Pastor’s Corner . . . September 3rd was the feast of Pope Saint Gregory I [pope, 590-607a.d.], known as The Great.  His father, Gordian, was a member of Rome’s ruling aristocracy, who later renounced both wealth and position to serve as a deacon, and was placed in charge of the Church’s temporal resources. His mother, Saint Sylvia, likewise devoted herself to the Church as a nun. The classical education and personal example of faith was not lost on their son.
 Following his studies, Gregory was named Praetor or Prefect of the City of Rome, a post he held for five years until he renounced his political career to become a monk, giving his vast fortune and estates in Sicily to establish six monasteries, and his parents’ Roman home as the monastery of Saint Andrew, in which he enrolled himself, and which still exists today.
 His hoped for quiet life was short-lived, however, for he was chosen by the pope to serve as his ambassador to the Roman imperial court at Constantinople.  Following his successes abroad in one of the most challenging of diplomatic posts, during which time he wrote one of his most celebrated theological works, the Moralia of Job, Gregory returned to Rome and soon found himself elected pope.
 Rome was a wasteland, having been abandoned by the imperial court nearly three centuries earlier when the Emperor Constantine created his new capital at Constantinople. With the City literally crumbling, everything from the feeding of the poor and the repair of roads and sewers, to the provisioning and payment of the army, was relegated to the only institution left standing: the Church; and to the only person with any authority or resources, the pope.  Added to this was the nearly continuous desolation throughout Italy wrought by the Lombards, and the lasting devastation left by the Emperor Justinian’s army, which marauded through Italy nearly one generation earlier.
 Feeding the poor, presiding over the Catholic Church worldwide, abandoned by the Emperor, beleaguered by barbarian invasions, heretical  movements and rulers, Gregory was further afflicted by poor health. Through all this, he persevered, reforming the Church, sending missionaries to establish the Church in England and to reform the Church in Spain, subject to Arian Visigothic rule; problems for the Church with rulers in Gaul [France] and North Africa also occupied him, as did the Church in northern Italy, divided by loyalties to the Emperor in Constantinople;  he wrote numerous theological works, especially his Pastoral Rule, which guided bishops for centuries; his Dialogues, on lives of the saints,  and his homilies influenced the development of the Church throughout the Middle Ages and are still extant and useful today.
 His Catholic faith maintained him, and his humility expressed the truthfulness of his teaching and priestly ministry, as did his patience in the face of crisis.  He wrote, “For my part, I regard the virtue of patience greater than signs and wonders.” 
 The example of Pope Saint Gregory the Great should encourage us in the trials we experience in our own lives.  We should never despair of the assistance of Divine Providence, or grow impatient with the timing or manner in which God comes to our aid. He permits everything to happen to us, both good and bad, in order to lead us to eternal life.  Humility and patience are needed when facing the challenges of our lives. Call upon St. Gregory for assistance: He who dealt with barbarian hordes, unruly clergy and fractious royalty, will be more than a match for the problems of our lives today: ask for his faith, patience and humility to trust in God’s Providence.
--Mons. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick…  Drew, John Castellano. Andrew DeMott, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, Eleanor McNamee, Nancy Geikie, Vicki Manes, Anthony Sansone, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops.

Please pray for those who have recently died… Michael Murphy, Jennifer Tomasello, Mather Dearborn Fr. Joseph Link, Maureen Apruzzese, Jerry Allen, Susan Wilhelm, Margaret Timon, Felix Fiore, Estelle Burke, Margaret Barko, Margaret Roth, Jane C. Hlavaty, Joan Bankowski.  
     
   THE PARISH MYSTERY THEATER
   Presents the
Rectory Players
     Two repeat performances by popular demand
      In a Radio Style Presentation
          of:
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
The Unexpected Guest
                  At 7:00 p.m. October 3rd & 4th
     In The Rectory Ball Room
45 seats - $30.00 each
(Beverages & Desserts)
(16 minimum age)

Banns of Marriage:  2nd Gregory Lodato & Flavia Moraes

Special Annual Collection . . . The second collection today will be the Special Annual Collection for the parish.  Your generosity is appreciated.

Religious Education . . . Classes begin on Sunday, September 21st at 8:30 a.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 to register:  Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Classes for adult. . . . Catholics who have not yet received Holy Communion or Confirmation and for non-Catholics who wish to join the Church, will begin on September 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  Interested?  Please contact Providencia at (203¬) 324 -1553 ext. 21.

The Latin reading group is translating St. Augustine’s Confessions…and will meet every Wednesday evening in the rectory at 6:15 p.m. 

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . Will next meet on September 10th, at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory, to begin our study of John Cassian’s Spiritual Conferences.  All are welcome. 

St. Anne Family Society . . . Will be on the first Saturday of each month. Our first meeting: Saturday, October 4th, at 5:00 p.m. in the church and parish hall. Each meeting will include Eucharistic Adoration, a potluck supper and a spiritual conference.  All families—including children—are invited.

Parish Picnic SEPTEMBER 14th… From 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Cove Beach at the Pavilion.  Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Please bring a side dish, salad or desert.  Fun and games. Please call the rectory at (203) 324-1553 X 21 and let us know how many family members will be attending so we may plan accordingly. 

Pro-Life Activity. . . Stamford’s Life Chain on Sunday, October 5th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Atlantic Street and Tresser Blvd.  Come be a living link in our Chain of Life. For information, please call Frank Carpanzano: (203) 975-8833, ext. 3004.  Parking is available at St. John’s lot.
                 Sunday, August 31, 2008     $   9,348.07
Sunday, September 2, 2007 $ 11,036.98
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) 225 (2) 240.  The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s announces a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the choir room, beginning September 11th. All with some singing experience are welcome! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, (203) 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ...
Children’s Choir . . . The Children’s Choir will resume on Saturday, September 6th at 1:00 p.m. Now in its 10th year (!), the St. John’s Children’s Choir sings for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays, alongside our newly-formed Adult Choir.  Rehearsals, at which children learn about singing and reading music, are held each Saturday from 1:00-1:45 p.m. The choir is open to boys and girls, ages seven and above, who can match a pitch and who are willing to make a weekly commitment. Please call Scott Turkington for more information, (203) 324-1553, ext. 18.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Missa brevis – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594. Offertory motet: Wash me throughly – Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1810-1876 (Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and forgive me all my sin. For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me. [Psalm 51, vv 2,3]). Communion motet: Teach me, O Lord – Thomas Attwood, 1783-1859 (Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. [Ps. 119:33]). The Gregorian chants:  Introit Justus es Domine (You are righteous, O Lord, and right is your judgement; deal with this servant of yours according to your mercy. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. [Ps. 119:137, 124,1]); Alleluia Domine, exaudi orationem meam (O Lord, hear my prayer; and let my cry come unto you. [Psalm 102:2]); Offertory Oravi Deum meum (I prayed to my God, I, Daniel, and I said: “Hearken, O Lord, unto the prayers of your servant, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary; look with forgiveness upon this nation over whom your name has been invoked, O God.” [Daniel 9: 4, (2) 17, 19]); Communion Vovete (Make vows unto the Lord your God, and accomplish them, all you who gather around him to present offerings; to the awesome God who takes away the life of princes; he is greatly feared by all the kings of the earth. [Psalm 76:12,13]).

House Blessings . . . Please check the parish website:  www.stjohnsstamford.com for the list of streets we’ll visit this month. To schedule a blessing, please call the rectory: 324-1553, ext. 21.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…will meet SEPTEMBER 8th in a NEW LOCATION: “The Upper Room” at the Restaurant Columbus Park” at 6:30 p.m. – bring a friend.

St. John’s Bible Study…We will use The Bible Timeline Series for 25 Thursdays beginning September 25th through May 7th in the rectory at 7:30 p.m.  If you are interested, please call the Parish Office to register: the cost for the materials: $40.00 per person. 

Traditional Latin Mass at St. Gabriel . . . 914 Newfield Avenue.  The Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (or Traditional Latin Mass) using the 1962 missal will be offered weekly beginning on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, Sunday, September 14th at 12:30 p.m.   All are welcome.

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

The Stamford Advocate:
 September 14, 1893: Blessing Two New Altars “Sunday evening at St. John’s R. C. church an impressive and beautiful ceremony was witnessed and participated in by a congregation which completely filled the large edifice. It was the blessing of two new altars recently presented to the church. The young lady members of the League of the Sacred Heart and The Children of Mary, dressed in white, with white veils and wreaths, and carrying bouquets of gold and blue, marched in procession from the basement of the church, through Bell Street, and entered the church singing The Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Vespers were then sung, after which the two altars were blessed while the societies sung appropriate hymns. An eloquent and appropriate sermon by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Rogers, was preached, after which the Benediction was given. The altar of the Sacred Heart is the gift of members of the League of that name. The statue was presented by Miss Mary Coffey. The statue of the Blessed Virgin – Our Lady of Lourdes is a votive offering by the wife of Judge Morgan J. O’Brien, in thanksgiving for the recovery of her daughter from a serious accident she met with while the family was summering at Shippan two years ago.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
September 23, 1893: Twin Altars Blessed.
“Tonight in this fair New England City
    Doth our loved Pastor’s voice implore
  God’s blessing on twin sacred altars
    While all responsively adore.
  Our feeble words are now not needed
    Our Pastor’s voice so dear and blest
  To Jesus sacred heart – our wants have pleaded
    And to our dear mother all our love expressed.

  O, may all here resolve tonight
    To these two altars oft to come
  To bring their love and joys and sorrows,
     For here and only here, rejection is for none.
  Often come in love adorning, meekly
     Bow thy heart in silent prayer,
   Ask of our dear Lady – our Mother meek and mild
     For through her hand, His love is there.

  Ah; now benediction is over, closed the little door
    Hidden now His presence from our view
  He when in our hearts reposing, joy!
    We need not bid to Him adieu,
  Happy day O haste I pray thee, when unveiled,
    We behold His sacred face above,
  With His and our holy Mother,
    We will give Him our hearts’ love.”
  KITTY A. ENNIS

(Editor’s note:  Kitty Ennis was the daughter of John Ennis, architect and builder of the upper church of St. John’s)

Baby Sitter. . . We are looking for a junior high or high school student to play with a 5-year old girl with special needs for about 1-hour on weekday afternoons in Stamford. Flexible hours and schedule. Please call Hope: (203) 323-1403.

Coffee Hour. . . Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the weekly coffee hour following the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, please call Janet Lancaster (203) 637-3301.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, September 6
4:00 +Members of the DeRosa, Kronk, Capobianco Families & Edwin Clark req. John & Joan Kronk

Sunday, September 7
  7:30 People of the Parish
10:00 Special Intention Eleanor Theresa Kim req. Joseph & Mary Kim
12:00 Thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary req. Fabiola C.
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, September 8
  8:00 Thanksgiving to God req. Fabiola C.
12:10 +Charles & Eva Kronk req. Mary Churley

Tuesday, September 9
  8:00 +Martin & Katie Maloney & Family req. Mary Maloney
12:10 Special Intention Mary Young Kim req. Joseph & Mary Kim

Wednesday, September 10
  8:00 +Frank Janesch req. Cycon Family
12:10      +Ismael Vega req. Evelyn Flaharty (daughter)

Thursday, September 11
  8:00 +Louise Wilk req. David Lancaster
12:10     Special Intention Julia Arless req. Logsdail Family

Friday, September 12
  8:00 +Dila Haidar req. Granddaughter
12:10 Special Intention The Meyer Family req. The Logsdail Family

Saturday, September 13
  8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10    +Jayson Jarrett req. Norma Jarrett

Miraculous Medal Novena: Mondays, 8:30 a.m.

Pray for an end to abortion every Wednesday., 7:00 - 10:30 a.m., at 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 who are registered members; those whose regular Mass attendance is known to the priests, or whose parish membership 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. 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 (203) 434-4734.

St. Maria Goretti Society . . . For the spiritual formation of young ladies of the parish, from 8th - 12th grades. Questions, please contact Rosa Marchetti at (203) 348-0232.

The Birth of our Lady
- Fr. Terry Walsh
 
       Think back for a moment to those days of yesteryear, perhaps just before you were old enough to attend school. As your mother’s birthday approached, you may have prepared a little present for her: some artistic masterpiece that may still hold a frame in a prized place in her home. OK, so, it wasn’t Michelangelo, but you made it. In her eyes, it was priceless, all because of the love you poured into it. The Church honors the birth of our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8th, nine months after Her Immaculate Conception. Mary is of course our Spiritual Mother. Indeed, we share a bond with Mary that is more deeply rooted than any earthly bond could ever be. Mary is our true Mother. She is the best of teachers, the best of nurturers. St. Louis de Montfort wrote, “God the Father gathered all the waters together and called them the seas or maria. He gathered all his grace together and called it Mary or Maria. The great God has a treasury or storehouse full of riches in which he has enclosed all that is beautiful, resplendent, rare, and precious, even his own Son. This immense treasury is none other than Mary whom the saints call the ‘treasury of the Lord’. From Her fullness all men are made rich…Mary is the mystic channel of Her Son, His aqueduct, through which He causes His mercies to flow gently and abundantly…No heavenly gift is given to men which does not pass through Her virginal hands.”
              At the moment we were baptized into the Body of Her Son, Her Motherly Hands surrounded us in love. As we contemplate Her life it is easy to recognize Her incomparable love. Created without the stain of Original Sin, our Lady lived a pure and holy life. Consider the scene as St. Anne was about to give birth. Venerable Mary of Agreda put it this way: “Although Mary was born substantially like other daughters of Adam, yet Her birth was accompanied by such circumstances and conditions of grace, that it was the most wonderful and miraculous birth in all creation and will eternally redound to the praise of her Maker…She was clothed, handled and dressed like other infants, though her soul dwelt in the Divinity; and She was treated as an infant though She excelled all mortals and even all the angels in Wisdom”(The Mystical City of God, p.87). What immeasurable joy in Heaven at the Birth of the Queen of Heaven. And for all those dwelling on earth, eternal life in the Holy Trinity became possible. Agreda pondered the immense joy in the heart of St. Anne in praise of the graciousness of God: “Be Thou eternally blessed, because Thou has enriched the world with a Creature so pleasing to thy bounty and because in Her Thou hast prepared a dwelling-place and a tabernacle for the eternal Word”(p.88). As our Lady’s birthday approaches, may we likewise enter into a thoughtful meditation of so pure and holy a Mother. What gift will we offer Her? What could be more pleasing to Her than a firm resolution to imitate Her love for Christ? What joy would envelop our hearts to receive an approving nod and a warm smile as She opens our gift: a well said Rosary, a thoughtful reading of Holy Scripture, a small sacrifice offered in honor of Her son, or perhaps, the best gift of all – a prayerful and holy Confession in order to prepare the soul for the worthy reception of Her Son in the Eucharist – to become a pure and holy Tabernacle, like our Mother. Yes, that gift would be most pleasing to Her as it would enable us to remain in Her house, the Mystical City of God.