Reflection from Fr. Joseph

This brings us to our final historical myth about Catholicism, which is the controversial Late Middle Ages practice of selling indulgences.

First, what is an indulgence? We DO still have them in the Church, and they have an interesting history. In the early Church, penances for Confession tended to be long and public, before penitents were admitted back to Communion – a penance could be fasting for seven years on bread and water, or embarking on a long walking pilgrimage to a holy shrine. The Irish monks from the seventh and eighth centuries even developed books called “Penitentials” which told the priest which specific penance to assign for each sin (here are some examples of penitentials: https://www.ldysinger.com/@texts/0650_cummean/00a_start.htm and https://medievalbruno.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/5/2/2752477/the_penitential_of_finnian.pdf ). Some of these were so onerous and lengthy that people began to despair of ever receiving Holy Communion again. So the Church allowed someone to “substitute” a devotional work such as praying a certain prayer or reading the Bible to take away some part of that lengthy penance – this was the original meaning of an indulgence. This is why older devotional books speak about “500 days indulgence” – it’s not about time taken off of Purgatory, but time taken off of these burdensome and lengthy penances.

But even when penances have shrunk down to “three Hail Mary’s”, we still talk about indulgences. Why is that?

Basically, when we sin, we may go to Confession and have the sin forgiven, but there are still effects of the sin that live on, even after it is forgiven. Broken relationships, weakness of will, undue attachments, addictions and bad habits, and other residual effects of the sin that must be healed.

Imagine that, as a kid, you broke a window by throwing a baseball through it. You felt sorry, and went to your mom or dad and apologized profusely. They accept your apology and tell you that all is forgiven. However, the window is still broken. You may have reconciled your relationship, but all is not yet set right until the window is fixed. Likewise, Confession reconciles our relationship with God, but all is not yet fixed. We call this temporal punishment. We have to find a way to heal and fix the residue of our sins. We can have this healed through Indulgences.

An indulgence, then, taps into the superabundance of grace that Christ, Our Lady, and the Saints have won through their sufferings, prayers, and virtues. It means that, through this devotional act, we are asking God to share those blessings with us. We don’t “earn” indulgences, but we receive them as a free gift, as Our Lord has promised that He would give us grace commensurate to our faith. (Here is a good list of indulgences that Catholics can gain:https://www.catholic.com/tract/indulgences-catholic-answers-guide-to-partial-and-plenary-indulgences)

So, were they sold in the Middle Ages? That, too, has a complex history. One way to gain an indulgence is by giving alms to the poor or the Church. Pope Leo X proclaimed – as he has the authority to do, since Christ gave the keys of Heaven to the Pope – that there would be a special indulgence granted to all the Faithful if they contributed to the building of St. Peter’s Basilica, as this holy collection was being used for the glory of God, and a contribution was a type of sacrifice that all could partake in. That is actually a legitimate use of Papal authority.

But alas, as with all things financial, a certain crassness and coarseness began to enter in. The Dominican Friar Johan Tetzel famously coined the jingle, “When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs!” This coarseness led Martin Luther to be disgusted by the financial corruption he saw in the Catholic Church, and began his rebellion partly in response to Tetzel’s abuse. But the Church quickly corrected it: the Council of Trent forbade the abuse of indulgences granted for alms, and in 1567, Pope St. Pius V removed all indulgences related to almsgiving.

Of course, one cannot “earn” their way into Heaven or pay for grace. This is a misunderstanding of the nature of indulgences – it isn’t the act of giving money to the Church which leads to an advance in the spiritual life, but the love of God and self-surrender and generosity with which the donation is given that opens the door to grace.



So, while there were abuses, the Church never officially “sold” indulgences, but rather offered them related to one’s almsgiving to the poor – knowing that they are a free gift from God, and must be received with a pure heart and grateful soul striving for holiness.

Monday Eucharistic Adoration Resumes on September 14th!

Starting on September 14th, every Monday you are invited to find your peace in Jesus as we resume our weekly Eucharistic Adoration from 9:30am-9pm. Please come and worship our Eucharistic Lord and find the peace and tranquility in the midst of this chaotic world. We need two people to commit to being present at each hour - would you consider being a "guardian" of the Eucharist and having a regular hour of Adoration each week? If so, please sign up here:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A45ABA62FA0F49-monday or in the back of church. Spending time with the Eucharist will absolutely change your life - please consider making the commitment to keep him company weekly, and see the joy that comes from His love!

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!

Volunteer Opportunities At St. Jude's!

We are in need of some volunteers here at St. Jude's! Might you have the time to help with these ways to serve?

Collection Counters - The group that counts the collection on Monday mornings at 9am. Commitment is only 1x/month. No experience necessary!

Youth Encounter Core Team - We need adults who have a heart for youth! Do you have a desire to form mentoring relationships with our young people to introduce them to a living relationship with Christ? Our Youth Encounters are looking for more members of the adult Core Team who plans the nights, gives presentations, leads small-groups and games, and helps young people fall in love with Christ by mentoring them as disciples. Commitment is to come to all of the Youth Encounters (2x/month on Fridays).

If you have a desire to help with either one, please contact Bernice in the Parish Office at parishoffice@stjuderc.org

Red Cross Blood Drive

Brothers/Fellow parishioners: The next blood drive is being held at the Church Social Hall on Saturday, September 19, 8 AM until 1 PM. This drive is being co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the Columbiettes and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). If you wish to donate, please search for our drive at www.redcrossblood.org. We hope to see you there.

Thank You!

The Tortora family would like to thank all who attended 4:30 pm mass on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Your prayers and medical assistance during the medical emergency is greatly appreciated. May God bless you always.

Thank you,

Suzanne Tortora

203-556-0762

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

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

Save the Dates!

for upcoming moms group meetings

First Wednesdays of the month starting on 9/2 after 9:00 AM Mass in the Saint Jude Social Hall

Moms group Friday evening event dates

(more details in next week's bulletin!)

Friday - 9/18

Friday - 12/11

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.

 The 5th Sunday Family Rosary is scheduled for Sunday August 30 right after the 11:30 AM mass.

 Men’s Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study will resume on Saturday September 26^th. All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8:00am in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall, as we study the week’s Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

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, 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, 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, Dan Hermansson, Allison H., Dawn S., Sonny T., Nancy St. Pierre

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

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Our Petition for September is for: Teachers and Students

As the new school year begins, may it be a time of excitement and joy for students and teachers returning to classes.  

May those entering school for the first time find it a welcoming and positive experience as they begin their educational journey...

    We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for August 29 – September 6

Sat      Aug 29            4:30pm           Lisa Carlson Melanson

    Sun     Aug 30           7:30am            Rino and Jane Servadio

Sun     Aug 30           9:30am            Mareta Fagan

Sun     Aug 30           11:30am          Louis DiMartino 

                                                           Margaret Ann Tranzillo

                                                           Louis V. Ciarmella

                                                                                                                                           Mon    Aug 31           9:00am           Blessings for the Field Family

Tue     Sept 1             9:00am            Holy Souls in Purgatory                                                                                                                                    

Wed    Sept 2             9:00am           Robert O’Rourk

Thu     Sept 3             9:00 am          Charles J. Olivia

Fri       Sept 4             9:00am           Special blessings for Philip and Betty White

                                                                       on their 50^th Wedding Anniversary    

Sat      Sept 5             4:30pm           Mia Morse

     Sun     Sept 6           7:30am           Maria and Joao Leandres

Sun     Sept 6             9:30am           Mamie Fascigone

Sun     Sept 6            11:30am          St Jude Parishioners

                                                           Thomas Gabianelli

                                                           Mia Morse 

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.