As you read this, we will have wrapped up our Camp Adore - definitely not your usual Vacation Bible School! We had an amazing week - 42 campers and dozens of teen volunteers, along with many adults who sacrificed their time and energy.

What made it different? The Eucharist! We began every day with Mass - and the kids were so well-behaved! Then after a saint story, a craft (centered around the Eucharist), games, and a snack, we once again entered the presence of Jesus through Adoration...and it is amazing to watch young children, some as young as five or six, come up and kneel on the steps before the altar, singing praise songs and adoring Jesus Christ, truly present in His Body and Blood. The entire point of this camp is to introduce kids into a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist - and I think the sparks of that relationship have been lit this week!

Camp Adore was the brainchild of two people: Heather Kid and Jessica Iannotta. Heather, who lives on Long Island, came up with the idea of a Eucharistic-centered camp, and she piloted it last year in her parish. I heard about it through some friends of mine, and it was so different from most Vacation Bible School experiences that I was very intrigued. Bringing little kids into Adoration - for up to a half-hour - is that even possible? Heather assured me that it was not only possible but that the kids loved it (which they did!), so Jessica and Heather coordinated to plan this truly amazing week. But Heather took it one step further and actually traveled here to help run the camp - for which I am eternally grateful! She and her three kids were a tremendous help! And I can't thank Jessica enough - her long hours and constantly positive spirit helped these kids to experience the love of Jesus.

We also owe a debt of gratitude for the adults and teens who gave up a week of their time to help at this camp. One of the best memories was the relay race where the teens and little kids worked together to try to win for their team - the teens were truly the "big heroes" for the little kids and I hope that they received a deeper relationship with Jesus as well!

Check out the pictures that will be attached to this newsletter, on our Facebook page, and on our website. Next year we hope to double the attendees and bring so many more kids to the foot of the altar where they can encounter Jesus in the Eucharist!

Parish News

St Jude's Family Softball Game!

Several families and parishioners joined Fr. Joseph and Pablo our seminarian yesterday for a game of softball. Thanks to the parishioners who came to cheer us on and a fun time was had by all!

If you didn't get to make this game be on the lookout for more games in the Fall to be announced soon!  

Please volunteer!!

The volunteer sign-up board is now up in the church vestibule! 

Please consider joining your fellow parishioners in volunteering a few hours of your time.

Together we can make our Parish Festival a huge success!

The blood drive sponsored by the Kngihts of Columbus on Saturday, July 23 is now 50% subscribed to. If you are interested in donating at this drive, you can do so as follows:

Go to the ARC blood donation web site, https://www.redcrossblood.org/. Click “donate blood”, insert the zip code 06468 and then click “find a drive”. In the filter area, select and click “refine search” and then click “Choose my dates”. When the calendar comes up, click on July 23, 2022 and our drive should appear. From there, you can schedule your own appointment. Appointments are only available between 11 AM and 2 PM, at this time.

You can also email Frank Flynn at bynumrun@hotmail.com. Let him know a preferred time and he can insert your name.

Project Connect – Outreach to the homeless in Bridgeport

Once again Project Connect is happening in August of this summer. Backpacks are being provided filled with useful items for those living on the streets of Bridgeport. St Jude Parish has been asked to donate 250 toothbrushes and 250 4 oz toothpastes to put in the backpacks. Baskets will be by the entry doors of the Church until July 25^th.  Please consider helping these poor people as they try to take care of themselves while living on the street.

Thank you and bless you for your generosity. You always come through!!!

Save the Dates for Summer Family Events! 

open to families with children and teens

Tuesday, July 26: Family Bingo Night - 6:30 pm

Friday, August 12: Family Movie Night - 7 pm 

St Jude Parish Softball Games - Fall dates will be announced soon!

e-mail Jessica Iannotta if you are interesting in helping at any of these events!

Camp Adore VBS was a huge success!

The children had a powerful, fun and inspiring week learning more about the Mass and the Eucharist. They got to take a special tour of the Church with Fr. Joseph, attend daily Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, play fun indoor and outdoor games, make some special Eucharist focused crafts, and learn beautiful praise and worship songs. We thank the Lord for such a wonderful time together and for all of the generous help and talents of our adult and teen volunteers! Check out some photos here, with more to be added soon!

Its not too late to check out our list of resources for families to grow in knowledge and love of the Mass and the Eucharist and learn about our patron saints of VBS this year:

Bl. Carlo Acutis, Bl. Imelda, St. Tarcisius, and St Dominic Savio!

Mom's Group - Save the Dates:

Summer meetings Wednesday 7/27 and Wednesday 8/31 at 7 pm in the social hall to discuss our summer book club on Living Joy by Chris Stefanick. See the Parish office if you need a free copy of the book.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is 8/3 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information

Stay tuned for Fall events to be announced soon.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

Marge Tranzillo, David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Michael Serke, Kristen Kelly, Leroy Moye, Richard Carrano, Judy Thomas, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Robert Orol, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, Andrew Henn, and James Buturla 

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 July is:

May we continue to pray for God to restore peace in our Country as we say:

🇺🇸 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

    and to the Republic for which it stands,

    ONE NATION UNDER GOD,

    indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat   July 16     5:00pm               Deceased members of the Henn

                                                         Family

Sun  July 17     7:30am               St Jude Parishioners

Sun July 17      9:30am               Maria Emilia Monteiro

Sun  July 17     11:30am             James Tierney, Sr.

Mon July 18      9:00am               Mary Jordano

Tue  July 19      9:00am               Patty Eng

Wed July 20      9:00am               Deceased members of the Bonitatibus

                                                         Family

Thu  July 21      9:00am               Patty Eng 

Sat   July 23      5:00pm               Brett Southard

Sun  July 24      7:30am               St Jude Parishioners

Sun July 24       9:30am               Priscilla Lord

Sun  July 24      11:30am             Carmen Bocchino

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Elvira and Luis Ferreira during the month of July.

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 5:00 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 )

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.