Reflection from Fr. Joseph

My Eagle Scout project, when I was young, was to clean and fix our local parish graveyard. Far from morbid, I found it fascinating to reflect upon the memorial markers for people I had never met and who lived in a completely different century. It’s a sobering reminder of the shortness of life – and a visible reminder to pray for the dead.

November is the month customarily dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory and the contemplation of the Four Last Things. It has fallen out of vogue to speak of praying for the dead, as most eulogies and funerals assume that the person is already in Heaven. But this deprives the dead of the spiritual benefit of our prayers!

There was an (unapproved, but permitted by the Church) apparition of Our Lady at Garabandal in Spain, where She was asked, “Do most people go to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory when they die?” She replied, “Most go to Purgatory, a lesser amount go to Hell, and the fewest go directly into Heaven.” To enter Heaven, we cannot have even the merest stain of sin, or even an attachment to a sin. Our love must be so purified that God Alone is our desire. Therefore, most souls will need a time of cleansing in Purgatory before we are able to enter the presence of the Thrice-Holy One.

Maria Simma is a German mystic who was visited by many souls in Purgatory throughout her life. Her Bishop gave her the Church’s approval of her visions. Here is an interviewer’s summary of what she said:

 The holy souls have repeatedly told her that the greatest help for them that they can obtain from those here on earth is the offering of holy Mass. Next to the Mass, the holy Rosary and the Stations of the Cross are very beneficial to them. Any sacrifice we make--even the smallest ones-- offered specifically for them have a great value in the eyes of God, and greatly lessen their sufferings and time in purgatory. The poor souls have told her that even the smallest prayer or sacrifice is like giving a cool glass of water to a parched sojourner travelling in the driest desert.  

According to Maria, the greatest "complaint" of the souls in Purgatory is how they are almost completely forgotten by their family and loved ones--that rightly complain that they receive no spiritual help from those they themselves helped so much during life! How few prayers are ever offered up for them--even at their funerals! Yet prayer is precisely what they need the most! All the beautiful memorials, celebrations, tattoo's etc done and given in their honor, while they may be good intentioned, in reality do nothing for them and in no way help to relieve them of their suffering/purification. 

The poor souls have told Maria that because they no longer possess a physical body, they can no longer make sacrifices for themselves in reparation for their sins; nor can they physically give an offering(s) in request for a holy Mass (or Masses) for themselves—essentially they are able only to offer up to God their prayers and the repentance for their sins, so in many ways they are almost helpless, and are forced to rely on the mercy of God, the most extraordinary and blessed help of the Virgin Mary, the prayers of the Saints in heaven, and the prayers and sacrifices of the Church and of all the peoples here upon the earth.

She tells many amazing stories of the Poor Souls in Purgatory, including this one which has always stuck with me:

[A Poor Soul from Purgatory] appeared one night and after he'd told me what he needed to be delivered, he remained standing in front of me and asked, "Do you know me?" I had to answer no. He then reminded me that many years ago, in 1932, when I was only seventeen he had traveled with me briefly in the same compartment of a train to Hall, [Austria]. Then I certainly did remember. He had complained bitterly about the Church and about religion, and I felt I had to respond to this by telling him that he was not a good person to pull down such holy things. This response surprised and annoyed him, and he told me, "You are still too young for me to let myself be lectured by you." And I just couldn't resist being a bit rude and fired back at him, "Still, I'm smarter than you are!" That was that, he sank his head into his newspaper and didn't say another word. When his station came by and he left the compartment, I simply prayed under my breath, "Jesus, do not let this soul get lost." And now that he was with me, he told me that that tiny prayer had saved him from getting lost for all eternity."

To be clear, Maria Simma is NOT a “clairvoyant” or a psychic – she never sought out any communication with the dead. Rather, she was chosen by God to share with the world the importance of praying for the souls of the dead!

So this November – and frequently throughout the year – pray for your deceased loved ones. I know that when I am in Purgatory, by the grace of God, I will rely upon the prayers and sacrifices of my family and friends to speed my journey to Heaven!

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.

Email for access to the latest issue!

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 Encounter THIS FRIDAY!

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

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 all sizes Newborn to size 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.

The Hopeline Fall Event held on October 25^th in our Social Hall raised $7,410. That you all for your generous and continued support.

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 9 – November 17

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

Mon  Nov 11       9:00am       Patrick Martin

Tue   Nov 12       9:00am       Mary and Margaret Gallagher

Wed  Nov 13       9:00am      John Braccio

Thu   Nov 14       9:00am      Lucy Quinto

Fri    Nov 15       9:00am       Eleanor Kalakay

Sat   Nov 16       4:30pm       Jean Clark

Sun  Nov 17       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 17       9:30am       Ivan Gospic

Sun  Nov 17       11:30am     Peter Bendlak and Lorraine Miller

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.