Reflection from Fr. Joseph

There has been a lot going on behind-the-scenes here at St. Jude’s regarding the potential new building we hope to build as a spiritual life / religious education center. I wanted to give you an update.

At the beginning of the year, we have contracted with Verdi Construction in Newtown to provide us with conceptual designs of a new building. Verdi has a long history in the diocese, having built several buildings at St. Rose. Their job was to provide us with sketches and rough architectural renderings of what our building could look like, using the specifications we sent them regarding rooms (ten rooms, two of which have moveable walls that can be opened up for larger meeting rooms) and square footage (almost 7,000).

They recently provided us with some beautiful drawings and sketches, which we will shortly unveil to the parish. The next steps were to gain approval – so two weeks ago, our Finance Council met to approve this project from a financial feasibility standpoint, and last week Parish Council approved the drawings from a pastoral-need standpoint. We now are in communication with the Diocese for their final approval.

So, what is the pastoral need that prompted this project? We have 450 students in our religious education classes, spread out over three sessions – and the demographics in the town of Monroe project a steady enrollment for the foreseeable future, or possibly even growth. In addition, our Social Hall is packed literally every night of the week with parish organizations – adult Bible studies, Festival committee, Youth Encounters, Knights of Columbus, and many other parish organizations are vying for space and time in the Social Hall – and it is taking a hard beating on our infrastructure, and causing scheduling conflicts. We are in urgent need for more meeting space and for a dedicated classroom space for our religious education program.

But one might ask – why didn’t we just keep the old school building? The school was built in 1963, and as one might expect from a building so large and old, it had developed tremendous problems over the years. The boiler is covered in asbestos which would have to be remediated, and the entire boiler and steam-radiator heating system was in need of replacement. The gym wall was buckling out, which was a real danger, and the windows desperately needed to be replaced. All of this would have been a $2-3 million dollar project. In addition, it was costing the parish almost $100K each year for heating oil and upkeep of the old school building.

Thus, it made financial sense to dump the albatross and build a new, energy-efficient building more suited for our needs. With the money in-hand from the sale of the school building (about $1.7 million) and some money we have in investments, we will be launching a Capital Campaign for $900,000 for the building (total cost of $3 million). We are hoping to hire Verdi to also do the construction phase of this project. Stay tuned for more information about this.



With our Mass attendance continuing to rise, with many souls encountering God here through Adoration, community, and the Gospel being preached, I am excited for what God is going to do in our next chapter as the Church in Monroe. Please continue to pray for our parish – and look out in the coming months for ways in which you can participate in this exciting building project which will impact our parish for decades to come!

Corpus Christi Procession

On Sunday June 7^th, we had our annual procession with the Blessed Sacrament. We processed down to the new fire pit in the field by the Rectory.

Family News and Events

Requests for Camp Adore

Camp Adore is coming up in 10 days! We wanted to see if any parishioners have a few supplies that they may be willing to lend or donate.


We are looking for:

• extra play yard baby gates see here for example
• pool noodles
• plastic small baby pools
• bubble wands
• water guns
• any fun, safe backyard outdoor games

Email familyministry@stjuderc.org if you have anything to contribute! Thank you!

End-of-the-Year Youth Appeal

​Dear families,

It has been an amazing year in Youth Encounters! From our first-ever overnight retreats to our dynamic Youth Encounter nights to our St Jude Youth TikTok channel going viral (one video with over 5 million views!), we're excited at what God is doing in our youth here in Monroe.

We have always made Youth Encounters free, no-cost, and no-sign-up. The Gospel should never come at a cost! At the same time, it does cost money to run Youth Encounters: supplies and food are getting more expensive (and the kids are getting hungrier!), and many of our trips and activities are heavily subsidized. We offer significant Camp Veritas scholarships, too, which drain our resources.

We are asking families to contribute to an End-of-the-Year Youth Encounter Appeal in the hopes of raising $1,000 for our youth programs here at St. Jude's. This will allow us to continue our strong youth program without taking money away from the other vital ministries at our parish.

Would you consider donating? If so, you can find the link here: https://www.osvhub.com/st-jude-church-monroe/giving/funds/youth-encounter-kid-s-club-appeal  or the QR code to donate is here below:

June Rooted Magazine



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

It is full inspiration for the the month of The Most Sacred Heart!

Printed copies will be available at the family ministry table.

Saint Jude Moms Group

Email saintjudemomsgroup@gmail.com if you would like yo join our summer book club - Parenting for Eternity!

Knights of Columbus News

The Knights of Columbus, Rev James McCarten Assembly 119, will be hosting a Patriotic Rosary on Tuesday, June 16th at 6PM . Please join us at the Madonna statue for prayer. If you wish, you may bring chairs. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes Newborn,3, 5, & 6, 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, strollers, baby toys 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.

 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, Nancy Czupkowski, Jean Paul, Virginia LaQuesse, Ed Marencik, Dan Mongillo, Lawrence Cofone, Mary Witkowsky, John Rizzitelli, Marissa S. , Dan Hermansson, Allison H.

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention..



Our Petitions for June are: Honoring St. Joseph and our own Fathers

As we honor St. Joseph and celebrate the gift of our own Fathers, may we pray for our priests, Fr. Joseph and Fr. Jozef, our Spiritual Fathers, that they may be filled with wisdom, understanding and strength to follow in the footsteps of St. Joseph...

         We pray to The Lord

Mass Intentions for June 13 – June 21

Sat      June 13            4:30pm           Isabel Dantas Teixeira

    Sun     June 14           7:30am            June Leonard

Sun     June 14            9:30am            Deceased members of the Longo and Guerrera family

Sun     June 14            11:30am          St Jude Parishioners

                                                            Pietro Guerrera

                                                            Marie L. Keegan

Mon    June 15           9:00am            Veronica Brophy

Tue     June 16           9:00am            Dr. Richard and Eileen Sekerak                                                                                                                                     

Wed    June 17           9:00am           Joseph and Margaret Mende

Thu     June 18            9:00 am          Helen Nipert

Fri       June 19           9:00am           Maria Emilia Monteiro and Artur Fernandes Monteiro

Sat      June 20           4:30pm           William Dyer

    Sun     June 21           7:30am           Tony Formato

Sun     June 21           9:30am           Maria and Mijet Gospic

Sun     June 21           11:30am          St Jude Parishioners

                                                            The Andrade and Pinto Family

                                                            Paul Sideleau, Sr

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Margaret Ann Tranzillo

Wine and Hosts: In memory of Lucinda Dantas

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 * on break for summer will resume in September *

"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.