Pastor’s Corner . . . November 18th is the Feast of the Dedication of two more of Rome’s Major Basilicas: Saint Peter’s in the Vatican, and Saint Paul’s Outside the [city’s] Walls.  Each is built over the respective tomb of the two Princes of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul.  Both died during the Roman persecution of the Emperor Nero, in 67 A.D. Soon after their martyrdom, their simple pauper’s graves immediately became pilgrimage centers for the faithful.  A priest named Gaius wrote about these in the year 200 A.D., “When you come to Rome, visit the trophies [tombs] of the Apostles: Saint Peter’s in the Vatican, and Saint Paul’s on the road to Ostia.” The only real Church Christ founded was the one he entrusted to the Apostles, and it has been called Catholic since the beginning of the 2nd century.
The Roman Emperor Constantine built the first churches atop the Apostles’ tombs in the early 4th century.  The present Saint Peter’s Basilica dates from the 16th century, replacing Constantine’s dilapidated structure; and Saint Paul’s from the 19th century, Constantine’s having been destroyed by fire in 1823.  Excavations are now concluding beneath St. Paul’s Basilica just as they were conducted under St. Peter’s in the 1940’s. The tomb and bones of St. Peter were rediscovered beneath the high altar in St. Peter’s. More convincingly, around the graves of both Apostles, the walls are covered in early graffiti. And some of the graffiti dates from soon after the burial of the Apostles, all the way through the early 4th century, when the two basilicas were built at their sites. The graffiti include numerous prayers to the Apostles for family members and early Catholics who visited their graves to pray for the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul.
The Feast of the dedications of these basilicas is more about the Apostles and the Church that Christ established, than about the buildings atop the apostolic tombs. Saint Peter’s Basilica commemorates the chief Apostle, to whom Our Lord gave the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven [Mt 16:17-19] and the guidance of the whole Church [Jn. 21: 15-19]. St. Peter was the Apostle to the household of faith, the Jews, who were God’s chosen people, with whom God had entered a unique and binding covenant on Mount Sinai with Moses, when He gave the Ten Commandments.  The Basilica in the Vatican above Peter’s tomb has become, therefore, the church of the Pope who is Peter’s successor as bishop of Rome. But, also it is the church for the household of faith—for the entire Catholic world. So, all major papal ceremonies are held here: the enthronement of popes, canonization of saints, consecration of bishops, election of cardinals, and much, much more: celebrations that affect the entire universal Catholic Church.  Saint Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles—the non-Jewish world.  So, the basilica atop his tomb has become the church for all those outside the household of faith, all non-Catholics.  The Church excludes no one from Christ’s gift of mercy and salvation. The only requirement is to accept the faith and follow the Ten Commandments in daily life, if one wishes to live with God forever.  So, the feast day celebration of the dedication of these two Major Basilicas is all about the universality of the mercy Christ offers to the entire world through His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that He established with Peter as its visible head, built on the foundation of the Apostles [Rev 21: 9-14].
Pray on November 18th, for the intentions of Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, the Successor to Saint Peter. In his important ministry of teaching the world the truth of Christ, working for the salvation of all, he needs our prayers and spiritual support. --Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Catherine & Jay Olnek, Ryan Santolo, Michael Mammone, Mary Bozek, Marjorie Just, Jerry Gerardi, Sharon Vagnone, Dianne, Stanley Bozek, Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge

Please pray for those who have recently died… Vivian E. Torres, Margie Nicholson, Ed “Red” Baker, Katherine Harten, Pauline Weeks, Jennifer Tomasello, Vincent Dangi, Deborah (Brennan) Stowell, Valencia Lancaster

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

Banns of Marriage: 
3rd John Joseph Marciano & Jennifer Colleen Whipple

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.

Advent Retreat. . . December 8, 9 & 10:
Monsignor James Turro, internationally renowned scripture scholar, will lead three nights of scriptural reflection and prayer, beginning at 7:30 p.m. each evening in church: Spiritual conference, Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction & Confessions.  Join us: kids too!!

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

Thanksgiving Day. . . There will be ONE Mass at 10:00 a.m. There will be NO 8 a.m. or 12:10 p.m Masses on Thanksgiving Day.

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

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. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . Will next meet on Wednesday, November 19th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.  We will continue our study the biblical, patristic and archaeological evidence concerning the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.  Join us.

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.

Introduction to Biblical Greek . . . is offered in the rectory each Thursday at 7:30 p.m.[NOT ON THANKSGIVING, however] There is no charge; please just walk in and join us.

Sunday, November 9, 2008      $ 10,833.00

Sunday, November 11, 2007     $ 10,209.72
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. 23:  Ez: 34 11-12, 15-17, 1 Cor. 15: 20-26, 28, Mt. 25: 31-46

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 211   (2) 253.  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 . . . Please consider enrolling your child in the Children’s Choir which 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 ‘Ad fugam’ – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594. Offertory motet: De profundis – Christoph Willibald Gluck, 1714-1787 (Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins. [Ps. 130: 1,2,8. Trans. M. Coverdale]), Communion: O sacrum convivium – Ludovico Viadana, 1560 – 1627 (O sacred banquet, wherein Christ is made our food, the remembrance of his passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace, and there is given us the pledge of future glory. Alleluia.). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Dixit Dominus (The Lord says: “I am pondering thoughts of peace and not of affliction; you shall call upon me, and I will hear you; and I will bring you back from all the lands where you are held captive.” O Lord, you have blessed your land; you have put an end to Jacob’s captivity. [Jer. 29:11,12,14; Ps. 84]); Alleluia De profundis (Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. [Psalm 130:1,2]); Offertory De profundis (Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. [Psalm 130:1,2]); Communion Amen dico vobis (Amen I say to you, what ever you ask in your prayers, believe that you shall receive it, and it shall be granted unto you. [Mark 11:24]).

                        TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
                    926 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905
                               www.trinitycatholic.org
  IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY TO TRINITY CATHOLIC H.  S. FOR NEXT YEAR’S FRESHMEN CLASS – CLASS OF 2013!  THE ENTRANCE EXAM WILL BE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2008 AT 8:00A.M.  

TO REGISTER FOR THE EXAM, OR FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE TCHS ADMISSIONS OFFICE, 203-322-3401, EXT. 32, OR EMAIL:  cmcgoldrick.tchs@juno.com

Coffee and refreshments following the 10:00 a.m. Mass, in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.

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

November 19, 1875: “The capacious basement of the new Catholic church is now so far completed as to be nearly ready for services. It is intended to be first used for that purpose on Thanksgiving day.”

November 23, 1877:  “The children of St. John’s Roman Catholic School will give an exhibition in the Town Hall on Thanksgiving eve. As those which preceded it by the same school have been very good, it will be well worth attending.”

November 22, 1900: Father Flannery Preaches. “The spacious auditorium of St. John’s R. C. Church was filled with women last evening, the fourth evening of the mission being held in that church. Rev. Edward Flannery, formerly a curate in the local church, gave the instruction and also preached. Father Flannery’s sermons are always eloquent and forceful, and last evening’s was no exception to the rule. It was addressed to women more particularly, and treated largely of the judgment day and the necessity of being in a state of sinlessness in order to expect God’s mercy. God was pictured as a merciful but a just God, and the sinner whose hands are dyed in the blood of the innocent Jesus was warned not to expect too much of that mercy.”

November 19, 1929: STAMFORD GIRL SCOUT TROOPS AWARDED MERITS AND BADGES AT ANNUAL RALLY. “At the Stamford Girl Scout Rally, which was presided over by Mrs. Clayton Hotchkess, Girl Scout Commissioner in Community Hall at Glenbrook, Saturday, Mrs. Joseph A Ewart acted as chairman of the Standards Committee in the absence of Mrs. O. E. Lowell. Assisting Mrs. Ewart during the afternoon in awarding the merit badges to the following Scouts, was Mrs. Harold P. Newton of Greenwich: Troop 18, St. John’s Roman Catholic – Captain, Miss Carolyn Smithson. Bernice Harkin, red and white ribbons, scholarship; Claire Boisfeuillet, white ribbon; Catherine Pledgie, scholarship (2), second class, scribe, home service badge; Helen Vagedes, scholarship (2); Anna Schwartz, interpreter, scholarship (5); Betty Wynkoop, white ribbon.”

November 19, 1938:  “A turkey party will be held by St. John’s Holy Name Society in the parochial school hall at 8, Monday evening. Arrangements for the program were completed last night. Refreshments will be served. The committee includes William H. Brennan, Samuel Vento, William L. Shea, Joseph Poultney, Charles Gilbert, Fergus E. McOaker, John Lemon and Thomas Hogan.”

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 January 3rd.

St. John’s Bible Study…We are using The Bible Timeline Series every Thursday [except Thanksgiving] 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.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NOTICE:  THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON DECEMBER 7th – due to the Christmas Fair in the Church Hall that weekend.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, November 15
4:00  +James, Jennie & Joe Freccia req. Dolores Freccia
Sunday, November 16
  7:30 +Bridget Gray req. son
10:00 +Karl Wilk req. David Lancaster
12:00 +Joseph & Effie Ramos req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, November 17
  8:00 +Florence De Silva req. Daughter & Family
12:10 +William Mancusi - 1st Anniversary req. his Family
Tuesday, November 18
  8:00 +Camille Mascia req. her brother Frank D’Amico
12:10 Special Intention for Millie & George 58th Wedding Anniversary
Wednesday, November 19
  8:00     +Vita Fazio req. her brother Frank D’Amico
12:10    +Mary, Nicholas, Charles, Albert & William Vislochy req. Mary Churley
Thursday, November 20
  8:00 Pastora Lopez req. Fabiola Contreras
12:10 +Diane Elaine Bailey req. David Johnson & Coli Sopounakis
Friday, November 21
  8:00 Father G. Pineda Priesthood Anniversary req. Maria
12:10 Alvina Ramos Birthday req. Maria
Saturday, November 22
  8:00 Special Intention
12:10    Fr. Peter Cipriani req. Fr. Terrence P. Walsh

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.  Will next meet on Sunday, November 30th  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.  Will next meet on Sunday, December 7th, in the rectory for a brunch and a talk.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…Will next meet on Monday, December 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Room at Columbus Park Restaurant, in Columbus Park.  Join us.

Eschatology
- Fr Terry Walsh

“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4).
 
 As we near the end of the Liturgical Cycle and the final week of Ordinary Time approaches, we are reminded about the final things and reflect on the past year of our Spiritual journey. On the last Sunday of O.T., we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and begin the New Liturgical Year, the Year of Matthew, on the 1st Sunday of Advent the following week – “New Year’s Day” liturgically speaking. Eschatology is about the “Last Things” – Heaven, Hell, Death, and Judgment – and about the “Second Coming of Christ.”

 At Baptism, we “die” with Christ so that we may then “rise” with Him on the Last day. Throughout our journey here on earth, we walk with Christ; that is, we encounter Him in the Sacraments and we communicate with Him through our daily prayers. Indeed, at the end of our life, we hope to receive the special gift of “Viaticum” that gives us ‘nourishment’ for the journey home to heaven. In that Rite, we hear the beautiful prayer:

“Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you. Go forth, faithful Christian! May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the angels and saints…May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth. May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life…May you see your Redeemer face to face…”(Prayer of Commendation).

 We reflect on the eschatological aspect of our faith each Sunday when we pray the Creed: “We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.”

 Now, at the moment of our death, the opportunity to receive divine grace is over, and we meet God – it is the “Particular Judgment” based on how we lived our lives here on earth. Were we faithful to our Lord, did we keep His Commandments, and so on? Recall the words of St. John of the Cross: “At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.” Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my Commandments.”

 The Catechism supplies a clear understanding of the 4 Last Things: Heaven, Hell, Death, and Judgment from paragraph 1021 through 1050, complete with Scripture references as well as quotes from various Saints of the Church. Paragraph 1039 begins, “In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man’s relationship with God will be laid bare. The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his life….” Now is the time of Mercy; may we respond with love, offering thanks and praise, and ‘walk humbly with God.