Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Thanks be to God! We have just wrapped up another wonderful week of Camp Adore, our summer camp for kids. It was a blast – and so many kids drew closer to Christ! Over 70 kids came together every day for fun, food, games, songs, Mass, talks, and Adoration. It was heartwarming to see these children singing their hearts out to the Lord, worshipping Him in Adoration, and learning how to love His Sacred Heart.

Camp Adore is the brainchild of Heather Kid, a friend of mine from Long Island. She was telling me one summer about the camp she runs at her parish – which sounded quite different from a usual Vacation Bible Camp. I expressed an interest in it, and she was kind enough, not just to give us her materials and guide us, but even to travel to Monroe these past two summers to help run the camp! She deserves a true award – or maybe a canonization! – for such heroic efforts!

We certainly owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jessica Iannotta who organized and led the awesome week! She also had a huge team of adults and teens alike who took care of every aspect so that things ran tremendously smoothly!

What makes Camp Adore different than other Vacation Bible School weeks? A couple things. First, it has a uniquely Catholic twist – our focus this year is “Summer with the Sacred Heart”! Second, it is a chance for kids to have a real, living encounter with Jesus Christ. No one is too young to begin a personal friendship with Jesus! And the best way to do that is through the Eucharist – Mass and Adoration – where Christ is sacramentally present. It brings tears of joy to our eyes to see kids as young as five and six keeling before our Eucharistic Lord, singing praise songs to Him and offering their lives in love to Him!

“Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). As Aristotle said, “Give me a child until he is seven years old, and I will give you the man.” Or, as Frederick Douglas put it, “It’s easier to form a strong child than to fix a broken man.” Jesus Himself encouraged “the little children to come” to Him. We pray that this past week brought so much joy to the heart of Jesus!

Are you, perhaps, called to work with young people here at St. Jude’s? We are always looking for people of all ages – teens, young adults, parents, retirees – who have a heart for youth and would like to help form the next generation of Catholics. We have three avenues to do so:

First, Kids’ Club, which meets every first Sunday of the month in the afternoon. It’s a fun, laid-back mini-Camp-Adore. Contact Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Second, consider teaching Religious Education. This year classes will take place on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoon/evening. We have 450+ kids in our program, and we’re excited to help them learn more about the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us, and how to love Him in return. Contact our Director of Religious Education, Alice Teixeira, for more information.

Third, we also need help with our Youth Encounters. These gatherings on Friday nights for youth in grades 6-12 are a lot of fun where kids can encounter Jesus in Adoration, through friendship, and through a laid-back conversation about our authentic Catholic Faith. Contact Fr. Joseph if you’d like to volunteer.

We are so grateful for all of the ways our young people can learn to love Jesus here at St. Jude’s – consider getting involved, giving back, and making an impact on the next generation of Catholics!

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

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

Goodbye to Fr. Claudiu!

We are grateful for the presence of Fr. Claudiu with us! He has been assigned, starting July 1, to St. Lawrence in Shelton, where he will be with a Romanian pastor.



Please support a parish Eagle Scout Project!

My name is Christopher Maslar and I am a member of Troop 203. I`m a parishioner of St.Jude and have been altar serving most of my life and I am a sophomore at Masuk. I am working on my Eagle Scout project that will benefit St. Jude Church. This project will re-landscape the hill leading down to the rectory on the St.Jude campus. I will be mulching 995 sq ft of land, planting 381 prairie drop seed plugs and 8 juniper plants. This project will take 4 days and will be completed by the start of August. In order to complete this project, around 1,500 dollars for mulch and all the plants will be needed. I would appreciate any support to help me complete this project. You may donate to help at this link, https://www.osvhub.com/st-jude-church-monroe/giving/funds. Thank you in advance for your support!

• - Christopher Maslar

View more picnic photos at https://saintjude.smugmug.com/St-JudeSt-Stephen-Parish-Picnic-230604/

Come on out to Wolfe park (field will be announced next week) for our St Jude Summer Softball Game!

When: Sunday June 9 - 2 pm

Where: Wolfe park (pending town assignment - will announce field next week)

Click here to RSVP!

Now that school is out, keep the faith alive this summer with our Summer Family Rosary Challenge - open to all families with children/teens.

Use this link to maintain a "Living Rosary" by adding your prayers onto the previous family's (even if just a few Hail Mary's or a single decade - anyone can participate!).

Participants will receive one of these beautiful Marian rosary pouches (while supplies last)!

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, July 30, 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 7/5 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

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

Food Pantry update

As the school year closes out and the weather warms our requirements also change. Items in greatest need at this time are: jarred pasta sauce, canned tomato products, pasta, snack foods and boxed children’s cereal. Thank you again for your continued support of our ministry!

Hopeline Pregnancy Center Diaper Needs

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers and Baby Wipes. They are currently low on the Newborn size. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers in the outer vestibule of the church. Your continued support is greatly appreciated by Hopeline and the Knights of Columbus.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Marie Micholovich, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Dr. John Kezel, 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, John Sansone, Barbara Tranchese, Joe Tavella, Ed Brady, Mary Lopresti, Lou DiMartino and Lor C.

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 June is:

In this month dedicated to the MOST LOVING SACRED HEART OF JESUS, may we ask for more loving, forgiving hearts as we pray....

    JESUS I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU!

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    July 1         8:30am                 Judy Beth Raine

Sat    July 1         4:30pm                Isabel Dantas Teixeira and Lucinda Dantas

Sun   July 2        7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   July 2         9:30am                 Jack Hurley

Sun   July 2        11:30am               Enzo and Alda Melissano

Mon  July 3         9:00am                 Robert H. Buckley

Tue  July 4         9:00am                 Military serving at home and abroad

Wed  July 5         9:00am                 William Lucas

Thu   July 6        9:00am                 Deceased members of the Ashe and Eddy

                                                         families                

Fri    July 7         9:00am                 Marie Goss

Sat    July 8         4:30pm                Pasquale and Vincenzina Cusello

Sun   July 9        7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   July 9         9:30am                 Carmine Bocchino

Sun   July 9        11:30am               Tina Pechulis

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of the Tranzillo and Bonitatibus Families

                            during the month of July

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 )

Men’s Bible Study

The Men’s Bible Study is currently on a Summer break. We will resume meeting in September. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com

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.

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.