Catholic media has come a LONG way since I was young. In some ways we might be going through a “golden age” of media about Christ – I think of Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible In A Year” podcast, which is the #1 most downloaded podcast in the world! I think of “The Chosen”, a wildly popular crowdfunded series about the life of Christ through the eyes of His Apostles.
Media (music, movies, TV shows, radio, etc) can have a profound impact on our spiritual lives. When I was in my late teens and finally got a car, I found myself listening to the radio but not really liking the late ‘90s pop music (Spice Girls, anyone?). So I found some old Christian music tapes in our house and started listening to them. And man, they were cheesy. The ultimate “cringe”. But because I was bored, I listened to them anyway – and soon found myself singing along with them. My drive to work and school ended up being a time of praise and worship – and it led to a deepening of my daily walk with the Lord Jesus.
Saints were made through good books and media. It was after reading the autobiography of St. Theresa of Avila that Edith Stein, the twentieth century Jewish atheist philosopher, became convinced of Christianity. She famously put the book down with the declaration, “This is truth!” And promptly became a Catholic, a nun, and a martyr. She is now known as St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross. In another case, a woman named Bella Dodd had been actively working with the Communists in the 1930s and ‘40s, trying for years to infiltrate the Church and our country. By chance she happened to hear Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s radio program, and his common sense, humor, and wisdom drew her in. In the early ‘50s, she converted to Catholicism and spent the rest of her short life trying to undo the harm she had begun, fighting against the Communists and seeking sanctity within the Catholic Church.
So, the media is incredibly powerful – especially in our high-connected world. Which is why I want to invite you to sign up for Formed! Formed is a Netflix-like streaming service which brings you the best of Catholic media: e-books, music, talks, movies, shows…everything you could want, from the best Catholic speakers and filmmakers. You might encounter something that would change your life!
It’s very easy to register for formed. Just go to www.formed.org/signup and find St. Jude’s Church in Monroe, CT. There is no cost! I encourage all of us to encounter the awesome and life-changing world of Catholic media. God is waiting to speak…sometimes all we have to do is just tune in!
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Whether it's a Bible or Faith Study, a Time for Prayer, or participating in a media streaming, podcast or discussion group, St. Jude has something for you! Please click here to view/download the Faith Formation booklet and discover all the many informative and exciting programs and events available to you at St. Jude. Hope to see you soon!
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Religious Education registration is now open.
St. Jude Faith Formation is offering a choice of either in-person classes or digital classes.
In-person classes will be on Sunday mornings before or after the 9:30 Mass (8:30-9:30, or 10:30-11:30 ). Parents are encouraged to stay, as there will be classes for the adults given by Fr Gill. Following the class, the adults and students will join together or a final time of discussion.
Both classes will begin on October 3rd. Those students receiving the sacraments this year are required to attend additional Tuesday classes beginning in January.
Registration is now available online. Use the link below to register and pay. Registration closes on September 24.
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Altar Server Training!
All kids in grades 4-12 are invited to be trained to become an altar server! Training will be from 10am-11am on Saturday September 18 and Saturday September 25. You only need to attend one training session. For more information, please contact John Tartaro at j.tartaro@quadient.com .
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The Chosen – Group Study
All are invited!
When: Friday mornings, beginning October 2nd for 8 weeks
If there is enough interest, and evening session will also be available.
Time: 9:30am to 11am
Where: St. Jude Social Hall (in person), or join us via Zoom
Participants will watch The Chosen Season 1 series at home on their own.
We will then gather together for discussion and sharing of the week’s episode using the official companion study of the Chosen which can be purchased from Amazon ($14.39). You will find the link to the guide below. A link to the official trailer for Season 1 is also below.
Registration is required so as to properly prepare.
This is the official companion study to season 1 of The Chosen, the groundbreaking television series about the life of Jesus. What Does It Mean to Be Chosen? parallels each episode, connecting readers to the Bible in a brand-new way. It includes:
· A deeper look at Isaiah 43 and its fulfillment in Jesus and the lives of His followers (including us!)
· Script excerpts, quotes, and illustrations from the show
· Guiding questions for groups or individuals
Being chosen by Jesus has beautiful and far-reaching implications—although it says even more about the Chooser than the choosees. We are loved because He is love. We are saved because He is merciful. We belong to the family of God because Jesus invites us, making the Bible and all its promises as true for us today as it was for God’s chosen nation.
What does it actually mean to be Chosen? To answer that question, we’re going Old school—Testament that is—which leads us back to the New. Which always leads us directly to Jesus.
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Food Pantry Update
“Our pantry remains quite full due to the continued generosity of your Parishioners. We are beginning to make our preparations as the cooler weather and holiday’s approach. As a result, our current needs will focus on our Thanksgiving extended pack. In the coming weeks will be looking for items such as turkey gravy, chicken broth, stuffing mix, boxed and canned potatoes, canned corn, and cranberry sauce. We can always use coffee and hot cocoa mix!!
NOTE: If you are, or know of someone in need, please know we are here to serve. Simply contact Liz Romeo (lizromeo65@gmail.com) or the Parish Office and they will guide you to us. All communication is strictly confidential.
Thank you again for your continued support of our mission!”
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All young people grades 6-12 are invited to
ENCOUNTER
A time to encounter God and one another through games, food, prayer, conversation, and fun.
Friday, October 8th
Friday, November 12th
Friday, December 10th
From 7-9pm
No cost – no sign-ups – just show up!
Virtus-trained parents welcome to come and chaperone. For more information, contact Fr. Joseph at frgill@diobpt.org.
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Parish Hiking Trip - All families are invited to join Fr. Joseph for some time of enjoying God's creation on our first-ever St. Jude's Family Hike! On Sunday, September 19th, we will meet after the 11:30am Mass and drive to Rocky Glen State Park in Sandy Hook, CT. Bring a Rosary and snacks/water and wear comfortable shoes. It's an easy trail with a great view - perfect for all ages!
Dash Through the Old Testament - How much do you know about the Old Testament? Many Catholics are afraid to explore the first half of the Bible. But this fall, please come and join Fr. Joseph on Monday nights starting Sept. 20 at 7pm for a quick dive into the Old Testament! Every Monday from Sept. 20-Easter (except for holidays), 7-8:15pm. No cost - no sign-ups, just show-up - and bring a Bible! Great for adults and teens alike!
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Blessing of Pets -1pm on Sunday, October 3rd
Everyone is invited to join us for our annual Blessing of Pets in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis! Come bring your furry (or scaly!) friend to the plaza with the statue of St. Jude at 1pm on Sunday, October 3rd, for a blessing!
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Have you read any good books lately?
If you want a well written book with an intriguing plot about the challenges faced by a Catholic priest in a small town, a ‘group of 9 readers’ suggests Fr. Joseph’s first novel, “Days of Grace”. The plot will catch your interest, the vivid writing will pull you in, and you will find many spiritual nuggets along the way.
Some of the things that the ‘9 readers’ said after reading the book:
· The plot was interesting and believable. The pastor was put into an impossible position and I wanted to know how he was going to get out of it.
· I was impressed with the quality and style of writing, the way the author explained, without preaching, the message of Jesus and Mary that unfolded in the novel.
· The author ‘had me at the first page’.
· The intense suffering of the two teens who were changed and changed many people in the small town, through their devotion to Our Lady, was very moving.
· This is a story of Evil vs Divine. God is greater, and the Divine will always conquer evil.
· The Divine matters in everyday life. There is no limit to what God can do in our lives.
· We have much to be thankful for in our lives.
And just two of the many memorable quotes:
· “With every grace comes a cross. With every cross comes grace.”
· “At that moment, I pierced the hidden things of God and understood, if only for a passing glimpse, the mystery of grace”
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SAVE THE DATE
FOR A DISCUSSION AND Q & A WITH FATHER JOSEPH ON “DAYS OF GRACE”. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, AFTER THE FIRST SATURDAY MASS. BOOKS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE PARISH OFFICE OR AT OUR GIFT SHOP FOR $10.
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Explore your faith
Our Catholic Faith is so rich with meaning that we can always learn more. We will be holding a monthly session to dig deeper into the meaning of our faith.
Our first session will be held on Saturday October 9 starting at 9 am. The session will run one hour and be held in the Social Hall
The topic will be the Meaning of the Mass
The Mass is full of tradition, meaning, and spirituality. No matter how often we attend Mass we can always learn something new that will help us to better appreciate this wonderful gift we have been given.
I look forward to seeing you at this session
Deacon John
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October Rosary
Hosted By
St. John XXIII Council 5987
Knights of Columbus
Monday Oct. 4th Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday Oct. 5th Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday Oct.13th Glorious Mysteries
Thursday Oct. 14th Luminous Mysteries
Join Us in Prayer at The
“Mary, Madonna of Peace” Statue
7:00 P.M.
Weather permitting if not the church
please bring your own chairs.
October is dedicated to the most Holy Rosary
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Silver Rose Prayer Service
Monday October 18th at 6:30 PM in the church
Prayer service to share the message of our Lady of Guadalupe and promote respect for life. Prayer serviceconsists of prayers, scripture readings and litany.
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5th Sunday Rosary
October 31th at 11:00 AM in the church
Please Join Us
Pope Francis October Intention
Missionary Disciples
“We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to this mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the gospel”.
This is a New Program to help bring parishioners to gather in a spiritual activity and promote devotion to Mary. St. John XXIII Council will be participating in this program throughout our Fraternal Year.
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Parish Center available!
We are still marketing our parish center (former school building) with the hope of offsetting operation costs. Please contact the parish office for more information.
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Please remember in your daily prayers:
Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Joseph Bisignano, Sr., Bennett Gulyas, Vincent Daniello, Armando Aversa, Dyana vander Wielen, David Bath, Martha Zenobia, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Daniel Louis Bianco, Zoey Frigo, Koswenda Family
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 in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our Petition for September is:
Through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, may we pray for an end to the evil of terrorism and violence in our world, and for the safety of our Military personnel,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sept 18 5:00 Deceased Carlson and Delmastro family members
Sept 19 7:30 Julia DeSousa
Sept 19 9:30 Knights of Columbus memorial mass for all deceased members
Sept 19 11:30 Maria Emilia Monteiro
Sept 20 9:00 Thomas Buzi
Sept 21 9:00 Severina Josef and Abraham and Reynald Angeles
Sept 22 9:00 James Tierney, Sr.
Sept 23 9:00 Marguerite and Clifford Thomas
Sept 25 5:00 Vincenzine and Pasquale Pontoriero
Sept 26 7:30 St. Jude Parishioners
Sept 26 9:30 Domingos Branco
Sept 26 11:30 Ted and Edna Domkowski
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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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 5:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Only the Saturday Mass at 5:00 pm and the Sunday 7:30 am Mass are live streamed. Please note that the Saturday mass time moves to 4:00PM on October 2 and will stay at 4:00 until April 30, 2022.
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People can call the parish office to arrange to be added to the sick bound and home communion call list, for a clergy to bring them communion at their homes beginning in July |
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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.
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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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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: Graduation, 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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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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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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