Reflection from Fr. Joseph

I eagerly yield this bulletin column to an author far greater than I. Pope St. Leo the Great, who reigned in the fifth century, wrote perhaps the most famous and beautiful Christmas homily in history. I would like to share it with you:

 Our Savior, dearly-beloved, was born today: let us be glad. For there is no proper place for sadness, when we keep the birthday of the Life, which destroys the fear of mortality and brings to us the joy of promised eternity. No one is kept from sharing in this happiness. There is for all one common measure of joy, because as our Lord the destroyer of sin and death finds none free from charge, so is He come to free us all. Let the saint exult in that he draws near to victory. Let the sinner be glad in that he is invited to pardon. Let the Gentile take courage in that he is called to life. For the Son of God in the fullness of time which the inscrutable depth of the Divine counsel has determined, has taken on him the nature of man, thereby to reconcile it to its Author: in order that the inventor of death, the devil, might be conquered through that [human] nature which he had conquered. And in this conflict undertaken for us, the fight was fought on great and wondrous principles of fairness; for the Almighty Lord enters the lists with His savage foe not in His own majesty but in our humility, opposing him with the same form and the same nature, which shares indeed our mortality, though it is free from all sin.  

Foreign to this nativity is that which we read of all others, no one is clean from stain, not even the infant who has lived but one day upon earth. Nothing therefore of the lust of the flesh has passed into that peerless nativity, nothing of the law of sin has entered. A royal Virgin of the stem of David is chosen, to be impregnated with the sacred seed and to conceive the Divinely-human offspring in mind first and then in body. And lest in ignorance of the heavenly counsel she should tremble at so strange a result , she learns from converse with the angel that what is to be wrought in her is of the Holy Ghost. Nor does she believe it loss of honor that she is soon to be the Mother of God. For why should she be in despair over the novelty of such conception, to whom the power of the Most High has promised to effect it. Her implicit faith is confirmed also by the attestation of a precursory miracle, and Elizabeth receives unexpected fertility: in order that there might be no doubt that He who had given conception to the barren, would give it even to a virgin. 

Let us then, dearly beloved, give thanks to God the Father, through His Son, in the Holy Spirit , Who for His great mercy, wherewith He has loved us, has had pity on us: and when we were dead in sins, has brought us to life together in Christ, that we might be in Him a new creation. Let us put off then the old man with his deeds: and having obtained a share in the birth of Christ let us renounce the works of the flesh. Christian, acknowledge your dignity, and having become a sharer in the Divine nature, refuse to return to the old baseness by degenerate conduct. Remember the Head and the Body of which you are a member. Recollect that you were rescued from the power of darkness and brought out into God's light and kingdom. By the mystery of Baptism you were made the temple of the Holy Ghost: do not put such a denizen to flight from you by base acts, and subject yourself once more to the devil's empty promises: because your purchase money is the blood of Christ, because He shall judge you in truth Who ransomed you in mercy, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Christmas Confession and Mass Schedule

Christmas is coming up! Our Mass schedule at St. Jude's is:

Confessions will be available on Christmas Eve from 10am-11am and from 2pm-3:30pm.

Christmas Eve:

4pm (in church, with overflow in Social Hall watching a livestream of the Mass)

5:30pm (with Children's Choir singing)

10pm

Christmas Day:

7:30am

9:30am

11:30am

Hope you can join us for this most festive occasion!

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )

You are invited!!

All parishioners are invited to start the 50th Anniversary year celebration of the church by attending the Open House in the rectory on Sunday, January 1st from 12:30 – 3:00.

The Parish Council is hosting, with the help of the Hospitality Ministry.

This event will be a Pot Luck lunch. If you are attending and wish to bring “finger food” it can be dropped off in the rectory prior to the 11:30 Mass or bring it when you attend.

We want to wish all of you a blessed Merry Christmas.  

Parish News

Confession Christmas Eve

Confessions will be available on Christmas Eve from 10am-11am and from 2pm-3:30pm.

Food Pantry Update

“Our Christmas grocery distribution has successfully been completed having provided turkey dinners as well as other non-perishable items to fourteen families. Our attention now turns to restocking our depleted shelves. Items in greatest need are canned chili, canned soups, coffee, tea, pancake mix/syrup and boxed children’s cereal. This year we are especially grateful to the parish community and we wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas and New Year!”.

Thank you!

St Jude Parish (through the Floral Ministry) will be receiving a donation of 10 large poinsettias for our Christmas display from Scott Mason (owner of Mason's on Route 25). They are in memory of his in-laws, Kay and Bob Lennon who were parishioners for many years.

Calling All Youth Musicians! 

St. Jude Families,

I spoke at all Masses several weeks ago about our active Church Music Ministry. Here are some exciting opportunities for our parish youth to consider. Please reach out to me by email to discuss how you can help. It is a great opportunity for many, and for teens I will count their participation as service hours for either their Confirmation or High School. 

A Blessed Advent to All,

Lou Vollono, Jr.

Parish Director of Music & Organist

Children's Choir: Rehearsals Begin for Christmas

I am looking for a group of children reading age and up to participate in our St. Jude Youth Choir. They will sing this Christmas at the 5:30 P.M. Vigil Mass. Children will learn primarily Christmas Carols along with a special song to sing at Mass. Rehearsals are as follows: 

12/23 (a Friday early evening at 3:00 P.M.)



Rehearsals last approximately 45 minutes. I will also provide music via email for individual practice. Let's get a big group together all dressed in your Christmas best and worship our newborn King.

Middle and High School Students: Do You Play an Instrument?

If any of our older students play an instrument in their respective school districts, I would like to know. If there are any brass, wind, reed, or string players who would like to play for Christmas, you are welcome to join us. The music will be easy, this counts as service hours, and it is a great way to give back to your church. Please reach out to me. Let's get a group together!

Please note the new date of the previously announced "Pedals, Pipes, & Pizza" event is January 14, 2023 at 1:30 P.M. in the Church.  There is no "snow date" scheduled due to our very busy schedule. 

Christmas Caroling

Thanks to all who came caroling on Sunday! We spread some Christmas cheer to homebound parishioners and it brought them so much joy!

Caroling at the Community of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth

Caroling at Spring Meadows

ANNOUNCING NEW CHILDREN'S MISSALS!

Announcing new Children's Missals for 2023. We have purchased 20 Children's Missals for the children of the Parish to use during Mass. They will be located on the bottom shelf of the family ministry table.

Please return to the table after use so that children at other Masses can easily find them.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Thursday 1/26 at 7:30 pm. Note change to Thursdays and later start time.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 1/4 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Our Mother's Holiday Board and Brush Night was a a fun night of painting Christmas wooden signs, food and fellowship!

Be on the lookout

for another event in the Spring!

Youth Encounter and Kid's Club Reminders

Next Encounter 1/13 and Kid's Club 1/8

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, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman

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.

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 

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat   Dec 24        4:00pm                Benjamin Deitz

Sat   Dec 24        5:30pm                Jose Lage

Sat   Dec 24        10:00pm               St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Dec 25       7:30am                 Juanita McLaughlin

Sun   Dec 25        9:30am                 Rosemary Ilardi Ellis

Sun   Dec 25        11:30am               Garry Gasso

Mon  Dec 26        9:00am                 Luis Posada

Tue    Dec 27       9:00am                 Joe Buturla

Wed  Dec 28        9:00am                 Patty Eng             

Thu   Dec 29        9:00am                 Isabel Dupont

Fri     Dec 30        9:00am                 Delores Rauser

Sat     Dec 31       4:00pm                Maximino Pires Monteiro

Sun    Jan 1         7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun    Jan 1          9:30am                 Rosemarie McCarthy

Sun   Jan 1          11:30am               James Tierney, Sr.

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Dom Arribas during the month of December and James Duva 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.

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 )

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.

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

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.