Reflection from Fr. Joseph

When I was in high school, I was immensely curious about what a Protestant church was like. So, one weekend when my parents were out of town and I was home alone, I decided to go to Mass early Sunday morning and then go to my friend’s Methodist service later on.

From the moment I walked in the door, I was taken aback by the immense welcome I received – greeters recognized me as a guest and made sure to welcome me personally. The pastor introduced every part of the service so it was easy to follow along. Afterward there was hospitality, and people made every effort to engage me in conversation. It was an experience I wouldn’t forget!

I was thinking of this recently as a parishioner shared with me that she felt St. Jude’s was not particularly welcoming. It is true that it is quite possible for a person to attend Mass every week for years without anyone learning their names – which is unfortunate.

We do have some intrinsic challenges in our Catholic Faith which make “welcome” more difficult than our Protestant brethren. For example, sheer numbers – the Methodist church I attended had only one service each weekend, which was attended by about 75 people – a newcomer was always noticed in a crowd that size! We have about 550 people attend our four Masses each weekend, which makes learning everyone’s name significantly more challenging!

Another challenge is that the Mass is not meant for the unevangelized. In fact, in the early Church, the Mass was clearly divided between the “Mass of Catechumens” (basically the Liturgy of the Word) and the “Mass of the Faithful” (the Liturgy of the Eucharist). If someone had never been baptized or were a visitor, they were ushered out of the Church for the Mass of the Faithful. The early Church called the Sacraments “the Mysteries”, which had a twofold meaning: first, the spiritual depths of the Sacraments could never be fully plumbed in our spiritual lives, as God’s grace is beyond our full understanding…but secondly, they were truly mysteries in the sense that no one except the baptized were allowed to even see the Sacraments performed! Even today, the Mass is not meant to be a “seeker service” (to borrow a Protestant term) – rather, the Mass is meant to be the worship of fully-initiated Catholic disciples. Of course all are welcome, but it isn’t designed for people who just walk in off the streets. There is a certain amount of knowledge one needs to have to fully participate in the Mass, because it’s meant to be worship, not an evangelization tool.

Finally, another challenge we have to our sense of welcome is our sheer diversity. The Methodist church I attended was pretty much a monolith – it was racially the same, generationally the same, and everyone was pretty much at the same place in their walk with Christ. The Catholic Church is quite diverse – as the Catholic novelist James Joyce once wrote, “Being Catholic means here comes everybody!” We are a racially, generationally, and socioeconomically diverse Church…and more than that, we have people in the Church who are very different in their temperaments and spiritualities. Some people like to be left alone and don’t want any community. Some people are still seeking and unsure about their Faith. Some people are serious disciples; some are not. Some people are naturally shy. Some people come to Mass solely out of obligation. Some people are really hungering for God and for Catholic community. We have people all across the political and theological spectrum. So it can be a real challenge to form community out of such a widely diverse group of people.

But here’s how I would respond to those who are struggling to find welcome and good Catholic community – the best thing to do is to get involved! If you look further along in our newsletter, you will notice that we have a booklet which is only a partial list of everything going on at St. Jude’s (and St. Stephen’s) this year. Show up – get involved – introduce yourself to someone new. Seek, and you will find. We have groups for men, women, moms, teens, kids, and pretty soon we will have a seniors group. We have Bible studies, prayer groups, a choir, committees for service…wherever your passion, your gifts lead you, you will find a place in the Church and specifically in our parish. Unfortunately community doesn’t come to us served on a platter – we have to go out and find it. But if we go out to find it, we will find a place where we fit into the Church – I guarantee it!

Parish News

Aflame with Love for Christ

A Parish Resource Guide

Notes from the Organ Bench...

Dear St. Jude Parish Family,

I want to take a moment and thank Fr. Joseph, the selection committee, and parishioners who were so welcoming and complimentary to me during the month of July during my audition, and I was very excited when I received word I was the chosen candidate for your Director of Music & Organist. All the while, I was just happy to help after the resignation of your former director!

It is my hope to communicate with you often via our Parish Weekly Newsletter about musical happenings. I have many ideas for this ministry here at St. Jude after my 20+ years experience in both the Archdiocese of Hartford and Diocese of Bridgeport. Please share your ideas with me, too, as I value open and honest communication. I would like to take some time listening, hearing your ideas, and collaborating. See me before or after any of the Sunday Masses.

The first announcement is the resumption of the Parish Adult Choir. Rehearsals begin in the church on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. on September 21st. We will begin with prayer followed by rehearsing the music for the upcoming Sunday's 11:30 A.M. Mass. New members are welcome - there are no auditions. If you can follow a melody line (literally the ups and downs of the notes) I can work with you. Please prayerfully consider joining this liturgical ministry. If you cannot, I would ask two things as a means to support: 1) pray for me and be assured of my prayers in return and 2) participate by lifting your voices during Mass. If singing is praying twice, why not make a renewed commitment to enhance your prayer and worship life every week? I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

More news soon, but until then, be blessed. -Lou Vollono

Readers Needed!

We are looking for a few new readers for Mass! If you love the Word of God, consider proclaiming it at Mass. You must be a confirmed and practicing Catholic (teens welcome!). Please contact Deacon John Tuccio at deacon.tuccio@stjuderc.org for training.

Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference

Calling all Catholic men! All men are invited to the 15^th Annual Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference in West Hartford on Saturday, September 24^th (https://ctcatholicmen.org/). Dynamic talks by our very own Bishop Caggiano - along with other national Catholic speakers such as Fr. Chris Alar and Fr. Larry Richards - lively music, Mass and Adoration, and fraternity with other Catholic men. You can register online - and speak to Fr. Joseph if you want to go FOR FREE (limited free tickets are available). Hope you can make it!

Day With Mary Retreat (tomorrow!)

All parishioners are invited to celebrate Our Lady's Birthday at St. Jude's with a special Day With Mary Retreat on Saturday, September 10 (her birthday is Sept 8th). This retreat features talks, Mass, a movie about Our Lady, dynamic talks from the Franciscans of the Immaculate, and fellowship. The retreat is free and runs from 9am-2pm here at St. Jude's. All are welcome! For more information, visit https://daywithmarywest.org/ .

RCIA Introduction on October 9th

A good and wise pastor once said, “A key trait of a Catholic is someone who believes life is worth living!” If you or someone you know is interested in exploring the truth about the Catholic faith and learning how it makes life worth living, please join me on October 9th at 2:30 pm in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. We will discuss the RCIA process and how it helps bring you closer to Christ in preparation for initiation into the faith. Please contact Deacon David at deacon.flynn@stjuderc.com. 

Food Pantry Update

As the summer comes to a close our attention turns to the children of our pantry families returning to school, and although hard to imagine the cooler weather. As a result our pantry is in need of the following items: snack foods, coffee, tuna, Chef Boyardee, jarred pasta sauce and as always, boxed children’s cereal. Thank you again for your continued support to our ministry.

Hopeline Diaper Needs                                                   

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has an immediate need for disposable diapers. They are currently very low with no size 4 or 6 and only a few left in size 5. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers in the outer vestibule of the church. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Hopeline 2022 Baby Bottle Appeal

In August the Knights of Columbus delivered a check to the Hopeline Pregnancy Center. Nearly $5,000 was raised over this Summer. Hopeline offers various Pregnancy Services including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds and options coaching. Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council would like to thank all who participated for their generous support.

Save the Dates for our next Softball Games! 

Optional practice this Sunday 9/11 at 2 pm

Sunday 9/25 2 pm is the Parish Softball Game against St. Stephen's Parish

***NOTE NEW Location*** Wolfe Park field #4 by the fountain next to the soccer fields at Wolfe park . 

E-mail Jessica Iannotta to RSVP and for more information

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Wednesday 9/28 at 7 pm in the social hall to begin the series Motherhood Matters on Formed.org.

We are currently praying the Surrender Novena together. If you would like to join us, you can follow along the Novena here

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is 9/7 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Youth Encounter nights start September 16th, see you there!

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, Michael Serke, Leroy Moye, Richard Carrano, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, Andrew Henn, James Buturla, Violeta Shala, Vito Melfi and Amanda Alarcon

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 intention for September is:

Lord, as the new school year begins, bless our classrooms with peace, our lessons with fun, and our friendships with kindness,

We pray.....

    Lord, hear our prayer 

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat  Sep 10   5:00pm           Luis and Elvira Ferreira

Sun Sep 11    7:30am           St Jude Parishioners

Sun Sep 11    9:30am           Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Sun Sep 11    11:30am         Douglas Fleisch

Mon Sep 12    9:00am           James Hoffman

Tue Sep 13    9:00am           Stephanie Stanley

Wed Sep 14   9:00am           Joseph Halloran

Thu Sep 15    9:00am            Deceased members of the Tuccio  

                                                  and Rapuano Family

Sat Sep 17     5:00pm           Bill Thibodeau

Sun Sep 18    7:30am           St Jude Parishioners

Sun Sep 18    9:30am           Maria Emilia Monteiro

Sun Sep 18    11:30am         Tony Calise

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Denise Borrs during the month of September

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 5:00 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 )

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.

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.