Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Tomorrow is a great celebration in the life of our nation – the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our country has officially turned 250 – what a milestone for this wild “American experiment”!

Of course, if you read the headlines, it may appear that this experiment is in danger of failing. Never before has our country been so radically divided on so many issues. Many people who disagree with the government even express disdain at our country as a whole.

But one of the great moral virtues is patriotism. This is not just a nice emotional reaction when we see the flag or hear Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. It’s actually a virtue which falls under the virtue of piety, which is the filial love and obedience that we owe to our parents, and by extension, to our nation of birth, as well. And of course the overarching virtue under which both piety and patriotism descend is the virtue ofjustice – giving to others what we owe them (we owe our parents piety, we owe our nation patriotism).

Practically speaking, patriotism is not the same thing as nationalism. Nor is it an unquestioning obedience to government leaders, or a triumphalist attitude that our nation is somehow exceptional on the earth. Rather, patriotism is the willingness to do good for our country – nobly defend it in the military, participate in public life through voting and local politics, protect its natural resources, pray for our country and its leaders, and being grateful for the land and the opportunities our nation affords. We can love the ideals of our country without necessarily approving of all of the actions of our government or our culture.

As a Christian, we are paradoxically citizens of two nations. At our core, we belong to the Kingdom of God. But we are also still called to build up our nation on earth. Our values are those of Christ the King, but we are still subjects of the government. We follow Christ’s law of love, but are also called to follow the laws of the land. We hope for Heaven; we work to better our earth. These two realities are not in conflict – Christ reigned peacefully on earth simultaneously with Caesar, and He even urged us to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. So our Catholic Faith does not excuse us from patriotism, but rather urges us on to developing this virtue. Of course our primary allegiance is to Heaven, but this does not preclude granting allegiance to the flag.

There has been a lot of American self-loathing in the past few years. While it is good to look soberly at the failures of our nation, our sins are not our defining factors. We ought to see clearly where we have fallen short precisely because we have hope that our nation is better than that, and we are called to build up the good and be grateful for the gifts we already have.



So wave that flag and shoot off those fireworks – this is going to be a doozy of a Fourth-of-July celebration. I’m sorry that I am currently out of the country on a pilgrimage, so I am unable to enjoy it with you! But my prayers are for you on this Fourth of July weekend!

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.

Family News and Events

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:

July 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 Precious Blood.

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 Petition for July is for:

  The 250th Anniversary of America

As we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Country on July 4th, may we give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed upon our great Nation.  We invoke His Mercy to heal all that divides us, so that we may remain "One Nation Under God"...

   We pray "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

Mass Intentions for July 4 – July 12

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

Mon    July 6             9:00am           Lorraine Hentschel

Tue     July 7             9:00am            Peggy Ann Nelson

Wed    July 8             9:00am           Cletus Roh

Thu     July 9             9:00 am          Maria and Joao Leandres

Fri       July 10            9:00am          Nicholas and Maria DeLeo

Sat      July 11           4:30pm           Dr. and Mrs. Edward McPadden

    Sun     July 12           7:30am           St Jude Parishioners

Sun     July 12           9:30am           Joe Buturla

Sun     July 12           11:30am          Carmen Bocchino

                                                           Jason Fedanick

                                                           James Noce

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.