Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Another election season is upon us. Although not as high-profile as a Presidential election year, this midterm election still has the potential to shape our Senate and House, as well as our state legislative and executive branches.

Pope Francis once said, “We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.” A true Christian brings his or her faith to every aspect of their life, including the political sphere. While recognizing the plurality of views and faiths in our country, we cannot exclude our faith from the public square. We believe that our Catholic lens provides a framework to help guide us, both as voters and those involved in public service.

Every four years, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops puts out a document called “Faithful Citizenship” which provides a framework for voting as a Catholic (read the document here: https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-peace-human-development/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship). It ties together Catholic social teaching with our country’s issues to give Catholics a guide for how to vote.

The Church is very careful not to endorse one candidate over another, or one political party – especially as neither party perfectly aligns with Catholic teaching. Rather, the Church lays out important principles which undergird the common good. The fundamental principle is the dignity of the human person: the Church sees politics as serving the person, not the other way around (so JFK was quite wrong when he quipped: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” – the country exists to protect and serve the dignity of the individual person, not the other way around – with the caveat, of course, that charity demands that we often sacrifice for our nation so that every individual has their dignity respected!)

This understanding of the dignity of the human person has many practical consequences in our nation’s policy. For example, human dignity demands that the right to life is protected for all persons from conception until natural death. Human dignity recognizes that the traditional family is the cornerstone of society, so political policy must always be in defense of marriage as between a man and a woman. One aspect of human dignity is the right to worship according to our consciences, and so religious freedom is a cornerstone issue. Catholics cannot compromise on these non-negotiable issues. 

There are many other issues of great importance, but which people of good will can debate on methods and best policies. These include helping the poor, keeping health care affordable, protecting the rights of workers, a just and equitable immigration system, promoting the right to education, care for creation – most agree on these principles, but people of good will can disagree about the best way to go about dealing with these problems.

Unfortunately, no politician or political party embodies perfectly the Church’s beautiful social teaching (stay tuned for a series on Catholic Social Thought, coming in the Spring…). So we as Catholics are often relegated to voting for the least-bad of two imperfect candidates. But using the “Faithful Citizenship” document and the Catechism as our guide, we vote according to our Catholic principles – that we may, someday, hope and pray for a just and righteous society!

Parish News

Notes from the Organ Bench

Autumn greetings! Many thanks for the warm welcome I have received the first two months with you. I have enjoyed meeting many of you, listening to your thoughts and concerns, and moving forward with work that needs to be done. Here are a few announcements:

1) The adult choir is meeting Wednesday evenings for rehearsal from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. in the church. We have begun our Advent and Christmas preparations. In my two months with you, I have been listening carefully and I can hear some great voices in the pews at all Masses that I would hope would share their gift as part of this ministry to our church. If weekly choir commitments are difficult, I am happy to work with you to accommodate your needs. Perhaps you are only interested in singing for Advent and Christmas? That is OK! Please see me after any Mass. Also, I am personally inviting high school students with talent to join us. You, too, are welcome, and it is a great way to give back to your church.

2) Before my time (and Fr. Joseph's, too!) there was a 10:00 A.M. Mass that the adult choir sang at. Over time, and with a new Mass schedule, the choir has been a staple at the 11:30 A.M. After prayer and discussion, a schedule will be made where the adult choir will alternate between the 9:30 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. Mass. This will not only allow for more people to hear the group but also provide flexibility with scheduling, especially for our volunteers. 

3) Planning has been in the works to coordinate a St. Jude Children's Choir. With a vibrant parish and over 500 students in our Religious Education program, establishing a group as such is a priority of mine. We would love to have a group of students who are reading age level to Grade 8 consider this. A letter will be distributed to all families in our Religious Education program and to the entire parish. Tentatively, the 5:30 P.M. Vigil Mass of Christmas will have a group of children with me in the music area of the church leading the music at Mass, singing carols, and preparing a special song for us all. I would ultimately like to have the children sing once a month at the 9:30 A.M. Mass as well as for special occasions. If any parents would like to assist me, as required by Diocesan Directives relating to VIRTUS, please see me. 

4) Finally, a note about our beautiful organ. I have been reviewing the file on the instrument, and we are blessed with such amazing sound and craftsmanship that fills our church with a joyful noise. I am aware, however, that some of you feel the instrument is a bit loud at times, and I do appreciate your feedback. There are some things I can do to mitigate this, but in all truth repairs are needed on this instrument that will greatly assist in the sound production. Several weekends ago, an introduction to a hymn sounded like a fog horn. That is caused by the repairs that are needed and it is a complicated explanation that would require pages herein. However, after reviewing the file and speaking with the builder in Montreal, Canada several times over the past 2 weeks, an updated quote to repair the instrument is pending. That quote, its explanation, and my comments will be provided to our Finance Council for their review. It is a process, but we must be good stewards of this instrument as if we were to replace it, the cost would be 5x what it originally cost, nearly $1.1 million. 

Blessings always,

Lou

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: The Christmas Schedule!

We have gotten many inquiries about our Christmas Mass schedule! So, here it is:

Christmas Eve

4pm

5:30pm

10pm

Christmas Day

7:30am

9:30am

11:30am

Please note that if we need overflow seating, people are invited to go to the Social Hall downstairs where the Mass will be livestreamed on our screen.

The St Jude-St Stephen Senior Group will meet at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 10^th

Laundry – we all need to do it!  But did you know that the Church has laundry to do as well? Our altar linens, which take on a sacred character due to their use in the Liturgy, need to be washed with care and respect. The Parish is in need of several parishioners to undertake this service for us.  With a few volunteers, each person would only need to help out once every six months. Full instructions will be provided.  Please call Bernice at the office (203-261-6404) if you can help out, or would like more information. Many hands make light the work!

Our Religious Education children will be writing letters to Veterans this month, click here if you would like to submit one to be delivered to the VA hospital.

Drop off completed letters at the Family Ministry table or religious education class by Sunday 11/13.

Parish Pilgrimage to St Margaret's Shrine - 11/26 

Saturday 11/26 from 12-2 pm

For more information, e-mail Jessica Iannotta

To learn more about the Shrines see here

Download the map of the Shrines on the property

Save the Dates for Upcoming Advent Activities

Family Advent Candle Lighting: We are looking for families to light a candle in the Advent wreath at each Mass.  You can sign your family up here.

Friday, December 9: Mother's Holiday Gathering

7:30 pm, Social Hall  Reserve your project here (code: St. Jude)

Saturday, December 10: Children's Happy Birthday Party for Jesus sponsored by the Columbiettes

10-1 pm, Social Hall

Tuesday, December 13 (3:30-5 pm) and Sunday, December 18 (2-5 pm): Christmas Caroling. Contact Jessica Iannotta for more information

Mothers Holiday Gathering

When: Friday 12/9 at 7:30 pm

Where: St. Jude Social Hall

What: Get in the holiday spirit by making a Board and Brush Christmas sign and enjoy some time to get to know other mothers at St Jude's

Who: All women and mothers are welcome! You are welcome to bring a friend or adult daughter as well!

ORDER LINK: Click here (code: St. Jude)

Order by 12/2; projects will be picked up for you on 12/7 in advance of event on 12/9

E-mail Jessica Iannotta if you would like to bring an appetizer or dessert

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Wednesday 11/30 at 7 pm. We will be doing an Advent service project writing handwritten letters to new moms.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 12/7 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Save the Date: Holiday Get Together and Board and Brush Event - Friday 12/9 at 7:30 pm. Order your project here (code: St. Jude)

Youth Encounter nights start September 16th, see you there! Next meeting Friday 11/11 at 7 PM.

MAGNIFICAT

A Ministry to Catholic Women invites you to a prayer breakfast on Saturday November 12th, 9:30-12:30 at 

Tashua Knolls

40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull CT  

Our Guest speaker, Louise Carson, will share her testimony and lifelong ministry and devotion to God. 

Cost $25.00 per person, reservations required by October 31, 2022. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, please call

Carol Flynn  203-775-3875 or email  magnificatthmi@gmail.com

Invitation is available in the Women's Ministry Section of the Diocese of Bridgeport website.  

Tickets are available on Eventbrite or Use your phone camera, hover over QR Code and it will take you directly to Eventbrite to register for the Breakfast

By attending a Magnificat meal, a woman hears the witness at her table or as a speaker and is encouraged to stay the course of faith during difficult times. At a Magnificat meal, we give praise to God in song, in scripture and in prayerful teachings that lift our spirits. It is truly a wonderful opportunity for women to meet and greet other women as Mary did when she greeted Elizabeth. It is awesome to witness the transformation of women from when they come into the breakfast and when they leave. There is such love in the room and we all become Sister's in Christ. After hearing a testimony of one’s life it gives the listener hope and joy that God is ever so present in their own life.

Please remember to invite your friends, relatives, church members, and even strangers to this event.  We are hoping to get more than 200 women to witness and experience what love, faith, and mercy can bring to their lives.

Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs Drive

We had our Fall Needs Drive on Saturday, October 29. Once again, St Jude parishioners & community donated furniture, clothing, food, diapers & wipes to help the needy in our area. The donated items filled up our 26 foot truck & were then distributed to Blessed Sacrament parish, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, St Jude food pantry, Salvation Army, & Hopeline. All recipients were very thankful for your generosity.

Our next drive will be scheduled in April. Until then, wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, & Holy holiday season. May God Bless...

ATTACHED - Clothing brought to Bridgeport Rescue Mission Saturday

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Marie Micholovich, Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Michael Serke, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Violeta Shala, Vito Melfi, Amanda Alarcon, Patti F. , Anne DeVita and Anna Harper

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 November is:

 Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

As we remember our beloved dead and those souls who have no one to pray for them, we pray that through God's loving mercy, they may be granted pardon, peace and eternal rest with Him....

     We pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    Nov 5        8:30am                Deceased members of the Columbiettes

Sat    Nov 5        4:00pm                Jose Dantas

Sun   Nov 6         7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 6         9:30am                 Gaylord A. Paddock

Sun   Nov 6         11:30am               Carlo Longo

Mon Nov 7         9:00am                 Elizabeth A. Garcia

Tue   Nov 8        9:00am                 Thomas Coyne

Wed Nov 9         9:00am                 Janice Moran

Thu  Nov 10       9:00am                 Catherine Christy

Sat    Nov 12      4:00pm                Mary and Margaret Gallagher

Sun   Nov 13       7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Nov 13       9:30am                 Ivan Gospic

Sun   Nov 13       11:30am               Peter Bendlak and Lorraine Bendlak

                                                         Miller

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Luis & Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon during the month of November.

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.

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.

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )

Men’s Bible Study

All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the School Meeting Room beginning September 17, as we study the Sunday readings. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

All kids are invited to join Mary's Messengers Prayer Group conveniently in between Wednesday’s Religious Education class sessions from 6-6:30 pm. We will learn to say the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other special prayers for the intentions of our families and Parish. If your child would be interested in participating, contact Jessica Iannotta

St. Jude Religious Gift Shop is located downstairs in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. Fr. Joseph's Books and CD's are available in the Gift Shop. Also new items: Gifts and cards, statues, rosaries and more. Come in and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261-6404.