BULLETIN

ST. JOHN'S STAMFORD BULLETIN

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BULLETIN

Bulletin for November 16 - 22, 2008

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.

Posted by St John's Stamford at 11/13/2008 3:44 PM | Add Comment

Bulletin for November 9 - 15, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . On Sunday, November 9th, the Church celebrates the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, dedicated on November 9, 324 a.d. Next Tuesday, November 18th, is the feast of the dedication of two other Roman basilicas: St. Peter’s in the Vatican, and St. Paul’s.

The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome.

You will see this on Fr. Walsh’s March Pilgrimage to Rome!

Why does every Catholic parish in the world annually celebrate the anniversary of an ancient church 3,000 miles away in Rome? The answer is found on the church’s façade: the Basilica of Saint John Lateran is the “Mother and Head of All Churches in the Holy City [Rome] and throughout the World.” This is the cathedral for the Bishop of Rome, who is also the pope of the Universal Church, who is the Successor of Saint Peter, head of the Apostles. It was to Peter that Our Lord gave the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven [Matt. 16:19]. As the cathedral church of the Successor to Saint Peter, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran becomes the touchstone for all who are part of the Church established by Our Lord. To be in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter means to be fully part of that one Church founded personally by Christ.
The Vatican sent St. John’s Parish a gift a few years ago: 4 bricks from the Holy Year doors from the four major Roman basilicas are on display at the Saint Joseph Altar. They are a sign of our communion with Pope Benedict XVI and, through him, with the whole Catholic Church. Ours is the faith professed for two thousand years by the millions and millions of saints, beginning with the Twelve Apostles and the Blessed Mother. Therefore, the anniversary of the dedication of this ancient church is a celebration of the founding of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church by Christ on Peter, the Rock. Called by Christ to a unique role, Peter was sinful and weak. He had to grow into his role as the Rock upon which Our Lord built His Church. Because of his faith and love for Our Lord, Peter was forgiven by Christ [John 21:15-18] so that he and the other Apostles could hand on the truth of Christ and the grace of His Cross to all generations of believers through Christ’s Catholic Church, presided over by Peter and Peter’s Successor, the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church is not a closed society, but the Mystical Body of Christ, through which He invites all mankind to benefit from His Cross and revelation about God.
Many today, even among the clergy, try to change the faith or moral teachings of the Church. The truth of Christ is not something we make up, nor is it something determined by popular opinion, but is revealed by God through His Church. Christ’s promise to St. Peter that “the gates of Hell will not prevail” against the Church was His assurance that the successor to Saint Peter and the bishops in communion with him teach the truth unfailingly, no matter how unpopular that truth might be. You will not go wrong by following the teachings of the pope.--Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Catherine & Jay Olnek, Ryan Santolo, Michael Mammone, 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…Ed “Red” Baker, Katherine Harten, Pauline Weeks, 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:
2nd John Joseph Marciano & Jennifer Colleen Whipple

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.

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 12th 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.

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 will speak on “The Angels.” There will be refreshments – bring a friend.

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

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

Antique Rummage 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: This is NOT A PARISH TAG SALE.

Coffee & Refreshments . . . Following the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass: Please join us in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.

Sunday, November 2, 2008 $ 13,476.12

Sunday, November 4, 2007 $ 14,127.34
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. 16: Prv. 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31 –
1 Thes. 5: 1-6, Mt. 25: 1-4 or 25 14-15, 19-21

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 222 (2) 183. 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: Missa ‘Iste Confessor’ – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594. Offertory motet: Locus Iste – Anton Bruckner, 1824-1896 (This place is the work of God, a mystery surpassing all comprehension, above all reproach.) Communion: O pray for the peace of Jerusalem – Herbert Howells, 1892-1983 (O pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls and plenteousness within thy palaces. [Psalm 122:6,7, trans. M. Coverdale]). 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 Bene fundata est (The house of the Lord is solidly built upon a firm rock.); Offertory Domine Deus (O Lord God, in the simplicity of my heart I have joyfully offered all things; and I have beheld with immense joy your people gathered here. God of Israel, preserve this good intention, O Lord God. [I Chronicles 29:17,18]); Communion Ierusalem quae ædificatur ut civitas (Jerusalem, built as a city whose parts are bound firmly together! It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to give thanks unto your name, O Lord. [Psalm 122:3,4]).

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 December 2nd.

St. John’s Bible Study…We are using 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. John’s in The NEWS. . .
. . . 100 years ago, or so:

The Connecticut Catholic.
November 11, 1893: STAMFORD. “The St. John’s parochial school is overcrowded, there being a larger attendance than previous years. It goes to show the wisdom of parents in sending their children to school where they will get a religious education as well as all other branches of study.”

The Stamford Advocate:
November 16, 1920: ITALIANS TO ERECT CHURCH. “Upwards of 50 Stamford Italians met last night, at the Italian Social Institute in South Street, and took steps looking to the organization of an Italian Catholic parish in Stamford. An executive committee of five, with Joseph Carpinelli as chairman, was appointed. This committee will appoint sub-committees, and a campaign will begin at once to raise funds to purchase a lot on which to erect a church. The name proposed for the parish is Sacred Heart. According to men interested in the movement, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Nilan had given his approval to the project, provided the necessary funds are raised. It is estimated that there are upwards of 2,000 Italian Catholics in Stamford.”

The Stamford Advocate:
November 12, 1934: Former Stamfordite Speaks to Children of Mary Sodality. “Sister Mary Corita, a former member of the Children of Mary Sodality of St. John’s Church, spoke, yesterday, to 200 people in the basement of the Sacred Heart Church, Schuyler Ave. With Sister Corita was Sister Batista who assisted her. Both are members of the Foreign Mission Sisters of St. Dominic with the Motherhouse at Maryknoll, New York. Illustrated pictures of China, Hawaiian Islands, Korea, Manchuria and the Philippine Islands were shown. In the few years since the Mission Sisters organized, their assistance, comfort and teachings have been far-reaching. Much is credited to their untiring labors.”

The Stamford Advocate:
November 13 1951: Education Week Is Observed At St. John’s School. “St. John’s Parochial School began the observance of American Education Week today with a “Unite for Freedom” program. Mass was celebrated at 8 a.m. The Rev. Richard R. Dunn, principal, is general chairman of the meetings. Father Dunn, chaplain of the Catholic Lending Library, spoke on “Books: One of the Basic Needs of Education” at the general school assembly this morning. Mrs. Etta May Van Tassel, member of the executive board of the Poetry Society of America, writer of verse and interpreter of poetry, was the principal speaker. The Rev. Sister M. Lucia was the presiding chairman of the assembly. On Thursday, room activities will include playlets on patriotism: book and education dramatizations, poster parade and movies. A Junior High Assembly will take place at 10 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Sister Marie Anita as presiding chairman. Mrs. E. R. Prange, children’s librarian at Ferguson Library, will speak on “Books Children Enjoy.”

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 8
4:00 +Catherine & Gene Dzilinski req. Marie Carr
Sunday, November 9
7:30 Special Intention Antonio & Maria Marchetti req. Alessandro Marchetti
10:00 All Souls in Purgatory req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:00 Forgotten Souls in Purgatory req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. The Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, November 10
8:00 Special Intention Brian Walsh req. Fr. Terrence P. Walsh
12:10 Special Intentions Daniel Almeida
Tuesday, November 11
8:00 +Jean Evans Kirkland req. Juanita Evans
12:10 Veterans of St. John’s Parish
Wednesday, November 12
8:00     +William A. Gannon req. Sharon Gannon
12:10     +Mr. McElhinney req. Conor Deegan
Thursday, November 13
8:00 Special Intention Josephine Lanquedoc
12:10    +Yolanda Novelli req. Joyce Kopf
Friday, November 14
8:00 For an end of legalized abortion, req. Joseph Languedoc
12:10 +Mai O’Connor req. Agnes O’Connor
Saturday, November 15
8:00 Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
12:10   +Steve Kerner req. 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.

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 Habit of Prayer
-Fr. Terry Walsh

How often does it feel like “the burden of prayer?” How do we pray? When, where, and how often? Am I doing it right? Shouldn’t I be getting some answers, some feedback from God?
To begin, prayer is that intimate conversation we have with God in that quiet place in our soul, even in the midst of an often times noisy world all around us. St. Therese calls prayer quite simply a ‘Surge of the Heart toward God.’
There is so much to say about prayer, but I will simply focus on a few practical points for consideration. Prayer is of course indispensable in our spiritual growth. It is a necessary activity that prepares us for faithful reception of the Sacraments, for a deepening of our knowledge and understanding of God and consequently of ourselves; prayer enables us to examine our lives in light of the Gospel teachings and informs our conscience so that we might seek forgiveness for those occasions when we realize we have offended God or one another.
In prayer, we’re able to offer thanks and praise to God, we’re able to adore Him, we’re able to petition Him for whatever we need or for some particular gift that will benefit someone else in need.
If we’re able to receive so many varied and beautiful graces through prayer, why is it so difficult to pray sometimes?
Well, it might simply be that we don’t work at it. It is, after all, a relationship. If too little attention is given to examining “the prayer life” how can it grow? That’s NOT the same thing as saying ‘too little time’ is spent in prayer. The time for prayer will quite naturally vary from person to person, depending on one’s vocation, along with a whole host of other circumstances. The “attention” I’m speaking about has more to do with the quality of our prayer life. It is, in many ways, an “organic” activity – it’s a living relationship with God: it changes, it grows, it deepens, provided there is due attention given to it.
As a practical matter, I’d recommend that you consider forming a “foundation” to your daily prayer. This might include a brief, but deliberate, morning offering, something as simple as standing at the foot of the Crucifix in your room and offering the day to God - asking Him to bless your family, your work, your play, and so on. Naturally, it would be good to take a few moments at the end of each day to examine – briefly – how you did in light of the Gospel. Read the Scriptures everyday. Let the habit of growing in the knowledge of God be real food for your soul every single day. It only takes 10 minutes. Reflect on one of the Mysteries of our Lord’s life through the beautiful devotion of the Rosary, which will take another 10 minutes. And finally, perhaps, take 10 minutes to simply tell God what’s on your mind and in your heart. He really wants to hear it from you. What trust, what an act of faith and hope and love as you simply give it all to Him and ask for whatever you need to heal and to grow. This would be a good beginning. See where the Holy Spirit leads you. One thing is certain, if you seek Him through a deepening of your prayer, He will reveal Himself to you in that “inner room” of your soul. Prayer will no longer seem strained, or a burden, but rather, it will become alive and fresh and as natural as the air you breathe.

Posted by St John's Stamford at 11/6/2008 4:01 PM | Add Comment

Bulletin for November 2- November 8, 2008

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

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.

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].

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.

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.

Posted by St John's Stamford at 10/30/2008 3:36 PM | Add Comment

Bulletin for October 26 - November 1, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . Each year, Bishop Lori recognizes the accomplishments of individual Catholics from around the diocese. He bestows the Saint Augustine Medal upon lay men and women for their dedicated service to their local parishes. Saint John’s parishioners who have received this award were Bill Thomson, Millie Terenzio and Louise Munro. This year, the award will be presented to Lawrence Bolanowski, a parishioner for years, who continues his membership while living in far off Lavallette, New Jersey.
While he and his family were living in Stamford, in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, Larry became interested in all things historical about Saint John’s Parish. He chaired the Saint John’s Historical Committee, launching the initial historical research about the founding of the parish in preparation for the celebration of the centenary anniversary of the 1886 dedication of the upper church. He worked with the Stamford Historical Society to gather photographs, newspaper reports, artifacts and documents about the parish, finally succeeding in establishing the extensive Saint John’s Collection. Even after he and his family were transferred to New Jersey by UPS, Larry’s fascination with the history of Saint John’s continued.
Following my arrival at the parish ten years ago, Larry introduced himself and his efforts to preserve the history of Saint John’s. During these past years, since his retirement, Larry has expanded his historical research: every Monday, he drives nearly five hours to arrive at the rectory by 5:30 a.m.! We discuss his most recent historical finds, he eats breakfast, goes to morning Mass, and sets out for the Ferguson Library, where he spends the subsequent four hours on a microfilm reader, searching The Stamford Advocate for any article or notice referring to Saint John’s Parish. He began with 1851 and has just completed 1952. Each day he makes copies of the articles, returns home and digitally photographs and labels each item, prints them out, and files them in individual plastic sleeves: one set for the parish and one set for the Stamford Historical Society. The next Monday, he repeats his work, carrying with him the fruit of the previous Monday’s Ferguson research. Besides his research, Larry has been indexing all the Stamford Advocate articles! The parish archives now possess 30 linear feet of Stamford Advocate articles about Saint John’s Parish and School. On his off hours, Larry conducts an extensive correspondence with church archives around the country, and with individual Catholics who belonged at one time to Saint John’s. He has obtained report cards, graduation photos and Saint John’s School memorabilia, as well as oral histories from alumni and parishioners. He searches EBay for any parish artifacts, and has purchased hundreds of vintage postcards, commemorative plates and knick-knacks of the parish from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He has also been searching out photos of priests and nuns who served here, and has amassed a sizeable and impressive photo archive. His present extra project is to research the history of the families who donated the original church windows.
Hundreds of hours weekly in research; thousands of dollars in postage, photographic reproduction and restoration, and purchase costs annually; innumerable hours spent corresponding with archives and parishioners: this dedication is the reason why Larry Bolanowski will be honored by the diocese and this parish by receiving the Saint Augustine Award on October 25th. I am truly grateful to him, and to his lovely wife, Sandra, who supports him in his dedication to Saint John’s. God bless you both, and many, many thanks.
-- Msgr. DiGiovanni

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

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

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

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, October 29th 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.

Coffee & Refreshments . . . following the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass: Please join us in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.

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

Sunday, October 19, 2008 $ 11,543.98

Sunday, October 21, 2007 $ 9,453.58
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. 2: Rom. 5: 5-11 or 6: 3-9, Jn. 6: 37-40

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 262 (2) 65. 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 ‘Simile est regnum’ – Tomás Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611. Offertory motet: Ave Maria - Peter Philips, 1560-1628. Communion motet: Lauda anima mea – Robert Führer, 1807-1861 (Praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord; yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God (Ps. 146:2, trans. M. Coverdale). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Laetetur cor (Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened; see his face for evermore. Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; declare his deeds among the gentiles. [Ps. 105:3,4,1]); Alleluia Lauda, Jerusalem (Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. [Ps. 148:1]); Offertory Domine, vivifica me (O Lord, grant me life according to your word, so that I may learn your commandments. [Ps. 119:107,125]); Communion Laetabimur (We shall rejoice in your salvation; and in the name of our God shall we place our pride. [Ps. 20:6]).

St. Dominic Savio Society…For the spiritual formation of young men from 8th – 12th grades meets Sunday Oct. 26th, after the 12:00 noon mass 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. Next meeting will be October 26th - Pumpkin Picking.

Jobseekers Group Monday, October 27th, 7:30 p.m., Rectory Topic: Bring Your Job Search Problems--We'll Find Answers. Bring your job search questions and problems for the group to discuss. We'll use the collective experience of the group and my career coaching experience to help you find a solution, or provide you with a different perspective on your job search. Professionals at all stages of their career are encouraged to attend. Hosted by: Melanie Szlucha. Numerous jobseekers have found help preparing their resumes, cover letters and coaching for interviews from Melanie and her company, Red, Inc. She can be reached at Melanie@redinc.biz, Website: http://www.redinc.biz

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

The Stamford Advocate:
October 28, 1870: “Ground has been broken for the foundation of the new Catholic Church on Atlantic Street.”

The Connecticut Catholic:
November 3, 1879: STAMFORD. “Our fair has just closed. And notwithstanding the croaking of “hard times and money is scarce,” by the stay at homes, has been most pecuniarily successful. The receipts every night have not, to be sure, come up to the standard of the grand Cathedral exhibition in New York, yet, thanks to the generous and self-sacrificing efforts of those who always bear the burden in parish affairs of this kind, the pastor has reason to be proud of his people. A Creedmore rifle was won by the Rev. Michael Tierney, of Hartford; gold watch, Mr. Hanrahan; silver set, William Kelly; bedroom set, Eliza Ann O’Neil; music box, Bridget Bergen; silver ice pitcher, Bridget Bergen; Father Rogers, in his funny words said, “Johanna, liven up in Harlem” when Johanna Reardon’s name was called off for the stove; pin, John Geoghan; pair of boots, James O’Brien; album, Stephen Herbert, Jr. A pair of leghorn chickens were given by a man, and his children soon took them back.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 28, 1907: Observance of All Saints’ Day. “In St. John’s R. C. Church, yesterday, the announcement was made that next Friday will not be observed as a fast day by Catholics, as it is All Saints’ Day. This is the first time, in a number of years that this distinction has been made for any holy day falling on Friday, excepting Christmas. There will be services in the church at 5, 7, 8, and 9 a.m. Saturday will be All Souls’ Day, and aside from the usual services in the church in the morning, there will be a service at 3 p.m. in the cemetery at Springdale.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 30, 1937: Charter Awarded To Boys’ Brigade By Father Toomey. Field Secretary of Catholic Organization Directs Exercises at St. John’s Church. “The Boys Brigade of St. John’s Catholic Church was host yesterday, to the Catholic Boys’ Brigade of Woodside, L. I., which conducted a ritual for the induction of the Stamford organization into the corps of similar branches now being developed in various dioceses. The Rev. Frederick Toomey, national field secretary, was in charge of the exercises, which were carried out with the aid of a band of the New York brigade. Pupils of St. John’s School, in Halloween costume, took part in games before the ceremonies, and competed later for prizes awarded for various modes of dress. Clergy of several parishes witnessed the exercises in St. John’s grounds, including the Rev. N. P. Coleman, pastor of St. John’s, and Rev. Michael Sullivan, chaplain of St. John’s brigade. Father Toomey presented St. John’s Brigade with its charter.”

Mass Intentions

Saturday, October 25
4:00 In Thanksgiving St. Jude req. Dolores Freccia
Sunday, October 26
7:30 +Rosemarie & Ubal Itri req. Daughters
10:00 +Dottie Civitillo req. Angela Giannitti & Family
12:00 Special Intention Jane & John Gannon req. Sharon Gannon
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, October 27
8:00 +Fouchard Paulemon req. The Choir of St. John
12:10 Special Intention Daniel Almeida
Tuesday, October 28
8:00 +Charles & Florence DeSilva req. Daughter & Family
12:10 +Victoria Santagata req. Angela Giannitti
Wednesday, October 29
8:00 +John Maloney – Anniversary req. Mary Maloney
12:10 +Norma Ferrante req. John & Laura Pascale
Thursday, October 30
8:00 Mary Gannon & Florence Yeung req. Sharon Gannon
12:10 +Catherine Gibbons req. John & Laura Pascale
Friday, October 31
8:00 +Anniversary Zenaida Reynoso req. William & Josephine McGraw
12:10 +Anniversary Zenaida Reynoso req. William & Josephine McGraw
Saturday, November 1
8:00 +Varkey Apraim req. Baby Apriam
12:10 Souls in Purgatory

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].

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.

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 Vision of Innocence
- Fr Terry Walsh
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches Christian Perfection in the Beatitudes. He says, “Blessed are the pure of heart, they shall see God.” Consider, too, the prophecy of Isaiah: “…and a child shall lead them.” Clearly, God is trying to tell us something deeply profound and at the same time quite simple. When we seek the Truth with a pure heart we will see it through the eyes of innocence. Luke reports, “Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes’…”(Lk 10:21). Remember the martyrdom of St. Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles. While he was being stoned to death for his faith in Jesus Christ, we hear: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” In his innocence, he was given the grace of seeing God. Others likewise have seen extraordinary visions: Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John the Evangelist to name a few from the Scriptures. Consider the Mass. All the Angels and Saints are there. Jesus Christ is there. He offers Himself to the Father and gives Himself to us in Holy Eucharist. We don’t “see” Him, or the angels and saints, but they are there. We “see” them through the eyes of faith. In other words, we believe they are there. It is a truth of our faith. In like manner, there are moral truths that we are likewise required to believe. But we can only see them clearly if we keep our spiritual eyes sharply focused on Christ – Prayer, Sacraments, fidelity to the Gospel. When we begin to walk the worldly path, we quickly find ourselves in the maze of worldly wisdom. Reading the papers or listening to the news, one might be left feeling a little dazed and confused. After all, the headlines seem to be filled with such bitterness and rancor these days. Could it be that we live in a divided house? Have we lost our innocence? Have we abandoned our pursuit of the truth in favor of the wisdom of men and the worldly ideal of so-called “achievement” even when that achievement comes at the expense of the moral law and contradicts our faith? Human Cloning, Eugenics, Embryonic Research, ‘Frozen Storage’ of human embryos (remember Brave New World ?), Contraception, Abortion, and the list goes on. These “achievements” are touted by their advocates as “advances” in science and of great benefit to humanity and yet every one of them opposes God’s law. Is it the Tower of Babel? Have we lost sight of our true purpose – to love God? Simply put, the deeper one walks into the maze of moral error, the more dazed and confused one will naturally become. Jesus warns us about the danger of duplicity: “…this people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…” (Mt 15:8). God is patient. He sees. He waits. He longs for the sinner to see the error of his ways and to repent and seek reconciliation and so be healed and begin to walk in the light once again; to find his way out of the maze of utter shame and destruction – the spiritual death of the soul. Our Lord patiently waits. He offers grace. He offers healing – because He loves us. God doesn’t force anyone to walk in the Truth. But for all who seek the Truth, He will reveal Himself so that we might see clearly and distinctly how we have violated the truth and offended Him. Only then can we say mea culpa, mea culpa. Only then can our hearts be purified so that we may see God with the Vision of Innocence. We are mere stewards of the gifts God has created – including our bodies. We have freedom to do what we will with these gifts, but we would be fools to think that our choices are without consequence. Through the virtue of humility, we may be healed and regain the child-like innocence necessary for salvation. Recall the compelling words our Lord utters in the Gospel: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:2).

Posted by St John's Stamford at 10/23/2008 4:00 PM | Add Comment

Bulletin for October 19 - 25, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . Enclosed in the bulletin is a copy of this year’s parish financial report. Despite the present global financial crisis, Saint John’s has done very well this past fiscal year, due to your generosity, for which I am grateful.
The most striking fact is that the parish has no debt, whatsoever! The final payments for the roof loan were made, and we are entirely debt free. Our weekly offertory collections are up from last year, as you can see, and, like everyone else, so are our expenses. The other high costs have included various emergency church repairs, primarily on the bell tower, but also repairs to leaking church foundations. There have been emergency repairs to the rectory, as well, including those made to the heating system and repairs to the rectory foundation.
Parishioners continue to ask me when the rectory exterior and the church interior will be repaired and painted. No one is more embarrassed about the condition of both buildings; no one is more acutely aware of the enormous cost to execute both projects than I. Before the church interior can be painted, we need a new electrical system installed and a new lighting system. Any project to repair the rectory is even more complicated and costly. The rectory has no insulation, and all the windows are single pane glass; the plumbing system is ancient; the roof needs to be replaced. Presently, we are replacing the electrical system, but slowly, since that, too, is a costly project. The electrical system is in dangerous condition, and that is one reason we are replacing it now, even if piecemeal.
Parishioners have also asked me about the Trinity—now Tresser Square project, for which we pray each weekend. It is on track, but sidelined because of the economy: no banks are giving out construction loans. John Leydon, our parish attorney, and I have met with the representatives of the developer, Lowe. They assure us that they are proceeding, but cautiously, because of the economic crisis. I will be offering more details to the parish soon about this important project.
All-in-all, I’m very happy about the financial report, and I must thank every parishioner for the continued support you show our parish. Saint John’s has been here over 150 years, and it will remain here for more years to come--offering a spiritual home to downtown Stamford--because of the generosity of our parishioners. Thank you, and God bless you all. -- Msgr. DiGiovanni

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, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. We are studying the writings of the Cappadocian Fathers.
Oct. 29 begins new lectures on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem: biblical, archaeological and patristic studies. Join us!

Please pray for the sick… Dianne, Margie Nicholson, Stanley Bozek, Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini.

Please pray for those who have recently died…Deborah (Brennan) Stowell, Valencia Lancaster, Helen Conforti John Keating Emma Hernandez, Sr. Inez, O.S.S.S., Vicki Manes, Henry Saraniero, Philipe Waterbury, Michael Murray, Jennifer Tomasello.

World Mission Sunday Collection . . . Please drop your World Mission Sunday Collection 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.

Mass of Thanksgiving. . . Father Benedict Nivokff, a parishioner, was recently ordained a priest of the Monastery of St. Benedict in Norcia, Italy. He will offer a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving using the Extraordinary Form of the 1962 Missal, here at Saint John’s on Saturday, October 25th at 10 am. All are invited.

Play Rehearsal . . . the Rectory Players will meet at the rectory on Monday, October 20th at 7:00 p.m. to begin rehearsals for the upcoming presentation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Coffee & Refreshments . . . following the 10:00 am Family Mass: please join us in the Monsignor Nagle Hall.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…will meet Monday, Nov. 10th in the “The Upper Room” at Columbus Park” 205 Main Street 06901 at 6:30 p.m. – bring a friend.

Sunday, October 12, 2008 $ 10,987.90

Sunday, October 14, 2007 $ 9,453.58
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 October 26th: Ex. 22: 20-26,
1 Thes. 1: 5c-10, Mt. 22: 34-40

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 198 (2) 246. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s has formed a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome. We especially need TENORS & BASSES! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... The Children’s Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the St. John’s Children’s Choir sings for the 10:00 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: Mass for Three Voices – William Byrd, 1540-1623. Offertory motet: Sacerdotes Domini – William Byrd (The priests of the Lord offer incense and loaves to God, and therefore they shall be holy to their God, and shall not defile His name, alleluia.). Communion motet: Gustate et videte – Heinrich Isaac, c. 1445 – 1517 (Taste and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in Him. [Ps. 34:9]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Ego clamavi (I have called out because you answer me, O God; incline you ear and hear my words; keep me, O Lord, like the apple of your eye; protect me under the shadow of your wings. Hear my just cause, O Lord; attend to my supplication. [Ps.17:6,8,1]); Alleluia Lauda anima mea (Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord throughout my life; I will sing in honour of my God as long as I have being. [Psalm 146:2]); Offertory Meditabor in mandatis tuis (I shall meditate upon your commandments which I greatly love; I will extend my hands towards your commandments which I love. [Psalm 119:47,48]); Communion Domine Dominus noster (O Lord our governor, how admirable is your name in all the earth! [Psalm 9:2ab]).

Jobseekers Group Monday, October 27th, 7:30 p.m., Rectory Topic: Bring Your Job Search Problems--We'll Find Answers. Bring your job search questions and problems for the group to discuss. We'll use the collective experience of the group and my career coaching experience to help you find a solution, or provide you with a different perspective on your job search. Professionals at all stages of their career are encouraged to attend. Hosted by: Melanie Szlucha. Numerous jobseekers have found help preparing their resumes, cover letters and coaching for interviews from Melanie and her company, Red, Inc. She can be reached at Melanie@redinc.biz, Website: http://www.redinc.biz

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

The Connecticut Catholic:
October 25, 1884: Stamford. “The Children of Mary will receive Holy Communion in a body at 9 o’clock Mass Sunday. The singing of the junior choir on last Sunday at 9 o’clock Mass was excellent. This choir is improving wonderfully under the tuition of Sister Evangelist. Rev. Henry T. Walsh, our worthy assistant pastor, has been elected one of the vice presidents of the Alumni Association of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Niagara, the institution in which he was educated.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 25, 1929: Reception to be Given New Members of the Children of Mary. “Plans are being completed for the reception to new members being given by the Sodality of the Children of Mary of St. John’s Church. The reception is to be held in the Parochial School Hall on Monday evening, October 26, at eight. An interesting evening of games and entertainment has been arranged. Miss Irene Kearney will render several vocal selections and Miss Mary Rayho will give several piano selections. Miss Virginia Lee and Miss Rayho will also give several solo dances. There will also be several other entertainers on the program. The committee in charge consists of Miss Margaret Cherry, Miss Mary Duplex, Miss Mae Finch, Miss Margaret Hartnett, Miss Mary Cotches, Miss Marie Cherry, Miss Rita Herrgen and Miss Emily McRedmond.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 26, 1931: CATHOLICS PRAY FOR PEACE AND HUMAN WELFARE. “The Rev. Charles A. Corcoran, preaching in St. John’s Catholic Church on Sunday, delivered a message in keeping with the observance of the Feast of Christ Our King. Father Corcoran told the parishioners how the church has always given prominence to the kingship of Christ. He mentioned Old Testament references that the Messiah to come was to be kingly, and said that the ancient Jews, although they forgot that Christ’s throne was to be a cross and the principles he was to teach were universal peace and love, never for an instant erred in ascribing to Him the title of King.”

The Stamford Advocate:
October 21, 1937: League of Sacred Heart Organized at St. John’s Church. “Following the devotions in honor of St. Anthony, the women of St. John’s R. C. Church met in the basement of the church last evening and organized the “Women’s League of the Sacred Heart.” This society is primarily devoted to promoting interest in the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the leadership of Mrs. J. B. Doyle, acting chairman, the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Mary Gallagher; vice-president, Mrs. M. Roberts; secretary, Miss Margaret M. Kerins; chaplain, Rev. David V. Grady.”

Mass Intentions
Saturday, October 18
4:00 +Members of the DeRosa, Kronk, Capobianco Families & Edwin Clark req. John & Joan Kronk
Sunday, October 19
7:30 +Al & Eric Bertasso req. by their sister
10:00 Eleanor Theresa Kim req. by Joseph & Mary Kim
12:00 +His Excellency Bishop Walter Curtis req. by the Cardinal Kung Foundation
6:00 + Patrick Kane & Family req. by the Estate of
Catherine Kane.
Monday, October 20
8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. by the Estate of Catherine Kane.
12:10 +Millie Lobozzo req. by Millie & George Terenzio
Tuesday, October 21
8:00 +Violet Roddy req. by Veronica E. Schorr
12:10 +Mrs. Ida DeRosa req. by Susan Richards
Wednesday, October 22
8:00 Sue-Ling Maria Gannon req. by Sharon Gannon
12:10      +Beatrice Touhey req. by Her family
Thursday, October 23
8:00 +William Borkowski req. by His wife & son
12:10   +William & Elizabeth McNamara req. by the Hogan
Family
Friday, October 24
8:00 +Margaret Linnane req. by Patrick Walsh
12:10 Special Intention of Grace Ward & her Family req. by Sharon Gannon
Saturday, October 25
8:00 Special Intention of Daniel Almeida
12:10   In Honor of the Infant of Prague req. Michaelle M. 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.

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].

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.

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 One Thing
- Fr Terry Walsh
What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Where are we going and how are we getting there? These are of course ‘age-old’ questions that every person should quite naturally ask. The Church teaches us that there is indeed a purpose to life: to know, love, and serve God. But the choice is up to each one of us. After all, God gave us the gift of freedom. We have been given the gift of life with the truth written upon our hearts. Do we seek the truth? Do we live it? If we choose to follow Christ, we’re on our way to eternal salvation and we’ll arrive there through the nourishment of Divine Grace. There is no other way. Therefore, everything we think, say, and do must grow in conformity to the Divine Will. In other words, when we freely choose to lay down our will and take up the Gospel, we have embraced the purpose of our life and we’ll be given all we need to accomplish our salvation. The difficulty lies in our weakness – that is – in our “self-will’. Our weaknesses, mixed with the problem of pride, can actually blind us to what is true. We can become so enamored by our ‘way of life’ that a shadow may be cast over the beauty of discipleship and we may sadly cling to what is false. Key indicators of this danger zone would be a lack of prayerfulness, an indifference to the gift of the sacraments, and in general, a lack of love for one’s neighbor. Some classic films illustrate the point. Consider Ebenezer Scrooge. He lived year after year worshiping money. He became a shell of a man – the living dead, as it were. But then he is given a great grace and he responds! He admits his error and repents of his selfishness. The scales fall from his eyes and he becomes a new man. A great healing takes place in his soul and it is manifested in the good he seeks to do following the revelation that the one thing that really matters is love. And of course, God is love. Our purpose is to be drawn into that love – right here and right now – never to be separated from God ever again – in this life or the next. Consider the business tycoon Oscar Schindler during Nazi Germany. Witness his conversion. He kept inching his way to the truth until- in the end – he broke down in tears realizing the precious value of one human life. He could have saved 4 more people had he bartered his car. Remember the scene from the movie? In the end, the truth overwhelmed him and he embraced it as he sought forgiveness for his sins.
God has revealed Himself as a loving personal knowable Being. He calls each of us to dwell in Him – Truth, Beauty, Love. It all begins here on earth where we ‘prove of love’ for Him by how we live our lives. This world will pass away, St. Paul reminds us, but life in the Trinity is Eternal. It is truly the one thing that matters. So how come human life has been devalued in our world today as if it were merely a commodity? How is it possible that a total disregard for those created in the Image and Likeness of God can be relegated to such cold, calculated efficient destruction – all in the name of “free choice”? How did the lie cast such a horrible shadow over the truth? Could it be that people lost sight of the one thing that really mattered? In the movie Gladiator, the General reminded his troops: “What we do on earth echoes in eternity!” Do we act with an eye toward the one true thing: union with God – Eternal Salvation? Do we promote life or do we contribute to the laissez-fair cultural norms that advocate death to the most innocent brethren in the Image and Likeness of Love? Do we truly advocate life? Do we support those who advocate the one thing?

Posted by St John's Stamford at 10/17/2008 9:06 AM | Add Comment

Bulletin for Oct. 12 - 18, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . Common wisdom is that religion and politics don’t mix. That’s true—if you live in a test tube. But we don’t. No one’s life is so compartmentalized that every action or thought is unconnected to daily events. Religion and politics do mix, in reality. The federal, state and local governments legislate and enforce morality every day: laws against murder, against rape, against stealing and against other activities most people would consider bad.   Most people consider them bad because, under normal conditions, these actions are always bad. We know this because of the Natural Law: a law written by God in the hearts of every human person [Rom. 2, 14]. The question is how do governments determine what is morally good and morally evil? The fundamental documents of our country, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are based on the Natural Law. When that Natural Law is ignored, the nation is on shaky ground, and tragedy is imminent. We are living through such a tragedy today, and the reasons are not simply economic, but, at their heart, religious. Greed and lust for power are sins, not just flaws judged illegal by the government. Yet, the global community is brought to its knees today because of human disregard for the Natural Law that protects the dignity of each human person, not as a commodity, but as the image and likeness of God, who has received his rights directly from the Creator; rights neither government nor business nor economic policy should deny or ignore. Yet they have been ignored, and people suffer as a result.
  Sixty years ago, the world approached a similar crisis, brought about by similar circumstances: the rise of the Axis powers seeking to rewrite world history based on privilege of blood and race, nationalism and the supremacy of the State over the individual person. For Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito, and later Stalin, each person had value only if useful to the State. The only voice against these powers was the Catholic Church in the persons of Popes Pius XI and XII.
  Pius XII, basing his protests against Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin on those first enunciated by Pius XI, and said there were two fundamental errors for his time—which are the same fundamental errors today:
First: “the forgetfulness of that law of human solidarity and charity which is dictated and imposed by our common origin, and by the equality of a rational nature in all men, to whatever nation they belong, and by the redeeming Sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ on the Altar of the Cross.”
Second: Making the State all-powerful, instead of God. “Once the authority of God and the sway of His [Natural] law are denied, . . . the State puts itself in the place of the Almighty, and elevates the State or group as the final goal of life, the supreme criterion of the moral and juridical order, therefore forbidding every appeal to the principles of natural reason and of Christian conscience” [Summi Pontificatus, 52, 53].
If government can determine what is morally right and morally wrong, was it evil for the tens of millions to die in the Holocaust? Hitler’s government said it was necessary, and therefore, good! Was it evil for tens of millions to die in Communist Russia?   That government determined those deaths were necessary, and morally good! How about slavery in the United States, or the Jim Crow laws in southern states? The government determined those laws necessary, and so morally good! We know those laws were unjust—but people obeyed them.
Today, we are not talking about the mass murder of millions because of race or creed; but we are talking about the U.S. federal government, state and local governments that legislate contrary to the Natural Law, and of many who live as if the Natural Law does not exist, and that the dignity and needs of human beings can be ignored, in the interest of making money or acquiring power or for the “common good”.
We will be voting for a president in 20-plus days. Even though we may think that the issues in the election are political, many of them are, first and foremost, religious and moral. Of the highest importance is the question of legalized abortion; next is embryonic stem cell research: if innocent human life is unprotected, no one is safe; next is the legitimization of gay marriage; on the horizon is legalized euthanasia. Questions of the economy, immigration, housing, and the assistance to the growing impoverished classes of our nation, are also about the dignity of the human person. Of great interest in the last weeks are the economy and the unbridled greed of Wall Street—and of all of us who simply followed along. Who is more important: you or money? God gave us that answer long ago, but few listen to Him.
These are not Catholic issues or questions; these are basic questions about the Natural Law: about who you are. Any government that legislates contrary to the Natural Law legislates against its own citizens, since its citizens become expendable compared to the needs of the State, or the needs of the market, and in favor of anarchy. No government has the right or power to legislate morality contrary to the Natural Law.
An editorial in the New York Times by Anne O’Hare McCormick appeared the day after Pope Pius XII issued his first encyclical condemning the theories fueling totalitarian governments:
“The central theme of his long encyclical is the function of the State in the modern world, and that is the crux of the struggle of our time. The dictatorship of today is not simply a form of government; it is a form of life, a usurpation of every human and divine right, a growth of power so abnormal that it is like a tumor pressing on the whole social body and preventing other nations from functioning naturally”
[New York Times, Oct 30, 1939, p. 16].
This could have been written yesterday. We need more than a rhetorical call for change; we need those who will pare down the god we call government, by acknowledging the inalienable rights of the human person in laws based on the Natural Law, that will protect us from ourselves, from powerful interest groups and from governments that otherwise willingly relegate us to the dustbin of history for profit. -- Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Stanley Bozek, Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano. Andrew DeMott, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi

Please pray for those who have recently died…Helen Conforti John Keating Emma Hernandez, Sr. Inez, O.S.S.S., Vicki Manes, Henry Saraniero, Philipe Waterbury, Michael Murray, Jennifer Tomasello, Mather Dearborn, Fr. Joseph Link, Maureen Apruzzese

Banns of Marriage: 3rd Richard Chow & Alexandra Carlson

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.
Sunday, October 5, 2008 $ 12,204.45

Sunday, October 7, 2007 $ 9,722.53
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 October 19th: Is. 45: 1, 4-6, 1, Thes. 1: 1-56, Mt. 22: 15-21

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 223 (2) 265. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.
New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s has formed a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome. We especially need TENORS & BASSES! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... The Children’s Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the 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: Missa sexti toni – Giovanni Croce, 1557-1609. Offertory motet: The King of Love My Shepherd Is – Theodore Marier, 1912-2001 (The text may be found in the hymnal at No. 265.). Communion motet: De profundis – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756-1791 (Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. [Ps. 130]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Si iniquitates (O Lord, if you were to take into account our iniquities, who would withstand the test? But forgiveness abides in you, O God of Israel. Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. [Ps. 130:3,4,1,2]); Alleluia Qui timent Dominum (Let those who fear the Lord put their trust in him; he is their help and their protection. [Psalm 114:11]); Offertory Recordare mei (Remember me, O Lord, you who dominate all authority; put the right words on my lips, so that my speech may be convincing in the presence of the King. [Esther 14:12,13]); Communion Aufer a me (Remove me all scorn and contempt, for I have kept your commandments; for your law is the object of my meditations. [Psalm 119:22,24]).

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…will meet Monday, Oct. 13th in a NEW LOCATION: “The Upper Room” at Columbus Columbus Park” 205 Main Street 06901 at 6:30 p.m. – bring a friend. Dr. Jonas Alcenas is our featured speaker: “The Fallacy of Global Warming”

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, October 15th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. We are studying the writings of the Cappadocian Fathers. Join us!

St. John’s in The Advocate...
. . . 100 years ago, or so:
October 15, 1875: The Catholic Fair. “The fair held by the ladies of St. John’s R. C. church opened last evening in the basement of the new church with great éclat. It will last about a week and no doubt will present a very animated spectacle each evening. A large quantity of useful and fancy articles are offered for sale, and the Catholics of the village and vicinity will no doubt do their part toward making the fair a success financially. Work upon the new church is progressing rapidly.”
October 18, 1910: “Rev. James C. O’Brien will give a reception on Thursday evening, in the Parish Hall, to the managers and workers at the parish fair. The ladies are requested to bring cakes. Ice cream will be furnished. Dancing will follow the refreshments. The Ladies are invited to bring their escorts.”
October 15, 1937: “The Children of Mary Society of St. John’s R. C. Church will hold a card and bingo party in the Business and Professional Women’s club, Grove and Main Sts., Friday, Nov. 9. The following members are in charge of the committees: Rita Fitzgibbon, Margaret Cherry, Mildred Herrgen, Mary Duplex, Louise de Barblert, Catherine Leonard. They are ably assisted by Mae Finch, March Kitches, Betty Scott, Anita Tynes, Mary Dean, Marian Oliver, Catherine Clark, and Esther Hart.”
October 18, 1938: St. John’s Boys Defeat Hilltops. “The St. John’s boys beat the Hilltop A. C. Thursday, at Woodside Park, 37 – 0 for their second victory of the week. This team, made up of members of St. John’s Catholic Boys’ Brigade of St. John’s School, has been beaten once in four games and has scored 79 points to 6 for the opposition. Captained by Gene Callahan, the team scored in the first three periods. Each score was made by Bob Callahan on the receiving end of a pass by Merrit or his brother Gene. Captain Callahan scored on a line buck. Fahey intercepted a pass for another score. Toward the end of the game, F. Connolly stole a pass for another score. The lineup: St. John’s, B. Callahan, le; T. Connelly, lt; Herbert, lg; F. Connelly, c; Hardiman, rg; Harrington, rg; Fahey, re; Merritt, qb; Gorman, lh; G. Callahan, rh; Mulkerin, fb.”

AUDITIONS! Parish Shakespeare Theater is open for auditions to parishioners, AGES 18 TO 35 – SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th FROM 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the rectory. Come Join our Parish theater program.

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

Angel’s for Alzheimer’s Car Raffle and Event: Ticket Price: $10.00 each. Tickets on sale after Masses October 11th & 12th. Drawing at the Italian Center on October 19th at 8:45 p.m.

The Rectory Office will be closed Monday October 13th for Columbus Day. It will re-open Tuesday, 9AM – 4:30PM.

Mass Intentions
Saturday, October 11
4:00 +James DeLuca birthday remembrance req. by children
Sunday, October 12
7:30 Special Intention Joseph H. Him req. Joseph & Mary Kim
10:00 +Peggy Walsh req. by Fr. Walsh
12:00 +Joseph Peter Young req. Joseph & Agnes Kung
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, October 13
8:00 +Henry Saraniero req. Sharon Gannon
12:10 +Elizabeth Pepe req. her son, Nicholas Troilo
Tuesday, October 14
8:00 Thanksgiving to God
12:10 +Angelica Gutierrez
Wednesday, October 15
8:00 +Sonya Osborne birthday memorial req. Carrigan Family
12:10      Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
Thursday, October 16
8:00 +Mons. Edward Petty req. Lois Gandt
12:10    +Millie Lobozzo req. Catherine Longo
Friday, October 17
8:00 +Mary Azzara req. John Catalano
12:10 +Bill Pinto req. Wife
Saturday, October 18
8:00    +Brian Jones Birthday Memorial req. Carrigan Family
12:10    +Betty Rylander req. Sharon Gannon

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].

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 meets this Sunday, after the 12:00 noon mass 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.

“A New Creation”
The goal of Religious Education
- Fr Terry Walsh
In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes: “…if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” The goal of our Religious Education Program here at St. John’s is to lead the students into a profound understanding of what it means to become a “New Creation” in Christ. How does it actually come about? (Baptism) How is it nurtured and sustained? (Eucharist, Confession, and all the Sacraments). What is our responsibility, our duties and obligations as New Creations in Christ and how do we grow in that relationship? (Prayer, faithfully living the Gospel, etc…)
As we mentioned last week, the most important part of the formation of our young people is to be accomplished in the home. It is by God’s design that Parents are the first teachers of their children in the faith – by what they say and do – by their faithful example of living the Truth in Love. That fruitful formation is complemented here in the parish, affording the children an opportunity to grow in their knowledge and understanding among their peers. We provide the environment to help them in their dialogue with one another and additional programs that enable them to work and pray together in their common goal of discipleship (Maria Goretti and Dominic Savio Societies).
We are truly blessed to have such generous teachers who volunteer their time and talent to our young people and we would just like to recognize and thank them once again: Frank Carpanzano (K and 1st grade), Maria Marchetti and Jeanene McMurtry (2nd grade), Sisters Luiga and Maria (2nd grade), Marie Boursiquot (3rd grade), Michelle Koetke and Joe Maker (4th grade), John, Judene, and Makenzie Pendergast (5th grade), Sue Kremheller (6th grade), Fr. Al Audet (7th grade – “Confirmation I”), and Mark and Lisa Kotasek (Confirmation II). We are also blessed to have several volunteers from the Maria Goretti Society who assist our teachers: Anne Marie Carpanzano, Kateri Duffey, Elizabeth DeMott, Marialyse Martiney, Maureen Boursiqout, and Marielle Martiney.
In addition, Mr. Scott Turkington and his assistant, Janet Gill Gentry, spend countless hours teaching Music appreciation and the significance of Music in Liturgy. They offer important insights into the Mass and help the children grow in their appreciation for Music as prayer. Please feel free to speak with our teachers concerning any questions or comments you might have concerning our program. You may also call me directly at 324 1553 ext. 14.
Finally, we have made a few changes to our program this year as I alluded to in the last letter I sent to parents this past week. We have moved the ordinary reception of 1st Holy Communion from 2nd grade to the 4th grade in order to give the students a greater understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and the proper preparation for receiving Communion. In addition, we have enhanced our Confirmation II program to include weekly lessons conducted by Msgr. DiGiovanni. Our class of 35 will be divided into 2 parts. Each Sunday, one part will receive the scheduled lesson in class and the other will meet with the Msgr. to be instructed on a variety of topics. This phase of our program will begin next Sunday, the 19th, when classes resume after the holiday. We look forward to a fulfilling year of growing more richly in our faith. Please continue to pray for our students and teachers alike.

Posted by St John's Stamford at 10/9/2008 3:07 PM | Add Comment

Bulletin for October 5 - 11, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . On October 7, 1571 the last great naval battle of oar-powered ships was fought off the Greek coast at Lepanto. The importance of the battle is that it was one of the great triumphs of Catholic forces over those of the Moslem Ottoman Empire. Why does it always appear that the history of Catholicism is one of military battles with those whose beliefs are different? Why can’t we all just get along!!?? The fight didn’t begin with the Church. At heart, these battles against Islam were battles of culture against culture. At the heart of the culture of western Europe, at least until the Protestant Reformation, was the Church and the Incarnation: the reality that God became a man, suffered, died and rose from the dead, in order to share his divine life with us. Within one generation after the death of Mohammed, this was seen as an insult to God, which necessitated action. In fact, as early as 846 a.d., Moslem troops sacked Rome, despoiling the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The progress of Islam is one of military conquest of the entire mid-east and north Africa., not simple conversion.
By 1570, Sultan Selim II threatened to conquer Cyprus. Pope Pius V formed the Holy League, a coalition of the Catholic forces of Spain, the Venetian Republic and the Papal States, to thwart the superior Ottoman forces. Protestant nations wanted nothing to do with the fight. The flagship of the Turkish Grand Admiral Ali bore a purple silk standard emblazoned with the name of Allah in gold letters. The Catholic flagship of Don Juan of Austria bore a dark blue silk standard with an embroidered image of the Crucified Lord.
At a consistory on August 27th, the Pope instructed the cardinals to fast at least once weekly, to give extraordinary alms to the poor, and to perform other acts of penance in order to obtain God's mercy and victory over the Turks. The Pope fasted three days weekly, and instructed all churches in Rome to pray for victory. As was traditional in Rome, on the first Sunday in October the local Rosary confraternities held their processions around the City. The image of Our Lady of the Rosary was similar to the traditional image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception: taken from the biblical Book of Revelation, the Blessed Virgin Mary is seen crowned with twelve stars and standing atop a crescent moon. It was on that day that the battle was fought, and "the forces of the Cross proved victorious over the Crescent", as one historian described it. News of the victory of the Catholic forces on the afternoon of October 7th reached Rome on October 22nd. Immediately the Pope attributed the victory to the Blessed Virgin Mary in answer to the Rosaries of thousands of people prayed on the day of battle. The Feast of Our Lady of Victory, or Our Lady of the Rosary, was to be celebrated each year on October 7th throughout the world to commemorate the victory at Lepanto, through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God.
Other battles with Turkish forces would follow. The last was at the gates of Vienna, when the Ottoman army was defeated on September 11 [9/11], 1683 by another Catholic coalition. The Battles of Lepanto and Vienna marked the beginning of the end for the Ottoman Empire, since they halted Islamic aggression into Christian Western Europe. Christian Europe has ceased to exist, but the reality of the God who became a man for us, and who continues to work in his Church, continues and is manifest is the reality of Divine Providence working in human history. The God who sent His Son to become one of us, to free us from sin and death, continues to work in the world to bring us to eternal life. The triumph at Lepanto was seen as one such instance: the Mother of the Incarnate God defending us against enemies of the Incarnation. Trust in God, and pray to Our Lady in times of need. -- Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Helen Conforti, Stanley Bozek, Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano. Andrew DeMott, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi

Please pray for those who have recently died… Sr. Inez, O.SS.S., Vicki Manes Henry Saraniero, Philipe Waterbury, Michael Murray, Jennifer Tomasello, Mather Dearborn Fr. Joseph Link, Maureen Apruzzese

Banns of Marriage:   3rd Christopher L. Mason & Amy Ferraiuolo
                                    3rd Pablo Labrosciano & Angela Piria
                                    2nd Richard Chow & Alexandra Carlson

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.

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.

20’s / 30’s Young Adults…will meet October 13th in a NEW LOCATION: “The Upper Room” at the Restaurant Columbus Park” at 6:30 p.m. – bring a friend. Jon Alcenas is our featured speaker: “The Fallacy of Global Warming”

St. John’s Bible Study…We will use The Bible Timeline Series for 25 Thursdays: we just began this past Thursday, and will continue through May 7th 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. Maria Goretti Society . . . All high school girls are welcome to participate in the kick-off meeting of the year this Sunday, October 5th in the rectory from 1:15 -3:30 p.m. We'll start off by lunch and then join the parish for the Life Chain. Join us and bring a friend. Any questions, please contact Rosa Marchetti at (203) 348-0232. Next meeting will be October 26th - Pumpkin Picking.

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . Will next meet on October 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.

Sunday, September 28, 2008 $10,824.88

Sunday, September 30, 2007 $ 11,047.50
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 October 12th:
Is. 25: 6-10a, Phil. 4: 12-14, 19-20, Mt. 22: 1-14 or 22: 1-10

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 253 (2) 146. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s has formed a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 AM Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome. We especially need TENORS & BASSES! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... The Children’s Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the 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: Missa Syllabica – Arvo Pärt, b. 1935. Offertory motet: Tu pauperum refugium – Josquin des Prez, c. 1450/55-1521 (Thou hast been the refuge of the poor, of the mourning and sorrowing, Thou comforter, giving courage to the laborer, helper of erring men, Source of truth and life. And now, Redeemer Lord, I take refuge in Thee alone, Thou very God do I adore. Thou art my hope, my Salvation, Christ Jesus. Be Thou my help, for without Thy watchful care, while sleeping, death would claim my soul.). Communion motet: O Lord, increase my faith – Orlando Gibbons, 1583-1625. The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit In voluntate tua (All things are submitted to your will, O Lord, and no one can resist your decisions; you have made all things, heaven and earth, and all that is contained under the vault of the sky; you are the master of the universe. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. [Esther 13:9-11; Ps. 119:1]); Alleluia In exitu Israel (When Israel went out of Egypt; the house of Jacob from a barbarous nation ... [Psalm 114:1]); Offertory Vir erat (There was a man in the land of Hus whose name was Job, a blameless, upright and God-fearing man; Satan asked to be allowed to tempt him, and the Lord gave him power over his possessions and his body; and so, he destroyed his possessions and his children, and he ravaged his flesh with horrible sores. [Job 1 and 2.7]); Communion In salutari tuo (My soul aspires after your salvation; I hope in your word; when will you judge those who persecute me? The wicked are persecuting me; come to my assistance, O Lord my God. [Psalm 119:81,84,86])

Religious Ed Catechists:

Each Child will receive this attendance slip during Religious Ed class. Please have them drop it into the collection basket at Mass.

St. John’s in The Advocate...

. . . 100 years ago, or so:

October 5, 1914: Asked to Pray for Peace. “In St. John’s Catholic Church, at each service yesterday, the priest who officiated asked the congregation to pray for peace, as President Wilson had requested. No particular allusion was made to the war in the sermons, however. To Confirm a Large Class. Bishop Nilan of Hartford will confirm a large class of children in St. John’s Catholic Church next Saturday, at 3 p. m. The children have been preparing for several weeks, and they constitute one of the largest classes confirmed here in some time.”

October 9, 1916: SPIRE FOR CATHOLIC CHURCH. “It was announced yesterday, at all masses in St. John’s Catholic church, that a parish bazaar will be held the week of Nov. 13, to raise funds to erect a steeple on the church. Rev. J. C. O’Brien, pastor of the church, and the majority of the parishioners feel that the spire should be erected. It has been deferred because of lack of funds. It will be erected next spring, if the bazaar is a success. On Wednesday evening, in the Parish Hall, a reception will be given to Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Drennan, until recently curate in the Parish, and a concert will be rendered by well known local artists. Father Drennan and Father O’Brien and others will appear and will have something to say to the parishioners.”

October 11, 1920: 14 HOLY NAME SOCIETIES HAVE 4,000 IN PARADE. “Favored by perfect weather, upwards of 4,000 members of the Holy Name Society, representing Catholic churches in the district bounded on the east by Westport and on the west by East Port Chester, marched in a parade here, yesterday afternoon, in a public demonstration of their belief in the principles upon which their society was founded. Officials from every town and city in this district reviewed the parade from the Town Hall esplanade, as guests of the executive committee which organized the demonstration. Representative citizens and Catholic clergymen from these towns also had seats on the reviewing stand. The demonstration closed with a sermon, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a band concert on the Knights of Columbus ground opposite St. John’s Park. In the sermon preached before the benediction, the Rev. Nicholas P. Coleman of Riverside, said that, until God is taken into the plans and deliberations of man, there will be strife and discontent. And he added that should the day ever come when as a nation, our hearts are hardened and God is expelled from our councils, on that day will come the ruin and the destruction of our beloved country.”

AUDITIONS! Parish Shakespeare Theater is open for auditions to parishioners, AGES 18 TO 35 – SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th FROM 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the rectory. Come Join our Parish theater program.

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 The Historical Neighborhood Preservation Program of Stamford. All are welcome.

Coffee Hour…Please join us downstairs after the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Monsignor Nagle Hall for coffee and snacks.

Latin Mass . . . . At Saint Gabriel’s Church on Newfield Avenue, each Sunday at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Angel’s for Alzheimer’s Car Raffle and Event: Ticket Price: $10.00 each. Tickets on sale after Masses next weekend: October 11th & 12th. Drawing at the Italian Center on October 19th at 8:45 p.m.

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.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, October 4
4:00 +Joyce Scinto req. Dottie & Gerry
Sunday, October 5
7:30 People of the Parish
10:00 Special Intention Richard Paul Kim req. Joseph & Mary Kim
12:00 +Jocelyn Oswald & Kilda Machado req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos
6:00 Thanksgiving to God req. Anthony D’Ariano
Monday, October 6
8:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. The Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
12:10 +David Gogolak req. Nicholas & Theresa Troilo
Tuesday, October 7
8:00 +Casey Geary req. Nicholas & Theresa Troilo
12:10 +Joseph Bonifazio req. Tricia Boyle
Wednesday, October 8
8:00 +Maria Vu req. Thang Nguyen
12:10      Souls in Purgatory req. Fabiola C.
Thursday, October 9
8:00 +Lorraine Cunningham req. Robert Silveri
12:10    +Amelia Capocci req. Sharon Gannon
Friday, October 10
8:00 Special Intentionf family of Boiteau req. Maude & Paul Hughes
12:10 Special Intention Peggy Walsh
Saturday, October 11
8:00 +Hope & Joseph McAleer req. Family
12:10     +Eugene Lupinacci req. Lenny & Irene Zelinsky

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].

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.

Ecclesia Domestica
(The Domestic Church)
- Fr. Terry Walsh

Religious Education of children is an aspect of the vocation of Sacramental Married life that brings special responsibility to Moms and Dads. God will provide the necessary graces to parents to help them in the education of their children in the ways of faith, provided the parents cooperate with Him. It all begins with a faithful prayer life and fidelity to the Sacraments, especially Confession, Eucharist, and in the case of Parents, fidelity to the Sacramental Bond of Marriage. The conduit of grace that exists between sacramentally married couples is the well-spring of grace that flows out to the children. Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13, ought to be emblazoned upon the hearts and souls of all married persons. Unconditional love, in imitation of Christ, allows married couples to embrace their vocation in the truest sense and obviously summons the graces necessary to teach and defend the faith in the home. Indeed, parents will be held accountable for their participation in teaching their children the “Gospel of Life” – that is, the love of God and the call to discipleship. What sweet words they’ll hear from our Lord in Heaven: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
The Religious Education program here in the parish setting is simply meant to complement and reinforce the Truth of the Faith that the children are already learning at home. Consider the teaching of the Church: “The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. In the procreation and education of children it reflects the Father’s work of creation. It is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ. Daily prayer and the reading of the Word of God strengthen it in charity. The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task”(Catechism, 2205). What a beautiful vocation! What a great responsibility our Lord places on the shoulders of Moms and Dads. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, My burden light.” He does not lay upon us more than we can handle, provided we ask for the help. When we turn to him in our need and ask for the grace of Wisdom, of Understanding, of Counsel, and so on, He will provide. We live in a troubled world that breeds confusion and obscures the path of righteousness. Children today face pretty big challenges, especially on the moral and spiritual fronts. Clearly, parents today have to be well versed in their faith so that they can teach the faith with confidence and live the faith in peace and joy – even in an unsettled environment – very much like the early Christians did so many centuries ago. Indeed, the Catechism emphasizes the special role that Moms and Dads have been assigned by our Lord: “The role of the parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute. The right and duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable”(ccc2221)…Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the ‘first heralds’ for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church. A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one’s life”(ccc 2225). Pray for one another….

Posted by St John's Stamford at 10/2/2008 3:07 PM | Add Comment

Bulletin for September 28 - October 4, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . Monday, September 29th, will be the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. The Church has always held the archangels in high regard. The Roman Church’s devotion began at the end of the 6th century. As Pope Saint Gregory the Great led a penitential procession around the City in 590 a.d., praying for the end of the plague even while people dropped dead beside him along the processional route, the Archangel Michael appeared atop the Tomb of Hadrian, sheathing his sword and ending the plague that had devastated the City. The legend continues that a choir of angels appeared, singing the chant now used at Vespers during the Easter season, “Queen of Heaven rejoice, for Him whom you merited to bear has risen as He said.” To which the pope responded, “Pray for us to God, alleluia.” Pope Boniface IV built a small chapel at the top of what is now the Castel Sant’ Angelo in 608 to commemorate this work of Michael the Archangel.
This particular celebration of the Archangels originally began as a commemoration of Saint Michael the Archangel back in the 9th century, when the Basilica of the Archangel Michael was consecrated in Rome. Pope Saint Leo IV dedicated the basilica in remembrance of those who died fighting the Saracens [Moslem pirates] who attacked Rome in 846, despoiling the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul.
The Church has always seen Saint Michael as the point man of the Heavenly Hosts in defense of God’s creation against Satan and his angels, described in the Book of Revelation (Apoc. 12:7ff): “There was a battle in heaven–Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought back. But they were unable to win, and their places were no longer found in heaven. So the great dragon, the ancient serpent who is also called the devil or Satan, but one who seduces the whole world, was hurled down to earth and his colleagues were hurled down with him.” The fall of Lucifer or Satan after his rebellion against God was also described by the Prophet Isaiah: “How you have fallen from heaven, you Morning star! (Lucifer) How you have been smitten to earth, you conqueror of nations! You thought to yourself: I will scale the heavens, I will set my throne above the star of God; I will ascend the heights of the clouds, I will become like God the Most High. But now you have been brought down to Hell, to the depths of the pit.” (Is. 14:12-15)
But it was Michael who remained the faithful servant of God the Creator, and defended all from the rebellion of the Evil One. We celebrate his feast on the 29th, not as a mythical figure, but as one of the angels of God, created a pure spirit with free will, who exists only to do the will of God.
Satan continues his assault upon us in his battle against the Church until the end of time, as narrated in the Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation. Employing all means, occasionally including governments and individuals in religious institutions, as well, the Evil One works to destroy the work of God and to undermine the work of His incarnate Son and of the Holy Spirit by bringing about our loss of faith in God. Let us pray to Saint Michael to defend us in our present day struggles here on earth against temptation, pride and self-interest, that we may be preserved from Satan and sin, and one day join Him and Our Lord in Heaven.
-- Msgr. DiGiovanni

Pro-Life Activity. . . Stamford’s Life Chain on Sunday, October 5th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Atlantic Street and Tresser Blvd. Come be a living link in our Chain of Life. For information, please call Frank Carpanzano: (203) 975-8833, ext. 3004. Parking is available at St. John’s lot.

Please pray for the sick… Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano. Andrew DeMott, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, Eleanor McNamee, Nancy Geikie, Anthony Sansone, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops.

Please pray for those who have recently died… Sr. Inez, O.SS.S., Vicki Manes Henry Saraniero, Philipe Waterbury, Michael Murray, Jennifer Tomasello, Mather Dearborn Fr. Joseph Link, Maureen Apruzzese, Jerry Allen, Susan Wilhelm, Margaret Timon, Felix Fiore, Estelle Burke, Margaret Barko, Margaret Roth, Jane C. Hlavaty, Joan Bankowski.

        BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
THE PARISH MYSTERY THEATER
   Presents the
Rectory Players
Two repeat performances
In a Radio Style Presentation
of:
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
The Unexpected Guest
At 7:00 p.m. October 3rd & 4th
     In The Rectory Ball Room
45 seats - $30.00 each
(Beverages & Desserts)
(16 minimum age)

AUDITIONS! Parish Shakespeare Theater is open for auditions to parishioners, AGES 18 TO 35 – SATURDAY OCTOBER 11th FROM 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the rectory. Come Join or Parish theater program.
Banns of Marriage:   3rd Mark Kotasek & Lisa Starr
                                    2nd Christopher L. Mason & Amy Ferraiuolo
                                    2nd Pablo Labrosciano & Angela Piria
                                    1st   Richard Chow & Alexandra Carlson

Religion Classes for adults. . . Catholics who have not yet received Holy Communion or Confirmation, and for non-Catholics who wish to join the Church, will begin on September 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. Interested? Please contact Providencia at (203¬) 324 -1553 ext. 21.

St. Anne Family Society . . . Will be on the first Saturday of each month. Our first meeting: Saturday, October 4th, at 5:00 p.m. in the church and parish hall. Each meeting will include Eucharistic Adoration, a potluck supper and a spiritual conference. All families—including children—are invited.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . . Saturday, November 29th St. John’s will host an antique tag sale, sponsored by and for the benefit of the Historical Neighborhood Preservation Society of Stamford. All are welcome; details to follow in later bulletins.

Sunday, September 21, 2008 $ 11,116.00

Sunday, September 23, 2007 $ 9,706.53
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 October 5th:
Is 5:1-7; Phil 4: 6-9; Matt 21:33-43.

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 207 [Tune: King’s Weston] (2) 118 [Tune: Sweet Sacrament]. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s has formed a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome. We especially need TENORS & BASSES! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, (203) 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... The Children’s Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the 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, (203) 324-1553, ext. 18.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Mass for Four Voices – William Byrd, 1540-1623. Offertory motet: Christus factus est pro nobis – Felice Anerio, 1560-1614 (Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed upon him the name which is above every other name.). Communion motet: Super flumina Babylonis – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594 (By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept when we remembered thee, O Sion. As for our harps, we hanged them up upon the trees that are therein. [Ps. 137:1,2. Trans. M. Coverdale]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit In Nomine Domini (At the name of the Lord let every knee bend, in heaven, on earth and under the earth; for the Lord became obedient unto death, even death on the Cross; that is why Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto you. [Phil.2:10,8,11; Ps. 101:2]); Alleluia Paratum cor meum (My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing to you and praise you, my glory. [Psalm 108:2]); Offertory Super flumina Babylonis (Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and we wept, as we remembered you, O Zion. [Psalm 137:1]); Communion Memento verbi tui (Be mindful of your word to your servant, O Lord, in which you caused me to hope; this has been my comfort in my affliction. [Psalm 119:49,50).

St. Monica Institute for Patristic Studies . . . Will next meet on October 1st at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory.

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

October 5, 1908: The Children of Mary. “A meeting of the Children of Mary was held yesterday afternoon, at their reading-room in St. John’s R. C. school. During the session, about 100 clever young maidens were received into the sodality, and election of officers for the coming year took place. Rev. Father Rizzo has been appointed the spiritual director; Sister M. Bernardine, directress, was unanimously elected president; Miss Jennie Moriarity, vice president; Miss Louise Hynes, secretary; Miss Florence Nightengale, treasurer; and Miss Mary Quinn, librarian.”

October 4, 1909: “Some very beautiful prizes have been donated to the Alumni Association of St. John’s parochial school, for the euchre to be given in the Assembly hall next Friday evening. The prizes will be placed on exhibition this week.”

October 4, 1934: FIRE DISCOVERED IN ST. JOHN’S R. C. SCHOOL THIS NOON. “Shortly after 700 pupils in St. John’s Parochial school, Bell St., had been dismissed for lunch hour at noon today, fire swept through the third story of the building, gaining such headway that a second alarm was sounded for every piece of fire apparatus in the city. All pupils and the teaching staff, consisting of nuns, were out of the building when the fire was observed by Attorney Daniel E. Ryan, who sent in an alarm at 12:11. Chief Victor Veit ordered a second alarm upon his arrival four minutes later, calling every piece of apparatus and the men off duty. Great clouds of smoke were pouring out of a chimney at one end of the building when firemen arrived, many believing it to be a chimney fire. Chief Veit said he found plenty of fire on the top floor which is used as an assembly hall. The flames ran along under the peak in the long roof, breaking out in two places. Firemen laid four lines to combat the blaze, much water pouring down into the lower halls and rooms. The fire was brought under control in a few minutes, but the building, built in 1906, and of brick construction, was in such condition from smoke and water that class sessions will probably be suspended for several days. Some of the children were eating their lunches in the school yard, while others were playing about outside when the fire was discovered. Fire drill was held in the school only yesterday. Traffic was tied up on Atlantic Street for a half-hour while the fire was in progress. Hundreds of people gathered on Bell St., while all of the nuns attached to the school remained in the yard to watch the battle against the fire. Some of them moved by the sight wept. An official estimate of the damage will be determined by Chief Veit today. Anxious parents, upon learning of the fire, eagerly sought information and were relieved when informed that all children were out of the building when the fire was observed.”

Biblical Greek. . . I would be grateful if those interested in studying introductory Greek would call me at the rectory, extension 11, so we can schedule our lessons—Mons. DiGiovanni

Coffee Hour…Please join us downstairs after the 10:00 a.m. Mass in the Monsignor Nagle Hall for coffee and snacks.

Latin Mass . . . . At Saint Gabriel’s Church on Newfield Avenue, each Sunday at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome.

House Blessings . . . Please check the parish website: www.stjohnsstamford.com for the list of streets we’ll visit this month. To schedule a blessing, please call the rectory: (203) 324-1553, ext. 21.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, September 27
4:00 +John Vandereedt req. Wife
Sunday, September 28
7:30 +Felix & Louise Bertasso req. by daughter
10:00 +Unknown req. Anne Marie Samedi
12:00 The Persecuted Roman Catholic Church in China req. Cardinal Kung Foundation
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, September 29
8:00 +Anne Constance Penta req. Armelle
12:10 +Elvira Palermo req. Frank & Beth Carpanzano
Tuesday, September 30
8:00 All Missionaries
12:10 +Alberto Faugno req. Frank & Beth Carpanzano
Wednesday, October 1
8:00 Special Intention Tracy H. Rubin req. Fabiola Contreras
12:10      +Andrew Daniello req. Hannah Young
Thursday, October 2
8:00 +Dila Haidar req. Granddaughter
12:10    Sister Ellen Mary SSJ 70th year Anniversary
Friday, October 3
8:00 Special Intention req. Gerard J. Carriera
12:10 +Lewis Miller req. Nicholas & Theresa Troilo
Saturday, October 4
8:00 In Honor of St. Francis
12:10   +Ismael Vega req. Evelyn Flaharty (daughter)

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].

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

The Interior Law of Charity
- Fr. Terry Walsh
“For God is not a God of confusion but a God of Peace” (1Cor14:33)
Before God created anything, He existed. He has revealed the very nature of His Being as Triune; that is, He always existed as Holy Trinity – Three distinct Persons yet One God. The Holy Trinity is the greatest Mystery of our faith and we can only know of this great truth because God has revealed it to us. He always existed as a perfect community of Three distinct and yet not separate Persons. He always existed as a perfect family overflowing in love. Indeed, John tells us that “God IS love.” He created the Universe and everything in it through love. St. Paul teaches us that ‘we live and move and have our being’ in God; in other words, we are held in existence IN the love of God. The Church teaches us that the very purpose of our existence is to be “caught up in the love of the Holy Trinity for all eternity” in Heaven. When God created the Universe and everything in it He created it with perfect beauty, harmony, justice and order. It is called “Original Justice.” The sin of Adam, the disobedience of man, caused disharmony, injustice or “Original Sin.” Now, while the beauty and harmony of the Universe was effected by the disruption brought about by sin, Truth itself remained Perfect. Truth is not a thing; nor can it “change”. Truth is a Person: Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He is Perfect and what is Perfect can not change. There is an objective Truth by which our lives and our very salvation are governed. We are able to know and understand Truth because God has “written it upon our hearts” and speaks it to us in the very depths of our souls (our conscience) if we are listening to His Voice. God wants all people to come to the knowledge of the Truth and choose to live in the Truth and so be saved. St. Paul writes, “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (1Cor16:13). Or again in Ephesians, “…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 be rooted and grounded in love…to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”(3:116ff). And so, there is a relationship between Law and Grace. The Law emanates from Truth, Jesus Christ, and so points us toward Him. The Law is a “guidepost” to keep us on the well-lit path to our salvation. The Church teaches: “Called to beatitude but wounded by sin, man stands in need of salvation from God. Divine help comes to him in Christ through the law that guides him and the grace that sustains him”(ccc1949). The Catechism beautifully explains the various expressions of law in Part 3, chapter 3, beginning with paragraph #1949. It is clear, concise, and very helpful in understanding the relationship between Law and Grace. The Incarnation, the New Covenant, ushered in the New Law: the Law of Divine Grace. The Church states: “The New Law or the Law of the Gospel is the perfection here on earth of the divine law, natural and revealed. It is the work of Christ and is expressed particularly in the Sermon on the Mount. It is also the work of the Holy Spirit and through him it becomes the interior law of charity: ‘I will establish a New Covenant with the house of Israel…I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people’ (Heb8:8, Jer31: 31-34)” (ccc1965).

Posted by St John's Stamford at 9/26/2008 9:38 AM | Add Comment

Bulletin for September 21 - 27, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . Many people have come forward to help preserve the parish’s history. One of the interesting aspects of this ten year project is the attitude of those involved in the work: they’ve approached their task as if they were working to clarify and preserve aspects of lives of friends still with us. In a real way, those who founded Saint John’s 150 plus years ago, and those who lived in the intervening years of the parish’s life, are still with us, as part of the Church. That’s a very Catholic notion: The Catholic Church, whose head is the Lord, and whose body is the faithful, includes all members both living and dead, as Saint Paul wrote. In Christ, its members are united across the ages, truly.
So, we have amassed a considerable collection of information in the form of 30 linear feet of newspaper articles about the parish from 1851 nearly until the present [he’s up to 1950]; photographs from 1885 until the present; a large postcard collection, from the 1890’s through the 1960’s; school memorabilia from the 1880’s until the school’s closure in 1972, including diplomas, school records, class photos, personal award and class pins; parish sports awards from the 1920’s; knick-knacks, commemorative plates and decorative vases with images of the church from the late 19th century; personal objects of people who lived here before 1868 when the house at 279 Atlantic Street became a rectory: children’s toys, including marbles, a carved wooden horse, a lead tea set, and a small toy canon; a portrait of a small girl who lived here in the 1880’s; newspapers from the summer of 1857 when the house was owned by the prestigious New York City lawyer, Galen Carter; bits of the original wall paper; crockery; an ink well and medicine bottles from the 1850’s and –‘60’s.
The bulk of the work is done by Larry Bolanowski, who lived in Stamford with his family until the 1980’s when they moved to New Jersey. Now, he travels to Stamford, driving nearly four hours to reach Saint John’s by 5:30 a.m. each Monday morning. I meet him at the door with coffee and breakfast, and we sit and go through the fruit of his labors of the previous week. After morning Mass, he returns to the Ferguson Library to spend the subsequent five hours at the microfilm reader, copying all Advocate articles about St. John’s. He then makes digital photos of the microfilmed news articles, labels each with the newspaper’s name and date, delivers photos to a local shop for clear printing, and then returns the next Monday with his research. He also spends dozens of hours each week writing to archives, libraries and individuals asking for information, photos or details about various aspects of St. John’s.
His loyal assistant has been Mary Cycon, one of our parishioners. She comes in weekly to help with Larry’s computer work: entering into the parish computer system all the information and files Larry provides of his research, providing copies to the Stamford Historical Society.
If anyone is interested in history—St. John’s is the place. I am grateful to Larry and Mary very, very much.
-- Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Frederick Naphen, Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano. Andrew DeMott, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, Eleanor McNamee, Nancy Geikie, , Anthony Sansone, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops.

Please pray for those who have recently died… Vicki Manes Henry Saraniero, Philipe Waterbury, Michael Murray, Jennifer Tomasello, Mather Dearborn Fr. Joseph Link, Maureen Apruzzese, Jerry Allen, Susan Wilhelm, Margaret Timon, Felix Fiore, Estelle Burke, Margaret Barko, Margaret Roth, Jane C. Hlavaty, Joan Bankowski.

          THE PARISH MYSTERY THEATER
   Presents the
Rectory Players
     Two repeat performances by popular demand
      In a Radio Style Presentation
          of:
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
The Unexpected Guest
                  At 7:00 p.m. October 3rd & 4th
     In The Rectory Ball Room
45 seats - $30.00 each
(Beverages & Desserts)
(16 minimum age)

Banns of Marriage:   2nd Mark Kotasek & Lisa Starr
                                    1st Christopher L. Mason & Amy Ferraiuolo
                                    1st Pablo Labrosciano & Angela Piria

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

Religious Education . . . Classes begin on Today, Sunday, September 21st at 8:30 a.m. All classes will be held on Sunday mornings. Please find registration forms in the vestibule of the church, or stop by the office to register: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Classes for adults. . . . Catholics who have not yet received Holy Communion or Confirmation, and for non-Catholics who wish to join the Church, will begin on September 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. Interested? Please contact Providencia at (203¬) 324 -1553 ext. 21.

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 September 24th, at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory, to continue our study of John Cassian’s Spiritual Conferences. All are welcome.

Biblical Greek. . . I would be grateful if those interested in studying introductory Greek would call me at the rectory, extension 11, so we can schedule our lessons—Mons. DiGiovanni

St. John’s Bible Study…We will use The Bible Timeline Series for 25 Thursdays beginning September 25th through May 7th 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.

Coffee Hour…Please join us downstairs after the 10:00 a.m. Mass in the Monsignor Hayes Hall for coffee and snacks.

Latin Mass . . . . At Saint Gabriel’s Church on Newfield Avenue, each Sunday at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Sunday, September 14, 2008     $ 9,870.46

               Sunday, September 16, 2007     $ 9,288.65
I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving to God, but do not give your leftovers.”---Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 258 (2) 221. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Family Mass. Rehearsals: Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... The Children's Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the St. John's Children's Choir also sings for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. 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 Octavi toni - Orlandus Lassus, Orlando di Lasso, 1532-1594. Offertory motet: Jubilate Deo - di Lasso (O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God. [Psalm 100:1,2. Trans. M. Coverdale]). Communion motet: Ave verum Corpus - William Byrd, 1540-1623 (Hail true Body, born of Mary the virgin; suffering, sacrificed truly on the cross for men; from whose pierced side water flowed and blood. Be merciful to us at the judgement of death, O sweet Jesus, O merciful Jesus, O Jesus Son of Mary. [From a 14th cent. Gradual at Limoges, trans. Rev. A. Fortescue]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Salus populi (I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord; from whatever tribulations they cry out to me, I will give heed to them; and I will be their Lord for ever. Attend, O my people, to my law; incline your ear to the words of my mouth. [Cf. Ps. 37: 39, 40, 28; Ps.78]); Alleluia: Confitemini Domino (Give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his name; declare his deeds among the nations. [Psalm 105:1]); Offertory: Si ambulavero (If I walk in the midst of tribulation you shall preserve my life, O Lord; you shall stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand has delivered me. [Psalm 138:7]); Communion: Tu mandasti (You have ordered that your commandments be kept diligently; O that my ways may be guided towards the keeping of your statutes. [Psalm 118:4,5]).

THE PARISH PICNIC
Thanks to all who so generously contributed to our first Annual Picnic at Cove Beach last weekend. In particular, we would like to thank Suzie Trotta, Moderator of the St. Anne’s Society, who gathered all the supplies, food and drinks, and Sal DeMott, our transportation coordinator and head chef, for all their generous work. Thanks also to Frank Carpenzano, Jeff Russo, John Regan, Joe Maker, and John Marciano for their skills on the grills. Finally, thanks to Joe Agostino and family, owners of The Bedford Street Diner, who supplied us with endless coolers of ice to keep the drinks cold on such a hot afternoon. We look forward to our second Annual Picnic next September and we’ll pray for another exceptionally beautiful day.

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

September 24, 1869: “The Catholic picnic at Woodside Park last week, though not as largely attended as that of July 4th, was very successful, and proved to be an occasion of great enjoyment to all present. A good band of music was in attendance, and in fact all the arrangements were made with that liberality and enterprise which distinguishes this class of our citizens.”

September 22, 1937: 211 Awards Given 45 Boy Scouts at Court of Honor. “A total of 211 awards were presented to 45 Boy Scouts who attended Camp Toquam, this Summer, last evening, at Burdick Junior High School at a court of honor. Theodore H. Reuman, chairman of the court, was assisted by Dr. George McEvoy, Carlton Swayze, Alfred W. Dater, Sr., Alfred W. Dater, Jr., Health Commissioner Raymond D. Fear, Scout Executive Arthur F. Jury and Carter T. Dodd. Following are the list of advancements and awards: To Second Class: William Harrison, Troop 22 (St. John’s Roman Catholic). Merit badges: Animal Industry: Craig Kellogg, Troop 22. Camping: Robert Lee, Troop 22. Cooking: Robert Lee, Troop 22. Farm home and its planning: Robert Lee, Troop 22. Handicraft: Everett Hyland, Troop 22. Pathfinding: Robert Lee, Troop 22. Personal health: Everett Hyland, Troop 22. Pioneering: Bernard Zarembski, Troop 22. Public health: Fred Benke and Everett Hyland, Troop 22. Rowing: Craig Kellogg and Bernard Zarembski, Troop 22. Safety: Everett Hyland, Troop 22. Stamp Collecting: Everett Hyland, Troop 22. Woodwork: Robert Lee, Troop 22. Star Rank: Everett Hyland and Bernard Zarembski, Troop 22. Life Scout Rank: Frederick W. Benke, Troop 22.”

September 23, 1939: St. John’s Boys Have Grid Team. “St. John’s Varsity Club of the Boys’ Brigade, last year’s junior city champions, are preparing to start their second season with Jim Callahan, Merritt, Gorman, and Mulkerin in the backfield, and practically the same line as last year. Bob Callahan, the high scorer of last year’s team, is again at end, and doubling for his brother at quarterback. New additions to the team include King, Cullen, O’Connor, McNamara, and Gauruter. Last year the team scored more than 200 points, winning seven games and losing one. This year the team is looking forward to an even more successful season. All players are members of St. John’s Boys’ Brigade, which is the junior Catholic Youth Organization of St. John’s R. C. Church.”

September 25, 1942: “The Women’s League of the Sacred Heart of St. John’s Catholic Church will hold a social and game party for the benefit of St. Joseph’s Hospital in the auditorium of St. John’s Church, Atlantic and Bell sts., on Monday, Oct. 19, at 8:15 p. m.
In commemoration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the first Mass celebrated in Stamford, there will be a Solemn High Mass in St. John’s Catholic Church at 11 a. m. on Sunday.”

Need help with your resume? . . . Meet with us on Monday, September 22nd at 7:30 pm in the rectory: Melanie Szlucha, a professional interview coach will give some pointers on crafting a better resume letter. Bring your current resume and cover letter. For more information: www.reallygreatresume.com

Mass Intentions

Saturday, September 20
4:00 +Travis Hill req. Grandparents
Sunday, September 21
7:30 +Estella Colo & Leonard DiSesa req. by Sister
10:00 +Simone Parisi req. Pinto Family
12:00 Special Intention Barbara Schuegar Birthday req. Lilian & Alvina Ramos
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family
Monday, September 22
8:00 +Ena & Osner Lubin req. Marie C. Joseph
12:10 The Tarleton Family req. John Tarleton
Tuesday, September 23
8:00 +Reddy & Alice MacDonald & Family req. Mary Maloney
12:10 Special Intention Rev. Juan G. Pineda Birthday
Wednesday, September 24
8:00 +Carmen Trivino req. Daughter
12:10      +Margorie Watkins req. Ferry & Providencia
Thursday, September 25
8:00 +Evelyn & John Sexton req. Hannah Young
12:10    Special Intention Barbara Schueger Birthday
Friday, September 26
8:00 Special Intention req. Gerard J. Carriera
12:10 +Josephine D’Amico req. her son Frank
Saturday, September 27
8:00 +Louisa Carriera req. Gerard J. Carriera
12:10   Special Intention Roberts Tarleton

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].

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 meets monthly 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.

ROMANS
- Fr. Terry Walsh
“If God is for us, who is against us?”(Rm. 8:31)
In the Holy Mass, the Liturgy of the Word takes its first Reading from the Old Testament and its second Reading from the New Testament, followed by the Gospel. The Psalm poetically unites the general theme of all the Readings and draws us into a deeper contemplation of the Word, preparing us for a more faithful reception of our Lord Sacramentally in the holy Eucharist. The Word draws the attentive heart into a dialogue with God – a meditation of his love. “The Word of God is like a two-edged sword” St. Paul tells us. It penetrates our hearts and opens our minds to the Divine. St. Paul is very often depicted in art holding a Sword in one hand and carrying the Scriptures in the other. In each of the last 16 Sunday liturgies, our New Testament Reading has been taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, arguably the most important of his 13 Epistles. He wrote it during his stay in Corinth (c.58 AD) as he was about to leave for Rome to visit the growing Christian community there. Less than a decade later he would be martyred in Rome. The letter explains essential teachings concerning the relationship between God and man: “For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all” (11:32). Paul beautifully explains that true Freedom, true life, is found only through Jesus Christ, who, through His one perfect sacrifice has conquered sin and death and so redeemed all those who worship Him “in Spirit and in Truth”, to borrow a phrase from John; that is, all who “live according to the Spirit” – nourished by Grace. Life in the “New Law” – that is – the “Law of Grace”, is lived through the obedience of faith in imitation of the obedience of Jesus to the Will of the Father. The gift of Divine Life given to all who seek Christ, living according to the Gospel and cooperating with Grace, quite literally forms us into new creations. Paul stresses that this is a total, unmerited gift of Mercy. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us(5:8)….So you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus”(6:11).
Paul clearly draws the distinction between life in the flesh as opposed to life in the Spirit. Chapter 8, in particular, focuses beautifully on the “Indwelling” of the Holy Spirit and reminds us that we who are baptized into the Body of Christ are true children of God. “When we cry, ‘Abba! Father! It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provide we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him”(8:15ff). St. Paul draws attention to the very purpose of Creation and the hope of Redemption. Perhaps his most compelling teaching is that God Himself accompanies our every step, leading us into His Very Being – if we let Him. “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we don’t know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (8:26-27). What tremendous words of hope and consolation! Are we truly mindful of our companion?
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (15:13).

Posted by St John's Stamford at 9/19/2008 8:58 AM | Add Comment

Bulletin for September 14 - 20, 2008

Pastor’s Corner . . . September 14th is the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. For Jehovah’s Witnesses and other non-Christian religions, the Cross is only an instrument of torture. It was, once. But this instrument of mankind’s cruelty has been changed into the source of eternal life by God. It changed world history. What is so important about the Cross? Let’s see what the Cross actually is.
On Good Friday, the Church recalls Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and chants the Reproaches, a series of quotations from the Prophet Micah, which the Church places in the mouth of the crucified Lord. As we approach the Cross, the Lord asks us: “My people, what have I done to you? Or, how have I offended you? Answer me. I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Savior to the Cross. I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink. I raised you to the height of majesty, but you have raised me high on a cross. My people, what have I done to you? Or, how have I offended you? Answer me.”
Today’s feast of the Triumph of the Cross celebrates the Cross as an instrument of God’s triumph over Satan’s power of sin and death. The evil produced by man is transformed by God. This underscores the fidelity of God: While mankind repays God’s generosity with disobedience and sin, Christ repays our ingratitude with mercy, even at the cost of His own life’s blood. As the verse at the gospel for today’s Mass tells us: “Sweet the wood and precious the nails that so gently bore so blessed a burden; you alone were worthy to carry the King of Heaven, the Lord.” The verse at the offertory of the Mass emphasizes the reality of the Cross: “Protect your people, O Lord, by the sign of the Holy Cross, from the attacks of all enemies; so that our service may be agreeable to you and our sacrifice acceptable.” During the preface of the Mass, Christ’s Cross is described as a tree: since mankind lost eternity through the original or first sin of the first Adam’s disobedience of God’s command not to touch the Tree of Life, so now Christ, the second Adam, renews eternal life through His sacrifice of obedience on a tree: “You decreed that man should be saved through the wood of the Cross. The tree of man’s defeat became his tree of victory; where life was lost, there life has been restored through Christ our Lord.” In the hymn Crux fidelis, the Church continues her reflection on the Cross as the new tree of life: “O faithful Cross, incomparable Tree, the noblest of all; no forest has put forth the likes of your own leaves, your flowers, your fruits. Gentle wood with a gentle nail, to support so gentle a burden! Sing, O my tongue, of the battle, of the glorious struggle; and over the trophy of the Cross, proclaim the noble triumph; tell how the redeemer of the world won victory through his sacrifice. The Creator looked on sadly as the first man [Adam], our forefather, was deceived, and as he fell into the snare of death, taking a bite of a lethal fruit; it was then that God chose this blessed piece of wood to destroy the other tree’s curse.” There is no other means by which mankind can attain eternal life.
A relic of the True Cross upon which Our Lord suffered can be found on St. Joseph’s Altar, as is a relic of St. Helena, who rediscovered it in 327 a.d. Tomorrow, September 15th, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, recalls the personal sufferings of Jesus’ Mother at the foot of the Cross. Following her example, and St. Paul’s words, we should “make up what is lacking in Christ’s Cross” by adding our own personal sacrifices: evils, pains, injustices or sufferings we endure in life, offered to God as our sacrifices joined to Christ’s Cross for the salvation of others. The Cross is no longer an instrument of torture: it is the new tree of life for all. -- Msgr. DiGiovanni

Please pray for the sick… Paul Eldridge, Antoinetta Fiore, John Dagostino, Drew, John Castellano. Andrew DeMott, Anita Fasanelli, Felicia Stamadini, Vinci Balbucci, Pasqualina Bruzzesi, Carmella Micik, Eleanor McNamee, Nancy Geikie, Vicki Manes, Anthony Sansone, Paul Forte, Anne Marie Brutus, Gelanie Lops.

Please pray for those who have recently died… Michael Murphy, Jennifer Tomasello, Mather Dearborn Fr. Joseph Link, Maureen Apruzzese, Jerry Allen, Susan Wilhelm, Margaret Timon, Felix Fiore, Estelle Burke, Margaret Barko, Margaret Roth, Jane C. Hlavaty, Joan Bankowski.

   THE PARISH MYSTERY THEATER
   Presents the
Rectory Players
     Two repeat performances by popular demand
      In a Radio Style Presentation
          of:
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
The Unexpected Guest
                  At 7:00 p.m. October 3rd & 4th
     In The Rectory Ball Room
45 seats - $30.00 each
(Beverages & Desserts)
(16 minimum age)

Banns of Marriage: 3rd Gregory Lodato & Flavia Moraes

Catholic University of America Collection . . . Please drop your special envelope into the ONE basket that will be passed at the Offertory.

Religious Education . . . Classes begin on Sunday, September 21st at 8:30 a.m. All classes will be held on Sunday mornings. Please find registration forms in the vestibule of the church, or stop by the office register: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

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 September 17th, at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory, to continue our study of John Cassian’s Spiritual Conferences. All are welcome.

Biblical Greek. . . I would be grateful if those interested in studying introductory Greek would call me at the rectory, extension 11, so we can schedule our lessons—Mons. DiGiovanni

House Blessings . . . Please check the parish website: www.stjohnsstamford.com for the list of streets we’ll visit this month. To schedule a blessing, please call the rectory: (203) 324-1553, ext. 21.

Sunday, September 7, 2008 $ 14,325.00
Sunday, September 9, 2007 $ 11,318.50
I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving to God, but do not give your leftovers.”---Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Hymns for this weekend . . . (1) 256 (2) 62. The Creed for the Noon Mass may be found in the hymnal at No. 289.

New Adult Choir . . . St. John’s is pleased to announce the formation of a new Adult Choir to sing for the 10:00 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room. All with even a little singing experience are welcome! Please call Scott Turkington for more information, 324-1553, ext. 18 ... and ... Children’s Choir . . . The Children’s Choir has resumed its Saturday rehearsals. Now in its 10th year (!), the 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, (203) 324-1553, ext. 18.

Choral Music for the 12:00 Noon Mass . . . Mass Ordinary: Missa ‘Æterna Christi munera’ – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1525-1594. Offertory motet: Nos autem gloriari opportet – Palestrina (Let our glory be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in him we have salvation, life and resurrection; through him we are rescued and set free. My God have mercy on us and bless us; may he cause his face to shine upon us and may he have mercy on us.). Communion motet and chant: Crux fidelis – King John IV of Portugal, 1604-1656 (Faithful cross, above all other, the one noble tree. None in foliage, nor in blossom, nor in fruit offers more: sweetest wood and sweetest iron, sweetest weight is hung on thee! [St. Venantius Fortunatus, ca. 530-609]); Vexilla regis prodeunt (The royal banners forward go, The cross shines forth in mystic glow; Where He in flesh, our flesh who made, Our sentence bore, our ransom paid. Where deep for us the spear was dyed, Life’s torrent rushing from his side, To wash us in that precious flood, Where mingled water flowed, and Blood. Fulfilled is all that David told In true prophetic song of old, Amid the nations, God, saith He Hath reigned and triumphed from the Tree. O Tree of beauty, Tree of light, O Tree with royal purple dight, Elect on whose triumphal breast Those holy limbs should find their rest. On whose dear arms, so widely flung, The weight of this world’s ransom hung, The price which none but He could pay, And spoil the spoiler of His prey. O Cross, our one reliance, hail! So may this Passiontide avail To give fresh merit to the saint And pardon to the penitent. To Thee, eternal Three in One, Let homage meet by all be done; As by thy Cross thou dost restore, Preserve and govern evermore. Amen. [St. Venantius Fortunatus, trans. J.M. Neale]). The Gregorian chants proper to this Sunday are: Introit Nos autem gloriari opportet (see text, above); Alleluia Dulce lignum (O precious wood, O precious nails, gently bearing so precious a burden; you alone were worthy to carry the King of heaven, the Lord); Offertory Protege, Domine (Protect your people, O Lord, by the sign of the holy cross, from the attacks of all enemies; so that our service may be agreeable unto you and our sacrifice aaceptable, alleluia.); Communion Per signum Crucis (By the sign of the cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God.).

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

September 18, 1899: Bishop Tierney in Town. “The Rt. Rev. Bishop Tierney is the guest of Rev. Father Rogers at St. John’s rectory today. The Bishop arrived in town about 11 o’clock, and expects to remain until this evening. He made an official visit to the parochial school, and found it to be in a flourishing condition. The important part that this school takes in the education of the town is sometimes not thought of by many, because the work is done in such a quiet, unassuming manner. There are, this fall, about 500 pupils in attendance, which is an increase over last year. The standard of scholarship that is attained was evidenced last June in a striking degree, by the fact that every candidate for admission to the High School was successful. It is probable that before long steps will be taken for the erection of a building which will be more suitable for the purposes of the school.”

September 20, 1910: Ten Years As Pastor. “Rev. James C. O’Brien, pastor of St. John’s Catholic Church, rounded out the tenth year of his service here on Sunday. Father O’Brien mentioned the anniversary in the course of his weekly pulpit talk, and spoke of the genuine good feeling that existed in the parish, and of the loyal, zealous support given him and his assistants in the work they have been carrying on. He expressed deep gratitude to his people. Father O’Brien’s record here, as it was in Bridgeport, whence he came to Stamford, has been one of progress. Under his direction the parish property has received noteworthy additions. One of these is the parochial school on the Bell Street property. He disposed of the old school and convent property on Hawthorn Street and grouped the parish buildings compactly in Bell Street, erecting, aside from the school, what amounts to a new convent building. The parochial residence on Atlantic Street was improved, too, and the church itself has received many little embellishments. Notwithstanding this and the division of the parish, the church debt has been kept within reasonable bounds.”

September 17, 1947: St John’s Bowlers Make a Fast Start. “St. John’s Holy Name Bowling League got off to a fast start, led by C. Hincle with games of 127, 114, 123 for a high triple of 364 and Sal Deleventure’s high single of 156. Exceptional bowling was turned in for the first night of the season. Other outstanding scores were: L. Nick, 137-329; J. Poultney 133-325; R. Prior 129-322; M. Francis, Sr. 132-321; C. Swathel 121-316; J. Dunn 120-316 and C. Tinchak 120-314. There are still a few openings on the teams for last year’s members and anyone else interested in an evening of fun and competition. Those wishing to join should be at the Elk’s upstairs alleys at 7:15 p.m. Monday night.”

Concert. . . Here at Saint John’s to benefit Malta House and Catholic Charities. Friday, September 19th at 7:30 pm. For more information, please see the brochure inserted in the bulletin.

St. Cecilia’s School is sponsoring a fundraising day of tennis and golf for kids: on Thursday October 2nd: awards, prizes and food. For details: www.StCGolfTennis or Magoo150@hotmail.com

Saturday, September 13
4:00 Special Intention Catherine Olnek req. Sharon Gannon

Sunday, September 14
7:30 +Robert Vota req. By wife
10:00 +Richard Wargo Birthday Remembrance req. Family
12:00 +Gilbert John Wintering req. Mr. & Mrs. Louis Lambiase
6:00 +Patrick Kane & Family req. Estate of Catherine Kane & Family

Monday, September 15
8:00 In honor of Our Lady of Sorrows req. Armelle Penta
12:10 In honor of Our Lady of Sorrows req. Armelle Penta

Tuesday, September 16
8:00 Special Intention Michael Frederick Ledlow req. Tom Timon
12:10 +Randolph Samedi req. Anne Marie Samedi

Wednesday, September 17
8:00 +Mary Curry req. Bill & Felicitas Cody
12:10      +Helen Carr req. Marie Carr

Thursday, September 18
8:00 +Father Methe req. Mr. & Mrs. F. Fiori
12:10    +Mary Ellen & Joseph Santoro req. Marie Carr

Friday, September 19
8:00 +Neil Carey req. Bill & Felicitas Cody
12:10 +Bernadette Purcell req. the Marchetti Family

Saturday, September 20
8:00 +Harold Herbert req. Vita & Felicitas
12:10   Special Intention

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].

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 meets monthly 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.

On September 15, the day following the Triumph of the Cross, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the Title of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Triumph of the Cross came through suffering, a suffering that the Mother of Jesus endured spiritually. God redeemed mankind through His Incarnation, restoring by obedience what was lost by the disobedience of Adam. He is Holy and whatever He touches becomes holy. He showed the depth of his love for us, as St. Paul put it in his letter to the Philippians (2:6-11), when our Lord “emptied Himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a Cross!” And as his dead body hung upon the Cross, the soldier’s lance pierced His Sacred Heart and Blood and Water flowed out. He emptied Himself so that we might be filled. Thirty three years earlier, Mary presented him to the Father in the Temple. The Presentation was one of the greatest joys in the life of Mary. Moments after the Presentation, however, the holy prophet, Simeon, turned to our Lady and said: “Behold this Child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.” Mary experienced the passion of Her Son spiritually. Imagine the pain and sorrow that filled her heart as she pondered the Holy Scriptures, particularly the passages that graphically spoke of the Suffering Servant, her Son, in the Book of Isaiah. She knew the depth of His love and at the same time, she realized that many would reject Him. Venerable Mary of Agreda wrote: “Most holy Mary knew it all and in the joy and sorrow of her most pure soul, excited by the prophecies of Simeon and these hidden mysteries, She performed heroic acts of virtue…At all times She looked upon her most holy Son with such a living sorrow…” Not long after the prophecy of Simeon, the Holy Family fled to Egypt in the middle of the night to escape the proud and angry Herod who was bent on destruction. They had to leave behind all that was familiar: their friends and neighbors, their home. They didn’t know how long the exile would last. Moreover, they could take very little with them due to the sudden and speedy flight. If his persecutors had only opened their hearts to the Truth, they would have been filled with the joy of Redemption. But pride clouded their vision. Arrogance wounded their impenetrable hearts of stone. And so, the Holy Family had to flee. Mary suffered again when the Child Jesus was lost for three days in the Temple. Imagine the interior agony of wondering of his whereabouts and well-being. The Devotion of the Seven Sorrows of Mary concludes with the last four Sorrows taking place in a single day. She meets her bloody son as He bears the crushing weight of the Cross and then sees Him die upon it. In a sorrow too deep for words, His dead Body is laid upon her lap. Finally, He is buried in the Tomb and once again, the Sword of Sorrow pierces her Immaculate Heart.
“Through her heart his sorrow sharing, all his bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword had passed.
Oh, how sad and sore distressed was that Mother highly blessed, of the sole begotten One!”
(Stabat Mater dolorosa)

Posted by St John's Stamford at 9/11/2008 2:31 PM | Add Comment

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