Pastor’s Corner . . . The Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd call to mind an aspect of the reality of the Church of which many people are unaware: The Catholic Church isn’t merely an institution; it is the living Body of Christ which reaches beyond time: Christ is the Head, we—both the baptized living and dead—are the members, through which Our Lord works to save everyone. All Saints Day recalls the innumerable men, women, and children who led lives of heroic virtue and great holiness. They, in turn, pray for us to Our Lord; as members of the Church, they continue to practice charity from heaven in our regard. 
 All Souls Day on November 2nd calls to mind those innumerable men, women, and children who have died, but whose lives were less than perfectly holy.  They, hopefully, are in Purgatory, being purged of the effects of their sins.  We remember them in a particular way, as our act of charity, praying for them, as members of the Church.  Not everyone is in Heaven; not everyone is in Purgatory.  The popular fallacy is that everyone goes to Heaven.  Not so, at least not according to Our Lord’s revelation in Scripture and the Church’s consistent teachings.  If we live without Christ now, or live contrary to Christ, then why would we want or expect to be with Him forever in Heaven? 
 This week we recall those Saints who loved Christ so much that they formed their daily lives around Him, and those others who desired to live perfect lives, but who were less than perfect because of human weakness.  These are days of great hope, because God’s mercy is stronger than our sins; stronger than the power of Satan and death.  As a sign of that, the Church offers special graces for the Souls in Purgatory.  By our simple prayers, acts of charity, and proper intention, united with the Church as the Body of Christ, we can gain a Plenary Indulgence for deceased members of our families, and it costs nothing.  A Plenary Indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins that had been already forgiven by Confession.  Sin has a lasting effect on us, which can be cleansed only through penance.  Hopefully, we can do these penances prior to our death; sometimes not.  That is where the Church comes in: The Church, established by Our Lord as the minister of Redemption, authoritatively dispenses and applies to those in need the treasury of grace won by Christ and His Saints.  One Indulgence can be had each day from November 1st through the 8th, and each can be applied by us to one of the faithful departed per day.  All we have to do is this: 1) go to Confession at least once during that week, and receive Holy Communion on the day(s) you wish the Indulgence; 2) visit any cemetery; 3) and pray—one Hail Mary and one Our Father for the intention of the Pope; 4) if you can’t visit a cemetery, then visit any Catholic church, fulfilling the requirements 1 and 3, and also recite the Creed.   This is Christ’s mercy through His Church.  We are asked to have faith in the Church established by Christ and to demonstrate our faith in charity by doing these simple spiritual tasks and acts of charity. Let us be mindful of the goodness of Our Lord, pray to the Saints for their intercession, and pray for the faithful departed that they might one day see the God who loves us.
 On Saint Joseph’s altar you will find the parish’s relics of the Saints displayed.  Together, with the other Saints, Our Lady and Our Lord, they are part of the Church, all praying for us, while we pray for the dead: all working for the salvation of all. Happy feast days!  -- Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Mary Bozek, 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…Jennifer Tomasello, Vincent Dangi, Deborah (Brennan) Stowell, Valencia Lancaster, Helen Conforti, John Keating, Emma Hernandez, Sr. Inez, O.S.S.S., Vicki Manes, Henry Saraniero

Banns of Marriage:
 1st John Joseph Marciano & Jennifer Colleen Whipple

Rosary Election Vigil . . . on Monday, November 3rd, 7:30 pm in church.  Please join us as our country elects a new president:

ELECTION DAY. . . Please vote “YES” in favor of a State Constitutional Convention.  AND, Vote for LIFE.

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.

Parish Women’s Society. . . We would like to begin a parish society for the spiritual growth of women. Please contact Monsignor if you are interested: Ext. 11

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.

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, November 5th 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.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR THE NOVEMBER MEETING – We will meet in the RECTORY here at St. John’s at 6:30 p.m. on November 10th.   Fr. John Ringley we speak on “The Angels.”  There will be refreshments – bring a friend.

Sunday, October 26, 2008       $ 10,238.66

Sunday, November 2, 2007     $ 10,184.53   
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. 9:  Ez47: 1-2, 8-9, 12, 1 Cor. 3: 9c-11, 16-17, Jn. 2:  13-22

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 181 (Tune: St. Anne) (2) 234.  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: Requiem à 4 – Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: Domine Jesu Christe (from Requiem à 4) – Victoria (see tect below). Communion solo: Pie Jesu (from Requiem) – Gabriel-Urbain Fauré, 1845-1924, Mrs. Heidi Vanderwal, soprano (Blessed Jesus, Lord, grant them rest eternal.). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Requiem æternam (Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion; and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee. Eternal rest give unto them...); Gradual Requiem æternam (Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not fear the evil hearing.); Alleluia Requiem æternam (Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.); Offertory Domine Jesu Christe (O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion's mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness, but let the standard-bearer, holy Michael, lead them into that holy light; which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed. We offer to Thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers: do Thou receive them in behalf of those souls of whom we make memorial this day. Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to that life which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.); Communion Lux æterna (May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord, with Thy Saints for evermore, for Thou art gracious. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them with Thy Saints ...)

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

Coffee & Refreshments . . . following the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass: Please join us in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.
St. John’s in The Advocate…
  . . . 100 years ago, or so:

November 7, 1873: St. John’s Roman Catholic Fair.  “The annual fair of St. John’s Roman Catholic Society, has been in progress in Seely’s Hall since last Monday evening, and, to all appearances, is quite as successful as on former occasions. The display of fancy articles is very fine, the most conspicuous tables being those of Mrs. Capt. Stout and Mrs. Kenealy. Lumin’s quadrille band is engaged every evening, and, after the more serious business is disposed of, dancing is enjoyed by the young people. The society is making unusual exertions to raise money in aid of the splendid church building now in course of erection on Atlantic street. The present fair cannot fail to add a handsome sum to the treasury.”

November 9, 1883:  “The large stain-glass windows for the new Catholic church have been handsomely provided for by the self-sacrifice and liberality of the various temperance and benevolent associations connected with the parish. The front window will be supplied by St. John’s Benevolent society. The north window by St. John’s Temperance and Benevolent society, and the south window by St. Patrick’s Total Abstinence and Benevolent society. These gifts will aggregate in value about $1,500. The clere-story windows will also be put in shortly, and the general interior work continued through the Winter.”

November 8, 1941:  Music for Saturday Church Services.  “With the thought that Stamford people are interested in the many and varied sacred selections heard in the local churches each Sunday, The Stamford Advocate plans to announce on the church page each Saturday, the music which will be in many of the churches. St. John’s Catholic. The High Mass at 11 o’clock at St. John’s Catholic Church tomorrow will include the Asperges Ms. Gregorian: the Kyrie, by Montani, sung by the boys’ choir; a Gloria by Marsh, and a Credo by Kerkel, sung by the mixed choir. The offertory will be Archadelt’s “Ave Maria,” sung by the boys’ choir; and the mixed choir will sing the Sanctus and the Benedictus. The Agnus Dei is by Vito Carnevali, sung by the boys’ choir. Mr. Fagan will play the organ recessional.”

November 6, 1947:  Hodgdon Is Elected By St. John’s Post Of Catholic War Vets. “Harold Hodgdon was elected Commander of St. John’s Post No. 1006, Catholic War Veterans at a recent meeting in the church hall. Other officers are: First vice-commander, Daniel Daley; second vice-commander, Ella Coulter; third vice-commander, Charles Myatt; adjutant, John F. Hogan; treasurer, Raymond Dampf; welfare officer, Augustus Thomas; historian, Robert Torok; officer of the day, James Donnelly; medical officer, Dr William Troy; judge advocate, William Keaveney; trustees, Thomas J. Hogan, Thomas Davis and Isadore Gonzales. Rev. Michael J. Sullivan was chosen chaplain.”

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.

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 TODAY November 1st.

Stamford’s Parade. . . November 23rd:  Just a reminder: there will be NO 12:00 noon Mass that Sunday.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, November 1
4:00  Souls in Purgatory
Sunday, November 2
  7:30 Souls in Purgatory
10:00 Souls in Purgatory
12:00 Souls in Purgatory
 6:00 Souls in Purgatory
Monday, November 3
  8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
12:10 +Dila Haidar req. Granddaughter
Tuesday, November 4
  8:00 +Members Do Family req. Thang Nguyen
12:10 +Liz Weber req. John & Laura Pascale
Wednesday, November 5
  8:00     +Members Nguyen req. Thang Nguyen
12:10      Special Intention Lee-Ling Patricia Gannon req.
Sharon Gannon
Thursday, November 6
  8:00 Special Intention req. Gerald J. Carriera
12:10    Special Intention Daniel Almeida
Friday, November 7
  8:00 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
12:10 +Eugene Lynch req. Agnes O’Connor
Saturday, November 8
  8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10    +Robert Davis Sr. req. Santiago Family

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.  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.  We meet this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. – November 2nd IN THE CHURCH HALL.

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.

DEATH & LIFE
-Fr. Terry Walsh
 November is a time in the Church’s Liturgy when we remember the dead in a particularly beautiful way. All Saints Day celebrates the Triumph of our brethren who have fought the good fight – through humility, faithfulness, and love – and are now standing in the Presence of our Lord in a joy beyond our comprehension, where we hope to join them one day. Likewise, we pray for the Souls of all the Faithful departed who are on their way to Eternal Beatitude but are in need of some degree of purification to remove the scars of “temporal punishment” – it’s a journey that can be quickened by our prayers and sacrifices for them.
 It was of course through the sin of Adam that death entered the world. But the One Perfect Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered death, nailing it to the Cross. All who are baptized into His Body are made holy – are redeemed – and are then able to reach Eternal Beatitude, if we abide in His love and remain faithful to Him during our sojourn here on Earth. And He gives us all we need to accomplish that goal, if we but humbly ask. We are not to fear death. He has overcome death. We are only to fear God. And what does it mean to fear God? Simply put, it means to love the things that God loves (namely virtue) and to hate the things that God hates (namely vice or sin) because sin wounds us – and our Lord does not want us to be wounded. Rather, He has come to bring us healing and life. The choice is ours to make.
 Not long before Jesus would undergo His Passion and death, Thomas said to Him: “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” And Jesus explained to him, “I am the WAY, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.” And He encourages all of us with His saving words: “Let not your hearts be troubled…In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (Jn 14).
 He thirsts for us, yet He does not force us. He has given us the gift of freedom. Indeed, without that gift, we could not love. Love is an act of the will flowing from the heart. There is decision. There must be freedom. And he lays the choice before us. We must choose to follow Him according to what He has taught us - to live the Gospel. St. Paul teaches us that “although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please Him, whether we are home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil”(2 Cor. 5). As we come to know Jesus more intimately through our prayerful reading of the pages of Sacred Scripture, we will come to a clearer understanding of the demands of our Christian Discipleship and at the same time the wonder of His grace which makes our fidelity pure joy. Prayer is the key. “You are not in the dark, brothers, that the day should catch you off guard, like a thief. No, all of you are children of the light and of the day. We belong neither to darkness nor to night” (1 Thessalonians 5).
 
The Annual Memorial Mass…For the deceased faculty, staff and graduates of Stamford Catholic/Trinity Catholic High School will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Trinity Catholic High School.  All are welcomed to attend.  If you plan to attend, please call (203) 322-3401.