A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus treks up the mountain with Peter, James and John. There he is transfigured. He becomes dazzling white and shines with divine radiance.
And then, Moses and Elijah appear beside Jesus — Moses representing the Law, and Elijah representing the Prophets.
Undoubtedly an incredible experience for Peter, James and John. Peter, always the impulsive one, declares that he will set down roots for everybody by building make-shift dwellings (tents), so that they can settle down and draw out the experience. Who knows? Perhaps make the experience last forever?
But, just as suddenly, they find themselves alone with Jesus and they all trek back down the mountain, to resume their daily life.
Yet, not without being changed themselves. The experience is there to strengthen them in their resolve.
A mere couple days before, Jesus spoke to his Apostles about his upcoming death, and they had a hard time accepting what Jesus’ words. Now they have this experience of having witnessed Jesus’ divinity in the transfiguration giving them the certainty they need to carry forward toward his death (and their eventual martyrdoms themselves) before he eventually rises from the dead. His death and resurrection being a fulfillment of all of the Old Testament, represented by the presence of Moses and Elijah in the vision. And the further reality that Moses and Elijah had each long since passed away and yet here they were fully alive. Suggesting the reality of a future resurrection from the dead.
Let us see the glory of Jesus in his transfiguration as our promise that we too can soldier forward through whatever life throws at us because we have seen and know that in the end Jesus triumphs over all adversity, including death, and rises from the dead.
Sincerely, Fr Henry
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10 Minutes of Prayer a Day |
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Matthew Kelly, in his book ‘I Heard God Laugh,’ says that “to live deeply and deliberately with focused intention, we need to assess the content of our lives. “What’s helping? What’s hurting? Who is helping? Who is hurting?” Lent is the perfect time to take this assessment of our lives.
Weekly Reflection Questions:
In your life:
· What’s helping get you closer to God?
· What is hurting your relationship with God?
· How can you change your life to let God in?
Kelly’s quote for the week: “Have you ever really tried prayer as a central component of your life?” “Are you willing to take it to the next level?
Our online bulletin board (Padlet) for March is about CHANGE. Visit it to add your thoughts and to gain insights on dealing with change. Also, add your prayers to the Prayer Request Column and remember to pray for others.
Password is Jude
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I am immensely grateful for your support last year to the Diocese of Bridgeport’s 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal. What a challenging year it was and thanks to the generosity of so many we were able to serve thousands of Fairfield County individuals and families through our ministries and programs. Catholic Charities alone served over 1.2 million meals since the pandemic began.
This week you will receive information by mail about our 2021, Arise Annual Catholic Appeal and how your support assists the ministries and programs our parishes cannot provide to the community on their own. We cannot do it without you and I am immensely grateful for your support of works of Faith and Ministry; Education and Catechesis; and Charity and Pastoral Services the Appeal provides to all people in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Fr Henry
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“Arise” is the theme that I have chosen for the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) because it calls us to renewed hope and a deepened commitment to serve our neighbor. The call to “Arise” challenges us to put our personal faith into action and provide for the needs of our sisters and brothers, no matter who they may be.
Over the last few months, the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead has deeply touched me. Recall the words of the Lord Jesus to Lazarus, “Untie him and let him go free.” In profound ways, I believe that the Lord is offering to you and me these same words. He is inviting us to be set free to preach, teach, witness, innovate and to serve His people in love.
As I look back upon the past year, with all its sufferings, heartaches and sacrifices, I am deeply grateful for your generous response to the Annual Catholic Appeal, which brought the mercy of Christ to so many people who turned to the Church when no one else could help. For example, the celebration of Mass, the sacraments and religious education were made available both virtually and in person. Our Catholic schools responded by providing an on-line academy and in class personalized learning, safeguarding the lives of students and teachers. Catholic Charities remained highly active, providing food, clothing, shelter and psychological counseling to an unprecedented number of persons, many of whom found themselves facing need for the first time in their lives.
As we arise from these difficult months, we are inaugurating new and innovative initiatives designed to effectively address the changed landscape created by the pandemic. Among them are a long-term program of Eucharistic renewal; a new strategic plan for our schools and programs of faith formation; and the creation of four pastoral centers focusing on family life, culture and arts, young adult entrepreneurship and evangelization. Please review the brochure you recently received.
In addition, for the first time, a new partnership has been established between the diocese and our parishes to share resources generated from the ACA. More specifically, once your parish has exceeded its ACA goal, the additional proceeds will be available to address a critical need within your parish, in a neighboring parish, or to specific diocese missions supported by the appeal. Your pastor and finance council will determine this allocation and they will provide more details.
This year’s goal is $8.1 million, 10% less than last year due to the success of the We Stand With Christ Capital Campaign, and will allow the diocese to maintain works of charity, pastoral ministry, education and catechesis. Please join with me and support this year’s, Arise, Annual Catholic Appeal.
With your renewed support, the good works of the Church will continue to address the needs of those in need. Thank you for your generosity and support.
With every best wish for God‘s blessings upon you and your family, I am
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop of Bridgeport
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Bishop Caggiano’s Notes from the Upper Room |
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On Divine Mercy Sunday 2017, the Diocese announced The Face of Prayer, an online prayer experience that brings together social media, text alerts, and the power of prayer.
Each day around 4 pm, a text message is sent to all participants, inviting them to stop whatever they are doing and to pray for a specific intention, followed by the recitation of one Hail Mary. This simple gesture unites thousands of people in prayer, while reminding us of the place that prayer should play in our ordinary lives. To date, over eight million prayer texts that have been shared by subscribers.
To join the movement is easy. Simply text the word pray from your smartphone to 55778. You will automatically receive a response to confirm your subscription. Standard texting rates apply.
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On March 19th, Bishop Caggiano will consecrate the Diocese of Bridgeport to the patronage of Saint Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church, at a Pontifical Mass at St. Augustine’s Cathedral in Bridgeport at 7:00pm. To prepare for the consecration, you are cordially invited to participate in a special Novena to Saint Joseph that will seek his intercession upon our diocese during this celebratory year. The Novena will begin on Wednesday, March 10th and end on March 18th, and will take place at 7:00pm every evening via Zoom. You will be able to access the novena through our diocesan website. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this diocesan-wide devotion to the Patron of the Universal Church during the Year to Saint Joseph.
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St. Jude 2021 Lenten Information |
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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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Relics of the Passion
Sunday, March 7th at 2pm
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We are delighted to, once again, share with our St. Jude Family the Relics of the Passion on Sunday, March 7th at 2pm in our church.
This prayerful and moving event is the perfect addition to your Lenten devotion this year. The relics are set up across the entire front of St. Jude Church and are most powerful. The afternoon promises to offer you and your families a time for prayer and meditations as you contemplate the Passion of our Lord Jesus.
Holy Week begins on March 28th, so this opportunity is a great way to prepare and enter into our Holiest Weeks of the Christian calendar.
I have participated in this in the past as a reader and I can tell you from personal experience that it touched my heart in a very deep way. After this past year, where so many of us have been hurting from the effects of the Covid-19 virus, why not take our sorrows and burdens and lay them at the feet of Jesus on the cross. I believe that, especially this year, this presentation will have special meaning for all of us.
It is a wonderful moment to share with your family, a teaching moment for your children, or come alone for some quiet time with our Lord.
I will be there and I invite all of you to join me. Lent is the time to spend some extra time in prayer and contemplating the relics of the Passion is the perfect way to do this. This is a very rare opportunity to view the actual relics of the Passion.
The service will be videotaped and available for viewing on the parish website, stjuderc.org, on March 14th.
Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus for bringing this to our Parish Family.
The relics are:
The collection includes 8 rare holy relics that would only be seen in collections generally found in Rome or the Holy Land. Included are:
• The relic of the True Cross
• A piece of stone from the table or room where the Last Supper was held
• A piece of the Column of Flagellation
• A piece of the Crown of Thorns
• The effigy of the Veil of Veronica (touched to the original veil)
• A replica of the holy nail which contains filings taken from the true nails that were imbedded in copies to make relics of a lower class
• A piece of bone from St. Longinus, the centurion that pierced the side of Jesus
• A thread from the cloth used as the wrapping for the Burial Shroud.
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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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ADORATION and PRO-LIFE STATIONS of the CROSS
Please join us each Friday evening during Lent in Church from 7:00-7:30 pm for Stations and from 7:30-8:00 pm for Adoration. Please pray for a Culture for Life from conception until natural death in our Country.
HEALING SHAWL MINISTRY
A special thank you to Diane Ganser, Cathy Ritch and Gudrun Rosenbush for the many Healing Prayer Squares to be donated to volunteers praying at our Diocesan Prayer Vigil in front of Planned Parenthood in Bridgeport, as well as for our own Pro-Life Ministers. A wonderful example of our Parish Family working together!
40-DAYS FOR LIFE DEVOTIONS
Our 30 PLM's have completed our first 40-Days For Life Devotions. Our next Devotions will begin May 1st.
If you would like to join us, please contact
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Food Pantry
Our pantry continues to be able to service our families on a weekly basis due to the continued support of St. Jude Parishioners. While we have items of need, such as jarred pasta sauces, condiments and boxed children’s cereal we are for the most part very well stocked. Surplus of any items are shared with the Blessed Sacrament in Bridgeport and the Monroe Food Pantry on a regular basis. Your generosity is always appreciated, especially during Lent as we prepare for Easter and the large distribution to our families to take place for the holiday. Thank you again for your continued support of our mission.
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Always Reaching Out
When Cub Scout Pack 162 needed a place to hold their annual Pinewood Derby, St. Jude opened its doors and made it happen. Not to let the kids down who worked on their racing cars for weeks, St. Jude provided a safe and warm environment for the event. St. Jude opened the Gym in the Parish Center and in a Covid safe process, the kids were able to participate in the day’s event. No word on who won but there were plenty of smiles for miles.
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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.,
Jim Tierney, 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 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 Feb 27 4:00pm Margaret Baranosky
Sun Feb 28 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Feb 28 9:30am Mary Lou Farina
Sun Feb 28 11:30am The Pinto and DeAndrade families
Mon Mar 1 9:00am William Rooney
Tue Mar 2 9:00am Vladimir and Veronica Dafcik
Wed Mar 3 9:00am Joseph Pozvek
Thu Mar 4 9:00am Isabel DuPont
Sat Mar 6 4:00pm Deceased Carlson and DelMastro
family members
Sun Mar 7 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Mar 7 9:30am Ljubo and Grgo Baljak
Sun Mar 7 11:30am Deceased Antony family members and
Gregory D’Silva and Mary Alphonse
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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