Visit a New Church – I have met people here who have worshipped at St. Jude’s for their entire lives. Some of them have told me that they have literally never attended Mass in a different location! Although that is impressive dedication, it can also be stultifying. It can be a beautiful experience to worship at a Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC, or even over at St. Theresa's in Trumbull or St. Lawrence in Shelton (just make sure your contribution envelopes still make it to St. Jude’s! J). Different architecture, different preaching, a different setting can be a way to refresh the spiritual life.

            Take a Pilgrimage – We have some great spiritual places in the Northeast that many people have never visited. The Lourdes Shrine in Litchfield, CT; the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA; the North American Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, NY; the Cloisters in NYC…the possibilities are endless. All you need is an afternoon. Take a picnic lunch and a few hours of silence, visiting these spiritual places, and you will find yourself with a new appreciation for the love of God.

            Read a New Spiritual Book – There are so many writings of the saints and other holy people that we could never read them all in our lifetime! Some of the best include “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales, “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis, “Divine Intimacy” by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdelene are some of my favorites. There have been so many times in the spiritual life where God spoke to me through a spiritual author. Open your hearts, and listen, and He will speak!

            Go on a Retreat – When’s the last time you’ve taken a weekend to reconnect with God? The Sisters of Life offer wonderful retreats for men and women; as do the Regnum Christi lay movement. We have a great retreat house in Darien, run by the Bridgettine Sisters – anyone can make their own personal retreat there. 

            Pray in a New Way – If you’ve always said three Hail Mary’s before going to bed, why not add a chapter from Scripture? Perhaps you have always prayed in your favorite lounge chair – why not take a walk in the woods instead? Much like investing, I find that diversification is key in the spiritual life – there will be a time when I find the Rosary dry, but that’s when God speaks to me in Scripture. Then Scripture will become dry, and God will speak to me through spiritual music. The more avenues we have for God to speak to our hearts and souls, the more likely we will be able to hear Him. Try something new! 

            Come to Something New at St. Jude’s – Most parishes find that any of their programs are only attended by 10-15% of parishioners. That means that 90% of men have never tried the Men's Bible Study; 90% of women have never been to a Columbiette's meeting; 90% of teens have never come to our St. Jude Youth Encounter. But our spiritual life dries up when we lack the good Christian community that we hope to foster here at St. Jude’s. We don’t believe in a “me-and-Jesus” mentality – we’re not individualists when it comes to the Faith. Rather, we are a Church who is pilgrimaging together through life, seeking the Face of Christ together. Why not give some of these things a try? You might find a powerful encounter with Christ and some good Catholic friends as well!

9am Mass (livestreamed)

Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )

Rosary Making Ministry 

15-year-old Blessed Carlo Acutis died in Italy on October 12, 2006 of acute leukemia. Carlo loved Jesus and the Eucharist from a very early age, and one of his sayings was "to be always close to Jesus, that is my life plan". Another of his quotes is "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven."

Carlo was quite an ordinary teenager in that he loved sports, especially soccer; and he was a big fan of computer games and practical jokes. Yet because of his love of Jesus in the Eucharist, and because he was adept with the computer he created a program of all the Eucharistic Miracles documented through the centuries. After his death, this program was made into an Exhibit, on panels, of these miracles.

rica. The Exhibit will be at St. Jude Parish in Monroe, CT on January 22, 1:00 to 6:00 pm & January 23 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Come and see!

Donation’s were  GIFT CARDS TOTAL WAS $1,365.00 AND MONETARY DONATION WAS $410.00.

 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION GATHERING

5^th Sunday Rosary

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

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )

NOTE: Adoration also will be held during Advent on Dec 3, 10, and 17

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.