Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Stop the presses!

I was going to write about Holy Week coming up, but many of my parishioners have alerted me to something truly remarkable, amazing, and dare I say miraculous that occurred recently in our own home state. Have you seen about the Eucharistic Miracle that allegedly occurred up in Thomaston, CT?

A couple of weeks ago, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion was distributing Our Lord to a packed church, even though their ciborium (the golden vessel which holds the Hosts) was only half-full. After distributing Him for a while, the minister began to be concerned that they didn’t have enough Hosts for the entire line. But looking down, they discovered that there were more Hosts than when they started! They continued distributing Communion and at the end of Communion, the number of Hosts had not diminished at all. This was witnessed both by the Extraordinary Minister and also by the priest. Currently the Archdiocese of Hartford is investigating the possibility that this was a legitimate miracle from God. If you want to hear the priest’s testimony about this miracle, here’s his Youtube video: https://youtu.be/c_CKy65YYFk .

As surprising as this is, it’s not the first time in history. St. John Bosco encountered a similar Eucharistic Miracle when He distributed Communion to 360 people with only 8 Hosts in the Tabernacle (http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/scheda.html?nat=miracoli&wh=chiaravalle-bosco&ct=San%20Giovanni%20Bosco,%201848 ). Anecdotally, a priest who I know from Atlanta experienced a similar situation where he was able to distribute many hundreds of Hosts at a youth conference from a half-empty Ciborium.

It’s beautiful that these Eucharistic miracles still occur. Many times we think that miracles were something relegated to the “Dark Ages”, when according to the popular narrative, the people were unscientific and superstitious, ready to believe any miracle no matter how far-fetched. But when a miracle hits closer to home – like our own state, a couple weeks ago – it makes us realize that God can, and does, continue to break into human history to suspend the laws of Nature (which are His laws, after all), to encounter us and show us His presence. Many times, science has actually supported the miraculous events that have occurred (such as in Lourdes, where in addition to the reported 7,000+ cures, the Church has officially scientifically investigated and approved about 70 of them. This means that doctors, many of whom are atheists or nonreligious, examine the evidence to see if a cure was sudden, lasting, and inexplicable by modern science).

Here are some more amazing Eucharistic miracles that have happened within the 21^stCentury – the last one, to me, is particularly amazing: https://aleteia.org/2018/02/27/4-amazing-eucharistic-miracles-from-the-last-20-years/ .

So, in sum, it is a great gift – and a great support to our Catholic Faith – when God performs miracles. It can be hard to believe that God is real, that He loves us, and that the Eucharist is truly His Body and Blood…and miracles make that faith a little easier. At the same time, every Mass is truly a miracle, even if it is invisible to the human eye. So we approach every Mass with the same awe and wonder as if Christ were visibly present, because although His presence is invisible in the Eucharist, it is still a real and truePresence!

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

Our Flame of Love Rosary group prays the Rosary every Thursday after Mass. Through this devotion, Our Lady encourages us to adore Our Lord as much as possible throughout the day.



This week, after the Rosary, two parishioners were thanking the Lord for His True Presence in the Eucharist and the light from the peak created a beautiful affirmation to see on the Tabernacle.

They wanted to share this beautiful image with the Parish.

Lord, we believe, we adore, we hope and we love You. May God continue to bless St Jude's Parish!

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.

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.

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

Palm crosses that have been ordered may be picked up in the social hall after Masses this weekend. Thank you!

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. 

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.

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.

Parish Seder Service

Our Parish Seder entitled "Passover for Christians" was held on March 27th and was attended by over 50 people.

Many people commented on how informative and enriching this Service was.

We closed by praying for our Jewish brothers and sisters as they celebrate Passover next week. 

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.

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!

We need families for the weeks of 5/21, 5/28 and 6/4

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. Please add your prayer requests by 4/7.



Divine Mercy Sunday is the first Sunday after Easter, the greatest day of grace of the year. Official Church teaching states that those who worthily receive the Eucharist with trust in God's mercy on this day and are merciful to others will obtain COMPLETE forgiveness of all sin and punishment. It is likened to a second baptism! In addition, Jesus promises, "ALL the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened." On this day, ask the Lord with trust for blessings, healings, reconciliations, etc.

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!

“Reclaiming Friendships”

Walking with Purpose Bible Study

Wednesdays, April 26 – May 31, 6-7:30 PM

Fridays, April 28 – June 2, 9:30-11 AM

Register at: https://www.osvhub.com/st-jude-church-monroe/forms/wwp2023-1 Questions?

Contact Annette Bonomo at Abonomo200@earthlink.net or MaryBeth Rauser at mbrauser@hotmail.com

Cost for book - $20

Save the Date!

May Women's Rosary Making Event

Artist Adrienne Keogler is coming to St Jude's! 

She has done Rosary making groups at many other parishes. Her Rosaries are high quality and very beautiful. 

Date: Thursday 5/25 at 7 pm

Location: St Jude Social Hall

Cost: $40 for first Rosary and $25 for each additional Rosary (no pre-payment required - you can bring cash, check or Venmo that day)

RSVP: email Jessica Iannotta

You can preview some Rosaries at https://www.keoglerstudios.com/rosaries

Join us and meet other young couples and learn 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage - a series of talks to enhance your marriage and your spirituality. There is no cost.

First meeting will be Sunday, April 30, 5:30-7:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall. Pizza and wine will be served.

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 4/27 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 starting at the end of April, 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 tonight 3/31 & Kid's Club this Sunday 4/2

Red Cross Blood Donation drive

The Knights of Columbus Council 5987 will again sponsor a Red Cross Blood Donation drive on Saturday, May 13 in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall.. The drive runs from 9 AM until 2 PM. All parishioners age 18 and above are welcome to donate. Also, tell a friend. The earlier you sign up, the more slots are available.

Here is how you can make an appointment. Go to the ARC blood donation web site,https://www.redcrossblood.org/. Click “donate blood”, insert the zip code 06468 and then click “find a drive”. In the filter area, select and click “refine search” and then click “Choose my dates”. When the calendar comes up, click on May 13, 2023 and our drive should appear. From there, you can schedule your own appointment.

You can also email Frank Flynn at bynumrun@hotmail.com. Let him know a preferred time and he will insert your name.



Hope to see you there.

The Columbiettes is an organization of Catholic women dedicated to our Patronesses, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Theresa the Little Flower and St. Joan of Arc. This national organization is comprised of auxiliaries that are affiliated with the Knights of Columbus Councils.

Our local Columbiettes auxiliary will be holding our spring new member initiation at the Tuesday, April 11 meeting. The meeting starts at 7pm.

We meet monthly on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Monthly meeting attendance is preferred but not mandatory if you're tied up on Tuesday. You can still participate in the various charitable, social and religious activities throughout the year.  

Any ladies interested in more information about Columbiettes should write to us at Columbiettes@stjude.org or call Helen at 203-767-6486. 

We meet at the St Jude social hall, but membership is not limited to St Jude parishioners.

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.

Our Petition for April is:



We pray for an end to violence in our World, especially in our schools, and for improved mental health care in our Country....

    We pray to the Lord 

Upcoming Mass Intentions

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 Daniels

Mon  Apr 3          9:00am                 John and Anna McGowan

Tue   Apr 4         9:00am                 James Torre

Wed  Apr 5          9:00am                Joseph and Anna Keltos

Thu   Apr 6          7:30pm                St Jude Parishioners

Sat    Apr 8          8:00pm                Florence Olivia

Sun   Apr 9         7:30am                 Angela Oakley

Sun   Apr 9          9:30am                 Marie Goss

Sun   Apr 9          11:30am               Maria Emilia Monteiro

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of 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: 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 3:00 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.

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