Reflection from Fr. Joseph

There has been lots of talk about aliens lately. Recently, our President released a trove of formerly-classified files regarding UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, a less tinfoil-hat way of saying UFOs). And this has caused no little stir among many Christian pastors, some of whom held conversations with government officials about how these disclosures of alien technology – and even life – might impact the historical understanding of Christianity itself.

But will the disclosure of alien life impact Christianity? What does the Catholic Church teach about the topic?

Truthfully, nothing. The Catholic Church has never made an official declaration about alien life, mainly because it’s still in the speculative stage. The Church has always had a great interest in astronomy (in fact, there is an official Vatican Observatory with two locations, one in Italy and one on Mount Graham in Arizona!), and despite rumors that the Vatican has evidence of a UFO crash in the 1930s, there has never been an official Catholic position on the existence or nature of alien life.

Recently, a number of Catholic websites and commentators, ranging from Vice President JD Vance to exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger have stated that they believe aliens to be actually demons in disguise. This is entirely possible. We know that the presence of aliens is often fearful and causes great consternation, and that demons have the power to adopt a corporeal appearance (much like how angels, while being pure spirits, appear to people like Mary or Joseph). It’s possible that these alien visitors are actually part of the “great delusion” which is promised in 2 Thessalonians 2:11. St. Paul warns that in the last days, even faithful Christians will be led astray by signs and wonders in the sky. Is it possible that demons, posing as aliens, would try to convince humans that they, and not God, were responsible for life on the earth? Or that they are the true gods? It is entirely possible, especially as some of the characteristics that the released documents outline (such as a reptilian-like appearance, the ability to appear and disappear, being present at pagan “sacred” sites) are similar to the action and appearance of demons.

However, it’s also entirely possible that they are not demonic, but are creations of God. This would not inherently contradict our Catholic Faith. Unlike many Protestant denominations, Catholics are not sola scriptura (“scripture alone”) – we know that the Scriptures need to be interpreted. Protestants worry because nowhere in Genesis does it mention God creating aliens; however, as Catholics, we know that the creation story uses “symbolic language” (as the Catechism states) to get across profound truths. So we do not have to believe that the Genesis account of creation is the literal, play-by-play account of creation – allowing for other beings to have been created by God, which are not mentioned in Scripture.

Besides, the early chapters of Genesis does mention one race that might be alien-like. In Genesis 6, it states that “the sons of God found the daughters of men attractive” and that they mated with them, producing a quasi-mythical race of giants known as the Nephilim. Was there actually a race of giant people, who had an angelic bloodline and were responsible for some of the greatest mysteries on earth, such as the pyramids or the Easter Island faces? Some of the Church Fathers thought so, but no one knows.

But if these aliens truly are intelligent life from other planets, how does that impact our Faith? Well, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, not only of the human race, but of the entire universe. So any other race that needed saving (presuming that they had original sin) would be saved by Christ’s death.

It is true that human beings are made in the Image and Likeness of God, insofar as we have an intellect and free will. Presumably, any alien who also had an intellect and free will would also have a soul. This means that any ensouled alien would also be able to be baptized and be a member of the Church, if they so chose (and we would have a duty to evangelize them).

It would certainly raise some questions, however. For example, we have always believed that human beings were the pinnacle and crux of creation – with so much dignity that God took on our nature. Is it possible, though, that God created a race higher than ours? Did they have a Fall and bring Original Sin upon themselves, or are they a flawless race? What would be God’s purpose for creating them? What kind of interactions are we supposed to have with them?



These questions will remain unanswered until there is enough scientific evidence to take a stand one way or another. In this, the Church will remain silent until the evidence is in!

Confession Weekend

Join us before and after Mass this weekend (May 16 & 17) for the Sacrament of Confession! If you've missed Mass since your last Confession, or if it's been longer than a month, then you should plan to go to Confession this weekend!

Family News and Events

May Rooted Magazine

Here is the link for May's Rooted Magazine with a link to past issues here.

It is full inspiration for the the month of Mary!

Printed copies will be available at the family ministry table.

Saint Jude Moms Group

Next Meeting Date:

Thursday 5/28 - 7:30 pm

Email saintjudemomsgroup@gmail.com for more information!

Join us in praying a Novena to the Holy Spirit

In preparation for Pentecost and for this year's Camp Adore, which will be learning all about the Holy Spirit!

Dearest Holy Spirit, confiding in Your deep, personal love for me, I am making this novena for the following request, if it be Your Holy Will to grant it:(mention your request*). 

Teach me, Divine Spirit, to know and seek my last end; grant me the holy fear of God; grant me true contrition and patience. Do not let me fall into sin. Give me an increase of faith, hope and charity, and bring forth in my soul all the virtues proper to my state in life.

Make me a faithful disciple of Jesus and an obedient child of the Church. Give me efficacious grace sufficient to keep the Commandments and to receive the Sacraments worthily. 

Give me the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts, Your Twelve Fruits.

Raise me to perfection in the state of life to which You have called me and lead me through a happy death to everlasting life.I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. 

source: EWTN

Knights of Columbus News

SAVE THE DATE: BLOOD DRIVE ON MAY 16

On Saturday, May 16, the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes will co-sponsor a blood drive in the Social Hall. The collection time is from 8 AM until 1 PM. If you wish to donate, you can access www.redcrossblood.org, search for our drive on May 16 and select a time to donate. We hope to see you there.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes Newborn,1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7,wipes and jars of baby food as well as gently used Baby clothes (boys and girls, up to 18 months), Baby blankets, crib sheets, Onesies, socks, strollers, bottles and pacifiers and baby monitors. 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.

Their biggest need right now is girls’ winter clothing 0-3, 3-6, 9-12 and 12-18.

 As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

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 , Darryl Patterson, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & Family, Catherine Belanger, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Patti F, Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Susan W, Barbara Tranchese, Mary Lopresti, Lor C, Janet C, Larry Pisani, Becky M, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Mildred Blasko, Michael Merola & Family, Father Krzysztof, Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Alice Gumpert, Michael, Donna, Chrystal Archuletta, Lucy Hanson, Jesse Hurst & Family, Maryann Lapinski, Andrea Paddock, Nadine Alusik, Margarida Andrade, John, Jimmy Forno, Matthew Van der Wielen, George N., Milenka Gospic, Benjamin Gray, Chris McCarthy, Leo B., Edward Isales, MaryAnn Voytek, Sal Guerrera, Anne Gulia, Raymond Gosselin, Joan Deaky, Nancy Czupkowski, Jean Paul, Virginia LaQuesse, Ed Marencik, Dan Mongillo, Lawrence Cofone, Mary Witkowsky

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention..

Our Petitions for May:

HONORING OUR BLESSED MOTHER  and in Thanksgiving for our own Mothers 

In this month dedicated to honoring Mary,

Our Blessed Mother, we give thanks for her maternal care for each of us. We pray Her intercession for an end to the violence in our Country and for PEACE in our war-torn World.

May we also remember with gratitude all that our own Mothers have done for us...

     We pray to the Lord

 Mass Intentions for May 16  – May 24

Sat      May 16            4:30pm            Edward Burns

    Sun     May 17           7:30am            St Jude Parishioners

Sun     May 17            9:30am            Mary Chappa

Sun     May 17            11:30am          Maxine Moats

                                                           Mary Alphonse and Ryan Joseph

                                                           Manuel Vieira

Mon    May 18            9:00am            Joseph Farrugia

Tue     May 19            9:00am            Misty Beylerian                                                                                                                                                 

Wed    May 20            9:00am            William Nipert

Thu     May 21            9:00 am           Victoria Conde and Cecelia Correa

Fri       May 22            9:00am            Irma Dora

Sat      May  23           4:30pm            Joaquim Ribas DeMoura

    Sun     May 24           7:30am            Norreen Earle Morrell

Sun     May 24            9:30am            Robert Kilpatrick

Sun     May 24            11:30am          St Jude Parishioners

                                                           Paul Webel

                                                           Deceased members of the Banville and O’Leary Family

Sun     May 24            5:30pm            Family of Andrew Henn, Jr.

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Renee Freer and Stephen Misencik

Adoration Candles: In memory of  Luis and Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon 

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

There will be a once/month Sunday evening Solemn High Mass on the Fourth Sunday of every month, starting February 22, at 5:30pm. It is scheduled through May.

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

We are adding an additional Confession time starting February 1, through Easter (at least - if it is popular we will keep it). Monday nights from 8-9pm (the last hour of Adoration). 

Confessions will now be on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30pm and on Monday nights from 8-9pm. 

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

Parish Office Hours

THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:

MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 – 3:00

Please call (203-261-6404) or e-mail (ParishOffice@stjuderc.org) before coming to the office. Much can be accomplished through a phone call or email, such as requesting masses/mass cards; sacramental records; registering for Baptism; etc.