Reflection from Fr. Joseph

This coming week, we celebrate the Feast of St. Jude. He is certainly one of the most-beloved saint, in large part because he is the patron of impossible causes. He was given this designation because his name is so similar to Judas Iscariot that as you go down the list to pray for saintly intercessors, you had to be pretty desperate to pray to him!

But it got me wondering, what are some other random patron saints? We’ve had some real doozies – here are some of the more strange and crazy ones! (Full disclosure – I looked it up on AI and here’s what it gave me):

• St. Drogo is the patron saint of unattractive people (as well as coffeehouse keepers and cattle). After developing a severe, disfiguring skin disease in his youth, he became a hermit to spare others the sight of his appearance.

• St. Fiacre is the patron saint of gardeners and taxi drivers, but he is also famously invoked by those suffering from hemorrhoids (historically referred to as "St. Fiacre's curse") due to the intense physical labor and long hours spent kneeling in his garden.

• St. Arnold of Soissons is the patron saint of beer brewers. During a plague, he famously advised local parishioners to avoid the contaminated water and drink beer instead, which was safe due to the boiling and fermentation process.

• St. Isidore of Seville is recognized as a patron saint of the internet and computer users, chosen because he compiled an enormous early encyclopedia (Etymologiae) intended to hold all human knowledge.

• St. Vitus is the patron saint of oversleeping, dancers, and those afflicted with "St. Vitus' Dance" (sydenham chorea). He is prayed to by heavy sleepers who need to wake up on time.

• St. Bibiana serves as the patron saint of hangovers, headaches, and epilepsy, largely through traditional folk associations with her intercession against dizziness and nervous system ailments.

• St. Gabriel Possenti is a patron saint of marksmen and handgun owners. A young Passionist seminarian, he famously drew a pistol and successfully shot a lizard off a wall to demonstrate steady marksmanship and protect local villagers.

• St. Wilgefortis is the unofficial patron saint of people dealing with facial hair and women seeking deliverance from abusive or unwanted marriages. Legend says she miraculously grew a beard to make herself repulsive to a pagan suitor she was forced to wed.

And my personal favorite, St. Barbara, who is the patron saint of bomb technicians because when she was being forced to wed against her will, lightning came from a clear blue sky and exploded her father, thereby sparing her the forced marriage!

If you became a saint, what would be your patronage?

SAINT JUDE NOVENA CONTINUES

THIS WEEK!

Our annual nine days of prayer and Masses continues, as we prepare to celebrate our patronal feast of St. Jude! Here are the schedule of Masses and preachers:

Oct 20 - Deacon John DiTaranto

Oct 21 - Canon Francis Altieri

Oct 22 - Fr. Sean Kulacz

Oct 23 - Fr Jozef Ukaj

Oct 24/25 - Deacon John and Deacon David Preach at weekend Masses

Oct 26 - Fr. Sam Kachuba

Oct 27 - Deacon Pat Toole

Oct 28 - Fr. Joseph Gill

The weekday Masses take place at 7pm and are followed by the St. Jude's Novena. Please join us for this wonderful feast for our parish!



**NOTE: There is no 9 am morning Mass during the Saint Jude Novena.

When you come to St Jude’s there are flowers and plants to greet you outside the entry doors, a vase of flowers in the vestibule, as well as the flowers and plants in the sanctuary and by the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph statues. As often as possible, members of the Floral Ministry create these arrangements that are liturgically inspired as well as being beautiful, raising our hearts and souls to Our Creator. 

We also create vase arrangements from time to time to deliver to St Jude ill, homebound or bereaved parishioners as well as local Senior Living Communities. If you or someone you know could use a little cheer, please contact Betty Henn, ehennsr@gmail.com.

 The flowers come from several sources including the St. Jude campus (planted many years ago by Msgr Sabia and Building and Grounds), funerals (occasionally), and Floral Ministry members' gardens. We buy flowers from a wholesale florist as needed. Our budget depends on donations through envelope and online giving mostly during the Easter and Christmas flower collections. We want to sincerely thank parishioners who have contributed and we are grateful for your generosity.

If you have suggestions for our displays or would like to help in any way, please contact Cathy Ritch, cathy.ritch.ct@gmail.com

October is World Mission Month

The Mission is Far from Over!

In his last words before ascending to heaven, Jesus told us, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), and for 2,000 years the Church has been at work in this task.

Last week, we celebrated World Mission Sunday. We must never forget that 5.5 of the 8.1 billion people alive are not Christian, even now two millennia after Pentecost. The World Mission Sunday collection helps the Church to reach out to these brothers and sisters of ours who have yet to hear the message of Christ.

Prior to 1908, the United States was considered missionary territory. The Church in 

America grew thanks to the support of World Mission Sunday, which built many of the first 

churches on American soil. Now, many years later, it’s our turn to pay that generosity 

forward, as we care for the needs of our brothers and sisters across the globe.

We are grateful for your support this October—and we invite you to continue the journey. To find out more about how to do so, please visit www.pontificalmissions.org.

Pope Leo XIV's Message for the 100th World Mission Sunday

Please contact Karin Tierney, kjt1046@att.net for more information on

the St. Jude Pro-life Ministry

Resources for the Month of the Rosary

A group of parishioners have been part of a rosary group and praying a "living rosary" each day for over two years!

Since October is the month of the rosary, we wanted to suggest the app for other parishioners who may want to pray the rosary together as well. Here is how to get started!

• Download the Rosario app on your device (see logo above for easy recognition). Create a prayer group with 4 other people (or the app will assign you to others in our group who have room for additional people).

• Join our group at this link: CLICK HERE Join a new group by clicking on « I have an invitation code » Enter the invitation code: 0135553

Every day, each person receives a mystery of the rosary and takes 5 minutes in their day to meditate on it by reciting a decade. 

At the end of the day, the group will have meditated on the 5 mysteries of the day, thus completing an entire rosary. That’s the living rosary!

If you need help setting it up, email familyministry@stjuderc.org

Family News and Events

Parent Bible Study each Sunday during Religious Ed


We meet during religious education on Sunday mornings

from 10:30 am to 11:15 AM

We are doing the study Living Joy by Chris Stefanick. All are welcome!

Email familyministry@stjuderc.org if you are interested or for more information

MOMS GROUP

Upcoming moms group meetings:

First Wednesdays of the month after 9:00 AM Mass in the Saint Jude Social Hall

Next Meeting: Wednesday 11/4

All are welcome to join our November Kids Club which will be an All Saints Day Costume party - open to all children of the parish grades 1-5! Email Jessica for more information

December's Kids Club will be our annual Christmas Caroling visit to the Sister of Nazareth in Monroe

Columbiettes News

The Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will be hosting their GIFTOBERFEST! fundraiser taking place throughout the month of October 2026.

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, 2026. 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 raffle calendar and daily winners will be announced on the Saint John XXIII Columbiettes Auxiliary Facebook page

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.

Knights of Columbus News

Membership Drive this weekend October 24th and 25th after all Masses.

There will be knights in the vestibule at the back of the church that can provide additional information about joining the Knights of Columbus.

There will also, be a informational table in the social after this Sundays 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM masses that can provide more information.

Why Join?

Knights of Columbus connects you to the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization, combining faith, community service, and family protection.

“Where there’s a need, there’s a Knight.” And we prove it every day. We feed hungry families, give coats to kids, protect the vulnerable and defend the unborn. But we are not merely volunteers. We are servants of Christ who see his face in those we serve. Ours is a charity that evangelizes. Ours is a charity that brings people to faith, even as it springs from our own.

Knights of Columbus

Council 5987

Saint Pope John XXIII 

October Rosaries

will be held on

October 12, 15, 20 and 28

6:30 PM

Location will be outside at the Mary Madonna statue

Please bring your own chairs. 

Annual Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs/Food, Clothing, & Diaper Drive

THIS SATURDAY

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring our annual Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs/Food, Clothing, & Diaper Drive on Saturday October 24, 2026 from 8AM to 10:30AM. Your donated items of food, clothing, and diapers/wipes can be brought to the Church parking lot in front of the Monsignor Sabia Social hall. These donations will be distributed to Blessed Sacrament parish, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and Hopeline.

To simplify our distribution process during the day of the drive, we would appreciate it if you labelled your donated items in boxes & bags for Blessed Sacrament/Father Skip, Bridgeport Rescue, & Hopeline. Please review the attached flyer for the specific items needed by each (click for a printable copy). Any questions, please contact Rocky Scali, 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn, 203-556-5016. Thank you!!!

 Men’s Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study will resume on Saturday September 26^th. All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8:00am in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall, as we study the week’s Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes Newborn, 4, 5, & 6, 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, strollers, pads for Mom, teethers, baby toys 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 in the area marked with a sign for Hopeline. 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, 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, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Susan W, 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, Lucy Hanson, Jesse Hurst & Family, Maryann Lapinski, Andrea Paddock, Nadine Alusik, Margarida Andrade, John, Jimmy Forno, Matthew Van der Wielen, George N., Milenka Gospic, Benjamin Gray, Chris McCarthy, Leo B., Edward Isales, MaryAnn Voytek, Sal Guerrera, Anne Gulia, Raymond Gosselin, Nancy Czupkowski, Virginia LaQuesse, Dan Mongillo, Lawrence Cofone, Mary Witkowsky, John Rizzitelli, Dan Hermansson, Allison H., Dawn S., Sonny T., Nancy St. Pierre, Baby Stevie P, Steve P, Sharon K, Robert P, Baby Robert C.

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for October is for: Increased Devotion to Our Blessed Mother

May we pray to honor our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Rosary, by praying the rosary more frequently...

We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for October 24 – November 1

Sat Oct 24 4:30pm - Rick D’Amore

Sun Oct 25 7:30am - St Jude Parishioners

Sun Oct 25 9:30am - Leroy and Elaine Byron

Sun Oct 25 11:30am - Carol Ann Babina, Mario and daughter Lily Pirulli, Anna and Ersilio Tartaglia

Mon Oct 26 7:00pm - James Tierney, Sr.

Tue Oct 27 7:00pm - Parenteau Family

Wed Oct 28 7:00pm - Lillian Duva

Thu Oct 29 9:00am - Evelyn and Vincent Cavalier

Fri Oct 30 9:00am - Blessings for Andrew Henn, Jr and family

Sat Oct 31 4:30pm - Vincenzina and Pasquale Pontoriero

Sun Nov 1 7:30am - The Stephens Family

Sun Nov 1 9:30am - Carlo Longo

Sun Nov 1 11:30am - St Jude Parishioners, The Andrade and Pinto Family, Deceased members of the Columbiettes   

Mass Schedule

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 * on break for summer will resume in September *

"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

We are adding an additional Confession time starting February 1, through Easter (at least - if it is popular we will keep it). Monday nights from 8-9pm (the last hour of Adoration). 

Confessions will now be on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30pm and on Monday nights from 8-9pm. 

Confessions are also by appointment, please call 203-261-6404, to set up an appointment or email the office.  

Parish Office Hours

THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:

MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 – 3:00

Please call (203-261-6404) or e-mail (ParishOffice@stjuderc.org) before coming to the office. Much can be accomplished through a phone call or email, such as requesting masses/mass cards; sacramental records; registering for Baptism; etc.