Reflection from Fr. Joseph

It’s that time of year again…spring! And time for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.

Oh no, is Fr. Joseph going to talk about money? Nope – I’m going to talk about the good works of charity that the diocese does, which we have the privilege of being a part of!

Many times in our daily life, we don’t consider how needs are met. Every parish needs priests, but how are priests formed? We know that there are poor people in our communities – but how are they fed? How is it that the Catholic Church can continue to provide education for underprivileged kids to break the cycle of poverty and give them a future with hope? The answer is through the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. Here are just some of the good things that the Bishop’s Appeal contributes to:

1. Formation for Seminarians – it takes between 7-9 years for a man to become a priest. I tell people it’s a lot like being a doctor, but more important, because if a doctor makes a mistake someone may get injured, but if a priest makes a mistake, a soul could be lost for eternity! That’s why they need time to study, pray, develop good and healthy habits, and learn how to do ministry, so that they can become holy and excellent priests who will be the face of Jesus in the world tomorrow. This is funded through the ABA.
2. Retired Priests and Religious – many of our retired priests, like our own Msgr. Sabia, live at Queen of Clergy Retirement Home in Stamford, where they are cared for in their later years through help from the ABA.
3. Mental Health Counseling – as the mental health of our nation continues to deteriorate, many people with low income find it challenging to find the necessary and often life-saving mental health counseling that they need. Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, funded by the ABA, offers mental health counseling to those in crisis situations.
4. Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries – places like the Merton House in Bridgeport, the New Covenant Center in Stamford, and the Dorothy Day House in Danbury provide meals for the hungry, job counseling, social work, and food pantries for those in need, living out Jesus’ injunction to take care of our brothers and sisters.
5. Scholarships for Catholic Schools – so many inner-city schools are, sadly, underperforming. What a grace it is, then, that the Catholic Church runs schools in underprivileged neighborhoods to help kids to develop skills, get an education, and be formed in their Faith, so that they can go forth to be successful leaders in society. These schools receive no government aid – and most students cannot afford the tuition, so the ABA helps bridge the gap and keep these schools of hope alive for inner-city students.
6. Hospital & Nursing Home Chaplains – if you ever find yourself in Bridgeport or St. Vincent’s Hospitals, it is a comfort to know that there are full-time Catholic priests on-call at any hour of the night or day. Even many nursing homes like St. Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull and St. Camillus in Stamford have their own priest – paid for by the ABA.
7. Ministry to Youth & Families – College campus ministry at WestConn, grants to parishes for their religious education departments, and Young Adult Ministry in the diocese is funded through the ABA.
8. Catholic Media – our diocese supports its very own EWTN affiliate, “Veritas Catholic Network” (1350AM or 103.9 FM, or listen online or on the app at www.veritascatholic.com – especially listen on Fridays at noon when my show “Restless” is aired! My apologies for the shameless plug…). Our diocesan website and social media are also paid for by the ABA.
9. Plus – St. Jude’s and Blessed Sacrament Parish! Any amount collected over our parish goal of $81,000 goes back to us, which we use to support our Family Ministries, our physical plant, our Hospitality and Floral ministries, and so much more. We share half of our overage with Blessed Sacrament parish, which is the poorest parish in the diocese, pastored by a former St. Jude’s Parochial Vicar, Fr. Skip. 

And so much more. I personally support and give to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal because I believe strongly in the works of charity and spreading the Gospel that they support. Many of you have, or will, receive a mailing from me and from the Diocese encouraging you to support this annual campaign. But you can also do so online – visit https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/bishops-appeal/home/ to donate and find out how your gifts are used. We are aiming for 100% participation from our parish – isn’t it a blessing to be able to support so many good works of the Church?

Holy Week at St. Jude's

Palm Sunday (palms distributed at all Masses)

Saturday, April 1 - 4pm Mass

Sunday, April 2 - 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30am Masses

Confession Monday

Monday, April 3 from 3pm-9pm, Confessions will be available at these local parishes:

St. Rose in Newtown

St. Lawrence in Shelton

St. Catherine in Trumbull

Tenebrae - Wednesday, April 5 at 8pm

Tenebrae, from the Latin word meaning "shadows" or "darkness", commemorates the sadness of Christ's death through a candlelight service of readings, music, and darkness. Profoundly moving, it helps us to truly enter into the mystery of Christ's death.

Holy Thursday - Thursday, April 6

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

Prayer before our Eucharistic Lord (at the Altar of Repose in the Social Hall) will continue until 11pm.

Good Friday - Friday, April 7

10am - Outdoor Stations of the Cross

1-2:45pm - Confessions Available

3pm - Service of the Lord's Passion (with Holy Communion)

7:30pm - Living Stations, presented by our parish youth

Holy Saturday - April 8

10am - Blessing of Food in the Social Hall

3-4pm - Confessions Available

8pm - The Great Vigil of Easter

(Please note: there is NO 4pm Mass on Holy Saturday) 

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 9 - 7:30am, 9:30am, and 11:30am Masses

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 3:30 every Saturday through April 29.

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 join us as we pray the Rosary together.

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

March 24

Please join us for the fourth and final lecture of the first phase of the Ignatian Parish Pilgrimage we are co-sponsoring with St. Stephen’s on Saturday morning, March 25^th starting at 10:30 in St. Jude’s Social Hall.  It will be led by Fr. John Murray, a Jesuit priest with the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University. Bring a friend. The Pilgrimage is an important part of our Lenten journey for deepening our relationship with Christ, improving our relationship with each other, and helping us grow in personal holiness. Please see our parish website for more details.

Notes From the Music Ministry

Music and Lent

Having begun this Ash Wednesday and lasting through Good Friday, you will find at the ends of each pew pieces of cardstock. On that sheet is the Mass Setting, otherwise known as the Mass Ordinaries, that we will be using during Lent. During this more penitent liturgical season, we will sing the Kyrie and of course replace the Alleluia with an acclamation. We will also change the Holy, Holy (the Sanctus) to the familiar Latin Chant that should bring back some memories. All the music you need is right before you. Please participate - you will catch on quickly. 

Additionally, the music during the Lenten Season is also noticeably different. There will not be prelude or postlude music before or after Mass. This is to encourage quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament present in the Tabernacle. Musical interludes are omiited as well, and hymns are frequently set in a minor key, typically less pleasent to the ear. Liturgically, Lent is not "business as usual", just like our personal approach to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We have to enter the fallow desert with Christ in anticipation of a joyous Easter. 

Adult, Children's Choir, and Contemporary Choir

Now is a great time to consider stepping up and joining our group of volunteers in our Music Ministry. Please see me if you would like to participate in either any of our musical groups. 

Knights of Columbus Council 5987

is having a Knights of Columbus benefits night on Thursday March 23 at 7:30 pm in the social hall. All Knights and men 18 years and older that are Knight eligible may attend. Will be held in the social hall.



This is a great opportunity to find out what The Knights of Columbus has to offer for benefits. It will be an overview of different savings and investing programs along with a complete discussion on long term care. There will be pizza so please let me know if you will be attending. We need as many Knights as possible to attend to get credit for the night. Reply to pete.delmastro@att.net

Mass Intentions

Have you ever heard someone announce that "This Mass is offered for John Doe"? Most Masses are offered for specific intentions, usually for the repose of the soul of someone who is deceased. It's a way to apply the prayers, graces, and merits of the Mass for the soul of our deceased loved one (or for a living person, if Mass is offered for the living). Currently we have a number of daily Masses in March and April, and throughout the rest of the year, which no one has requested. If you have a loved one that you would like to pray for in a special way (living or deceased), consider having a Mass offered for them. Contact the parish office for available dates. The usual stipend for each Mass is $10.

St. Stephen Bereavement Support Group

Have you suffered the loss of a special person in your life? Our Bereavement Ministry can offer you hope of coping with your grief. It is open to anyone you may know who needs help. The 10-week course with a guided workbook provided will begin on Tuesday, March 21st from 4:00-5:30pm. Registration is required. Please call the rectory at 203-268-6217. A call will be returned to you by one of the bereavement facilitators. 

Food Pantry Update



Your continued support of our ministry is always appreciated. Items of greatest need at this time are canned beans, pancake mix and syrup, rice sides and of particular need are coffee and tea (our inventory for these items is depleted), and of course, boxed children’s cereal which is always on our list.

Easter is rapidly approaching and preparations are well underway for our upcoming distribution. At Easter we provide each of our 15 families with a ham and other perishable items so they can enjoy a “traditional holiday meal”. If you are interested in donating a baked ham, please text/call Liz Romeo at 203-417-5298 or via email at lizromeo65@gmail.comfor details.

The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, our Sr Megan Mary Thibodeau’s religious order is asking for our help. During Lent they are asking for prayers and for donations to help them build a Mother House in Corpus Christi Texas, where Sr Megan is the General Superior of the order. +

To quote their request:

It’s Lent and we are excited! ON Ash Wednesday we kicked off our 40 Days + 40 Dollars + 40 Friends campaign to raise funds for our new Motherhouse. We humbly ask you to consider donating 40 dollars during these 40 days of Lent and sharing our need with 40 friends or 10 friends to share with 4 of their friends. Please also keep an eye out for our Behind the Habit posts on Facebook which are short glimpses of the lives of our sisters who may one day live in this new Motherhouse.

Since Sr Megan was formed here at St Jude and we are her home parish it would be great to support this effort. If you feel the Lord move you to help, please send donations to: SOLT Sisters, PO Box 4116, Corpus Christi’s TX 78469.

HEALING SHAWLS ARE AVAILABLE!  

The Healing Shawl Ministry would like you to know that they are free of charge and are made with love and prayers for the purpose of providing a tangible form of caring and compassion to those who are sick, bereaved, or in need of a hug. WE NEED YOU to let us know when someone in your family, a dear friend, or a neighbor might be in need of one. To request a shawl (we have them for men, women, and children), contact Angela Baril,  anbar123@aol.com or 203-452-0432. All requests are confidential.

Consider giving a PRAYER SQUARE (which are blessed and located in baskets in the church entries) to anyone you know who might need to have a pocket size reminder that God is always with us. 

Bring home Saint Jude's traveling statue 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!

Seeking Prayer Intentions to bring to

the Holy Land!

We have a group of parishioners who will be visiting the Holy Land next month. They have offered to take our Parish's prayer requests with them.



We want to ensure our entire parish is aware of the tremendous graces offered to the whole world on Divine Mercy Sunday, which is 4/16 this year. Jesus told St. Maria Faustina, "This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of My tender mercies. Every soul believing and trusting in My mercy will obtain it.”

Go to MercySundayMomentum.org to join the momentum, get inspiration, and help others discover the gift of Divine Mercy Sunday! Click here for our parish Novena and Divine Mercy Sunday schedule!

Communion Gift Sale after 9:30/11:30 Mass THIS Sunday 3/26

St Jude's religious gift shop has many beautiful communion items available for purchase. See list here. Contact Fran Cambra to purchase. Items will be available in the church foyer for purchase this Sunday 3/26 (or by appointment).

Save the Date!

May Women's Rosary Making Event

Thursday 5/25 at 7:00 PM

St Jude Social Hall

email Jessica Iannotta to RSVP

Do you want to have a superabundant marriage?

If so, come join us and meet other young couples and learn 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage.

We invite you to join us in a series of talks to enhance your marriage and your spirituality. There is no cost.

First meeting for couples will be an introduction and social night THIS Saturday, March 25 at 5:30 PM in the St Jude Social Hall. It will be a pizza and wine event!

RSVP: Mike Bonomo phone/text 203-257-3224. Email: mbonomo200@earthlink.net

Please indicate if childcare needed at the event.

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"

To register click here. Space is filling quickly - sign up early to secure a spot!

Email Jessica Iannotta if you are an adult or teen interested in volunteering or helping with preparation or donations.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Thursday 3/30 at 7:30 pm

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 4/5 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

If you would like to join our next book study, 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley, email Jessica Iannotta

***SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY 5/25 7:00 PM - WOMEN'S ROSARY MAKING EVENT. ALL ARE INVITED!

Youth Encounter and Kid's Club Reminders

Next Encounter 3/31 & Kid's Club 4/2

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, Charles Metoyer, Liz Guaglianone, Tip B.

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.

MONTHLY PARISH PETITION

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for March is:

We pray that parents considering aborting their preborn babies, receive the grace to remember that God has given life to their babies and entrusted them to you....

    We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    Mar 25       4:00pm                John Koch

Sun   Mar 26      7:30am                 Andrew Henn

Sun   Mar 26       9:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Mar 26       11:30am               Jean Murphy

Mon  Mar 27       9:00am                 Andrew Henn

Tue   Mar 28      9:00am                 Evie Andrejczyk

Wed  Mar 29       9:00am                Deceased members of the Banville &

                                                         O’Leary families

Thu   Mar 30       9:00am                 Andrew Henn

Fri   Mar 31       9:00am                 Eileen & Richard Sekerak

Sat    Apr 1          8:30am                 Daryl Bouchard

Sat    Apr 1          4:00pm                Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Apr 2         7:30am                 Janet Carroll

Sun   Apr 2          9:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Apr 2          11:30am               Michael Daniek

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Marie Goss during the month of March and for Andrew Henn during the month of April

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 )

Holy Trinity Catholic Academy

503 Shelton Avenue

Shelton, CT

For more information, go to:

www.holytrinitycatholicacademy.org

or call: 203-929-4422

Pre-K 3 through 8^th Grade

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 mjrob08@gmail.com.

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. St. Jude Religious Gift Shop will be selling Communion items at the 9:30 & 11:30 Masses on March 26th. 



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 an appointment or email the office.