Reflection from Fr. Joseph

It is often said that the difference between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea is that one has water flowing both into and out of it, while the other has water only flowing in. The Sea of Galilee is teeming with life, because water flows in and out, while the Dead Sea has such a high salt concentration because there is nowhere for the water to go, except evaporation – hence, nothing can survive.

This is often used as an analogy of the Christian life, and fittingly so. A Christian is called to allow God to pour in – prayer, worship, Christian education. But a Christian is also called to allow God to pour out – in evangelization, ministry, and service. A truly living Christian has God moving in both directions – pouring into them, and pouring out of them.

This weekend is our annual Ministry Fair, where we will be exhibiting the 40+ ministries that make up the parish of St. Jude’s. From music ministry to religious education, from Friendly Visitors to the homebound to our Food Pantry, from Bible Studies and youth group to Senior Group and Healing Shawl, we have a wide plethora of ways in which we can connect with God and our fellow Catholics, serve the poor, and build the Kingdom.

I urge and encourage every parishioner to visit the Parish Hall after Mass to see what ministries we have, and what ministries might be of interest to join. To sweeten the deal, we’ve got some coffee and donuts available too!

But today I want to highlight the need for “pouring out” ministry. We held a discussion at the last Parish Council meeting about the difficulty of getting parishioners to volunteer for many of the important ministries. I must admit that I agree. One of the things that have surprised me the most about being a Pastor is the large number of people who, when I ask them to help with some ministry or other, tell me “no” – it’s about 50% of the time that I get a negative answer (and of those under 50 years old, it’s about 70% of the time). It’s quite a challenge to lead a movement to advance the Kingdom of God when no one else wants to move with you!

Of course, we shouldn’t volunteer out of obligation or guilt. But we should really consider – what are the gifts and talents that God has given me to be given away in service to His people? It could be just the witness of your family – you could become a marriage or baptism mentor couple. Maybe you just feel like all you can offer is a strong back for manual labor – then help us out with Buildings and Grounds Committee! Maybe you’re passionate about your Catholic Faith – consider sharing it with our young people by teaching religious education. Maybe you have a gift or talent that does not yet have a ministry – consider how God is calling you to use it!

I know that most people don’t volunteer, not because of lack of desire, but because of a lack of time – family obligations, on top of a busy work schedule, often make every minute spoken for. If this is the case, I recommend serving together as a family! What a powerful thing to teach our kids – that true Christians live a life of service. We get the double benefit of spending time with our family, and also giving back at the same time. It’s usually not a lack of time, but a lack of priority. In times past, the church used to be more central in every family’s life – let’s bring that back!



A parishioner recently asked if we would take a survey of parishioners to see if we were meeting their needs. I understood the sentiment, but was uncomfortable with the terminology – we’re not a business, with parishioners as consumers. We are a movement, a mission – and every single one of us plays a part. This is literally the most important mission on the face of the earth – to bring the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the opportunity of everlasting life to a world that is heading the opposite direction. That’s why we exist as a parish and as a church – and YOU have a role to play. Are you playing that role? Are you letting God pour in, and are you letting God pour out of you?

Red Cross Blood Drive

The Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes are co-sponsoring a blood donation drive in the St. Jude Social Hall, 707 Monroe Turnpike on Saturday, September 21, 9 AM until 2 PM. If you would care to donate, you can schedule a time slot at www.redcrossblood.org. Blood donations during the summer are decreased because of vacations and supplies are lowered. This drive has the ability to add many new pints into the Connecticut supply.

Thank you. Frank Flynn

Diocese of Bridgeport

Save the Dates!

High School Youth Event with Bishop Caggiano

Saturday, September 21, 2024

3:00 - 9:30 pm

Saint Matthew, Norwalk

Young Adult Event with Bishop Caggiano

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Late afternoon/evening

Parish News

Thinking About Becoming Catholic? Adults Needing Sacraments?

If you or someone you know is thinking about becoming Catholic, or if you're already a Catholic adult or teen but are missing your Sacraments, check out RCIA! RCIA stands for "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" and it is a series of classes for adults or older teens who are interested in learning more about Catholicism, becoming Catholic, or receiving Sacraments. To inquire more, please contact Deacon Dave at deacon.flynn@stjuderc.com, as classes are beginning soon!

GIFTOBERFEST!

The Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will be hosting their GIFTOBERFEST! fundraiser taking place throughout the month of October.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to various charitable efforts that the Columbiettes sponsor, such as special needs camperships, Hopeline, the St. Jude Food Pantry, support for local veterans organizations and Christmas baskets for the disadvantaged.

GIFTOBERFEST! Is a raffle that consists of a daily drawing from October 1-31, 2024. Each day a gift card in various denominations will be awarded to a lucky winner. Participants can win multiple times. Raffle tickets will be $10.00 each and are good for the entire month.

The Columbiettes will be selling tickets after Saturday and Sunday masses at St. Jude’s Church at 707 Monroe Turnpike throughout September or if you would like to purchase a ticket and cannot attend mass, please contact Elizabeth Edgerton at 203-258-3354 or Jan DeMayo at 203-520-9796 or Debra Gallant at 203-414-9861 or you can email eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

For additional information, please call (203) 258-3354 or e-mail eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will take place this year on September 21, 2024 at North West Catholic H.S. West Hartford , CT. The Keynote speaker will be Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes, CPM. 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 Ken Noonan at  kjnoonan19@gmail.com or call at 914-837-3588. 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.

October - Month of the Rosary

A basket full of rosary beads will be available in the foyer of the Church during October. The rosaries are not blessed but please help yourself and pray the rosary as a family or individually especially during the upcoming Month of the October.

Family News and Updates

Youth Encounters

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 this summer!

Please click on the image to view the flyer.

Calling All Parents!

Please email Jessica Iannotta for more information on the below opportunities (or if you have other ideas that you would like to see!).

INVITING ALL PARENTS to our weekly prayer group over Zoom on Wednesdays at 9 pm. To submit prayer intentions for our weekly rosary, click here. We welcome all to join us when able!

Current Events:

Join us in our 54 day rosary novena ending on October 7th

Remote Bible Study - Walking with Purpose: Ordering Your Priorities

Beginning September 29 - Parent Formation Class during 10:30 am religious education

October 5th - Women's Rosary Brunch - more details will be announced soon!

Save the Date! Saturday evening 3/1 Parent and Family Retreat (email Jessica if you'd like to help plan and run the event)

FOOD PANTRY UPDATE

Kids are back to school and Fall is rapidly approaching also leading to a shift in our pantry needs. At this time we are in need of mac & cheese, coffee, tea, snacks for children’s lunch bags and boxed cereal. Please consider bringing any of these items with you to Mass so we can continue our ministry of serving those in need at this time!

Knights of Columbus News

Tootsie Roll Drive

The Knights of Columbus will conduct its annual campaign to raise funds to help adults, teens, and children with intellectual disabilities over two weekends on September 21^st and 22^nd and October 5^th and 6^th. Knights of Columbus volunteers collecting donations will be wearing bright yellow aprons and handing out Knights of Columbus branded Tootsie Rolls in front of Stop & Shop, Capital Spirits and Dunkin Donuts in Monroe and Stop & Shop in Newtown. 100% of your contribution goes toward Knights of Columbus programs helping people with intellectual disabilities including the Southbury Training School, a local home for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on sizes 4 & 5, wipes and jars of baby food as well as bottles and pacifiers. They have also requested baby formula such as “Similac 360 Total Care”. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers, etc. 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 by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

David Nicolett, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Manny Cambra, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Patti F., Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Frank Kerekes, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Judy Thomas, Barbara Tranchese, Mary Lopresti, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet C, Larry Pisani, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Michael Merola & Family, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Becky M., Flo Guite, Michael, and Donna, Darryl Patterson, Louise Noll, Chrystal Archuletta and Alice Gumpert, Diane Cummings, Chloe Capra, Irma Camacho, Lucy Hanson, Mia

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.



Our Petition for September is:

We pray our schools are a welcoming place for our students and teachers, and that parents are assured their family values

are being protected...

   We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  September 21 – September 29

Sat   Sept 21       4:30pm       The Carlson and DelMastro Families

Sun  Sept 22       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Sept 22       9:30am       Vito Melfi

Sun  Sept 22       11:30am     Dubyoski Family

Mon  Sept 23      9:00am       Jose Rosa

Tue   Sept 24       9:00am       Mary Charlotte Braccio

Wed  Sept 25       9:00am      Jean DeVietro

Thu   Sept 26       9:00am      The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Fri    Sept 27       9:00am       Mary and Margaret Gallagher

Sat   Sept 28       4:30pm       St Jude Parishioners

Sun  Sept 29       7:30am       Andrew Henn

Sun   Sept 29       9:30am       Ben Seamons

Sun  Sept 29       11:30am     Maximino Monteiro

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Deceased members of the

                                               Tranzillo and Bonitatibus families

Wine and Hosts: In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Piazza

Adoration Candles: In memory of Andrew Henn

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Friday) 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 and may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses

Men’s Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study resumes: All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the School Meeting Room beginning September 14, as we study the week’s Sunday readings. 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.

First Friday

Eucharistic Adoration

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28-30



The time that we spend with Jesus in front of the Blessed Sacrament is the best time we will spend on earth. Please join us on the first Friday of every month from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

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



Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church

"Jesus we Trust in You"

thedivinemercy.org

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.