A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
Recently at mass, we heard St Paul’s words that he composed some two thousand years ago: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it.”
These words from the Bible call to mind those that a Bishop has spoken at every every ordination, up to the present day, and will speak into the future.
Bishop: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.”
It was God who had called and brought me to the moment of my ordination. And over the past seventeen years of priesthood, I find myself constantly being brought back to the reality that it is God who carries us ordained clergy through the years of our ministry. And it is God who brings everything that we clergy are called to do, to fulfillment.
Sometimes in cooperation with God’s grace, I ride the wave of God bringing my ministry and priesthood toward fulfillment. And sometimes I mess up and take things in my own hands and fall flat on my face, as I try to bring things to fulfillment through my own feeble attempts to be in control.
Bishop: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.”
Four or six or eight years of formation lead up to the day of ordination. We might be tempted to assume that the words spoken on the day of our ordination are those of completion. But as every member of the clergy realizes on the day after our ordination, we are still far — very far — from a finished product.
It is in the subsequent years after our ordination that we actually live the words out.
As I continue to make mistakes and bang up against my own limitations, I am reminded of the Bishop’s words: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.” It is not about what we can do on our own. It is not about getting it all right, right now. Instead it is all about what God will do through us.
Yes, we are far from a finished product. It is God who continues to work on and through us as we clergy go forward. God —in his own way and in his own time — brings that good work to fulfillment.
From one who is looking for God to bring my vocation toward completion,
Fr Henry
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Congratulations, Ellen Stevens! |
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Ellen Stevens has been selected to serve on the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a 3 year term effective December 1, 2020.
According to Canon Law, a Diocesan Pastoral Council is established in each diocese whose responsibility is to investigate under the authority of the bishop all those things which pertain to pastoral works, to ponder them and to propose practical conclusions about them. Members provide to the Bishop ongoing advice and direction in addressing the pastoral challenges that we face as a diocesan Church, especially as we face the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of our people.
Ellen Stevens has been a parishioner at St Jude Church since 1979. Ellen is currently the co-chairperson with her husband Doug of the St Jude Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and also serves on the St. Jude Parish Council, Food Pantry and Hospitality Committee. In the past, Ellen has served as a Religious Education teacher, a member of the Church and Rectory Building Committees, and participated in Bible Study.
Congratulations Ellen on your selection to the Diocesan Pastoral Council!!
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National Vocation Awareness Week |
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National Vocation Awareness Week
National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 1-7, 2020 is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and...
Read more
www.usccb.org
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National Vocations Week
Next week we are celebrating National Vocations Week. Please click on the above link to listen to some men and women who are sharing what they love about their vocation.
For information about vocations and discerning your vocation or helping someone you know discern theirs, please click on the following link: https://www.bridgeportpriest.org/
Please pray for vocations!!!
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Prayer for Vocations
O Lord, send workers for your harvest, so that the commands of your Only-begotten Son may always be obeyed and his Sacrifice be everywhere renewed.
Look with favor upon your family, the Church, and ever increase Her numbers. Enable Her to lead Her sons and daughters to the holiness to which they are called and to work for the salvation of others.
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
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Introducing a New Way to Stay Connected! |
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These past months have brought about many changes in our lives due to the pandemic. Things that were part of our routines such as traveling to the office to work, seeing our children off on the school bus each day, and attending Sunday Mass are not the same. Here at St. Jude Parish, we are very committed to staying connected with all of our parishioners. I would like to introduce a new interactive way of keeping in touch and I hope that you will participate. It is a great way to share ideas, thoughts, reflections and more. Feel free to visit and post as often as you'd like. (Note - You can sign their posts or post anonymously.)
Please watch the short video above explaining our new program, and then visit Padlet and start posting. See you there!
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Formed Corner
Introducing the new Formed Corner where you will find recommendations each week to watch on Formed.org. For those who have not yet subscribed, Formed is a wonderful resource that St. Jude's subscribes to for all of our parishioners. It is a rich library of Catholic content - movies, books, audio talks, renown study programs, and youth and children's content. To sign up, go to Formed.org/signup and select St. Jude's Parish in Monroe. Then log in and enjoy!
Formed offers a suggested selection of videos every week. The videos are timely and very well done. Please check it out!
Link to picks of the week
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Best Advent Ever
Looking for daily Advent videos? Join us for the Dynamic Catholic Best Advent Ever program and receive an Advent daily reflection video each morning. This year our Catholic daily reflections are focused on today's gospel readings!
Read more
www.dynamiccatholic.com
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Hello St. Jude Families! Fall is underway and our youth group is growing! Please join us for the following meetings. ALSO! We are now providing dinner to any teens who join.
November 8th @ 6 pm in the Social Hall (Should we be Meditating More?)
November 15th @ 6 pm in the Social Hall (What is a Calling?)
November 22nd @ 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Social Hall (Thanksgiving Celebration) *RSVP Required
Parents and other adult members looking to becoming involved we need volunteers! Time commitment is low, and the reward is high! Please send any questions to Shannon at shannon.carey@stjuderc.com.
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Thanksgiving Food Pantry Distribution |
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Our Thanksgiving distribution is rapidly approaching and in anticipation we are in need of the following non-perishable items: instant potatoes, stuffing, gravy, broth, cranberries as well as pasta and boxed children’s cereal. Our continued appreciation for your response to our ministry’s needs. Thank you and God Bless |
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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion needed to assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass
Anyone between 16 and 60 years of age who is interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact Fr Henry at fr.henry@stjuderc.com or 203-261-6404. Covid-compliance training and personal protective equipment will be provided.
Current Extraordinary Ministers are reminded that according to the current rules issued by the bishop, Eucharistic Ministers should not distribute the Eucharist at mass during this time of the pandemic if they:
- Are over 65
- Have pre-existing conditions or have family members with pre-existing conditions
- Are uncomfortable sharing the Eucharist at this time for any reason
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Special Children's Rosary Sunday 11/8
There will be a Special Children's rosary to pray for our country this Sunday. We meet at 11 am before the 11:30 Mass by the Blessed Mother statue and follow proper covid protocols. Please join us.
Knights of Columbus Patriotic Rosary
Veteran's Day 11/11
Rev. James McCarten Assembly 119 Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Patriotic Rosary on Veterans' Day, 11/11. The rosary will take place in the church at 7 p.m. We invite all St. Jude parishioners to join us in praying this rosary. If you feel more comfortable joining us from the safety of your home the service will be lived streamed on the St. Jude website.
Knights of Columbus Cancellation Notice
The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Tailgate Event scheduled for November 7 is CANCELLED due to the governor's request to lower purely social gatherings to 10 people or less.
Silent Adoration
Silent adoration with Father Henry will take place on the 3rd Sunday of the month, November 15th and December 20th, in main church at 7:30 pm for a half hour.
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop
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Holidays are upon us: Advent candles, wreathes & calendars are in and will be available for sale after Masses on weekend - 11/21 & 11/22 - Thanksgiving Day Mass 11/26 and after Masses on weekend 11/28 & 29.
Thanksgiving Day cards, Christmas cards & ornaments will also be available at all Masses. To order or reserve a set, call: Fran Cambra - 203-261-2573.
Wishing everyone a Blessed & Joyful Advent!
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Please join us as we resume praying our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our Petition for November is:
May we always be mindful that the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love require our ACTIVE participation,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Nov 7 4:00pm Howard Saad
Sun Nov 8 7:30am Joao and Maria Leandres
11:30am Edward Kennelly
Mon Nov 9 9:00am Richard Spede
Tue Nov 10 9:00am Westbrook Bates
Wed Nov 11 9:00am Denise Borrs
Thu Nov 12 9:00am Joseph Zavodny
Sat Nov 14 4:00pm William and Rose Fiumora
Sun Nov 15 7:30am Marilyn DeMayo
- 9:30am Ivan Gospic
11:30am Peter and Lorraine Bendlak-Miller
If the 8:30 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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Beginning Monday, November 9, 2020, Monday through Thursday Weekday Masses will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed.
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 ) onto 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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Church Hours for private prayer
Church is open Monday to Friday 8am - 10am for private prayer.
Live-streamed Mass Schedule
Beginning Monday, November 9, 2020, Monday through Thursday Masses will also be live streamed from 9am until 9:30am. Masses will be in the main Church.
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
It is suggested that you 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.
In the event you do come to the office, we will be following the state protocols:
- A face covering is required
- Social distancing will be followed
- If you are experiencing COVID-19 defined symptoms, or have had contact with someone with the symptoms please do not come to the office.
Signage will be posted on the front door with all directives to be followed when admitted to the office.
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St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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