This weekend is often termed “Good Shepherd Sunday,” as our Gospel speaks of Christ, the Good Shepherd. What does it mean for Christ to shepherd us?

First, it means that He protects us – if we stay within His flock. One of my college roommates is now a Franciscan priest, and I’ll never forget going to the ceremony where he professed his first vows. The minister general (who is the head of the Franciscan Order) promised the newly professed that “if you remain faithful to your vows, you are guaranteed the joys of everlasting life.” Wow! What a promise!

But we have that promise, too – if we stay within His flock (in the Catholic Church, in the state of grace), we have Christ’s promise that “the gates of Hell will not prevail” – either against the Church, or against your soul! (Matthew 16). We believe that His sheepfold is the Church that He established, and He will protect and defend His Church to the end! 

Second, it means that He heals us. All of us have wounds. Some are caused by the sins of others – perhaps we were abused, perhaps we have been treated badly. Maybe we feel betrayed by life; perhaps we’re struggling with illness, either physical or mental. Perhaps we’ve made bad decisions in our past that has left us hurting or addicted. Bringing all of this to Jesus, we can find peace and freedom. He will not erase the past, but He will help us let it go and bring us to a place of peace. Remember that after Jesus rose from the dead, His scars were still visible, but they didn’t hurt Him anymore. When we bring ourselves to Jesus, our wounds – though still present – will lose their power to cripple us. Perhaps we need Adoration, or Confession…perhaps we need His grace to forgive others, or we need to walk with a Catholic counselor or therapist through some wounds from our past. But He does want to heal us and bring us wholeness and holiness.

Third, it means that He feeds us. I have met many ex-Catholics who joined Protestant churches because, as they said, “We weren’t being fed in the Catholic Church!” I hope no one will say that about St. Jude’s – but regardless of what your experience has been, the Church does feed us through the Scriptures and through its teachings. A wise priest once said to a group of us, “Because of technology, you have, at your fingertips, a theological library that the medieval scholars would have been envious of!” How does the Church continue to feed us? Some of the best ways to be fed include:

• Formed.org . I’m a big fan of Formed – it’s a Netflix-like streaming service with movies, podcasts, e-books about the Catholic Faith.
• Laudate – the best Catholic app there is! The Bible, writings of the Church Fathers, the Rosary and Liturgy of the Hours and other devotions, and so much more – all for free!
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a beautiful summary of all of the teachings of the Church. Every Catholic should own one, or you can browse it for free on the Vatican’s website (www.vatican.va). It answers every question anyone may have about “What does the Church teach about X?”
• Many people don’t know the incredible riches of Church documents and great spiritual works by the saints…a brief Google search can reveal hundreds of teaching instructions from the Pope and Bishops. Check out “Christifidelis Laici”, on the role of the laity in the world; “Familiaris Consortio” on how to live as a Catholic family; “Rerum Novarum” on the Church’s social teachings; or “Introduction to the Devout Life” for basic Catholic spirituality.
• Of course, the Bible is another way the Lord feeds us. Read it daily! 

And, of course, the greatest way to be fed is through the Eucharist. Here is a Shepherd who feeds us with His very Flesh and Blood! If you ever feel like you’re not being fed at church, look to the Eucharist to satisfy your hunger. It is the Shepherd laying down His life for us.

But here’s the interesting thing about this image – many of us feel uncomfortable being sheep. The image connotes helplessness, or that we’re just following along with the crowd. We like to think of ourselves as independent. But the Christian life is absolutely dependent upon our union with Christ. We allow Him to teach us, Him to heal us of our sins, Him to love us. We can’t do it on our own!

So, this Good Shepherd Sunday, allow Christ to shepherd you. Seek His teachings so He may feed you richly; stay within His safe sheepfold of the Catholic Church; bring Him your weaknesses so that He may strengthen and love you!

THANK YOU to our former pastor, Msgr John Sabia and the Building and Grounds volunteers for the beautiful cherry blossom trees that are in full bloom this weekend.  All of the trees were selected by Msgr Sabia then planted by the Building and Grounds Ministry.  

This weekend branches of cherry blossoms have been included in the Easter floral display in front of the altar by the Floral Ministry.  

Please volunteer your time this Saturday, May 7, 8-12 pm to help Building and Grounds to maintain our beautiful parish campus and the horticultural legacy of Msgr Sabia.

St. Jude Columbiettes Spring Trunk Sale – Flea Market

Saturday June 4^th from 9 am to 2 pm in the St. Jude Church Parking Lot, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06484

Vendors can reserve a spot for $30 equal to 2 parking spaces. Vendors need to provide their own tables. Event is rain or shine. Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes.

For more info and to reserve a space, contact Barb at barbsu@yahoo.com 203-394-8949 or Marie at merch2mom1980@gmail.com

203-513-0337. Please leave a detailed message with contact number.

Please note all vendors need to be Virtus certified.

The May Family Newsletter is now available.  The next issue will be a special summer issue in mid June.  If you would like to be added to the e-mail list, please e-mail Jessica Iannotta.

Please join us for a special 

Children’s Rosary on Mother's Day, Sunday

May 8^th 

after 9:30 am Mass. 

We would love for children to say each decade for this special Rosary in honor of Mary this month of May. 

If your child is interested, e-mail Jessica Iannotta.



Save the Date!

St. Jude's Mom's Group Kickoff Meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday May 18th at 7 pm. Contact Jessica Iannotta for more information and click here to register for the group contact list.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Michael Serke, Kristen Kelly, Leroy Moye, Richard Carrano, Judy Thomas, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Janice Moran, Stephen Henn, Robert Orol, Todd Kuhns

All healthcare workers, first responders, caregivers and the men and women 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.

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention. 

Our Petition for May is:

As we remember all our beloved Military men and women who died to preserve our freedom, may we invoke MARY, our QUEEN OF PEACE to end the wars against evil we now face in our Country and in our World,

We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat   May 7       8:30am               All souls in Purgatory       

Sat   May 7       5:00pm               Christine Grinavic

Sun  May 8       7:30am               Margaret Mende

Sun May 8       9:30am               John Werdmann

Sun May 8       11:30am             Howard Saad

Mon May 9       9:00am               Isabel Dupont

Tue  May 10     9:00am               Mary Giblin

Wed May 11     9:00am               Larry and Patricia Pisani

Thu  May 12     9:00am               Joseph Sidarweck     

Sat   May 14     5:00pm               Maria Emilia Monteiro

Sun  May 14     7:30am               Edward Burns

Sun May 14     9:30am               Veronica and Anthony Felice

Sun  May 15     11:30am             St Jude Parishioners

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of the Dantas Family during the month of May.

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.