You may have seen the news recently that Facebook officially changed its name to “Meta Platforms” because Mark Zuckerberg has the vision to be the company to build the Metaverse. In fact, he hired over 10,000 programmers and is investing $10 Billion this year to make this vision a reality. What is the Metaverse, and why should we as Catholics care?
Simply put, the Metaverse is a concept being developed by a number of different tech companies to connect the world digitally. People will be able to interact with the real world through digital platforms.
Imagine being able to sit and have coffee in Monroe with a friend who is in Paris – at the same time. Imagine being able to wear glasses that project directions, weather, and news in your line of sight at all times. Imagine being able to write an email without a computer – just your hand motions being tracked on a table. Imagine being able to wear a virtual reality headset and play a real-life video game where you can pick up coins or fight bad guys in the Trumbull shopping mall. Imagine being able to look at a friend’s purse or pair of jeans and ask, “Where did you get that?” – and your watch or phone will immediately find six nearby locations of stores, along with prices and sales. Imagine disconnecting from your regular life for several hours a day and living through an “avatar”, a digital character you have created, forming friendships, recreating, and shopping in a digital world.
Basically, the Metaverse is a whole new way of interacting with the world around us. It aims to seamlessly help us live in “augmented reality” – a blend of digital and real-life situations. Those who are developing the Metaverse call it the “next-generation Internet” – the internet’s connection to all of the real-world situations we encounter daily.
So – is this healthy? Good? Holy? I want to make two points about creation – the real world – and then, next week, return to this question about our ubiquitous use of technology in general, and the Metaverse in particular.
First, the real world is good! When God created the world, He said, “It is good!” All of creation reveals to us the Creator. So should we try to escape this real world, which is good (even despite its shortcomings and sufferings) because it has the fingerprints of God all over it, into a world created by us flawed human beings?
Second, the real world was sanctified when God took on flesh. In the Incarnation – God becoming man in Jesus Christ – the “real world” took on transcendent meaning. God now had a Body; His feet touched the earth; He used earthly things to bring us Heavenly grace such as water, bread and wine, the wood of the Cross. God becoming man elevated all of the “real world” into a supernatural, sacramental reality – it now is a means through which we, too, can be saved.
So, in sum, the real world is not something to escape from. It isn’t even something to try to “augment”, because to do so would be to put a wall between us and our encounter with God’s creation.
But from a human point of view, there are even more concerns with the Metaverse. Stay tuned…
|
|
Annual Bishop's Appeal
Dear parishioners,
It's that time of year again! Time for the Annual Bishop's Appeal. Personally, I have always supported the Bishop's Appeal because it goes to some of the most important needs of the Diocese - education of our youth, pastoral care of the sick and infirm, formation of seminarians, and service to the poor. Not all of us can be involved in every good work that the Church does - but all of us can participate through our financial support. Those who give will receive the reward of those who serve!
Our parish goal is the same as last year (approximately $81,000). Last year we raised 150% of our goal, and the extra funds were equally disbursed between St. Jude's and Blessed Sacrament Parish. This meant we had money to do things like give out Advent and Lent meditation booklets, provide snacks for our youth group, and fix the boiler in the school so our CCD kids can study the Faith in warmth. It also helped Blessed Sacrament replace their boiler and their handicapped chair, two real needs that your generosity helped to fund.
Please donate today! You can visit their website at https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/aca/home/ or, even simpler, just click on the code/link provided in this newsletter. Let us all contribute to the good work of the Church!
|
|
Last year's Annual Bishop Appeal for St. Jude Parish was a great success. Half of the money over goal was allocated to Blessed Sacrament Parish to help with their many needs. The following is a Thank You note to St. Jude Parish from Fr. Skip for your generosity from last year's Annual Bishop Appeal. |
|
January 1, 2022
Rev. Joseph Gill
St. Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke.
Monroe, CT 06468
Dear Members of St. Jude Parish :
Let me introduce you to Ms. Josie. Ms. Josephine is one of the dearest elders of our parish community and has been a pillar of the Church for many years. She stands less than five feet tall. But she commands the respect of someone fifty feet taller. She is visibly present with us at worship, and strategically occupies a seat where she can see if her family is present as well. Lately, Ms. Josie has needed her wheelchair to attend church.
Here, at Blessed Sacrament, we have a handicap assistance lift. I am careful to have it serviced regularly. But some of its parts are as old as Ms. Josie. And it makes a mournful racket when in use. Needless to say, it also attracts attention. (Which is not to Ms. Josie’s liking.) And so, she absolutely refuses to use the lift, choosing instead to climb the 20 steps up to the level of our sanctuary. It is painful to see the expression on the faces of her daughters and granddaughters as they slowly let her walk up the stairs. I know that they are not worried about her falling and breaking something. Any one of them could pick her up and carry her more quickly. They are afraid of breaking her spirit and her determination to get to Mass.
I tell you this, because you might have provided the solution. With the very very generous gift that you have sent us, I will have had the old parts of the handicap lift replaced and repaired. I have been assured that with new parts, the lift will not make a sound. I will tell Ms. Josie that I need her to test it out. (The honor might please her.)
I had thought to use the remaining funds to improve the sound system in the church. But the very next week after your gift arrived, the boiler in the rectory, where our Food Pantry is located, began to leak and needed to be replaced. The timing was absolutely providential. God bless you for making the replacement possible. The Lord’s work, and our distribution of groceries continues uninterrupted, thanks to you!
Thank you for faithfully supporting your own parish to the point where there were excess funds to share. And thank you for the many ways in past years that you have supported me and our mission here. We would have closed our doors without your help and prayers.
The new year will no doubt challenge us all as did the old year. Our prayers are with you for protection and perseverance. May the Lord bless you, and Ms. Josie inspire us all. May our trust be always in the Lord. (P.S. You might get the chance to meet Ms. Josie personally. She has recently moved in with her son, and she now lives in Monroe!)
Gratefully,
Fr. Skip and your grateful friends at Blessed Sacrament Parish
|
|
Welcome to Jessica Iannotta |
|
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
|
|
St. Jude's Family Ministry Survey Now Open!
We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete our family ministry survey so that we can gauge your needs and interests in order to plan great faith filled family activities for our Parish. You are also welcome to email Jessica Iannotta with any questions or additional suggestions at jessica.iannotta@stjuderc.com. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey! It will be open until the end of February.
|
|
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!
|
|
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! |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
"You are inspiring like St. Francisco!"
Give a Saintly inspired Valentine card to friends and family for St. Valentine's Day. Children are welcome to take a sheet of printed cards which will be available in the vestibule in the Church before or after Masses this weekend. To access and print at home you can visit this site.
Additional Saint Valentine Day's Resources for Families:
Look out for more content and activities for families in the forthcoming St. Jude's Family Newsletter!
|
|
The Knights of Columbus would like to extend our deepest thanks to all those parishioners who donated to our annual diaper drive. We are pleased to announce that the drive was an overwhelming success. Hopeline received 4,474 diapers, 3024 baby wipes, and $318 in cash. This is a beautiful example of how the St. Jude’s parishioners always step up to help those in need. The Knights of Columbus and the women and families of Hopeline truly appreciate it. |
|
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
PORKETTE DINNER
HOSTED BY THE 4TH DEGREE
DATE: SATURDAY Feb. 19th
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: PORKETTE, ROASTED POTATOES, VEGETABLES, SALAD, BREAD, DESSERT,
COFFEE, TEA, SODA & WATER
BYOB
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!!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Upcoming Mass Intentions
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
Mon Feb 14 9:00am Robert V. Murphy
Tue Feb 15 9:00am Elvira Ferreira
Wed Feb 16 9:00am Ann Casertano
Thu Feb17 9:00am Beverly Roh
Sat Feb 19 4:00pm Isabel Dantas-Teixeira and
Lucinda Dantas
Sun Feb 20 7:30am The Fortuna Family
Sun Feb 20 9:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
Sun Feb 20 11:30am Brett Southard
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 Mass are live streamed.
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
|
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: 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
