Reflection from Fr. Joseph

John Kralik's life was falling apart. He was going through a painful divorce, was struggling at work, found himself distant from his family, and was 40 pounds overweight. At a serious low point, he took a walk one December day and decided to focus, not on what he lacked, but what he was grateful for. He made the New Years' Resolution to write one thank-you card every day all year - and found that it completely transformed his life. He found inner peace, true joy, friendship, and even financial success. The power of gratitude!

As I begin my fifth year (!) at St. Jude's, I just want to pause to offer thanks. I consider these past four years to be among the most blessed time in my life. I hear my brother pastors complaining about too much administration, parish politics, a difficult staff, lukewarm faith...and I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I have none of those struggles! This parish is truly a joy and a gift, in large part due to the wonderful people who do so much behind-the-scenes to make it what it is. So - thank you.

Thank you to the parish staff - we have a lot of laughs, and genuine friendship in the office. These are truly the best people I could ever work with. They take so many of the administrative burdens off of my shoulders so I and Fr. Jozef can focus on the ministry aspect of bringing Jesus to people.

Thank you to the liturgical ministers - it brings such dignity to the Mass to have lectors and Eucharistic Ministers who take their roles seriously, performing their duties with reverence and comportment. Our music ministry is so dedicated to lifting up their voices (and instruments!) in praise.

Thank you to the Floral Ministry & Buildings and Grounds - Beauty glorifies God, and our campus and church are always kept in tip-top shape. Our floral ministry gives us a breathtaking environment in which to worship - truly, a foretaste of the beauty of Heaven - while the Buildings and Grounds takes care of the physical plant to make sure this Church is both functional and beautiful.

Thank you to those who lead ministries - we have such vibrant ministries here - from Bible Studies for both men and women, to outreaches to the poor, to Hospitality - which gives us an opportunity to gather in love and in Jesus Christ. It not only forms us as a community - it forms us as a community growing in Christ - which is the whole goal of the Church!

Thank you to our catechists and youth ministers - We have one of the largest religious education programs in the diocese, with about 450 kids in it, in addition to a vibrant youth ministry that attracts more than 50 kids biweekly. This takes a tremendous dedication from our adult volunteers who are give of their time, their words, their example, and their love to our youth. It makes a difference in the relationships built, and in the way our adults mirror a Christ-like life to our youth. Faith is more caught than taught, so thank you for making your faith contagious!

Thank you to our Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes - these two service organizations do so much behind-the-scenes. They are always ready to help and serve whenever a need arises in the parish. We are so grateful for you, the "strong right arm" of the Church!

Thank you to all those who pray for me and for the parish - everything we do needs to be motivated by and undergirded by prayer. It is prayer that gives power to the words we preach, prayer that breaks open hearts to receive the Gospel, prayer that sanctifies souls. More than anything that we do, it is the power of God's grace - so, thank you to all who call down that grace through your prayers and sacrifices.

I'm sure I've forgotten someone (my apologies!) - but thank you for being such a wonderful parish!

We have had an amazing week at Camp Adore learning all about our Blessed Mother who has helped us grow closer to Jesus. The children enjoyed fun games, music, crafts, church tour, bounce houses, snacks and water fun. We started every day with morning Mass and ended with Eucharistic Adoration. We culminated the week with a rosary procession to a beautiful Camp Adore Mary Garden by the Our Lady Queen of Peace statue. Many thanks to all of the teen and adult volunteers who volunteered their time and talents to make the week a success!

Here are some videos of the children singing during Adoration and praising the Lord in Song! We learned a new song at camp this year - Praise the Lord!

Family News and Events

July Rooted Magazine

The July issue of our parish subscription to Rooted Magazine for children and families is hot off the press!

Learn about the month of the Precious Blood, the New Pope, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and how to say a Rosary using every Hail Mary to pray for each state for Independence Day. 

If you missed any past issues, you can view them here.

Knights of Columbus News

Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer Offerings

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Sunday July 29th

Following 11:30AM Mass

Open to all Parishioners

Please Join Us

Spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and pray for Our Lord to make his heart our own, so that we may see and love in others what he sees and loves in us.

Sponsored by

St. John XXIII Council 5987

Blood Donation Drive



Brothers or Fellow parishioners: The next blood donation drive is being held on Saturday, July 19, 8 AM until 1 PM. What's new is that we are co-sponsoring with IBEW at their meeting hall, located at 721 Main St., Rte 25. We are excited by this partnership and hope to continue filling all the available donation slots. If you wish to donate, please search for our drive at www.redcrossblood.org. we hope to see you there. New place same faces. The Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes.

Food Pantry update

Our gratitude for your continued generosity. At this time the items in greatest need are: Mac and Cheese, canned tuna, and canned soup. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on Newborn and size 5, wipes and jars of baby food as well as Baby clothes (boys and girls, up to 18 months), Baby blankets, crib sheets, Onesies, socks, strollers, bottles and pacifiers and baby cloths, 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 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, Jack Lane, 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, Chloe Capra, Lucy Hanson, Debbie Dragonetti, Jesse Hurst & Family, Maryann Lapinski, Joseph Laveneziana, Andrea Paddock, Nadine Alusik, Margarida Andrade, John, Jimmy Forno, Matthew Van der Wielen

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition forJuly is for: PEACE

As we pray for peace in the World,

may we remember the words of the beautiful hymn,

Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me! 

We pray for peace in our own

hearts, our own homes, and our own Country...

         We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for July 5 – July 13

Sat      July 5             9:00am       Maximino Monteiro

Sat      July 5            4:30pm        Claire Rennick

Sun     July 6             7:30am        St Jude Parishioners

Sun     July 6             9:30am        Jacinto Cabral

Sun     July 6             11:30am       Brian Norris

                                           John Hurley

  Stefan Piciw

Mon    July 7            9:00am         Eileen and Richard Sekerak

Tue     July 8            9:00am          Deceased members of the Thomas

Family

Wed   July 9            9:00am          John Sansone

Thu     July 10           9:00am         Maria and Nicholas DeLeo

Fri       July 11           9:00am         Eleanore Iannarone

Sat      July 12           4:30pm        Jason Fedanick

Sun     July 13           7:30am        St Jude Parishioners

Sun     July 13           9:30am         Ruth Staub

Sun     July 13           11:30am         Carmen Bocchino

                                              Helen Tuccio

Doug Stevens                                                                                     

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Emanuel Cambra

Adoration Candles: In memory of Isabel Dantas-Teixiera

Hosts and Wine: In memory of Isabel Dantas-Teixeira

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

"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



Confessions on Saturday afternoon will be in the day chapel at 3:30 to 4:15 pm on Saturdays. Come take advantage of God's great mercy by coming to the Sacrament of Confession.



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