A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
The second reading for the second Sunday of Advent informs us that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.
We spend the four weeks of Advent formally anticipating what was longed for and foretold centuries and millennia before God actually brought it about — the coming of Jesus.
“With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.”
One of the reasons why God seems to take longer than we think he should is that God takes both an individual and corporate view of humankind. He deals with each one us individually, leading us in the direction of salvation – if we cooperate – over a period of decades.
And for humankind as a whole, he takes generations or centuries or millennia to bring something about. The people of Israel were in slavery to the Egyptians for 400 years before God led them to the promised land, by way of a 40 year journey. Additionally, for how many centuries did the early church struggle to understand something of who Jesus was, so that we can recite what we know of him in the Creed. As a human family, we have celebrated 2,000 Christmases, and the incarnation is still a mystery to us. How can God – eternal and creator and pure spirit – at the same time be also human – transient and created and material?
I am living through my sixtieth Advent and about to celebrate my sixtieth Christmas. God offers us, individually, time and time again throughout our lives, as well as a human family, time and time again throughout the generations, the opportunity to stand in awe before the true miracle of time and space.
Our linear sense of time collapses in the birth of Jesus. For meaning in those who lived before Jesus is found in time pointing to his coming, and meaning for those of us who live after him is found by time pointing back to his coming.
Our sense of space collapses infinitely more than it did from the data sent back to us from the Hubble telescope. We are not talking about billions of miles or billions of light years. We are talking about God, the resident of heaven, coming to our very planet and taking up home here on earth.
God transcended the distance from heaven to earth, a distance that even the Hubble telescope could not measure. No matter how great our technological advances we would never have been able to send back visual images of heaven from a telescope, never mind get there ourselves by spaceship. So God sent his son to us, to lead us to heaven, as only he could.
And before his son, he sent John the Baptist, so that the people of his day, and so that we today could prepare for Jesus’ coming. So let us hear John’s words and take them to heart to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
And in all good things, let us be patient in waiting, for “With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.”
Sincerely yours as together we patiently wait for the coming of the Lord,
Fr Henry
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Our We Stand With Christ capital campaign at St. Jude Parish has now reached $482,000 in pledges, or 55% of our goal.
This weekend, December 5th and 6th is our We Stand With Christ In-Pew Weekend. All parishioners will be asked to make or confirm their campaign decision at Mass. We ask that all parishioners bring your own pens to mass so that you can complete your commitment card.
You should have already received your campaign materials in the mail. If you did not receive a mailing, please pick up an envelope at the Church Entrances this weekend.
Thank you to all of those who have already pledged their support and those who are considering joining this historic campaign for our Parish.
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Pope's 3-word prayer and when to say it in Advent
Pope Francis often shows his very practical spirit when he gives advice about prayer, as well as an affection for the short and simple when it comes to talking to God. For example, he once recounted that he remembers a short, beautiful prayer...
Read more
aleteia.org
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If she had said no, where would we be? - Diocese of...
Advent has begun, and we are fast approaching the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. What is this feast? Why is it important? Bishop Frank reflects on these questions and talks about our Mother, Mary in this week's episode of Let Me Be Frank.
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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Spotlight on St. Jude Floral Ministry |
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Leaders of the Floral Ministry: Diane Ganser, Cathy Ritch, and Bonnie Thibodeau |
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Advent is a time to prepare and calm our minds and hearts in anticipation of the Coming of our Savior on Christmas Day. The Advent Journey we make this year, 2020, may have a few more bumps for many of us, in no small part to the stresses and restrictions due to the Pandemic. Yet, as you come to Mass or view the Church and Mass on line this Advent season, you will notice beautiful hints that the Birth of Christ is coming. These hints are surely a sign for us not to abandon the unwavering hope that we have always had during this Advent Season --Hope that through our Advent prayers, almsgiving, traditions, and concern for one another; we will reach Christmas Day with a heart filled with peace and joy! St Jude Church will glow with all the beautiful Christmas decorations that are part of our tradition here. How grateful we are for our St Jude Parish Community and especially those parishioners who have been working tirelessly to maintain our Traditions during Advent and Christmas. Although we may have more challenges in our way as we pray this Advent, we can hold on fast to our Hope and to all our many Blessings.
-Contributed by Donna Cramond
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The Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception is Tuesday December 8th. The Vigil Mass will be Monday at 7:00 pm. Tuesday Masses are 9am in the morning and 7:00 pm. There is no morning Mass on Monday Morning.
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Giving tree for Blessed Sacrament Parish
The Giving tree will be in our lobby beginning Dec. 4. Father Skip is requesting gift cards to Subway, McDonald’s, Burger King, Popeye’s and Dunkin Donuts for his teens. Drop them off at St. Jude until December 19, in the lobby or parish office. Monetary gifts accepted as well.
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Knights of Columbus Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Monday December 7 after the 7 PM Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Due to Covid restrictions, parishioners will be asked to view the tree lighting from the comfort of their own car; instructions will be given at Mass.
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Exploring Adoration
The visit to the Blessed Sacrament is a great treasure of the Catholic faith.
Eucharistic Adoration is a prayer and form of worship that is offered to the Lord through His most Blessed Sacrament. There are many ways to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. We will examine various options to help us be closer to Jesus during Adoration.
Advent Faith Evening is a 45 min. presentation via Zoom on Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament – what it means and how to participate. It will be offered by Deacon Tuccio on Saturday December 5 at 10 AM as well as Tuesday December 8 at 8 PM. You need only attend one session. Please send an email to deacon.tuccio@stjuderc.com and indicate which time slot you will attend or if you have any questions.
Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament will be available all 3 Fridays of Advent – Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 7-8 PM in the Church.
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Please remember in your daily prayers:
Mike Piatt, Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Patty Eng
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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OPLATKI CHRISTMAS WAFERS
The traditional Oplatki Christmas wafers will be available for purchase during the Christmas season. The Oplatki tradition is an especially beautiful way to celebrate the charity and unity so characteristic of the Christmas season.
Limited quantities are available at the Parish office.
Cost: $1.00
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Please join us as we pray our Monthly Parish Petition.
Our intention for December is:
May we be alert and watch for the coming of the Lord into our hearts and homes this Christmas,
We pray to the Lord .
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Dec 5 4:00pm St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Dec 6 7:30am Joao & Maria Leandres
Sun Dec 6 9:30am Susan Scholler
Sun Dec 6 9:30am Pauline Lynch
Sun Dec 6 11:30am Sadie Bufalini
Mon Dec 7 7:00pm Julia DeSousa
Tue Dec 8 9:00am Deacon Ian Black
Tue Dec 8 7:00pm Richard Spede
Wed Dec 9 9:00am Thomas J. Mason
Thu Dec 10 9:00am William Fiumora
Sat Dec 12 4:00pm Luis Ferreira
Sun Dec 13 7:30am Domingos, Lucinda & Joe Peireira
Sun Dec13 9:30am Ralph & Anna Laveneziana
Sun Dec 13 11:30am Joao & Maria Leandres
The December 6th mass at 9:30 has two intentions because of our mass schedule change.
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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Mass Schedule and Registration |
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Monday through Thursday Weekday Masses will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed. (This Mass may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )
The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. The Saturday Mass and the 7:30 am Sunday Mass are live streamed. (This Mass may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )
Pre-registration is required for all weekend
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 ) on 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.
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
Advent Adoration
Please join us every Friday during Advent for one Holy Hour of Adoration from 7 to 8 PM in preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
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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