Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Continuing our discussion of marriage from last week…(Part 2 of 3):

It is less and less common to celebrate weddings. Although we had over 40 baptisms this past year, we only had two weddings. More and more people are choosing to get married outside the Church, or simply not get married at all. So why should a Catholic get married in the Church?

First, for validity. Remember – Christ gave the Church the power to “bind and loose” when He said, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven.” This means that the Church has the authority to determine the structure and form of many elements of Catholic life. When we became Catholic (at our baptism), we became bound to the Church’s teachings on marriage – which stipulate that a marriage must be contracted before a priest or deacon and two witnesses. Without these elements (or a dispensation from them), the marriage is invalid. Even if a person hasn’t gone to church in 20 years, if they were baptized, then they are still bound to the Church’s structure of how a valid marriage is contracted.

Second, for grace. As many of you know, marriage is fantastically difficult. It puts two imperfect people together, until death. In good times and bad, in sickness and health – we need something more than our own strength to fall back upon. This is why marriage is not just a natural reality, but a supernatural one…not just a contract, but a covenant…not just a social requirement, but a Sacrament! Because we desperately need God in the midst, as the glue between the couple, as the strength when we have no more strength on our own. He alone can transform our workaday marriage into something holy! Hence, we need that grace which comes, not from a Justice of the Peace, but from God.

Third, for commitment. Many young people are choosing not to get married at all, but just live together (a sinful state called cohabitation). It is often reasoned that we should “test-drive” a quasi-marriage before making a lifelong commitment (if we make one at all). But the problem with this is that we test-drive vehicles, not persons. I can use a vehicle; I can never use a person; as John Paul II said, “The only right response to a human person is love.” But love requires commitment – our hearts desire to have the security of knowing that a spouse will be beside us, no matter what comes. So to make that public declaration, in front of the Church, makes the commitment firm and unbreakable, because we have given our word in a solemn vow!

Fourth, for community. Marriage is a public event – thus, it should be celebrated, not just among family and friends, but in the midst of the most fundamental community we have – the Church. We need the prayers, not just the congratulations. We need to see that our marriage has a hugeimpact on building up the Church as a whole. Hence, being married in the Church situates our marriage within the overarching mission of the Church: the salvation of souls.



If you have kids or grandkids, please encourage them to be married in the Church! Not just for the good photos or to make grandma happy, but to ensure the validity, grace, and commitment of this sacred Sacrament!

Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will take place this year on September 27, 2025 at Holy Cross High School, CT. The Keynote speaker will be Dr. Ray Guarendi , CPM. This is a day of spiritual reflection, prayer, and fellowship with Catholic men from across the state. To access more information on this faith filled day please visit https://ctcatholicmen.org/.

If you wish to attend, the cost will be covered by St. Jude. 



For further questions please email Jim Bifulco at jbifulco@snet.net or call at 203-581-3071. This is an opportunity open to all the men of the parish. There may be a chance for carpooling also for this truly inspiring day.

MONDAY ADORATION RESUMES!

Our regular Monday Eucharistic Adoration resumes on September 8th! Every Monday from Labor Day to Memorial Day, our parish hosts Eucharistic Adoration, that we may draw near to our Eucharistic Lord. We need:

• Guardians who can commit to one consistent hour each week, making sure Our Lord is never left alone
• Substitutes who can fill-in, in case someone is sick or absent.
• 
  

You can sign up in the back of church, or at this Sign-Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A45ABA62FA0F49-monday

And even if you are unable to commit, please just come and visit Our Eucharistic Lord!

As St. Josemaria Escriva said: "When you approach the Eucharist, remember that He has been waiting two thousand years for you."

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors Meeting

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will resume their Joyful Journey on the 2nd Thursday of each month.

The October meeting will be on Thursday, October 9th at 1:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall.

All are welcome. No need to register.

Family News and Events

September Issue of Rooted Magazine

Here is the link for September's Rooted Magazine! 

We hope that everyone has had a great start back to school!

Saint Jude Moms Group Announcements

Join our Fall planning zoom meeting at 9 pm on Thursday 9/25

Fall Meeting Dates:

Thursdays 10/23 - 7:45 pm (after Novena Mass), 11/13 - 7 pm, and 12/18 - 7 pm

Email familyministry@stjuderc.org for more information

Parent Bible Study Begins 9/28 during 10:30 AM Religious Education

Parents are welcome to join our next Bible study, Thrive: an 8 Week Study to Grow with Christ in Your Life. You can preview the study here

All are welcome! Even if your child is not in religion on Sundays or you can't make it each week, you will get something out of coming (and you can also easily follow along at home in between). The group that met last year during religion on Sundays really enjoyed the Bible study format from He is Goodness. There is no homework or preparation required and no Bible experience is necessary. Email familyministry@stjuderc.org to join us!

Knights of Columbus News

Tootsie Roll Drive

More than two dozen Knights of Columbus volunteers were out in the community recently for the first half of their campaign to raise funds to help adults, teens, and children with intellectual disabilities. The campaign, known as the Tootsie Roll Drive, is an important fundraising event and a community outreach opportunity for our parish.

Knights of Columbus volunteers will again be collecting donations during the weekend of October 4^th and 5^th. You can find them in front of Stop & Shop, Capital Spirits and Dunkin Donuts in Monroe and Stop & Shop in Newtown. 100% of the donations collected will go toward Knights of Columbus programs, including 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.

Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs/Food Drive

The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring a Needs/Food, clothing, & diapers drive on Saturday October 25, 2025 from 8AM to 10:30AM. NO FURNITURE items are being collected. Please bring your donated items to the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall behind the Church. These items will be distributed to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Blessed Sacrament parish, & Hopeline. Since we no longer have a food pantry at St Jude's, all food collected for the drive will go to the Blessed Sacrament parish community which has a critical need for food.

To simplify our distribution process during the day of the drive, it would be much appreciated if you labelled your donated items in boxes & bags for Blessed Sacrament/Father Skip, Hopeline & Bridgeport Rescue. Please review the attached flyer for specific items needed for each.  Any questions, please contact Rocky Scali, 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn, 203-556-5016. THANK YOU

Men’s Bible Study will resume on Saturday September 27th. All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall, as we study the week’s Sunday readings.

For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

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.

GIFTOBERFEST! 

The Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will be hosting their GIFTOBERFEST! fundraiser taking place throughout the month of October.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to various causes that the Columbiettes sponsor - such as special needs camperships, Hopeline, Christmas baskets for the disadvantaged and other local charitable organizations. 

GIFTOBERFEST! Is a raffle that consists of a daily drawing from October 1-31, 2025. Each day a gift card in various denominations will be awarded to a lucky winner. Participants can win multiple times. Raffle tickets will be $10.00 each and are good for the entire month.

The Columbiettes will be selling tickets after Saturday and Sunday masses at St. Jude’s Church at 707 Monroe Turnpike throughout September or if you would like to purchase a ticket and cannot attend mass, please contact Elizabeth Edgerton at 203-258-3354 or Jan DeMayo at 203-520-9796 or you can email eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

For additional information, please call (203) 258-3354 or e-mail eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

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 gently used 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, Chris McCarthy

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention..

Our Petition for September is:

  for Catechists and Students

We pray for all students as a new school year begins. 

We celebrate and honor the Ministry of Catechists who teach and form others in our Catholic faith. Our Religious Education classes begin September 21st,

Catechetical Sunday, dedicated this year to "Christ Our Hope".  

We ask Christ to bless all those attending Faith Formation Programs...

     We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for September 20 – September 28

Sat      Sept 20           4:30pm           Deceased members of the

Carlson and DelMastro Families

Sun     Sept 21           7:30am          St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Sept 21           9:30am           The Guerrera Family

Sun     Sept 21           11:30am         Luis and Elvira Ferreira and

Jennifer Cannon

                                                          Doug Stevens

                                                          Helen Tuccio

                                                                                                                                   Mon   Sept 22            9:00am          Tom Buzi

Tue     Sept 23           9:00am          Anthony and Lucy Casola

Wed   Sept 24            9:00am          Rose Scali

Thu     Sept 25           9:00am          Dolores McGee

Fri      Sept 26            9:00am           Joan Day

Sat. Sept 27           4:30pm           Mary and Margaret Gallager

Sun     Sept 28           7:30am          Ben Seamons

Sun     Sept 28           9:30am           Edward Fagan

Sun     Sept 28           11:30am         St Jude Parishioners

                                                          Doug Stevens

                                                          Helen Tuccio

                                                          Deceased members of the

Knights of Columbus

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       TTabernacle Candle: In memory of Andrew Henn

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.