Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Our ancestors (particularly the Celts) were much more attuned to the natural rhythms of the seasons. In addition to the seasons, they celebrated Christian festivals on or near the four “Quarter Days” – the midpoint between the seasons. For example, All Saints Day is approximately the midpoint between the beginning of Autumn and the beginning of Winter. Likewise, February 2 is an important feast day that marks the approximate half-way point of winter.

In the Church, we know it as Candlemas day. About 40 days after Christmas, this feast (also known as the Presentation of Our Lord) celebrates the day that baby Jesus was presented in the Temple. It is an ancient feast, dating back to the fourth century. Many cultures celebrate it with different customs – for example, crepes are served in France, with the disc-like pancakes memorializing the return of the sun. In many cultures, this is the official end of the Christmas season, as decorations stay up until this feast day.

We also bless candles at Masses this day (hence the name Candlemas). The Gospel for the day features Simeon calling Jesus “the light” which will reveal God’s salvation to the Israelites – hence, the tradition which has developed to bless candles. We will also host this tradition at St. Jude’s – please bring any personal candles which you have to Mass on Thursday, February 2 for a very special blessing of candles during Mass! Also following Mass we will have a special Holy Hour to mark the day, from 9:30am-10:30am. All are invited to celebrate this great feast with us!

It is with great joy that we invite you to participate in the many celebrations and activities planned throughout this coming year to celebrate our Parish 50th Anniversary. Please see the Schedule of planned events:

My Dear Friends in Christ,

“One in Christ” is the theme of the 2023 Bishop’s Appeal, and I believe this message is more important than ever as we work toward unity in our Church and in our society. In that spirit, I ask you to consider the many ways the Appeal unites the diocese in service, compassion, and faith.

All of the good works we perform are accomplished in the name of Christ and are expressions of our oneness in Him. As we work toward the renewal of the diocese, our task is nothing less than to invite people into the mystical Body of Christ by creating welcoming, vital and loving communities of faith. The Bishop’s Appeal is an important vehicle to make that possible, by advancing our mission of engagement and accompaniment.

This year’s Appeal goal of $8.1 million remains unchanged from last year. Thank you for your past support for our programs and ministries, and all you do for your parish, other families and those you may never meet. It is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that I once again ask for your generous support of the 2023 Bishop’s Appeal.

In this year of Eucharistic Revival, please join in an effort that heals wounds, gives us hope, and brings us together as one family in Christ. May Our Lord bless you always, and be assured that you and your loved ones are remembered in my daily prayers.

Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano

Bishop of Bridgeport

Annual Bishop's Appeal Brochure and Home QR

Parish News

Ignatian Parish Pilgrimage

Save the Dates



St. Jude and St. Stephen parishes are sponsoring an Ignatian Parish Pilgrimage for Lent, which is designed to foster a healthy and active spiritual life. 

The dates are March 4^th, 11^th, 18^th  & 25^th with April 1^st as a “snow date”. The time is 10:30 AM to 12 PM.



Stay tuned for more information.

Food Pantry Update

“Through your continued generosity our shelves are filling up, but we are light on a few staples. Items in greatest need are canned chili, oatmeal, coffee, tea, pasta and canned tuna. Please consider these items when thinking of our pantry. "

Blood Donation Drive

The Knights of Columbus Council 5982 is sponsoring a blood donation drive for the benefit of the Red Cross. The drive is being held in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall on Saturday, January 28th between 8 AM and 12:45 PM. Many slots are currently available but will fill up fast as the drive approaches. You can sign up to donate by going to www.redcross.org and follow leads to the January 28 drive in Monroe (06468). Or email Frank Flynn at bynumrun@hotmail.com and he can sign you up. Hope to see you there.

Scouts, BSA Troop 203 OPEN HOUSE (Tonight!)

Scouts, BSA Troop 203, chartered by ST Jude Church, will be having an open house at 7:00PM January 27. Boys between 11 and 18 please come and check out the fun of outdoor activities. For more information please contact our Assistant Scoutmaster at  Peter.F.Cavanaugh@gmail.com for more information or call/txt (203)540-9279.

SAVE THE DATE: Scout Sunday will be celebrated Sunday 2/12 at the 11:30 am Mass. Email Jessica Iannotta if your child would like to help bring up the gifts.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers. They are currently very low on the newborn size and baby wipes. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers in the outer vestibule of the church. Monetary donations as well as gift cards from Amazon, Target and grocery stores. As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated.

St. John XXIII Council 5987

Family Rosary

Sunday January 29th

Following 11:30AM Mass

Open to all Parishioners

Adults and Children

Please Join Us

Pope Francis January 2023 prayer intention

For Educators

We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.

Sponsored by the K of C to Help Promote the Praying of the Rosary on a Regular Basis. St. John XXIII Council 5987 will be Participating in this Program Throughout Our Fraternal Year.

Bring home Saint Jude's traveling statue of the Holy Family starting next month.

Materials will be included to do a 7-day preparation for Consecration to the Holy Family.  To learn more, visit: https://afc.org/family-consecration/

May God bless you and your family through the intercession of the Holy Family!

Living Stations of the Cross

After a three-year hiatus, we’re pleased to announce that St. Jude’s is bringing back the Living Stations of the Cross. The Living Stations will be performed in a more limited and scaled-back form than the elaborate and ambitious productions that the parish became known for over the course of 30 years before the coronavirus pandemic.

Anyone school age or above who is interested in participating, either onstage or in a supporting capacity, is encouraged to join us for an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, in the Social Hall. Rehearsals will primarily be on Sunday evenings during Lent. Email Peter Blair at peter.j.blair@gmail.com if you have any questions. Pete has come forward to take this on with the blessing of longtime director Donna Cramond, who is stepping back after two decades but will continue to be involved behind the scenes.

Save the Date

St Jude's Camp Adore Vacation Bible School will be June 26-30, 2023 8:30 am to 12:30 pm for children entering Grades 1-6. This year's theme is "Summer with the Sacred Heart". Registration will open soon. Email Jessica Iannotta for more information or if you are interested in volunteering.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Thursday 1/23 at 7:30 pm. Note change to Thursdays and later start time.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 2/1 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Youth Encounter and Kid's Club Reminders

Next Encounter 1/28 (Pizza and Praise) & Next Kid's Club 2/5

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Marie Micholovich, Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Violeta Shala, Vito Melfi, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman, Frank Kerekes, Marian Nanchy, Rose C., Joseph T., Rosario Pacheco, Antonia Tedeschi

All healthcare workers, first responders, caregivers and the men and women in the military.

If you have anyone that you would like to add to the list, please call the office or email with the name to be added.

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention. 

Our Petition for January is:

God so loved us that He gave us His Son as a baby at Christmas. During this month dedicated to saving all preborn babies, may we remember how precious the life of each child is to God as we pray to end abortions...

      We Pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    Jan 28         4:00pm                Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Jan 29        7:30am                 Francis H. Keegan, Jr.

Sun   Jan 29         9:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 29         11:30am               Father Paul Merry

Mon  Jan 30         9:00am                 Thomas Weiss

Tue   Jan 31        9:00am                 Thomas M. Mason

Wed  Feb 1        9:00am                 Denis and Michael Gallagher

Thu   Feb 2          9:00am                 Rose and Erich Weingerl

Fri    Feb 3          9:00am                 Jennifer Cannon

Sat    Feb 4          8:30am                 Frederick Biondi  

Sat    Feb 4          4:00pm                Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Feb 5         7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Feb 5          9:30am                 Tina Pechulis

Sun   Feb 5          11:30am               Deceased members of the Tranzillo Family

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of James Duva during the month of January.

If the 9:00 am Weekday mass is not listed, an intention has not been requested. Also, there are no public Masses on Friday mornings.

Weekday Masses will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed.

The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Only the Saturday Mass at 4:00 pm and the Sunday 7:30 am and 9:30 Masses are live streamed.

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )

Rosary Making Ministry

The Rosary making ministry is making rosaries for the sick of the parish and anyone who would like one. We have been making hand knotted rosaries for the past year. If you would like to join us, we meet on Wednesdays at 1:30 in the social hall. Please contact Karen Talloni 203-952-3451 or email mrcrasuv@yahoo.com

Men’s Bible Study

All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the School Meeting Room beginning September 17, as we study the Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group Conveniently in between Wednesday’s Religious Education class sessions from 6-6:30 pm. We will learn to say the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other special prayers for the intentions of our families and Parish.

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

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: Gifts and cards, statues, rosaries and more.

Come in and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261-6404.