Pastor’s Corner . . . The date for the beginning of the New Year has not always been on January 1st. In fact, not until 1582 did January 1st become New Year’s Day, when it was declared such by Pope Gregory XIII, who instituted the present day calendar, replacing that which was in use since the time of Julius Caesar.  Before that, New Year’s Day was determined by the use in different countries and cities.  New Year’s Day was the beginning of a period known as the Indiction, usually a 15-year cycle begun during the Roman Empire, begun in the 3rd century reign of the Emperor Diocletian, to help establish land taxes. It is similar to the use by Queen Elizabeth of England, or Pope Benedict XVI, referring the year of their reign to date something, rather than the common estimation of dates. So, for instance, an act in England would be dated as occurring in the 27th year of the Queen’s reign; or in Rome, as in the 2nd year of the Pope’s reign. 
In other cities and countries, New Year’s Day began on church feast days: In Venice, the year began on March 1st; Florence began the year on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th; France began its year on Easter, whose date changed each year; the Byzantine Empire began its year on September 1st; Rome, the Papal States, England, Ireland and Alexandria in Egypt, on Christmas Day; Spain, depending on the kingdom, by the 12th century New Year’s Day was either Christmas or the Circumcision of the Lord, January 1st; by the 17th it was usually the latter.  In any event, whatever date celebrated as the beginning of the New Year, the day before was one of thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year.
On New Year’s Eve, whatever date that it was observed, the Church always offered a Plenary Indulgence: the full remission of the temporal punishment due for sins the guilt of which has already been forgiven in Confession. One can obtain this by: 1) going to confession sometime within 7 days of December 31st; 2) freeing oneself from all attachment to sin; 3) receiving Holy Communion worthily; 4) performing the act of faith and charity prescribed by the Church: in this instance, the public recitation of the hymn, Te Deum, and praying one Hail Mary and one Our Father, for the intentions of the Holy Father. All this will be done after each Mass at St. John’s. For us, this year, that public thanksgiving will be on December 31st.
While it is a terrible economy out there, and we may feel we haven’t much to be thankful for during 2008, we should be thankful that God continues to give us each breathe we draw, and that He sent His Son to save from sin and eternal death: not bad gifts, you know! Even if the economy is in shambles due to the sins/greed/dishonesty of individuals who helped wreck the economy, we should learn to put our trust only in God.  We should thank God on December 31st and promise that we’ll strive to lead more virtuous lives in 2009.
My suggestion for the New Year is to ignore the more exotic resolutions, such as losing 100 pounds or such. Resolve, rather, to live a more virtuous and pious life during this New Year.  Choose one weakness and work on that so that this year we might imitate Our Lord more perfectly. As we begin the year with a grant of special graces of Our Lord through His Church in the Indulgence, let us continue it by practicing virtue and charity more closely. Virtue opens us to God’s Kingdom in our life: nice to start it on the first day of the year, that we be more open to God’s will in our daily lives.
Happy New Year! --Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick…  Phillip Renard, 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. . . Vito Melfi,  Arthur Capalbo, Avery Cardinal Dulles, Laurie, Jeannette Augustine, Vivian E. Torres, Margie Nicholson, Ed “Red” Baker, Katherine Harten, Pauline Weeks, Jennifer Tomasello, Vincent Dangi, Deborah (Brennan) Stowell,

January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, is a holy day of obligation when all Catholics are obliged to attend Mass. Please mark your calendars: Mass schedule will be:
December 31st:  5:15 p.m.
January 1st:  8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 5:15 p.m.

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.  We will NOT meet New Year’s Eve.

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 will NOT meet on New Year’s Day.  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. We will NOT meet on New Year’s Day.

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

Year of Saint Paul . . . a Plenary Indulgence is offered the faithful through June 29th: by visiting the adoration chapel at Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence on Newfield Avenue: the chapel is open Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m., and from Friday at 6:00 a.m. until Sunday 11:00 p.m.  The usual conditions apply: sacramental confession and communion, praying one Our Father and Hail Mary for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI apply.

Moms & Tots... a group of moms and children meet with Fr. Walsh each first Tuesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in church for Eucharistic adoration, followed by snacks in the parish hall. Please join us.  Our next meeting will be on January 6th.

Coffee and refreshments… PLEASE NOTE:  There is NO coffee hour today Sunday, December 28th due to New Years.

Sunday, December 21, 2008      $ 12,170.00

Sunday, December 23, 2007       $11,638.15

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 Jan. 4th:   Is. 60: 1-6; Eph. 3: 2-3a, 5-6; Mt. 2-12

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 13 (2) 16 (3) 21. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Missa ‘O magnum mysterium’ – Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: The Blessed Son of God – Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Communion motet: In dulci jubilo and Break Forth, O Beauteous light – Arr. J.S. Bach, 1685-1750. The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Deus in loco sancto suo ([God is in his holy dwelling place; the God who causes us to dwell together, one at heart, in his house; he himself will give power and strength to his people. Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let those who hate him flee before his face. [Ps. 68:6,7,36,2]); Alleluia Gaudete iusti in Domino (Rejoice in the Lord, O you just. It is fitting that loyal hearts should praise him. [Psalm 33:1]); Offertory In te speravi, Domine (In you have I put my trust, O Lord; I said: “You are my God, my destiny is in your hands.” [Psalm 31:15,16]); Communion Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? (My son, why have you treated us so? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you. –  How is it that you were seeking me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business? [Luke 2:48,49]).

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. 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.

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.

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

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

The Stamford Advocate:
December 29, 1865: “A heavy rain on Sunday night washed away all the snow that had fallen, and Christmas morning broke in sunshine as lovely as a day in Spring. In the Roman Catholic Church, High Mass was celebrated at 5 A. M., low mass at 6 and 8 and High Mass at 10:30 A. M. Father O’Neil officiated at 10:30 and delivered a short address to his people. In the afternoon there was Vespers and an eloquent sermon on the birth of our Savior.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 December 31, 1875:  “The musical portion of the worship – especially at the vesper services – in St. John’s R. C. church, has been largely increased in attractiveness since the congregation began to occupy their new chapel. Numbers from other denominations are present at nearly every service.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
 December 31, 1892: STAMFORD “To the inhabitants of the Nutmeg state we wish a happy new year. Those who predicted a green Christmas were mistaken as while the bells were pealing for worshippers on Christmas morning to welcome the new born Savior, the snow was beautifully shedding its crystal mangle on the streets of Stamford. All churches were crowded, especially St. John’s at the masses. The singing and music at 10:30 reflects much credit to Choirmaster O’Brien and Miss McCallion, the organist, for the able manner in which the young ladies and gents sung during the mass. A Solemn High mass was offered by Rev. T. Keena, celebrant; W. Rogers, deacon and H. Walsh, sub-deacon. There sermon by Father Keena was eloquent and long will be remembered by the congregation. He preached on the infant Savior and did not forget to remind his hearers on the duty they owe to God’s poor.”

The Stamford Advocate:
 January 2, 1907:  New Parochial School Opens. “St. John’s parochial school took up its quarters in its new building this morning. There were about 500 children present. They attended mass in the church at 9 a. m. and then went over to their new school. There was some inconvenience in getting the session under way, because all the work on the interior was not entirely completed. By Monday, everything will be done. It is expected, and from that time on, things will move along smoothly. There were a number of visitors in the school yesterday and all were well impressed with it.”

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

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. 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. Questions, please contact Frank Marchetti at (203) 434-4734.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 27
4:00 +John & Mary Melfi & Melfi, Sr. req. Joseph Melfi, Jr.
Sunday, December 28
  7:30 +Anne Augustine Penta 12-year remembrance req. Armelle
10:00 +Randolph Samedi req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:00 Special Intention Maria Trivino Birthday req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos
  6:00 People of the Parish
Monday, December 29
  8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
12:10 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
 Tuesday, December 30
  8:00 +Sean Faris req. Angela Giannitti
12:10 +D’Amico, Schepis, and Fazio Families req. Frank   D’Amico
Wednesday, December 31
  8:00 +Victoria Santagata req. Angela Giannitti
12:10 Special Intention Mary Jean Dal Molin
  5:15 People of the Parish
Thursday, January 1
  8:00 +Charles Cycon req. Cycon Family
12:10 +Robert Dougherty req. Dee Family
  5:15 +Lucy Nyars req. Susan Mc Sharry
Friday, January 2
  8:00 Sacred Heart of Jesus req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:10 +John Kolenberg req. Family
Saturday, January 3
  8:00  Special Intention Rev. Carlos Mesa req. Raquel Mesa
12:10    Orian Rolle req. Julian 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.

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.

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).        

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 Garment
                                                                  (Part 1I)                               - Fr. Terry Walsh
 St. Paul speaks so eloquently about the Mystery of our redemption, the unfolding of salvation history, and our participation in “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Faith opens the door. Faith leads us to Baptism. At the same time, Faith is a supernatural gift that our Lord infuses into our souls at Baptism - a Seed that is watered by the grace of God, which we receive ordinarily and most abundantly through the Sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist.
 “….I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in Heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”(Ephesians 3:14-19).
 Humility, once again, is the key. It opens the heart to love. Only through our humbly acknowledging that we stand in need – for everything – that we could not take one step except that God allows it – not one breadth, save his gracious will – only then can we begin to understand the love of God in our lives. God wills that all men and women be saved – that all be eternally united to Him in Heaven. But he leaves the choice up to us. He created us, holds us in being, and invites us to share in His Divine Life – and – he provides all the graces we need to fulfill this plan – graces that pour out from the Sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son on the Cross. What more could he do? Our “Yes” to his invitation naturally requires our fidelity. In humility we “bow our knees” in thanksgiving for receiving the Name – we have been claimed for Christ. As members of His Mystical Body, we grow in holiness each time we receive him worthily in the Eucharist, each time we make a humble confession, each time we apply the graces he has given so that we may be formed into the very likeness of Jesus Christ. Prayer deepens our humility and increases our faith. If we make the effort, our Lord will help us. He will purify our prayer. He will teach us. But we need to make prayer a daily habit and allow it to become joyful. Jesus said, “…if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you”(Jn 14:14-17). “Asking”…requires humility. It also presumes Trust. It desires friendship. It is motivated by love. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples”(Jn 15:5ff). If we ask him, he will do it. If we ask him to renew our “inner man” – that is –if we ask him to heal us, to strengthen us, to lead us into holiness – he will do it. It will require our humble ‘yes’, and, a willingness to be pruned. But it will be done with love so that we may enter into love Himself. The Apostle exhorts: “Live the Truth in love”. “Put off your old nature…and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”(Eph 4:22ff). What overflowing love God has for us. Our humble thanks and praise of His Holy Name and Gracious Will serves to draw us more deeply into his light, thereby sanctifying our inner garment and giving glory to our Heavenly Father.