Reflection from Fr. Joseph

There are certain milestones that are worth celebrating. A person’s fortieth birthday, for example, or a Golden wedding anniversary. This year, we are celebrating a special milestone: the 50^th Anniversary of St. Jude Parish.

Back in 1973, Bishop Curtis recognized that the growing farm town of Monroe needed its own Catholic Church. Since 1962, St. Stephen’s had used the property on Monroe Turnpike as its school building and satellite campus. But with the population growth along Route 111, it became evident that our town needed its own parish, splitting off from St. Stephen. After surveying Monroe Catholics, the name of St. Jude was chosen, and Bishop Curtis installed Fr. Arthur Norton as the first pastor of St. Jude on December 15, 1973.

Fifty years have passed, and this year we have the privilege of celebrating this great milestone. We still have parishioners who were here for the very founding…many others remember the “Rock Parties” where everyone contributed to the building of the church, which was dedicated in 1989…many have been faithful to the Italian Festival which has become a Monroe staple…still others are newer parishioners who have made a huge contribution to our parish with their faith, joy, and volunteering.

We have put together a 50^th Anniversary committee to plan lots of special activities for this upcoming year! Our first one is coming up this weekend – on New Years’ Day, January 1, join us for a Rectory Open House where we can meet and socialize with our fellow parishioners, from 12:30-3pm. It’s a potluck – so bring a dish to share!

Here is the list of other activities planned (subject to change):

You are invited!!

All parishioners are invited to start the 50th Anniversary year celebration of the church by attending the Open House in the rectory on Sunday, January 1st from 12:30 – 3:00.

This event will be a Pot Luck lunch. If you are attending and wish to bring hor d'oeuvres or desserts, they can be dropped off in the rectory prior to the 11:30 Mass or bring it when you attend.

We want to wish all of you a holy New Year!

It is with great joy that we invite you to participate in the many celebrations and activities planned throughout this coming year to celebrate our Parish 50th Anniversary. Please see the Schedule of planned events.

January 1st - we begin the Celebrations with a Parish Open House in the Rectory from 12:30-3:00 p. m.

January 15th - 12:30-2:00 in the Social Hall

Chili Cookoff Contest with tailgate foods as well. We hope to have 15-20 contestants - so if Chili is your specialty, please come! PLEASE note on our Signup Genius that you will also be participating in the contest when you register to join the festivities. We would appreciate finger foods, snacks or desserts to share.

SIGNUP GENIUS CLICK HERE

Parish News

Welcome Fr. Claudiu!

For the entire history of St. Jude's until the Summer of 2020, our parish has always been served by two (and sometimes three) priests. We are grateful that Bishop Caggiano has assigned a Parochial Vicar here! Starting January 1, Fr. Claudiu will be joining us as our assistant. He is originally from Romania, and will be a great asset to our parish.

Food Pantry Update

“Our Christmas grocery distribution has successfully been completed having provided turkey dinners as well as other non-perishable items to fourteen families. Our attention now turns to restocking our depleted shelves. Items in greatest need are canned chili, canned soups, coffee, tea, pancake mix/syrup and boxed children’s cereal. This year we are especially grateful to the parish community and we wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas and New Year!”.

St Jude & St Stephen Seniors

The Seniors will continue their monthly “joyful journey with God” on Thursday, January 12^th at 1:00 PM in the Social Hall.

All who consider themselves a senior are welcome!

Thank you!

Thank you all St. Jude parishioners for your generosity to Blessed Sacrament Church.The teen Christmas Drive was a great success and we collected 55 gift cards and 336.00 in cash. Thank you everyone!

Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 203 for the Rectory and Office wreaths. 

Also, thank you to Brad and Trish Wells, owners of Fairview Tree Farm in Shelton for the beautiful large wreaths at the entrance to St. Jude Church.

Please note the new date of the previously announced "Pedals, Pipes, & Pizza" event is now January 14, 2023 at 1:30 P.M. in the Church.  There is no "snow date" scheduled due to our very busy schedule. 

From the Organ Bench

"Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza!"

Saturday, January 14, 2022

1:30 P.M. - Church and Social Hall

Our younger parishioners are invited to a fun and interactive program featuring St. Jude's beautiful Cassavant Ferres Pipe Organ! Any student, especially those interested in music or currently taking lessons, are encouraged to RSVP. Students will go on a tour of the instrument, actually going into the pipe chambers, learn how the instrument works, listen to me play several concert pieces to feature specific sounds, and finally get to play the instrument! With supervision, there is nothing they can break. After an approximate 45 minute program, we will have pizza and light refreshments in the Social Hall. The "Pedal, Pipes, and Pizza" presentation is a nationally recognized program from the American Guild of Organist for which I am a member and have been trained to facilitate. Its ultimate goal is to build interest in the instrument with the hope of recruiting the next generation of organists. RSVP via email, please, to lvollono@stjuderc.com. To allow the program to run smoothly and plan for the pizza and goodies, I have to limit the group to 20 students of reading to high school age level. If a wait list occurs, I am willing to run another program in the new year. Please see me with any questions you may have!

 - Lou 

Upcoming Family Events

Family Game and Trivia Night - Be on the lookout for announcements soon!

ANNOUNCING NEW CHILDREN'S MISSALS!

Announcing new Children's Missals for 2023. We have purchased 20 Children's Missals for the children of the Parish to use during Mass. They will be located on the bottom shelf of the family ministry table.

Please return to the table after use so that children at other Masses can easily find them.

Mom's Group Announcements

Next meeting Thursday 1/26 at 7:30 pm. Note change to Thursdays and later start time.

Our next monthly mother's Zoom rosary is Wednesday 1/4 at 9 pm and will continue on the first Wednesday of every month e-mail Jessica Iannotta for more information.

Youth Encounter and Kid's Club Reminders

Next Encounter 1/13 and Kid's Club 1/8

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, Dr. John Kezel, Joseph Sheridan, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Stephen Henn, Manny Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Violeta Shala, Vito Melfi, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman

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 January is:

God so loved us that He gave us His Son as a baby at Christmas. During this month dedicated to saving all preborn babies, may we remember how precious the life of each child is to God as we pray to end abortions...

      We Pray to the Lord

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    Dec 31       4:00pm                Maximino Pires Monteiro

Sun   Jan 1         7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 1          9:30am                 Rosemarie McCarthy

Sun   Jan 1          11:30am               James Tierney, Sr.

Mon  Jan 2          9:00am                 St Jude Parishioners

Tue   Jan 3          9:00am                 Francesco Cenatiampo

Wed  Jan 4          9:00am                 Deceased members of St Jude Parish

Thu   Jan 5          9:00am                 Jack Piccolo         

Fri    Jan 6           9:00am                 Everett Michael Culhane

Sat    Jan 7          8:30am                 Todd Kuhns

Sat    Jan 7          4:00pm                Jennifer Cannon

Sun   Jan 8          7:30am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Jan 8          9:30am                 Sime and Drina Jovic

Sun   Jan 8          11:30am               Dorothy Murren

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of James Duva during the month of January.

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.

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 and 9:30 Masses 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.

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group Conveniently in between Wednesday’s Religious Education class sessions from 6-6:30 pm. We will learn to say the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other special prayers for the intentions of our families and Parish.

Flame of Love Rosary

Thursday mornings after 9 am Mass

"Spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity"

flameoflove.us

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.