On your way out of St. Jude’s Church, have you ever looked up to the back wall and wondered what those four square symbols are? We see the face of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. What are they all about?
These are the symbols of the four Gospel writers (also known as the Four Evangelists): Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Initially the images come from the prophet Ezekiel, Chapter 1: “I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body.”
The Book of Revelation also uses these four symbols, speaking of the angels who worship around the Throne of God: “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4)
Initially these four faces (man, ox, lion, and eagle) were seen as the pinnacle of creatures. Man is in the Image and Likeness of God; the ox is the greatest domestic animal; the lion is the greatest wild animal; the eagle is the greatest bird. But since the early Church, there has been the tradition to connect these four with the Gospel writers.
Matthew is the human face because his Gospel begins with a genealogy, showing the human ancestors of Jesus.
Mark is the lion, a symbol of courage and monarchy, as his Gospel focuses on Christ’s preaching of the Kingdom. A lion was also a symbol of the Resurrection, since it was believed in the ancient world that lions slept with their eyes open, symbolizing Christ’s time in the tomb anticipating His “waking up”.
Luke is the ox, which was the greatest animal that could be sacrificed in the Temple. In Luke’s Gospel, Christ is portrayed as the Great High Priest, who offers Himself on the Cross as the greatest sacrifice.
John’s symbol is the eagle, as his theology soars higher than the others. His Gospel lifts us above the terrestrial cares and brings us closer to breathing the air of Heaven.
So, as we look at these four symbols we recall the Four Evangelists who brought us the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. How fitting to have their symbols over the door of the church, for it is through their writings that we come to faith – and faith is the entryway to a relationship with Christ, Who leads to everlasting life!
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Vatican International Exhibit of
Eucharistic Miracles
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15-year-old Blessed Carlo Acutis died in Italy on October 12, 2006 of acute leukemia. Carlo loved Jesus and the Eucharist from a very early age, and one of his sayings was "to be always close to Jesus, that is my life plan". Another of his quotes is "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven."
Carlo was quite an ordinary teenager in that he loved sports, especially soccer; and he was a big fan of computer games and practical jokes. Yet because of his love of Jesus in the Eucharist, and because he was adept with the computer he created a program of all the Eucharistic Miracles documented through the centuries. After his death, this program was made into an Exhibit, on panels, of these miracles.
rica. The Exhibit will be at St. Jude Parish in Monroe, CT on January 22, 1:00 to 6:00 pm & January 23 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Come and see!
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St. John XXIII Council 5987
5th Sunday Rosary
January 30th 12:30 PM in the church
Please Join Us
Pope Francis January Prayer Intention
For true human fraternity
“We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution, may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.”
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.
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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, Martha Zenobia, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Daniel Louis Bianco, Zoey Frigo, Koswenda Family, Max, Hung Vu, Jamie Addesa, Alfred Zawadski, Michael Serke, Kristen Kelly, Leroy Moye
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 January is:
As one of our Spiritual Resolutions for the New Year, may we reflect on Psalm 95,
"If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart"...
We Pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Jan 8 4:00pm James Tierney, Sr.
Sun Jan 9 7:30am Phyllis F. Fischetti
Sun Jan 9 9:30am Patty Eng
Sun Jan 9 11:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Mon Jan10 9:00am Julia DeSousa
Tue Jan 11 9:00am Peggy Kelsey
Wed Jan 12 9:00am Ulde and Ida Valade and Family
Thu Jan 13 9:00am Beverly Roh
Sat Jan 15 4:00pm Ellen White
Sun Jan 16 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Jan 16 9:30am Pinto and DeAndrade Family
Sun Jan 16 11:30am Harriet Kilpatrick
The Tabernacle Candle will burn in loving memory of Elvira Ferreira during the month of January
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 |
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Fr. Joseph's books and CD's are available in Gift Shop and office. |
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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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