Last week we explored the necessity and teaching of Purgatory in our faith. But our Protestant brothers and sisters might challenge us, “Where is Purgatory in the Bible?”
We DO have the teaching of Purgatory in the Bible, even if the Bible doesn’t use that exact word. Here is a powerful story from 2 Maccabees 12 – the context is in the middle of a war being fought by Judas Maccabeus, the great warrior of Israel, who is leading the Israelites to kick the Greeks out of the Holy Land and restore the Jewish rule. They just fought – and won – an important battle against the Greeks. And then this story happens:
Judas rallied his army and went to the city of Adullam. On the following day, since the task had now become urgent, Judas and his companions went to gather up the bodies of the fallen and bury them with their kindred in their ancestral tombs. But under the tunic of each of the dead they found amulets sacred to the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. So it was clear to all that this was why these men had fallen.
They all therefore praised the ways of the Lord, the just judge who brings to light the things that are hidden. Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen.
He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection in mind; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.
These fallen soldiers of Israel had committed idolatry, through wearing pagan idols beneath their clothes. But Judas did not despair of their salvation – instead, he prayed for their forgiveness after death, and collected a sum of money to offer a sacrifice to ask God for mercy upon the deceased. We do this when we have a Mass offered for the deceased! Clearly, from this story in Scripture, the Jews and early Christians believed that it was possible to be cleansed of sins after death.
There is one other place in Scripture where Purgatory is alluded to, in 1 Corinthians 3:
Each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—but only as through fire.
In other words, St. Paul is instructing us to build our lives on the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ, as the Lord Himself urges us to do. But St. Paul takes it one step further and says that how well we have built our lives on Him will be tested, through fire. If we build our lives with stones (good deeds, holiness), then we will be saved. If we build on Jesus but build with cheap building materials like straw or wood (we don’t live a life of complete holiness, and we are lukewarm in our love for Christ), then our building will burn up in the fire, but we can be saved – only if we pass through the purifying and refining fires (of Purgatory).
So – with all this talk of Purgatory, what are we to do? Three things. First, we ought to pray for the souls in Purgatory – every day! Pray for the souls of our relatives and friends who have died, but also pray for the souls who are most neglected and for those who are most in need of prayer. Consider – if your prayer brings a soul to Heaven, then you have gained a powerful intercessor who will be indebted to you for all eternity – I guarantee they will pray on your behalf before the Father’s throne!
The second thing we ought to do is seek after genuine holiness, and not be satisfied with mediocrity. Some Catholics say, “Oh, well, I’ll do just enough to be saved.” But we ought to seek to purify our souls here on earth and not wait until the afterlife! We can practice heroic virtue, develop a deep and intimate prayer life with the Lord, and detach ourselves from unhealthy attachments to things of this earth.
Finally, we can lessen our Purgatory stay by suffering well here on earth. If we have some physical suffering, inconvenience, annoyance, or trial, we can pray, “Lord, I offer this to You. Let this suffering purify me of my sins so that I may love You better.” We waste most of our suffering because we don’t know how to use it profitably – offer it up to the Lord as a living sacrifice, and this will make us ready citizens of Heaven!
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St. Jude Parish-wide Consecration to
Jesus Through Mary
Friday, November 12th
We begin our 2nd week of reading 33 Days to Morning Glory by focusing on the example and words of the 20th century apostle of Marian consecration, St. Maximilian Kolbe. You will surely be inspired by this great Marian Saint and his insights into the Immaculate Conception.
We continue to pray for each other and our Parish during this time of preparation. If you miss a day, don’t be discouraged, as Fr. Michael Gaitley says. Just keep going! Be inspired knowing that you are not alone and that your parish family is reading and praying along with you!
Copies of the magazine are in the vestibule of the church, or call Mary Beth Rauser at 203-516-1821.
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Join us every Wednesday at 3pm in the church to pray
The Divine Mercy Chaplet together
The world needs our prayers! No experience necessary!
The Chaplet takes about 10 minutes to pray.
We will begin on Wednesday, November 10th.
We are looking for volunteers to lead us each week. We are hoping to get enough volunteers that each person would only have to commit to being there once every month or two. If you are interested, please contact Mary Beth Rauser at 203-516-1821 or mbrauser@hotmail.com
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.
The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:
A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.
C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that all the graces of His mercy can only be received by our trust. The more we open the door of our hearts and lives to Him with trust, the more we can receive.
This message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God's mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.
For more information, please visit:
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FR. HENRY'S FAREWELL MASS & RECEPTION
More photos may be viewed at
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All young people grades 6-12 are invited to
ENCOUNTER
A time to encounter God and one another through games, food, prayer, conversation, and fun.
Friday, November 12th
Friday, December 10th
From 7-9pm
No cost – no sign-ups – just show up!
Virtus-trained parents welcome to come and chaperone. For more information, contact Fr. Joseph at frgill@diobpt.org.
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Food Pantry Information
Our Thanksgiving distribution is right around corner. Sixteen families will benefit from your continued generosity. With this in mind, we are currently in need of the following items: boxed oatmeal, coffee/tea/hot cocoa, jarred pasta sauce and children’s cereal.
Thank you again for your continued support of this ministry.
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St Charles Christmas Drive
Part of our role as Christians is to help our brothers and sisters in need. The Columbiettes are sponsoring a collection for families at St Charles Parish in Bridgeport. The collection will run from November 20 through November 28. There will be a donation box in the Church foyer.
We are asking for Gift Cards to Kohl’s or Target, or monetary donations.
We thank you for your generosity.
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Breakfast and Book morning with Father Joseph on Saturday Nov. 6
Photos from First Saturday Breakfast and Book with Fr. Joseph discussing the characters, plot and themes of grace in his novel "Days of Grace". Having so enjoyed this discussion, we are looking forward to Fr. Joseph sharing his inspiration and research for his second book, The Shores of Heaven, which is available in our Parish Religious Giftshop.
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Exploring Our Faith
Our Catholic Faith is so rich with meaning that we can always learn more. We will be holding a monthly session to dig deeper into the meaning of our faith.
Our next session will be held on Saturday November 13 starting at 9 am. The session will run one hour and be held in the Church
The topic will be a Church Tour
There are many items of faith and symbols and plaques in our Church. This session will explain them and their meaning to our faith. No matter how many times we have been in Church there is a lot we can learn about our Church.
I look forward to seeing you at this session
Deacon John
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Chicken Marsala Dinner
HOSTED BY THE 4TH DEGREE
DATE: SATURDAY Nov. 20th
PLACE: MSGR. SABIA SOCIAL HALL
TIME: Following 4:00 Mass
PRICE: $12.00 PER PERSON; $10.00 FOR SENIORS & $30.00
FOR FAMILY OF 4 ($5.00 EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER)
PRICE INCLUDES: Chicken Marsala, Rice,
VEGETABLES, SALAD, BREAD, DESSERT,
COFFEE, TEA, SODA & WATER
TICKETS - PLEASE CALL KEVIN DONOVAN - 203-570-4372
50% OF NET PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO
THE Home For The Brave
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
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APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS DRIVE
OUR APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS DRIVE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS THANK YOU TO ALL FROM ST.JUDE PARISH.
WE RECEIVED KHOL’S GIFT CARDS TOTAL $ 1,335.00 WALMART GIFT CARDS $ 285.00. VISA GIFT CARD $50.00
And CASH $ 550.OO WITH MISSION FUND ROUND IT OUT TO $ 1,000.00.
GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION WAS THANKFUL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. THANK YOU AGAIN.
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Save the Dates
Rectory open house 12/19 2-6pm, it will be potluck
Blessings & Carols on 12/12 starting at 2pm in the Church
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The Christmas Wafers – Oplatki – are available in the parish office and at the religious gift shop . Supplies are limited. Cost $1.00 per packet.
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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, Kathleen Keenan
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 November is:
May we be thankful for all our blessings, most especially, the gift of the Eucharist, which itself means Thanksgiving...
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Nov 13 4:00pm Enrico Marini
Sun Nov 14 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Nov 14 9:30am Ivan Gospic
Sun Nov 14 11:30am Peter and Lorraine Bendlak-Miller
Mon Nov 15 9:00am Mary and Margaret Gallagher
Tue Nov 16 9:00am James Tierney, Sr.
Wed Nov 17 9:00am Julia DeSousa
Thu Nov 18 9:00am Dominick Julian
Sat Nov 20 4:00pm Maria Emilia Monteiro
Sun Nov 21 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Nov 21 9:30am Bill Thibodeau
Sun Nov 21 11:30am The Pinto and DeAndrade families
The Tabernacle Candle will burn in loving memory of Domingo Arribas 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 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.
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop
Gift Shop will be selling Christmas items, ornaments, cards and more, including Advent Wreaths, Candles and Calendars after Masses on weekend 11/20 & 11/21st and after Thanksgiving Mass 11/25.
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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