The following churches have scheduled traditional Masses for Ash Wednesday, February 17.

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, CT, 8 am low Mass, 7 pm solemn Mass.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, CT, 7:45 am low Mass, 6 pm Missa Cantata.

Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown, CT, noon

St. Joseph Church, Danbury, CT, 6 pm

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, CT, 8 am and 6 pm.

St. Stanislaus Church, New Haven, CT, 5:30 pm

St. Michael the Archangel, Pawcatuck, CT, 6 pm Solemn Mass

St. Martha Church, Enfield, CT, 7:00 pm

New York

Holy Innocents, New York, NY, 8 am, 6 pm.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 7:45 am low Mass, 7:30 pm Missa Cantata

St. Josaphat Church, Bayside, Queens, 7:30 pm Missa Cantata

St. Rocco Church, Glen Cove, NY (Long Island), 7:30 pm

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, NY, 12 noon

Immaculate Conception, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 7 pm low Mass.

St. Mary’s Church, Ellenville NY, 7 pm

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, 5 pm.

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Pequannock, NJ, 7 am, 9 am, 1 pm, 7 pm

St. Anthony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, NJ, 7:30 am, 9 am, 7 pm

St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown, NJ, 9 am

Corpus Christi, South River, NJ, 6:15 pm

Fr. Carl McIntosh has announced that during Lent, St. Roch Church in Greenwich will have a Missa Cantata every Saturday morning at 8 am.

Yesterday evening, Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin at St. Mary’s Church, Norwalk, CT. Fr. Novajosky was celebrant.

THE BASILICA OF

SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST

A MESSAGE FROM THE NEW PASTOR:

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am very grateful to Bishop Caggiano for appointing me the pastor of the Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist. Following in the footsteps of Monsignor DiGiovanni will be no easy task. During his 23 years as pastor Monsignor has transformed Saint John in the vibrant parish we see today. Due to his tireless efforts the Basilica has become a place where we find the beauty of the Catholic Faith expressed not only in its architecture, but also in fidelity to the truth, reverence in worship and service to the local community. It is my sincere hope to continue that great tradition and help spread the message of the Gospel in downtown Stamford.

I am also very happy to return to Stamford! I spent nine happy years as pastor of Saint Gabriel Church on Newfield Avenue before my transfer to Greenwich.

During this past year COVID restrictions have made parish life very challenging for us. In our efforts to keep ourselves and those around us safe we have made many adjustments to how we do things. While we are all tired of these adjustments we need to continue being diligent a little while longer and pray that our lives return to normal soon. I hope no one will be insulted if I am unable to shake hands and meet as many people as I would like to in the coming weeks. I consider it a serious obligation to set a good example and do my part to keep others safe.

I hope that you will join me for two special celebrations during the month of February. On Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:30 PM we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord with the Blessing of Candles and Procession. We will also pray Solemn Vespers in the Extraordinary Form for the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter on Monday, February 22nd at 6:00 PM. This is one of the feasts a plenary indugence may be gained at the Basilica under the usual conditions.

Please keep me in your prayers as I begin my ministry here at the Basilica and know that you are in mine!

Sincerely in Christ,

Father La Pastina

279 ATLANTIC STREET | STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901-3506 | (203) 324-1553

OFFICE@STJOHNBASILICA.ORG | WWW.STJOHNBASILICA.ORG

N.B. The Mass on February 2nd at 7:30 PM is NOT in the Extraordinary Form (SC)

The following poem was written by a monk of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Monte, Norcia, Italy.  Today is Septuagesima Sunday, the beginning of the “porch of Lent”.  This Sunday marks the “burial of the Alleluia”,  when the Alleluia of the Mass is replaced by the Tract.  The very word Alleluia is also no longer heard in the chanting of the Office, until the Easter Vigil.  This poem is a wonderful gift for each of us who love the Traditional Mass to deepen our own faith as we prepare for Lent.

Posted by Father Richard Gennaro Cipolla

From every mountain, hill and vale
Let Alleluia ring!
And may each woman, man and child
This Alleluia sing!

Alas! But little time is left
With Alleluia near;
We from thee soon shall have to part,
Oh, Alleluia dear!

Until Septuagesima
Will Alleluia last;
From that grave moment on we must
From Alleluia fast.

Then, in woe we shall, bereft
Of Alleluia mourn,
And clad with deepest sorrow wail,
From Alleluia torn.

Then will our drooping eyes, deprived
Of Alleluia weep,
And we’ll in penance far away
From Alleluia keep.

Then will our days be difficult,
When Alleluia flees,
For better heaven’s realm the heart
With Alleluia sees.

In one sole manner can we with
No Alleluia cope,
If on this journey we go forth
In Alleluia’s hope.

Thus, we must always mindful be,
With Alleluia ceased,
That on that Day of days we shall
With Alleluia feast.

On that most sacred Day our mouths
Will Alleluia fill,
And joy our hearts, for nothing will
Our Alleluia kill.

Then jubilation will come forth
In Alleluia’s sounds,
And merrily repeat itself
In Alleluia rounds.

Then filled our every limb shall be
With Alleluia’s might,
And on all faces mirth shall shine
With Alleluia bright.

Then nothing will our sturdy hearts
With Alleluia fear,
When finally, after the race
We Alleluia hear.

Then, rapt in bliss, we’ll dwell secure
In Alleluia’s spell,
And every tongue from East to West
Will Alleluia tell.

Then shall the music of the spheres
With Alleluia rhyme,
And heaven will its rhythm move
To Alleluia’s time.

For then, O Christ, the mournful tomb
Will Alleluia burst,
And Thou, Triumphant Victor, shall
Sing Alleluia first!

But, for now, until we hear
That Alleluia bell,
We must with mournful joy thee bid
Fare, Alleluia, well!