Reflection from Fr. Joseph | | |
Quick quiz question: what is the smallest country in the world? Smaller even than Lichtenstein and Monaco is the microscopic Vatican City – nestled within the city of Rome, the Pope’s country measures less than one square mile, has a population of just over 800 people – and is the heart of a world-wide, billion-member, 2,000-year-old religion.
But as a sovereign nation, it has its own governance, postage stamps, and health department. Italso has its own ambassadors, called papal nuncios, who serve as the Pope’s delegate to each individual nation.
Earlier this month, we received a new Papal Nuncio here in America! The outgoing nuncio, Cardinal Christoph Pierre from France, had reached the age of retirement, so Pope Leo appointed Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia, from Italy, to succeed him.
What is the role of a Papal Nuncio? It is threefold. First, it is to serve as the link between the Holy Father and the local bishops. Frequently a nuncio will comment about a national issue, carrying with them the weight of the Pope’s authority. He can communicate to the bishops a message from the Holy Father, and to take the local bishops’ concerns and struggles back to the Vatican.
Second, the Papal Nuncio is instrumental in appointing bishops in his country. Almost all of the appointments will be made in communication with the Nuncio and the Dicastery for Bishops (which is the Vatican’s office for naming bishops). In case you’re wondering, when there is a vacant diocese, the Nuncio will begin a discreet investigation, asking local bishops and priests in leadership roles who they would recommend to fill the empty seat. The nuncio will whittle down the suggestions to three (called the terna), which he will present to the Vatican, who will investigate the lives and CV’s of those three, and select the man to become the next bishop.
Finally, as the Vatican City is its own sovereign nation, the Nuncio’s third role is to serve as an ambassador between the Pope and the secular authorities. He has a right to voice his opinion on issues that deal with peace or human rights; he can negotiate treaties; he often reports to the Pope about news local to his country.
We welcome Archbishop Caccia to the United States – may his time here be one of happiness and joy!
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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
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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!
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Tonight!
Lenten Supper and Stations:
6:00 PM ~ DINNER
7:00 PM ~ STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Friday, March 27 - Pierogies
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Living Stations of the Cross
Good Friday, April 3
7:30 PM
Join the children of the parish as they lead us through a moving reenactment of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
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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.
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Divine Mercy Novena
begins next week
Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina that He wishes to pour His mercy upon the whole world. He told her, "I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy". Prepare to take full advantage of the great graces available on the Feast of Mercy for yourself, your family, and the whole world. Go to MercySundayMomentum.org to find out how. To get daily Novena reminders, visit Divine Mercy for America, Pray more Novenas or the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy. Here is this year's novena schedule:
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Saint Jude
Religious Gift Shop
Will be available in the foyer after Masses this weekend for Sacrament items for upcoming Confirmation and Communion gifts.
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Special Collection for the Holy Land
Collection date: Good Friday, April 3, 2026
The Holy Father has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Through the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, we stand in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land as witnesses of peace, supporting Catholics in parishes and schools, maintaining Christian shrines and caring for refugees. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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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.
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Saint Jude Moms Group
Next Meeting Date:
Meet at Supper and Stations TONIGHT for Lent.
Email saintjudemomsgroup@gmail.com for more information!
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PALM CROSS PICK UP
Pick up for the palm crosses is this weekend after all the masses!
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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.
| Invitation to Hopeline's 40th Anniversary Benefit | | |
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.
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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.
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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, Joan Deaky
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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
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Mass Intentions for March 28 – April 5
Sat Mar 28 4:30pm Theresa Dyer
Sun Mar 29 7:30am St Jude Parishioners
Sun Mar 29 9:30am The Palladino Family
Sun Mar 29 11:30am Maureen O’Keefe
Holly Flynn
Mary Jane Spede
Mon Mar 30 9:00am John Karlson
Tue Mar 31 9:00am Michael Nolan
Wed Apr 1 9:00am Holy Souls in Purgatory
Thu Apr 2 7:30pm Ella Balagtas
Sat Apr 4 8:00pm Rose Scali
Sun Apr 5 7:30am St Jude Parishioners
Sun Apr 5 9:30am Ljuba Jovic and Dragica Jovic
Sun Apr 5 11:30am The Andrade and Pinto Family
Imelda Perez
Adeline Kenol, Jean Verna and
Marie Anna Lescouflair
Tabernacle Candle: (Mar)In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Piazza
(Apr) In memory of Andrew Henn
Wine and Hosts:( Mar) In memory of Elaine Duschang
(Apr) In memory of Luis and Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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