Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Last week we spoke about the Catholic theme of “Memento Mori” – remembering our death. But as that final breath approaches and we draw near to the time we close our eyes to this mortal world and open it to behold the face of Christ, how do we prepare?

Perhaps the most immediate preparation is in the Last Rites of the Catholic Church. Let’s talk about these Last Rites, as they are often misunderstood!

“Last Rites” actually refers to four distinct but connected Rites which are offered to the dying. The first is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This beautiful Sacrament has seen a rejuvenation after the Second Vatican Council. While perhaps in years past this was seen as the last thing done before a person’s death, the more complete understanding is that this Sacrament is NOT just for the dying, but for anyone who is seriously ill. In fact, a proper recipient for this Sacrament would be any Confirmed Catholic:

• Who is of advanced age, even if not sick
• Before serious surgery (serious, not just a hangnail, please!)
• Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness
• If an illness seems to get better, and then relapses

One can receive Anointing of the Sick multiple times in one’s life. Don’t wait until the last minute to receive this Sacrament – call well before the deathbed!

The effects of this Sacrament are many. If it is God’s will, it can effect a physical healing or alleviation of symptoms. It helps a person to unite their sufferings to Christ’s cross, and gives them the grace of patient long-suffering. It unites a person to the whole Church, too, in a time when loneliness and isolation may be a Cross. It can forgive venial sins (and, if a person is unable to Confess due to unconsciousness or another factor, can forgive mortal sins if they are truly sorry).

In addition to the Anointing, Last Rites also includes Viaticum, which is the name for the last Holy Communion someone receives. The name literally means “food for the journey” – it is the spiritual nourishment to make that journey from this world to the next. I must admit that 98% of the time I am called to the bedside of a dying person, they are unable to receive Holy Communion at all, so call earlier when the person is still conscious and able to receive food by mouth!

Another great blessing of being at the bedside of a conscious dying person is the opportunity for their Last Confession which is a part of the Last Rites. What peace a good conscience gives us as we approach the King, not as a judge but as a Savior, having already been forgiven!

Finally, a priest can offer the Apostolic Pardon at the bedside of a dying person. This is a prayer, backed by the authority of the Church, asking God to take away any temporal punishment due to sin (aka, Purgatory time).

Although not officially part of the Last Rites, I always pray a Chaplet of Divine Mercy with the family at the bedside of the dying. Our Lord appeared to St. Faustina and told her, My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. ... Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior. (Diary, 1541).

Earlier, Our Lord said to her, "At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same." (Diary, 811)



So even as we memento mori – remember our own death – during this month of November, we also have the joy and privilege of helping others prepare for their death by calling for the priest to celebrate Last Rites. What a joy that Our Lord has given us Sacraments for all parts of the human journey, especially as we travel through the fearful portals of death!

A GIFT OF LOVE AND PRAYER

The Healing Shawl Ministry has just given away its 1000th Healing Shawl! Although the majority of them have been given to friends and family of Saint Jude parishioners, they have also been requested for people in other U.S. states as well as England, Germany and Australia.



The ministry started in 2007 with 10 women passionate about knitting, crocheting, and making a positive impact in people's lives.  



Each shawl is lovingly crafted in prayer and blessed to offer comfort and hope to those in need. The ministry continues to touch lives near and far, connecting a community of care through every stitch. Newer offerings from the ministry are Prayer Squares in 2018 and Faith Fish in 2024. 

These smaller sacramentals can be held in your hand or kept near your bed as a reminder of the loving God who is reaching out through the work of this Ministry.

Extra Halloween Candy?

Do you have Halloween Candy left over? Bring it to St. Jude's to donate to our youth programs! There will be a bin in the back of church for your donations!

Link to Father Maximillian's Music Page

Boy Scout Troop 203 is selling fresh wreaths this Christmas Season.

 Let us help you decorate!!

We will be offering large wreaths with red bows.

Large Wreath (22” diameter) - $25

Order forms can be found inside the church

Please leave the completed order forms and checks made out to: Scouts, BSA Troop 203, in the designated boxes.

THE LAST DAY FOR ORDERS is November 23

Wreaths will be available for pick-up before/after masses: Sunday December 7

Thank you for your support!  

Advent is Approaching!

The Saint Jude Gift Shop will be selling Advent Wreaths, Advent Candles, Advent Calendars and OPLATKI Christmas Wafers (donation $2.00 each wafer)

Look out for these items after the following Masses:

• The weekend of November 22-23
• Thanksgiving morning Mass, November 27
• The weekend of November 29-30

Save the Dates - 2025 Homebound Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 14 - after 11:30 Mass (meet at 12:30 in vestibule)

We would love to have enough volunteers to send two caroling groups out to homebound parishioners, who cherish our caroling visits each year! Locations and routes will be provided to groups

Sunday, December 7 at 3 pm - Children & Young Family Caroling

Join Saint Jude Kids Club and parish young families for caroling to seniors at Hidden Knolls off of Elm street

Email familyminstry@stjuderc.org if you are interested in joining our caroling groups!

Family News and Events

Saint Jude Moms Group Meeting THIS Thursday 11/13

Fall Meeting Dates: Thursdays

11/13 - 7:30 pm

12/18 - 7:30 pm

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Email stjudemomsgroup@gmail.com for more information

Parent Bible Study - THIS SUNDAY

11/9 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 11/7!

NEXT KIDS CLUB - SUNDAY 12/7

Meet for Christmas Caroling at Hidden Knolls on Monroe at 3:00 PM

Then Kids Club Christmas Party at 3:30 pm in the Saint Jude Social Hall

Knights of Columbus News

Blessed Sacrament Gift Card Donation Drive

Donate Gift Cards for Teens



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

Gift cards will be collected the weekend of October 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.

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 Newborn,1, 3, 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 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.

This week the Knights delivered an SUV full of diapers, wipes, baby clothes, blankets, crib sheets, etc. to Hopeline for which they were most grateful.

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

Our Petition for November is: 

  For the Holy Souls in Purgatory 

We pray for our deceased loved ones and for those who have no one to pray for them.

May we also remember on Veterans Day all those who have died protecting our Country...

We pray:

Eternal rest grant unto them Oh, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Mass Intentions for November 8 – November 16

Sat    Nov 8        4:30pm      The Lluch Family

       Sun Nov 9        7:30am         St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 9        9:30am       Veterans Tribute

Sun   Nov 9        11:30am     Nunzio Guerrera

                                             Laura Donovan

                                    Harry M. Peters

       Mon  Nov 10        9:00am       Emanuel Cambra

Tue   Nov 11        9:00am       Lucy and Sam Quinto

Wed  Nov 12        9:00am      Mary and Margaret Gallagher  

Thu  Nov 13         9:00am      Cletus Roh

Fri    Nov 14         9:00am     John Cardozo

Sat   Nov 15         4:30pm      Ivan Gospic

      Sun Nov 16         7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 16        9:30am      Maria Silva

Sun   Nov 16       11:30am     Priscilla Lord

                                             Emanuel Cambra

                                    Helen Tuccio

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Basilio and Maria Pinto & Fernando and

Maria Andrade

Adoration Candles: In memory of Harry M. Peters

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.

See above for 2025 Advent offerings!

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.