composers will be given. The managers are confident that their concert will be well worthy of the patronage of the general public, and hope to receive a liberal patronage.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
August 9, 1884: STAMFORD. “On last Sunday as was previously announced, an opportunity was extended to the parishioners and the public of viewing the interior of our new church; and it is needless to say, the privilege was highly appreciated, as was evidenced by the numerous visitors. Every one expressed opinion of praise and satisfaction as to the magnificent appearance of the edifice, and no more general satisfaction could have been felt by any congregation than was manifested upon last Sunday. The three windows presented by the A. O. H., are set apart to the honor of those who have been ministerial in the erection of the church. One is dedicated to the memory of our deceased pastor, Rev. Father Fagan; another to Rev. Father Tierney, our former pastor, now of New Britain; and the other to our present pastor, Rev. Father Rogers.”

The Stamford Advocate:
August 7, 1909: WELCOME TO FATHER O’BRIEN. “The steamer Baltic, upon which the Rev. James C. O’Brien, pastor of St. John’s R. C. Church, is a passenger, is expected to reach New York tomorrow. Members of the parish who have been arranging for a reception to the pastor have decided to hold it tomorrow evening, in the Lyceum. The church choir will take part, and there will probably be some short addresses, but the main object is to show the pastor something of the esteem in which he is held by his flock, and how glad they are that he has enjoyed a holiday, and returned in good health. The last messages received here from Father O’Brien came from Ireland. He embarked at Queenstown on his homeward journey. Although he saw a good deal of Europe, one may assume, from expressions in his letters, that he considers Ireland the most beautiful county of all on the other side.”

August 15th . . . NO 12:00 NOON MASS. There will be a special 10:00 a.m. Mass for the Sisters of Life celebrated by Cardinal Egan.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, August 2
4:00 +DeRosa, Kronk, Capobianco & Edwin Clark req. Joan & John Kronk
Sunday, August 3
  7:30 People of the Parish
10:00 Special Intention Frank & Sharon Marchetti
12:00 Feast Day for the Eternal Father for All His Creativity and for Sacrificing His Beloved Son for All Mankind req. Josephine Languedoc
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, August 4
  8:00 Special Intention Msgr. Stephen M. DiGiovanni req. Anthony D’Ariano
12:10 +Camille Mascia req. her brother Frank D’Amico
Tuesday, August 5
  8:00 +Mrs. O’Grady req. Louise Munro
12:10 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
Wednesday, August 6
   8:00 +Shirley & Leonard Piacenza req. Family
12:10      +Josephine D’Amico req. her son Frank
Thursday, August 7
8:00 +Kenneth Kanter req. Millie Kanter
12:10    +Carmen Vega req. Evelyn Flaharty (Daughter)
Friday, August 8
  8:00 +Simplicio Fajardo & Sally Dizon req. Hazel Valerio
12:10 +Mary Ellen Armstrong req. Bridget, John & Erin Leen
Saturday, August 9
  8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10    +Arthur Q. Penta req. Armelle

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.

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.

The Voice of Eternal Life
-Fr. Terry Walsh
Each day we’re presented with a variety of choices – it’s sort of like channel surfing. We’re attentive to one channel for a time and then we search for another. Perhaps we’ve become bored or frustrated or impatient. We search for something more interesting. And, of course, there is no shortage of channels vying for our attention. The competition can, at times, be fierce. So many of these “channels” seek to fill our “spiritual needs” with “worldly solutions” – but of course this is impossible. There’s only one channel that we need to be tuned-in to in order to realize spiritual peace in our hearts. We might not recognize it clearly, at first. There aren’t any flashy gimmicks, there’s no appeal to base appetites, no cajoling. That channel of course is Christ. When our hearts and minds seek the truth, it’s His Voice that we’ll hear leading us onto the path of Righteousness.
St. John wrote: “The love of God consists in this: that we keep His commandments- and His commandments are not burdensome. Everyone begotten of God conquers the world, and the power that has conquered the world is this faith of ours. Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”(1Jn5:3-5).
When we’re tuned-in to Jesus, when we attentively listen to His voice, we’ll be drawn into those refreshing waters of His grace, constantly flowing through the Sacraments and through our Prayer life. St. Paul teaches: “He desires that all be saved and come to knowledge of the Truth”(1Tim).
But not all stay “tuned-in.” The various channels of the world make all sorts of empty promises seeking to distract us from the voice of truth with all sorts of noise. They appeal to our selfish tendencies and wave a friendly hand, motioning us to turn our attention away from what is truly good and holy. “Oh, it’s ok – it’s perfectly acceptable now-a-days – and other similar comments.” And yet, this summons begets a sort of hesitancy in us – doesn’t it?  Perhaps, we’re a little slow responding – due to a pang of conscience brought about by the Voice of the One who calls us to the Truth. Yet, the world persists: “What’s the matter with you? What’s your problem? And so on.”
Now, if we’re truly “tuned-in” to the voice of the Good Shepherd, if our hearts are properly disposed to his “call,” we’ll see clearly that this action or that action is not of God. That pause, that hesitation, is a clear recognition of temptation, and it’s in this moment that we need to listen to the voice of the One Who loves us. That cautious, reflective hesitation allows us to slow down and to take a better look at the situation at hand and – to offer a little prayer. It’s actually quite simple. In those moments when the world beckons us to conform to its standards, we can appeal to the Good Shepherd and ask for guidance. In the silence of our hearts - in a quiet, simple, faith filled way, simply offer a little prayer and then listen to God: “Come, Holy Spirit” or perhaps, “Mary, Queen of Peace, Intercede for us” or a whole host of other beautiful utterances that powerfully appeal to the Shepherd of Souls.
God is listening. He’s “standing by” ready to “take orders” - eager to step in to lead us out of the dark – to pour His strength into our “spiritual veins” so that we choose wisely – that we stay tuned into Christ and so eagerly follow Him into the Halls of Heaven.