Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Memorial Day – the unofficial beginning of summer. The warming of the weather means more people will be outdoors, enjoying barbecues and swimming and, of course, sports.

Sports intersects profoundly with our Catholic Faith. Pope John Paul II said, “The sports field is the field of virtue.” On the sports field, we can practice the virtues of cooperation, hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, self-discipline, charity, good sportsmanship, and working together to accomplish a common goal.

The official patron of sports is St. Sebastian, a Roman soldier who privately converted to Catholicism in the 200s. When his faith was discovered, he was sentenced to death by being shot with arrows (since archery is a sport, he became the patron of sports). He ended up surviving the arrow attack, and after being nursed back to health, he told the Emperor that he ought to convert to Catholicism. The Emperor, not pleased with seeing Sebastian alive again, ordered him beheaded.

But many other saints were sporty. Pope St. John Paul II loved to kayak and ski – in fact, he would frequently sneak out of the Vatican, past the Swiss Guards, wearing a disguise, so he could go skiing in the mountains. Bl. Chiara Luce Badano was a tennis player; Bl. Carlo Acutis played soccer, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati was a mountain climber, and our local Bl. Michael J. McGivney played baseball during his time in the seminary (there is even a baseball box score with his name listed!).

St. Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit priest from the 1600s who ministered to Native Americans in Canada, actually came up with the name of “lacrosse”, which had been played frequently among the native tribes. He was so physically strong that the Indians called him “Echon” which means “the strong one” – quite an athlete there!

Ven. Teresita Quevedo was captain of her high school basketball team; St. Theresa of the Andes loved swimming. And soccer gets two patron saints. St. Louis Scrosoppi, who was an Italian priest who founded a school for poor children (and I’m sure he played futbol with his young charges!)…and Bl. Benedict Daswa, a South African convert to Christianity who was a school principal. When Bl. Benedict’s school soccer team started turning to witchcraft and pagan worship to win games, he objected and founded another team which would combine Catholicism with soccer.

However, when I played baseball in college, our baseball coach would always tell us, “Nothing in sports is eternal.” That kept it all in perspective – wins or losses won’t impact our eternal salvation, but the charity with which we played will either make us a great saint or a great sinner. The time we spent practicing was important, but the time we spent praying was even more important. In this game of life, keeping sports in its proper perspective will help us win the ultimate prize: eternal life with God!

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 on our website. https://www.stjuderc.org/50-years.html

Pentecost Vigil!

If you've ever been to the Easter Vigil, you know that it is a powerful night of readings, darkness & light, and music. Did you know, though, that the Feast of Pentecost (the third-most important Feast in our church year, after Easter and Christmas) also has a unique Vigil? Our 4:30pm Mass on Saturday, May 27^th will be the "Extended Vigil" of Pentecost, featuring SIX Scripture readings, incense, and a special service of darkness and light. The Mass will be approximately 15 minutes longer than normal. What a way to celebrate our great Feast!

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

2nd Annual St. Jude & St. Stephen's Parish Picnic!

Next Sunday, June 4 1-4 pm

Note new location: St Rose of Lima, Newtown

RSVP by May 28th

50th Anniversary Apparel orders will be in this coming week and can be picked up in the Social Hall before and after all Masses next weekend! Come get yours in time for the Parish Picnic!

Food Pantry Update

Weekly demand on our pantry continues to be above average. As a result, the items in greatest need at this time are: peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, pasta, tuna and boxed children's cereal.

Thank you again for your continued support of our ministry!

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.

We crowned Our Lady last Saturday to honor her in this month of May. Three of our First Communicants joined the procession and presented Mary with carnations. Even though the event is typically outdoors, the rain didn't stop us from honoring our heavenly mother!

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for Us!

Save the Dates for Summer Family Events!

Thursday, June 15: Family Bingo with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth - 5 pm

Sunday, July 9: St Jude Summer Softball Game - 2 pm

Thursday, July 20: Family Ministry Summer Backyard Adoration 7 pm

Monday August 7: - Family Game Night 6:30 pm

Monday, August 21: Family Ministry Summer Backyard Adoration 6:30 pm

Summer Rosary Challenge - Coming Soon!

email Jessica Iannotta for more information or to RSVP!

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. Sign up by June 11



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

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.

Next meeting will be Sunday, June 25, 5:30-7:00 PM. 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.

Mom's Group Announcements

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 6/7 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

If you are interesting in joining our summer book club, email Jessica Iannotta

Photos from last night's Women's Rosary Making Event

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!

Click here to sign up

Last weekend more than two dozen young people, including altar servers and regular participants in our parish Youth Encounters, and adult volunteers gathered for a fun and faith-filled afternoon of laser tag, indoor bumper cars, pizza and a tour of the breathtaking Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. It was truly a blessed trip!

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, Rosario Pacheco, Antonia Tedeschi, Charles Metoyer, Liz Guaglianone, Tip B., Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Judy Thomas, Lewis Family and John Sansone

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 May is:

We pray through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, especially by recitation of the Rosary as She has often requested, that peace may be achieved in this increasingly troubled world...

   We pray to the Lord

Saint Jude Parish Office 2024 MASS BOOK IS OPEN

Helpful information to guide you when you request a Mass.

ANNOUNCED MASSES: Offered for a particular intention on a specific date. It can be in honor/memory of someone or for a special intention. They are announced at Mass and published in our newsletter.

SANCTUARY CANDLE: The candle burns in honor/memory of someone or a special intention for a particular month. The intention is published in our newsletter.

We are offering weekday masses, weekend masses, and our monthly first Saturday mass.

Please Note: By Papal Decree a mass every weekend is to be said for the parishioners of St Jude. Therefore, we have only 3 masses a weekend available for intentions and will need to be limited.

Requests can be made through email, parish.office@stjuderc.comor by phone (203)261-6404 or by visiting the parish office Monday-Thursday 9-3.

Stipend: Mass $10.00

        Sanctuary Candle (month) $75.00



Payment by cash or check at time of request

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat   May 27       4:30pm                 Janis Buturla Moran

Sun   May 28      7:30am                  St Jude Parishioners

Sun   May 28       9:30am                 Donato DeSanctis

Sun   May 28      11:30am                Ida and Julius Servadio

Mon  May 29       9:00am                 Elaine Edgerton

Tue   May 30      9:00am                  Valdemar Guerra

Wed  May 31       9:00am                 Andrew Henn

Thu   June 1         9:00am                Preciosa B. Nunes

Fri    June 2         9:00am                 Marie and Andy Fekete

Sat   June 3        8:30am                  Art and Kaye Sheehan

Sat   June 3        4:30pm                 Bernard Steinke

Sun   June 4        7:30am                 Andrew Henn

Sun   June 4         9:30am                The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Sun   June 4        11:30am               Paul Sideleau, Sr.

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Andrew Henn during the month of May

Weekday Masses 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.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 as we study the Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group . Since RE is finished for the year, a new time will be announced soon.

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 3:00 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.