Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Three weeks ago we held our first Parish Council meeting of the new year. What is Parish Council, and why is it important – and what does it mean to the regular parishioner in the pew?

The Code of Canon Law (which is the law-book governing everything about the universal Catholic Church) mentions two kinds of councils that a parish should have: a Finance Council, led by people who are accomplished in business and finance, whose role is to advise the pastor on the temporal well-being of the parish (budgets, facilities, income/expenditures, etc); and a Pastoral/Parish Council, which is meant to advise the Pastor on the spiritual well-being of the parish. In the Code, the Finance Council is always mandatory, while the Parish Council is optional (although Bishop Caggiano has made it mandatory in the Diocese of Bridgeport).

So, their role is to discuss, at a high level, the spiritual life of the parish. What are the spiritual needs of the people of Monroe? How is the parish meeting (or not meeting) those needs? What are our strengths, our weaknesses, and how well are we advancing the Kingdom of God in our town? Are the spiritual needs of the elderly, the youth, the sick, the poor, families, and other groups taken care of? How do we best evangelize here in this town?

We are blessed with a tremendous group of men and women – a true cross-section of the parish – who serve on three-year terms (renewable once) in the parish. They are suggested by other members, and appointed by the pastor. We meet monthly at 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month during the academic year.

But here’s where you come in – the Parish Council meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend! Anyone who would like to give feedback to the pastor and pastoral staff on issues related to the parish are welcome to join us for these meetings. They are open to the entire parish.



I will close by expressing my gratitude to the members of the Council who have served faithfully and have given me a helpful perspective on the spiritual needs – and the path forward – for the parish!

Priesthood Sunday is celebrated nationwide on the last Sunday of September each year to honor the men who serve as priests and to focus on the importance of vocations. Priesthood Sunday is a time for us to affirm the priesthood of Jesus Christ and its central place in the life of the Church. This weekend let’s tell our priests how much we appreciate how much they are doing to help us get to heaven. 

Diocese of Bridgeport

Save the Date!

Young Adult Event with Bishop Caggiano

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Late afternoon/evening

Parish News

St. Jude Italian Festival Thanks You!

We would like to send a BIG THANK YOU to all our festival volunteers, donors and corporate sponsors! This great tradition would not exist without you! And a BIG THANK YOU to all the parishioners who came with your friends and family to enjoy all that the Festival had to offer. Because of your support, this year’s Italian Festival was a huge success. We hope you had a wonderful time.

See you all next year!

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.

Photos from the Ministry Fair!

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.

It is never too late to learn more about our faith! This weekend, we are encouraging all parishioners to sign up and take advantage of our parish subscription to Formed.org. Formed is a dynamic library of books, videos, talk, studies and more for the WHOLE FAMILY!

One parishioner shared "I am so grateful for the parish's subscription to Formed. I use the weekly gospel reflections, listen to talks in the car and enjoy all of the faith based movies that are offered. It is amazing to have all of this Catholic content in one place! "

Any questions? Need some suggestions on programs that are good for you, your teens or kids? Email Jessica for more information!

Family News and Updates

Youth Encounter TONIGHT 9/27!



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 October 6 - Parent Formation Class during 10:30 am religious education

October 5th - Women's Rosary Brunch - 10:30 am at one of our member's homes.

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

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors

will meet on Thursday, October 10th at 1:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall.

We will continue our joyful journey in October by honoring the Blessed Virgin.

All are welcome. No need to register.



Any questions, or if you need transportation to the meeting, please contact:

Ellen or Doug at 203-268-9229

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

Sponsored by the K of C to Help Promote the Praying of the Rosary on a Regular Basis.

Rev. James McCarten Assembly 119 Will Be Collecting

Veterans’ Day, Thank You Cards & Letters

To Be Sent To Fr. Krzysztof Kuczynski Lt USN Chaplain

For The Sailors & Marines At Bethesda Naval Hospital

There Will Be A Box In The Church Foyer every Weekend in October

Fr. Krzysztof Grew Up At St. Jude

& Is A Member Of Our Knights Of Columbus Council & Assembly

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. 

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

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Our Petition for October is for PRO-LIFE

During the month dedicated to honoring Our Blessed Mother, may we ask for Her intercession as MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY, for an end to abortion and for a culture for life in our Country....

As we pray:

 The ROSARY daily as Mary has requested.

Mass Intentions for  September 28 – October 6

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

Mon  Sept 30       9:00am       Anne Gallo

Tue   Oct 1          9:00am       Mary Charlotte Braccio

Wed  Oct 2          9:00am      Joseph Cancroft

Thu   Oct 3          9:00am      Margaret Mende

Fri    Oct 4          9:00am       Diana Pekar

Sat    Oct 5          8:30am       The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Sat   Oct 5          4:30pm       Gertrude M. Mason

Sun  Oct 6          7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Oct 6          9:30am       Angelo Mancini

Sun  Oct 6          11:30am     Deceased members of the Tranzillo

                                          and Bonitatibus families

Tabernacle Candle: (September) In memory of Deceased members of the

                                               Tranzillo and Bonitatibus families

                              (October) In memory of James Tierney, Sr.

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



Adoration Candles:(September) 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.