This past Monday, December 6, the Church celebrated the feast of St. Nicholas. He is an oft-beloved part of the Christmas story, as the legend of Santa Claus is based on him (“San” meaning “Saint” in most Romance languages, so…San Niklaus morphed into Santa Claus). But his real story is far more wild and crazy…and even gruesome…than the legends of a jolly man riding a sleigh. Truth, as they say, is stranger than fiction!
St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra, a large port city on the Mediterranean Sea in modern-day Turkey. He was a staunch defender of the Catholic Faith in the early 300s, in a time when various heresies were rampant. Most problematic was the heresy of Arianism (founded by the priest Arius), which taught that Jesus wasn’t truly God, but rather that He was only an “adopted” son of God. When the bishops of the whole Church met at the Council of Nicaea in 325 to settle this issue, St. Nicholas also attended – and as soon as he walked into the assembly hall and saw Arius, he went right up to him and punched him in the face! For this zealous defense of Christ’s divinity, St. Nicholas was banished from the rest of the Council!
He was known for his great charity and love for his people. During a severe famine, the people pleaded with Bishop Nicholas to ask God for food. Nicholas went to the docks and spied a boat passing by out on the sea. Hoping they had food, he prayed, and God brought up such a strong wind that the boat had to come into shore in Myra. The boat indeed had grain, but it was being brought to Egypt and there was no extra for the people of Myra. The saint told the sailors that if they shared the grain, God would exceed them in generosity. Reluctantly, the sailors gave the townspeople half of the grain in their ship’s hold, and then sailed on to Egypt. When they arrived at their destination, they were astonished to find that their ship was once again completely filled to the brim with grain! Nicholas had worked a miracle in multiplying the wheat for them.
During that same famine, a butcher had no meat to sell. So he kidnapped three boys from the street, killed them, cut up their bodies, and put them in a vat of vinegar, preparing to sell their flesh to customers. The parents were worried sick about their missing boys, so they went to Bishop Nicholas and asked him to intercede. The Holy Spirit informed the holy Bishop where to look, and when he approached the butcher, he asked if he could examine the man’s storehouse. The butcher allowed him, thinking that the boys’ bodies were so unrecognizable that he would think it was ordinary animal meat. But as soon as Nicholas opened the barrel and began to pray, the boys miraculously came back to life and he was able to return them to their worried families. It is for this reason that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children (but you might not want to tell this story to your young kids!).
Finally, St. Nicholas is known for his generosity in the following famous story. A poor farmer had three daughters who he wished to marry off, but he could not afford the exorbitant dowry that was customary. St. Nicholas caught wind of his predicament, and at night, came by the farmer’s house and threw a bag of gold down his chimney. The farmer awoke to find enough money in the bag to marry off the first daughter. St. Nicholas did this again two more times, until all three girls had been married. It is for this story that St. Nicholas is portrayed as coming down chimneys with gifts!
The real St. Nicholas would probably be shocked at who his character had become. He was a man who lived for Christ, not for material gifts. The real St. Nicholas would always point us back to the Reason for the Season: God becoming incarnate in Jesus Christ!
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St. Jude Parish Christmas Mass Schedule
CHRISTMAS EVE
4pm Mass - Church
4:15pm Mass - Social Hall
5:30pm Mass - Church
5:45pm Mass - Social Hall
10pm Mass - Church
CHRISTMAS DAY:
7:30am Mass - Church
9:30am Mass - Church
10am Mass - Social Hall
11:30am Mass - Church
NO 4pm MASS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25
NEW YEAR'S EVE
4pm Mass
NEW YEAR'S DAY
9am Mass
11am Mass
NO 4pm MASS ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 1
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12/12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Did you know that we have a very special image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St Jude's? In honor of her feast day, take some time to learn all about it!
Fr. Michael Gaitley obtained this particular image several years ago and received permission to spread throughout North America through his community, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. This image is unique and special because when Fr. Gaitley had the honor of venerating the tilma where Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico, he met the family of a photographer who took spacial pictures of this image while he was there. This photographer saw Our Lady come alive in the camera when he photographed the tilma.
This image is also the highest quality reproduction of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the United States and Canada. It was certified by the Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, as a facsimile reproduction of the official digital archive of the Sacred Original of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This archive was also blessed by St. John Paul II and was used for the official image celebrating the Great Jubilee of the 2000 years of our Redemption in Mexico.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
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Lessons & Carols
An ancient tradition comes to St. Jude's on Sunday, December 12 at 2pm - Lessons and Carols! This Advent ceremony helps spiritually prepare us for the coming of Christ through Scripture readings and hymns, performed by our very own choir from St. Jude's. Guest instrumentalists, and our folk group (the Saturday musicians) will be leading a few songs as well. . All are invited to this beautiful and sacred tradition!
NOTE: Lessons and Carols will be broadcast and can be viewed on your computer.
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Blessed Sacrament Church Christmas Drive for the Teens
DEC.4th thru Dec.14th
Father Skip has requested GIFT CARDS to any of the following -Target-- Walmart - -Dunkin Donuts—McDonalds OR Burger King
Monetary Donations. Are also welcome please be kind to the Teens of Blessed Sacrament.
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Join Mary's Messengers this Advent!
Are you looking for something special to do during Advent? Why not become one of Mary's Messengers and spread the gift of prayer! It's simple - pray a Rosary for someone you know and send them a note to let them know you prayed for them. Encourage them to “pray it forward” and then pray a Rosary for someone they know.
If you'd like sample cards and materials, email marysprayermessengers@gmail.com or pick up some extra rosaries and printed materials in the entrances to the church.
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Eucharistic Adoration on every Friday during Advent
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28-30
We will have Eucharist Adoration every Friday from 7:00 – 8:00 PM during Advent
This is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus
Please join us on Dec 3, 10, and 17
Confession will be celebrated on the first Friday, December 3rd”.
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Rectory open house 12/19 2-6pm
It will be potluck. Bring your favorite dish.
Refreshments will be provided.
All are welcome to attend to enjoy the food and fellowship!
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St. John XXIII Council 5987
Knights of Columbus
Invites You To
The Annual Blessing Of The Creche
Monroe Town Green
Dec. 12th 1 P.M.
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FLORAL MINISTRY
Though the holiday of Thanksgiving may have passed, we, at St Jude Parish continue to have many blessings that we are thankful for as we enter the hopeful season of Advent. We are grateful for our new Shepherd, Father Joseph, and the spirit of camaraderie, activity and volunteerism that has continued to flourish even during this Pandemic. One brilliant example of this is the new manger that is a part of our Nativity scene this year. In the tradition of St Francis of Assisi, who built the first manger in an Italian village in 1223, Brian Veo, a parishioner, has used his skills to construct a manger that will be in our Nativity Scene this year in Monroe.
As we prepare ourselves during this Advent season to celebrate the Nativity, and pray thoughts like those expressed below, let us remember to be grateful for our Parish community and all those who give of their skills and talents.
Lord,
Bless all who look upon this manger;
May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,
And raise our thoughts to him,
Who is God-with-us and Savior of all,
And who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.
From Catholic Household blessings and prayers
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Parish Center available!
We are still marketing our parish center (former school building) with the hope of offsetting operation costs. Please contact the parish office for more information.
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Please remember in your daily prayers:
Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Joseph Bisignano, Sr., Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, David Bath, Martha Zenobia, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Daniel Louis Bianco, Zoey Frigo, Koswenda Family, Max, Hung Vu, Jamie Addesa
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 in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our Petition for December is:
May the love of the Christ Child whom we celebrate at Christmas,
remain in our hearts throughout the coming New Year,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Dec 11 4:00pm James Tierney, Sr.
Sun Dec 12 7:30am Jeanne R. Ciancetta
Sun Dec 12 9:30am Deceased members of the Banville
And O’Leary families
Sun Dec 12 11:30am Dora Costa
Mon Dec 13 9:00am Dolores Rauser
Tue Dec 14 9:00am Julia DeSousa
Wed Dec 15 9:00am Daniel Eddy
Thu Dec 16 9:00am Brian LaBlanc
Sat Dec 18 4:00pm Mary and Margaret Gallagher
Sun Dec 19 7:30am Andrew and Angela Vill
Sun Dec 19 9:30am Julia DeSousa
Sun Dec 19 11:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
The Tabernacle Candle will burn in loving memory of Jose Dantas during the month of December
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 Mass are live streamed.
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People can call the parish office to arrange to be added to the sick bound and home communion call list, for a clergy to bring them communion at their homes beginning in July. |
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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.
NOTE: Adoration also will be held during Advent on Dec 3, 10, and 17
Confession will be celebrated on the first Friday, December 3rd”.
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop
Gift shop will be selling Advent Wreaths & Candle Sets and Calendars at a special price this weekend. Sunday is First day of Advent - 11/28/21. Shop early while supplies last.
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: Graduation, 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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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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