Reflection from Fr. Joseph

I generally don’t follow politics closely, so I’ve been surprised with how many people tell me that they are losing their peace over this upcoming election. Many people are growing angry and fearful, centered around the events of this coming Tuesday. How can we keep our peace and charity in the midst of this contentious season in our nation? Here are some recommendations:

First, pray without ceasing. Pray that God’s will may be done – and pray that we may grow in trust of God. We know that God is in control, no matter who wins. Nothing happens outside of His providence and love, and He uses all things for His glory and our salvation.

Second, don’t demonize the opponent. Every candidate is a human being, made in the Image of God. We shouldn’t believe that they are Evil Incarnate. We may be put off by their character or disagree with their policies, but as Christians we ought to see them as a soul, loved by God – no more, and no less. This also goes for our family and friends who happen to have different political views – they are not an enemy, and we can disagree without hatred and animosity.

Third, don’t buy into the apocalyptic rhetoric. Many news outlets are saying that “the very future of our nation is at stake! Democracy itself is at risk!” But this type of fear-mongering rhetoric is meant only to stir the populous to anxiety and polarization. The country has survived a great deal of chaos in the past – one only needs to look at the Civil War to see a tumultuous time! – and our country will survive this election too, no matter who wins.

Fourth, ditch the negative news and clickbait. We can feed ourselves on a 24-hour news cycle of talking heads and analysts – all of whom spew negativity and division – or we can soberly inform ourselves, leave the rest up to God, and watch Food Network instead!

Fifth, stop complaining and make your local community a better place. “All politics is local,” as the saying goes…so do something to make your local community better. Volunteer at St. Jude’s. Donate to the food pantry. Mentor others. Serve the poor. Clean up a local hiking trail. Visit the elderly. Make a difference locally, and while it may not change the nation, it will change our community…and sometimes that’s all we need.



My friends, this election season has the potential to cause spiritual turmoil in our families and our souls. But this needn’t be the case, if we remember that God is in control, and if we act positively to counteract the negativity we hear on a daily basis.

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

We are excited to announce that CIndy Russo, TOF and visionary of Padre Pio will be at St Jude Parish on Nov 16th to share her relationship and visions of Padre Pio.. Cindy’s talk will occur at 7:30 p.m. after the 7:00 p.m. Adoration. Father Joseph will celebrate the 4:30 mass using Padre Pio’s chalice. You are invited to attend the mass and stay for a light supper before attending adoration and CIndy’s testimony. You will also be able to pray before Padre Pio’s chalice and one of his gloves. CIndy’s talk will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend.

Please click the image to view/download the flyer!

St Jude-St Stephen Seniors

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will meet on Thursday, November 14th at 1:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall.

We will continue our joyful journey in November with a video and discussion about Padre Pio.

As you may have read in the Fairfield County Catholic, St Jude Parish will have a relic Mass celebrated with Padre Pio’s chalice at the 4:30 mass on Saturday, November 16.

Please join us to learn more about this amazing saint of our modern time.

All are welcome. No need to register.



Any questions, or if you need transportation to the meeting, please contact:

Ellen or Doug at 203-268-9229

Family News and Updates

We are looking for candy to use for our youth programs here at St. Jude's - if you have any leftover from Halloween, please bring it to the church this weekend to donate! Our young people will thank you and be most grateful!

Our monthly digital subscription to Rooted Magazine has arrived for November! 

As usual, it is full of ways to bring the faith alive to children and families, especially in this month of the Holy Souls and Thanksgiving.

Check out the latest issue available in the church foyer or email for link.

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.

Next Kids Club THIS SUNDAY!

Knights of Columbus News

The Knights of Columbus Rev. James McCarten Assembly 119

Invites All the Veterans of St. Jude Parish To Join Us At

The Nov. 10^th 9:30 a.m. Mass

In Honor Of Veterans’ Day

The Mass Intention Is For Our Veterans

Please Join Us in Praying a Patriotic Rosary for Our Veterans & Our Country

St. Jude Church

Nov. 12, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

K of C Rev. James McCarten Assembly 119

Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs Drive Update

We had our Fall Needs Drive on Saturday, October 26. Once again, St Jude parishioners & community donated clothing, food, diapers & wipes to help the less fortunate in our area. Clothing/shoes/bedding donated to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission weighed in at 1770 pounds! We also donated a significant amount of clothing/shoes & food to Blessed Sacrament parish. We were able to restock many items to the St Jude pantry and collected diapers & wipes for Hopeline. All recipients were thrilled with your generosity!

Food Pantry

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and preparations for our holiday distribution have begun. For those who are unaware, we provide the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to our pantry families. At this time we are asking for items such as stuffing mix, gravy, chicken broth, canned vegetables of any kind, and cranberry sauce. We will also be accepting donations of turkeys. If you wish to donate a turkey, please contact Liz Romeo atlizromeo65@gmail.com or text to 203-427-5298. Thank you to all who continue to contribute to our ministry.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on sizes 4,5,6 & 7, wipes and jars of baby food as well as Baby clothes, bottles and pacifiers and car seats. 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. 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, 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 November is:

As we give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed on us, may we remember those who founded our great Country as we uphold our Constitutional Rights of Life, Liberty and Religious Freedom during this election year...

   We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  November 2 – November 10

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

Mon  Nov 4         9:00am       The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Tue   Nov 5         9:00am       Lucy Iannarone

Wed  Nov 6         9:00am      Margaret Tranzillo

Thu   Nov 7         9:00am      Frank Kunak

Fri    Nov 8         9:00am       Joseph Byrne

Sat   Nov 9         4:30pm       Joseph Calzone

Sun  Nov 10       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 10       9:30am       Veterans Tribute

Sun  Nov 10       11:30am     Maximino Monteiro

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Elvira Ferreira

Adoration Candles: 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.