Reflection from Fr. Joseph

In our scientific age, many believe that miracles are impossible. Perhaps because of that, God seems to be raising up more frequent miracles – consider the recent Eucharistic miracle in Thomaston, CT…or the current miracle of the incorrupt nun from Missouri.

Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster was only 17 when she discerned God calling her to join the Oblate Sisters of Providence, an order of African-American Catholic nuns whose mission was to serve the Black Catholic population in America. She faithfully served for many decades. But the tumultuous time after the Second Vatican Council caused her spirituality take her in a different direction from her religious order. Disillusioned with the Oblates, she felt God calling her – at the age of 70! – to found a new community, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in 1995. Her community would be one of contemplation, as nuns chant the Psalms for five hours each day, and do manual labor to support themselves in their small abbey in Gower, Missouri. She headed this order until her death in 2019.

In honor of her holiness, her fellow nuns exhumed her body in April of this year, to re-bury her in a crypt in the chapel…and were shocked to find that her body had not decayed at all in the past four years. Although she had not been embalmed, she looked the same as if she had died – despite being buried in a casket that had cracked in the moist Missouri soil! You can read more about this amazing miracle here: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/i-want-to-see-for-myself-thousands

Apparently, Sr. Wilhelmina is the recipient of a great grace and miracle: incorruptibility. Over the last twenty centuries, over 300 saints have been granted incorruptibility. It’s not an exact science, though. Some saints were partially corrupted, but just slower than normal…some saints had only one part of their body incorrupt (for example, St. Anthony’s tongue since he was a great preacher, or St. Francis Xavier’s right arm which baptized hundreds of thousands of converts), and some saints were exhumed incorrupt but began to decay as soon as they hit air again.

Science does not yet have an explanation for how these saints, all of whom did not receive any embalming, have not fully decomposed after centuries in the ground. It is certainly possible that science may provide an explanation in the future, which is why the Church does not officially declare incorruptibility to be one of the miracles needed for a person’s canonization.

Nevertheless, it is quite possible (I would dare say most likely) that incorruptibility is a true miracle from God to show the holiness of a certain person. Since death, corruption, and decay are consequences of sin, then when a person lived a holy life, it is only fitting that their bodies should also be preserved from the effect of sin. For more information on incorruptibility, here’s a pretty good primer:https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/when-it-comes-to-bodies-just-how

Whatever happened to Sr. Whilhemina in Gower, MO, thousands upon thousands of pilgrims are flocking there for prayer, reflection, and conversion – and it is these souls, being led closer to God, that is the truest and most enduring miracle here!

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

Welcome to our Summer Seminarian!

This summer, let us welcome Joseph Ukaj, a seminarian for the Diocese of Bridgeport! He will be with us for the next seven weeks, gaining pastoral experience as he continues his journey to the priesthood. Here is his biography:

I am the youngest of 4 children and was born in Europe. I moved to the States when I was 12, settling in New York. I was baptized Catholic as an infant but did not really practice my faith growing up. In early twenties I had a conversion experience which transformed my life. A few years after that I felt that I was being called to the priesthood, and after a period of struggle I accepted God’s invitation, which brought me much joy.



In 2015 I entered seminary for the Archdiocese of New York and continued my formation with them until recently switching to the Diocese of Bridgeport.

I am very excited to be, God-willing, serving God and his Church as a priest in the near future.

St Jude/St Stephen Parish Picnic Photos

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

Families Needed to Bring Cheer and Fellowship to the Sisters! Join us for Family Bingo on 6/15!

We have a local community of mostly retired nuns, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who live right on Route 111 in Monroe!

We visited them to do some caroling during Christmas time and they invited us back this month for Bingo and Pizza!

It is a great opportunity for our Parish families to do a joyful act of service!

Please e-mail Jessica Iannotta by Monday 6/12 if you are interested in joining us so that we can have a headcount. We plan to meet there at 5 pm .

Thanks to generous family ministry donors, we have purchased a Parish license to the book Write Our Name on Your Heart: Family Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

We will be using as a complement to Camp Adore this year since our theme is "Summer with the Sacred Heart" .

The book will help you and your family explore the plan God has for your family, the rich symbolism of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the powerful example of the Habsburg family, what it means to be devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the remarkable example of the Martin family, obstacles to union with Jesus, and the incredible way that Jesus loves us.

For a free link to access the digital book, e-mail Jessica Iannotta

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in You!

To access a Consecration Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in this month of the Most Sacred Heart, click here

Sacred Heart hand drawing 2016, by Alina Kaufman, a member of the Children's Rosay

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: [email protected]

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

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, 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, John Sansone, Barbara Tranchese, Joe Tavella and Ed Brady

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!

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, [email protected]or 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   June 10       4:30pm                 Lucinda Dantas

Sun   June 11      7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   June 11      9:30am                 Raymonda Blair

Sun   June 11      11:30am                Bernath Family

Mon  June 12       9:00am                 Stephanie Strawley

Tue   June 13       9:00am                 Filippo Muscarella

Wed  June 14       9:00am                 Joseph Frank Honek

Thu   June 15       9:00am                 Joseph and Margaret Mende              

Sat   June 17       4:30pm                Deceased members of the Henn Family

Sun   June 18      7:30am                 Kenneth Keegan

Sun   June 18      9:30am                 Helen Nipert

Sun   June 18      11:30am               Mary Ellen Walsh

Hosts and Wine: LaBella and Tortora Family during the month of June.

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 [email protected]

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.