Reflection from Fr. Joseph

It’s hard to believe that in less than seven weeks, we will be having our annual Italian Festival (and I, for one, am excited to taste the authentic Italian food this year, which is making its comeback!). Because we’re doing our own food, we will need a LOT of volunteers – and I’ve heard it’s quite fun to help out with the cooking and serving!

In order to help out, all volunteers will need to be Virtus trained, which is the Catholic Church’s youth protection training. Prospective volunteers can register for it at www.virtus.org . In fact, I would like to encourage every parishioner over 18 years old to go through Virtus training. It allows you to help out in any capacity around the Church, which opens the possibility of getting involved in ministries, serving, and contributing to the parish.

Unfortunately I’ve gotten considerable pushback when I’ve invited parishioners to take the training. I know it’s a time commitment (approximately 2 ½ hours) and it’s not always an easy or pleasant topic to talk about (child abuse prevention). But it’s very important. Here are some common objections and why the Virtus class is still worth taking:

Objection: I won’t have any contact with kids if I flip burgers at the Festival. Why do I still need Virtus?

In large part because of scandals all across the public sphere – the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, etc – the world is becoming more aware of the reality of child abuse and the need to ensure that all spaces are safe for kids and families. Even if someone isn’t planning to work with kids, we want to make sure that our parish is the safest place available for people of all ages. It’s about forming a safe environment for all to volunteer, recreate, and pray.

Objection: I don’t like talking about that topic – it makes me uncomfortable.

The topics discussed in Virtus are indeed uncomfortable. But we talk about child abuse in order to understand it, so that it can be prevented in the future. Difficult topics don’t go away if we ignore them – rather, by dealing with them honestly and forthrightly, with integrity, we can make it so that abuse is unthinkable and never happens in our communities.

Objection: This came about because of the scandals in the priesthood – the laity shouldn’t be punished with this course.

The scandals in the priesthood may have been the catalyst, but it is still “best practice” in almost all institutions to have training about abuse prevention. No one should see this as a punishment – or to see this as merely a legal formality to prevent future lawsuits. Rather, this is about learning from the terrible errors that the Church has made in the past, to become the safest institution that it can become, so that we can continue to fulfill our mission of preaching the Gospel and leading souls to Heaven, while keeping all of God’s little ones safe.

Objection: I’m too busy, or I don’t plan to volunteer in the future.

The mission of the Church belongs to everyone, not just to priests and people that have lots of free time. The way we live that out is very different for everyone, but the heart of every Christian should be one of service. Not everyone can give twenty hours a week in service to the Church, but everyone should consider how they are called to serve. There are very few people who have zero time to give back to the Lord through service to the Church – consider what ways your time and talent ought to be used for the upbuilding of the People of God? Whenever God calls you to get more involved, having Virtus training will make it easier for you to dive right in. 

In sum, I would highly encourage all of our parishioners to take the Virtus training. We not only want our parish to be a place that is completely safe for kids and families – we also want to have a successful Italian Festival, which requires all of us to pitch in!

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

Our 2023 Camp Adore was such a blessing last week! Here are some photos to share. Many thanks to all of our volunteers and everyone who helped to make it such a huge success!

God is Good! All the time! Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in You!

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

Come on out to Wolfe park (field # 3 next to Monroe Senior Center) for our Annual St Jude Summer Softball Game!

When: Sunday July 9th - 2 pm

Where: Wolfe Park Baseball Field #3

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 8/2 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Next meeting is Thursday 7/27 at 7:30 pm in the Social Hall

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 July is:

We pray for all those who will be affected by

heat and drought this summer including

first responders, outdoor workers, farmers 

and the homeless....

   We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

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

Mon  July 10       9:00am                 Stella Lombardo

Tue  July 11       9:00am                 Michael Robert McGrail

Wed  July 12       9:00am                 Jason Fedanick

Thu   July 13      9:00am                 Bridget Sullivan             

Sat    July15        4:30pm                Joe Buturla, Jr

Sun   July 16      7:30am                 Andrew Henn

Sun   July 16       9:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   July 16      11:30am               Maximino Monteiro

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.