Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Everything in the natural world is either growing or dying. A plant or animal grows, reaches maturity, and then declines. There really aren’t too many “plateaus” in the natural world where a creature continues at the “status quo” without growing or going into decline. My aching back and receding hairline reminds me of this constantly!

If that is true in the natural world, it is even more true in the supernatural world. There are no plateaus in the spiritual life. We are either growing closer to the Lord, more deeply rooted in our Catholic Faith, more virtuous and holy – or we are slipping farther away. We can never spiritually coast, thinking, “Well, I’m in a good place spiritually so I don’t need to do anything more in my spiritual life.”

On the contrary! The Lord invites us always upwards, verso l’alto! (“Towards the top!”). You and I are called to reach the heights of holiness, true spiritual perfection, total self-gift to the Lord – not to just be a mediocre Christian who goes through the motions every week and hopes to get to Heaven by the skin of our teeth.

I bring this up because we have many great opportunities for growth this Fall. Want to grow in your knowledge of the Faith? We begin our “Dash Through the Creed & Sacraments” Monday study on September 18^th…Walking With Purpose Women’s Bible Study is launching two new studies this fall…Men’s Bible Study on Saturday mornings is back…the online Catholic streaming service “Formed” is still a resource for Catholic formation…or maybe just pick up a good Catholic book.

Want to grow in intimacy with Christ? Join us for Monday Adoration every Monday, starting Sept 11, from 9:30am-9pm. We still have groups gathering for the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesday afternoons, our First Friday Adoration, and Thursday night prayer group. Or maybe just make a personal resolution for more private time with Jesus every day.

The point is – it is not an optional “add-on” for a Christian to want to grow in their Faith. Rather, it is a critical part of every Christian’s life. The expectation for every single parishioner is that they will continue to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and not remain stagnant. How you choose to grow is up to you, but that you grow is non-negotiable. After all, the word “disciple” comes from the Latin “discipulus” which means “learner”. Forgive my bluntness, but if we do not grow – if we are still praying the same way we did as a fifth-grader and our knowledge of the Catholic Faith stopped in eighth grade – then we are not a serious follower of Jesus Christ.

So…the ball’s in your court. How are you going to grow this Fall?

More on this next week…

Need more peace? Searching for love and meaning? Broken and in need of healing? All are welcome to join us for a powerful encounter with our Eucharistic Lord. Every Monday from 9:30am-9pm, the Lord will be exposed in the monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration. Stop by for five minutes, or stay for an hour - in Him will you find the peace you need! No need to sign-up, just show up. He has been awaiting you!

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 by 10/6:

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

The Fall Family Newsletter is now available!

Save the Dates!

First Friday Family Potluck Dinners - Friday 10/6 and Friday 11/3, 6 pm before Adoration

Fall Parish Pilgrimage - Saturday 11/25 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury (more details coming soon)

Youth Encounters Start Back Up Tonight!

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 THIS SUNDAY!!

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 10/4 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, 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, 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

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

Mon  Sept 11       9:00am                 Vincent Nemergut          

Tue  Sept 12       9:00am                 Stephanie Stanley           

Wed  Sept 13       9:00am                 Carmela Regina

Thu   Sept 14       9:00am                 Marie Goss

Sat    Sept 16       4:30pm                Deceased members of the Carlson and

                                                         DelMastro families

Sun   Sept 17      7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Sept 17       9:30am                 Deceased members of the Tuccio and

                                                         Rapuano families

Sun   Sept 17       11:30am               Maria Emilia Monteiro

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.