A Message from Father Henry
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
Change is in the air. This weekend we change the clocks. Set the clocks ahead. Fall behind. Spring ahead. We are coming out of winter and into spring. It is currently 52 degrees as I am looking at the window and a lot of the snow has melted already. Tomorrow and Friday are to be in the sixties. That might melt the rest of the snow. This year especially, we welcome spring with open arms, with its new life. Which is also our Easter message!
In this case we welcome the change — from winter to spring. At other times we might be resistant to change, for example if it presents a fear of the unknown. But being open to change is one of the most important qualities we can develop. Charles Darwin said of change: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”
Here are some questions that we can ask of ourselves:
- How receptive am I to changes in my life?
- How has a change in my life led to my growth?
- How do I deal with changes in my life?
In this Sunday’s optional Gospel reading that is proclaimed at RCIA masses, Jesus changed a person’s life by healing him of his blindness. The man is overwhelmed at his newfound ability to see. But not everybody rejoiced at the miracle. The pharisees were angry because with this miracle Jesus ushered in a change. The people were no longer looking to the pharisees but now looking to Jesus, the miracle worker, as the religious authority. This is a prime example of resistance to change, even if it was of God.
Sometimes change can be difficult. Things that we were sure of may be taken from us, a secure job, our health, the death of a loved one. The Coronavirus has forced us to undergo many changes over the past year. Life, in general, is filled with changes and we have a choice whether to embrace it and offer it to God, or to fight it.
Oh, if only we could have something or someone remain the same and not change! And we do. God never changes. God loves us with an infinite and unconditional love and there is nothing can or will change that. Holding on to that belief will help us to accept all the other changes that life may throw at us. God, the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
This month’s St. Jude online bulletin board (Padlet) deals with change. Visit it to watch some short videos on change, offer your own reflections and prayers and read those of others.
Already, as of today (March 10), you have made numerous postings about how Covid has changed your lives.
Password: Jude
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr Henry
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Our Online Giving is getting an upgrade to a newer, easier-to-use platform! If you currently give online, you will soon be receiving an email with instructions on how to log into the new system. Best of all, your existing payment and donation information will be migrated over so you will not have to set up your gifts again! Keep an eye on your email for more information coming very soon.
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Call from the Crucified Heart
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The prayer service Call from the Crucified Heart was a wonderful event last Sunday. The program featured eight Relics of the Passion. Many thanks to Kevin Donavan and the Knights of Columbus for hosting this program. If you missed it, the prayer service may be seen at https://boxcast.tv/view/relics-of-the-passion-ejtltvqbbl3cbrsjqol8
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For over 100 years, Catholic Charities of Fairfield County has provided a broad spectrum of social services to the extended Fairfield County community. Catholic Charities is one of the largest “private” providers of social services throughout the County, something all Catholics should be proud of. The demand for the agency’s services have skyrocketed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as our clients need help now more than ever. The agency serves the needy through more than 30 service ministries that include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and homebound, strengthening families and individuals, and assisting those on the road to immigration documentation. However, Catholic Charities cannot do it alone. Your gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal will help Catholic Charities continue to do the incredible work that it does for our most vulnerable neighbors in Fairfield County. Thank you for your gift.
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Bishop Caggiano's Notes from the Upper Room
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Diocese launches the "Call to Renewal" Website - Diocese ...
BRIDGEPORT- The Diocese has launched the "Call to Renewal" website to serve as a guide to the Year of St. Joseph and overall renewal efforts. The website is designed to provide information related to the spiritual and pastoral renewal of the...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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Novena to St. Joseph set to help faithful prepare for...
BRIDGEPORT-Bishop Frank J. Caggiano has announced a diocesan Novena to St. Joseph in preparation for the consecration of the Diocese of Bridgeport to St. Joseph on March 19. "All are invited to participate in a special Novena to Saint Joseph that ...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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Novena to St. Joseph begins - Diocese of Bridgeport
BRIDGEPORT- Yesterday evening, March 10, began the diocesan Novena to St. Joseph. During this nine day devotion, the faithful of the diocese implore the intercession of St. Joseph in preparation for the consecration of the diocese to his...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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St. Jude 2021 Lenten Information
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Ten Minutes of Prayer Every Day
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We are on Step 5 of 7 in the Matthew Kelley Book "I Heard God Laugh". I hope you are enjoying the program. View Fr. Henry's discussion on BoxCast.
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Eucharistic Adoration and Stations of the Cross
Please join us at Eucharistic Adoration and Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent.
Stations of the Cross 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Eucharistic Adoration 7:30 - 8:00 pm
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Send an email to formedteam@gmail.com with something you watched/read/listened to and enjoyed and we will enter you into a raffle to receive the acclaimed book “Consecration to St Joseph” by Fr. Donald Calloway!
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Lenten Resources from Formed
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For Children:
Brother Francis Cartoon Lent 4-Part Series
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For Parents and Families:
Living Lent as a Family
A Lent to Remember
Meditations for Lent
Daily Lenten Reflections
Lenten Book Discussion - "I Thirst"
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Palm Cross Orders - Due Sunday 3/14/21
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St Jude Parish Outreach
The second parish phone outreach project, coordinated by Angela Baril, was recently completed. Volunteers called active parishioners, over the age of 70, who do not have emails and therefore are not receiving our weekly newsletter. With the pandemic still upon us, and positive feedback from our first round of calls, we thought it would be good to reach out once again.
Volunteers made 128 phone calls in total. Of those we did call who actually do have email addresses, they provided us with them, so that now they can be added to the newsletter list. Also, since some people are not able to attend mass due to the virus, they were happy to hear Fr Henry has offered to go to their homes and hear their confessions during Lent (outside, socially distanced and wearing masks).
Overall, parishioners appreciated the calls and many welcomed the opportunity to engage in conversation with a member of the St Jude Outreach Ministry Team. As one woman stated “The Church is my home. Thank God someone is thinking of me.”
Special thanks to the Outreach Team who made the phone calls:
Angela Baril, Marian Flynn, Angie Cordery, Mary Jane Lux, Veronica Condon, Wendy Gurski, Donna Crammond, Ellen Stevens, Diane Saliga, Patty Eng, Paula McDonagh, Diane Ganser, Kathy Clark, Jana Veo,
Brian Veo, Jean Paul, and Sally DeChristopher.
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Holy Trinity Catholic Academy still has openings for the
2021-2022 School Year.
You must first call the school’s Development Director to check on
availability of grades and to find out how to apply.
Please call 203-929-4422. Thank you.
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Please remember in your daily prayers:
Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Patty Eng, Joseph Bisignano, Sr., Jim Tierney, Sr,
Judy Gulyas
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 Intention.
Our intention for March is:
May we praise God for His compassion in pardoning our sins, and thank Him for His great mercy...
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Mar 13 4:00pm Luis Ferreira
Sun Mar 14 7:30am Special Intention
Sun Mar 14 9:30am Nuala Horvath
Sun Mar 14 11:30am Deceased members of the Cunningham
Family
Mon Mar 15 9:00am Louise Stankiewicz
Tue Mar 16 9:00am Janet Carroll
Wed Mar 17 9:00am Joan Davoren
Thu Mar 18 9:00am Vernon Eddy
Sat Mar 20 4:00pm Justine Arcano
Sun Mar 21 7:30am Deceased members of Yash and Pekar
Families
Sun Mar 21 9:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
Sun Mar 21 11:30am Helen Nipert
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.
The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Only the Saturday Mass at 4:00 pm and the Sunday 7:30 am Mass are live streamed.
Pre-registration is required for all weekend
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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.
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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.
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First Friday Adoration 7- 8 PM
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop
St. Jude Religious Gift Shop is located downstairs in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. Many new items for all occasions. Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Rosaries, Bibles, Statues, Medals & more. Variety of cards: St. Patrick's Day, Birthday, Weddings, Get Well, Sympathy, etc. Come down & browse and find the perfect gift. For more info call: Parish Office - 203-261-6404 or call Fran Cambra - 203-261-2573.
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Parish Office Hours
THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 – 3:00
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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