Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Myth #2: Faith vs. Science

One of the myths about our Catholic Faith that I hear quite often is that faith and science are opposed, or that the Church is anti-science.

Let’s dive into why they are not incompatible – and it really comes from epistemology, which is the philosophy of how we know what we know!

Science is based upon observation and measurement of the physical world. As such, its object is the natural world. There is much that science has to remain silent upon: human dignity, the existence of the soul, the meaning of life, the nature of love, what happens after death. No amount of scientific inquiry can shed any light on these things, because they are beyond observation and measurement. They are not based in the physical world.

By contrast, our faith is based on what God has revealed. Throughout history, God revealed Himself to men and women in the Old Testament who hadtheophanies (direct experiences of God), and He finally revealed Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. He continues to unpack this revelation through the Catholic Church, which He endowed with His Holy Spirit to guide it into all truth needed for our salvation. As such, the goal of the Church is not to be an expert in the natural sciences. In the words of St. Augustine, “One does not read in the Gospel that the Lord said: ‘I will send you the Paraclete who will teach you about the course of the sun and moon.’ For he willed to make them Christians, not mathematicians.”

Ultimately, both science and faith are directed to God, since He is the source of all Truth. There is never a contradiction between them, if both are done authentically. As Einstein’s associate Werner Heisenberger said, “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will make you an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” So, the study of the order and complexity and elegance of the created world is ultimately a testimony to the handiwork of the Creator.

Sometimes science tries to overstep its bounds. For example, atheists such as Stephen Hawking argue that all of the laws of the universe demonstrate that the universe could spontaneously cause itself to exist, eliminating the need for a Creator. (I believe that his argument is rather flimsy and easily disputable by Aquinas and St. Anselm). What predated the moment that the universe crashed into existence is outside of the realm of science.

At the same time, throughout history, the Church has occasionally also overstepped its bounds by speaking about science in a way that was unhelpful. Of course our mind immediately goes to the Galileo controversy – but, as usual, the truth is more complicated than the simplistic argument we often hear.

The legend is that Galileo was persecuted for teaching that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system. First off, he was not the first to propose it – his mentor Nicholas Copernicus was the first to seriously propose this theory, and he dedicated his book “On the Revolution of the Celestial Orbs” to Pope Paul III, a personal friend of his! However, the pushback he got for this theory was primarily from two sources: his fellow scientists (who considered his theory to be risible) and from Protestant clergymen (Luther himself dismissed the idea of heliocentrism). Remember, one of the main Protestant themes was a literal interpretation of Scripture, which puts the earth at the center!

The Catholic Church, for her part, was very concerned about how Protestants had used “personal interpretation” of the Scriptures to advocate for their positions – so they were on the guard against people finding new interpretations in Scripture passages. Galileo met with St. Robert Bellarmine and Pope Urban VIII, he was told that he could teach heliocentrism as a theory but that teaching it as a fact was premature, as the Christian world would need time to adapt its theology to the new science which posited the sun as the center. Galileo responded by writing further books which actually mocked the Pope and other Jesuit scientists – hence, concerned about the lack of respect and worried about a loss of authority, prompted them to put Galileo on trial.

He was never tortured or imprisoned while on trial; on the contrary, even anti-Catholic historians of the time testify that he was treated quite well. The goal was not to condemn his theories entirely but to leave them in the realm of theory and not established fact – which is good, because Galileo was actually quite wrong – he “discovered” that the sun was the exact center of the entire universe, which we now know to be untrue! The scientist was eventually found guilty of possibly spreading heresy and was sentenced to house arrest for the remainder of his life (while still allowed a servant and many luxuries!)

Was the Church wrong in stifling Galileo? In 1992, Pope St. John Paul II did offer an apology and a recognition that he was unjustly tried and condemned. But it’s more complicated than a simple black-and-white issue – it was a legitimate concern at the time that the Church would cede more authority during its already-contentious Protestant Reformation period if a scientist went about reinterpreting the Bible and upending Catholic theology according to his still-speculative science.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many Catholic scientists who combined their love for God with a love for the natural sciences:

- Fr. Georges Lamaitre, who conceived the idea of a Big Bang

- Fr. Gregor Mendel, who is the Father of Genetics in understanding how genes are passed down

- Jerome Lejeune, who may become a saint soon – discovered the cause of Downs’ Syndrome and advocated for their acceptance by society

- St. Joseph Moscati, an award-winning Italian doctor and saint

- Louis Pasteur, celebrated French biologist who invented Pasteurization

- Andre Ampere, electromagnitician who discovered “amps” as a unit of electrical measurement



…and so many more who were able to combine their love for the Catholic faith with a love for science! In no way is the Church against science – rather, the Church offers an ethical voice to the sciences, reminding science (especially now in the ages of AI and reproductive technology) that proper scientific research and study ought to respect the dignity of the human person and the universal moral structure of the world that God created.

OCIA - Are You Being Called?

Do you have a desire for the truth and feel that the Catholic faith can help you find it? Are you feeling pulled toward the Catholic faith out of a desire for a deeper relationship with God, who is the source of truth?



Whether you were raised in another faith tradition or were baptized Catholic but haven’t completed your sacraments — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) may be the path to which God is leading you to fulfill those desires for a more meaningful life.



For more information about St. Jude’s OCIA program, please contact Deacon David Flynn at deacon.flynn@stjuderc.org or contact the parish office at 203.261.6404.

Catechists Needed!

Are you passionate about our Catholic Faith and have a desire to share it with others? Do you enjoy working with young children and helping them discover the love of Jesus? St. Jude's is in need of a few more catechists for the upcoming year, particularly in the younger grades. If you are interested in teaching religious education, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Alice Teixeira, at DRE@stjuderc.org. The rewards and graces are eternal!

All in one, one in all are invited to an

investigative meeting for the

“Parish Christmas Fair”

August 13^th at 6:30 in the Social Hall

Can we make 12/05/26 happen?

Family News and Events

NEXT YOUTH ENCOUNTER -THIS MONDAY!


Monday, August 3rd

7-9 pm

Saint Jude Social Hall

For youth entering Grades 6-12

August Rooted Magazine



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

It is full inspiration for the the month of The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Knights of Columbus News

All men in the parish 18 and over are invited to learn more about the Knights of Columbus. Learn more about our core principles of Charity,Unity,Fraternity and Faith.



Please contact Paul Sideleau at p1aulsr@aol.com for further questions or information.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes Newborn,4, 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.

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for August is for our: 35th ST. JUDE PARISH ITALIAN FESTIVAL

We thank God for this opportunity to enjoy amazing food, great rides and activities, and musical entertainment with our families, friends and parishioners, and to welcome the multitude of visitors who join us every year!

We pray, especially, that God bless us with good weather for this year's Festival!...

     We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for August 1 – August 9

Sat      Aug 1            4:30pm           Holy Souls in Purgatory

    Sun     Aug 2           7:30am            St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Aug 2            9:30am            Jacinto Cabral

Sun     Aug 2            11:30am          Stephanie Rossi

                                                           Joseph Kmec, Sr

                                                           Fulvio Tramontina

Mon    Aug 3             9:00am           Victoria and Epifania Conde

Tue     Aug 4             9:00am            Alan Delfavero                                                                                                                                        

Wed    Aug 5             9:00am           Michael Voytek

Thu     Aug 6             9:00 am          Barbara Burke

Fri       Aug 7              9:00am          Maria Emilia Monteiro and

Artur Fernandes Monteiro

Sat      Aug 8             4:30pm          Blessings for Father Joseph Gill

    Sun     Aug 9            7:30am          Thomas Donegan

Sun     Aug 9             9:30am           Paul Verespej

Sun     Aug 9             11:30am          St Jude Parishioners 

                                                           Maria Silva

                                                           Blessings for Lawrence Cofone

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.