Welcome to Sacred Heart Church
Welcome to Sacred Heart Church in Stamford, Connecticut, the Italian National Parish. We are a diverse community of many cultures where the love of Christ is brought to, and shared with our neighbors.
Jesus said "Love one another as I have loved you, it is in this love that they will know that you are my disciples".
All are welcome at Sacred Heart Church. You will find a warm, welcoming, family atmosphere here at Sacred Heart. It is the perfect setting for prayer, worship and spiritual enrichment.
Our liturgies are where our parishioners and those who visit, enjoy and live the sacraments of the Catholic Church as Christ being present to bring His love and tenderness to all in the Church. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions. We are looking forward to seeing you at Mass with us.
If you would like to become a parishioner, have any questions, or say hello please email us at [email protected].
Download the Family Registration Form
Download the New Member Form
Forms can be completed and returned to the rectory.
ALL ARE WELCOME !!!
Dear Parishioners,
Water is one of the most important requirements for the sustenance of all lives. In fact, according to scientific studies, water makes up to 60-75 percent of the total body fluid, hence, total withdrawal or extraction of water from any person will result to death. In the Old Testament, water is a common metaphor for spiritual satisfaction (Is 12:3).
The first reading of today tells us of the ordeal of the Israelites in the wilderness. After four hundred and thirty years of slavery in Egypt, God came to deliver them (Ex 12:40). Yet, they grumbled against Moses, and consequently, against God because they were thirsty. God instructed Moses to strike the rock. From it, water came forth. The Israelites drank and were satisfied.
Both the rock Moses struck, and the water that gushed out form it allegorically and metaphorically prefigures Christ. He is both the rock and our salvation, and our eternal living water. On this third Sunday of Lent, we also need a spiritual drink from the living water that flows from Christ, the Rock of Ages. Hence, we must: “Draw water from the well of salvation” (Is 12:3) in order to quench our spiritual thirst this Lenten season.
In the second reading, Paul described how the love of Christ, “is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Here, Paul implicitly mentions water using the verb: “to pour.” He reminds us also of ow helpless our life was and could still be without Christ, the Living Water. In other words, through his death, Christ made himself the source of our own life.
In today’s gospel, Jesus presents himself to the Samaritan woman as the Eternal Living Water. This underscores the importance of Christ in our life. The lesson from this is we must not discriminate against people based on their race or culture. Jesus knew quite well who the woman was (a Samaritan) and her life history. Yet, he approached her for a drink. Jesus’ aim was to draw her
closer to himself, the Eternal Living Water.
Hence, by breaking the silence and going against the social customs, and prejudices between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus becomes the gift of God to this woman and her people. Like Jesus therefore, we must be ready to take risks. This is by challenging the unjust rules of social structures and norms. It is by breaking down walls that excludes people, and by opening possibilities to others. This is, so that they can experience Christ.
Finally, the argument that ensued between Jesus and the woman represents the obstacles that we must overcome to draw people to Christ, the Eternal Living Water. In other words, they represent the “rational stubbornness” that the society will present to us before they finally yield to the gospel. However, if we ourselves are connected to the Eternal Living Water, we shall have a better and more convincing witness without getting weary.
Peace be with you all!
God bless you and your families!
Fr. Alfonso Picone, Pastor