Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Wouldn’t it be great to know the future?

Well, maybe…but then again, keeping the future shrouded in mystery is part of what makes life full of unexpected surprises. We are forced to trust in God when we don’t know what tomorrow brings! It is for this reason that any sort of fortune-telling has always been forbidden by the Lord.

Even before Israel had taken possession of the Holy Land, God knew that divination (the seeking of hidden knowledge) would be a temptation for His people. Thus, in Deuteronomy, He says through Moses: “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)

As Israel’s history continued this prohibition stood…until King Saul really needed to consult the dead. He was in dire straits, with his enemies surrounding him on every side, and no prophet to turn to. So he visits a witch in Endor, asking her to summon the recently-deceased prophet Samuel. She does so – but the prophet is not pleased to be summoned, and prophesied that due to his sin, Saul would be joining him in the grave before the day is out! (See 1 Samuel 28).

Now, as in days of yore, people still seek supernatural knowledge through divination. Mediums, psychics, tarot card readers, Ouija boards, palm-readers, horoscopes and astrology…people are often seeking to know the future for their own benefit. But these things are grave mortal sins – even to do for “fun” - for several reasons.

First, there are only two people who know the future: God and the devil (actually, the Evil One does not know the future with absolute certitude, but he is an extremely good guesser and is usually pretty accurate). So any seeking of knowledge of the future apart from God is to ask the Evil One. Even psychics who claim to have “supernatural powers” or games like a Ouija board which seem rather innocent are anything but – there is always an element of the demonic involved!

For example, did you know that the movie “The Exorcist” was based on a real story? In the true story that inspired the movie, it was a boy who had gotten possessed…by using a Ouija board. I had a friend who was at a party where a Ouija board was being played. He got rather uncomfortable by the game and so went out to his car where he had a blessed scapular (a brown cloth with an image of Our Lady), which he put underneath his shirt before heading back into the party. As soon as he walked back in, the board spelled out, “I…SMELL…GOD”. He thought to himself, “This stuff is for real! I’m outta here!”…and got out of that party as fast as he could!

When a medium conjures up a deceased loved one, how do we know it is truly them and not a demon imitating them? Do we really know what spirits we are connecting with through a Ouija board? This is a way in which the Evil One, unwittingly, weaves his way into people’s lives.

But a second reason why it’s a grave sin to practice divination is because it destroys our trust in God! A true Christian knows that God’s plan will be manifested gradually. We should pray to discover God’s will, but with complete trust that He will reveal what we need to know, when we need to know it.

There have been times that God has revealed supernatural knowledge to the saints. For example, Bl. Carlo Acutis knew exactly when he would die. St. John Vianney would sometimes know whether a deceased person was in Heaven, Hell or Purgatory. St. Padre Pio would know if anyone was holding back a secret sin while making their Confession. But these were rare cases where God Himself revealed the knowledge to His servants – they never sought it out on their own.

So, as we continue our October leading up to Halloween parties and the focus on all things supernatural, let’s allow the future to remain a mystery! Divination, even for fun, brings us in league with the Evil One. So, instead, we trust God and allow the future to remain a mystery. The good news is that the God who has blessed us in the past and continues to sustain us in the present will also be there for us in the future, no matter what comes!

Parish News

St. Jude Novena!

Our annual tradition has returned! The St. Jude's Novena, leading up to the great Feast of St. Jude on October 28th. Starting October 20, we have a special 7pm Mass each day with guest preachers. Please plan to join us for a 7pm Mass on the following days, to get ready for our great patronal feast:

Thursday, Oct 20 - Fr. Eric Silva

Friday, October 21 - Fr. Skip

Monday, October 24 - Fr. Krzysztof

Tuesday, October 25 - Fr. Chris Ford

Wednesday, October 26 - Fr. Henry Hoffman

Thursday, October 27 - Msgr. Bob Weiss

Friday, October 28 - Fr. Joseph Gill

Join Us Virtually for the Novena!

Unable to get to some of the Novena Masses? Join us virtually, as all of the Novena Masses will be livestreamed on St. Jude's website at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html

APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS  DRIVE

We are having our annual CHRISTMAS DRIVE for the Children and Families of WHITLEY CITY, KENTUCKY

We are asking for Walmart GIFT CARD’S (ONLY) OR ANY MONETARY GIFTS DONATIONS would be appreciative..

Here at ST.JUDE WE ALWAYS DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION CHURCH

OUR DRIVE WILL RUN 10-17th THRU 10-30th

    THANK YOU        MISSION COMMITTEE  

All Saints Day

All Saints Day is a joyous Holy Day of Obligation where we celebrate all the holy men and women who have won the Victory and who have made it home to Heaven! Masses will be 4pm on October 31 (Vigil Mass), 9am and 7pm on November 1 (The Feast of all Saints). All Catholics are obliged - and have the privilege - of attending Mass this day!

All Souls Day - Pray for the Dead

It is an ancient tradition to offer prayers for the dead on the Feast of All Souls - so come and join fellow parishioners to do just that! On November 2nd, we will meet at St. Jude's at 4pm and carpool to a graveyard (St. John's) to offer prayers for the souls of the dead. All are welcome to join us!

AMERICA NEEDS FATIMA ROSARY RALLY

A most sincere thanks to the Cardozo family: Luca who brought the Rally to our Parish, and his family who joined us in prayer - from his 7 yrs-old granddaughter to his 100 years-old father! Such a testament for a Culture for Life in our Country!

We also thank the 32 Rosary warriors who gave witness by praying for an end to abortion, and for all the division and disorder in our Country to end, that we may become the people God has created us to be.

Announcing a Mothers Holiday Gathering

When: Friday 12/9 at 7:30 pm

Where: St. Jude Social Hall

What: Get in the holiday spirit by making a Board and Brush Christmas sign and enjoy some time to get to know other moms at St Jude's

Who: All moms are welcome!

RSVP to Jessica Iannotta by 11/30 to order your project in time for the event

SAVE THE DATE:

Parish Pilgrimage to St Margaret's Shrine 

Saturday 11/26 from 12-2 pm

For more information, e-mail Jessica Iannotta

To learn more about the Shrines see here

Download the map of the Shrines on the property

Introducing Mary's Messengers Prayer Group

All kids are invited to join a special children’s 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. Starting Wednesday 10/19*. If your child would be interested in participating, contact Jessica Iannotta

*Mothers interested in joining the Wednesday evening Walking with Purpose Bible study whose children attend 6:30 pm religion class can have children attend the prayer group followed by religion while they attend bible study from 6:00-7:30.  PRAYER GROUP WILL BE DURING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DAYS ONLY.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting this Wednesday 10/26 at 7 pm. We will attend the St Jude Novena together in the church and then meet down afterwards.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 11/2 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Vote for our next book club book here.

Save the Date: Holiday Get Together and Board and Brush Event - Friday 12/9 at 7:30 pm.  To RSVP and order your project, e-mail Jessica Iannotta

Youth Encounter nights start September 16th, see you there!  Youth Night of Service Friday 10/21 7 PM

MAGNIFICAT

A Ministry to Catholic Women invites you to a prayer breakfast on Saturday November 12th, 9:30-12:30 at 

Tashua Knolls

40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull CT  

Our Guest speaker, Louise Carson, will share her testimony and lifelong ministry and devotion to God. 

Cost $25.00 per person, reservations required by October 31, 2022. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, please call

Carol Flynn  203-775-3875 or email  magnificatthmi@gmail.com

Invitation is available in the Women's Ministry Section of the Diocese of Bridgeport website.  

Tickets are available on Eventbrite or Use your phone camera, hover over QR Code and it will take you directly to Eventbrite to register for the Breakfast

By attending a Magnificat meal, a woman hears the witness at her table or as a speaker and is encouraged to stay the course of faith during difficult times. At a Magnificat meal, we give praise to God in song, in scripture and in prayerful teachings that lift our spirits. It is truly a wonderful opportunity for women to meet and greet other women as Mary did when she greeted Elizabeth. It is awesome to witness the transformation of women from when they come into the breakfast and when they leave. There is such love in the room and we all become Sister's in Christ. After hearing a testimony of one’s life it gives the listener hope and joy that God is ever so present in their own life.

Please remember to invite your friends, relatives, church members, and even strangers to this event.  We are hoping to get more than 200 women to witness and experience what love, faith, and mercy can bring to their lives.

The Knights of Columbus will once again sponsor the Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs Drive on Saturday October 29, 2022 from 8:00am to 10:30am. Your donated items of Food, Clothing, Furniture, Diapers, & Wipes can be brought to the front of Monsignor Sabia Social Hall. They will be distributed to the St Jude pantry, Blessed Sacrament parish, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, & Hopeline. 

Although the coronavirus has lessened, we still have certain limitations on items being collected so please refer to the attached flyer (click on image below). To minimize contact & ease of distribution, we ask that you label the contents of your donated items in bags & boxes brought in your vehicles. For furniture items, we are hoping that most parishioners can bring these items directly to St Jude's on the day of the drive & we will help with unloading. If furniture transportation is not possible, we will make a limited amount of pickups only on the day of the drive. We would also appreciate it if the furniture to be picked up is located in your garage or driveway for easy access. Any questions, please contact Rocky Scali at 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn at 203-556-5016.

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, Michael Serke, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Violeta Shala, Vito Melfi, Amanda Alarcon, Patti F. , Anne DeVita and Anna Harper

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 October is:

As we celebrate RESPECT FOR LIFE Month,

may we reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect all life from conception until natural death,

     We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat Oct 22        4:00pm               William, Marjorie & Margaret Gray

Sun  Oct 23       7:30am               St Jude Parishioners

Sun  Oct 23       9:30am               Deceased members of the

                                                         Bonitatibus and Tranzillo families

Sun  Oct  23    11:30am        Pacelli Family

Mon Oct 24       7:00pm               In Thanksgiving to St Jude

Tue Oct 25        7:00pm               Chris and Troy Parenteau

Wed Oct 26       7:00pm               Carol Lee Dorwart

Thu  Oct 27       7:00pm               Ruby Lynch

Fri Oct 28          7:00pm               Andrew Henn

Sat Oct 29         4:00pm               Vincenzina and Pasquale Ponporiero

Sun  Oct 30       7:30am               Andrew Vill

Sun  Oct 30       9:30am               St Jude Parishioners

Sun  Oct  30    11:30am             James Tierney, Sr.

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of the Dantas Family during October

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.

Monday through Thursday 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 Mass 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 mjrob08@gmail.com.

St. John XXIII Council 5987

5^th Sunday Rosary

October 30

12:30 PM in the church 

Please Join Us

Pope Francis October Intention



A Church Open to Everyone

This is a New Program to help bring parishioners to gather in a spiritual activity and promote devotion to Mary. St. John XXIII Council will be participating in this program throughout our Fraternal Year.

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.