Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Lent is right around the corner – next week, in fact. Usually it’s customary to bring additional elements into our spiritual lives – but I want to challenge us to go “back to basics” this Lent.

Holiness does not require a complicated spirituality. Our Church has been blessed with a plethora of different devotions, many of which we’ve brought here to St. Jude’s: Marian Consecration, Flame of Love, Divine Mercy, Exodus 90, saints and relics…but Lent might be a good time to get back to the basics. It’s all about an encounter with Jesus through the Sacraments. One can grow to the heights of holiness simply by coming to Jesus in daily prayer and the Sacraments.

Because the essence of holiness is so simple, some people may think, “That’s it? That’s all there is?” Although simple, the Sacraments are not simplistic. One can grow infinitely deep in one’s relationship with Christ through the Eucharist and Confession. There is no end to the depths of intimacy with God, riches of grace, and fodder for meditation in the Sacraments. The Sacraments are like a well – they are quiet and undramatic, when compared to a waterfall or a raging river, but a well will give us pure water endlessly, which is what we really need.

So, this Lent, I want to offer a very simple challenge for all parishioners. Instead of doing elaborate penances, try doing these five things – if you do them, you will have a hugely successful Lent:

1.      Attend Mass every Sunday during Lent (and make a commitment to attending Mass every Sunday thereafter).

2.      Get to Confession once during Lent. Confessions will be offered:

• Every Saturday from 3:30-4:30pm
• Before and after every Mass the weekends of Feb 17/18 and March 23/24
• During Heart-to-Heart Adorations, Feb 16 and Mar 15 from 7-9pm
• On Holy Saturday (March 30) from 3:30-4:30pm

3.      Attend Adoration twice during Lent. Adoration is offered:

• Every Monday from 9:30am-9:00pm
• Friday evenings, at 7pm or 7:30pm (see schedule)
• During Heart-to-Heart Adorations, Feb 16 and Mar 15 from 7-9pm

4.      Attend Stations of the Cross once during Lent

• Offered every Friday during Lent (see schedule)

5.      Practice some sort of self-denial, especially meatless Fridays (required by the Church) and some other daily self-denial.

Would you and your family be willing to take the St. Jude Lenten Challenge and do those five steps? If so, you will have a Lent where you draw the Living Water from the wellspring of the Savior!

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 is a day 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.

Although this Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day, please remember that the fasting and abstinence of that most sacred day trumps any romantic dinners - please schedule your time with your spouse to another night! 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.

Ash Wednesday Schedule

7am - Service with Ashes

9am - Mass with Ashes

5:30pm - Service with Ashes

7pm - Mass with Ashes

8:30pm - Service with Ashes

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

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!

Do you make GREAT chili? Join the contest!  

All kinds of CHILI welcome-beef, chicken, pork, white beans, vegetarian, etc.

Sign up online below or on the sheet in the Lobby this weekend.

  LET'S SEE IF LAST YEAR'S WINNER'S

     CAN RETAIN THEIR TITLES!!

PRE -SUPERBOWL PARTY:

Football Tailgate-type foods requested:

Chips, dips, cheese and crackers, mini hotdogs, fruit and veggies trays.

Desserts: Cookies, Brownies, Munchkins.

Please join us for this wonderful event

      ALL ARE WELCOME!

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 peter.j.blair@gmail.com 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!

Feb 13, 5:30 pm: Mardi Gras Family Game night is back! Pizza will be served.

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

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

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 10 – February 19

Sat   Feb 10         4:30pm       Luis Ferreira

Sun  Feb 11         7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Feb 11        9:30am       Carolyn and Peter Radman & Vera Brkic

Sun  Feb 11        11:30am     Michael McAtee

Mon  Feb 12        9:00am       Robert Vladika

Tue   Feb 13        9:00am       Margaret Tranzillo

Wed  Feb 14        9:00am      The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Wed  Feb 14        7:00pm       Allison Biedermann

Thu   Feb 15        9:00am       Jacqueline Mancine

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

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 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.

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.