Reflection from Fr. Joseph

In a few weeks, our Confirmation candidates will be taking their final exam. I am always surprised - and disappointed - that so many of our kids come into 8^th grade not knowing their basic prayers! They even have to learn the Hail Mary and the Glory Be, which most of us learned as little children.

The Church teaches that "parents are the primary educators of their children in the ways of faith." Although we do our best in the twenty 45-minute sessions we have in Religious Education, it is simply not enough time to form young souls in Christ - rather, faith ought to be breathed at home. There are lots of ways to do that, but today I'd like to share an encouragement for parents to teach the basic Catholic prayers to their kids.

Prayer, of course, is not merely reciting words. Ultimately it can be most profitable to pray from the heart, using our own words - or to pray with Scripture, or the many other authentic spiritual traditions of our Church. However, learning the basic prayers allows kids to pray with others, gives them words to unite their heart's desire to, and forms them in how to pray. Although I resented it at the time, I am grateful that my family taught me how to pray the Rosary while I was in elementary school - so that when I underwent my conversion experience in my mid-teens, I was able to pick it up easily and quickly and incorporate it into my spiritual life! So, don't wait - give your kids the spiritual tools they need to learn how to pray.

Here is what I recommend for the prayers that every Catholic should know:

By first grade: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Grace before meals

By second grade: Act of Contrition, prayers of the Mass

By fifth grade: How to pray the Rosary, including the Apostles Creed, Hail Holy Queen, and Fatima Prayer

By eighth grade: Divine Mercy Chaplet, Memorare

By the end of high school: Divine Praises, Come Holy Spirit, Anima Christi, Morning Offering

Perhaps some of you are looking at this list and thinking, "Gosh! I don't even know these prayers as an adult!" Well, good news - it's never too late to learn! Check them out here: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/basic-prayers, and pray them daily - it's only by repetition that we will commit them to memory. Memorizing prayers is not simply reciting them by rote as if they were multiplication tables; rather, it means having easy access in our memory to these rich words and sentiments that can guide and direct our prayer.

So, parents, how do we teach our kids these prayers? By praying them with our kids! A good time to do that is on car rides - maybe include one or another prayer on the way to school or sports. We can also pray it with them before bed - spend a month learning one prayer, and then add another prayer the next month. These beautiful words, so rich in our tradition, stir up holy thoughts and affections within our souls.

It is my hope that when I have a whole new crop of 8^th graders next year for Confirmation class, they will have already learned their basic Catholic prayers!

Architect Needed!

Architect Needed! We at St. Jude's are embarking upon the next steps in our campus infrastructure, as we are looking to build a new building to house our religious education program now that our old school building has been sold to the town. We are looking for an architect in our community who is reputable and is willing to embark upon this project. If you are an architect or you know of one, please contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com. Thank you!

Thank You!

Thank you to all who donated to the new crucifix! Through your generosity, the entire crucifix along with its installation has been paid for. Many thanks to all those who have been so generous to bring Our Crucified Lord to the sanctuary of St. Jude's. It has already been delivered (it is beautiful!) and will be installed by April 2nd, when the Bishop will be here for Confirmation, so that he can bless it.

Exodus 40 Returns!

Wondering what to do for Lent? Want to join a program of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving that we do with other fellow parishioners? We are bringing back Exodus 40, by popular demand!

Based on the wildly popular "Exodus 90" program, we make Lenten commitments to one another to pray, fast, and give alms, and gather via Zoom for a weekly Rosary. All parishioners of all ages are invited to join us! See the attached disciplines and the different levels (you can choose which level you would like to embark upon) and sign-ups will be after Masses for the next few weekends!

Sign-ups for Exodus 40 are in the back of church, or you can sign-up online here:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A45ABA62FA0F49-55397948-exodus

Inclement Weather Policy

As the weather turns colder and snowier, please take note of the Inclement Weather Policy for St. Jude's Parish:

Weekday Mass is cancelled if Monroe public schools are cancelled (the Mass will be said and the intention will be prayed for, but privately). If school is on a 2-hour delay, Mass is as usual.

Saturday Vigil/Sunday Mass are never cancelled.



Religious Education on Wednesdays are cancelled if Monroe Public Schools are closed OR if the will have no after-school activities.

Religious Education on Sundays - please check your email. We will make the determination by 8am that day.  



All other evening meetings, events, and groups - please contact the leader of your group/event to see if it will still meet. Do not contact the parish office.

Padre Pio Prayer Group

The Padre Pio Prayer Group had its first meeting on March 1st beginning with the rosary at 8:30 am followed by Mass and confession. There were approximately 60 attendees from three parishes. Mass was followed by coffee-and in the social hall. A short film by Father Chris Allar from the Divine Merch Shrine in Stockbridge, MA was shown on the life of Padre Pio,

The second meeting will be held on April 5th, the first Saturday of April. All subsequent meetings will be held on the first Saturday of each month. Everyone is invited to attend and bring a friend, There will be short presentations about Padre Pio as well as occasional speakers.

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will meet on Thursday, March 13th at 1:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall below the church.

All are welcome. No need to register.

SAINTS PARTY AND CHILI COOK OFF (TAKE #3!)

 OUR THIRD ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF CONTEST - TAKE 3!

  SUNDAY, March 16, 2024 12:30-2:30 pm SOCIAL HALL

Do you make GREAT chili? Join our contest!  

We're also adding a Saints Day Party to the festivities!

In conjunction with our rescheduled CHILI COOKOFF CONTEST, we will celebrate the Great SAINTS, ST. JOSEPH and ST. PATRICK! An old tradition in our Church was "SAINTS NAME DAY" when people celebrated the Saint they were named for. Since we have TWO PRIESTS named Joseph, we will honor them as well!

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Since no Party would be complete without great desserts, we will have cake and ice cream as well as some surprise desserts.

Please join us as we celebrate Saint Patrick, Saint Joseph in conjunction with our rescheduled chili cook-off

SIGN UP HERE

We are privileged to have the Diocesan Carlo Acutis Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles at St. Jude from March 21 through March 31. 

We are looking for volunteers to help pick up the Exhibit on March 19th at 3:30 at the Catholic Center (truck would be helpful) and help unload it in the Social Hall. 

We are also looking for help to setup the Exhibit on March 20th starting at 12:00 noon in the Social Hall. 

In addition, the Exhibit will be taken down on April 1st starting at 9:30 and returned to the Catholic Center at 3:30 on April 2nd.

If you can help please sign up at the link below or contact Betty Henn at ehennsr@gmail.com

Family News and Updates

Our monthly digital subscription to Rooted Magazine is available for March full of great Lenten activities for kid and families. Check out the latest issue here. As always, you can view any past issues that you may have missed here.

Our Parent and Family Retreat last weekend was a success!

Author and speaker Debbie Cowden shared some saintly inspiration with our teens on Friday night, gave our parents some examples of married saints who can give us inspiration to live holy lives on Saturday and gave parents a practical workshop on Sunday on how to use her prayer book for tired parents to build a life of holiness with your spouse and family.

Grab a "Litany of the Tired Parent" and some remaining inspirational stickers and materials at the Family Ministry Table. For more information visit tiredcatholicparents.com

Email Jessica if you would like to participate in a "Tired Parents Prayer Group" using her book for Lent!

TALK RECORDINGS: Saturday: click here

Sunday: click here

Camp Adore 2025 Registration

June 23-27 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

for children entering grades 1-6

REGISTER HERE



Email Jessica for more information or if you are an adult or teen interested in volunteering

Knights of Columbus News

Food Pantry update

Our gratitude for your continued generosity. At this time the items in greatest need are: Mac and Cheese, canned tuna, and canned soup. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on Newborn size, wipes and jars of baby food as well as Baby clothes, Baby blankets, crib sheets, Onesies, socks, strollers, bottles and pacifiers. They have also requested baby formula such as “Similac 360 Total Care”. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers, etc. in the outer vestibule of the church. Monetary donations, with checks made out to the Hopeline Pregnancy Center, as well as gift cards from Amazon, Target and grocery stores are most welcome. They may be mailed to: Hopeline Pregnancy Center, PO Box 110658, Trumbull, CT 06611. As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

They have a current need for funds to pay for the annual ultrasound service fee. The annual cost is $5,400. Any amount you can donate would be appreciated. Statistics show that more than 70% of the women undecided choose life when they see their baby’s heartbeat for the first time on an ultrasound screen. Checks may be mailed to the address listed above. Please add “ultrasound service to the Memo section. Thank you.

Please contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

David Nicolett, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Patti F., Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Barbara Tranchese, Mary Lopresti, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet C, Larry Pisani, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Michael Merola & Family, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Becky M., Michael, and Donna, Darryl Patterson, Louise Noll, Chrystal Archuletta and Alice Gumpert, Chloe Capra, Lucy Hanson, Mia, Jesse Hurst & Family, Hav Tweedy, Andrea Paddock, Joseph Laveneziana, Debbie Dragonetti, Nadine Alusik, Doug Stevens

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for March is: for the HARTFORD MARCH FOR LIFE

We pray for the safety of all those Marching to end the evil of abortion, especially our own State's abomination of abortion up to

the full nine months of pregnancy....

     We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  March 8 – March 16

Sat     Mar 8             4:30pm           Ann E. Ferrara

Sun     Mar 9             7:30am           St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Mar 9             9:30am           Martin Tristine

Sun     Mar 9             11:30am         Blanche Cantafio

                                                           Jarthrudur Williams

                                                           Julia DeSousa

Mon    Mar 10           9:00am           Antonio Pelliccione

Tue     Mar 11           9:00am           Donald E. Fraczkiewicz

Wed    Mar 12           9:00am          Deceased members of the Cunningham Family

Thu     Mar 13          9:00am           Rick Buckley

Fri      Mar 14          9:00am           David F. Correllus, Jr

Sat     Mar 15           4:30pm           The D’Amore Family

Sun     Mar 16           7:30am           St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Mar16            9:30am           Pietro Guerrera

Sun     Mar 16           11:30am         Robert Robicheau

                                                           Antonio and Irma Camacho

                                                           Laura Donovan

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Emanuel Cambra

Adoration Candles: In memory of Margaret Tranzillo

Hosts and Wine: In memory of Mr and Mrs Wren J. Harper, Sr  

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Friday) will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed.

The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Only the Saturday Mass at 4:30 pm and the Sunday 7:30 am and 9:30 Masses are live streamed and may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses

The Men's Bible Study will resume on Saturday, January 18th at 8:00 AM, in the Parish Social Hall. Each week we will study and discuss the Mass readings for that weekend. All men of the parish are welcome.



For more information contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Saturday Rosary Sign up.

We have a wonderful way to prepare for Saturday Mass and that is to say the Rosary before Mass starts. We start 30 minutes before Mass so we start at 4:00 every Saturday.

Please join us as we pray. Also, please prayerfully consider joining this ministry.

If you would like to join you can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aa8ad2fa6fccf8-saturday#/

We look forward to you joining us as we pray the Rosary together.

First Friday

Eucharistic Adoration

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28-30



The time that we spend with Jesus in front of the Blessed Sacrament is the best time we will spend on earth. Please join us on the first Friday of every month from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

Flame of Love Rosary

Thursday mornings after 9 am Mass

"Spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity"

flameoflove.us



Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church

"Jesus we Trust in You"

thedivinemercy.org

St. Jude Religious Gift Shop

St. Jude Religious Gift Shop is located downstairs in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. Fr. Joseph's Books and CD's are available in the Gift Shop. Also new items: Communion Gifts and cards, statues, rosaries and more.

Come in and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261-6404.

Confession Hours



Confessions on Saturday afternoon will be in the day chapel at 3:30 to 4:15 pm on Saturdays. Come take advantage of God's great mercy by coming to the Sacrament of Confession.



Confessions are also by appointment, please call 203-261-6404, to set up an appointment or email the office.