Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Recently I realized a tragic statistic – at St. Jude’s, we currently have zero upcoming marriages. We do not have a single marriage scheduled for the remainder of this year, next year, or anywhere in the future.

This is shocking for a parish our size. We should be having 20 weddings per year, at least. Considering that we baptized forty babies, and 30 years ago we baptized even more, the question is: where are all those young people who are of marrying age?

Sadly, this statistic is not unique to our parish. Since 1970, we’ve seen the number of Catholic marriages decline 75%, and even from 2000-2024, there was a decline of more than 50%. Young people simply are not getting married, and if they are, they are frequently getting married before a Justice of the Peace or in a backyard ceremony.

But there are several reasons why this a problem:

- The strongest marriages are those based on God. Statistically, one-third of marriages end in divorce. But the divorce rate among active, practicing Catholics is only 14%. Getting married in the Church acknowledges that God is the central piece of the couple’s relationship, and asks His blessings upon it.

- Marriage is a reality that is created by God and must be lived in reference to Him. Marriage is both a natural reality and a supernatural reality, both of which were created by God. It is a natural reality insofar as it was created in the beginning with our first parents, and throughout history every culture has had some sort of marriage that bonded men and women together for life. In this way, the marriage of two pagans or two Hindus is actually a real, valid marriage in the eyes of God. But then Jesus elevated marriage to a supernatural reality: a Sacrament. For those who are baptized and believers, marriage is not just a natural arrangement for the mutual well-being of the couple, but a means of grace and sanctification. In both cases (a natural marriage of two nonbaptized persons and a Sacramental marriage of the baptized), marriage must be lived in reference to God Who created it. It’s not a mere cultural construct, but something written into the very fabric of our nature by our Creator, which must be lived according to His teaching.

- We need the Sacramental grace of marriage to live it well. Those who are married know of the practical difficulties and challenges of living with another imperfect human being and raising kids together! There are sacrifices demanded of us which are humanly impossible. We must rely on something stronger than our own resources and strength – hence, our desperate dependence upon the Sacramental grace of Matrimony to help us live it well.

- For a Catholic marriage to be valid in the eyes of God, it must be according to “Canonical Form”. The Church has the right, given by God, to determine the external form that a marriage must take. Hence, marriages of Catholics are only valid if they are celebrated in front of a priest or deacon with two witnesses present. By virtue of our baptism, Catholics are obliged to follow the Church’s laws regarding marriage. If a Catholic chooses to get married outside the Church, the marriage itself is not even marriage in the eyes of God.

- The goals of marriage are supernatural; hence, the means should also be supernatural. The purposes of marriage are not to live the happy American dream. Rather, it was given to us by God for the procreation and education of children (to make them disciples and saints) and for the mutual sanctification of the spouses. Since both purposes of marriage are ultimately directed to Heaven, the means through which we get there should also be supernatural: the Sacraments, prayer, living a faithful life – all based upon the foundation of a Sacramental marriage in the Church.

If you have children or grandchildren, please form them well before they are engaged. These are conversations that should be happening even when your children are young – that a Catholic marriage is important for their happiness and holiness if God calls them to this beautiful vocation!

Thank you for the Leftover Halloween Candy!

We've already received a great amount to use of our youth programs!

There is still a box in the back of church for another week in which you can continue donate your leftover Halloween candy, which will be used for the many youth and family events we host at the parish. Thank you!

Book of the Dead



November is the month in which we pray for the repose of all of our beloved loved ones who have passed away. You will notice in the church, near the sanctuary, a new item: a "Book of Remembrance" in which you can inscribe the name of your loved ones who have passed away, and to light a candle for them if you wish. We invite all parishioners to remember their loved ones by writing their name in the book, and offering a prayer for their soul.

An Invitation from the Flame of Love Prayer Group

November is the month traditionally dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls—and the Spiritual Diary of Elizabeth Kindelmann reveals an extraordinary Flame of Love grace for them. Our Lady told Elizabeth,

“During November, the month of the deceased, ten souls will be released from Purgatory for each Hail Mary recited. The suffering souls must also feel the effect of grace of the Flame of Love of my maternal heart."

— Spiritual Diary, October 13, 1962

All are invited to begin on All Saints’ Day, followed by All Souls’ Day, bringing our deceased parents, grandparents, ancestors and loved ones before God in prayer.

WHAT IS THE 54-DAY NOVENA?

Inspired by the traditional 54-Day Rosary Novena, the Flame of Love 54-Day Rosary Novena for Generational Healing consists of six consecutive nine-day novenas offered for the healing and sanctification of our family lineage.

We intentionally pray for five generations of our family tree—living and deceased—and for the needs we know about and those known only to God.

54 DAYS • 6 NOVENAS • 5 GENERATIONS COVERED IN PRAYER

Our prayers also include renunciation of the Seven Deadly Sins, reparation to the Holy Trinity and for sins against the Seven Sacraments, and prayers invoking the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. Michael the Archangel.

FROM ALL SAINTS INTO ADVENT

These 54 days carry us from All Saints and All Souls through Advent to Christmas Eve—praying for those who have gone before us and for the generations that follow.

St Jude Religious Gift Shop Advent Sale Begins Soon!

Weekend of Nov. 21 & 22nd

Thanksgiving Day 9 am Mass

Weekend of Nov 28 & 29th

Advent Wreaths - $15.00

Advent Candles - $8.00

Advent Calendars - $2.50

Christmas Oplaki Wafers - $2.00

Father Joseph's books - $20 and CDs - $5.00

Family News and Events

Parent Bible Study each Sunday during Religious Ed


We meet during religious education on Sunday mornings

from 10:30 am to 11:15 AM

We are doing the study Living Joy by Chris Stefanick. All are welcome!

Email familyministry@stjuderc.org if you are interested or for more information

MOMS GROUP

Upcoming moms group meetings:

First Wednesdays of the month after 9:00 AM Mass in the Saint Jude Social Hall

Next Meeting: Wednesday 12/2, Saturday evening holiday social 12/12

December's Kids Club will be our annual Christmas Caroling visit to the Sister of Nazareth in Monroe email familyministry@stjuderc.org if you would like to join us!

Columbiettes News

SAVE THE DATE!


Happy Birthday Jesus Party

for young children of the parish

Saturday December 12

10:30 am to 12:30 pm

More information coming soon!

Knights of Columbus News

 Men’s Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study will resume on Saturday September 26^th. All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8:00am in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall, as we study the week’s Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes Newborn, 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, strollers, pads for Mom, teethers, baby toys 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 in the area marked with a sign for Hopeline. 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.

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, 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, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Susan W, 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, Jesse Hurst & Family, Maryann Lapinski, Andrea Paddock, Margarida Andrade, John, Jimmy Forno, Matthew Van der Wiele cfrn, George N., Milenka Gospic, Benjamin Gray, Chris McCarthy, Edward Isales, MaryAnn Voytek, Sal Guerrera, Anne Gulia, Raymond Gosselin, Nancy Czupkowski, Dan Mongillo, Lawrence Cofone, Mary Witkowsky, John Rizzitelli, Dan Hermansson, Allison H., Dawn S., Sonny T., Baby Stevie P, Steve P, Sharon K, Robert P, Baby Robert C., Elizabeth Lapinksi, Nash

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for November is for: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Our beloved deceased in Purgatory rely on our prayers to help them get to Heaven.

May we also pray for those souls who have no one to pray for them..

"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

Mass Intentions for November 14 – November 22

Sat Nov 14 4:30pm - Tom and Brian Norris

Sun Nov 15 7:30am - Dennis R. Cassia

Sun Nov 15 9:30am - John Cardozo

Sun Nov 15 11:30am - Antonio Silva, The Tranzillo and Bonitatibus Families, George Baker

Mon Nov 16 9:00am - Joe Laveneziana

Mon Nov 16 7:00pm - Holy Souls in Purgatory

Tue Nov 17 9:00am - Joe Laveneziana

Wed Nov 18 9:00am - Deceased members of the Flynn Family

Thu Nov 19 9:00am - Deceased members of the Parenteau Family

Fri Nov 20 9:00am - Bill Thibodeau

Sat Nov 21 4:30pm - Luis and Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon

Sun Nov 22 7:30am - Nicola Chianca

Sun Nov 22 9:30am - St Jude Parishioners

Sun Nov 22 11:30am - Maria Silva, Lucy Quinto, Terisita Erodici  

Mass Schedule

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 * on break for summer will resume in September *

"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.

Come in and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261-6404.

Confession Hours

We are adding an additional Confession time starting February 1, through Easter (at least - if it is popular we will keep it). Monday nights from 8-9pm (the last hour of Adoration). 

Confessions will now be on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30pm and on Monday nights from 8-9pm. 

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.