Pastor’s Corner . . . Saint John’s is quite a splendid little parish, if I do say so myself.  It’s had a few decades of practice, you know, but, it also has a vast crowd of people who make it work. I’ve always thought that many people think that after Sunday Mass we shut off the lights until the following Sunday. Not so: Just look at the parish bulletin for the usual weekly schedule of activities for some idea that the place stays open daily, late into the night.  Or, drop by any day in church between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and see the hundreds of people who stop by to make a visit to Our Lord.  While the priests stay occupied with hospital calls, the sacramental schedule, teaching and personal counseling, and the salaried staff remains reasonably busy making the place run, there is, likewise, quite literally, a battalion of volunteers who work thousands of hours behind-the-scenes to make St. John’s the best parish in Fairfield County.  This weekend, the priests of the parish will host our annual volunteer luncheon to thank those scores of volunteers.
Without naming names, because they’d put a hit out on my life if I did, here is a small list of some of those unseen-yet-essential volunteers and their duties:   the lady who opens the church weekdays at 6:30 a.m.-originally from Stamford, she  now drives  from Monroe each  morning; the ladies who maintain the sanctuary, clean and polish the altar, statues and sacred Mass vessels, arrange the flowers, clean and iron the altar linens, maintain the church supplies, and keep the church in running order—they arrive Monday and Friday at 6: 45 a.m., and spend most of their days at church—on Fridays they leave by 9:00 p.m.-- working; Christmas, Holy Week and Easter require dozens more hours daily, and another lovely lady who directs the flower arranging; the lady who repairs the Mass vestments, altar linens and ornaments, and robes for Our Lady’s altar; various tradesmen and professionals who donate their time and efforts in parish repair and construction projects;  the numerous lectors and altar servers who serve at the altar daily at Mass; our ushers, who maintain order and take the weekly collection; those who sort and count the collection;  the lady who volunteers as our librarian for the parish’s extensive sheet music library, helping Scott and the choir, along with the lady who helps with the children’s choir, and the choir volunteers; then there are the religious education teachers and their assistants who teach our children the Catholic faith weekly; volunteers who organize our parish societies; the men and women who volunteer to make all our social and fundraising events happen;  the bookstore volunteers, and those who prepare coffee and refreshments each week after the 10:00 a.m. Mass; the gentleman who drives each Monday from New Jersey to research Saint John’s parish history, and the young lady who volunteers as his secretary, maintaining computer files of St. John’s history for us and for the Stamford Historical Society; the members of our parish Finance Council and Parish Council; our parish Trustees and legal counsel, who do there best to restrain the pastor from doing too many dumb things.
That’s a lot of people!! And too often, their efforts and dedicated service to Saint John’s go unmentioned, unnoticed or unappreciated by us all.  So, this weekend, I would like to thank them all for their generous and continued hard work, which is such a sign of their love for our parish and for Our Lord, and one reason why St. John’s does work so well.  --Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick…  Janet Rodgers, Aidan Moon, Mary Daniele, Lena Cocchia, Phillip Renard, John Castellano, Anthony Sansone, Paul Cavallo, Kathy Hennesey, Ruth Coyle, Lily Rice, Mildred Fiore, Catherine & Jay Olnek

Please pray for those who have recently died. . . Thomas Carucci, Sr. Julia McCarthy, Ella Palumba, Vito Melfi,  Arthur Capalbo, Avery Cardinal Dulles, Laurie, Jeannette Augustine, Vivian E. Torres, Margie Nicholson, Ed “Red” Baker 

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 February 3rd.

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. We’ll start again on Tuesday, January 13th.

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 next meet on January 14th.

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.

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies ... Will NOT meet on January 14th, but will resume on January 21st.  We are studying Pope Saint Gregory the Great’s Four Books of Dialogues.   Join us each Wednesday evening in the rectory at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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.

The 20’s and 30’s Meeting for January 13th has been cancelled. The next meeting will be on February 9th at the Upper Room at Columbus Park at 6:30 p.m.  Our Topic will be “Stump the Priest” – come with your questions….bring your friends!

Sunday, January 4, 2009      $ 12,178.12
Sunday, January 6, 2008      $ 11,609.38

Christmas, December 25, 2008      $ 34,956.99
Christmas, December 25, 2007      $ 39,824.00

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. 18th:   1 Sm. 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor. 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn.1:35-42

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 47   (2) 187. 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 quam gloriosum’ – Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: Inveni David – G.P. da Palestrina, 1525-1594 (I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. My hand shall hold him fast and my arms shall strengthen him. [Ps. 89:21-22]). Communion motet: O esca viatorum – Heinrich Isaac, c. 1445 – 1517 (O Food of men wayfaring, The bread of Angels sharing, O Manna from on high! We hunger; Lord, supply us, Nor thy delights deny us, Whose hearts to thee draw nigh. O Jesu, by thee bidden, We here adore thee, hidden ‘Neath froms of bread and wine. Grant when the veil is riven, We may behold, in heaven, Thy countenance divine. (Anon. 17th Cent., trans. A. Riley). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Dilexisti justitiam (You have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions. My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my works to the King. [Ps. 45:8, 2]); Alleluia Inveni David (I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. [Ps. 89:21]); Offertory Benedictus qui venit (Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light, alleluia, alleluia. [Ps. 118:26,27]); Communion Omnes qui in Christo (As for all of you who have been baptised in Christ, you have put on Christ, alleluia. [Galatians 3:27]).

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.

Vespers for the Conversion of St. Paul … On Sunday, January 25th at 4:00 p.m. Solemn Vespers and Benediction will be celebrated at St. Gabriel Church on Newfield Avenue in Stamford for the Feast of the conversion of St. Paul.  Bishop Lori has graciously granted the plenary indulgence for the Pauline Year to those who attend.  All are welcome for this special event to mark the Year of St. Paul!
St. John’s in The  ADVOCATE . . .
   . . . 100 years ago, or so:

January 15, 1921: “Much interest is being taken by members of the Holy Name Society in the rally to be held in the Alhambra Theatre, tomorrow, at 8 p. m., under the auspices of the society of St. John’s Church. The Rt. Rev. John G. Murray, auxiliary bishop of the Catholic diocese of Hartford, and David E. Fitzgerald, the eloquent Mayor of New Haven, are to make addresses. The chaplains and other officers of the Holy Name societies in the district between Westport and East Port Chester will be represented at the meeting, which will be for men only.”

 January 16, 1936: “The Rev. F. X. Downey, S. J., of the Stamford Catholic Library, will conduct the novena to St. Anthony which will be held in St. John’s R. C. Church, starting next Monday afternoon. The novena will close January 28. “St. Anthony and Today” is the general theme for the nine short talks to be given at each of the afternoon and evening services. “To honor and to imitate is the motive behind the novena to St. Anthony,” Father Downey said, today. “St. Anthony, Franciscan, was nothing if not practical, and his message today to people facing the perplexing problems of life is timely and filled with sound common Catholic sense..”

January 18, 1939:  “The first annual mid-year spiritual retreat for boys and girls of high school age will be held in St. John’s Catholic Church, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27, 28 and 29, it was announced today by the Inter-parish Council of the Stamford Catholic Youth Organizations. The retreat exercises will be directed by Rev. Robert X. Sheridan, S. J., a member of the faculty of Boston College High School, who has had considerable experience with high school students’ retreats in New England. The exercises of the retreat will formally open Friday night, Jan. 27, at 7:30, with devotions, sermon and benediction. Saturday morning the retreat mass will be at 8 a. m. with sermon by Father Sheridan. Saturday evening at 7:30, there will be devotions, sermon and benediction. The retreat will close Sunday morning, at the 8 a. m. mass, at which time all those making the retreat will receive Holy Communion.”

 January 18, 1952: Johnnies Lead CYO Basketball As Hearts Tumble. “The team standings took quite a shuffling in the CYO High School Basketball League last night with St. Maurice’s setting the pattern with an upset win which dislodged the Sacred Heart team from first place. It was the second successive upset for the St. Maurice team which knocked off the Holy Name five last week. St. John’s moved into first place with a tight 27-26 decision over the Holy Name team which dropped from second to third place as a result of the loss.”

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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 February 7th.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, January 10
4:00 Thanksgiving to God & All Saints req. Diane Strain
Sunday, January 11
  7:30 +James Stack req. Dagmar Lanigan
10:00 +Frances Delaney 1st Anniversary req. by Family
12:00 Thanksgiving Mass req. Anne Marie Samedi
  6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, January 12
  8:00 +Edward A. Joyce req. Msgr. DiGiovanni
12:10 +Hennando Mesa req. Raquel Mesa
 Tuesday, January 13
  8:00 +Roger Gable req. Carpanzano Family
12:10 For a Blessing req. Anne Marie Mathieu
Wednesday, January 14
  8:00 Scared Heart of Jesus req. Maria
12:10 +Amaldo Mesa req. Raquel Mesa
Thursday, January 15
  8:00 +Umberto Badetti req. The Marchetti Family
12:10 +Mary Louise Deluca req. Patricia Haas
Friday, January 16
  8:00 +Maureen Bernadette Breen req. Frank & Elisabeth Clarke
12:10 +Mary Louise Deluca req. Kathleen Walsh
Saturday, January 17
  8:00 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
12:10    Brian & Kathleen Fennessey req. Fr. Terrence P. Walsh

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.

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.

The Baptism of the Lord
                                           - Fr. Terry Walsh
 What a wonderful Season! Advent prepared our hearts to welcome our Lord on Christmas Day and the Epiphany ennobled our hearts with his Radiant Light. And today we celebrate His Baptism and so recall the gift of the Holy Spirit which comes to us through our entry into His Mystical Body at our own Baptism. Consider the beautiful Antiphon taken from Morning Prayer on last week’s Solemnity of the Epiphany:
“Today the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan’s waters; the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia.”
 That beautiful Epiphany Antiphon ties together three manifestations of the Light of Christ that demonstrate the union between God and man: the Baptism of Jesus, the Search of the three Magi, and of course, the Wedding Feast at Cana where Jesus performed His 1st public miracle thereby manifesting His Divinity to the world. The Antiphon expresses the intimate union between God and man – likened to the union in Sacramental Marriage. Jesus, the Bridegroom marries His Bride, the Church. Each member of the Mystical Body of Christ enjoys that union in a deeply personal way, beginning with Baptism and continuing throughout the journey of life, especially through Holy Eucharist. Moreover, Vatican II established the Baptism of Jesus as a special Feast, which we celebrate today, the day before we enter “Ordinary Time” in the Church’s Liturgy. What exactly was the purpose of the Baptism of Jesus? After all, He is God, so why did He go to the Jordan to be baptized? Consider the meditation of St. Hippolytus: “That Jesus should come to be baptized by John is surely cause for amazement. To think of the infinite river that gladdens the city of God being bathed in a poor little stream of the eternal; the unfathomable fountainhead that gives life to all men being immersed in the shallow waters of this transient world! He who fills all creation, leaving no place devoid of his presence, he who is incomprehensible to the angels and hidden from the sight of man, came to be baptized because it was his will. And behold, the heavens opened and a voice said: ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased’….The Father of immortality sent his immortal Son and Word into the world; he came to us men to cleanse us with water and the Spirit. To give us a new birth that would make our bodies and souls immortal, he breathed into us the spirit of life and armed us with incorruptibility. Now if we become divine after rebirth in baptism through water and the Holy Spirit, we shall also be coheirs with Christ after the resurrection….This is the water that is linked to the Spirit, the water that irrigates Paradise, makes the earth fertile, gives growth to plants, and brings forth living creatures. In short, this is the water by which a man receives new birth and life, the water in which even Christ was baptized, the water into which the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.” And St. Proclus adds, “Come, consider this new and wonderful deluge, greater and more important than the flood of Noah’s day. Then the water of the flood destroyed the human race, but now the water of baptism has recalled the dead to life by the power of the one who was baptized. In the days of the flood the dove with an olive branch in its beak foreshadowed the fragrance of the good odor of Christ the Lord; now the Holy Spirit, coming in the likeness of a dove reveals the lord of mercy.”