Reflection from Fr. Joseph

We just wrapped up another amazing week of Camp Adore! Ninety campers, over thirty teen counselors, and dozens of adult volunteers helped our young people to encounter Jesus Christ in His Eucharistic presence. Our theme this year was the Holy Spirit, and boy did the Holy Spirit ever come and move powerfully this past week!

Statistics show that most people who leave the Catholic Church have made a decision to do so by the time they are thirteen years old (https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/why-do-some-young-people-leave-the-church-a-new-study-investigates). That sounds surprising, perhaps, but I’ve seen it borne out in my own experience. Young people may have questions that they don’t receive answers to, or they decide that the Church has nothing to say to them.

This is why I’m so passionate about the spiritual formation of youth. Both Scripture and the quotations of the saints emphasize the need for this aspect of parish life. For example, the Book of Proverbs urges, “Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (22:6). Aristotle said, “Give me the boy until he is seven, and I will give you the man.” St. John Chrysostom once said, “I consider that he who knows how to form the youthful mind is truly greater than all the painters, sculptors, and all others of that sort.”

Of course there is St. John Bosco, the inimitable apostle to youth in Turin. He once said, “If we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young. Experience has taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society, then we should take good care of the young.”

The Church must take care of all its members, with a special solicitude for the sick, the poor, and all those in need. But if the essential mission of the Church is to “go and make disciples”, then we ought to do so when there is the most openness to formation. Neuropsychology tells us that from birth until age 9, the brain is constantly forming billions of new neural pathways each day, while the unused ones are pruned away. From the age of 10 to early 30s, the creation of new neural pathways slows considerably, while the organization of such pathways strengthens and deepens. The prefrontal cortex (impulse control and planning) continues to mature, solidifying one’s personality and values. After the early 30s, the person’s brain is more-or-less stabilized for life, and it becomes much more difficult to change one’s viewpoints, perspectives, or habits.

It’s much like when one walks across a grassy field once, the grass pops back up under their feet. But when one walks across it multiple times, a path begins to form, and eventually the path becomes a rut where grass will no longer grow. The goal of formation is such that even though each talk, retreat, or time of Adoration might not be life-changing in itself, the quantity and regularity of these encounters with Christ is enough to form a solid neural path which will lead to the formation of a Christian imagination and Christian identity (not to mention the actual effect of supernatural grace!).



So, along with the essential works of the Church such as the Sacraments, community, care for the needs of its members, and works of charity, we must never neglect to emphasize the critical work of formation of youth into solid disciples of Christ. Thank you to all who helped form these young people this past week at Camp Adore!

Passing of Former St. Jude's DRE

It is with heavy hearts but with Christian hope that we share the sad news of the passing of Jean Paul, who was the Director of Religious Education here at St. Jude's for 35 years. Literally tens of thousands of children were brought closer to the Lord during her tenure here. We are immensely grateful for the dedication, time, and Christian love she manifested to these young people as our DRE for so long. Her funeral will be at St. Jude's on Wednesday, July 1 at 10am - all are welcome to attend.

ADDITIONAL MASS/ADORATION/CONFESSION

We have added the following for the summer months

Monday night: Mass at 7:00pm  Adoration and Confession: 8:00pm-9:00pm

Tuesday night: Adoration and Confession: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Friday morning: Confession after the 9:00am Mass

2027 PARISH MASS INTENTION BOOK

The 2027 mass intention book will open on MONDAY, JULY 6

Helpful information to guide you when you are requesting a Mass:

Announced Masses: Offered for a particular intention on a particular date. It can be in honor/memory of someone or for a special intention.

We offer weekday masses (Monday-Friday); weekend masses, and our monthly first Saturday Padre Pio Mass.

         We have instituted a collective intention Mass (11:30am Sunday) where we will pray up to three intentions.

TABERNACLE CANDLE (month)

ADORATION CANDLES (during any adoration times during month)

WINE AND HOSTS (month)

Requests can be made by e-mail, by phone, or by visiting the parish office



STIPEND: Mass: $15.00

              Tabernacle Candle: $75.00

              Adoration Candles: $40.00

             Wine and Hosts: $25.00

Payment by cash or check at time of request (No Credit Cards)

LIMITATIONS :Weekend mass request :Up to four (4) per family        

                   Weekday mass request : No limit

New Spiritual Life Center - Help Needed!

This past week, Bishop Caggiano officially approved our request to begin the new St. Jude Spiritual Life Center Building Project! We are very excited to get started, and will be starting architectural drawings, site work, engineering, and fundraising very soon. 

We are looking for a few good parishioners to assist with our exciting Spiritual Life Center project! If you have experience in the following areas, and would like to volunteer your time, please reach out to our Capital Campaign Coordinator Christine Peterson (LoveGoldens1127@gmail.com) to learn more. Volunteer opportunities available for immediate assistance:

• Gifts Team Leader: Looking for a point person who can assist with orchestrating the efforts to contact potential donors. This will be a phased approach, with Fr. Joseph involved with some of the Phase 1 communications. The Gifts Team Leader will assist with identifying a contingent of support that will be on the front lines to solicit funding. If you, or someone you know, have experience in this area, please let me know.

• Funding Coordinator: If you have a financial background and would be willing to assist with tracking funding progress, we need your help! This is an important role that will monitor progress achieved and provide input with regard to the remaining fundraising goal.

Gold Fundraiser Update

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Gold Fundraiser! It was another success! St. Jude received a check from Bob, the Gold Man for $15,500!!

Family News and Events

This year was our 5th year of Camp Adore - and it was another great year with over 200 people involved - campers, teen volunteers and adult volunteers. The children attended Mass each day, had fun games, crafts and snacks and ended the day adoring and singing to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This year's theme was the Holy Spirit. The children learned all about the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and how to stay close to the Holy Spirit through prayer and the sacraments. Thank you to everyone who made this week such a sucess! Come, Holy Spirit!

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 next blood drive sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes will be held on Saturday, July 18 at the IBEW offices at 721 Main St, Rte 25. The hours are 8 AM until 1 PM. If you are interested in donating, access www.redcrossblood.org and search for this drive.

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, Jea, Virginia LaQuesse, Ed Marencik, Dan Mongillo, Lawrence Cofone, Mary Witkowsky, John Rizzitelli, Marissa S. , Dan Hermansson, Allison H., Kevin Smith

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 27  – July 5

Sat June 27 4:30pm Pasquale and Vincenzina Cusello

     Sun June 28 7:30am Joseph Laveneziana

Sun June 28 9:30am Richard Spede 

Sun June 28 11:30am Blessings for Lawrence Cofone 

Joe, Ralph and Anna Laveneziana

Loretta Delmastro

Mon June 29 9:00am Francis Dunne

Tue June 30 9:00am Mary Ellen Mason

Wed July 1 9:00am Jack Hurley

Thu July 2 9:00 am Blessings for Lawrence Cofone

Fri July 3 9:00am Louis DiMartino

Sat July 4 4:30pm Blessings for Father Robert Quarato

     Sun July 5 7:30am Carmen Atayupanqui

Sun July 5 9:30am Jacinto Cabral 

Sun July 5 11:30am St Jude Parishioners 

Arline Faley

Alda and Enzo Melissano

Tabernacle Candle:( (June) In memory of Margaret Ann Tranzillo

Wine and Hosts: (June)  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

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.