Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Now that the feast of Thanksgiving has taken place, the next few days will be filled with…leftovers.

I’m all for leftovers. Sometimes we can make a good 3-4 days worth of meals from the bounty of the Thanksgiving table. Growing up my dad excelled at making casseroles with leftovers – which, for him, was to throw everything in one big pot and cover it with turkey gravy.

But even though we may like leftovers, we all must admit that they’re not as good as the original meal. There’s something special about a meal fresh out of the oven…not out of the refrigerator and microwave.

So as we continue to eat our turkey sandwiches, dried-out stuffing, and three-day-old cranberry sauce, it’s good to consider – are we giving the Lord the first-fruits, or the leftovers? Sometimes in life we give God what is left over after we take care of ourselves first.

We come home from a long day, and before spending any time in prayer we check the news, watch sports, read a book…and then if there’s any scraps of time left, we give Him a couple hastily-thrown-together Our Fathers’ and Hail Mary’s. We plan our weekend activities, and see if we can squeeze Him in, rather than making Him the cornerstone of our weekend, and plan our lives around Him. We buy all the toys, appliances, and clothes that we want (especially on this Black Friday!) and then if there’s any change left in our wallet we toss that into the collection basket.

We may want to recall the story of Cain and Abel. We know this as a tragic story of fratricide, but there’s an equally important lesson in the story about our offerings to God. Abel offered the “fat portions of the first-born of his flock”, while Cain offered just some vegetables – not the best, not the choicest, just the leftovers. It states that “The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.” (Genesis 4:4-5). This is what led to the jealousy that culminated in that infamous murder.

Sometimes we ask why we don’t have a robust spiritual life, why God is not blessing us, why we are still struggling with the same stubborn faults, or why we’re just lacking the peace and joy and healing that Christ promised. Perhaps it’s because we’ve haven’t invited Him to partake of the first-fruits of our life, and offered Him only leftovers instead?

Confession Weekend 

Come and have your sins forgiven! The weekend of November 25-26, Confessions will be available before and after all Masses. Start Advent off on the right foot with a soul cleansed by the Mercy of God!

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

SAVE THE DATE

December 3: Rededication of our Church by Bishop Frank Caggiano

                        Blessing of new relics for our altar

                        Social to follow

Please join us!

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.

50th Aniversary Mass of Thanksgiving

Photos by Fran Cambra

Parish News

Join us tomorrow 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. Click here for itinerary and here for map

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

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).

Deadline extended to January 2 for poster submission. 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 sing Christmas Carols to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Monroe!

Tuesday, December 19th - Homebound and Senior Caroling. 3:30 pm Spring Meadows in Trumbull across from Saint Stephens and homebound caroling to follow.

Email Jessica Iannotta to RSVP and for more information. Join us in bringing Christmas cheer to our community!

Advent Wreath Lighting Sign Up

Families are invited to sign up in the Church foyer to light the Advent wreath before Masses beginning next weekend through the season of Advent.

E-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information

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 continues 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.

E-mail Jessica if you would like to join our Advent journal study group.

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

Check out New Upcoming Advent Resources!

Blessed Sacrament Gift Card Drive for the TEENS

November 26th—-December 4th.

We are collecting Gift Cards and Monetary donations for the TEEN’S at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Fr. Skip suggestions were—Gift Cards to Chipotle Mexican take out—Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Walmart or Target.

Thank You!

Columbiettes

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

A party for children with their ‘grown ups’,

focused on the real meaning of Christmas.

Saturday, December 2, 2023

10am to 12:30 pm

in the St. Jude social hall

Sponsored by the Columbiettes

Arts and crafts*****Games *****Caroling

The Christmas story***** Birthday Cupcakes

Christmas/Nativity set drawing

No admission, but please bring a food or toiletry item for Blessed Sacrament’s pantry as a gift to Jesus for his people in need. Thanks!   

Knights of Columbus

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, Garren Kiett, Becky M.

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 25 – December 3

Sat    Nov 25      4:30pm                Fred Capozzi and Robert Koch

Sun   Nov 26       7:30am                 Edward Burns

Sun   Nov 26       9:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 26       11:30am               Enzo and Alda Melissano

Mon  Nov 27       9:00 am                Linda Collin

Tue  Nov 28       9:00am                 Maria DeLeo        

Wed  Nov 29       9:00am                 Francesco Chiappetta

Thu   Nov 30       9:00am                 Luis & Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon

Sat   Dec 2         8:30am                 Angela Carey

Sat    Dec 2        4:30pm                Maryanne Gromish

Sun   Dec 3         7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Dec 3         9:30am                 Maximino Monteiro

Sun   Dec 3         11:30am               Rita and Ronald Broderick

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

                              November and in memory of Jose Dantas during the month of

                              December

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.

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. 

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.