Reflection from Fr. Joseph

It used to be that mainly Navy sailors had them, but tattoos have quickly become ubiquitous in today’s society. What does Our Lord think about tattoos?

There is only one Scripture verse that directly deals with tattoos: Leviticus 19:28, which reads, You shall not make any cuts on your body [in mourning] for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves; I am the Lord. This absolute prohibition was part of the culture that set Jews apart from other nations - most other nations would inscribe tattoos onto their body, mainly as part of the worship of pagan gods. Besides, if the Israelites couldn’t make images at all due to concerns that it would lead to idol worship, they certainly couldn’t put images on their bodies!

But other verses use the image of a tattoo in a more positive light. For example, Isaiah 49:16 refers to God “inscribing” our names on the palms of His Hands, using a word that could be translated as “tattooing”.

The Old Testament has three types of law: civil (dealing with how Jewish society was to be set up), ceremonial (dealing with how to worship God rightly) and moral (dealing with moral issues). Christ came to liberate us from the first two (not the last, which are always valid for all times). So, does the prohibition on tattooing fall into civil, or moral? It helps to understand the context: the prohibition on tattoos immediately follows the detailed instructions of how Jewish men are to keep their hair (not shaving their temples, which leads to the long curls that you may have seen Orthodox Jews sporting). So, it was part of a long list of civil laws - laws which were given so that Israel would not adopt the culture of the surrounding pagan nations, by developing their own unique culture of clothing, hairstyles, diet, and…no tattoos.

Sadly, the New Testament is silent on this issue. However, it’s significant to know that in Jesus’ day, the only people to ever be tattooed were criminals (showing their crimes) or slaves (whose tattoos were more like brand marks, showing who they belonged to). No free man would ever get a tattoo.

However, there are some ancient Christian traditions in favor of the tattoo. As early as the 8th Century, documents mention that some Christian pilgrims received tattoos to show that they had made it to Jerusalem on pilgrimage. This was very important because many people made pilgrimage as a way to atone for sins or in lieu of jail time, so there had to be some living, unmistakable proof that they had actually completed the pilgrimage. Crusaders received a tattoo when they visited the Holy Land, and there is a tattoo parlor in Jerusalem named “Razzouk” which has been inking people for 700+ years!

But what about modern days? There is no official Catholic teaching on tattoos. I would opine that tattoos are not inherently immoral as long as:



• They do not overly disfigure the human person (whole-face or whole-body tattoos obscure the Image of God that our bodies are supposed to convey)
• They are not of objectionable or immoral content (so nothing sexually explicit, demonic, or pagan)
• They are done by a tattoo artist who themselves are not involved in the occult (I have spoken with two exorcists who told me that oftentimes, tattoo ink is cursed and thereby consecrated to Satan, causing untold suffering for the person who receives it)

With that said, our human bodies are made perfect and beautiful as they already are. They have a way of reflecting God’s magnificent design and revealing the Creator in Whose Image we were made. I personally feel like it becomes easy to obscure that design when we permanently mark up our bodies. Our bodies are not canvases on which we paint our preferences; they are temples, which have the capacity to reveal the Face of God. Would we spray-paint a beautiful temple? Would you put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari? Of course not. Then why would we take this gift that God has given us - and made perfect - and feel the need to customize it according to our whims?

Of course - that is only my opinion, not Church teaching! All are free to disagree with me (as I’m sure many do!). But it’s an interesting - and timely - topic to consider these days!

Feast of the Assumption - Holy Day of Obligation

We are blessed to celebrate Our Lady yet again on this Feast of Her Assumption, when she was taken body and soul into Heaven. It is a Holy Day of Obligation, when Catholics are obliged to attend Mass. The Feast is August 15th, and Masses will be Thursday August 14th at 5pm (Vigil Mass), and Friday August 15th at 9am and 7pm. Please join us to celebrate Our Lady!

Join us for Hospitality after 9:30 and 11:30 Masses this weekend to thank our summer seminarian Joseph DiProperzio!

Another Great Annual Parish Softball Game!

Our annual softball game featured players from 9 years old to 79! It was an exciting walk-off win in the bottom of the 9th, 16-15, and all had a wonderful time! Thank you to all of the spectators who came out to cheer on the teams!

Seeing God through the beauty of nature…

In the past two newsletters, Fr Joseph has written about “the beauty that God has created in nature” and the effect of that beauty on many Saints. Here, at St Jude’s we have both beautiful landscaped areas as well as natural ones. The Floral Ministry often uses plant material from the grounds for floral designs and displays.

Recently a Floral Ministry member introduced a St Jude family to milkweed, growing in one of the natural areas, and how this ‘weed’ is important to Monarch butterflies. So far, they have raised and released 11 Monarch butterflies into their yard to lay even more eggs.

 We need volunteers to help with the gardening. Although there is a landscape company that mows the lawns and shears the hedges annually, we do need volunteers to.prune trees/shrubs, maintain/divide perennial flowers, as well as preserve the habitat for critters such as monarch butterflies.

If you’d like to help maintain the beauty of the St. Jude campus as well as learn more about gardening tasks , please contact Cathy Ritch, cathy.ritch.ct@gmail.com. There are no set days or times for volunteering, only the interest in learning more and maintaining the beauty that God has created.

Summer Backyard Adorations

Monday, August 25: 6:30 pm - hosted by the Goss Family

All are welcome! Email to RSVP and for more information!

Family News and Events

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

Learn about the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Feasts of the Transfiguration and the Assumption, and Saints Monica and Augustine.

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

We plan to offer a parent bible study again during

Sunday's religious education session

at 10:30 am. Email Jessica if interested!

Knights of Columbus News

Blood Donation Drive Save the Date

Our next drive is Saturday, September 20 here at St. Judes. To donate, please visit www.redcrossblood.org and search for our drive.

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 sizes 3, 4 & 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 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, 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, George N., Milenka Gospic, Benjamin Gray

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for August is for: ST. JUDE'S ITALIAN FESTIVAL

We pray for good weather for our Festival, and that it be a time of camaraderie for all volunteers and enjoyment for all those attending.

         We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for August 9 – August 17

Sat       Aug 9            4:30pm           The Lluch Family

Sun     Aug 10           7:30am         St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Aug 10           9:30am          Maretta Fagan

Sun     Aug 10          11:30am        Margaret Schwartz

                                                            Doug Stevens          

In Thanksgiving for the Monroe

Volunteer Firefighters and First

Responders                 

Mon   Aug 11           9:00am            Arthur Landry

Tue     Aug 12           9:00am          Thomas M. and Mary Ellen Mason

Wed   Aug 13           9:00am           Emanuel Cambra

Thu     Aug 14           9:00am          Patrick Ryan

Thu     Aug 14          5:00pm           Linda Arceri

Fri      Aug 15           9:00am           Paul Verespej

Fri      Aug 15           7:00pm           The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Sat Aug 16           4:30pm           Gerry Kennedy

Sun    Aug 17           7:30am          St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Aug 17           9:30am         Angelina Medeiros

Sun     Aug 17          11:30am         The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

                                                            Helen Tuccio                                                                 Paul Verespej

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Margaret Tranzillo

Hosts and Wine: In memory of the Tortora and LaBella Families

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.