Mom. For most people, the word conjures up the best of emotions - homemade meals and hugs, encouraging words and smiles. If that is true on the physical realm, it is even more true in the spiritual realm!
We have such a wonderful Mother in Mary. This next week we have many opportunities to celebrate Her! This Sunday, we have the great feast of the Assumption. The Church has always believed that Mary was taken, body and soul, directly into Heaven. She who never sinned should not have to suffer the penalty of sin. We will celebrate this great feast by crowning a statue of Mary during the 11:30am Mass.
From Monday through Friday, August 16-20, please join us for a special 6:30pm Rosary and 7pm Mass in honor of Our Lady. Think of this: how can Jesus deny anything to those who have loved His Mother? He will always have a special favor for those who are devoted to the one that He loves the most. Make time in your schedule to come by the church ad pray with us!
I must admit, it wasn't until recently that I really began to have a devotion to Mary. I grew up in Maryland, which is only about 20% Catholic (unlike Connecticut, which has almost double that amount at 39%). Most of my friends were Protestant, and they thought that a relationship with Mary was nothing but idolatry. I, too, worried that paying attention to Mary would take my eyes off of Jesus.
But within the last several years I have been realizing that Mary's role is to lead us to Jesus, not distract us from Him. She "magnifies" the Lord (as she sings in Luke's Gospel) - magnification is where you take something hard to see and make it obvious and evident. It can be hard to see God's action in our lives, at times, but Mary "magnifies" it - and she "magnifies" and purifies our efforts and prayers to become a beautiful gift for Her Son.
So come to Mom - not just your earthly mother, but moreso your Heavenly Mother. Join us for our Octave in honor of Our Lady!
~fr joseph
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Help Our Parishioners Suffering from a House Fire
Two of our faithful parishioners, Dee and Tony Calise, suffered a tragedy on the morning of August 5th when their house burned to the ground. Thankfully they were not in the house at the time, but the home is a total loss. A GoFundMe has been set up for them at this time, and we invite you to contribute if you feel called: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dee-and-tony-rebuild-their-home . Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.
Thanks. A later furniture/homegoods drive may be forthcoming in a couple months.
~fj
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Help Dee and Tony rebuild their home!, organized by Lisa ...
Sadly, this am, August 5th, Dee and Tony Calise lost their home to a devastating fire. Angels must have been watching over them, because neither was home. Dee still works full time as a nurse at Bridgeport Hospital's surgease and Tony happened to ...
Read more
www.gofundme.com
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Bishop's statement regarding local mask guidelines -...
BRIDGEPORT-On Wednesday, August 11, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano released a letter regarding changes in local mandates requiring the use of masks indoors. The letter reads as follows: As we have seen in recent weeks, the trajectory of the pandemic...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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August 14, 2021
Serra Meets Bishop Frank Caggiano
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On Saturday, August 14 at 12 noon EDT, please click the link below to join the webinar:
Passcode: 853558
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Are you being called to a deeper understanding of Faith and Truth? Come follow us in the footsteps of St Dominic though prayer, study, community and apostate. Our Lady of Fatima, affiliate chapter at St Theresa Church is growing! Please join us for an Informal Inquiry Meeting on Thursday, August 26th at 7pm.
St. Theresa School, 55 Rosemond Terrace, Trumbull in the school gym. For more information, call, text or email Michelle Rowe: 203-218-6882 orapronobis20@gmail.com
Thank you.
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Happy (Meteorological) Summer St. Jude's Community. I am so excited that the sun is beginning to shine, restrictions have been lifted, and this ministry can begin to take the shape we have prayed for over the last 14 months. Below please find the dates and times for our summer youth group meetings:
Sunday, August 22nd 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall
Also! Be on the lookout for additional opportunities for the youth to get involved with our parish. (There is sure to be something fun popping up in August for our elementary students).
Finally, if you are an adult parishioner and would like to volunteer with the youth group please be in touch! The commitment is as much or as little as you would like and we are always looking to grow our group. Email Shannon with any questions: shannon.carey@stjuderc.com
Shannon E.B. Carey
Youth Coordinator
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Summer of Service
All young people grades 6-12 are invited to join us for four days of service projects to benefit the local community in the Bridgeport/Derby area! Our first annual Summer of Service takes place August 19, 20, 23, and 24. We will meet at St. Jude's each day for the 9am Mass, and then head out for a day of service. You can attend one day, multiple days, or all four days of service! A great way to stay busy, get to know fellow young people, and give back to the community - while having a lot of fun in the process! Space is limited - sign up by emailing Fr. Joseph at frgill@diobpt.org. These service days are contingent upon Virtus-trained parents as chaperones - if you are Virtus trained and wish to help, please contact Fr. Joseph for more information!
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Wednesday August 25 – Saturday August 28
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Parish Grounds at intersection of Routes 111 and 110
Our St. Jude Parish Festival returns! Mark your calendars for four fun filled nights of food, music, rides, games, and togetherness. JMG music will be on stage to spin all your favorite tunes and dance party music. Enjoy the thrill of Stewart Amusement rides and games for the whole family. New this year is Nutmeg Concessions offering delicious food and carnival treats so come hungry! We’ll have hot dogs and hamburgers, fries, pizza, pizza fritta, sausage and peppers and much more. Save room for ice cream, cotton candy, and tons of additional treats. The event will culminate with our Parish Raffle drawing on Saturday night with a first prize of $3,000.00! So gather your family and friends and join in this wonderful Parish tradition where togetherness, fun, laughter, and joy abound. (credit cards accepted)
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Please join your fellow parishioners and consider volunteering a few hours of your time at our Parish Festival. Click on the Sign-up Genius link below and choose a slot or two.
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Thank God our Parish Festival is back!
Your participation is needed for Prayer at our St. Jude Shrine on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights between 6:00 and 9:00p.m. Aug. 26, 27 and 28.
Time slots are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30. You are certainly welcome to take an hour or more as we have done in the past.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are able to join us in Prayer and when you choose to attend.
Or by phone: 203-926-1135
May God bless us with good weather as our Parish Community resumes the wonderful activities at our Festival.
Blessings,
Karin Tierney
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House Blessing
Have you ever had your house blessed? Blessing a house is an ancient Catholic custom which invites God's love and mercy upon your home. Fr. Joseph would like to come and bless your house - contact him at frgill@diobpt.org to schedule a time! There is no cost - and tremendous spiritual benefit!
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SAVE THE DATES
ASSUMPTION OF MARY INTO HEAVEN
Please join our Parish Family in honoring Our Blessed Mother as we celebrate the OCTAVE of HER ASSUMPTION into HEAVEN.
Sunday, Aug. 15 - 11:30 Mass -
Crowning of Mary in Church
Coffee Social to follow in Hall
Monday-Friday- Aug.16-20 -7:00pm Mass
Refreshments to follow
Sunday, Aug. 22 - 11:30 Mass CELEBRATED BY BISHOP CAGGIANO.
Procession to Crown our Blessed Mother at Mary, Mother of Peace Statue.
Luncheon to follow in the Social Hall.
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ROSARY
Octave of the Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hosted By
St. John XXIII Council 5987
Knights of Columbus
Monday August 16 Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday August 17 Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday August 18 Glorious Mysteries
Thursday August 19 Luminous Mysteries
Friday August 20 Sorrowful Mysteries
Join Us in Prayer in the church
6:30 P.M.
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Check out the new flowers around St. Jude!
Thanks to the efforts of Girl Scout Troops 60481 and 60083 in Shelton, and their Troop Leader Vanessa Sgrott, the Plaza of St. Jude Parish will be all “spruced up” for our upcoming end of summer events including the Events held for the Octave of the Feast of the Assumption and the Parish Festival.
This group of energetic young volunteers have planted colorful mums near the front door of the Plaza. Their efforts will not only make the Main Entrance to the Church more welcoming, but also honor the Statue of St. Jude which oversees the Plaza entrance. The mums were purchased from Mason’s Farm Market on Main St. in Monroe.
Next time you attend Mass, make it a point to enter or exit by way of the Plaza, so that you can enjoy and appreciate the efforts of these wonderful young girls, coordinated by members of our Floral and Adopt-A-Garden Ministries.
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We are forming a Rosary making group.
The rosaries are made using the barrel knot.
If you are interested, please contact Karen Talloni 203-952-3451.
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Blessing of Backpacks
All kids are invited to bring their backpacks to church on the weekend of August 28th and 29th! After Mass, we will bless the backpacks down in the Social Hall.
Town Hall Discussion for Faith Formation
All families are invited to join Fr. Joseph and our Director of Religious Education, Donna Lane, to discuss our Faith Formation opportunities and plans for the 2021-2022 year. We want to hear your thoughts, get your feedback, and share with you some ways in which we hope to offer your whole family an encounter with Jesus. Please join us in the Social Hall after any Mass on the weekend of August 28/29 or September 11/12 to join in the discussion!
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St. Jude Parish Outreach
The third parish outreach project, coordinated by Angela Baril, was recently completed. Volunteers called active parishioners, age 70 and over, who do not have email and therefore are not receiving our weekly newletter.
Volunteers made 117 phone calls in total. We thought it was a good time to reach out to parishioners once again, as we could inform them of the church reopening guidelines, and that Father Henry will be leaving St. Jude and Father Gill was being assigned as our new Adminstrator.
Overall, parishioners appreciated the calls, most especially the homebound, who welcome the opportunity to engage in conversation with a member of the St. Jude Outreach Ministry Team. As a result of the calls, Father Henry was able to visit a homebound parishioner and bring him communion.
Special thanks to the Outreach Team who made the phone calls:
Marian Flynn, Mary Jane Lux, Veronica Condon, Wendy Gurski, Donna Cramond, Ellen Stevens, Diane Saliga, Jana Veo, Brian Veo, Jean Paul, Sally DeChristopher, Roberto Lopez, and Carole Donnarumma.
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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., Bennett Gulyas, Vincent Daniello, Armando Aversa, Dyana vander Wielen, Kathryn Bicknell, Barbara Filazzola, David Bath, Martha Zenobia, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Daniel Louis Bianco, Kay McMullen.
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 August is:
Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of
Heaven and Earth, may we obtain the joy
of everlasting life,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Aug 14 5:00pm John and Olga Saad
Sun Aug 15 7:30am Mary and Margaret Gallagher
Sun Aug 15 9:30am Marica Jovic and Gojko Jovic
Sun Aug 15 11:30am Anthony Bifulco
Mon Aug 16 9:00am Patrick Ryan
Tue Aug 17 9:00am Angelina Medieros
Wed Aug 18 9:00am Deceased members of the Yash and
Pekar families
Thu Aug 19 9:00am Gerry Kennedy
Sat Aug 21 5:00pm John Addesa
Sun Aug 22 7:30am Janet Carroll
Sun Aug 22 9:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Aug 22 11:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
The parish office is taking Mass intentions for 2022. Requests will be taken by phone (203-261-6404) or email parish.ofice@stjuderc.com.
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 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.
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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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Children's Rosary First Sundays
We meet at 11 am before the 11:30 Mass by the Blessed Mother statue and follow proper covid protocols. No experience necessary.
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop
St. Jude Religious Gift Shop is located downstairs in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall. Many new items for all occasions. Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Rosaries, Bibles, Statues, Medals & more. Variety of cards: Graduation, Birthday, Weddings, Get Well, Sympathy, etc. Come down & browse and find the perfect gift. 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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The parish office is taking Mass intentions for 2022. Requests will be taken by phone (203-261-6404) or email parish.ofice@stjuderc.com. Our weekend Mass times are Saturday 4:00 pm (October 1 - April 30) or 5:00 pm (May 1 - September 30). Sunday: 7:30 - 9:30 - 11:30.
Weekday Masses are 9:00 am.
Information needed at the time of intention request: Your name, phone number, and email address (if available). and Name(s) for intention., The stipend is $15.00 and payable by check or cash.
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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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