Pastor’s Corner . . . Whose birthday will we celebrate on December 25th?  Jesus’, obviously! But, who is He? The answers come this week during Mass.
Beginning on December 17th, the daily Masses during this final week of Advent gather together many of the Old Testament prophecies about the Savior’s birth.  The Church gives us daily hints in the alleluia verse before the Gospel at each daily Mass, so we have a clear understanding of the identity and nature of the child whose birth we celebrate on December 25th.  These verses are known as the O Antiphons, which originated in the Church as early as the 7th century for use in monasteries during the daily communal recitation of prayers. Whose birthday do we celebrate on December 25th?  The daily O Antiphons  tell  us:  He is,
Dec. 17th: “O, Wisdom of the Most High, ordering all things with strength and gentleness, come and teach us the way of truth.”
Dec. 18th: “O, Ruler of the House of Israel, who gave the law to Moses on Sinai, come and save us with outstretched arm.”[on the Cross]
Dec. 19th: “O, Root of Jesse [Father of King David], sent as a sign to the peoples, come to save us and delay no more.” 
Dec. 20th: “O, Key of David, who opens the gates of the eternal kingdom, come to liberate from prison the captive [Adam] who lives in darkness.”
Dec. 21st: “O, Morning Star, radiance of eternal light, sun of justice, come and enlighten those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death.”
Dec. 22nd: “O, King of the peoples and corner-stone of the Church, come and save mankind whom you made from the dust of the earth.”
Dec. 23rd: “O, Emmanuel, our king and lawgiver, come and save us, Lord our God.”
 But there is more: if you look at the first letter of the first Latin word following “O” in each antiphon: Sapientia [Wisdom], Adonai, [Ruler], Radix [Root], Clavis [Key], Oriens [Morning Star], Rex [King], and Emmanuel [God-with-us], they spell the apparently nonsensical word: SARCORE: turn it around, and it spells ERO CRAS, Latin meaning, “Tomorrow I will be there.”  They refer to Our Lord, our only hope: God who became man to free us from sin and death, so that we might become like God.
On December 25th, Our Lord, the Eternal Son of the Father, Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, the Creator of the entire universe, will be born in the flesh of the Virgin Mary, coming to rescue us from the power of sin and death.  As the great Easter Hymn, the Exsultet describes God’s saving work for us: “To ransom a slave, you gave away your Son.” Our response should be one of immense awe and gratitude before this divine charity.
During this final week of Advent, let us engage actively in works of piety, charity and penance: come to Confession, make a visit each day for a few minutes to Our Lord in the tabernacle of any Catholic church near home or work; pray the Rosary daily, as a meditation of Our Lord’s life; engage in an act of charity each day of the week.  Show your gratitude to Our Lord in more than mere words: alter your daily life, even slightly, by piety, charity and penance, just as Our Lord altered all human history by “leaping down from His eternal throne in the fullness of time”, as the Roman Martyrology describes Christmas, in order to raise us up to share His divine life forever. --Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick…  John Castellano, Anthony Sansone, Paul Cavallo, Kathy Hennesey, Ruth Coyle, Lily Rice, Mildred Fiore, Catherine & Jay Olnek, Ryan Santolo, Michael Mammone, Mary Bozek, Marjorie Just, Jerry Gerardi,

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

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection . . . Please drop your special 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.

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.

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

Introduction to New Testament Greek Class . . . meets every Thursday evening in the rectory at 7:30 p.m.  This is an introductory class:  All are welcome. We’ll next meet on Thursday, December 18th. Please join us.

St. John’s Bible Study…We are using The Bible Timeline Series every Thursday in the rectory at 7:30 p.m.  Join us.

Religious Education Classes…There will NO Religious Education Classes on December 21st and December 28th.   Classes will resume on January 4, 2009.

Christmas Fair. . . I cannot sufficiently thank all the parishioners who volunteered their time and talents to make last week’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair a superb success.  The hundreds of parishioners who came downstairs to the Monsignor Nagle Hall were treated to a wide array of Christmas items: wreaths, crèche sets, books, gifts, baked goods, a raffle of Christmas baskets, Christmas trees, decorations-- and even a gingerbread house, with St. Nick to boot! I must thank everyone: Mirella Badetti headed the bake shoppe, with her own baked goods and those provided by Maria Mossa, Juanita Evans, Sharon Gannon, Marie Pinto, Jennifer Marchetti, Sue DePreta, Josephine Marena, Michelina Docimo, Maureen Carpiniello, JaneMarie Raiteri, Barbara Logsdail, Judy DeFelice, Barbara Smith, Eileen Tarleton, Gina Leale, Landa Leute, Lisa D’Acunto, Tracy Banahan, Noreen DeSoye, Shelley Sahd, Vera Viola, Betty Czarnecki and Beth Brucker. Tracy Banahan watched over the raffle, along with Scholastica Nabwire, Landa Leute, Judy DeFelice and Jeannette. The Children’s Corner was organized by Angela Marchetti, with the help of Gina Leale and Vera Viola. The Wreaths were the work of Marjan Falek, MaryJean DalMolin and Marie Pinto.  JaneMarie Raitieri watched over the book stall, and Eileen Tarleton offered the coffee and refreshments. Leon Taricani manned the credit card machines and check-out, while Providencia Rodriquez and Ferry Galbert lent their hands to whatever task was needed. The Christmas fireplace was the beautiful handiwork of Bill Skidd, prepared especially for Phil DeFelice who bore a striking resemblance to Saint Nicholas, as captured in the photos by Andrew Mbabaali.  Thank you all for your generous work and support of our annual fair. --Msgr. SMD


Sunday, December 7, 2008      $ 11,985.49

Sunday, December 9, 2007       $ 11,392.39

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 Dec. 21 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom. 16 25-27 Lk. 1:26-38 (11)

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 4   (2) 9. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

COME AND SEE – COME AND SING – COME AND WORSHIP ... St. John’s new Volunteer Choir invites St. John's parishioners and friends to join us. How about singing for Christmas at the 10:00 a.m. Mass? DISCOVER what a wonderful experience it is to pray by singing. MEET US. We are becoming a very convivial group. REHEARSALS are Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in the music room in the basement of the church.  For those who want to learn or refresh their knowledge of the basics of music, there is a short optional Music Theory Class at 7:15 p.m. For more information, call Scott Turkington 324-1553, ext. 18.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Kyrie XVII (10th century) – Graduale Romanum; Sanctus & Agnus Dei from Missa sexti toni – Giovanni Croce, 1557-1609. Offertory motet: Canite tuba in Sion – G.P. da Palestrina, 1525-1594 (Blow the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is near: behold, he comes to save us. The crooked shall be made straight and the rough places smooth. Come, Lord, and do not delay. Alleluia. [from Isaiah]). Communion motet: Conditor alme siderum – Guillaume Dufay, 1397-1474 (The text may be found in the hymnal at No. 2.). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Gaudete in Domino (Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men, for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing sloicitous, but in every thing by prayer let your requests be made known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob. [Phil 4:4-6; Ps. 85:2]); Alleluia Excita, Domine (Stir up your might, O Lord, and come to save us. [Psalm 80:3]); Offertory Benedixisti, Domine (O Lord, you have blessed your land, you have put an end to Jacob’s captivity; you have forgiven the guilt of your people. [Psalm 85:2]); Communion Dicite: Pusillanimes (Say: “Take courage, you who are fainthearted, and do not fear; behold, our God will come and he will save us.” [Cf. Isaiah 35:4]).

As part of your Advent preparation for Christmas, you might consider going to Confession, especially if you haven’t been in a while. Confessions are heard daily:  Monday—Friday, 7:30-7:50 a.m. and 11:30-12:00 noon; Saturday, 3:00-4:00 p.m.; Sundays, 7:00-7:30 a.m.; 9:30-10:00 a.m.; 11:30-12:00 noon.  Take advantage of God’s generosity.

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . Will next meet on January 7th to begin studying St. Gregory the Great’s Four Books of Dialogues.   Join us each Wednesday evening in the rectory at 7:30 p.m.

Coffee and refreshments… following the 10:00 a.m. Mass, in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.  PLEASE NOTE:  There is NO coffee hour the following two Sundays (12/21 and 12/28 due to Christmas and New Years).

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

New York Freeman’s Journal and Catholic Register:
December 18 1875 “On Thanksgiving Day, Very Rev. James Hughes, V. G., Administrator of the Diocese of Hartford, dedicated the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, attached to St. John’s Church at Stamford, Conn. After the dedication, Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Florence de Bruyeker, with Rev. J. Ryan, Paulist, of New York, as Deacon, Rev. J. Cooney, as Sub-Deacon, and Rev. W. H. Rogers as Master of Ceremonies. The sermon was preached by Rev. Matthew Hart, of New Haven. Solemn Vespers were sung in the evening, and a sermon was preached by Rev. P. A. Murphy. This chapel, as well as St. John’s Church, is under the Pastoral care of Rev. Michael Tierney.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 December 17, 1917: Service Flags for Catholic Church. “St. John’s Catholic church will soon be among the churches of the country that fly service flags. One has been ordered, and it will be put up as soon as it arrives, which ought to be before Christmas. A roll of honor will be placed in the vestibule of the church. It will contain upwards of 225 names. A complete list of the names of the members of the parish who are in the service is now being compiled. It is estimated that there are about 230 and the number will, of course, increase later.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 December 15, 1949: St. John’s School Lists Honor Roll. “The Rev. Richard R. Dunn, principal of St. John’s Parochial School, announced the following honor roll for the junior high department: Grade 9. Eileen Kenney, Katherine Weber, Maureen McGowan, Miriam Treat, Stanley Kaswer, Frieda Mitchell, Jean Lehner, Gordon Murphy, Ann Forbes, Frances Agostino, Patricia Hanrahan, Marianne Hoffkins, Patricia Henning. Grade Eight. Lawrence Fayette, Marie Lutz, Joan Morenzo, Yvonne Lauzon, Teresa Downs, Nora Schopinsky, Margaret Robushi, William Leary, Rosemarie Keenan, Dolores Roche, June Munnelly, Constance Hansen, James Ryan, Maureen Connors, Thomas Murray, Robert Bello, Anne Marie Smeland, Sharon Daniels, Eleanor Claps, Patricia Moughty.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 December 17, 1953: Stamford Priest To Head Schools Of New Diocese.  “Appointment of five Stamford priests to posts in the new Diocese of Bridgeport were announced today by the Most Rev. Lawrence J. Shehan, D. D., Bishop of Bridgeport. The Rev. Patrick F. Donnelly, assistant pastor of St. John’s Church, was named Secretary and Notary of the Tribunal. Named as an Advocate of the Tribunal was Rev. Alfred J. Sienkiewicz, assistant pastor of the Holy Name Church. The Rev. Nicholas P. Coleman, pastor of St. John’s Church, was appointed a Diocesan Consultant.”

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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.

Healing Mass. . . .  Thursday, January 8th, at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Philip’s church, Fr. Conlon Drive, Norwalk.  Join us.


Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 13
4:00 +Michela & Vincenzo Zabatta req. daughter Theresa

Sunday, December 14
  7:30 +John & Evelyn Sexton req. Hannah Young
10:00 Special Intentions the Cassidy Family
12:00 +Barbara Gentil 1st Anniversary req. Bill & Marion Morris & Family
  6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, December 15
  8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
12:10  Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.

Tuesday, December 16
  8:00 +Rosa Osorio req. Maria
12:10 +Rose Donahue req. Marie Carr

Wednesday, December 17
  8:00 Special Intention req. Gerard J. Carriera
12:10 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.

Thursday, December 18
8:00 In honor of the Sacred Heart req. Fabiola C.
12:10 In honor of the Virgin Mary req. Fabiola C.

Friday, December 19
  8:00 Thanksgiving to God req. Fabiola C.
12:10 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.

Saturday, December 20
  8:00 +Randolph Samedi req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:10    Happy Birthday Pedario Lauture req. Ferry Galbert

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 from 8th - 12th grades. Questions, please contact Rosa Marchetti at (203) 348-0232.

St. Dominic Savio Society…For the spiritual formation of young men from 8th – 12th grades, we’ll next meet on Sunday,  December 14th 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.


What Comes to Mind….?
- Fr. Terry Walsh

Do you remember what it was like in those few days leading up to Christmas morning? So much anticipation and wonder -  so much Mystery. It was unlike any other time of year. The excitement was all around you – at home, in school, in town. Everyone was looking forward to the Day. Christmas is filled with Mystery. Why did God become man? And why was He born in a cave surrounded by animals? Why wouldn’t anyone open their doors for Mary and Joseph? Peering a little deeper into the Mystery, we need only look to the Shepherds: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people…and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!’”(Luke 2:9-13). Imagine seeing that Heavenly Host on the hillside that night? What an extraordinary vision. The shepherds, filled with peace and joy, quickly made their way to the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.
The Savior has come…Our Lord comes to us everyday. But do we look for Him with the same eagerness as the Shepherds did that Holy night? We have been blessed with the gift of Faith infused in our souls at Baptism. By grace, we are able to “see” through the eyes of faith the Mystery that the Shepherds were blessed to see with their natural eyes. By faith we are able to believe what our natural eyes do not see. How pleasing it is to our Lord when we respond to this mysterious invitation; when we look to Him in the Host and understand with full confidence that all of Heaven surrounds us in that moment. But do we call this Mystery to mind as we approach the Altar to receive Him? Consider the exchange between Padre Pio and Padre Alberto D’Apolito concerning the Mystery of the Holy Mass. Padre Pio said, “‘What great care She (Blessed Virgin Mary) took to accompany me to the altar this morning. It seemed to me that She had nothing else to think about except myself as She filled my whole heart with sentiments of holy love.’ Asked if the Madonna had been present at Mass, Padre Pio answered: ‘Yes, she placed Herself to the side, but I could see her, what joy! What paradise…’ Has she attended only once, or is she always present? Padre Pio: ‘How can the mother of Jesus, present on Calvary at the foot of the Cross, who offered Her Son as victim for the salvation of souls, be absent at the mystical calvary of the altar?’ Is our Lady present at all the Masses that are being celebrated in the world? Pader Pio: ‘Yes.’ Do the angels attend? Padre Pio: ‘The whole celestial court is present.’ That is why the Mass was both calvary and paradise for Padre Pio”(Padre Alberto D’Apolito, My Daily Eucharist, vol. 1, March 13).
Why was Jesus born into the world? So that He could die on the Cross for the Salvation of all who follow Him…so that we could receive Him, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in every worthy reception of Holy Communion. The Mystery of our Salvation is found in His love. When we open the doors of our hearts to the Mystery of His love we too will be filled with wonder and awe; we will grow in our knowledge and love of Him and we will bring that joy to all we meet. Rejoice…..