As we move into the winter months, this newsletter will be emailed to you only once a week on Fridays. There may be special editions as the need arises. This is effective today Friday October 30th. Thank you! |
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A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude parishioners:
Sunday November 1st is the Solemnity of All Saints and it is fitting that the Church has chosen the Beatitudes as the Gospel Reading. For the Saints are forever remembered because they did indeed live out the Beatitudes.
Within the Beatitudes, we find Jesus turning things upside down.
Pope Francis elaborated on these reversals in his presentation on the Beatitudes during World Youth Day in 2014. Here are some of his thoughts:
The Beatitudes of Jesus are both revolutionary and timeless — and therefore forever new. They present a model of happiness contrary to what is usually communicated by the media and by the prevailing wisdom. A worldly way of thinking finds it scandalous that God became one of us and died on a cross. According to the logic of this world, those whom Jesus proclaimed blessed would be those generally overlooked in everyday life — where everyday life exalts success at any cost, affluence, the arrogance of power and self-affirmation at the expense of others.
The Holy Father went on to share that in proclaiming the Beatitudes, Jesus asks us to follow him, and to travel with him along the path of love, a path that alone leads to eternal life. It is not an easy journey, yet the Lord promises us his grace and he never abandons us. We face so many challenges in life: poverty, distress, humiliation, the struggle for justice, persecutions, the difficulty of daily conversion, the effort to remain faithful to our call to holiness, and many others. But if we open the door to Jesus and allow him to be part of our lives, if we share our joys and sorrows with him, then we will experience the peace and joy that only God, who is infinite love, can give.
Jesus’ message in the Beatitudes is opposite to the many worldly voices that we hear today. As in Jesus’ time, we face many challenges each day. The Beatitudes assure us that we are never alone, God is with us and through our prayer, humility and acceptance, we are indeed Blessed.
As we spend more and more time meditating on and praying with the Beatitudes, we come to find our favorite.
As a priest, my favorite beatitude is Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
At other sad times in my life, I embraced Blessed are those who mourn. As I watch those who truly work for peace, I associate “Blessed are the peacemakers” with them.
Do you have a favorite beatitude you are attempting to live out? If you are successful, you may join the ranks of the great saints, who are great because they did embrace and live out the beatitudes.
In union with those who journey to embrace and live out the beatitudes,
Fr Henry
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Parking Lot Paving Update
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Introducing a New Way to Stay Connected! |
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These past months have brought about many changes in our lives due to the pandemic. Things that were part of our routines such as traveling to the office to work, seeing our children off on the school bus each day, and attending Sunday Mass are not the same. Here at St. Jude Parish, we are very committed to staying connected with all of our parishioners. I would like to introduce a new interactive way of keeping in touch and I hope that you will participate. It is a great way to share ideas, thoughts, reflections and more. Feel free to visit and post as often as you'd like. (Note - You can sign their posts or post anonymously.)
Please watch the short video above explaining our new program, and then visit Padlet and start posting. See you there!
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BEATIFICATION OF FATHER MCGIVNEY – OCTOBER 31, 2020 |
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Beatification of Father Michael McGivney | Knights of...
PRAYER VIGIL FOR PRIESTS Friday, October 30 at 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. ET at Saint Mary's Church in New Haven, CT ALL NIGHT ADORATION AND PRAYER VIGIL Includes preaching and devotions! Friday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. ET at St. Mary's Church,...
Read more
www.kofc.org
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Novena to St. Martin de Porres
Monday October 26 to Tuesday November 3
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Hello Prayer Warriors!
I hope you and your family are well. I would like to create a group that will pray for the elections and most especially for our country. Specifically offering up prayers for honesty, peace, respect, love, and kindness. This year’s election day falls on 11/3. It is also the feast day of St. Martin de Porres. As many of you know and some perhaps do not. St. Martin is a very special saint in my family. The validation process of a saint being canonized as a saint is that there has to be confirmed miracles documented. St. Martin’s second miracle happened to my father’s cousin Antonio Cabrera Perez- Camacho. I feel called to lead this novena and prayerfully ask the faithful to join me.
For more information about St. Martin and an article of an interview with Antonio , please contact me at ileanamk@charter.net.
All are welcome to participate. Prayer is universal and I believe powerful. Let me know if you are interested and I will add you to the email list.
This is how this process will work. I will email the daily prayers to be said daily for 9 days starting Monday, October 26th and ending on Tuesday November 3rd. You merely read the prayer preferably at the same time every day. If you choose, you may also pray a rosary, and keep a journal with what God is revealing to you.
Would you join me for this important novena? And will you share it with others? Please respond quickly to be able to add you to the email list.
May God bless you with His Grace, Mercy, and Love.
Ileana Kotulich
203-556-4851
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Formed Corner
Introducing the new Formed Corner where you will find recommendations each week to watch on Formed.org. For those who have not yet subscribed, Formed is a wonderful resource that St. Jude's subscribes to for all of our parishioners. It is a rich library of Catholic content - movies, books, audio talks, renown study programs, and youth and children's content. To sign up, go to Formed.org/signup and select St. Jude's Parish in Monroe. Then log in and enjoy!
Formed offers a suggested selection of videos every week. The videos are timely and very well done. Please check it out!
Link to picks of the week
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Hello St. Jude Families! Fall is underway and our youth group is growing! Please join us for the following meetings. ALSO! We are now providing dinner to any teens who join.
November 1st @ 6 pm in the Social Hall (Party like the Saints)
November 8th @ 6 pm in the Social Hall (Should we be Meditating More?)
November 15th @ 6 pm in the Social Hall (What is a Calling?)
November 22nd @ 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Social Hall (Thanksgiving Celebration) *RSVP Required
Parents and other adult members looking to becoming involved we need volunteers! Time commitment is low, and the reward is high! Please send any questions to Shannon at shannon.carey@stjuderc.com.
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Knights of Columbus Annual Needs/Food/Furniture Drive
Thank you!!!!!
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Thanks to all our parishioners for making the Needs/Food/Furniture/Diaper drive an outstanding success this past Saturday. The Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Blessed Sacrament parish (Father Skip), Change Ministry, St Jude food pantry, & Hopeline were thrilled with your generosity, especially during these difficult times. Once again, the St Jude community has stepped forward to help those in need.
Also want to thank our brother Knights, Columbiettes, Youth group, & friends who volunteered their valuable time to make this event an enormous success. See you again in April 2021. Until then, enjoy the upcoming holidays, keep warm, and please stay safe.
May God Bless!
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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion needed to assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass
Anyone between 16 and 60 years of age who is interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact Fr Henry at fr.henry@stjuderc.com or 203-261-6404. Covid-compliance training and personal protective equipment will be provided.
Current Extraordinary Ministers are reminded that according to the current rules issued by the bishop, Eucharistic Ministers should not distribute the Eucharist at mass during this time of the pandemic if they:
- Are over 65
- Have pre-existing conditions or have family members with pre-existing conditions
- Are uncomfortable sharing the Eucharist at this time for any reason
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We are holding Adoration and a Prayer Service in preparation for the upcoming election. Please join us in prayer for our country at the following events.
Sunday November 1 - Silent Adoration from 1 PM to 2 PM
Monday November 2 - Prayer service from 7 PM to 8 PM. This will include Prayers and The Rosary from 7 - 7:30 and silent Eucharistic Adoration from 7:30 to 8:00.
Please join us as we pray for our country and our leaders during this challenging time.
Registration will be required - please see our website for more detail.
Silent Adoration
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054BA5AE2EA20-stjude9
Election Prayer Service
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054BA5AE2EA20-stjude10
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Children's Rosary Sunday 11/1
The Children's rosary will resume on the first Sunday of the month starting this Sunday 11/1. We will meet at 11 am before the 11:30 Mass by the Blessed Mother statue and follow proper covid protocols. No experience necessary.
Knights of Columbus Patriotic Rosary
Veteran's Day 11/11
Rev. James McCarten Assembly 119 Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Patriotic Rosary on Veterans' Day, 11/11. The rosary will take place in the church at 7 p.m. We invite all St. Jude parishioners to join us in praying this rosary. If you feel more comfortable joining us from the safety of your home the service will be lived streamed on the St. Jude website.
Silent Adoration
Silent adoration with Father Henry will take place on the 3rd Sunday of the month, November 15th and December 20th, in main church at 7:30 pm for a half hour.
Food Pantry Needs
Our Thanksgiving distribution is rapidly approaching and in anticipation we are in need of the following non-perishable items: instant potatoes, stuffing, gravy, broth, cranberries as well as pasta and boxed children’s cereal. Our continued appreciation for your response to our ministry’s needs. Thank you and God Bless
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Prayer for Vocations
O Lord, send workers for your harvest, so that the commands of your Only-begotten Son may always be obeyed and his Sacrifice be everywhere renewed.
Look with favor upon your family, the Church, and ever increase Her numbers. Enable Her to lead Her sons and daughters to the holiness to which they are called and to work for the salvation of others.
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
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Please join us as we resume praying our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our Petition for November is:
May we always be mindful that the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love require our ACTIVE participation,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Fri Oct 30 8:30am Victor Checca
Sat Oct 31 4:00pm Vincenzina and Pasquale Pontoriero
Sun Nov 1 7:30am Denise Borrs
9:30am Melecia Yosores and Catherine Agsalud
11:30am Frank Pinto
Mon Nov 2 8:30am All deceased Mason and Olivia family
Members
Tue Nov 3 8:30am Consolacion Josef
Wed Nov 4 8:30am Edward Tornillo
Thu Nov 5 8:30am Denise Borrs
Fri Nov6 8:30am Communion Service
Sat Nov 7 4:00pm Howard Saad
Sun Nov 8 7:30am Joao and Maria Leandres
9:30am Anna Bozzi
11:30am Edward Kennelly
If the 8:30 mass is not listed, an intention has not been requested.
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The parish office is taking Mass Intention requests for 2021. Requests will only be taken by phone (203-261-6404) or by email ( parish.office@stjuderc.com). For more information, please click here. |
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Mass Schedule and Registration |
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Beginning Monday, November 9, 2020, Monday through Thursday Weekday Masses will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed.
For those of you who do not feel comfortable attending mass inside the church, please watch the Sunday 7:30 am live-streamed Mass. (This Mass may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html ) onto your phone or computer and then come to the School parking lot to receive outdoor communion at 8:45am. Fr Henry will be distributing Communion every Sunday, rain of shine, at 8:45am in the School parking lot.
--Fr. Henry
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Church Hours for private prayer
Church is open Monday to Friday 8am - 10am for private prayer.
Live-streamed Mass Schedule
The Novena Masses will also be streamed at 7 pm during the week.
Beginning Monday, November 9, 2020, Monday through Thursday Masses will also be live streamed from 9am until 9:30am. Masses will be in the main Church.
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.
First Friday Adoration 7- 8 PM
Office Hours
THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 – 3:00
It is suggested that you 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.
In the event you do come to the office, we will be following the state protocols:
- A face covering is required
- Social distancing will be followed
- If you are experiencing COVID-19 defined symptoms, or have had contact with someone with the symptoms please do not come to the office.
Signage will be posted on the front door with all directives to be followed when admitted to the office.
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St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
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