Reflection from Fr. Joseph

One of the more impactful spiritual books I’ve ever read is “The Life of Mary As Seen By the Mystics” by Raymond Brown. The author draws upon the mystical visions of Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. Bridget of Sweden, and other Church-approved mystics to provide a coherent biography of Our Lady, from her conception until her…

Wait – did Mary die? As we celebrate this Feast of the Assumption of Mary (recognizing that she was taken, body and soul, into Heaven), it’s an interesting question to ponder.

Death is a consequence of original sin, so since Mary had no original sin, did she have to experience that painful separation of body and soul? Yet, since Jesus who was perfect also endured death, perhaps Mary, in union with Jesus, would also endure death – which is now the passageway to eternal life.

Interestingly, the Church does not answer the question of whether Mary died. The papal document “Munificentissimus Deus”, issued in 1950 by Pope Pius XII which defined the dogma of the Assumption, simply states that “at the end of Her earthly life, Mary was assumed into Heaven.”

The Orthodox Church have a beautiful tradition of calling the event “Mary’s Dormition” – the falling-asleep of Our Lady. Perhaps, for her, death was not a violent, fearful, and traumatic event as if the soul were being ripped, unwillingly, from the body (as it will be for us). Maybe it was more that Our Lady drifted off into a restful sleep and was taken up. There are some early-Church apocryphal documents which support this thought, such as “The Book of Mary’s Repose” from the third century (although it is not considered authoritative by the Church).

There is an ancient narrative that says the Apostles were all informed by Holy Spirit that Mary would soon be leaving the world, so they returned from their far-flung preaching to Ephesus to say goodbye to their Mother. Thomas was preaching in India, and thus had to travel the furthest, and (of course) was absent when Mary had passed. So, according to tradition, he asked to see Her grave, and upon opening it, the Apostles saw that it was empty – Her body had already been taken up. As a sign that it was truly her, Our Lady’s sash floated down from Heaven (and is still currently venerated in churches in India and Turkey!)



So, I suppose that the answer is, “We will never know!” Whether Mary died, fell asleep, or was assumed into Heaven while still alive is a question we can ponder and meditate on – and hopefully discover the answer when we ask Our Lady Herself in the next life!

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!

Next Summer Backyard Adoration

~ Monday August 25 ~

Pizza will be Served!

6:30 pm - hosted by the Goss Family

All are welcome! Email to RSVP and for address!

A group of parishioners are looking to begin a "Saint Monica Prayer Group" this month on Saint Monica's feast day to commit to pray and make sacrifices together for fallen away loved ones.

For more information and to join the group, email familyministry@stjuderc.org

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

Tootsie Roll Drive

The Knights of Columbus are excited to announce that its annual campaign to raise funds to help adults, teens, and children with intellectual disabilities, known as the Tootsie Roll Drive, will be conducted over two weekends on September 13^th and 14^th and October 4^th and 5^th.

Knights of Columbus volunteers will be collecting donations in front of local businesses during the campaign. You can spot them wearing bright yellow aprons and handing out Knights of Columbus branded Tootsie Rolls in front of Stop & Shop, Capital Spirits and Dunkin Donuts in Monroe and Stop & Shop in Newtown.

The campaign is an important fundraising event and a community outreach opportunity for our parish. 100% of the donations collected will go toward Knights of Columbus programs helping people with intellectual disabilities. Last year the campaign was able to raise over $5,000 for Knights of Columbus programs including at the Southbury Training School, a local home for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Volunteers are still needed to make this year’s campaign a success. The Knights of Columbus should check their email for the link to sign up.

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, Joe F.

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 16 – August 24

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

Mon Aug 18 9:00am Juanita McLaughlin

Tue Aug 19 9:00am Bobby Gioscia

Wed Aug 20 9:00am  Graiela DePelaez

Thu Aug 21 9:00am   Weisz and Witkin Families

Fri Aug 22 9:00am. Graiela DePelaez

Sat Aug 23 4:30pm   The Lluch Family

Sun Aug 24 7:30am   St Jude Parishioners

Sun Aug 24 9:30am Joseph Firgeleski, Jr

Sun Aug 24 11:30am Gerry Kennedy

         Robert Ciotti, Sr     

       Louis DiMartino

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.