Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Two big leaps in technology happened in the last few weeks. The first is Neuralink's announcement that it has successfully implanted its first brain-computer interface chip, which purports to allow a seamless connection between technology and the human person. This could potentially allow a person to control a computer through their mind, and allow a computer to augment a person's brain activity, as well.

The second leap is Apple's "Vision Pro", which came out - and it touts itself as a game-changer, up there with the iPhone in terms of a radical cultural shift. Now, for the first time, we have "spatial computing" - no longer a computer in our pocket disguised as a phone, it's now a 3-D, totally immersive event where we can actually leave this world with our five senses, and enter a new one.

There are four huge, huge problems with this. First, we are becoming ever more disconnected with the real world. As a blogger wrote, "We are living in unreality!" As we continue to blur the lines between what is real and what is only digital, we are apt to miss the "sacrament" of this world - that this physical world, with all of its rainy days and stubbed toes, family dinners and squirrels frolicking, is actually a medium through which God communicates Himself to us. The beauty of nature, the way in which we see Providence at work, the very fact that we live in a creation far vaster than we can ever imagine or discover, is itself a revelation of God. To detach from the real world and instead inhabit, more and more, an unreal world which we ourselves have created, will continue to alienate us from God.

Second, it alienates us from one another. Imagine trying to have a conversation with someone who is wearing Vision Pro - you have no idea if he's paying attention to you or a cute cat video he found on the internet! One may say, "But it doesn't have to be used that way!" But who among us hasn't seen people sitting across from one another at a restaurant, each buried in their own screens and completely ignoring the living, breathing Image of God across the table? San Mateo County in California just declared "loneliness" as a health emergency. As we retreat into our digital worlds, will this not continue to increase?

Third, living amongst such "augmented reality" makes actual reality seem flat, boring by comparison. This was the insight shared by a writer from "Vanity Fair" who had tried the Vision Pro - he found that real life was boring, because he had become so accustomed to the constant dopamine-hits of novelty and control that he had while wearing the headset. This constant stimulation fragments our attention span, so that we can't have sustained quiet, prayer, or study. Reading a book becomes tremendously boring. Mass is not nearly as thrilling as watching a 3-D movie. We wonder why it's hard to have a prayer life, or why many young adults would rather retreat to the world of video games and porn than actually have a dating life - because real life is not as thrilling and doesn't offer as much novelty or dopamine as the "augmented reality" promised by this new technology.

And, of course, ultimately it's the age-old temptation - we seek to become gods who have the power to create reality as we want it. Rather than receiving reality as a gift and uncovering the hidden truths and principles that God has written upon the structure and the wonders of this world, we want to write our own meaning in the worlds we are designing.

There are so many other dangers that we could write about (how many "ads" will pop up in our headset or brain with this technology, proving that really all is for sale? Will these technologies be vulnerable to hackers? Etc). But suffice to say that this is a huge step away from a truly Christian society, and all Catholics serious about a relationship with God and with one another ought to avoid such technologies, or at least be exceptionally wary of their dangers.

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!

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

SENIORS: If you no longer drive or do not drive at night and would like to attend, please contact Betty Henn, 203-261-0762 or [email protected] to arrange for a ride.

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

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

SENIORS: If you no longer drive or do not drive at night and would like to attend, please contact Betty Henn, 203-261-0762 or [email protected] to arrange for a ride.

Parish News

New Business Manager/Bookkeeper!



St. Jude Parish welcomes Mary Beth Rauser as our new bookkeeper/business manager! She has many years of experience working in parish administration - formerly at St. Jude's, and most recently at Our Lady of Peace in Stratford. She is a longtime parishioner and will be a wonderful fit for our parish.

News from the Floral Ministry

Urns: Jesus' first miracle at the wedding at Cana. Start of His ministry.-John 2:1-12

Rocks: One of the three temptations of Jesus in the desert.-Matthew 4:1-11

Baskets: Parable of the loaves and fishes -Matthew 14:13-21

Purple Cloth: symbolic of royalty.

Driftwood and dried branches: symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.

We hope that your Lenten journey will be enhanced as you view the display.

Medical Look At Crucifixion

We all know that Jesus was crucified for us, but what is crucifixion? How was it practiced during Jesus' day? What, exactly, are the physical sufferings that Jesus endured for us and for our salvation? Please join Fr. Joseph for an enlightening talk on A Medical Look At Crucifixion on Thursday, March 14 at 7pm in the Social Hall. It will help you approach Good Friday with a deeper appreciation of what Jesus endured for love of us!

March 2024 St Jude-St Stephens Seniors Meeting

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will meet on Thursday, March 14^th.

The meetings are at 1:00 PM on the 2^nd Thursday of each month in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. The entrance is in the back of St Jude Church.

 All are welcome. No need to register.

We will continue celebrating our joyful journeys as together we draw closer to our Lord at this very special time in the liturgical year.

The topic for the month of March will be Holy Week.

There is always more to learn about the most important week in the liturgical year!

Special note: We will again reach out to younger parishioners to help them celebrate Easter by providing Easter bags and candy to the children in the Religious Ed. program at Blessed Sacrament Church in Bridgeport as well as the young children whose families are aided by the St Jude Food Pantry. 

Like last year, Easter bags and candy will be provided by the parish as well as the members of the seniors group. Please bring wrapped candy if you are able.

Any questions, or if you need a ride, contact Ellen or Doug Stevens at 203-268-9229

DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

PROJECT RACHEL MINISTRY

Are you suffering from the wounds of abortion? Do you feel shame, guilt, regret?

Begin the healing journey

Come to an Entering Canaan

Women’s Day of Prayer and Healing

For women who have experienced the pain of abortion.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024

Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph Gill

For confidential registration or more information contact:

Maureen at [email protected] or 203-416-1619

God’s love and mercy are waiting for you!

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!

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 3:00 pm: 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 March 21 at 7:30 pm in the social hall to attend Soul Core together (note one week earlier due to Holy Week). 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 Intention for March is:  

For each expectant mother considering abortion, may the Lord give her the grace and support to chose life for her child...

   We pray to the Lord 

Mass Intentions for  March 2 – March 10

Sat    Mar 2         8:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sat    Mar 2         4:30pm       Deceased members of the Tranzillo Family

Sun  Mar 3         7:30am       Vito Melfi

Sun   Mar 3         9:30am       Thomas McMullen

Sun  Mar 3         11:30am     Maximino Monteiro

Mon  Mar 4         9:00am       Edmund McCarthy

Tue   Mar 5         9:00am       Rick D’Amore and Pasquale & Mary D’Amore

Wed  Mar 6         9:00am      Isabel Dupont       

Thu   Mar 7         9:00am       Joseph Byrne

Sat    Mar 9         4:30pm       The Carlson and DelMastro Families

Sun  Mar 10       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Mar 10       9:30am       Ljuba Jovic and Dragica Jovic

Sun  Mar 10       11:30am     Rita Benoit

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Angelo Magliocco during the month of March

Adoration Candles: In memory of Margaret Tranzillo during the month of March

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.