FAMILY NEWSLETTER May 2023

Welcome to the May

St. Jude's Family Newsletter!

Congratulations to all of our children who received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion last month! Even though religious education classes are completed for the year, you will find many great opportunities to continue to nourish your family's faith throughout the Spring and Summer months including many great family events, parish functions & celebrations, and Camp Adore vacation bible school!
Note: this weekend the Saturday evening Mass will permanently change to 4:30 pm start time
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Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Important Upcoming Dates:


Wednesday, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Friday May 5, 12, 19, 26: Walking with Purpose - "Reclaiming Friendship" - Six week study

Wednesdays 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Fridays 9:30 am - 11:00 am

Register and order materials here


Friday, May 5: First Friday Adoration

7:00 pm


Saturday, May 6: First Saturday Rosary and Mass

8:00 am Rosary, 8:30 am Mass


Saturday, May 6:  Parish Clean Up Day

9:00 am


Saturday, May 6 - Sunday May 7: Confession Weekend

Confession available before and after all Masses


Sunday, May 7: Kid's Club

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm


Saturday, May 13: Knights of Columbus Blood Drive

9:00 am


Saturday, May 13: Mass for the Unborn

9:00 am Gate of Heaven Cemetery


Wednesday, May 17: Ascension Vigil Mass

7:00 pm Mass


Thursday, May 18: Feast of the Ascension

9:00 am, 7:00 pm Mass


Friday, May 19: Youth Encounter

7-9 pm, Social Hall


Sunday, May 20: May Crowning

after 4:30 pm Mass (email if you have a first communicant who would like to participate)


Sunday, May 21: Choice Wine Couples Meeting (see RSVP below)

5:30 pm, Social Hall 


Tuesday May 16, Thursday May 18, Monday May 22, Wednesday May 24: Knights of Columbus Family Rosaries

7:00 pm


Thursday, May 25: Fr. Joseph's 10 year Ordination Anniversary

9:00 am Mass


Thursday, May 25: Women's Rosary Making Event

7:00 pm, Social Hall RSVP HERE


Sunday, May 28: Feast of Pentecost


Monday through Friday, June 26 - 30: Camp Adore Vacation Bible School

8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Registration closes June 11 - see below


Save the Dates for Upcoming Events:


Family Game Night: TBA soon!


Saturday, June 4: Parish Picnic with St Stephens


Sunday, June 11: Eucharistic Procession for Corpus Christi


Thursday, June 15: Family Bingo with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth


Sunday, July 9: St Jude Summer Softball Game


Thursday, July 20: Family Ministry Summer Backyard Adoration


Monday, August 21: Family Ministry Summer Backyard Adoration


August 23 - 26: Parish Festival

REGISTER NOW FOR CAMP ADORE!

June 26-30, 2023 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

for children entering Grades 1-6.

This year's theme is "Summer with the Sacred Heart"


Register by June 11! click here to register.



We need volunteers! Email Jessica Iannotta if you are a virtus trained adult or teen interested in volunteering or helping with preparations/food donations.

Attention Young Married Couples & Families!

Come and learn 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage. We invite you to join us in a series of talks to enhance your marriage and your spirituality. There is no cost. Next meeting will be Sunday, May 21 at 5:30 PM in the St Jude Social Hall. 


RSVP: Mike Bonomo phone/text 203-257-3224. 

Email: [email protected]

Please indicate if childcare needed at the event.

Suggested Resource of the Month

From Catholic Sprouts, the wonderful family apostolate that makes our Kids Club materials, this new book will help families follow the lead of St. Mother Teresa and adore Jesus in the Eucharist through the Rosary! Here is their inspiring description of how this new book will enrich the family rosary:


"For each Joyful Mystery, Mother Teresa asks us to contemplate the JOYS of adoring Jesus in the Eucharist. In the Sorrowful Mysteries Mother Teresa presents us with the WOUNDS that Jesus receives as the Eucharist. And, in the Glorious Mysteries, Mother Teresa explains the GLORY of Jesus fully present in the Eucharist. For each reflection, Mary is our model for adoring, rejoicing and comforting our Lord. Striving to preserve the heart of Mother Teresa’s reflections, we simplified the text for families and added reflections for the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, which explore the PRESENCE of Christ in the Holy Eucharist."

Check out the many great Marian Resources on Formed.org!

Saint Trivia

This Saint was a Belgian priest who was sent as a missionary to Hawaii.


He spent his whole life attending to the spiritual and physical needs of the people afflicted with leprosy on the island of Molokai.


This saint loved without limits and inspires and encourages us to do the same!


Scroll down for the answer below!

Click here to RSVP to Rosary Event

Mom's Group Updates

Join the email list here


Next meeting Thursday 5/25 at 7:00 pm for Rosary making event! Please invite friends and family to join us!


To join our monthly Mother's Zoom Rosary, on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 9 pm, e-mail Jessica IannottaNext Rosary - 6/7 at 9 pm.


We are currently reading 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley. To learn more or order a book to read on your own, e-mail Jessica Iannotta

Ways to Honor Mary in the Month of May

  • Say a Rosary - if you are not used to saying it all at once, start by saying a decade at a time!
  • Learn a Marian prayer like the Angelus, the Memorare, or the Hail Holy Queen (check out this great app from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception with ALL of the prayers)
  • Make a pilgrimage to a Marian Shrine, such as the local Lourdes Shrine in Litchfield, CT!
  • Plant a Mary Garden! See the family ministry table for a Mary coloring sheet that you can cut out and post in your own garden.
  • Here are some fun crafts for families to do together to honor Mary.
  • Learn about the message of Fatima for Our Lady of Fatima's feast day on May 13.


Saint trivia answer:


If you guessed Saint Damian of Molokai, you are correct!


His feast day is May 10. St Damian of Molokai, pray for us!


Join the Kid's Club in our challenges this month inspired by St Damian of Molokai:

  • Learn and pray the Memorare
  • Plant a Mary Garden (see a helpful sheet on the family ministry table!)
  • Bring loving order to your own personal space, for example clean and organize your room, a closet or drawer at home
  • Hug someone every day! It is a powerful way to give and feel love. St Damian is known for his tremendous love of the helpless and abandoned


Check out this article or this video to learn more about St Damian of Molokai

Would you like to receive text reminders for Family Ministry Events? 


Click QR code to join the email and text list!

Email Us
St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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