A Prayerful Rosary March will take place today Friday, January 22 from 4:00-5:00 pm at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull. Details below! |
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A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading we continue to hear about Jesus’ call to his disciples, “Come and follow me.”
And whom did he call? Fishermen. A tax collector.
But why did Jesus not call the holy, learned, politically powerful and influential priests and pharisees and scribes? They certainly would have heard his words. We remember how Jesus entered the Temple and read from the Prophet Isaiah the passage which begins, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” After he completed the Reading, Jesus rolled up the scroll and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
You can imagine that these words got the attention of all of the priests and scribes of the Temple. One would expect them to be ripe for responding to an invitation from Jesus. And we would expect them to be the ones to become his Apostles. Again, they were the most knowledgable in the Scriptures and Laws and the history and customs of the Hebrew faith.
But Jesus did not choose them. Instead, Jesus chose people who lived ordinary lives — fishermen and a tax collector! Not the ones whom we would consider to be the most qualified.
The Book of Samuel tells us, “The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart.” Jesus saw something in the hearts of these ordinary folk that actually made them the best choice for his Apostles. Jesus sees something in our hearts as well.
Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm says, “Teach me your ways, O Lord.” If we open our hearts to Jesus, we will hear his call just as the Apostles did. He will lead each of us on our own individual journey, just as he did his Apostles. They were his Apostles of two-thousand years ago, we are his disciples in the world today. In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta:
“Shine through us and be so in us
that every soul we come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us and then we shall begin to shine as you shine,
so to shine as to be light to others.”
Yours in our common call to be followers of Christ,
Fr Henry
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A Preview of this Sunday’s Homily
What is it like when we start something new in our lives? Many of us may have decided to begin a new practice on New Year’s Day, I know that we, as a Parish Family, have. Do you know what that is?
I will be discussing how to begin a new practice, sharing with you the difficulties and the benefits!
Each week I will focus on the steps of the 10 minute Prayer Process described in Matthew Kelly’s Book, “I Heard God Laugh.” This Sunday we will begin introducing ‘Gratitude’ as part of our prayer. With all that we have been through in 2020, it may be a little more difficult to come up with things to be grateful for, but with a little reflection, I’m sure that we will realize that each day is filled with God’s Gifts. I will provide you with helpful suggestions to make ‘gratitude’ part of your daily prayer.
And so, this Sunday I will begin the conversation with you about the Matthew Kelly ’10 minute a day’ prayer practice. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday…..stay tuned.
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A New Year's Resolution
10 Minutes of Prayer a Day
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Matthew Kelly says that there comes a time when we stop doing our prayer and start giving ourselves to prayer. In a world where we often equate ‘doing’ with productivity, just sitting and wasting time with God seems counter-cultural.
Reflection Questions for this week:
• When was the last time when I just sat with God in silence? Have I ever?
• How easy is it for me to take time to ‘do nothing?’
Kelly’s Quote for the week: Giving yourself to prayer means showing up and letting God do what he wants to do with you.”
Visit our January Padlet for more about Prayer and to add your thoughts, comments and answers to the above questions. Read what others are posting. Post your own prayer requests and pray for those that others have written.
Password is Jude
If you were not able to pick up your free copy of Matthew Kelly’s Book or prayer card at Church, we have them available at the office. If you are not able to come to the office to get your book, please call the office at (203)-261-6404, and we will arrange to get you a copy.
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Pro-Life Prayer Vigil and Novena |
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Vigil is Friday 1/22 at 4pm!! |
Prayer Vigil Planned to Honor the Unborn - Diocese of...
A Prayerful Rosary March will take place on Friday, January 22 from 4:00-5:00 pm at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull. This event, occurring on the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, is an...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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'9 Days for Life' novena for protection of human life -...
WASHINGTON-Catholics across the country are invited to take part in the "9 Days for Life" novena January 21-29 for the protection of human life. Each day's intercession is accompanied by prayers, a short reflection and one or more suggested...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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National Prayer Vigil
for Life
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National Prayer Vigil for Life will be virtual this year ...
WASHINGTON-Each year on the night before the annual March for Life, at least 10,000 people have filled the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington for the National Prayer Vigil for Life.
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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40-DAYS FOR LIFE DEVOTION
Please pray for our 30 Pro-life Ministers participating in a 40-Days-for Life Prayer Mission for an end to abortion and a commitment to establish a Culture for Life from conception to natural death in our Nation.
Marking the Anniversary of Roe vs Wade on January 22, prayer has never been more important as we beg Our Lord and Blessed Mother to convert the hearts of those involved in abortion.
Please join us on Jan. 21st, beginning with the 9:00 A.M. Mass and for private prayer from 9:30-12:00 in the Day Chapel, as we also pray for the safety of all participating in our National March for Life in Wash., D.C. on January 29th.
For additional information contact:
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Join us every Sunday night at 7:30 pm to pray the Rosary together. All are welcome and families of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to take turns leading us in prayer. The Rosary will also be live-streamed on YouTube each week. The link for the first year is the same, so bookmark it (see below) and join us each week.
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On Inauguration Day, at the 9am mass on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Fr Henry and Deacon John celebrated along with the St Jude parishioners in attendance the Mass for Civil Needs: For the Head of State or Ruler, with Eucharistic Prayer 3, as requested to be done so by our Bishop in all parishes throughout the Diocese, with the prayer intention for a commitment to peace, justice and reconciliation throughout our country in the months ahead. |
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Every word and action in the Mass has deep significance and meaning. Understanding every part of the Mass will help us to better appreciate the gift we have been given.
Please join us at one of the following sessions as we explore the Mass:
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Coronavirus Restrictions for Ash Wednesday
Easter is such a monumental day on our Church’s calendar that it cannot be contained in a single day or a single week or a single month. Preparation for Easter expands several weeks in advance — all the way back to Ash Wednesday — and also expands several weeks afterward all the way to Pentecost.
As we were called to adapt to the Coronavirus restrictions in order to safely celebrate Christmas last month, so I will ask you to adapt to another set of restrictions so that we can safely celebrate Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, the Triduum and Easter Sunday as well.
The Bishops of Connecticut, working with the Governor of Connecticut, have come up with the following regulations in order to have Ash Wednesday be as safe an experience as possible for everyone involved.
A month from now (February 17), we will have services in the church at various times throughout the day on Ash Wednesday. (Times still to be determined.). I quote verbatim: “All those who attend Mass or a Liturgy of the Word on Ash Wednesday must register beforehand.” Beginning a week before Ash Wednesday, you may consult the newsletter, the website, or call the parish office to register for one of the services in the church on February 17.
Parishioners may also receive ashes without attending Mass or a Liturgy of the Word. I quote: “In order to accommodate as many as possible in a safe and reverent manner, pastors are to offer an open period during which the lay faithful can come to the church to receives ashes outside of Mass or the Liturgy of the Word.” This open period or open periods will be determined soon. For example, there may be a one or two hour window in which you would simply come to the church, receive ashes, say a prayer of Thanksgiving and depart.
I am not allowed to distribute ashes to anybody who remains in their car. The Bishops have specifically singled out that there be no ashes given to people while they remain in their car. However, I will be distributing ashes in the school parking lot after the first scheduled service on Ash Wednesday, but everybody must exit their car in order to receive ashes. In the event of rain, I will be under the overhang at the entrance to the school.
Anyone who does not feel comfortable coming inside the church building to receive ashes, and will not be able to come to the school building in the morning and exit their car because of physical challenges, please contact the parish office by email or telephone, about a week before Ash Wednesday, so that we can schedule a time on Ash Wednesday for Fr Henry to come to your house and give you ashes.
The church is allowing two options for the actual distribution of ashes within the church. Either the priest, deacon or Eucharist minister would toss ashes up in the air in such a way that they descend down over the crown of your head… or the priest, deacon or Eucharistic minister applies the ashes to your forehead using a q-tip or cotton swab (a new and fresh q-tip or cotton swap must be used for each person). I have chosen to use only the second option. I fear that tossing ashes up in the air so that they descend down over the crown of your head will turn into a messy and irreverent situation. I fear that some of the Holy Ashes will wind up landing on the floor and be walked on. Regarding who can distribute ashes. If you can do the greater, you can do the greater. If a Eucharistic Minister can do the greater (distribute communion), which they can, then a Eucharistic Minister can also do the lesser (give ashes).
Regarding the actual procedure in the church, I quote verbatim: “When coming forward for the ashes, each recipient should stop six feet before the minister, who then says ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel,’ or ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.’ At that point, the recipient comes forward, receives the ashes and returns to his or her pew.”
We are committed to receiving Ashes as our beginning of the Lenten season. In order to do so, we must abide by the regulations determined by the Bishops and the Governor of Connecticut.
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Please remember in your daily prayers:
Mike Piatt, Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Patty Eng, Joseph Bisignano, Sr.
Also remember all healthcare workers, first responders, caregivers and the men and women of the parish who are 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.
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Please join us as we pray our Monthly Parish Petition.
Our intention for January, 2021:
As we begin our New Year, may we pray:
"JESUS I TRUST IN YOU"
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Jan 23 4:00pm Patrick and Antonette O’Malley
Sun Jan 24 7:30am Adeline Ozycz
Sun Jan 24 9:30am The Pinto and DeAndrade families
Sun Jan 24 11:30am Joe Buturla
Mon Jan 25 9:00am Sadie Damiani
Tue Jan 26 9:00am John Savarase
Wed Jan 27 9:00am Joseph Mende
Thu Jan 28 9:00am Julia DeSousa
Sat Jan 30 4:00pm St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Jan 31 7:30am Thomas M. Mason
Sun Jan 31 9:30am John Matera
Sun Jan 31 11:30am Veronica and Stella Mrozinsky
If the 9:00 am Weekday mass is not listed, an intention has not been requested. Also, there are no public Masses on Friday mornings.
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Mass Schedule and Registration |
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Monday through Thursday Weekday Masses will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed. (This Mass may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )
The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. The Saturday Mass and the 7:30 am Sunday Mass are live streamed. (This Mass may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )
Pre-registration is required for all weekend
For those of you who do not feel comfortable attending mass inside the church, please watch the Sunday 7:30 am live-streamed Mass. (This Mass may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html ) on your phone or computer and then come to the School parking lot to receive outdoor communion at 8:45am. Fr Henry will be distributing Communion every Sunday, rain of shine, at 8:45am in the School parking lot.
--Fr. Henry
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Confession Hours
Confessions on Saturday afternoon will be in the day chapel at 3:00 pm on Saturdays. Confessions are also by appointment, please call 203-261-6404, to set up and appointment or emailing.
First Friday Adoration 7- 8 PM
Children's Rosary First Sundays
We meet at 11 am before the 11:30 Mass by the Blessed Mother statue and follow proper covid protocols. No experience necessary.
Office Hours
THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 – 3:00
During the holiday closure, Fr Henry will be checking voicemails regularly and will respond promptly.
Please call (203-261-6404) or e-mail (parish.office@stjuderc.com) before coming to the office. Much can be accomplished through a phone call or email, such as requesting masses/mass cards; sacramental records; registering for Baptism; etc.
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St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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