Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Myth #4: Faith vs. Works

How do we get to Heaven? Most Catholics would answer, “By following the Ten Commandments.” Surprisingly, this is the wrong answer.

We get to Heaven through our faith in Jesus Christ. But this misunderstanding has caused quite a historical rift leading to the fourth myth about Catholicism that even most Catholics believe: the tension between salvation through faith vs. works.

Protestants believe that Catholics think we have to “earn” our salvation by doing good deeds and by receiving the Sacraments. But many Catholics believe this too – sometimes when people die we say, “If anyone deserves Heaven, she does!” or we count up all the person’s good works, as if our deeds are on a scale and as long as we are at least 51% good, then we “deserve” Heaven.

But Martin Luther took this to the opposite extreme. He said that we contribute nothing to our salvation – all we have to do is believe, and God does the rest. In fact, he famously said, “Be a sinner, and sin boldly, but let your trust in Christ be stronger” – in that, we didn’t necessarily need to reach a certain holiness to enter Heaven, but only trust in the Blood of Christ.

So, what’s the truth? The truth is that we are saved by faith. But St. James makes a helpful distinction in his letter, betweenliving faith and dead faith. Living faith is faith that manifests itself in good deeds, in trust, in a growing relationship with God through the Sacraments. Dead faith is an intellectual belief, without any attempt to put it into practice. We are saved by living faith – even the Devil has “dead faith”, for he believes in God, too.

Consider – who is the first person to enter Heaven after Jesus? It was the Good Thief, who had no good deeds to offer Jesus, but only faith in the saving power of His death. But of course, if the Good Thief had survived his own crucifixion, he couldn’t say, “Well, I’ve been saved by Jesus, so I can go on thieving!” Of course not – he would then have to start living like he had been saved. Here is where some Protestants, particularly the followers of Calvin, disagree – they say that “once you are saved, you are always saved” – once you believe in Jesus, you are guaranteed Heaven, no matter what you do afterward. Catholics (and even many Protestants) disagree and recognize that, as St. Paul says, we have to “work out our salvation in fear and trembling.”



In 1999, a pretty earth-shattering document was jointly signed by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation called “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification”. Both parties came to an agreement on this divisive issue of whether we are saved by good deeds or faith. It states that we are saved “by God's grace through faith in Christ” and that “good works are a genuine response to God’s grace, not the cause of it.”

So, please do not believe our fourth myth: that Catholics believe we have to earn Heaven through good works. Heaven and salvation is a free gift from God, which must be accepted by a living faith, but which is completely and totally an act of grace.

The Annual Parish Italian Festival will take place August 26 thru August 29.

As a result, please note that the 4:30 mass on Saturday August 29 will be at 4:00, not 4:30!

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!

Email familyministry@stjuderc.org if you are interested in volunteering at the music festival - teens and virtus trained adults are needed.

Parish Book Exchange

Would you like to grow closer to Christ?

Consider reading a good spiritual book this summer! The Bible of course is always the first choice, but we have a lot of spiritual books to share for your spiritual growth and enjoyment.

They can be found on the book shelf in the social hall next to the kitchen.

Happy Reading!

Family News and Events

Consider Joining our Parent Bible Study Group this Fall!


We meet during religious education on Sunday mornings from 10:30 am to 11:15 AM

All are welcome!

Email familyministry@stjuderc.org if you are interetsed or for more information

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, 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 15 – August 23

Sat      Aug 15            4:30pm            Mary and Margaret Gallagher

    Sun     Aug 16           7:30am            Juanita McLaughlin

Sun     Aug 16            9:30am            Marica Jovic and Gojko Jovic

Sun     Aug 16            11:30am          St Jude Parishioners 

                                                           Joe, Ralph and Anna Lavenziana

                                                           Gloria Mahamba Ndlovu

                                                                                                                                          Mon    Aug 17            9:00am            Angelina Medieros

Tue     Aug 18            9:00am            Joe Surber                                                                                                                                       

Wed    Aug 19            9:00am            Bob Gioscia

Thu     Aug 20            9:00 am          Wendy Bansak

Fri       Aug 21            9:00am            Blessings for Mark Farmer

Sat      Aug 22            4:30pm            Joseph Farrugia

Sun     Aug 23            7:30am            Mary Margaret DeLorenzo

Sun     Aug 23            9:30am            Joseph Firgeleski

Sun     Aug 23            11:30am          St Jude Parishioners  

                                                           The Venables Family

                                                           Aida Maria Chavez

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.