Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Today is Friday the 13th, which for some is a harbinger of chaos or harm. In fact, there is even a fear of the number 13, called “Triskaidekaphobia” (say that five times fast!). This fear of 13 has a debated origin, possibly because there were thirteen people at the Last Supper (and one of them was Judas!); or because 12 was seen as the number of completion (12 months, 12 Apostles) meaning that 13 upset the perfection; or possibly because of an old Norse legend about the Feast of Valhalla where 12 gods were invited but one more, Loki the god of chaos, also showed up.

Personally, I’ve never thought this is an unlucky day, perhaps because I was actually born on Friday the 13th (of April, 1984). But this brings up an interesting topic: superstition.

We’ve all heard of lucky rabbit’s foot (if they’re so lucky, why doesn’t the rabbit use it anymore?), not walking under a ladder, a broken mirror bodes seven years of bad luck, knocking on wood, black cats crossing your path, and the like. Many athletes have their “lucky socks” or perform rituals that would seem bizarre, such as not washing their uniform during a winning streak. Christiano Ronaldo always makes sure his right foot touches the turf first, while Wade Boggs always ate chicken before a game.

What links all of these superstitions together? They attribute power to affect the future into a rather ordinary object. This is the essence of superstition: the attempt to control future events by doing a strange ritual, using a “lucky” talisman, or avoiding an “unlucky” one.

I even see superstition in religious settings. For example, I was once approached by a woman asking for five gallons of holy water. Upon questioning her use, she told me she wanted to bathe her sons in it! Further questioning revealed that she did not attend Mass – which I urged her to do, seeing as it would be far more beneficial for her sons! Or, at times, I find slips of paper with prayers to St. Jude, stuffed into our pews…always with the promise that if you make nine copies and leave them in nine churches for nine days, your prayers will (magically) be answered. Pure superstition.

But superstition is opposed to a genuine faith in God. Here is what the Catechism (paragraph 2111) says about superstition:Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.

The truth is that God alone knows and can control the future. We can trust that He is a good Father and nothing bad will befall us without His permission and without good coming from it; likewise, He wants to give us good gifts in His own proper time. No “magical” action we do or item we deal with has any power over His plan, and to believe these things can control the future is to lack trust in God.

Now, I know that most people are tongue-in-cheek about superstitions. I mean, how many of us really believe that knocking on wood has the power to change the future? We just do it because it’s old custom. In that case, it’s silly but harmless. However, some people really do believe that external factors can control the future – such as those who study astrology and believe that the stars reveal our day-to-day life. If someone were really to believe in a superstition, it would be a grave moral evil.



So, don’t worry about today’s date. Friday the 13th is pretty much the same as Thursday the 12th. All dates and times are in the merciful hand of God!

Confessions - Holy Week

We will have many extra opportunities for Confessions as we approach the holy Feast of Easter:

March 28/29 - Confession Weekend - Confessions Before and After All Masses

March 30 - Diocesan-Wide Confession Monday - 3-9pm at St. Lawrence in Shelton and 3-9pm at St Catherine of Siena

March 30 - 8-9pm at St. Jude

April 3 - Good Friday - 1-2:30pm at St. Jude

April 4 - Holy Saturday - 3:30-4:30pm at St. Jude

Holy Week Schedule

Please join us for the most sacred days of our Church Year!

Palm Sunday (March 28/29)

Regular Mass Schedule

Confessions available before and after all Masses

Tenebrae (April 1)

A prayer service of psalms and candles that commemorates Christ's betrayal.

Service begins at 7:30pm

Holy Thursday (April 2)

Mass of the Lord's Supper is at 7:30pm

Altar of Repose stays open until 11pm in the Social Hall

There is no daily Mass on April 2nd.

Good Friday (April 3)

10am - Outdoor Stations of the Cross (on the driveway leading to Abbey Road)

1pm-2:30pm - Confessions

3pm - Service of the Lord's Passion

7:30pm - Living Stations (in the Church)

There is no daily Mass on April 3rd.

Holy Saturday (April 4)

10am - Blessing of Easter Food (Social Hall)

3:30-4:30pm - Confessions Available

8pm - The Great Vigil of Easter

There is no 4:30pm Mass on April 4.

Easter Sunday (April 5)

Regular Mass Schedule

Inclement Weather Policy



As the weather turns colder and snowier, please take note of the Inclement Weather Policy for St. Jude's Parish:

Weekday Mass is cancelled if Monroe public schools are cancelled (the Mass will be said and the intention will be prayed for, but privately). If school is on a 2-hour delay, Mass is as usual.

Saturday Vigil/Sunday Mass are never cancelled.

Religious Education on Wednesdays are cancelled if Monroe Public Schools are closed OR if the will have no after-school activities.

Religious Education on Sundays - please check your email. We will make the determination by 8am that day.  



All other evening meetings, events, and groups - please contact the leader of your group/event to see if it will still meet. Do not contact the parish office.

New Additional Weekly Confession Time!

We have had such a beautiful renaissance of God's mercy as more and more souls take advantage of the Sacrament of Confession that we have added an additional weekly time for the Sacrament!

Confessions will now be on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30pm and on Monday nights from 8:00-9:00pm. Please come and have your sins forgiven - now available on Mondays too!

Tonight!

Lenten Supper and Stations:

6:00 PM ~ DINNER

7:00 PM ~ STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Friday, March 13 - Soup Night

Friday, March 20 - Quesadillas

Friday, March 27 - Pierogies

GIFTS , TALENTS, and TREASURES SURVEY

We’re creating a Saint Jude parish database of parishioners who have specific gifts and talents that could be useful for the parish. Please check out the survey below!

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” – 1 Peter 4:10 



St. Stephen Bereavement Support Group

Have you suffered the loss of a special person in your life? St. Stephen Bereavement Ministry can offer you hope in coping with your grief. It is open to anyone you may know who needs help. The 10-week course, with a guidded workbook provided, will begin on Wednesday March 11 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Registration is required.

Please call the Parish Office at 203-268-6217. A call will be returned to you with more information.

Men’s Cursillo Weekend

16-19 April 2026

Sisters of the Atonement Retreat Center, Garrison, NY

The Cursillo movement focuses on proclaiming ­­­­­the good news that Christ loves us and offers a mechanism to spread this message through the best means possible, which is friendship.

To fully explain Cursillo to someone who has not experienced it is, at best, difficult. It’s not because Cursillo is a secret, but because it is a living experience that one must experience firsthand. No one can fully explain how God touches a person. Christ, through the Cursillo and through His grace, touches the person who is open to a personal relationship with Him in a special way. Cursillo offers a deeper understanding of what it means to be fully Catholic and provides friendship groups to help us grow closer to Christ as we go about our day-to-day lives. 



We are currently accepting applications for a limited number of men to join us in our upcoming Cursillo weekend. For more information, please text Wayne Haack at 203 516 7108.

INTRODUCING A NEW WOMEN'S STUDY ON SAINTS

  "LOVE LIKE A SAINT"

  CULTIVATING VIRTUE WITH HOLY WOMEN

      In Love Like a Saint, you are invited to be inspired by remarkable saints - virtuous, flawed, and real women who teach us how to surrender to God and be open to his grace. These women have cultivated virtue through a life of surrender and love in the midst of deep sorrows and trials. They are students, wives, employees, friends, mothers, and will be your companions in your faith journey.

This 7 week study begins on Wednesday March 18

 And meets from 6-7:30 in the SJ Social Hall

Please email us by March 11 if you can join us. Books are $15 each.

 Contact: Regina Schwartz at regschwartz@gmail.com

Family News and Events

March Rooted Magazine

Here is the link for March's Rooted Magazine with a link to past issues here.

It is full inspiration for the feasts of March, the month of the Saint Joseph, and Lent.

Printed copies will be available at the family ministry table.

Saint Jude Moms Group

Next Meeting Date:

Thursday, 3/26 may be changed to Friday, 3/27 to do Supper and Stations together. Email if you are interested in meeting up on Friday instead of Thursday this month!

Email saintjudemomsgroup@gmail.com for more information!

Knights of Columbus News

All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall, as we study the week’s Sunday readings.

For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Food Pantry update

Items in greatest need currently are peanut butter, canned soup, canned tuna and mac and cheese. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers, etc. They are currently low on sizes Newborn,1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7,wipes and jars of baby food as well as gently used Baby clothes (boys and girls, up to 18 months), Baby blankets, crib sheets, Onesies, socks, strollers, bottles and pacifiers and baby monitors. They have also requested baby formula such as “Similac 360 Total Care”. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers, etc. 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. They may be mailed to: Hopeline Pregnancy Center, PO Box 110658, Trumbull, CT 06611.

Their biggest need right now is girls’ winter clothing 0-3, 3-6, 9-12 and 12-18.

 As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

Please contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

David Nicolett, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu , Darryl Patterson, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & Family, Catherine Belanger, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Patti F, Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Susan W, Barbara Tranchese, Mary Lopresti, Lor C, Janet C, Larry Pisani, Becky M, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Mildred Blasko, Michael Merola & Family, Father Krzysztof, Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Alice Gumpert, Michael, Donna, Chrystal Archuletta, Lucy Hanson, Jesse Hurst & Family, Maryann Lapinski, Andrea Paddock, Nadine Alusik, Margarida Andrade, John, Jimmy Forno, Matthew Van der Wielen, George N., Milenka Gospic, Benjamin Gray, Chris McCarthy, Leo B., Edward Isales, MaryAnn Voytek, Sal Guerrera, Anne Gulia, Raymond Gosselin

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention..

Our Petition for March is: Lenten Sacrifice 

As Lent continues and our own sacrifices 

seem hard, may we hold a Cross and

reflect on Christ's Crucifixion...

    We Pray To The Lord

Mass Intentions for March 14 – March 22

Sat    Mar 14     4:30pm       Delmastro and Carlson Family

Sun   Mar 15     7:30am               St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Mar 15  9:30am                Pietro Guerrera

Sun   Mar 15      11:30am             Antonio Silva

                                                     Evelyn McCormack

                                                     Alda and Enzo Melissano

Mon  Mar 16        9:00am              Rick Buckley

Tue   Mar 17        9:00am              James Tierney, Sr

Wed  Mar 18        9:00am              Stephen Henn

Thu  Mar 19         9:00am              Deceased members of the

Bermingham Family

  Mar 19                7:00pm              Ada Cosetantini

Fri    Mar 20        9:00am              Maria Emilia Monteiro and

Artur Fernandes Monteiro

Sat    Mar 21         4:30pm            Homer Deneen

Sun   Mar 22         7:30am            Albert P. Forno

Sun   Mar 22         9:30am            Mia Morse

Sun   Mar 22        11:30am           St Jude Parishioners

                                                         Elaine Duschang

Sun   Mar 22         5:30pm              Matthew Pissani

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. Piazza

Wine and Hosts: In memory of Elaine Duschang

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Friday) 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 and may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses

There will be a once/month Sunday evening Solemn High Mass on the Fourth Sunday of every month, starting February 22, at 5:30pm. It is scheduled from February to May.

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.

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



Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church

"Jesus we Trust in You"

thedivinemercy.org

St. Jude Religious Gift Shop

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

We are adding an additional Confession time starting February 1, through Easter (at least - if it is popular we will keep it). Monday nights from 8-9pm (the last hour of Adoration). 

Confessions will now be on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30pm and on Monday nights from 8-9pm. 

Confessions are also by appointment, please call 203-261-6404, to set up an appointment or email the office.  

Parish Office Hours

THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:

MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 – 3:00

Please call (203-261-6404) or e-mail (ParishOffice@stjuderc.org) before coming to the office. Much can be accomplished through a phone call or email, such as requesting masses/mass cards; sacramental records; registering for Baptism; etc.