Reflection from Fr. Joseph

This past Saturday, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away peacefully in Rome at the age of 95.

For me, it is hard to put into words the life of Pope Benedict. It was not an easy time to lead the Catholic Church, and his tenure both as the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and as Pope were challenging to him, I'm sure. He always struck me as a simple man who was a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord. His towering intellect and clear writing made him rise up through the hierarchy quickly, but ambition for the sake of power was never Joseph Ratzinger's way. From humble beginnings in Bavaria, he seemed to keep always the simple faith of his childhood, deepened but not diminished by his theological studies and acumen. He was present at the Second Vatican Council, and became known as a prolific author and professor before being named a Bishop and Cardinal in 1977.

Always faithful to what the Church required of him, he accepted the unenviable job of Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in 1981. This was, perhaps, the most difficult job in the Church, as his role was to make sure that theologians taught and promoted only theology that was faithful to what Christ and the Church had always taught. At times, this required him to censure certain theologians and books, to publish clarifications and criticisms, and to defend Church teaching from the encroaching secularism in the world. This earned him the ire of many in the mainstream media, who gave him the uncharitable moniker of "God's Rottweiler". He had even petitioned Pope John Paul II for permission to leave the office and become the Vatican's archivist, a much less demanding and less controversial position - but JPII refused the request, knowing that Cardinal Ratzinger was the only man with the courage and the intellectual prowess to faithfully defend and hand on the Church's perennial teachings, no matter how the modern world would receive (or reject) them.

God looks for servants such as these, who will refuse Him nothing. And He often gives even bigger tasks to these faithful servants. Much to his surprise, he was elected to succeed Pope John Paul II upon his death in 2005. Naturally reluctant and reserved, Pope Benedict had the challenge of following perhaps the most charismatic and popular Pope in history. How does one fill the shoes of JP II? He couldn't imitate his beloved predecessor - he had to be himself, with all of his quiet, bookish ways. This did not necessarily endear him to the media or public opinion, but those who observed him closely saw a man who had a profound love for Jesus Christ and a deep compassion and love for the People of God.

These are not easy times to be leading the Church, but Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict did so with clarity and charity. Knowing that truth and love are inseparable, Benedict's first Encyclical letter (a letter written to the entire church) was called "Deus Caritas Est" (God is Love) and he followed it with one called "Caritas in Veritate" (Truth in Love). He pushed back strongly against secularism (the belief that society no longer needs God) and relativism (the belief that there is no such thing as objective truth, but that we get to make up our own truths). For Benedict, Truth is not merely an idea, but a Person: the Person of Jesus Christ. He emphasized the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the World, and the closest Friend of each individual believer.

Some have criticized his handling of the sexual abuse crisis, which broke under his watch as Prefect of the CDF. This is a complicated issue, and it is dangerous to judge the past with the eyes of the present. His track record of working to eliminate this heinous crime is well-documented. On several occasions, Cardinal Ratzinger went against the Vatican in order to investigate and dismiss abusers from the priesthood. He truly recognized the evil of predator priests and made tough decisions to prosecute them.

It was with great reluctance that he accepted the papacy (famously, as the ballots were being counted in the Sistine chapel during the conclave, he later recalled: "At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me'...Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me!"), and it was with great humility that in 2013 he laid it down, spending his final years in prayer. Perhaps he will be remembered as the first Pope who retired in over 600 years, but he deserves to be remembered for so much more than that. He was a man who gave it all to Christ and the Church, accepting difficult assignments with humility, teaching the truth in love, and truly being that "good shepherd" who lays down his life for his sheep.

Personally, Pope Benedict has been a profound spiritual father to me. His books on Jesus Christ have deepened my own understanding of the Lord. His example has been a shining light of clarity and truth in a confusing, opaque world. To me, he radiated simplicity and holiness - a true beacon shining Christ's light upon a weary world. He will be greatly missed!!

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, requiscat in pace.

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.

January 15th - 12:30-2:00 in the Social Hall

Chili Cookoff Contest with tailgate foods as well. We hope to have 15-20 contestants - so if Chili is your specialty, please come! PLEASE note on our Signup Genius that you will also be participating in the contest when you register to join the festivities. We would appreciate finger foods, snacks or desserts to share.

SIGNUP GENIUS CLICK HERE

Parish News

Welcome Fr. Claudiu!

For the entire history of St. Jude's until the Summer of 2020, our parish has always been served by two (and sometimes three) priests. We are grateful that Bishop Caggiano has assigned a Parochial Vicar here! Starting January 1, Fr. Claudiu will be joining us as our assistant. He is originally from Romania, and will be a great asset to our parish.

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. "

St Jude & St Stephen Seniors

The Seniors will continue their monthly “joyful journey with God” on Thursday, January 12^th at 1:00 PM in the Social Hall.

All who consider themselves a senior are welcome!

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 [email protected] and he can sign you up. Hope to see you there.

Scouts, BSA Troop 203 OPEN HOUSE

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  [email protected] for more information or call/txt (203)540-9279.

Please note the new date of the previously announced "Pedals, Pipes, & Pizza" event is now January 14, 2023 at 1:30 P.M. in the Church.  There is no "snow date" scheduled due to our very busy schedule. 

From the Organ Bench

"Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza!"

Saturday, January 14, 2022

1:30 P.M. - Church and Social Hall

Our younger parishioners are invited to a fun and interactive program featuring St. Jude's beautiful Cassavant Ferres Pipe Organ! Any student, especially those interested in music or currently taking lessons, are encouraged to RSVP. Students will go on a tour of the instrument, actually going into the pipe chambers, learn how the instrument works, listen to me play several concert pieces to feature specific sounds, and finally get to play the instrument! With supervision, there is nothing they can break. After an approximate 45 minute program, we will have pizza and light refreshments in the Social Hall. The "Pedal, Pipes, and Pizza" presentation is a nationally recognized program from the American Guild of Organist for which I am a member and have been trained to facilitate. Its ultimate goal is to build interest in the instrument with the hope of recruiting the next generation of organists. RSVP via email, please, to [email protected]. To allow the program to run smoothly and plan for the pizza and goodies, I have to limit the group to 20 students of reading to high school age level. If a wait list occurs, I am willing to run another program in the new year. Please see me with any questions you may have!

 - Lou 

January's Family Newsletter is now available! - Click above

Upcoming Family Events

Family Game and Trivia Night - Be on the lookout for announcements soon!

Save the Date

St Jude's Vacation Bible School will be June 26-30, 2023 8:30 am to 12:30 pm for children entering Grades 1-6. Registration will open soon.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Thursday 1/26 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

Kid's Club THIS SUNDAY 1/8 - Next Encounter Friday 1/13

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.

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 7         8:30am                 Todd Kuhns

Sat    Jan 7          4:00pm                Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Jan 8         7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 8          9:30am                 Sime and Drina Jovic

Sun   Jan 8          11:30am               Dorothy Murren

Mon  Jan 9          9:00am                 Maria Emilia Monteiro

Tue   Jan 10        9:00am                 Albert Cerelli

Wed  Jan 11        9:00am                 Rita Venables

Thu   Jan 12         9:00am                 Beverly Roh         

Fri    Jan 13         9:00am                 Frank Kromholz

Sat    Jan 14         4:00pm                Antoinette and Patrick O’Malley

Sun   Jan 15        7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 15         9:30am                 Stanley Sobieraj

Sun   Jan 15         11:30am               Anna and Ralph Lavenziana

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 )

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 [email protected].

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.