Pastor’s Corner . . . Each year, Bishop Lori recognizes the accomplishments of individual Catholics from around the diocese. He bestows the Saint Augustine Medal upon lay men and women for their dedicated service to their local parishes. Saint John’s parishioners who have received this award were Bill Thomson, Millie Terenzio and Louise Munro.  This year, the award will be presented to Lawrence Bolanowski, a parishioner for years, who continues his membership while living in far off Lavallette, New Jersey.
While he and his family were living in Stamford, in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, Larry became interested in all things historical about Saint John’s Parish.  He chaired the Saint John’s Historical Committee, launching the initial historical research about the founding of the parish in preparation for the celebration of the centenary anniversary of the 1886 dedication of the upper church. He worked with the Stamford Historical Society to gather photographs, newspaper reports, artifacts and documents about the parish, finally succeeding in establishing the extensive Saint John’s Collection. Even after he and his family were transferred to New Jersey by UPS, Larry’s fascination with the history of Saint John’s continued. 
Following my arrival at the parish ten years ago, Larry introduced himself and his efforts to preserve the history of Saint John’s. During these past years, since his retirement, Larry has expanded his historical research:  every Monday, he drives nearly five hours to arrive at the rectory by 5:30 a.m.! We discuss his most recent historical finds, he eats breakfast, goes to morning Mass, and sets out for the Ferguson Library, where he spends the subsequent four hours on a microfilm reader, searching The Stamford Advocate for any article or notice referring to Saint John’s Parish.  He began with 1851 and has just completed 1952.  Each day he makes copies of the articles, returns home and digitally photographs and labels each item, prints them out, and files them in individual plastic sleeves: one set for the parish and one set for the Stamford Historical Society. The next Monday, he repeats his work, carrying with him the fruit of the previous Monday’s Ferguson research.  Besides his research, Larry has been indexing all the Stamford Advocate articles!  The parish archives now possess 30 linear feet of Stamford Advocate articles about Saint John’s Parish and School. On his off hours, Larry conducts an extensive correspondence with church archives around the country, and with individual Catholics who belonged at one time to Saint John’s. He has obtained report cards, graduation photos and Saint John’s School memorabilia, as well as oral histories from alumni and parishioners. He searches EBay for any parish artifacts, and has purchased hundreds of vintage postcards, commemorative plates and knick-knacks of the parish from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He has also been searching out photos of priests and nuns who served here, and has amassed a sizeable and impressive photo archive. His present extra project is to research the history of the families who donated the original church windows. 
Hundreds of hours weekly in research; thousands of dollars in postage, photographic reproduction and restoration, and purchase costs annually; innumerable hours spent corresponding with archives and parishioners: this dedication is the reason why  Larry Bolanowski will be honored by the diocese and this parish by receiving the Saint Augustine Award on October 25th. I am truly grateful to him, and to his lovely wife, Sandra, who supports him in his dedication to Saint John’s. God bless you both, and many, many thanks.
-- Msgr. DiGiovanni

St. John’s Christmas Fair. . . Sunday, December 7th, in Monsignor Nagle Hall.  NO DONATED GOODS!!

Please pray for the sick… Marjorie Just, Jerry Gerardi, Sharon Vagnone, Dianne, Margie Nicholson, Stanley Bozek, Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano, Anita Fasanelli

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

Monthly Collection . . . The second collection today will be the monthly collection for the parish.  Your generosity is appreciated.

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.

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: NOT A PARISH TAG SALE.

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 29th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  We will study the biblical, patristic and archaeological evidence concerning the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.  Join us.

Introduction to Biblical Greek . . . will be offered in the rectory each Thursday at 7:30 p.m., beginning November 13th.  There is no charge; please just walk in and join us.

Coffee & Refreshments . . . following the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass: Please join us in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR THE NOV MEETING – We will meet in the RECTORY BALLROOM here at St. John’s at 6:30 p.m. Fr. John Ringley we speak on “The Angels.”  There will be refreshments – bring a friend.

Sunday, October 19, 2008       $ 11,543.98

 Sunday, October 21, 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 Nov. 2:  Rom. 5: 5-11 or 6: 3-9, Jn. 6:  37-40

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 262 (2) 65.  The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

Adult Choir . . . The Adult Choir which sings for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays is especially in need of tenors and basses. All men and women with even a little singing experience are welcome. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room.

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, 324-1553, ext. 18.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Missa ‘Simile est regnum’ – Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: Ave Maria - Peter Philips, 1560-1628. Communion motet: Lauda anima mea – Robert Führer, 1807-1861 (Praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord; yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God (Ps. 146:2, trans. M. Coverdale). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Laetetur cor (Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened; see his face for evermore. Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; declare his deeds among the gentiles. [Ps. 105:3,4,1]); Alleluia Lauda, Jerusalem (Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. [Ps. 148:1]); Offertory Domine, vivifica me (O Lord, grant me life according to your word, so that I may learn your commandments. [Ps. 119:107,125]); Communion Laetabimur (We shall rejoice in your salvation; and in the name of our God shall we place our pride. [Ps. 20:6]).

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.

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.

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 Stamford Advocate:
 October 28, 1870:  “Ground has been broken for the foundation of the new Catholic Church on Atlantic Street.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
 November 3, 1879:  STAMFORD.  “Our fair has just closed. And notwithstanding the croaking of “hard times and money is scarce,” by the stay at homes, has been most pecuniarily successful. The receipts every night have not, to be sure, come up to the standard of the grand Cathedral exhibition in New York, yet, thanks to the generous and self-sacrificing efforts of those who always bear the burden in parish affairs of this kind, the pastor has reason to be proud of his people. A Creedmore rifle was won by the Rev. Michael Tierney, of Hartford; gold watch, Mr. Hanrahan; silver set, William Kelly; bedroom set, Eliza Ann O’Neil; music box, Bridget Bergen; silver ice pitcher, Bridget Bergen; Father Rogers, in his funny words said, “Johanna, liven up in Harlem” when Johanna Reardon’s name was called off for the stove; pin, John Geoghan; pair of boots, James O’Brien; album, Stephen Herbert, Jr. A pair of leghorn chickens were given by a man, and his children soon took them back.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 28, 1907:  Observance of All Saints’ Day. “In St. John’s R. C. Church, yesterday, the announcement was made that next Friday will not be observed as a fast day by Catholics, as it is All Saints’ Day. This is the first time, in a number of years that this distinction has been made for any holy day falling on Friday, excepting Christmas. There will be services in the church at 5, 7, 8, and 9 a.m. Saturday will be All Souls’ Day, and aside from the usual services in the church in the morning, there will be a service at 3 p.m. in the cemetery at Springdale.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 30, 1937:  Charter Awarded To Boys’ Brigade By Father Toomey. Field Secretary of Catholic Organization Directs Exercises at St. John’s Church. “The Boys Brigade of St. John’s Catholic Church was host yesterday, to the Catholic Boys’ Brigade of Woodside, L. I., which conducted a ritual for the induction of the Stamford organization into the corps of similar branches now being developed in various dioceses. The Rev. Frederick Toomey, national field secretary, was in charge of the exercises, which were carried out with the aid of a band of the New York brigade. Pupils of St. John’s School, in Halloween costume, took part in games before the ceremonies, and competed later for prizes awarded for various modes of dress. Clergy of several parishes witnessed the exercises in St. John’s grounds, including the Rev. N. P. Coleman, pastor of St. John’s, and Rev. Michael Sullivan, chaplain of St. John’s brigade. Father Toomey presented St. John’s Brigade with its charter.”

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 25
4:00  In Thanksgiving St. Jude req. Dolores Freccia
Sunday, October 26
  7:30 +Rosemarie & Ubal Itri req. Daughters
10:00 +Dottie Civitillo req. Angela Giannitti & Family
12:00 Special Intention Jane & John Gannon req. Sharon Gannon
 6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, October 27
  8:00 +Fouchard Paulemon req. The Choir of St. John
12:10 Special Intention Daniel Almeida
Tuesday, October 28
  8:00 +Charles & Florence DeSilva req. Daughter & Family
12:10 +Victoria Santagata req. Angela Giannitti
Wednesday, October 29
  8:00 +John Maloney – Anniversary req. Mary Maloney
12:10      +Norma Ferrante req. John & Laura Pascale
Thursday, October 30
  8:00 Mary Gannon & Florence Yeung req. Sharon Gannon
12:10  +Catherine Gibbons req. John & Laura Pascale
Friday, October 31
  8:00 +Anniversary Zenaida Reynoso req. William & Josephine McGraw
12:10 +Anniversary Zenaida Reynoso req. William & Josephine McGraw
Saturday, November 1
  8:00 +Varkey Apraim req. Baby Apriam
12:10    Souls in Purgatory

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.

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 Vision of Innocence
- Fr Terry Walsh
 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches Christian Perfection in the Beatitudes. He says, “Blessed are the pure of heart, they shall see God.” Consider, too, the prophecy of Isaiah: “…and a child shall lead them.” Clearly, God is trying to tell us something deeply profound and at the same time quite simple. When we seek the Truth with a pure heart we will see it through the eyes of innocence. Luke reports, “Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes’…”(Lk 10:21). Remember the martyrdom of St. Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles. While he was being stoned to death for his faith in Jesus Christ, we hear: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” In his innocence, he was given the grace of seeing God. Others likewise have seen extraordinary visions: Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John the Evangelist to name a few from the Scriptures. Consider the Mass. All the Angels and Saints are there. Jesus Christ is there. He offers Himself to the Father and gives Himself to us in Holy Eucharist. We don’t “see” Him, or the angels and saints, but they are there. We “see” them through the eyes of faith. In other words, we believe they are there. It is a truth of our faith. In like manner, there are moral truths that we are likewise required to believe. But we can only see them clearly if we keep our spiritual eyes sharply focused on Christ – Prayer, Sacraments, fidelity to the Gospel. When we begin to walk the worldly path, we quickly find ourselves in the maze of worldly wisdom. Reading the papers or listening to the news, one might be left feeling a little dazed and confused. After all, the headlines seem to be filled with such bitterness and rancor these days. Could it be that we live in a divided house? Have we lost our innocence? Have we abandoned our pursuit of the truth in favor of the wisdom of men and the worldly ideal of so-called “achievement” even when that achievement comes at the expense of the moral law and contradicts our faith? Human Cloning, Eugenics, Embryonic Research, ‘Frozen Storage’ of human embryos (remember Brave New World ?), Contraception, Abortion, and the list goes on. These “achievements” are touted by their advocates as “advances” in science and of great benefit to humanity and yet every one of them opposes God’s law. Is it the Tower of Babel? Have we lost sight of our true purpose – to love God? Simply put, the deeper one walks into the maze of moral error, the more dazed and confused one will naturally become. Jesus warns us about the danger of duplicity: “…this people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…” (Mt 15:8). God is patient. He sees. He waits. He longs for the sinner to see the error of his ways and to repent and seek reconciliation and so be healed and begin to walk in the light once again; to find his way out of the maze of utter shame and destruction – the spiritual death of the soul. Our Lord patiently waits. He offers grace. He offers healing – because He loves us. God doesn’t force anyone to walk in the Truth. But for all who seek the Truth, He will reveal Himself so that we might see clearly and distinctly how we have violated the truth and offended Him. Only then can we say mea culpa, mea culpa. Only then can our hearts be purified so that we may see God with the Vision of Innocence. We are mere stewards of the gifts God has created – including our bodies. We have freedom to do what we will with these gifts, but we would be fools to think that our choices are without consequence. Through the virtue of humility, we may be healed and regain the child-like innocence necessary for salvation. Recall the compelling words our Lord utters in the Gospel: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:2).