Reflection from Fr. Joseph

This election will be a complicated one for Catholics. Neither candidate holds positions that are consistent with all of the teachings of our Faith. During Presidential election campaigns in the past, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has always put out a guiding document called “Faithful Citizenship” (https://www.usccb.org/resources/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship-pdf) – but it is significant that they did not update or re-release the document during the 2024 campaign season (nevertheless, the 2020 version is still available at the aforementioned link, and is very helpful in understanding how faith and politics intersect).

Nevertheless, the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference recently put out a short document which contrasts the two major candidates regarding their stances on issues important to Catholics. It’s a very easy infographic and quite helpful, which you can find here: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ctcatholic/pages/201/attachments/original/1728316186/Trump_and_Harris_Issue_Sheet.pdf?1728316186

Pope Pius XII, who reigned during the 1940s and ‘50s, gave an interesting speech in which he discusses the moralobligation of Catholics to vote. He said:

It is a right and a duty to draw the attention of the faithful to the extraordinary importance of elections and the moral responsibility which rests on everyone who has the right to vote. Without any doubt, the Church intends to remain outside and above political parties, but how can she remain indifferent to the composition of a Parliament, when the Constitution gives it power to pass laws which so directly affect the highest religious interests and even the condition of life of the Church herself? Then there are also other arduous questions, above all the problems and economic struggles which closely touch the well-being of the people. In so far as they are of a temporal order (though in reality they also affect the moral order) Churchmen leave to others the care of pondering and treating technically with them for the common welfare of the nation. From all this it follows that:

It is a strict duty for all who have the right, men or women, to take part in the elections. Whoever abstains, especially out of cowardice, commits a grave sin, a mortal fault.

Everyone has to vote according to the dictates of his own conscience. Now, it is evident that the voice of this conscience imposes upon every sincere Catholic the duty of giving his or her vote to those candidates, or those lists of candidates, who really offer sufficient assurances for safeguarding the rights of God and the souls of men, for the real good of individuals, families, and society, according to the law of God and moral Christian doctrine.

And the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, in paragraph 2240:

Submission to authority and co responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote…

So, despite the flawed and imperfect views of the candidates, it seems that it would be legitimate (and perhaps even obligatory) to vote for the “lesser of two evils”. In fact, here is a good treatise from some reputable moral theologians about the moral nature of voting for a flawed candidate: https://novusordowatch.org/2020/09/morality-of-voting-permissible-lesser-of-two-evils/

With that said, the unique nature of our democracy in America gives us a further consideration. Connecticut is a blue state – and this does not look like it will change in the foreseeable future. Because of that, one might contend that our vote “does not matter” since there is not a real chance that the electoral votes will go in any other direction than Democratic. In such a case, it might be best, then, to vote for a third-party candidate, one who more perfectly embodies the principles of our Catholic Faith. For example, the American Solidarity Party is a political party which is pro-life and pro-family, but also cares about the environment and advocates for common-sense immigration reform and has a preferential option for the poor. There is no requirement to vote for one of the two main parties, when the electoral votes from our state are all but determined.

I think, in sum, we must remember that politics will not save our nation. We have two flawed individuals running for the highest office in the land precisely because we are a deeply flawed country who prefers the entertainment value of a reality TV show to actual, intelligent debate and common-sense solutions to our problems. The issues in our nation are issues that run directly through every human heart – after all, as St. Augustine said, “We should not complain about the times, because we are the times!” Regardless of who wins the Oval Office, we need to do the hard work of repentance, building up a Christian culture in our own home and neighborhood and parish, and educating others with a Christian worldview. Only then will our politics begin to change. Only then, when we are men and women of dignity and integrity, will we be able to once again elect men and women of dignity and integrity.

Prayers for Our Nation on Election Day

All are welcome to join us at St. Jude's for a very special Holy Hour for our Nation on Election Day, November 5, from 7-8pm. Come and pray for our elected leaders, that they may be filled with grace and wisdom - and pray for our country, that we may be united in pursuit of goodness and true happiness. May God continue to bless our nation - let us gather to pray for those blessings!

Parish News

Novena continues

Friday, October 25 – Fr. Joseph Ukaj

Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27 – The Deacons will preach at the weekend Masses

Monday, October 28 – Fr. Joseph Gill

Family News and Updates

Next Moms Group Gathering!

Make Your Own Prayer Box!

When - Friday November 15, 7 pm

Where - The Buckley's

Please RSVP by 11/8 so that we can have materials ready for you!

RSVP HERE

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 this summer!

Please click on the image to view the flyer.

FOOD PANTRY UPDATE

As the season change, so do the needs in our pantry. Currently we are in most need of pancake mix, pancake syrup, canned soup, rice sides (Rice-a-Roni etc) and there is always high demand for boxed children’s cereal. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Knights of Columbus News

Silver Rose Prayer Service

Hosted By

St. John XXIII Council 5987

Knights of Columbus

   Tuesday October 29^th at 6:30 PM in the church

Prayer service to share the message of our Lady of Guadalupe and promote respect for life. Prayer service consists of prayers, scripture readings and litany. 

Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs Drive Tomorrow



The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring a Needs/Food, clothing, & diapers drive on Saturday October 26, 2024 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 the St Jude Pantry, Blessed Sacrament parish & food pantry,Hopeline, & the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. 

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 St Jude pantry, 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.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

David Nicolett, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Manny Cambra, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Patti F., Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Barbara Tranchese, Mary Lopresti, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet C, Larry Pisani, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Michael Merola & Family, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Becky M., Flo Guite, Michael, and Donna, Darryl Patterson, Louise Noll, Chrystal Archuletta and Alice Gumpert, Diane Cummings, Chloe Capra, Lucy Hanson, Mia

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for October is for PRO-LIFE

During the month dedicated to honoring Our Blessed Mother, may we ask for Her intercession as MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY, for an end to abortion and for a culture for life in our Country....

As we pray:

 The ROSARY daily as Mary has requested.

Mass Intentions for  October 26 – November 3

Sat   Oct 26        4:30pm       Elvira Ferreira

Sun  Oct 27        7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Oct 27        9:30am       The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Sun  Oct 27        11:30am     Ralph and Anna Lavenziana

Mon  Oct 28        7:00pm       Ann Kinnally

Tue   Oct 29        9:00am       Ann Gioscia

Wed  Oct 30        9:00am      Denise Borrs

Thu   Oct 31        9:00am      Angelo Magliocco

Thu   Oct 31        4:00pm       Peter and Prena Krasniqi

Fri    Nov 1         9:00am       Margaret Trotman

Fri    Nov 1         7:00pm       Deceased members of the Columbiettes

Sat    Nov 2         8:30am       All deceased Mason and Olivia family members

Sat   Nov 2         4:30pm       Vittoria and Nunzio Guerrera

Sun  Nov 3         7:30am       Carlo Longo

Sun   Nov 3         9:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun  Nov 3         11:30am     The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Tabernacle Candle: (October) In memory of James Tierney, Sr.

                             (November) In memory of Elvira Ferreira

Adoration Candles: (November) In memory of Andrew Henn            

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 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.