Reflection from Fr. Joseph

I’ve noticed a small uptick in women wearing veils during Mass (very small, but noticeable). What’s that all about?

Head-coverings mean different things in religion – our Jewish brothers wear yarmulkes, which are meant to be a reminder that God is always above them. We still see the Pope and Bishops wearing a circular yarmulke-like hat called a zuchetto (priests are actually allowed to wear them, too, but I’m not sure how to attach it to my bald head!). Zuchettos actually had a very practical purpose – when a man became a monk, a semi-circle of hair was cut from his head (called the tonsure) as a form of humility, and the zuchetto was meant to keep your tonsured head from getting cold!

Women’s headdresses were a uniquely countercultural element of early Christianity. Most pagan women in ancient Rome never covered their hair, but St. Paul instructs the Corinthians that “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.” (1 Cor 11:4-6). All early Church fathers and documents, from the “Apostolic Tradition” of 250AD to St. Irenaeus (130 AD) to St. Hyppolitus (200 AD) and many, many more testify that this was the custom of the Church – really, all the way down to the modern era!

Of course, St. Paul’s words were custom and not commandment, so there is no obligation one way or another to wear a headdress at Church.

A woman’s veil at Mass is usually called a mantilla, and for women who choose to wear it, it’s a symbol of reverence and just a sense of recognizing that they are entering into a special place to encounter God. All throughout history, people have done unique things with clothing when entering God’s presence – Moses was commanded to remove his sandals, men used to remove their hats when entering church, and it was common for people to have their “Sunday best” clothes. So it’s a nice tradition to wear a veil or some other special garment to designate the sacredness of where we are entering and what we’re doing. It’s definitely making a comeback – even secular newspapers are noticing an increase of women choosing to don a veil at Mass, such as this recent article: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-young-catholic-women-bringing



What a beautiful and rich part of our Catholic tradition!

Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs/Food Drive

The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring a Needs/Food, clothing, & diapers drive on Saturday October 25, 2025 from 8AM to 10:30AM. NO FURNITURE items are being collected. Please bring your donated items to the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall behind the Church. These items will be distributed to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Blessed Sacrament parish, & Hopeline. Since we no longer have a food pantry at St Jude's, all food collected for the drive will go to the Blessed Sacrament parish community which has a critical need for food.

To simplify our distribution process during the day of the drive, it would be much appreciated if you labelled your donated items in boxes & bags for Blessed Sacrament/Father Skip, Hopeline & Bridgeport Rescue. Please review the attached flyer for specific items needed for each.  Any questions, please contact Rocky Scali, 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn, 203-556-5016. THANK YOU

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere!



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 arrangements that are liturgically inspired as well as being beautiful, raising our hearts and souls to Our Creator. 

The flowers come from several sources including the St. Jude campus (planted many years ago by Msgr. Sabia and Building and Grounds), occasionally funerals and other special masses, Floral Ministry members' gardens, as well as purchases from a few local and wholesale businesses. Our budget depends on donations through Easter and Christmas special collections via envelopes and online giving. We appreciate your kind words and generosity. 

We’d love to hear from you if you have suggestions for our displays or would like to help in any way, contact Cathy Ritch, cathy.ritch.ct@gmail.com

Spiritual Warfare Night for Men and Boys

All men and sons are invited to join Fr. Ferry Galbert and Fr. Joseph Gill for a powerful night of fellowship and prayer, talking about a timely topic: Spiritual Warfare! As we approach Halloween, there are so many misunderstandings about the devil and the spiritual world. What does our Church actually teach us - and how can we prepare ourselves spiritually for the battle that we're in? All men and boys are invited to learn how they are called to engage in the spiritual battle against our Enemy, and how to defeat him with the weapons of our Catholic Faith. The night will include dinner, a talk, and a time of prayer. It will take place at the St. Jude's Social Hall on Thursday, October 30 from 6-8:30pm. No cost, but please RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DAAAD2AA4FACE9-58772089-spiritual . We're in the midst of a war - but with Jesus Christ, victory is guaranteed!

A group of 5 parishioners have been part of a rosary group and praying a "living rosary" each day for well over a year. 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
• Join our group at this link: CLICK HERE
• 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

GET TO KNOW THE HOLY RELICS IN OUR ALTAR

~ SAINT JUDE ~

Honoring an ancient tradition, Catholic Liturgical Law required all Church Altars contain a relic of a Saint as a reminder of the holiness of saints, and to inspire as to request prayers of that Saint asking God for the grace to live a faith filled life as they did. 

We are blessed to have relics of six Saints in our Altar. Each week through All Saints Day, we will share about each Saint whose relic is contained should you wish to pray for their intercession. Here is our 6th relic, our beloved Patron, Saint Jude! You can visit this relic during the novena Masses leading up to Saint Jude's feast day.

Saint Jude Thaddeus, Apostle, and Martyr

Born 10AD, Died 65AD  Canonized 1480  Feast Day - October 28

He was one of the 12 Apostles along with his brother, Saint James. He was a cousin of the Blessed Mother. Known for his preaching and powerful intercession and unwavering faith in God. Due to his willingness to intercede, he is the Patron Saint of desperate or impossible causes, and hospitals. Interesting fact: Danny Thomas, well known actor in the 1950s-1960s, had great devotion to St. Jude. Through his intercession, Danny's wife was miraculously cured of cancer. In thanksgiving, Thomas dedicated a children's hospital in St. Jude's honor, located in Memphis, TN. 

Saint Jude, Pray for Us!

Family News and Events

Saint Jude Moms Group Meeting

Fall Meeting Dates: Thursdays

11/13 - 7:30 pm

12/18 - 7:30 pm



Save the Date - Friday 12/12 Rosary Making with Adrienne Keogler

Email stjudemomsgroup@gmail.com for more information

Parent Bible Study - THIS SUNDAY

10/26 during 10:30 AM Religious Education

Parents are welcome to join our Parent Bible study, Thrive: an 8 Week Study to Grow with Christ in Your Life. All are welcome to join anytime! There is no homework or preparation required and no Bible experience is necessary. Email familyministry@stjuderc.org to join us!

Youth Encounter TONIGHT

Knights of Columbus News

Blessed Sacrament Donation Drive

Gift Cards for teens

Father Skip prefers gift cards to fast food places and Dunkin Donuts.

Gift cards will be collected the weekend of November 23rd and ending on the weekend of November 7th.

It will be greatly appreciated if you can be as generous as possible.

Thank you.

All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall, as we study the week’s Sunday readings.

For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

GIFTOBERFEST! 

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

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, 2025. 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 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.

For additional information, please call (203) 258-3354 or e-mail eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

Food Pantry update

Our gratitude for your continued generosity. At this time the items in greatest need are: Mac and Cheese, canned tuna, and canned soup. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes 3, 4 & 5, 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 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. 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, Zoey Frigo, 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, Jack Lane, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Susan W, Barbara Tranchese, 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, Debbie Dragonetti, Jesse Hurst & Family, Maryann Lapinski, Joseph Laveneziana, 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

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention..

MONTHLY PARISH PETITION

Please join us as we pray our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for October is: Respect for Life Month. 

For those who work for and defend the lives of the unborn, the infirm and aged, and all who labor for an end to the culture of death...

       We pray to the Lord

 Mass Intentions for October 25 – November 2

Sat      Oct 25            4:30pm           Antonio R. Silva

        Sun     Oct 26            7:30am           Claude Domenichelli

Sun     Oct 26            9:30am             Rose and Erich Weingerl

Sun     Oct 26            11:30am         Antoinette Mullin

                                                         Doug Stevens

                                                 Hav Tweedy

       Mon   Oct 27           7:00pm           Cletus Roh

Tue     Oct 28           7:00pm           Lois Sportini Heiden

Wed   Oct 29           9:00am          Ann White

Thu     Oct 30           9:00am          Barbara LaMonica Bennett

Fri      Oct 31           9:00am          Thomas Byrne

Sat      Nov 1             9:00am           Maximino Montiero

Sat      Nov 1            4:30pm           Vincenzinza and Pasquale Pontoriero

       Sun     Nov 2          7:30am           Deceased members of the Mason &

Olivia Family

Sun     Nov 2            9:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun     Nov 2            11:30am        Carlo Longo

                                                       Anna and Ersilio Tartaglia

                                                Milan Jass

Tabernacle Candle (Oct) In memory of James Tierney, Sr

                              (Nov) In memory of Basilio and Maria Pinto & Fernando and

Maria Andrade

Adoration Candles (Oct) In memory of Luis and Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer

Cannon

                             (Nov) In memory of Harry M. Peters

Hosts and Wine (Oct) In memory of Denise Borrs

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

"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



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.  

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.