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Church of Saint John
1986 Post Road
Darien, Connecticut 06820
203.655.1145
OCTOBER 12, 2014
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil:
4:30 PM
Sunday: 7:30, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 AM,
5:00 PM
DAILY MASSES
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM
During Lent: 8:00 AM & 12:15 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM
Holy Days: See Bulletin for schedule
Adoration & Benediction
First Friday after the 8:00 AM Mass until
12 Noon except July and August.
Miraculous Medal Novena
Monday after the 8:00 AM Mass
Reconciliation
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Saturdays
or anytime by appointment
Rosary
Immediately following the daily
8:00 AM Mass
CLERGY/LAY LEADERSHIP
Fr. Frank Hoffmann, Pastor
Fr. Frank Gomez, Resident Priest
Mr. Richard Slagle
RSlagle@BMBL-Law.com
Finance Committee Chairperson
Mrs. Helen O’Donnell
helenodonnell2@gmail.com
Parish Council Chairperson
PARISH OFFICE
PRESCHOOL
203.655.1145 phone
203.655.1048 fax
stjohnb@optonline.net
203.656.0548 phone
www.stjohnpreschool.org
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
203.655.8020 phone
religiousedsj@optonline.net
ST. JOHN CHURCH
Pastor Column
OCTOBER 12, 2014
Priest Convocation—October 13-15
October 12, 2014
On October 13-15, morning masses will NOT be
celebrated at St. John due to the Priest Convocation, which
will be held in Newport, RI. The aim of the Convocation is
to gather all priests of the diocese, together with their
bishop, for a period of prayer, ongoing formation, and unity. The gathering is also intended to offer our diocesan
priests an opportunity to join together in solidarity and
explore their vocation of service to God's people.
I was thinking that it might be helpful to you to tell you a
little bit about myself and my life prior to St. John’s. I figure
that since I am 59 last August, this will give me material for 59
columns. (Just kidding!) Of course, I don’t want to get that detailed, but it could take more than just one column.
I was born on Long Island at Mercy Hospital in Rockville
Centre, NY. My father, Ralph, had grown up nearby in Mineola;
my mother, Fran, in Philadelphia. They met, of all places, at
Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. I am among a small number
of people of my generation who can say that his parents were
Marines! My paternal grandparents both came to the US from
Germany prior to World War I. My maternal grandparents were
more or less of Irish descent.
About two and a half years after I was born, my sister, Kathleen, came along. By then, we were living in Levittown, NY.
Our parish church, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, became in many
ways the center of our life. We were weekly church goers, even
though, in my early years, I was a bit of a pain in the neck in
church. I still remember a book that my mother bought for me
called “Good Manners in Church”. So, you see, those little kids
that are driving you crazy at Mass could be future priests! I
started at the brand spanking new school as a second grader in
1962. Only four grades that first year, with 3 classes in each
grade, each class with 50(!) kids in it. Sister Dionysius, my 2nd
and 4th grade teacher, told me when she came to my ordination
that she always thought that I would be a priest. She has had
more of an influence on me than she might ever have imagined.
The reality is, my whole experience of Catholic school had a
great influence on me. I think that back in the early 60s, many
kids at St. Bernard’s might have told you that they wanted to be
a priest or nun when they grew up. (It took me a little longer. I
wasn’t ordained until I was 34.) But for me, it was something
that obviously stuck with me. It made me see my faith as part of
my whole life, not something just for Sundays.
When I was in 8th grade, I started working at St. Bernard’s on
the bingo crew. We would set up bingo, tear down bingo and set
up and tear down the chairs for the Masses that would be celebrated every weekend in the gym/auditorium. St. Bernard’s had
5000 families and so there were two Masses going on almost all
the time over the weekend - about 12-14 Masses. Hard to imagine, but that was the way it was then!
I continued to work at the parish for the next 9 years until I
finished college and got a job. I can’t even begin to count the
number of weeds I pulled, lawns I mowed, rooms I painted,
floors I stripped and waxed, windows I washed, carpets I vacuumed - you get the picture. As a result, I got to know some of
the priests rather well. This, too, had a tremendous effect on my
life. Father Bill Hanson, who was newly ordained when he came
to St. Bernard’s, took me under his wing when he heard I was
interested in becoming a priest after his arrival in 1971. That
very summer, he invited me to come with him to help clear out
the rest of his stuff at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. It is quite an impressive place and visiting it
helped fan the flames of my vocation. Fr. Bill became my spiritual director and eventually, preached at my first Mass.
To be continued….
Fr. Frank Hoffmann
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The Diocese of Bridgeport has arranged for Emergency
Coverage for every parish, hospital and nursing home. If
there is an emergency and a priest is needed, please contact
the Parish Office 203.655.1145. After hours, please call
Deacon Russ Rigg at 203.979.6053 or Msgr. Peter Dora at
203.348.4206.
(Please Note: The office is closed Monday, October 13.)
There will be daily mass celebrated at the Basilica of St.
John the Evangelist on 279 Atlantic Street in Stamford
at 8AM and 12:10PM.
St. John Parish Annual Raffle
FINAL FULL WEEKEND OF SALES
Sold to date = 340 tickets
(WE MUST SELL AT LEAST 390 TICKETS TO BREAK EVEN)
Tickets available after every mass
and in the Parish Office
We take cash, checks and all major credit cards
1st Prize – 2014 BMW 320ix Sedan
2 Prize – Apple 13” MacBook Pro Computer
3rd Prize - $500 American Express Gift Card
nd
$100 per ticket
Only 1,000 tickets to be sold
Drawing Saturday, October 18, 2014
8:00 p.m. in the St. John Parish Hall
Ticket holders need not be present to win
For more info, please email Teresa Skroly
(Teresa.Skroly@aexp.com)
St. John Family Photo Day
St. John Preschool is welcoming back Kathy Sweet of Sweet
Shots Photography, with her uncanny ability to get the
crankiest of children smiling. We are thrilled to invite our
Parish Family to join in our Family Photo Day. This year the
photos will be taken at Pear Tree Point Beach. 100% of the
$45 sitting fees will be donated to our Preschool, as well as
10% of orders placed. Appointments are available in 10
minute slots on Saturday, October 18th from 12:00pm1:00pm and Saturday October 25th from 9:00am2:00pm. Please contact Meaghan Nolan at
washekme@gmail.com if you would like to sign-up.
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ST. JOHN CHURCH
OCTOBER 12, 2014
Mass Intentions
VIGIL
4:30 PM
LifeNotes
to defend and celebrate the culture of life
Chris Balzano by The Ramsey Family
SUNDAY
7:30 AM
8:30 AM
10:00 AM
11:30 AM
Oct 6, WASH DC - USCCB Chairmen Express Grave
Disappointment toward Supreme Court’s Action not to consider
current cases that strike down laws upholding marriage.
“Millions of Americans had looked to the Court with hope that
these unjust judicial decisions might be reversed,” Bishop
Malone and Archbishop Cordileone said. “The Supreme
Court’s action fails to resolve immediately the injustice of marriage redefinition, and therefore should be of grave concern to
our entire nation. … All of these state laws were democratically
enacted, including most by the direct vote of large majorities
within just the last decade …”
October 12
Anthony Guarino II by His Family
Josephine Mason by Her Son
Larry Lupo Jr. by Aldo & Ellen Criscuolo
Cristina Paradinas Pizarro
by Stephanie & Larry Flanagan
Parishioners of St. John
5:00 PM
On October 13-15, morning masses will NOT be
celebrated at St. John due to the Priest Convocation.
THURSDAY
8:00 AM
October 16
Louis D’Aquila by Arline D’Aquila
FRIDAY
8:00 AM
October 17
Michael Labozzo by His Family
SATURDAY
8:30 AM
October 18
Clement & Vera Asher
VIGIL
4:30 PM
SUNDAY
7:30 AM
8:30 AM
10:00 AM
11:30 AM
5:00 PM
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
“Marriage is and can only be between a man and a woman … It
is the only institution that unites a wife and a husband together
for life and unites them to any children that come from their
union. This truth presumes and supports the equal dignity of all
people, especially of children whose right to a mother and a
father deserves the utmost legal protection.”
“ … This is a time when marriage needs to be strengthened, not
redefined. … May all of us continue to work to strengthen and
protect marriage and stand for justice for all, especially children,
who are the most vulnerable.” - Bishop Malone and Archbishop
Cordileone, USCCB http://usccb.org/news/2014/14-163.cfm
Nora, Patrick, & Barbara Tracey and
Patsy Boullé by The Marini & Tracey Families
October 19
Anthony J. Domino by His Family
Parishioners of St. John
Mary V. & Teddy Bachman by Their Family
Robert B. Stimpson by Joan & Joe Salvo
Antonetta Sgritta by The Sgritta Family
Memorial Sanctuary Candles
The Tabernacle Candle burns for the
intentions of Kimberly Anne Greene
By Her Mother, Julie
The Sanctuary Candle burns in
memory of my dad, Uncle George
By Pat Broderick
Readings for the Week of October 12, 2014
Sunday:
Is 25:6-10a/Phil 4:12-14, 19-20/Mt 22:1-14 or
22:1-10
Monday:
Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31--5:1/Lk 11:29-32
Tuesday:
Gal 5:1-6/Lk 11:37-41
Wednesday: Gal 5:18-25/Lk 11:42-46
Thursday:
Eph 1:1-10/Lk 11:47-54
Friday:
Eph 1:11-14/Lk 12:1-7
Saturday:
2 Tm 4:10-17b/Lk 10:1-9
Next Sunday: Is 45:1, 4-6/1 Thes 1:1-5b/Mt 22:15-21
The Marian Candle burns for the
intentions of Joanne Amodeo
“Happy Birthday”
By Pat Broderick
If you would like to memorialize a candle in the sanctuary, in the name
of a loved one, you may do so by contacting the parish office and making a request. We will take requests for petitions for the Tabernacle,
Sanctuary, and Marian candles which will burn for one week each. The
suggested donation is $10.
St. John Prayers for the Sick
Please Remember The Following In Your Prayers:
Rose for Life
Grace Wohlberg, Alex Newton, Pat Rimaldi, Jack Kelly,
Donald Brown, Martha Riano, Dorothy Haas, Kerry Supple
Nelson, John Ulmer, Catherine Alter, John Rikert, Vincent
Andrade, Kristin Hocker, Lee Sposito, Brayden Knapp, Angela
Yang, Hallie Garfield, Baby Henry and to those whose suffering is known only to God, and to those who care for them.
For the intentions of Jennifer Rikert Wolski
“ Love and God Bless”
By Mommy, Julie Rikert
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ST. JOHN CHURCH
OCTOBER 12, 2014
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
St John’s Parish Dinner To Welcome
Fr. Frank Hoffmann
Thank You for Sharing Your Blessings
Please consider remembering St. John Church in your Will.
When: Saturday, October 18th
October 5
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2014
$11,487
2013
$13,201
Place: St. John’s Parish Hall
Monthly Offertory: $ 5,037
$ 5,201
Enjoy a freshly prepared Spaghetti Dinner & Refreshments.
Weekly Offertory:
The evening will culminate with the drawing of the
Winning raffle ticket.
There will be a second collection next week for World Mission
Sunday.
If you would like to make your weekly or monthly offertory
donation by credit card or online banking, please call the
parish. You may also visit our website for Online Giving.
www.stjohndarien.com. If you are currently using online
banking, please remember to update expiration dates.
The Week Ahead OCTOBER 12-18 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
No Morning Mass No Morning Mass No Morning Mass 9:30-11:00AM
Prayer Shawl
9:30-12:00PM
10:00-11:30AM
Columbus Day
Pierre Room
Craft Group
Healing the
Office Closed
Conservatory
Passages of Life
9:40-11:10AM
Room 108
Bible Study
10-11:30AM
Room 108
Sewing Group
4:00-5:15PM
Room 108
CCD
7:00-9:00PM
Parish Center
Prayer Shawl
4:00-8:00PM
Pierre Room
CCD
6:30-9:00PM
Parish Center
Alpha
7:00PM
Pierre Room
St. John Choir
Parish Center
7:30-9:00 PM
7:00-8:30PM
Prayer Group
Bible Study
7:30-9:00PM
Room 108
RCIA
Room 108
7:30-8:30PM
Joyful Praise
Choir
Church
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3:00-4:00PM
Confessions
6:00-9:00PM
Spaghetti Dinner
& Raffle Drawing
ST. JOHN CHURCH
OCTOBER 12, 2014
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
ST. JOHN CHRISTIAN FORMATION PROGRAM
2014-2015 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
For inquiries call 203.655.8020
We invite all youth of our parish to come and join us as we grow
in our faith and have a lot of fun while doing it. We meet most
Sunday nights after the 5 PM mass for dinner and then activities
in the youth group room below church so come check us out.
SJYG Calendar:
October 12th – NO Youth Group
Save the Dates:
October 26th- SJYG Haunted House Event at St John Parish
6-8 PM
Our Parish is currently seeking a part time Youth Director. The
Youth Director will be responsible for the development and
oversight of all Youth ministries for middle school and senior
high school youth with the goal of our youth becoming devoted
followers of Jesus Christ and faithful members of the Church.
Please e-mail resume to Phil Schneidermeyer, Youth Group
Parent Advisory Board, at pschneidermeyer@gmial.com
Healing the Passages of Life
We do not need to be trapped by patterns of behavior learned in
childhood nor be on guilt trips if we've hurt someone else. By
bringing Jesus' love into memories, hurts can be transformed into
gifts.
This course in healing prayer will be offered on Wednesdays for
8 weeks from October 8th to December 3rd in Room 108 in the
Center from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. (note: Wednesday, November
26th, of Thanksgiving week will be skipped). The course is
presented by Marilyn Dolcetti, LCSW at (203) 655-9481. $25 fee
requested to cover cost of materials.
St. John Church Bible Study Group
Book of Revelation
Have you ever read the entire Book of Revelation, also know as
The Apocalypse? Here is a unique opportunity to join with
Catholic Bible Scholar, Maryann Knag, MAT MAR, and our
fellow parishioners and delve into the final book of the New
Testament—also its most puzzling and difficult book. Learn the
historical background as well as the prophetic sources of this
amazing series of visions.
Schedule of Fall meetings:
Wed. 7PM Group meets on the following dates: Oct. 15, 22 &
29; Nov. 5 & 19; Dec. 3, 10 & 17
Thurs. 9:40AM Group meets on the following dates: Oct. 16, 23
& 30; Nov. 6 & 20; Dec. 4, 11 & 18
More Info or questions, contact Maryann Knag,
mmknag@aol.com or 203.213.4809.
Elementary Program: Grades 1-5
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday classes meet 4:00-5:15PM
for instruction in the Parish Center.
Middle Grades Program: Grades 6, 7, 8
Sunday classes meet 8:30-10:00AM.
Tuesday Evening classes meet 5:45-6:45PM and 7:00-8:00PM.
Catechists/Aides - On some days, and in some classes,
Catechists/Aides may be needed. Teaching and or Catechetical
experience preferred. Please call the number listed above.
Thank you.
Diocese of Bridgeport
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Once more I come to knock at the door of the
generosity of your hearts, this time for World Mission Sunday,
which will be taken up on the weekend of October 18/19 this
year.
The Diocesan Office for the Propagation of the Faith
has the task of coordinating with our parishes the funds collected
during this yearly campaign.
The "Propagation of the Faith" is one of four branches
under the umbrella of The Pontifical Mission Societies, which
also include "The Missionary Childhood", "The Society of Saint
Peter the Apostle", and "The Missionary Union of Priests and
Religious".
The Pontifical Mission Societies were given the title
"Pontifical" in 1922 and have a special responsibility in the
Universal Church. They are under the direct canonical jurisdiction of the Holy Father, who together with the entire body of
Bishops remind the faithful of their baptismal call to mission, as
they gather basic support for more than I, 150 mission dioceses
in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific Islands and Latin America.
In July, I requested that you give what you could to help
specific Religious Congregations and Dioceses in the foreign
missions when they came to speak in our Parishes during the
Cooperative Mission Appeal. Now, in October, the month dedicated to the Missions, all Parishes are asked to give generously
to support the Missions in general, especially in these very troubled times where spreading the Faith has become ever more difficult and practicing it even considered a crime.
Please give as much as your already strained budget
allows, to assist those who heroically serve Christ in foreign
lands and the faithful who, in spite of the threat of martyrdom,
remain true to their Baptism. If you will be writing a check:
Please make the check: PAY TO THE ORDER OF: YOUR
PARISH and on the MEMO LINE write "World Mission
Sunday".
May God bless you always, and reward your generosity.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop of Bridgeport
ST. JOHN CHURCH
OCTOBER 12, 2014
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Alpha
An 11-week course in basic Christianity involving small group
discussions and centered around a meal. Jean Benitez 203-655-5112.
Church Staff
Phone 203.655.1145
Baptism
Prior to the Baptism of a first child, both parents must attend a Baptism
Workshop. Parishioners looking to baptize a child should contact the
parish office for registration information at 203.655.1145.
Pastor: Fr. Frank Hoffmann ext 24
Resident Priest: Fr. Frank Gomez
Book Ministry
The Book Ministry maintains a variety of books, pamphlets and
magazines for personal and spiritual growth. Use the envelope on the
shelves to place donations for any books you take and place it in the
votive candle box or drop it in the offertory. If possible, please pay the
full price listed.
Bookkeeper: Mrs. Michelle Leville ext 11
stjohn2@optonline.net
Secretary: Miss Rose Lotocky ext 10
stjohnb@optonline.net
Caring Ministry
Helping homebound parishioners with rides to church, appointments,
grocery shopping, respite assistance, friendly visiting and phoning,
simple tasks and errands, occasional meals. If you need help or know
of anyone who does, please contact the Parish Office at 203.655.1145.
Would you like to help bring new life to the Homebound? If so, please
contact the Parish Office.
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
Mr. Richard Slagle 203.966.8928
RSlagle@BMBL-Law.com
Celebrate Life Committee
We look forward to your insights and energy. More information to
follow.
PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON
Mrs. Helen O’Donnell 203.354.4358
helenodonnell2@gmail.com
Communion Calls
If you know of anyone who is homebound, in a nursing home or
hospital, and would like communion from a priest or Eucharistic
minister brought to them or have a visit, please call the parish
secretary. Oftentimes this is the only way we know of the need.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Director: Mr. John Cunningham 203.655.8020
religiousedsj@optonline.net
PRESCHOOL
Marriage
Couples should contact a parish priest at least six months prior to the
desired wedding date.
Director: Mrs. Lisa Ioli 203.656.0548
stjohnpreschool.lisa@gmail.com
Moms Supporting Moms
This is an informal support group for moms with children of any age,
facilitated by Marilyn Dolcetti, LCSW 203.655.9481
(mjdolcetti@gmail.com) . The group meets twice a month in the Pierre
Room from 9:15 to 10:15 AM during the school year.
MUSIC MINISTRY
Choirmaster: Mr. W. Ogden Booker 203.655.0777
JOYFUL PRAISE CHOIR
Ms. Rebecca Brendli
rbrendli@gmail.com
Prayer Group
A group formed in the charismatic prayer group tradition that focuses
on the worship of God, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, fellowship and
prayer for healing and peace facilitated by Marilyn Dolcetti –
203.655.9481 (mjdolcetti@gmail.com).
TEEN MUSIC MINISTRY
Mr. Dominick Wood
YOUTH MINISTRY
Prayer Shawl Ministry
We meet every other Thursday to make shawls of comfort for those in
need of prayer. If you would like to make, receive or send a shawl,
please contact Anne van Geldern at anne.vangeldern@gmail.com or
203.750.5313 or the Parish office.
Brenner LeCompte 203.662.1217
brennerlecompte@gmail.com
PARISH CENTER
Manager & Sexton Mr. Kevin Donnelly
Senior Citizens
Chat & Chew meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesdays from May
through November, beginning with Mass at 12:00 PM. They have,
pizza parties, ice cream socials, with speakers/entertainment, a day of
retreat, luncheon at nearby inns.
WEBSITE
www.stjohndarien.com
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