Reflection from Fr. Joseph

When I was in seminary, our Church History professor had a great line he would often use when describing the more incredible stories in the history of our Church: “If it ain’t true, it ought to be!” 

I have often heard that the song “12 Days of Christmas” is in that category, because it is often claimed that it is a veiled reference to Christian themes, written during the Catholic persecution in England in the seventeenth century. Whether or not that’s the real story, it ought to be! Here is how the 12 Days of Christmas connect with themes of our Faith: 

The Partridge in the Pear Tree is Jesus Christ. 

The 2 Turtle Doves are The Old and New Testaments. 

The 3 French hens are Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues. 

The 4 Calling Birds are the four gospels and/or the four evangelists. 

The 5 Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament. 

The 6 Geese A-laying are the six days of creation. 

The 7 Swans A-swimming are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments. 

The 8 Maids A-milking are the eight beatitudes. 

The 9 Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

The 10 Lords A-leaping are the ten commandments. 

The 11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles. 

The 12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed. 

It certainly makes me think, whenever I hear that Christmas carol, of the many beautiful truths of our Catholic Faith! 

OUR "GALA" PHOTOS ARE HERE!!

The GALA was a great evening for all involved!!

Many photos are be available for viewing at the following link:

Candlelight Advent Rorate Mass

It has been an ancient tradition to celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent Mass completely by candlelight. Called the "Rorate Mass" (after the first word of the Latin introit, "Rorate Caeli", asking God to "drip down the Heavenly dew" of peace and mercy in Jesus Christ), this Mass is celebrated by candlelight, with beautiful chant singing God's praises. An evocative, powerful, solemn evening of praise, to prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah.

Parish News

Rectory Open House

All parishioners are invited to join us for our annual Rectory Open House on Sunday, January 7 from 1:30-4pm at the St. Jude's Rectory (down the hill from the church). It's a potluck, so bring some goodies - and come and enjoy the company of fellow parishioners as we close out the Christmas season!

Epiphany House Blessing

Every year, it is customary for families to bless their own homes on Epiphany using special chalk blessed for that purpose. Pick up chalk and instructions in the back of church during the weekend of January 6-7!

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

Please click on the image to view the flyer.

Knights of Columbus News

St. John XXIII Council 5987

Family Rosary

Sunday December 31, 2023

Following 11:30AM Mass

Open to all Parishioners

Adults and Children

Please Join Us

                       December Intention

We pray for World Peace

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

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PASTA DINNER

HOSTED BY THE 4^TH DEGREE

SATURDAY Jan. 13th at 5:30 pm

Msgr. John Sabia SOCIAL HALL

$12.00 per person; $10.00 for seniors

$30.00 for a family of 4 ($5.00 each additional family member)

Ziti, Meatballs, Sausages & Pepperoni

Salad, Garlic Bread, Desserts, Drinks, BYOB

Tickets Will Be Sold After Masses On Jan. 6 & 7

Tickets at the door Or PLEASE CALL KEVIN DONOVAN - 203-570-4372

50% of net proceeds will be donated to The Homes for the Brave

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Mom's Group Announcements

INVITING ALL PARENTS (mothers and fathers) to our 2024 monthly Zoom Rosaries on the First Wednesdays at 9 pm. Next one: Wednesday, 1/3 at 9 pm - email Jessica Iannotta for more information. To submit prayer intentions for our monthly Rosaries, click here.

Next Mom's Group meeting Thursday January 25 at 7:30 pm in the social hall. New members are always welcome!

Saint Jude's traveling statue of

the Holy Family is in need of hosts for 2024!

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 Advent and Christmas Resources!

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on size newborn 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 by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

Should you wish to provide a gift to Hopeline that would help save a life here is the link to their Gift Catalog:

Gift Catalog | Hopeline PRC | Bridgeport, CT

Food Pantry



Our Christmas distribution was a great success! This would not have been possible without your continued support. However, our pantry is now depleted of many staple items. Please consider dropping off the following items of greatest need as you come to Mass this Christmas season: peanut butter and jelly, pancake mix and pancake syrup, canned tuna, oatmeal and pasta, pasta, pasta. Blessings and a joyous Christmas to all. 

Please remember in your daily prayers:

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., Flo Guite, Bill MacDonald, George Goss, Michael J. Russell



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 December is:

     We pray for World peace

Jesus, Prince of Peace, with great hope in

Your infinite Mercy, and through the intercession of Our Most Holy Mother Mary,

we pray for an end to terrorism and for the gift of peace in our troubled World...

    We pray to the Lord.

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions for  December 30 – January 7

Sat   Dec 30        4:30pm       Jose Dantas

Sun   Dec 31        7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Dec 31        9:30am       Natalina and Sebastiano Magliocco

Sun  Dec 31        11:30am     The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Mon  Jan 1          9:00am       Gabbie Spier

Mon Jan 1          11:00am     Richard Shaw

Tue   Jan 2         9:00am       William Bepko     

Wed  Jan 3         9:00am       Mary Charlotte Braccio

Thu   Jan 4          9:00am       Ann Major

Sat   Jan 6          8:30am       Robert Anthony Donofrio, Sr.

Sat    Jan 6          4:30pm       Luis and Elvira Ferreira

Sun  Jan 7          7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 7          9:30am       Anne McCabe

Sun  Jan 7          11:30am     The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Jose Dantas during the month of

                             December and Dom Arribas during the month of January

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

                              January

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 [email protected].

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.