Pastor’s Corner . . . Enclosed in the bulletin is a copy of this year’s parish financial report. Despite the present global financial crisis, Saint John’s has done very well this past fiscal year, due to your generosity, for which I am grateful.
 The most striking fact is that the parish has no debt, whatsoever!  The final payments for the roof loan were made, and we are entirely debt free. Our weekly offertory collections are up from last year, as you can see, and, like everyone else, so are our expenses. The other high costs have included various emergency church repairs, primarily on the bell tower, but also repairs to leaking church foundations. There have been emergency repairs to the rectory, as well, including those made to the heating system and repairs to the rectory foundation.
Parishioners continue to ask me when the rectory exterior and the church interior will be repaired and painted. No one is more embarrassed about the condition of both buildings; no one is more acutely aware of the enormous cost to execute both projects than I.  Before the church interior can be painted, we need a new electrical system installed and a new lighting system. Any project to repair the rectory is even more complicated and costly. The rectory has no insulation, and all the windows are single pane glass; the plumbing system is ancient; the roof needs to be replaced. Presently, we are replacing the electrical system, but slowly, since that, too, is a costly project. The electrical system is in dangerous condition, and that is one reason we are replacing it now, even if piecemeal.
Parishioners have also asked me about the Trinity—now Tresser Square project, for which we pray each weekend. It is on track, but sidelined because of the economy: no banks are giving out construction loans. John Leydon, our parish attorney, and I have met with the representatives of the developer, Lowe. They assure us that they are proceeding, but cautiously, because of the economic crisis. I will be offering more details to the parish soon about this important project.
All-in-all, I’m very happy about the financial report, and I must thank every parishioner for the continued support you show our parish. Saint John’s has been here over 150 years, and it will remain here for more years to come--offering a spiritual home to downtown Stamford--because of the generosity of our parishioners. Thank you, and God bless you all. -- Msgr. DiGiovanni

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

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . Will next meet on Wednesday, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  We are studying the writings of the Cappadocian Fathers.
 Oct. 29 begins new lectures on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem: biblical, archaeological and patristic studies. Join us!

Please pray for the sick… Dianne, Margie Nicholson, Stanley Bozek, Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini.

Please pray for those who have recently died…Deborah (Brennan) Stowell, Valencia Lancaster, Helen Conforti John Keating Emma Hernandez, Sr. Inez, O.S.S.S., Vicki Manes, Henry Saraniero, Philipe Waterbury, Michael Murray, Jennifer Tomasello.

World Mission Sunday Collection . . . Please drop your World Mission Sunday Collection envelope into the ONE basket that will be passed at the Offertory.  There will only be one collection today.

Religion Classes for adults. . . Catholics who have not yet received Holy Communion or Confirmation, and for non-Catholics who wish to join the Church, every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  The class is on a 7 week cycle: if you miss one, we repeat it.  Interested?  Please contact Providencia at (203¬) 324 -1553 ext. 21.

ROME PILGRIMAGE MARCH 16 – 24, 2009
Fr. Walsh will lead a pilgrimage to Rome, March 16th, returning March 24th.  Cost: $1999, includes airfare, 7 Nights at the Visconti Palace (www.viscontipalace.com), breakfast included, in the heart of the city (Double Occupancy; the Single Supplement is $399.) Transfers to and from the airport, and Travel Insurance are also included. A $100 Deposit holds your spot and the final payment is due by December 1st.  For reservations, call Frank Carpanzano at Advance Travel at (203) 975-8833 ext. 3004.

St. John’s Bible Study…We will use The Bible Timeline Series for 25 Thursdays continuing through May 7th, 2009 in the rectory at 7:30 p.m.  Interested? Please call the Parish Office, ext. 21 to register: the cost for the materials:  $40.00 per person.  All are welcome.

Mass of Thanksgiving. . . Father Benedict Nivokff, a parishioner, was recently ordained a priest of the Monastery of St. Benedict in Norcia, Italy. He will offer a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving using the Extraordinary Form of the 1962 Missal, here at Saint John’s on Saturday, October 25th at 10 am. All are invited.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . . Antique Tag Sale: Saturday, November 29th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Monsignor Nagle Parish Hall sponsored by and for the benefit of the Historical Neighborhood Preservation Program of Stamford.  All are welcome.
Please note: THIS IS NOT A PARISH TAG SALE, SO DO NOT DONATE ITEMS FOR THIS EVENT.

Play Rehearsal . . . the Rectory Players will meet at the rectory on Monday, October 20th at 7:00 p.m. to begin rehearsals for the upcoming presentation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Coffee & Refreshments . . . following the 10:00 am Family Mass: please join us in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…will meet Monday, Nov. 10th in the “The Upper Room” at Columbus Park” 205 Main Street 06901 at 6:30 p.m. – bring a friend.

Sunday, October 12, 2008       $    10,987.90
 
Sunday, October 14, 2007       $       9,453.58 
I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving to God, but do not give your leftovers.”---Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Sunday Readings for October 26th:  Ex. 22: 20-26,
1 Thes. 1: 5c-10, Mt. 22: 34-40

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 198 (2) 246.  The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s has formed a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome. We especially need TENORS & BASSES! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... The Children’s Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the St. John’s Children’s Choir sings for the 10:00 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, 324-1553, ext. 18.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Mass for Three Voices – William Byrd, 1540-1623. Offertory motet: Sacerdotes Domini – William Byrd (The priests of the Lord offer incense and loaves to God, and therefore they shall be holy to their God, and shall not defile His name, alleluia.). Communion motet: Gustate et videte – Heinrich Isaac, c. 1445 – 1517 (Taste and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in Him. [Ps. 34:9]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Ego clamavi (I have called out because you answer me, O God; incline you ear and hear my words; keep me, O Lord, like the apple of your eye; protect me under the shadow of your wings. Hear my just cause, O Lord; attend to my supplication. [Ps.17:6,8,1]); Alleluia Lauda anima mea (Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord throughout my life; I will sing in honour of my God as long as I have being. [Psalm 146:2]); Offertory Meditabor in mandatis tuis (I shall meditate upon your commandments which I greatly love; I will extend my hands towards your commandments which I love. [Psalm 119:47,48]); Communion Domine Dominus noster (O Lord our governor, how admirable is your name in all the earth! [Psalm 9:2ab]).

Jobseekers Group Monday, October 27th, 7:30 p.m., Rectory Topic: Bring Your Job Search Problems--We'll Find Answers.  Bring your job search questions and problems for the group to discuss.  We'll use the collective experience of the group and my career coaching experience to help you find a solution, or provide you with a different perspective on your job search.  Professionals at all stages of their career are encouraged to attend.  Hosted by:  Melanie Szlucha. Numerous jobseekers have found help preparing their resumes, cover letters and coaching for interviews from Melanie and her company, Red, Inc.  She can be reached at Melanie@redinc.biz, Website:  http://www.redinc.biz

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

The Connecticut Catholic:
 October 25, 1884: Stamford. “The Children of Mary will receive Holy Communion in a body at 9 o’clock Mass Sunday. The singing of the junior choir on last Sunday at 9 o’clock Mass was excellent. This choir is improving wonderfully under the tuition of Sister Evangelist. Rev. Henry T. Walsh, our worthy assistant pastor, has been elected one of the vice presidents of the Alumni Association of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Niagara, the institution in which he was educated.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 October 25, 1929:  Reception to be Given New Members of the Children of Mary.  “Plans are being completed for the reception to new members being given by the Sodality of the Children of Mary of St. John’s Church. The reception is to be held in the Parochial School Hall on Monday evening, October 26, at eight. An interesting evening of games and entertainment has been arranged. Miss Irene Kearney will render several vocal selections and Miss Mary Rayho will give several piano selections. Miss Virginia Lee and Miss Rayho will also give several solo dances. There will also be several other entertainers on the program. The committee in charge consists of Miss Margaret Cherry, Miss Mary Duplex, Miss Mae Finch, Miss Margaret Hartnett, Miss Mary Cotches, Miss Marie Cherry, Miss Rita Herrgen and Miss Emily McRedmond.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 26, 1931:  CATHOLICS PRAY FOR PEACE AND HUMAN WELFARE. “The Rev. Charles A. Corcoran, preaching in St. John’s Catholic Church on Sunday, delivered a message in keeping with the observance of the Feast of Christ Our King. Father Corcoran told the parishioners how the church has always given prominence to the kingship of Christ. He mentioned Old Testament references that the Messiah to come was to be kingly, and said that the ancient Jews, although they forgot that Christ’s throne was to be a cross and the principles he was to teach were universal peace and love, never for an instant erred in ascribing to Him the title of King.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 October 21, 1937:  League of Sacred Heart Organized at St. John’s Church. “Following the devotions in honor of St. Anthony, the women of St. John’s R. C. Church met in the basement of the church last evening and organized the “Women’s League of the Sacred Heart.” This society is primarily devoted to promoting interest in the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the leadership of Mrs. J. B. Doyle, acting chairman, the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Mary Gallagher; vice-president, Mrs. M. Roberts; secretary, Miss Margaret M. Kerins; chaplain, Rev. David V. Grady.”

St. Anne Family Society . . . Meets the first Saturday of each month 5:00 p.m. in the church and parish hall.  Meetings include Eucharistic Adoration in church; a potluck supper and a spiritual conference in the parish hall.  All families—including children—are invited.   Next meeting will be on November 1st.

Mass Intentions
Saturday, October 18
4:00 +Members of the DeRosa, Kronk, Capobianco Families & Edwin Clark req. John & Joan Kronk
Sunday, October 19
  7:30 +Al & Eric Bertasso req. by their sister
10:00 Eleanor Theresa Kim req. by Joseph & Mary Kim
12:00 +His Excellency Bishop Walter Curtis req. by the Cardinal Kung Foundation
 6:00 + Patrick Kane & Family req. by the Estate of
 Catherine Kane.
Monday, October 20
  8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. by the Estate of Catherine Kane.
12:10 +Millie Lobozzo req. by Millie & George Terenzio
Tuesday, October 21
  8:00 +Violet Roddy req. by Veronica E. Schorr
12:10 +Mrs. Ida DeRosa req. by Susan Richards
Wednesday, October 22
  8:00 Sue-Ling Maria Gannon req. by Sharon Gannon
12:10      +Beatrice Touhey req. by Her family
Thursday, October 23
8:00 +William Borkowski req. by His wife & son
12:10   +William & Elizabeth McNamara req. by the Hogan   
 Family
Friday, October 24
  8:00 +Margaret Linnane req. by Patrick Walsh
12:10 Special Intention of Grace Ward & her Family req. by Sharon Gannon
Saturday, October 25
  8:00 Special Intention of Daniel Almeida
12:10    In Honor of the Infant of Prague req. Michaelle M. Joseph. 

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. 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.  Next meeting will be October 26th - Pumpkin Picking.

St. Dominic Savio Society…For the spiritual formation of young men from 8th – 12th grades meets Sunday Oct. 26th, after the 12:00 noon mass in the rectory.  Any questions, please contact Frank Marchetti at (203) 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 (203) 324-1553 x21.

The One Thing
- Fr Terry Walsh
 What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Where are we going and how are we getting there? These are of course ‘age-old’ questions that every person should quite naturally ask. The Church teaches us that there is indeed a purpose to life: to know, love, and serve God. But the choice is up to each one of us. After all, God gave us the gift of freedom. We have been given the gift of life with the truth written upon our hearts. Do we seek the truth? Do we live it? If we choose to follow Christ, we’re on our way to eternal salvation and we’ll arrive there through the nourishment of Divine Grace. There is no other way. Therefore, everything we think, say, and do must grow in conformity to the Divine Will. In other words, when we freely choose to lay down our will and take up the Gospel, we have embraced the purpose of our life and we’ll be given all we need to accomplish our salvation. The difficulty lies in our weakness – that is – in our “self-will’. Our weaknesses, mixed with the problem of pride, can actually blind us to what is true. We can become so enamored by our ‘way of life’ that a shadow may be cast over the beauty of discipleship and we may sadly cling to what is false. Key indicators of this danger zone would be a lack of prayerfulness, an indifference to the gift of the sacraments, and in general, a lack of love for one’s neighbor. Some classic films illustrate the point. Consider Ebenezer Scrooge. He lived year after year worshiping money. He became a shell of a man – the living dead, as it were. But then he is given a great grace and he responds! He admits his error and repents of his selfishness. The scales fall from his eyes and he becomes a new man. A great healing takes place in his soul and it is manifested in the good he seeks to do following the revelation that the one thing that really matters is love. And of course, God is love. Our purpose is to be drawn into that love – right here and right now – never to be separated from God ever again – in this life or the next. Consider the business tycoon Oscar Schindler during Nazi Germany. Witness his conversion. He kept inching his way to the truth until- in the end – he broke down in tears realizing the precious value of one human life. He could have saved 4 more people had he bartered his car. Remember the scene from the movie? In the end, the truth overwhelmed him and he embraced it as he sought forgiveness for his sins.
 God has revealed Himself as a loving personal knowable Being. He calls each of us to dwell in Him – Truth, Beauty, Love. It all begins here on earth where we ‘prove of love’ for Him by how we live our lives. This world will pass away, St. Paul reminds us, but life in the Trinity is Eternal. It is truly the one thing that matters. So how come human life has been devalued in our world today as if it were merely a commodity? How is it possible that a total disregard for those created in the Image and Likeness of God can be relegated to such cold, calculated efficient destruction – all in the name of “free choice”? How did the lie cast such a horrible shadow over the truth? Could it be that people lost sight of the one thing that really mattered? In the movie Gladiator, the General reminded his troops: “What we do on earth echoes in eternity!” Do we act with an eye toward the one true thing: union with God – Eternal Salvation? Do we promote life or do we contribute to the laissez-fair cultural norms that advocate death to the most innocent brethren in the Image and Likeness of Love? Do we truly advocate life? Do we support those who advocate the one thing?