Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Last week we discussed marriage from a fairly mystical standpoint – and perhaps some are saying, “Well, that’s nice to hear that marriage is all about being an icon of the Trinity, the Cross, and Heaven…but that’s all rather esoteric. Not all marriages radiate such holiness – in fact, many are a mess. How do I get my marriage to be that icon?”

Let’s take a look at why God created marriage. He has revealed that there are two ends (or purposes) of marriage: the first is theprocreation and education of children. The second is similar: the mutual sanctification of the spouses. 

The Second Vatican Council, in its document Gaudium et Spes, teaches that “By its very nature the institution of marriage is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory.” John Paul II put it this way in his document Familiaris Consortio: “The fundamental task of marriage and family is to be at the service of life.”

Consider: the Trinity, as a communion of life and love, was completely satisfied within Itself. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit did not need anyone else to find happiness. But love and goodness, by its very nature, desires to be creative and pour itself out upon more creatures – hence, creation took place! In the same way, the love between a husband and wife should desire to pour itself out on more beings created in the image-and-likeness of themselves. This is why the Church has always taught, coming from Christ and the Apostles, that marital love should always remain open to life.

Why? Because our God is a God of life in abundance! Consider how the sterile back alleys of Detroit are overcome with lush greenery, or the seemingly-infinite complexity of life at the bottoms of the oceans where mankind never visits. God desires more and more souls to know and love Him forever, but He entrusts that work of co-creation to parents as one of the fundamental ends of marriage. In fact, the very name “Matrimony” comes from the Latin words meaning “the duties of the mother.”

For couples who have to carry the cross of infertility, their marriage can be fruitful as well. Perhaps some are called to adopt or foster other children. In serving their neighbor or the Church, such couples can bring forth a spiritual fruitfulness that will be a pleasing offering to the Lord. Only in eternity will we know the fruitfulness of those who are unable to bear physical children. It is important to note that children are a gift, not a right, and so we need to respect the Church’s teaching on fertility and reproductive technology (see the US Bishops’ document, “Begotten, Not Made” for a very clear and concise understanding of this topic).

Fruitfulness ultimately leads to sanctity, too! The other “end” of marriage is that the spouses may sanctify each other. When two imperfect people vow to live with each other despite all of their faults and failings, they find that their own patience and self-sacrifice increases. Their faults rise to the surface so that they can deal with them. With God’s grace, we develop virtues in family life that we would never been forced to develop otherwise: humility, honesty, sacrifice, service, courage. As human beings, we are all a little bit fundamentally selfish – marriage gets us out of ourselves to consider the needs of the other.

In addition to these “ends” of marriage, we all want our marriages to be happy, too. Of course, it would be wonderful if all marriages were happy, but that’s not always the case. Nevertheless, even in a difficult marriage, holiness can be achieved. For some, their marriage is the Cross that they bear – the Cross that leads to their sanctification and virtue, in union with Christ. I think of St. Rita of Cascia, or Ven. Elizabeth Leseur, both of whom found holiness by loving difficult spouses.

And – we can only do this with God’s grace. From a human standpoint, marriage is impossible to do well. But with God, all things are possible! More on the Sacramental grace of Matrimony next time…

It is with great joy that we invite you to participate in the many celebrations and activities planned throughout this coming year to celebrate our Parish 50th Anniversary. Please see the Schedule of planned events in our website. https://www.stjuderc.org/50-years.html

One In Christ – The 2023 Bishop’s Appeal

Your gifts at work

Future priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport receive comprehensive formation in theology, pastoral ministry, personal growth, and, most importantly, the spiritual life at seminaries chosen by the Bishop to best suit the needs of the seminarian and of the diocese. Preparation for the Priesthood takes anywhere from six to eight years, depending on the age and educational background of the man when he enters. All of our seminarians receive graduate degrees in theology prior to their ordination.  Through your generous gift to the Bishop's Appeal, the Diocese will be better able to support men who are discerning priesthood and may respond generously and courageously to that call. 

Thank you for your gift.

To make a gift, or for more information, please visit us at 2023BishopsAppeal.org, call (203) 416-1470 or scan with your phone.

Annual Bishop's Appeal Brochure and Home QR

Parish News

Ignatian Parish Pilgrimage

Please join us for the first phase of the Ignatian Parish Pilgrimage we are co-sponsoring with St. Stephen’s. It begins on Saturday morning, March 4^th at 10:30 in the Social Hall at St. Jude Church. It will be the first of four lectures led by Fr. John Murray, a Jesuit priest with the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University.  A lecture is scheduled each Saturday morning during March. Bring a friend. The Pilgrimage is an important part of our Lenten journey to deepen our relationship with Christ, improve our relationship with each other, and help us grow in personal holiness. Please see our parish website for more details.

Exodus 40

All parishioners are invited to go deeper this Lent with Exodus 40! Based off the popular Exodus 90 program of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, this program invites parishioners to take commitments of prayer and sacrifice together - supporting one another through weekly Zoom check-ins and a weekly Rosary. Sign-ups will take place after all Masses the weekend of Feb 18-19 and 25-26. Here are the commitments, meant to spur a deeper love for Jesus Christ and our neighbor (see attached file):

Confession Weekend

Now that we have two priests at the parish, we are offering Confession Weekend every first weekend of the month! Come take advantage of God's great mercy by coming to the Sacrament of Confession, offered before AND after every Mass during the weekend of February 4/5!

Food Pantry Update

Items in greatest need at this time are pasta, jarred pasta sauces, peanut butter and jelly as well as canned fruit. Of course boxed children's cereal is always appreciated. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Scout Sunday - 2/12

Scout Sunday will be celebrated this Sunday 2/12 at the 11:30 am Mass. Email Jessica Iannotta if your boy scout would like to help bring up the gifts.

Floral Ministry Update

As we enter the Lenten Season, this coming Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, you will notice the arrangement at the center of the altar has several pieces that are symbolic of what the season should represent for all of us. Each symbol is designed to direct us to action during the Season of Lent.  The Praying Hands encourage us to turn more fervently to Prayer. The empty water jug and purple cloth are spurring reflection on the importance of Sacrifice and Almsgiving. The Crown of thorns, uniquely made in Israel from the stems of the Euphorbia Milli plant, grown near Jerusalem, is reminding us of the ultimate Sacrifice of Jesus shedding his blood for all of us.

As we gaze on this altar centerpiece, may we be able to point our minds and hearts to Christ’s suffering for us during the Season of Lent.

Candlemas Mass

Last Thursday, we celebrated a beautiful feast in our Church: the Presentation of the Lord, otherwise known as Candlemas. In accordance with an ancient tradition, the Mass began with a blessing of candles and a candlelight procession, to celebrate 40 days after Christmas when Jesus, the Light of the World, was presented in the Temple.

 ST JUDE/ST.STEPHEN SENIORS

St. Jude/St.Stephen Seniors donated and prepared 50 Easter candy bags for Blessed Sacrament Parish, prior to beginning their Monthly meeting.

Bring home Saint Jude's traveling statue of the Holy Family starting this month, the month 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!

NEW LOCATION - PARISH CENTER MEETING ROOM

Pizza and Desserts served

EMAIL TO RSVP

February's Family Newsletter is now available

2023

CAMP ADORE

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Summer with the Sacred Heart

June 26-30, 2023 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

for children entering Grades 1-6.

This year's theme is "Summer with the Sacred Heart"

Registration is now OPEN click here. Sign up early to secure a spot!

Email Jessica Iannotta if you are an adult or teen interested in volunteering.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Thursday 2/23 at 7:30 pm. Note change to Thursdays and later start time.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 3/1 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Youth Encounter and Kid's Club Reminders

Next Encounter 2/25 & Next Kid's Club 3/5

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Marie Micholovich, Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Violeta Shala, Vito Melfi, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman, Frank Kerekes, Marian Nanchy, Rose C., Joseph T., Rosario Pacheco, Antonia Tedeschi, Richard Smith, Charles Metoyer

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 February is:

We pray for all Missionaries as we unite our prayers to their works asking Christ's grace to penetrate the hearts of those to whom they preach and baptize....

   We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    Feb 11        4:00pm                Denise Borrs

Sun   Feb 12       7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Feb 12        9:30am                 Gloria Rodrigues

Sun   Feb 12        11:30am               Michael McAtee

Mon  Feb 13        9:00am                 Gregory DaSilva and Mary Alphonse

Tue   Feb 14       9:00am                 Manuel DeSousa

Wed  Feb 15        9:00am                Frank Kromholz

Thu   Feb 16        9:00am                 Gayle Haskins

Fri    Feb 17        9:00am                 Anne McCabe

Sat    Feb 18        4:00pm                Luis and Elvira Ferreira & Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Feb 19       7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Feb 19        9:30am                 Maria Emilia Monteiro

Sun   Feb 19        11:30am               Anna Musorafite

If the 9:00 am Weekday mass is not listed, an intention has not been requested. Also, there are no public Masses on Friday mornings.

Weekday Masses will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed.

The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Only the Saturday Mass at 4:00 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.html )

Rosary Making Ministry

The Rosary making ministry is making rosaries for the sick of the parish and anyone who would like one. We have been making hand knotted rosaries for the past year. If you would like to join us, we meet on Wednesdays at 1:30 in the social hall. Please contact Karen Talloni 203-952-3451 or email [email protected]

Men’s Bible Study

All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the School Meeting Room beginning September 17, as we study the Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at [email protected].

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group Conveniently in between Wednesday’s Religious Education class sessions from 6-6:30 pm. We will 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: 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 3:00 pm on Saturdays.  We are now offering Confession Weekend every first weekend of the month! Come take advantage of God's great mercy by coming to the Sacrament of Confession, offered before AND after every Mass starting the weekend of February 4/5!

Confessions are also by appointment, please call 203-261-6404, to set up and appointment or emailing.