Reflection from Fr. Joseph | |
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It certainly seems that in our topsy-turvy world, the Christmas season keeps stretching further and further! This year I saw holiday ads and music before Halloween. Even though we are a full five weeks from the holiday, we’re already bombarded with lights, music, inflatable Santas…it does get overwhelming!
The downside to all of this is that when Christmas actually arrives, we are so tired of all the accoutrements that we take it all down on December 26th, when the Christmas season should really last until January 8th!
There is something rich and delightful about delayed gratification. The anticipation in the midst of a scaled-down Advent leads to the flowering of unbridled joy at Christmas. Things that we must wait for are received with delight: the joys of Heaven after a lifetime of longing…the freedom of summer break after a drudgery of a school year…a honeymoon after a long courtship.
So, if we want to have a wonderful Christmas season, we should savor the anticipation. Many people don’t decorate until after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), or at least the first Sunday of Advent (November 27th). Maybe we ought to wait until December to begin listening to Christmas music. Celebrate Advent richly: a home Advent wreath, special prayers (we will have devotional booklets again this year!), making a good Confession, and perhaps some fasting and penance, which is an ancient tradition for the season of Advent.
By celebrating Advent well as Advent, we will be able to truly rejoice on Christmas Day! I know the refrain for many years has been “Keep Christ in Christmas”…heck, I’d be happy to keep Christmas in Christmas and prevent it from encroaching into mid-November!
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Notes from the Organ Bench
"Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza!"
Saturday, December 3, 2022
1:30 P.M. - Church and Social Hall
Our younger parishioners are invited to a fun and interactive program featuring St. Jude's beautiful Cassavant Ferres Pipe Organ! Any student, especially those interested in music or currently taking lessons, are encouraged to RSVP. Students will go on a tour of the instrument, actually going into the pipe chambers, learn how the instrument works, listen to me play several concert pieces to feature specific sounds, and finally get to play the instrument! With supervision, there is nothing they can break. After an approximate 45 minute program, we will have pizza and light refreshments in the Social Hall. The "Pedal, Pipes, and Pizza" presentation is a nationally recognized program from the American Guild of Organist for which I am a member and have been trained to facilitate. Its ultimate goal is to build interest in the instrument with the hope of recruiting the next generation of organists. RSVP via email, please, to lvollono@stjuderc.com. To allow the program to run smoothly and plan for the pizza and goodies, I have to limit the group to 20 students of reading to high school age level. If a wait list occurs, I am willing to run another program in the new year. Please see me with any questions you may have! -Lou
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Important Thanksgiving Request
Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching which means our holiday distribution is as well. With this in mind we are requesting the following items: stuffing mix, turkey gravy, chicken broth, boxed/pouched potatoes, cranberries and canned peas or corn.
Each year we provide our families with all of the “fixin’s” for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. We wish to make this year no different. If you are interested in donating a frozen/fresh turkey for either of these distributions, please contact us at your convenience to make arrangements. We can be reached via email at lizromeo65@gmail.com / jromeo9701@charter.net or you can text Jeff at 914-954-1160. Donations for Thanksgiving will need to be received by Friday November 18th.
Our gratitude for your continued generosity and support of our ministry”
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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.
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Work on the Italian Festival is already beginning for next year. We need to find a new printer for next year, hopefully someone associated with the church.
Are there any parishioners who can help out with the printing of the marketing signs for next years festival? Hopefully someone who owns a local print shop. Please contact the below information if interested.
Thank you.
Thomas Colville
203-331-2416
tcolville20@yahoo.com
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Save the Dates for Upcoming Advent Activities | |
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Family Advent Candle Lighting: We are looking for families to light a candle in the Advent wreath at each Mass beginning Saturday 11/26 . 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. RSVP here
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
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Mothers Holiday Gathering | |
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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 (note: date listed on link is pickup date; event is Friday 12/9)
E-mail Jessica Iannotta if you would like to bring an appetizer or dessert
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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)
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Youth Encounter nights start September 16th, see you there! | |
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Gift Catalog
Your gift of essential items from the gift catalog will help rescue babies at risk of abortion and restore the lives of moms & dads who have experienced abortion, sexual trauma, or pregnancy loss.
How it works:
- Click on the gift item/s and see how you can make a difference
- Choose the gift or gifts you wish to give
- Save a baby’s life and help set moms & dads free in Christ
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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, 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, 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.
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Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our Petition for December is:
May the star which illuminated the Child Jesus in the Manger in Bethlehem, illumine our hearts and souls to the Real Presence of the Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist....
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Nov 19 4:00pm Luis and Elvira Ferreira
Sun Nov 20 7:30am St Jude Parishioners
Sun Nov 20 9:30am Pinto and DeAndrade Family
Sun Nov 20 11:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
Mon Nov 21 9:00am Antonio L. Capicotto
Tue Nov 22 9:00am Isabel Dupont
Wed Nov 23 9:00am Edward Burns
Thu Nov 24 9:00am Catherine Christy
Sat Nov 26 4:00pm Fred Capozzzi and Robert Koch
Sun Nov 27 7:30am Robert Giordano
Sun Nov 27 9:30am Jim and Eileen Daly
Sun Nov 27 11:30am St Jude Parishioners
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.
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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 and 9:30 Masses are live streamed.
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.
(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )
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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.
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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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Divine Mercy Chaplet
Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church
"Jesus we Trust in You"
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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. | |
Flame of Love Rosary
Thursday mornings after 9 am Mass
"Spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity"
flameoflove.us
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop | |
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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.
Advent Season is approaching.
Advent Candles, Wreaths and Calendars will be on sale: weekend Nov. 19 & 20. Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24th and weekend Nov. 26 & 27th after Mass. More info call Fran 203-261-2673.
Also available for sale is the Oplatki wafers. $2.00 each.
Come in and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261-6404.
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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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