Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Right before Christmas, we discussed how to go to Confession, and the steps necessary for it to be fruitful. Today, though, I wish to discuss why we should go to Confession. I hear from many parishioners that they don’t see a need for Confession – either they think their sins “aren’t too bad”, or they had a bad experience when they were younger, or they think that it is acceptable to Confess directly to God.

But one of the precepts of our Catholic Faith is that “Catholics must confess their sins once per year” (see Catechism Paragraphs 2041-2043). It is actually an obligation, to be a good Catholic, to Confess! But apart from obligation, there are so many benefits to this great Sacrament. So why should we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Confession?

First, because Jesus said so. On Easter Sunday evening, when Jesus first appeared to His Apostles after His Resurrection, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit – whose sins you forgive are forgiven, whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20). Jesus gave His Apostles the power to forgive sins! This was clearly practiced by the early Church, as it says in James 5, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

Second, Confession helps us grow in humility. The root of all sin is pride – the belief that we are masters our own destiny, that we are the heroes of our own stories. Pride is only counteracted by humility (the recognition that we are fallen creatures, not the centers of the universe) – and what better way to grow in humility than to admit our mistakes to another fallen human being (the priest). One of the first steps to a 12-step program is to admit our moral weaknesses to another human being as a major step towards honesty and healing.

Third, Confession offers us the advice to advance in holiness. If I prayed for God’s forgiveness on my own, I wouldn’t receive any tips on how to overcome my sins. Plus, so many people need advice and guidance these days – and many often go to therapists who charge $200/hour, while Confession is free!

Fourth, Confession helps us take responsibility for our sins. It can be very easy to rationalize – “I was mean to that person…but he deserved it!” When I served at a Hispanic parish, there was a running joke that every Hispanic woman’s Confession began the same way, Oh, Padre, tengo problemas con mi esposo! (“Oh, Father, I have so many problems with my husband!”). I would have to gently remind them that this is their confession, not their husband’s confession. It can be so easy to blame others for our sin – but Confession helps us to take responsibility for them. We are the sinner who stands in the need of God’s mercy!

Fifth, we need to hear the assurance of those freeing words, “I Absolve You”. If I confess my sins in my room to God alone, I am unsure if I am forgiven. From a psychological standpoint, I need the freedom of hearing that the sins are so completely forgiven that they will never come back to haunt me; that they will never be held against me ever again. I am reminded of the story from the life of St. Faustina. She was having the visions of Divine Mercy, but her superior in the convent didn’t believe her, so she ordered the future saint for proof: “Ask Jesus what I said in my last Confession.” So the next time Jesus appeared to Sr. Faustina, she asked Him that question…and Jesus responded, “I don’t remember.” That is how completely we are forgiven – and we need the assurance that all, truly, is forgiven.

Sixth, we need to be reconciled, not just to God, but to the Christian community as well. All sin is communal – it injures the whole Body of Christ. Even private sins like unforgiveness or lust harms everyone else, because these private sins mean that we aren’t as holy as we should be, and we are depriving everyone else of seeing Christ reflected more perfectly in our souls. Thus, we need to be reconciled to the Church, through the Church’s minister.

It is my hope/prayer/goal for every single parishioner to get to Confession this Lent! This weekend we have another great opportunity, with Confession Weekend this weekend, before and after all Masses. Come and experience the depths of God’s mercy for you!

Heart to Heart Adoration Nights

Back by popular demand!

Please join us for a powerful night of Adoration, praise and worship music, prayer teams, and a dynamic talk from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

A great way to experience the love of Christ this Lent!

February 16 and March 15 from 7-9pm at St. Jude's Parish. 

Ash Wednesday and Fridays Fasting & Abstinence

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and abstinence. This means:

Fasting - All Catholics ages 18-59 are obligated to have only one meal (and up to two small snacks, not equaling one meal) on Fast Days.



Abstinence - All Catholics ages 14+ are obligated to abstain from meat on every Friday during Lent. Fish is allowed.

Remember why we fast and abstain - by doing some sort of penance, we unite ourselves to Our Lord Who sacrificed everything for love of us.



Stations of the Cross Schedule

February 16 - 5:30pm Stations, Heart-to-Heart Adoration begins at 7pm

February 23 - 7pm, followed by silent Adoration until 8:30pm

March 1 - 7pm, followed by silent Adoration until 8:30pm

March 8 - 7pm, followed by silent Adoration until 8:30pm

March 15 - 5:30pm Stations, Heart-to-Heart Adoration begins at 7pm

March 22 - 7pm, followed by silent Adoration until 8:30pm

March 29 - Living Stations of the Cross at 7:30pm

Parish News

From the Organ Bench

The Quiet & The Cards

We live in a busy and noisy world. Lent is a great time to disconnect from distractions and connect with the Holy. As such, during the weeks of Lent, some changes to music will be made. Music before Mass has been eliminated as well as interludes and postludes.

This will allow quiet time before, during, and after Mass for prayer.

Additionally, more piano music will replace the organ for a more contemplative tone. Lastly, as was done last year, a card can be found in the pews with music photocopied on it. This card will be used during the Sunday Masses and include all the parts of the Mass in one convenient place. Please pick up a card, join in song, and after using it gently return it where you found it.

Please click here to continue reading the entire text about additional important explanations and noteworthy changes!

Parishioner Begins Priestly Formation Program!

Our parish is overjoyed to announce that Colin Firda, a high school senior at St. Joseph's High School and an active parishioner at St. Jude's, was accepted this week into the Priestly Formation Program of the Diocese of Bridgeport. He will be attending St. Charles Minor Seminary (college-level) in Philadelphia in the Fall. It is a nine-year process for Colin to become a priest (God willing!) so please keep him in your prayers.

Many of you have gotten to know Colin from his faithful service as one of our altar servers (usually at the 7:30am Mass). He has also taught Religious Education for several years at the parish and currently volunteers to help run our Youth Encounter Program. He is also a world-class golfer who has won many tournaments - a skill that will serve him well as a priest!

Please pray for him, and for all of our seminarians. The journey to the priesthood is long and fraught with many spiritual challenges. Pray, too, that God may raise up many young men from our parish for the priesthood, and many young women to consecrate their lives to God as nuns. I see many young people who have the spark of a vocation in their souls here at St. Jude's - let us pray that many have the courage to follow Colin in saying a generous "yes" to the Lord!

Youth Encounter Sky Zone Trip!

Youth Encounter is taking a trip to Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Trumbull (formerly Rockin' Jump). Please note that we have a new date: February 18 from 2-4pm. Drop off at 2pm with the permission slip (attached!) at Sky Zone. Cost is $20 per person. We do need Virtus-trained parents to chaperone - let us know if you're available!

Please note: only kids who attend Youth Encounters are eligible for this trip.

Camp Veritas Catholic Summer Camp!



It's time to start signing up for Camp Veritas Catholic Summer Camp! Each year we get a group to go to the best week of sleep-away camp you will ever experience. Camp Veritas (www.campveritas.org) combines sports, swimming, boating, zip-lines, go-karts, and all the fun camp activities with daily Mass, Rosary, Adoration, spiritual talks, and a powerful encounter with Jesus. Every single kid who went last year had a blast and we hope to double attendance this year! We are offering a special scholarship for kids who are part of Youth Encounter - $300 off! Sign-up online and experience the fun!

The Diocese has a arranged a special private showing of the new movie, Cabrini about Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini on March 10 at 6 pm at the AMC theater in Trumbull.

Space is limited so get your tickets at this link.

Email Jessica if you plan to go and would like to connect with other Saint Jude parishioners who also plan to attend!

The Living Stations of the Cross, which returned triumphantly to St. Jude’s last year after a three-year hiatus, is again looking for young people (school age through high school) to serve as actors, readers and members of the stage crew. Participation is a great way to grow closer to Jesus as we prepare to lead the parish in prayer on Good Friday. 

Rehearsals will be on five Sunday evenings during Lent beginning Feb. 25.

Fill out this form by Feb. 16 if you wish to participate, or email Pete at [email protected] with any questions. 

OUTDOOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Good Friday

March 29^th

10 A.M.

Hosted By The Knights of Columbus

Family News and Updates

CAMP ADORE REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Camp Adore 2024 

June 17-21 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

For children entering Grades 1-6

E-mail Jessica if you are an adult or teen interested in volunteering

(In the case of excessive snow days, our backup dates are August 19-23)

Save the Dates for 2024 Family Ministry Events!

March 10: Family Formation Bible Workshop

May 5, 2:30 pm: 2nd Annual Bingo with the Sisters of Nazareth

May 31, 6:30 pm: Women's Craft Night - Making Wooden Wall Rosary Holders!

June 17-21: Camp Adore VBS for children entering grades 1-6 (registration is now open - see below)

email Jessica if you have any ideas for events you would like to see in 2024!

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.

Mom's Group Announcements

INVITING ALL PARENTS (mothers and fathers) to our 2024 monthly Zoom Rosaries on the First Wednesdays at 9 pm. Please email Jessica Iannotta for more information. To submit prayer intentions for our monthly Rosaries, click here.

*Zoom Rosary will be offered weekly during Lent.

Next Mom's Group meeting Thursday February 29 at 7:30 pm in the social hall. New members are always welcome!

Knights of Columbus News

PALM CROSS ORDER FORM

OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 5987 WILL

BE SELLING THIS BEAUTIFUL 24” X 12” PALM CROSS DURING LENT FOR PICKUP THE WEEKEND OF March 23/24

DECORATED WITH 60 PIECES OF PALM, COLOR RIBBON, 2 ARTIFICIAL LILIES AND INDIVIDUALLY BAGGED, AT THE SAME COST AS LAST YEAR OF $12.00 EACH.

Proceeds To Benefit Msgr. John Sabia Scholarship Fund

Supporting St. Jude Students at Holy Trinity Academy

PLEASE FILL OUT THE ATTACHED ORDER FORM AND RETURN IT WITH PAYMENT BY WEEKEND OF MARCH 16 & 17. 

QUESTIONS? KEVIN 203-570-4372

All Saint Jude Parishioners and families are invited to join the Knights of Columbus to visit the the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center and Saint Mary's church, his final resting place.

Schedule:

9:15 AM: Meet at Saint Jude to carpool

10:00 AM: Tour of McGivney Center

1:00 PM: Tour of Saint Mary's Church

The McGivney Center welcomes visitors to learn about this holy priest’s life and legacy, imitate his benevolent outreach to the needy and outcast, and invoke his heavenly intercession for needs great and small in their own lives. There are many beautiful exhibit to visit (see here)

St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, is deeply tied to both Blessed Michael McGivney and the organization he founded – the Knights of Columbus. It is a special place of prayer and pilgrimage that contains the sarcophagus where the bodily remains of Father McGivney are entombed.

The Saint John XXIII Council 5987 Knights of Columbus

Invites You to A St. Patrick's Day Celebration with

KELTIC KICK

Cabaret style

Concert Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m.

Rev. Monsignor John Sabia Social Hall

BYOB

Corned Beef Sandwiches, Hot Dogs Will be Sold

Tickets $20 Reservations Required

Bill Davoren (203) 521-5445

Eric Terkildsen (203) 240-3141

Food Pantry Update

As we enter into the Lenten season, let’s remember the Pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, and with this in mind please consider bringing one or more of the following to Mass or other parish activities with you each weekend. The items in greatest need at this time are: jarred pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, coffee, tea, chili, and boxed children’s cereal. Thank you for your continued support.

St. Stephen Bereavement Support Group

For anyone grieving a loss, St. Stephen Church, Trumbull is offering a 10 week support group starting on Tuesday, March 12 from 2:30-4:00. Registration is required. Call rectory at 203-268-7217.

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, 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, Antonia Tedeschi, 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, George Goss, Michael J. Russell, Mary Ann Voytek



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:

 THE VOCATION OF CONSECRATED LIFE

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life Feb. 2nd ( Celebrated in Parishes Feb. 4-5).

May we pray for all Sisters and Brothers who have committed to the Consecrated life, that they may have the grace to persevere and serve with open hearts and willing spirits...

    We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  February 17 – February 25

Sat    Feb17         4:30pm       Ilona and Laszlo Gaal

Sun  Feb 18        7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Feb 18        9:30am       Maximino Monteiro

Sun  Feb 18        11:30am     Enzo and Alda Melissano

Mon  Feb 19        9:00am       Mary Fran Lako

Tue   Feb 20        9:00am       Beverly Roh

Wed  Feb 21        9:00am      Laszlo Mencseli

Thu   Feb 22        9:00am       Thomas Byrne

Sat    Feb 24        4:30pm       Jose Rosa

Sun  Feb 25        7:30am       Laura Burns

Sun   Feb 25        9:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun  Feb 25        11:30am     Brett Southard

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Luis Ferreira during the month of February

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.