Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Every year the natural world goes dormant and enters a kind of death. And every year this is a reminder to us of the shortness of our life and the impending eternity that awaits us.

There is an old custom in the Church of spending November thinking about “Memento Mori” – remembering your death. While some may find it morbid, it is rather a powerful meditation which can help us to make the most of our everyday lives.

The Carthusian religious order greets one another with the phrase, “Remember your death, brother.” Many great saints, such as St. Jerome, would keep a skull on their desks to remember the shortness of life. Perhaps you have seen variations on a famous painting, usually called “Vanity”, which features a young woman brushing her hair in front of a mirror with a skull in the foreground, a sobering reminder that life is profoundly short and that so much of what we spend our time and money on (our looks, our physique, our sports, our cars and homes) will be so much dust in a hundred years.

My Eagle Scout project was to clean and restore the graves at my parish graveyard down in Maryland. It was a fascinating task, because of the rich history of the monuments (some of which dated back to the early 1800s), but also ponderous in what they symbolized. There were several headstones that showed the death of people in their teens and young adulthood. It was a sobering realization that this life is profoundly short – so it must be used well, and directed to the eternal life that our hearts desire.

There is a church in Rome that drives this point home. A group of Franciscan friars took over the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Rome back in the 1630s, but Rome was too built-up for the church to have its own cemetery. So they decided to bury the friars in the crypt, but that too began to fill up too fast. So to solve the problem, they incorporated the skeletons in the crypt into the architecture of the church – chandeliers made of skulls, decorative designs constructed from vertebrae, and altars built upon supports of femurs and tibias. There are over 4,000 skeletons in the crypt today. It does border a bit on the macabre, but at the very last room there is a sign that puts it all into perspective:

What you are, we once were…what we are, you will become.

You can see photographs and find out more information about that church here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/decorated-with-4000-skeletons-this-roman-church-will-have-you-pondering-your-own-mortality-180981573/

This November, ponder the shortness of life and the length of eternity…and you will live well.

"A Concert of Praise, Meditation, and Thanksgiving"

50th Anniversary Pipe Organ Concert & Recital

Sunday, November 12th - 4:00 P.M.

Here is yet another exciting St. Jude 50th Anniversary event! In August, our beautiful French Cassavant Freres pipe organ underwent a considerable retrofit. Over 2,000 man hours went into electronic upgrades and expert craftsmanship work on the console of the instrument, that is, where the organist sits to control the sound output. All work was done by renowned organ builder Sean O'Donnell and Associates. Now, in its restored glory, our Diocesan and Cathedral Director of Music, Dr. William Atwood, will join us for an afternoon of all styles of organ repertoire to show the many tones and colors this instrument has. Works by Bach, Biery, Buxtehude, Phillips, Karg-Elert, Widor and others will be featured. All are invited to the recital and "Coffee &" reception in the church hall. I look forward to welcoming Dr. Atwood to St. Jude and hope you will join me for this Sunday afternoon. If you would like to bring a goody to the reception, please reach out to the parish office. I hope to see you there. This is not to be missed. A free-will offering taken at the door.  -Lou Vollono, Jr., Director of Music & Organist

We have had an amazing first nine months of our 50^thAnniversary Year!

Many more events and celebrations to come!

SAVE THE DATES

November 18: 9:00am Mass of Thanksgiving – Pastors, Priests and Deacons

                          who have served in our parish

                           Social to follow

December 3: Rededication of our Church by Bishop Frank Caggiano

                        Blessing of new relics for our altar

                        Social to follow

Please join us for any and all these events

MEMORABILIA

As our 50th Anniversary year is drawing to a close, we have some interesting memorabilia available for you to enjoy!

Each week we will have one or two posters in the Lobby highlighting events or celebrations which occurred over the years.



All of these posters will also be available on December 3rd at our Rededication Mass and Reception.

It is our hope that they bring back fond memories of the history of our wonderful Parish.

Bookstore News



Advent items are in. We will be selling wreaths, candles, calendars, ornaments, cards, Fr Joseph’s books and CD’s after Thanksgiving Day Mass, 11/23, weekends of 11/25 &26, 12/02 & 03. More information call Fran - 203-400-5119. 

Leftover Halloween Candy?

Do you have candy left over from Halloween? Donate it to the church! We use candy for many of our youth programs and could use donations of candy! Drop it off in a box in the back of church this weekend

A note from Laura Roland - the speaker at last weekend's women's morning of retreat

What an absolute honor - and truly my joy - to be with you on Saturday, November 4 for your Women's Morning of Reflection at St. Jude Church. The room was indeed filled with the Holy Spirit as I saw you minister to each other throughout the morning - holding hands and hearts, sharing tears and laughter - as you recognized that you are, indeed, living out your calling to sainthood with every "Yes Lord, I will". And as we learned, to the world what you do every day might be considered ordinary, but to the person you do it for? For our Lord? What you do is answering His call to ordinary holiness, being His hands and feet here on Earth.  

Know of my continued prayers for each of you. 

In His love, 

Laura Roland To connect with Laura, click here

Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

God our Father, from eternity You appointed Your only begotten Son to be the High Priest of the human race. Pour forth, we beseech You, Your Holy Spirit upon our families, that vocations to the priesthood may be multiplied. Lord Jesus, give us holy priests: To offer up the sacrifice of the Mass; To lead the little ones to You; To strengthen the faith of believers; To preach the Gospel to all peoples; To bring forgiveness to sinners; To feed souls the Bread of Life; To comfort the suffering & dying, and to spread Your Kingdom in our midst. Mary, Mother of our High Priest, pray for us and obtain for us an increase of holy priests.

Parish News

On Saturday, November 25, Join us for an inspiring Parish Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury followed by a visit to the Abbey of Regina Laudis. We plan to meet at Saint Jude at 9 am and carpool from there. We expect to be back to Saint Jude around 2 pm

E-mail Jessica if you're interested in joining us!

Healing Shawl Ministry

The Healing Shawl Ministry at St. Jude is about more than knitting, crocheting and distributing shawls and prayer squares.

Yes, we do that, as well as meet once a month to discuss a reading assignment from the Bible or a chapter in a book or to view a film about a Saint.

However, we are so much more....

Our members provide a tangible reminder that prayers are being offered up for others--those who wonder whether they have been forgotten, or who are in pain and suffering, mentally or physically, due to what's going on in their lives at the moment.

Do you know someone enduring a difficult illness or pregnancy, a job loss,

a loved one no longer present due to death, dementia or a move far away?

A veteran who is having a difficult time adjusting or a military person being deployed?

Someone for whom addiction or psychological issues have made it difficult for them to cope?

Someone with a family member or friend that has lost their way?

Someone who is struggling or just going through a rough time and needs our prayers?

Would you like to request a shawl? Angela Baril: anbar123@aol.com, 203-452-0432

Would you like to join our group?  Cathy Ritch: cathy.ritch.ct@gmail.com

We honor all requests. Requests are confidential

Children in grades K - 8 are invited to submit a poster centered around the theme “Keep Christ in Christmas”. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to be creative, to be involved in their faith, and to have fun while experiencing the true meaning of Christmas! Posters must 11×17. (If pastels, chalk, or charcoal are used, the poster must be laminated or covered in clear plastic).

Posters must be submitted to the parish office by December 4th. Prizes will be awarded for winning entries. Winning entries will also be advanced to the district and then to the state.

Materials can be picked up at the Family Ministry Table, at the Parish Office or at Religious Education. For entry form and rules, see here

Save the Dates for Christmas Caroling!

Sunday, December 3rd - 3:00 pm Join Kid's Club Families to sign Christmas Carols to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Monroe!

Tuesday, December 19th - Homebound and Senior Caroling. More information coming soon!

Email Jessica Iannotta for more information and to join in bringing Christmas cheer to our community!

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 for a new year! This year for the first time, we'll be having separate tracks for high school and middle school. 7-9pm at St. Jude Social Hall.

Mom's Group Announcements

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 12/6 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information. To submit prayer intentions for our monthly Rosaries, click here.

Next meeting is Thursday, 11/30 (NOTE THIS WILL BE THE ROSARY MAKING EVENT)- email if you're interested in helping with set up or clean up or bringing an appetizer or snack.

Bring home Saint Jude's traveling statue of

the Holy Family.

Materials will be included to do a 7-day preparation for Consecration to the Holy Family. To learn more, visit: https://afc.org/family-consecration/ May God bless you and your family through the intercession of the Holy Family!

Click here to sign up

Dash Through the Creed & Sacraments

Every week we profess the Creed, but do we really know what it means? Every week we receive a Sacrament, but why do we do what we do? All parishioners of all ages are welcome to join Fr. Joseph for the third installment of the "Dash" series - this time dashing through the Creed and the Sacraments! Learn all about those fundamental truths that we believe about the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Church, Mary, and the Afterlife...and dive into the Seven Sacraments which apply those truths to our lives! Every Monday from September 18 until Easter, all adults and teens are invited to join Fr. Joseph in the Social Hall from 7-8:15pm to learn more about our Catholic Faith!

Need more peace? Searching for love and meaning? Broken and in need of healing? All are welcome to join us for a powerful encounter with our Eucharistic Lord. Every Monday from 9:30am-9pm, the Lord will be exposed in the monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration. Stop by for five minutes, or stay for an hour - in Him will you find the peace you need! No need to sign-up, just show up. He has been awaiting you!

Knights of Columbus

Silver Rose Prayer Service

Hosted By

St. John XXIII Council 5987

Knights of Columbus

  Tuesday November 14^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.  

Food Pantry Update



“As Thanksgiving draws closer we are still in need of the “traditional fixin’s” for our upcoming holiday distribution. We are in need of gravies, broth, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, and canned vegetables. Of course, please keep the boxed children’s cereals coming. This item is always in high demand. 

Additionally, we are still accepting donations of frozen turkeys. If you are interested in contributing, please contact Liz Romeo at lizromeo65@gmail.com or call/text Jeff at 914-954-1160 to make arrangements for drop-off.

Your continued support generosity is what makes all of this possible and is greatly appreciated. Thank you!”

Hopeline Pregnancy Center Diaper Needs

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on sizes newborn, 3,4,5,6 and wipes, as well as bottles and pacifiers. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers 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.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, John Sansone, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman, Frank Kerekes, Marian Nanchy, Rosario Pacheco, Antonia Tedeschi, Charles Metoyer, Liz Guaglianone, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Judy Thomas, Barbara Tranchese, Ed Brady, Mary Lopresti, Lou DiMartino, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet C, Larry Pisani, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Michael Merola & Family, Martha Mencseli, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor

All healthcare workers, first responders, caregivers and the men and women in the military.

If you have anyone that you would like to add to the list, please call the office or email with the name to be added.

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for November is:

Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Through the intercession of the Patron Saints of these souls, St. Nicholas of Tolentino, St. Gertrude and St. Padre Pio we pray:

Eternal rest grant unto them, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace. 

AMEN

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions for  November 11 – November 19

Sat    Nov 11      4:30pm                St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 12       7:30am                 Ernest Vitti

Sun   Nov 12       9:30am                 Ivan Gospic

Sun   Nov 12       11:30am               Mary and Margaret Gallagher

Mon  Nov 13       9:00 am                Dorothy Stoothoff

Tue  Nov 14       9:00am                 Luciana DiMeglio

Wed  Nov 15       9:00am                 Maria DeLeo

Thu   Nov 16       9:00am                 Lucy Quinto

Sat    Nov 18       4:30pm                Luis & Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Nov 19       7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 19       9:30am                 The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Sun   Nov 19       11:30am               Maria Emilia Monteiro

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Marie Goss during the month of

                              November

Adoration Candles: In memory of Mary Charlotte Braccio during the month of

                             November

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Thursday) 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.

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses ) Please note that the link is slightly changed from the previous link due to the change in the website.

Men’s Bible Study

The Men’s Bible Study will begin meeting September 23, on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM, in the school building. Each week we will take up the readings for that weekend. All men of the parish are welcome. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

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.

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group . Email Jessica for more information

We learn to say the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other special prayers for the intentions of our families and Parish.

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

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.