Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Whew! The Italian Festival!

I think many of our parishioners are breathing a sigh of relief now that it’s over, but it is certainly a contented sigh in thanksgiving for a job well-done and a tremendous parish success!

Once again, this effort was spearheaded by the tremendous work of Paul and Nanette Seperack, who have given countless hours to the grueling work of organizing this parish festival. It was they who organized volunteers, arranged contracts, did the grunt work of moving grills and refrigerators, and even took out the trash!! Truly, we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude!

There were so many dedicated volunteers that if I list them all, I’m sure I’d miss someone. But in a particular way we owe thanks to Brian Veo and Pete DelMastro, Doug and Norma Bissell, Jeff Romeo, and so many others who spent hours volunteering at the festival – slaving over a hot grill, selling religious articles, being the joyful “face” of St. Jude’s to the crowd!

And to the many volunteers who gave an hour, a day, or all four days – thank you! Truly this is a community effort and it is awesome to see everyone come together, from the young kids who loved being “food runners” to the teens who became grill-masters to the new parishioners who volunteered for the first time (and kept coming back!) to the old-timers who shared their know-how to make the food tent run smoothly. It truly took a village!

Although as of this writing we don’t yet have the final financial numbers, in terms of smiles and joy and building the community, this Festival was a resounding success. Thank you to all who made it possible!

Eucharistic Adoration

As we mentioned previously, we will be beginning Monday Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from Sept 11 - Memorial Day. Every Monday, our Eucharistic Lord will be exposed in the monstrance for almost 12 hours of Adoration (from 9:30am-9pm). We need your help to be a "guardian Adorer!" Our Eucharistic Lord cannot be left alone, so we need people to commit to an hour of worship every week. Spending an hour with Christ is a sure way to experience peace, joy, and the love of the Lord in a new and powerful way. You can commit to an hour by signing up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A45ABA62FA0F49-monday . Eucharistic Adoration completely changed my life and made me aware of God's personal, passionate love for me - He wants to do the same for you! He is inviting - will you say yes?

Dash Through the Creed & Sacraments

Every week we profess the Creed, but do we really know what it means? Every week we receive a Sacrament, but why do we do what we do? All parishioners of all ages are welcome to join Fr. Joseph for the third installment of the "Dash" series - this time dashing through the Creed and the Sacraments! Learn all about those fundamental truths that we believe about the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Church, Mary, and the Afterlife...and dive into the Seven Sacraments which apply those truths to our lives! Every Monday from September 18 until Easter, all adults and teens are invited to join Fr. Joseph in the Social Hall from 7-8:15pm to learn more about our Catholic Faith!

We have had an amazing first eight months of our 50^thAnniversary Year!

Many more events and celebrations to come!

SAVE THE DATES

September 17:  Sunday, Funday, Sundaes

                             Bounce House, Laser Tag, Axe throwing, many other games

                             Ice Cream Sundaes

October 28:  Closing of St Jude Novena

                      9:00am Mass and celebration of St Jude Parishioners

                             Coffee social

October 28: Dinner Dance to celebrate 50^th Anniversary of our Parish

                     Details below!

November 18: 9:00am Mass of Thanksgiving – Pastors, Priests and Deacons

                          who have served in our parish

                           Social to follow

December 3: Rededication of our Church by Bishop Frank Caggiano

                        Blessing of new relics for our altar

                        Social to follow

Please join us for any and all these events

EVENING WILL INCLUDE:

6:30 – Hors D’Oeuvres

7:00 – Guest Speakers

7:15 – Dinner is Served

Dancing through 10:30 with music provided by JMG

TICKETS:

$50 per person – (CASH BAR)

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT CAN BE MADE ONLINE

Use link below to reserve and remit payment:

Donations Needed!

We would like to decorate a fun youth group room in the school building and we need your help! Do you have any couches, easy chairs, beanbag chairs, or fun decorations that you'd like to get rid of so we can stock this room with fun stuff for our teens? Email Jessica if you have anything you'd like to donate!

Do you have any bookcases that you no longer need? We are looking to organize a book library in the social hall. Contact Jessica if you have anything that you'd be willing to donate!

Parish News

Youth Encounters Start Back Up!

All of our young people grades 6-12 are invited to join us for our Youth Encounters! These nights of games, food, fun, prayer, fellowship, and honest conversation about our Catholic Faith have been awesome...come and join us for a new year! This year for the first time, we'll be having separate tracks for high school and middle school. 7-9pm at St. Jude Social Hall, beginning on September 8th!

Kids Club is starting back up next weekend!!

All participants are asked to register again for this school year - click the flyer below!

Mom's Group Announcements

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

Next meeting is Thursday 9/28 at 7:30 pm in the Social Hall

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

St. Stephen Bereavement Support Group 

Have you suffered the loss of a special person in your life? Our Bereavement Ministry can offer you hope of coping with your grief. It is open to anyone you may know who needs help. The 10-week course with a guided workbook provided will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 19th from 3:00-4:30pm. Registration is required. Please call the rectory at 203-268-6217. A call will be returned to you by one of the bereavement facilitators. Information pamphlets at the doors of the church.    

Food Pantry Update

As our families children are returning to school, we would like to request snack foods for the children's lunches. Other items in need at this time are jarred pasta sauces, canned fruit and boxed children's cereal. Thank you again for your continued support. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center Diaper Needs

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on sizes 3, 4, 5 & 6 and baby wipes. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers in the outer vestibule of the church. Monetary donations, with checks made out to the Hopeline Pregnancy Center, as well as gift cards from Amazon, Target and grocery stores are most welcome. As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will take place this year on September 23, 2023 at North West Catholic H.S. West Hartford , CT. The Keynote speaker will be Father Larry Richards. This is a day of spiritual reflection, prayer, and fellowship with Catholic men from across the state. To access more information on this faith filled day please visit  https://ctcatholicmen.org/ .

If you wish to attend, the cost will be covered by St. Jude.

For further questions please email Jim Bifulco at jbifulco@snet.net or call at 203-581-3071. This is an opportunity open to all the men of the parish. There may be a chance for carpooling also for this truly inspiring day.

St Jude - St Stephen Seniors

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will resume their monthly meetings on Thursday, September 14^th.

The meetings are at 1:00 PM on the 2^nd Thursday of each month in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. The entrance is in the back of St Jude Church. All who consider themselves seniors are welcome. No need to register. 

We will continue celebrating our joyful journeys as together we draw closer to our Lord.

Special note: If you have unwanted religious “treasures” that you don’t know what to do with but aren’t sure of how to dispose of them, bring them to the September meeting. Many of us have items that we received in the mail or picked up in our travels.  

Let’s collect them and make our homes “lighter”.



Any questions, call Ellen or Doug Stevens at 203-268-9229

Or bring your questions to the meeting!

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, John Sansone, 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, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet 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 September is:

During our "NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES" on September 9th, and through the month of

September as well, may we open our hearts and minds to pray for the healing needed in our larger Community, our NATION.....



        We Pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions for  September 2 – September 10 

Sat    Sept 2         8:30am                 St Jude Parishioners                          

Sat    Sept 2         4:30pm                John and Rose Nigro

Sun   Sept 3        7:30am                 Charles Todd

Sun   Sept 3         9:30am                 Maria Luisa Muriel

Sun   Sept 3        11:30am               Lorraine and Henry Pacheco

Mon  Sept 4         9:00am                 Charles J. Olivia            

Tue  Sept 5         9:00am                 Patricia Anthony            

Wed  Sept 6         9:00am                 Michael Herring

Thu   Sept 7         9:00am                 Intentions of the Healing Shawl Ministry

Sat    Sept 9         4:30pm                Albert and Lucy Talloni

Sun   Sept 10      7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Sept 10       9:30am                 Ben Seamons

Sun   Sept 10       11:30am               Knights of Columbus Memorials

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Marie Goss during the month of September

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Thursday) 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 will begin meeting September 23, on Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM, in the school building. Each week we will take up the readings for that weekend. All men of the parish are welcome. 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 4:00 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 3:30 to 4:15 pm on Saturdays. Come take advantage of God's great mercy by coming to the Sacrament of Confession.

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