Reflection from Fr. Joseph

As the dark, cold days of midwinter drag on, many people suffer in their mental health. There is a disorder, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which causes many people to be depressed due to lack of sunlight. Even apart from that particular disorder, many people find wintertime to be tough to keep their good cheer. In seminary we were always told, “Make no major decisions in February!” because of how depressed we all became! Despite February being the shortest month, it certainly seems like the longest as the cold days, dirty snow, and darkness drag on.

But whenever someone struggles mentally – whether it be depression, anxiety, traumas, grief, addictions, or any other mental health issue - there are some wonderful Catholic counselors in our local area who offer mental health integrated with our Catholic Faith. Since body, mind, and soul are deeply intertwined, it is critical to treat all three when one suffers a mental health struggle, which is why it is important to choose a counselor who has a Catholic worldview and can bring prayer, the Sacraments, and the spiritual life into their counseling practice. 

Dr. Timothy Lock is a parishioner and therapist who runs the Goretti Center in Brookfield (www.goretticenter.com). He is internationally known and frequently gives conferences about living an integrated life. He even offers free mental health resources on his website: https://www.goretticenter.com/resources/ . 

Lauren Buckley is another parishioner whose counseling practice, Quiet Light Counseling, integrates Catholicism with sound mental health principles. Even the name of her practice comes from the beautiful song, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman.” She practices in Wilton, and focuses on premarital and marriage counseling, families and postpartum issues. You can find her on the web at www.quietlightcounseling.com . 

Another recent arrival to the local Catholic scene is Eric Zeitler, who is a parishioner at St. Rose in Newtown but whose practice is local here in Monroe. He leads EZ Therapy (it took me a while to realize it wasn’t “easy” therapy but rather his initials!). He focuses on addiction counseling, individual counseling, and recovery. Much of his work is via video-chat, but he does have an office locally for in-person therapy. You can find out more info at www.eztherapy.llc . 

Finally, if one looks further afield, we are blessed in this state to have the fantastic Catholic Psych Institute based out of Greenwich, CT. This is a huge staff of counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists who are cutting-edge in their holistic approach, integrating the best mental health practices with a truly Catholic anthropology. I highly recommend their work, and their website has many great resources for your mental health journey: www.catholicpsych.com . 

As human beings composed of body, mind, and spirit, we need to take care of all three to have a sense of well-being in life. If one of the three is out-of-sorts, we will find distress and illness. So if you are in need of a good Catholic therapist for whatever reason, these are some local options to accompany you to healing. May they bring you to wholeness…and holiness. 

Parish News

PRO-LIFE MINISTRY

January is National PRO-LIFE Month.

There are many opportunities for everyone to participate in saving the lives of our precious preborn babies.

You may wish to participate in the 9-Days-for Life Novena from January 16-24.

(9daysforlife.com)

Please pray for the safety of all those participating in the MARCH FOR LIFE in

Wash., D.C. on January 19th.

On January 22nd, please join in praying with

the USCCB, the DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE UNBORN.

Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, may we soon see an end to the tragedy of abortions in our Country and our World.

Women of the parish – are you making a resolution this year to get closer to God; perhaps to read more of the Bible? If so, we invite you to join us for the WWP Bible Study, Opening Your Heart. It is a journey closer to God that will point us to principles to help us manage life’s pace and pressure while living with calm and steadiness, through the study of Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church. 

We offer two sessions, both meeting in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall:

Friday mornings from 9:30 - 11   (beginning Jan. 5)

OR Wednesday evenings from 6 – 7:30 (beginning Jan. 10)

To join Friday contact Mary Beth Rauser at mbrauser@hotmail.com

To join Wednesday contact: Annette Bonomo  at abonomo200@earthlink.net

Family News and Updates

Save the Dates for 2024 Family Ministry Events!

Feb 13, 5:30 pm: Mardi Gras Family Game night is back!  Pizza will be served.

March 10: Family Formation Bible Workshop

May 5, 2:30 pm: 2nd Annual Bingo with the Sisters of Nazareth (more info to be announced soon)

May: Women's Craft Night - Making Wooden Wall Rosary Holders! Date coming soon

June 17-21: Camp Adore VBS for children entering grades 1-6 (registration will open next month)

email Jessica if you have any ideas for events you would like to see in 2024!

Youth Encounters

All of our young people grades 6-12 are invited to join us for our Youth Encounters! These nights of games, food, fun, prayer, fellowship, and honest conversation about our Catholic Faith have been awesome...come and join us for a new year! This year for the first time, we'll be having separate tracks for high school and middle school. 7-9 pm at St. Jude Social Hall.

Please click on the image to view the flyer.

Knights of Columbus News

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PASTA DINNER

HOSTED BY THE 4^TH DEGREE

SATURDAY Jan. 13th at 5:30 pm

Msgr. John Sabia SOCIAL HALL

$12.00 per person; $10.00 for seniors

$30.00 for a family of 4 ($5.00 each additional family member)

Ziti, Meatballs, Sausages & Pepperoni

Salad, Garlic Bread, Desserts, Drinks, BYOB

Tickets Will Be Sold After Masses On Jan. 6 & 7

Tickets at the door Or PLEASE CALL KEVIN DONOVAN - 203-570-4372

50% of net proceeds will be donated to The Homes for the Brave

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Announcing the 2023 Keep Christ in Christmas

Poster Contest Winners!

The Knights of Columbus would like to thank all of the young people who participated in the poster contest. The Knights anonymously selected three winners from the poster entries: Faith Sideleau, Abigail Iannotta and Mila Wuchek. These three posters have been submitted to the national contest. Congratulations to these young artists!

To view the winning posters, click here!

Red Cross Blood Donation Drive

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a blood donation drive in the Social Hall on Saturday, January 27th, from 8 AM until 1 PM. Those parishioners who wish to donate may schedule a donation time by visiting www.redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767 (1-800- RED CROSS).

Mom's Group Announcements

INVITING ALL PARENTS (mothers and fathers) to our 2024 monthly Zoom Rosaries on the First Wednesdays at 9 pm. Please email Jessica Iannotta for more information. To submit prayer intentions for our monthly Rosaries, click here.

Next Mom's Group meeting Thursday January 25 at 7:30 pm in the social hall. New members are always welcome!

Saint Jude's traveling statue of

the Holy Family is in need of hosts for 2024!

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!

Click here to sign up

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on size newborn and wipes, as well as bottles and pacifiers. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers 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. As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

Should you wish to provide a gift to Hopeline that would help save a life here is the link to their Gift Catalog:

Gift Catalog | Hopeline PRC | Bridgeport, CT

Food Pantry



Our Christmas distribution was a great success! This would not have been possible without your continued support. However, our pantry is now depleted of many staple items. Please consider dropping off the following items of greatest need as you come to Mass this Christmas season: peanut butter and jelly, pancake mix and pancake syrup, canned tuna, oatmeal and pasta, pasta, pasta. Blessings and a joyous Christmas to all. 

Please remember in your daily prayers:

David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, John Sansone, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman, Frank Kerekes, Marian Nanchy, Rosario Pacheco, Antonia Tedeschi, Charles Metoyer, Liz Guaglianone, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Judy Thomas, Barbara Tranchese, Ed Brady, Mary Lopresti, Lou DiMartino, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet C, Larry Pisani, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Michael Merola & Family, Martha Mencseli, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Becky M., Flo Guite, George Goss, Michael J. Russell



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:

For those who will be participating in the March for Life and witnessing to the rights of our pre-born babies, that God may guide and protect them...

     We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions for  January 13 – January 21

Sat    Jan 13         4:30pm       Beverly Roh

Sun  Jan 14         7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 14         9:30am       Ellen Claire White

Sun  Jan 14         11:30am     Ashe and Eddy Family Members

Mon  Jan 15         9:00am       Vito Melfi

Tue   Jan 16         9:00am      Aida Cardozo       

Wed  Jan 17         9:00am      Pat and Antoinette O’Malley

Thu   Jan 18         9:00am       Louis Nicholas Abriola

Sat    Jan 20         4:30pm       Jose Rosa

Sun  Jan 21         7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 21         9:30am       Robin Bova

Sun  Jan 21         11:30am     Harriet Kilpatrick

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Dom Arribas during the month of January

Adoration Candles: In memory of Mary Charlotte Braccio during the month of   

                              January

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Thursday) 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.

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses ) Please note that the link is slightly changed from the previous link due to the change in the website.

Men’s Bible Study

The Men’s Bible Study will begin meeting September 23, on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM, in the school building. Each week we will take up the readings for that weekend. All men of the parish are welcome. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

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.

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group . Email Jessica for more information

We 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: 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.