Reflection from Fr. Joseph | | |
I drive by it on a regular basis, and if you visit Monroe Library or Town Hall, you do too. It’s a clapboard-white building on the town green, with some history to it: the Masonic Lodge.
The Masons have an interesting, mysterious history that often holds more legend and speculation than fact. But one thing is certain: from the rise of the Masons until now, the Catholic Church continues to hold that a Catholic is absolutely forbidden from belonging to the organization. In fact, the Church excommunicates (expels from the Church, as a “shock therapy” to encourage repentance) anyone who belongs to a Masonic Lodge.
The first papal condemnation of Freemasonry was all the way back in 1738, and even as recently as 2023, the Church proclaims that belonging to the Masons is a grave sin and that such a person should not present themselves for Holy Communion.
What is it about the Masons that make them incompatible with Catholicism? Several reasons. First, as the Catholic Encyclopedia states, Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It includes temples and altars, prayers, a moral code, worship, vestments, feast days, the promise of reward or punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiation and burial rites. Essentially, Freemasonry advocates indifferentism, the false belief that all religions are equal paths to God.
Second, the initiation rites of Freemasonry make it a secret society, wherein members must swear an oath to never reveal the secrets of Freemasonry under penalty of death. Nothing but Jesus Christ ought to command such loyalty. The Church has always been opposed to all secret societies, such as the Odd Fellows, Carbonari, or Knights of Pythias. In fact, one of the main driving forces behind the founding of the Knights of Columbus was that many young men in New Haven were being drawn into these secret societies because of a love of ritual and wanting to be included in an exclusive club, and Fr. McGivney felt the need to offer a Catholic alternative.
Finally, one of the express purposes of the founding of Freemasonry in 1717 was for the infiltration and destruction of the Catholic Church. Here’s an interesting article that traces some of the roots of the Masonic raison d’etre: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-great-modern-attack-on-the-church . Because the Masons are a secret society and much of their purpose and activity is unknown even to the rank-and-file Mason on the ground, it is difficult to find firm evidence for any nefarious motives, but the evidence we dohave does point to a rather significant conspiracy, even to the point of infiltrating the Catholic Church. (For a deeper dive, research the life of Archbishop Bugnini, a profoundly dishonest man who has done incalculable harm to the Church – with evidence that he was a Freemason bent on demolishing the Church).
Interestingly, many of our nation’s Founding Fathers were Freemasons: Washington, Franklin, Paul Revere, Andrew Jackson, John Hancock, and even out town’s namesake, James Monroe. In fact, the US Capitol building was consecrated by President Washington wearing a Masonic apron to recite the Masonic ritual for laying of a cornerstone. As both Freemasonry and the philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution have their roots in the Enlightenment, one can see some overlap between the ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on one hand, and the religious philosophy of Freemasonry on the other hand.
So, in sum, please do not become a Freemason. If you already are one, desist immediately and come to Confession. We shouldn’t even really be associating with their charitable works, such as the Shriners’ Hospital – there are enough Catholic works of mercy to support!
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PSA - Prayer Cards In Church
Many of our well-meaning parishioners have been leaving copious amounts of prayer cards in the back of church, of various types, in the hopes of distributing them to parishioners. Although the intention is very good, please do not leave prayer cards or other Catholic literature in the vestibule of the church without prior approval from Fr. Joseph. Thank you very much!
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Confirmation
During the Pentecost Vigil Mass this Saturday afternoon, our parish will celebrate the full initiation of three members into the Church.
Please keep these confirmands in your prayers:
· Mark Dedek
· Rich Picagli
· Fred Rottjer
As they prepare to be confirmed and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, may their experience be as transformative as that of the Apostles on the Church’s first Pentecost, and may the gifts of the Spirit bear abundant fruit in their lives.
Reception to follow - Please join us afterward in the social hall for a reception to welcome and congratulate them.
Deacon David Flynn, Director of OCIA
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Healing Shawl and Feed my People Ministries
The Healing Shawl Ministry has donated about 1055 shawls, most of them to parishioners requesting the prayers and comfort of a shawl for a loved one. Shawls are also given to charitable organizations, most recently to Missionaries of Charity in Bridgeport, founded by St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta.
Since 2009, St. Jude’s, Feed My People Ministry, has been delivering bread and other food donated by a few local businesses, 7 days a week, to many places in Bridgeport, including The Missionaries of Charity. A Healing Shawl member rode along one day and asked the Sister in charge if they could use Healing Shawls and the quick response was ‘OF COURSE’. Since that time, periodically Healing Shawls are delivered to the sisters who give them to those whom they visit.
Each Healing Shawl is packaged with a Miraculous Medal, and a copy of the St. Jude Novena. Pictured is one of the Sisters with 15 Healing Shawls that were recently delivered to the Missionaries of Charity.
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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.
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Rosary at Marion Heights
The Knights of Columbus, Council 5987, will sponsor a Rosary at Marion Heights at 2:00 PM on Saturday June 6th.
May God Bless!
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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.
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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, Nancy Czupkowski, Jean Paul, Virginia LaQuesse, Ed Marencik, Dan Mongillo, Lawrence Cofone, Mary Witkowsky, John Rizzitelli, Marissa S.
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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
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Mass Intentions for May 23 – May 31
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.
Mon May 25 9:00am John Romard
Tue May 26 9:00am Hav Tweedy
Wed May 27 9:00am Renee Freer and Stephen Misencik
Thu May 28 9:00 am Anne Surber
Fri May 29 9:00am Denis and Michael Gallagher
Sat May 30 4:30pm Paul Reynolds
Sun May 31 7:30am Loretta Delmastro
Sun May 31 9:30am Ivan Gospic
Sun May 31 11:30am St Jude Parishioners
Bernath Family
Florence Schaefer
Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Renee Freer and Stephen Misencik
Adoration Candles: In memory of Luis and Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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