In 1917, three shepherd children in a small Portuguese town called Fatima had a number of supernatural visions of Our Lady. A part of this, they were given three secrets which they kept close to their heart and only revealed much later. Sr. Lucia, the only one of the seers who survived childhood, gave the Third Secret to the Vatican in the 1960s, and it was decided to wait until the year 2000 to release it to the general public.
The Third Secret of Fatima involved a vision that the children had of a future time of great distress. Here is what Sr. Lucia said:
After the two parts which I have already explained, at the left of Our Lady and a little above, we saw an Angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire; but they died out in contact with the splendor that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: 'Penance, Penance, Penance!'.
Pope Benedict XVI, upon reading this message, commented: The angel with the flaming sword on the left of the Mother of God recalls similar images in the Book of Revelation. This represents the threat of judgment which looms over the world. Today the prospect that the world might be reduced to ashes by a sea of fire no longer seems pure fantasy: man himself, with his inventions, has forged the flaming sword.
As we are living in a world where nuclear war is no longer an impossibility, the destruction that is capable of being wrought by our own weapons, our own technology, is the very fulfillment of this prophesy. Perhaps equally sobering is one of the earlier messages that Our Lady gave to the shepherds of Fatima in 1917:
God is about to chastise the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.
Are we seeing this prophecy fulfilled in our own day, as Russia is the source of wars and the attempted annihilation of nations? We are living in a time of great upheaval and conflict – one that may rock the very foundations of the world.
But we do not need to despair. We are invited to cooperate with Jesus and Mary in the healing and transformation of the world. We only need to fulfill the request of Our Lady (which is really the request of Jesus Himself in the Gospel): repentance, prayer, and penance. We’ll take up those themes in next week’s missive!
Two final quick notes - first, tomorrow is a great Solemnity in the Church - the Solemnity of St. Joseph. In honor of his feast day, the Church encourages us to omit our Lenten penances and feast! Also, I highly encourage all of us to participate in this weekend's Lenten Mission with Sr. Megan - a mini-retreat in the middle of the week, to stir up Faith, Hope, and Love during this Lenten season!
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St. Jude Parish Lenten Services and Programs |
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Dear St. Jude's family,
Although the snow and the frost lay deep outside, spring is right around the corner, and with Spring comes the great season of Lent! Every year the Church gives us 40 days to fast, pray, and grow closer to Jesus Christ as we walk with Him to His Cross, and experience the joy of His Resurrection.
Here at St. Jude’s, we have a lot of great things planned for Lent 2022! I would like to invite you to nourish your spiritual life by joining us for any or all of these following events:
Lenten Mission: March 19-22
We are blessed to have with us Sr. Megan Thibodeau, SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity), who is the daughter of longtime parishioner Bonnie Thibodeau, for our Lenten Mission! She will be giving dynamic talks, we will offer Confessions
Weekend of March 19-20 – Sr. Megan will speak at all the Masses
Sunday, March 20 – Sr. Megan will give her first talk, with a Rosary, at 7pm
Monday, March 21 – 9:30am, Sr. Megan will give her second talk
Monday, March 21 – 7pm, Sr. Megan will give her second talk with Confessions available
Tuesday, March 22 – 9:30am, Sr. Megan will give her third talk
Tuesday, March 22 – 7pm, Sr. Megan will give her third talk with Adoration
Confessions Available:
Every Saturday from 3-4pm
Monday, March 21 at 7pm (in conjunction with our Lenten Mission) – Guest Priests will be available
Sat/Sun, March 26-27 – Confession Weekend (Confessions available before & after all Masses)
Monday, April 11 – Holy Week Confessions from 3-9pm (at various parishes in the Diocese - consult www.diobpt.org for details)
Stations of the Cross & Adoration
Every Friday: Stations of the Cross at 7pm, Adoration from 7:30-8:30pm.
Holy Week Liturgies
Holy Thursday (April 14) – 7:30pm, Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday (April 15) – 9am, Morning Prayer
Good Friday (April 15) – 3pm, Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
Good Friday (April 15) – 7pm, Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday (April 16) – 9am, Morning Prayer
The Great Vigil of Easter (April 16) – 8pm
Easter Sunday Masses – 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am
Martyrs Relics Presentation
Did you know that there were more people killed for their faith in Christ in the twentieth century than in all the other centuries combined? About ten years ago, Carol Pinard, a parishioner at Holy Spirit parish in Stamford, felt called by God to study and investigate the 20th Century martyrs to learn more about their lives. Over the course of several years, she has collected hundreds of different relics and stories of martyrs from across the globe – from little-known saints like Bl. Stanley Rother to well-known heroes like St. Oscar Romero. She even has one of only a dozen relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish priest who gave up his life for his fellow man in Auschwitz. Carol is coming to St. Jude’s to give us a presentation on these relics on the weekend of April 2 & 3 after all the Masses – please come and join us in the Social Hall after Mass to see and venerate these relics, and hear the amazing stories of those who gave it all for Christ!
For Youth
Youth Encounters for kids in grades 6-12 during Lent is April 1st – 7-9pm in the Social Hall. All are invited! All youth are also invited to watch “The Passion of the Christ” movie on Sunday, March 27 at 5:30pm. Pizza will be provided!
Sincerely,
Fr. Joseph Gill
Parochial Administrator, St. Jude’s Parish
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PRO-LIFE
MARCH FOR LIFE, March 23 in Hartford
MASS, ADORATION, and FLAME OF LOVE ROSARY
Please join us for the 9:00 a.m MASS on March 23rd followed by ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT from 9:30 to 4:00 p.m. as we pray in solidarity for those participating in the March for Life.
We will be praying the FLAME OF LOVE ROSARY from 9:45 to 10:30 for an end to the evil of abortion and for peace in our troubled, broken world. Our Lord has promised that the Renewal of the Earth will take place through the grace which comes from the pleas of Mary's Immaculate Heart.
For additional information, please contact Karin Tierney, email. kjt1046@att net
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Join us for the Connecticut March for Life 3/23/2022 |
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Bus transportation locations are available throughout the Diocese.
For info and to Register visit:
SCHEDULE: Speakers begin at noon at the Capitol. March immediately following in area surrounding the Capitol.
Buses will be dropped off in Hartford approximately 11:30 a.m., pickup scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: We hope and pray to have our own Parishioners participating in the March. Carpools are also a possibility for us. Contact Karin Tierney, kjt1046@att.net, for additional information.
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Please note that the Lenten Mission will be live-streamed
March 20 – 7 pm – 9 pm #1
March 21 - 9:30 am – 11:30 am #2
March 21 – 7 pm – 9 pm #2
March 22 – 9:30 am – 11:30 am #3
March 22 – 7 pm – 9 pm #3
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As we prepare as a parish family for our upcoming Lenten Mission, please begin to pray that it will bring much fruit to St. Jude! Please feel free to use the following prayer. Copies will be also be available in the church beginning this weekend.
Prayer for St. Jude Parish Lenten Mission
March 20 – 22, 2022
We praise you, Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We give you thanks for all the blessings and graces you have given us. We especially thank you for the gift of our parish, St. Jude. We ask you to watch over us and draw us closer to you. We pray that we continue to grow as a community of faith in love and always place you as the center of our lives.
We humbly ask your blessings upon our upcoming Parish Lenten Mission. May it be a time of renewal and refreshment for our entire parish; may it be a time of prayer and reflection; and may it be a time to come together in Your Holy name.
We pray protection over Sr. Megan Mary, who will lead us in our Mission and we ask you to bless all the good works of her Community, the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity. May we be inspired by Sr. Megan Mary’s words of faith, hope and love!
We ask our Blessed Mother to cover our parish with her mantle of love and protection and to always lead us to her Son.
We thank you in expectation that our Parish Lenten Mission will bear much fruit and bring honor and glory to you.
We ask all these things in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Resources for Children and Families
A variety of books for young children are now available in the back chapel to be borrowed during Mass. Please return to the basket after use.
Check out the new Family Ministry Resource Table, next to the St. Anthony statue in the church foyer. You will find seasonal activities, handouts, and resources for children and families. Newly added: Confession Guide for Children and Prayer Bookmarks for St. Patrick and St. Joseph's Day. Don't forget to add to our Children's Lenten Sacrifice Jar! See more information in the Family Newsletter link below.
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Save the Date!
St Jude's Mom's Group Kick off Meeting Thursday April 28th at 7 pm in the Social Hall. More details to follow! Email Jessica Iannotta for more information and to get on the e-mail list.
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The Columbiette’s Auxiliary of Saint John XXIII Knights of Columbus cordially invites you to a virtual tea party fundraiser to support our charitable works. After all masses the weekend of March 26 and 27, 2022, members of the Columbiette’s will be distributing invitations to parishioners. Each envelope includes a tea bag, a request for prayer response card and return envelope. Please write the names of your loved ones , living or deceased that you would like us to include in prayer. At the Columbiette’s May meeting we will pray a rosary and include the names of all your intentions.
Please return the response card with your donation by May 5th. You can drop in the basket at mass, drop off at the parish office or mail to:
St Jude Columbiettes
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
We appreciate all your support.
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Food Pantry Update
Preparations are in process for our Easter distribution. At this time the pantry is in need of pancake mix, pancake syrup, jelly, jarred pasta sauce, condiments of any kind, and coffee. These items are needed as demand/participation in our Easter pack is traditionally high. Supporting the pantry is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill one of the three pillars of our Lenten observance of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Your continued support and generosity are very much appreciated.
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The Knights of Columbus will be taking orders for Palm Crosses during Lent. Knights will be at all masses on the following weekends to take orders:
3/5-6, 3/12-13, 3/19-20 & 3/26-27.
The Palm Crosses will be available for pick up after all the masses on Palm Sunday weekend, 4/9-10, in the social hall.
Proceeds will go to the Msgr. John Sabia Scholarship Fund which supports a St. Jude child attending Trinity Academy.
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Ladies, do you desire to live in greater freedom? Are you longing for an authentic encounter with your true feminine identity? Join us for the Undone Women’s Conference where you will experience a weekend of truth, beauty and transformation, as the knots of Eve’s disobedience are “undone” through Mary’s model of radical receptivity.
Bring yourself, your mother, your sister, your adult daughters, and friends. This is a weekend you won’t want to miss!
Undone: Freedom for the Feminine Heart will be held at St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield, CT March 31 – April 2, 2022. This event is being offered in person OR virtually via livestream! Register online for either experience at www.jpiihealingcenter.org. Scholarships, student, and missionary discounts available.
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Encounter Christ this Easter by Eliminating Noise this Lent
Set an example for your brothers and sisters of faith. Be a disciple throughout Lent to reinvigorate the Church’s evangelical mission during Easter. Pray to encounter Christ in a profound way this Easter. Fast from worldly distractions – eliminate secular TV & radio and non-critical internet and mobile phone usage. Give financial support to your parish, start or join a bible study, forgive someone, and ask for someone’s forgiveness.
Listen to Veritas Catholic Network throughout Lent – 1350 AM; 103.9 FM; and on the app (https://www.veritascatholic.com/listen or scan the nearby QR code to get the app). Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the Veritas Lenten Challenge.
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To all women of the parish...you are invited to a Feminine Genius Brunch on Divine Mercy Saturday, April 23rd at 9:30 a.m. at The Italian Center in Stamford, CT. This brunch borrows its name after those amazing God-given attributes endowed to you as women—receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, and maternity—all of which make up the feminine genius!! In addition to a lovely brunch at a beautiful location, Sr. Virginia Joy, a Sister of Life, will give a talk on Mercy, Love’s Second Name. A special Mass for women will be celebrated by Bishop Caggiano before the event at 8:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church, 1184 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT.
Come discover God’s plan for your ultimate flourishing! Invite a friend, mother, or daughter (in-law)!
RSVP by April 19th, at www.feminine-genius-brunch-ct.eventbrite.com
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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., 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, Judy Thomas, Dr. John Kezel, Rich Carrano, Joseph Sheridan and Francesca Testa & family
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 March is:
Lord, send forth Your Spirit and renew the
face of this troubled, fallen world...
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Mar 19 4:00pm John Koch
Sun Mar 20 7:30am Patty Eng
Sun Mar 20 9:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Mar 20 11:30am Louis Regina, Jr.
Mon Mar 21 9:00am Doreen Hentschel
Tue Mar 22 9:00am Joyce Abbott
Wed Mar 23 9:00am Luis Posada
Thu Mar 24 9:00am Charles Lippi
Sat Mar 26 4:00pm The Lluch Family
Sun Mar 27 7:30am St Jude Parishioners
Sun Mar 27 9:30am Pinto and DeAndrade Family
Sun Mar 27 11:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
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 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.
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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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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop |
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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: New Easter Cards, Communion & Confirmation gifts, statues, rosaries and more. Come and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261 6404 |
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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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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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