Reflection from Fr. Joseph

As we approach the Feast of Christmas, we hear a great deal about the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is such an interesting title – that Mary would be known so profoundly by her virginity. Ever since the Apostolic Age, the Church has always held up virginity as an admirable way of life.

In fact, Jesus Himself praises it. He said, “Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” (Matthew 19:12). And St. Paul, too, recommends virginity as a life choice. He says, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34).

In no way does this denigrate marriage, which is truly a high calling – to sanctify yourself and your spouse, and to raise children for the Kingdom. But objectively, virginity – or, more technically, celibacy (which is the forsaking of marriage and sexual relations for the sake of Jesus Christ) – is a higher calling, for three reasons.

First, celibacy is a supernatural calling, while marriage is a natural calling. Every normal human being has a desire for marriage. This is part of human nature, a physical and biological desire to give oneself to another human being and to keep the human race going. But some also have a supernatural desire to give it up for a higher good – for the service of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. This is not unnatural, but supernatural – above nature. Therefore, if a normal and healthy person has a desire to give themselves, body and soul, to Christ, we can be confident that this desire comes from God.

Secondly, as St. Paul mentions, virginity makes oneself an undivided gift to Jesus Christ. Someone who is celibate is not just a bachelor who lives for themselves, as if they were afraid of commitment or wanted to indulge their desires. Rather, celibacy is about self-giving love – to belong completely to the Lord, body and soul. A challenge, yes. But also an immense blessing to give oneself to the One Who loved us first. Celibacy is not an absence of love, but a direction to love – love of Christ first and foremost.

Finally, celibacy gives a person radical availability to love all as Christ loves them. Recently a young boy at the school where I teach, who has a difficult home life, asked if he could call me “dad”. Although I told him it might cause a bit of confusion(!), he was definitely my spiritual son. He was very pleased by that! I recall reading a story of a nun who taught at an inner-city parish school, where many of the kids came from broken families. One day, one of the little girls asked her, “Do you have kids of your own?” The nun replied, “No, I am not married and I have no children.” The girl broke out into a big smile and replied, “Good, then you belong to all of us!” Mother Teresa summed it up well in saying: “In my mission I belong to the entire world; in my heart I belong to Jesus alone.” In virginity, we can love all equally, while possessing no one.

The witness of virginity should be recovered in our over-sexualized world, which sees everything only in terms of pleasure and using others. It is a powerful countercultural witness to the belief that one cannot live without indulging pleasure, and it makes incarnate in the body the hope for everlasting life. Celibacy makes no sense unless Jesus is really alive and Heaven exists, where marriage and sexuality will no longer be needed.

Let’s apply this to the Blessed Virgin. Calling her a “virgin” demonstrates that she belongs completely and totally to God. There is no division in her heart – God is her first and only love. It also shows that she belongs completely and totally to us – she can love every human being like a mother, since her heart is able to love freely and unconditionally as God loves. We can call her mother, even if she did not biologically give birth to us, because of her great virginity.



Practically for us, have you ever encouraged your sons and daughters and grandchildren to consider that God might be calling them to a life of virginity? So many parents demand “grandkids” or think that their children will be lonely without a spouse. But there is no greater gift than to encourage your children to be open to whatever God calls. St. John Bosco, who worked with young people for his entire life, said that one in ten children has a religious vocation! I would agree with that – so let us make clear to our children and grandchildren that it is beautiful gift to consecrate our entire selves to Christ, in imitation of our Blessed Mother’s virginity!

Christmas Mass Schedule

Dec 24/25 Christmas Eve and Day

Hallelujah - Jesus is born.

Masses will be at 4 pm, 5:30 pm and 10 pm on Christmas eve and 7:30 am, 9:30 am, and 11:30 am on Christmas Day

Mark your calendars!

Epiphany Rectory Open House!

All parishioners are invited to join us for a time of holiday food, fellowship, and conviviality! Join us at the Rectory (99 Church Street, down the hill from the church) on Sunday, January 5 any time between 2-5pm for an Open House. It's a potluck, so please bring a dish to share! Looking forward to celebrating with you!

St Jude-St Stephen Seniors



The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will meet on Thursday, January 10th at 1:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall. This month we will have a discussion on Marion apparitions and pilgrimages

.

All are welcome. No need to register.

Dash Through Catholic Spirituality - Now Online!

Did you miss this year's "Dash" session, our adult faith formation helping us deepen our faith? They are now all available online! This year we had an eight-week session looking at Catholic spirituality and how to pray - you can listen and download the sessions at http://aflameforchrist.podbean.com . A new session will be released every Wednesday!

Inclement Weather Policy

As the weather turns colder and snowier, please take note of the Inclement Weather Policy for St. Jude's Parish:

Weekday Mass is cancelled if Monroe public schools are cancelled (the Mass will be said and the intention will be prayed for, but privately). If school is on a 2-hour delay, Mass is as usual.

Saturday Vigil/Sunday Mass are never cancelled.



Religious Education on Wednesdays are cancelled if Monroe Public Schools are closed OR if the will have no after-school activities.

Religious Education on Sundays - please check your email. We will make the determination by 8am that day.  



All other evening meetings, events, and groups - please contact the leader of your group/event to see if it will still meet. Do not contact the parish office.

Parish News

The Blessing Of The Crèche

 The Monroe Town Green

Was held on Dec. 15^th.

From the Floral Ministry: Advent, Christmas, and decorations…

December 1^st was the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the Church Liturgical Year. It is a time of waiting in anticipation, preparing our hearts and souls for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ on Christmas day. We prepare during Advent, by confession, prayer, and reflection, almsgiving, and sacrifice (not unlike during Lent). The church interior should help us in those efforts by remaining somewhat somber. Flowers and decorations will be kept to a minimum. Although there will be exterior church decorations, the interior of the church will remain decoration free (except for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8^th/9^th). 

The beautiful Nativity Scene that was created, built and installed last weekend, a gift from a group of parishioners of Columbian Heritage, is a reminder of what we are waiting for. Not until December 25^th will the remainder of the sanctuary and church be full of poinsettias, Christmas trees, sparkly lights, and garlands and the baby Jesus will be placed in the manger.

On Christmas Day and through the next year, may our Advent preparation fill our hearts and souls with peace, joy and hope as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Family News and Updates

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.

Youth Encounter

ENCOUNTER TONIGHT 12/20!

Knights of Columbus News

Blood Drive



The Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes are sponsoring a blood donation drive at St. Judes Church on Saturday, January 4th, at 707 Monroe Turnpike. 

We are happy to announce that Monroe Volunteer EMS will now join with us as a co-sponsor. At this blood donation drive, they will briefly teach you hands-free CPR and "Stop the Flow", techniques for controlling blood loss from most types of injuries.  

We are very excited about us all being able to expand our community outreach. Please access www.redcrossblood.org and select a donation time. And, accept our wishes for a peaceful and blessed holiday season. Hope to see you on January 4th.

Food Pantry - Important Update

PLEASE NOTE: that as an unintended consequence of the sale of the school building we had to make the difficult decision to close our food pantry. We have provided our families with other outlets/sources for assistance. They understand the circumstances and are thankful for your generosity and support over the many years of our operation. Since charity is a pillar of our faith we are also making arrangements to carry on our ministry in modified fashion. Arrangements have been made to deliver any donations you still wish to make to Blessed Sacrament or another local pantry. Please prayerfully consider continuing to bring non-perishable food items to Mass each week and as has been the case - leave them in the baskets provided in the foyer knowing that they will be collected and provided to those in need. Again, thank you again for your continued generosity and understanding.

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. 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.

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, 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, 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, Jesse Hurst & Family, Hav Tweedy, Andrea Paddock, Joseph Laveneziana

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for December is:

May we remember and celebrate that the greatest gift we could receive on Christmas 

was the birth of Jesus Christ coming into the world...

           We pray to the Lord 

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.

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

Christmas Wafers

Oplatki

Considered the most ancient and beloved Easter European tradition the sharing of the Oplatki thin wafers, similar to communion hosts, before The Christmas Eve meal, symbolizes the unity of the family and forgiveness and reconciliation.

Wafers are available in the Parish Office Monday-Thursday during office hours 9-3 

Donation: $2.00

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.