New Beginnings 10/28/2022

Reflection from Fr. Joseph

As we approach Halloween, the ubiquitous symbol of this spooky time is ghosts. But are ghosts real? What do we as Catholics believe about ghosts and hauntings?


The Vatican’s top exorcist, the late Fr. Gabriel Amorth, who had done over 10,000 exorcisms in his lifetime, said that ghosts could be one of two things. First, they could be demons masquerading as a person. Or, they could be a soul in purgatory asking for prayers (only if God allows it). Ghosts are not souls who are “trapped” because of unfinished business. There are only three places one can go upon death (Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory) – so if a soul does remain on earth, it is in Purgatory and God is allowing it to ask for prayers.


If a person experiences a ghost, there are a couple of things that could be done. A priest would be called to bless the location. If that does not work, saying Mass in the home would be the next step – this Mass would ask God to take that soul to Heaven (if it is a soul in purgatory) or to send the demon back to Hell (if it is a demon).


There is a very fascinating book by a mystic named Maria Simma called “Get Us Out Of Here!” which is her testimony about seeing the souls in Purgatory. She tells some amazing stories about her encounters with souls in Purgatory. For example, one day she awoke to find a strange man in her room. She immediately cried out for him to leave, but he kept pacing back and forth. Finally in fear, she threw something at the man…and it went right through him, and he disappeared. The next day she asked her parish priest what to do, and he recommended to ask the apparition what he needed. The following night, the man appeared in her room again. She asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man responded, “I need three Masses said for my soul, that I may be freed from Purgatory and enter Heaven.” Upon which he disappeared again. Maria arranged for the Masses to be said, and he never troubled her again. She had many such remarkable experiences of such ghostly visitors from Purgatory – I highly recommend the book! 


There is even a museum dedicated to artifacts from the Souls in Purgatory. Located in a church in Rome, it purports to have a number of relics such as books and clothing that have been “scorched” by visitors from Purgatory (read more here: https://aleteia.org/2018/10/30/eerie-messages-from-the-dead-at-the-museum-of-the-souls-of-purgatory/). Whether or not it’s true, we definitely believe that Purgatory does exist, and that sometimes God allows souls to return to ask for prayers!


I know that Monroe is considered one of the most haunted towns in Connecticut, with Fairfield Hills and the Warren’s Paranormal Museum right nearby. Legends abound about the Lady in White, haunted graveyards, and all the like. But this is no reason to be afraid – we can never forget that souls in Purgatory – and even demons – only act because God permits them to do so, for our greater good. So one does not need to be struck with fear when encountering anything paranormal, knowing that God is in charge and that He is allowing it for His glory and for our holiness.


No need, then, to be scared of ghosts this Halloween!

Parish News

St. Jude Novena!

Our annual tradition has returned! The St. Jude's Novena concludes tonight with the great Feast of St. Jude on October 28th.


Starting October 20, we had a special 7pm Mass each day with guest preachers. Please plan to join us for a 7pm Mass on the following days, to get ready for our great patronal feast:


Thursday, Oct 20 - Fr. Eric Silva

Friday, October 21 - Fr. Skip

Monday, October 24 - Fr. Krzysztof

Tuesday, October 25 - Fr. Chris Ford

Wednesday, October 26 - Fr. Henry Hoffman

Thursday, October 27 - Msgr. Bob Weiss

Friday, October 28 - Fr. Joseph Gill


Join Us Virtually for the Novena!

Unable to get to some of the Novena Masses? Join us virtually, as all of the Novena Masses will be livestreamed on St. Jude's website at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html

APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS  DRIVE


We are having our annual CHRISTMAS DRIVE for the Children and Families of WHITLEY CITY, KENTUCKY


We are asking for Walmart GIFT CARD’S (ONLY) OR ANY MONETARY GIFTS DONATIONS would be appreciative..


Here at ST.JUDE WE ALWAYS DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION CHURCH


OUR DRIVE WILL RUN 10-17th THRU 10-30th


    THANK YOU        MISSION COMMITTEE  

 40-DAYS-FOR-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL

    SUNDAY, October 30th, 2-4 P.M.


It is time, again, for St. Jude Parish to stand and witness to the sanctity of life. Many precious lives have been saved by the overturning of Roe v Wade, but our work continues....


Please join our Pro-life Ministers on Sunday, October 30th, 2-4 p.m. at 

       Commerce Park

   4699 Main Street

        Bridgeport

     (in front of Planned Parenthood)



as we prayerfully continue to advocate for the lives of all preborn babies.


  40-Days-For-Life Closing Prayer Service

      November 6th, 2-3 pm

       Commerce Park


All are welcome to the Closing Prayer Service for this year's Vigils. Please join us in thanking God for the many lives saved this year by the prayers of all Pro-life Warriors through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.

All Saints Day

All Saints Day is a joyous Holy Day of Obligation where we celebrate all the holy men and women who have won the Victory and who have made it home to Heaven! Masses will be 4pm on October 31 (Vigil Mass), 9am and 7pm on November 1 (The Feast of all Saints). All Catholics are obliged - and have the privilege - of attending Mass this day!


All Souls Day - Pray for the Dead

It is an ancient tradition to offer prayers for the dead on the Feast of All Souls - so come and join fellow parishioners to do just that! On November 2nd, we will meet at St. Jude's at 4pm and carpool to a graveyard (St. John's) to offer prayers for the souls of the dead. All are welcome to join us!

Encounter Youth Group Project


Thank you to our Encounter Youth Group who prepared 200 sandwiches last Friday to donate to Thomas Merton House!


You were a blessing to the many people you served!

Announcing a 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 moms at St Jude's

Who: All moms are welcome!


ORDER LINK NOW AVAILABLE! Click here to order your project (order by 12/2)

SAVE THE DATE:

Parish Pilgrimage to St Margaret's Shrine 


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

The Catholic Take on Halloween
Catholic Pumpkin Templates
St Jude Coloring Page 

"Holy Spirit" Pumpkin painted by 8th grade parishioner Lily Blair welcomed our Religious Education students this week

Family News and Updates

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group

All kids are invited to join a special children’s 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. Starting Wednesday 10/19*. If your child would be interested in participating, contact Jessica Iannotta


*Mothers interested in joining the Wednesday evening Walking with Purpose Bible study whose children attend 6:30 pm religion class can have children attend the prayer group followed by religion while they attend bible study from 6:00-7:30.  PRAYER GROUP WILL BE DURING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DAYS ONLY.

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 this Wednesday 11/2 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

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.

For more information, please click here

The Knights of Columbus will once again sponsor the Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs Drive on Saturday October 29, 2022 from 8:00am to 10:30am. Your donated items of Food, Clothing, Furniture, Diapers, & Wipes can be brought to the front of Monsignor Sabia Social Hall. They will be distributed to the St Jude pantry, Blessed Sacrament parish, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, & Hopeline. 

Although the coronavirus has lessened, we still have certain limitations on items being collected so please refer to the attached flyer (click on image below). To minimize contact & ease of distribution, we ask that you label the contents of your donated items in bags & boxes brought in your vehicles. For furniture items, we are hoping that most parishioners can bring these items directly to St Jude's on the day of the drive & we will help with unloading. If furniture transportation is not possible, we will make a limited amount of pickups only on the day of the drive. We would also appreciate it if the furniture to be picked up is located in your garage or driveway for easy access. Any questions, please contact Rocky Scali at 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn at 203-556-5016.


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.

Monthly Parish Petition

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 Oct 29            4:00pm                Vincenzina and Pasquale Ponporiero

                                                                  

Sun Oct 30           7:30am                 Andrew Vill

 

Sun Oct 30           9:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

 

Sun Oct30            11:30am               James Tierney, Sr.

 

Mon Oct 31          9:00am                 Sezerina DosSantos Ferreira

 

Mon Oct 31          4:00pm                St Jude Parishioners

 

Tue Nov 1            9:00am                 St Jude Parishioners

 

Tue Nov 1            7:00pm                Stephanie Agresta and Jean

                                                         Augustinsky

 

Wed Nov 2           9:00am                 All deceased Mason and Olivia

                                                         Family members

                                                                  

Thu   Nov 3         9:00am                 Anthony J. Cappella

 

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

 

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of the Dantas family during the month of October and 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.

Mass Schedule

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 )

Online Giving

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.

St. John XXIII Council 5987

5th Sunday Rosary

October 30

12:30 PM in the church 

Please Join Us


Pope Francis October Intention



A Church Open to Everyone

This is a New Program to help bring parishioners to gather in a spiritual activity and promote devotion to Mary. St. John XXIII Council will be participating in this program throughout our Fraternal Year.






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.
Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church

"Jesus we Trust in You"

Flame of Love Rosary

Thursday mornings after 9 am Mass

"Spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity"

St. Jude Religious Gift Shop

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.

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.  
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. 
Email Us
St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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