A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
I come to you once again, to ask for your support — this time for the 2021 Diocese of Bridgeport Annual Catholic Appeal.
For those of you who have already recently made a pledge to the Appeal, please know of my heartfelt gratitude.
And to our entire St Jude parish family, I am grateful for the times you have generously in past years shared your time, talent and treasure. Yes, whenever there was a need, you have stepped up to help. We are certainly a blessed community of faith, to a large extent owing to your willingness to give of your time, talent and treasure in service of God.
For those of you who have not yet made a pledge to the Appeal, I ask you to consider doing so. The Annual Catholic Appeal is used in wise and fruitful ways. A quick visit to the Diocesan website shows the various ways that our contributions are put to good use. (https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/aca/how-your-gift-is-used/).
It is somewhat ironic that this Sunday’s Gospel speaks of Jesus entering the Temple and overturning the tables of the money changers. I wondered, what is the connection between my asking you to give of your money, and what Jesus says about the money changers in the Gospel Reading?
After some reflection, I saw Jesus as rebuking the money changers and calling them out to stop making “My Father’s House into a marketplace.” In Mark’s account, Jesus went so far to call what they were doing “turning the Temple into a Den of Thieves.”
The money changers were not being fair in their exchange of money and, just like the tax collectors, were taking excess money and pocketing it. Jesus called out them out for this injustice.
In these times, when so many of us have felt the effects of the Covid Pandemic, it may be difficult to contribute, but I ask you to prayerfully consider giving what you can give this year. Even a little bit from each of us yields a lot. If we all work together, as we have done so many times in the past, I am certain that we will meet our parish goal. And, unlike the monies collected by the money changers in the upcoming Gospel reading, you can be certain that the monies collected for the Annual Catholic Appeal will go to spreading the faith and helping those in need.
Sincerely, Fr Henry
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Our Online Giving is getting an upgrade to a newer, easier-to-use platform! If you currently give online, you will soon be receiving an email with instructions on how to log into the new system. Best of all, your existing payment and donation information will be migrated over so you will not have to set up your gifts again! Keep an eye on your email for more information coming very soon.
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Future priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport receive their formation at seminaries chosen by the Bishop to best suit the needs of the seminarian and of the diocese.
Preparation for the Priesthood takes anywhere from six to eight years, depending on the age and educational background of the man when he enters. All seminarians complete graduate level studies in theology before ordination.
Our seminarians will become the priests who will preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments in your parish, and who will accompany and guide you and your family, through the joys and sorrows of this world, to Eternal Life.
Your prayers and financial support to the Annual Catholic Appeal help ensure that we have the well-formed priests we need to praise God and to save souls. Thank you for your gift.
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Novena to St. Joseph set to help faithful prepare for...
BRIDGEPORT-Bishop Frank J. Caggiano has announced a diocesan Novena to St. Joseph in preparation for the consecration of the Diocese of Bridgeport to St. Joseph on March 19. "All are invited to participate in a special Novena to Saint Joseph that ...
Read more
www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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St. Jude 2021 Lenten Information |
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Eucharistic Adoration and Stations of the Cross
Please join us at Eucharistic Adoration and Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent.
Stations of the Cross 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Eucharistic Adoration 7:30 - 8:00 pm
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Relics of the Passion
This Sunday, March 7th at 2pm
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We are delighted to, once again, share with our St. Jude Family the Relics of the Passion on Sunday, March 7th at 2pm in our church.
This prayerful and moving event is the perfect addition to your Lenten devotion this year. The relics are set up across the entire front of St. Jude Church and are most powerful. The afternoon promises to offer you and your families a time for prayer and meditations as you contemplate the Passion of our Lord Jesus.
Holy Week begins on March 28th, so this opportunity is a great way to prepare and enter into our Holiest Weeks of the Christian calendar.
I have participated in this in the past as a reader and I can tell you from personal experience that it touched my heart in a very deep way. After this past year, where so many of us have been hurting from the effects of the Covid-19 virus, why not take our sorrows and burdens and lay them at the feet of Jesus on the cross. I believe that, especially this year, this presentation will have special meaning for all of us.
It is a wonderful moment to share with your family, a teaching moment for your children, or come alone for some quiet time with our Lord.
I will be there and I invite all of you to join me. Lent is the time to spend some extra time in prayer and contemplating the relics of the Passion is the perfect way to do this. This is a very rare opportunity to view the actual relics of the Passion.
The service will be videotaped and available for viewing on the parish website, stjuderc.org, on March 14th.
Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus for bringing this to our Parish Family.
The relics are:
The collection includes 8 rare holy relics that would only be seen in collections generally found in Rome or the Holy Land. Included are:
• The relic of the True Cross
• A piece of stone from the table or room where the Last Supper was held
• A piece of the Column of Flagellation
• A piece of the Crown of Thorns
• The effigy of the Veil of Veronica (touched to the original veil)
• A replica of the holy nail which contains filings taken from the true nails that were imbedded in copies to make relics of a lower class
• A piece of bone from St. Longinus, the centurion that pierced the side of Jesus
• A thread from the cloth used as the wrapping for the Burial Shroud.
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Send an email to formedteam@gmail.com with something you watched/read/listened to and enjoyed and we will enter you into a raffle to receive the acclaimed book “Consecration to St Joseph” by Fr. Donald Calloway!
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Food Pantry
Our pantry continues to be able to service our families on a weekly basis due to the continued support of St. Jude Parishioners. While we have items of need, such as jarred pasta sauces, condiments and boxed children’s cereal we are for the most part very well stocked. Surplus of any items are shared with the Blessed Sacrament in Bridgeport and the Monroe Food Pantry on a regular basis. Your generosity is always appreciated, especially during Lent as we prepare for Easter and the large distribution to our families to take place for the holiday. Thank you again for your continued support of our mission.
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St Jude Parish Outreach
The second parish phone outreach project, coordinated by Angela Baril, was recently completed. Volunteers called active parishioners, over the age of 70, who do not have emails and therefore are not receiving our weekly newsletter. With the pandemic still upon us, and positive feedback from our first round of calls, we thought it would be good to reach out once again.
Volunteers made 128 phone calls in total. Of those we did call who actually do have email addresses, they provided us with them, so that now they can be added to the newsletter list. Also, since some people are not able to attend mass due to the virus, they were happy to hear Fr Henry has offered to go to their homes and hear their confessions during Lent (outside, socially distanced and wearing masks).
Overall, parishioners appreciated the calls and many welcomed the opportunity to engage in conversation with a member of the St Jude Outreach Ministry Team. As one woman stated “The Church is my home. Thank God someone is thinking of me.”
Special thanks to the Outreach Team who made the phone calls:
Angela Baril, Marian Flynn, Angie Cordery, Mary Jane Lux, Veronica Condon, Wendy Gurski, Donna Crammond, Ellen Stevens, Diane Saliga, Patty Eng, Paula McDonaugh, Diane Ganser, Kathy Clark, Jana Veo,
Brian Veo, Jean Paul, and Sally DeChristopher.
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HEALING SHAWL MINISTRY
A special thank you to Diane Ganser, Cathy Ritch and Gudrun Rosenbush for the many Healing Prayer Squares to be donated to volunteers praying at our Diocesan Prayer Vigil in front of Planned Parenthood in Bridgeport, as well as for our own Pro-Life Ministers. A wonderful example of our Parish Family working together!
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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, Joseph Bisignano, Sr.,
Jim Tierney, Sr
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 as we pray our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our intention for March is:
May we praise God for His compassion in pardoning our sins, and thank Him for His great mercy...
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Mar 6 4:00pm Deceased Carlson and DelMastro
family members
Sun Mar 7 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Mar 7 9:30am Ljubo and Grgo Baljak
Sun Mar 7 11:30am Deceased Antony family members and
Gregory D’Silva and Mary Alphonse
Mon Mar 8 9:00am James McInerney
Tue Mar 9 9:00am Julia DeSousa
Wed Mar 10 9:00am Gladys Maloney
Thu Mar 11 9:00am Francis and Fabiola Coty
Sat Mar 13 4:00pm Luis Ferreira
Sun Mar 14 7:30am Special Intention
Sun Mar 14 9:30am Nuala Horvath
Sun Mar 14 11:30am Deceased members of the Cunningham
Family
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.
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.
Pre-registration is required for all weekend
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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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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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First Friday Adoration 7- 8 PM |
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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: St. Patrick's Day, 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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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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