A while back, I had a conversation with a man who had four young children that he and his wife brought to Mass every weekend. One Sunday, the daughter (age 6) kept pestering the father, “Is it over yet? Can we go home yet? When is this thing done?” The father, for his part, kept trying to quiet the daughter by telling her, “No, we’re only at the Second Reading…we just stood up for the Creed…”
Finally, once again, the antsy little kid asked, “Are we done NOW?” The father responded, “No, honey, we’re at the offertory. We’re only halfway through the Mass.”
To which the child shouted, loudly, so all the church could hear: “Ugh! Church is HARD!”
Yes, it can be hard to bring your children to Mass! Recently a parishioner gave me a bookmark that, many years ago, we had distributed at St. Jude’s. It was all about the joy of bringing children to church. It’s such a beautiful thought that I wanted to share with you the whole text of the bookmark:
To the parents of our young children, may we suggest:
- Relax! God put the wiggle in children, don’t feel embarrassed about it in God’s house. All are welcome!
- Sit toward the front where it is easier to see and hear.
- Quietly explain the parts of the Mass.
- Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you.
- If you need to leave Mass with your child, please feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me.”
- Remember that they way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God, to Christ, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship!
To all the members of the parish…
A smile of encouragement is always welcome to parents with small, active children. The presence of children is a gift to the Church. They give us a future full of people!
I love the thoughts on this little bookmark. All people – especially the youngest among us – are welcome here! As a wise person once said, “If your church isn’t crying, it’s dying!” It’s such a joy to hear the noise of children at Mass, because that is the sign of life in a church!
I know many parents struggle to bring their kids to Mass, perhaps because they’re so young and it seems more like a fight than a time of peace and tranquility. But I think there’s two important things to remember. First, God gives His grace in abundant measure to parents who are fighting the battle and willing to make the sacrifice to bring their kids to the Lord. We may not feel the grace; we may not experience the peace and tranquility that we hoped for – but I guarantee that the Lord is looking down with a smile on His face at parents who make the effort, and He gives them an invisible grace to become excellent, holy parents. It feels like chaos in the moment, but He is with you amidst the Cheerios and crayons!
Second, we can never overestimate the formative value of keeping God at the center of your week. I remember my father taking us to Mass in the middle of a snowstorm; how he took us away from Boy Scout campouts early so we could attend Mass; how he refused to allow my brother to play on a baseball team that was holding tryouts on Easter Sunday morning (!). I grew up knowing that, no matter what else is going on during the week, there would always be an hour given over to the Lord. So if we hope for our kids to have a relationship with Jesus, for them to have a relationship with the Church, it is formative even in their earliest years – even as toddlers! – to come to Mass.
Although I’ve never been a parent (obviously!), from my observations of hundreds of other parents, here are some things that I’ve seen to be effective – some of which were already mentioned on the bookmark mentioned above. First, don’t start out in the Cry Room – start out in a front pew of the church. Closer to the action means more engagement – and it’s very hard to pray (for both parents AND kids) while in the Cry Room! Use the Cry Room only if the child is distracting others. Don’t be afraid to insist on five- and six-year-olds sitting still during Mass, and gently remind them to settle down if they get antsy. My parents used a very effective behavior technique – my family only drank soda once a week, on Sundays during lunch, IF we were well-behaved at Mass. It was very effective – we all wanted the soda!
Model good behavior as a parent – engaged listening, saying the responses, praying on your own. Sometimes a book of saints or a child’s book of the Mass can be helpful for the kids to follow along. Quiz them on the readings or the homily after Mass, if they’re elementary-school aged (or above!).
While it is tempting just to live-stream the Mass and skip the hassle of getting dressed up and making the trek (especially on cold winter days), there is no substitute for the community, the sacred space, and the Lord in the Eucharist that we encounter by actually bringing the kids to Mass. Don’t be afraid – we’re here to support you in this battle – and I guarantee that children will always be welcome here at St. Jude’s!
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Welcome to Jessica Iannotta |
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Hello everyone!
I wanted to thank Fr. Joseph and everyone who has reached out to me with such a warm welcome to the St. Jude's staff. As many of you know, I have been involved in many ministries over the years and I feel so blessed and thankful to be able to do the Lord's work in bringing this new ministry to St. Jude's. I will have some exciting things to share in the coming weeks. Be on the lookout for a parent input survey (I promise it won't be too long!) to gauge your needs and interests. In addition, please don't hesitate to reach out if you would like to be involved in some way or have any ideas and suggestions. I greatly appreciate your prayers as I begin this new ministry and rest assured that I will be praying for all of you!
In Christ,
Jessica Iannotta
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Would you like to honor Our Lady of Lourdes this coming week for her Feast Day?
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.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
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Many thanks to Fran Bifulco for bringing the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit to St. Jude's....check out the write-up in the Fairfield County Catholic! |
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Hundreds view exhibit of Eucharistic miracles - Diocese...
MONROE-More than 500 people from throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport came to St. Jude Parish recently to see an exhibit of 159 Eucharistic miracles from around the world, created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who documented them before...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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Thank You for Your Donations! |
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St Jude needs to be proud of the wonderful donation of coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to Geraldine Claytor Magnet School in Bridgeport. We filled two cars to the brim with all of the wonderful donations. The school staff was elated with all of your generous gifts. They will certainly keep many of the children in K-8 at that school warm for the rest of the winter. Most of the children come from the PT Barnum project, and the surrounding neighborhood which is very poor.
Thank you again!!
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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 February is:
May we pray for an increase of love and peace in our hearts, our homes and our world,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Feb 5 4:00pm Ilona and Laszlo Gaal
Sun Feb 6 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Feb 6 9:30am Ray Schwartz, Sr.
Sun Feb 6 11:30am Mary Jordano
Mon Feb 7 9:00am Deceased members of the Tranzillo
family
Tue Feb 8 9:00am Richard Buckley
Wed Feb 9 9:00am John Chop
Thu Feb10 9:00am Rob DeLuca
Sat Feb 12 4:00pm Luis and Elvira Ferreira
Sun Feb 13 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Feb 13 9:30am Tony Calise
Sun Feb 13 11:30am Michael McAtee
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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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: Valentine's Day Cards, Communion, Confirmation, statues and more. Come in and browse.
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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