We are reading this newsletter note on one of the most important feast days of the Church year: the feast of the Annunciation, when we celebrate how the Angel Gabriel visited Mary and asked her to accept the mission of bringing the Son of God into the world through her womb. Nine months before Christmas, we recall how God stepped into history when all seemed bleak and desperate, becoming humbly incarnate as an unborn baby in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Today, the world may look equally as bleak and desperate as it has ever looked. But in this time of great darkness (war…Covid…inflation…division…hatred…lack of faith in God), God is preparing another great and glorious triumph, and He invites us to be a part of it.
Last time we looked at the messages of Our Lady at Fatima, which warned us of war and suffering if mankind did not turn back to God. But this wasn’t an irrevocable chastisement. On the contrary, Our Lady asked us to do three things for the healing of the world and souls:
Repent. Sin is the cause of all unhappiness in the world. It makes us less than human; it cuts us off from the transforming life of divine grace; it divides families, communities, nations; it removes our peace. The first step toward healing the world, then, is getting “right with God” – honestly repenting of our sins, coming to Confession, and leading a good life. We cannot expect peace in the world if our own hearts are not at peace with God.
Prayer. God wants to heal us and bring us to encounter His merciful Heart – but we must first turn to Him with humility and invite Him. Invite Him into our souls, into our families, into our world. God is a gentleman and will not come unless invited. As the book of Revelation says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and feast with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20). Prayer opens the door to the soul, so that God may come in. Pray the Rosary daily…pray with Scripture…pray in your own words.
Today, actually, a very special prayer is occurring in the world. Pope Francis is consecrating the entire countries of Russia and Ukraine to Our Blessed Mother, in union with all of the Bishops throughout the world, for an end to war and a beginning of peace. We should unite our prayers to his on this special day!
Penance. Recall that during the Third Secret of Fatima, the angel cried out, “Penance! Penance! Penance!” Even further back, during the apparitions of Lourdes, France (in 1858), the young visionary St. Bernadette heard Our Lady request, “Penance! Penance! Penance! Pray to God for sinners.” Doing penance (such as fasting, making small sacrifices, offering to God our unpleasant daily duties) is not only for our benefit. It can also benefit the world.
Penance is often thought of as a medieval concept (think of those comical monks from “Monty Python” who hit themselves on the face with the wooden board). Why would someone voluntarily make themselves suffer? Only when love for God and love for souls is the motivation. Penance – whether it be depriving oneself of a legitimate pleasure, or choosing to do something difficult and unpleasant out of love, or offering up to God our aches and pains and difficult tasks – makes love real. It is a tangible sign of self-gift. Penance makes our prayer “incarnate” – it is prayer in-the-flesh. It also detaches us from this world, seeing everything as a transitory and ephemeral good when compared to the Ultimate Good, which is God Himself.
Lent is a good time to focus on this penitential aspect of Our Lady’s request. We’re doing sacrifices anyway – might as well offer them to Jesus out of love! Obviously don’t do any penances that would seriously harm you or prevent you from fulfilling your daily duties. But don’t be afraid to offer real sacrifices to the Lord, sacrifices that cost us something. These sacrifices “console the heart of Jesus” (to borrow a phrase from Fr. Michael Gaitley). Jesus thirsts for souls to love Him unconditionally, to make up for all of the lukewarmness, ingratitude, and sin that He must constantly endure. Penance is a way to love Him more radically, thereby giving comfort to His wounded Heart.
As Catholics who may be searching for a way through these challenging days ahead, Our Lady gives us three practical ways to make a difference. Repent. Prayer. Penance. Lent is the perfect time to do these things – let us make the most of this time.
|
|
Bishop Caggiano Coming to St. Jude's!
We are very blessed to have our Bishop coming to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at 9:30am on April 10th. All are welcome to celebrate with him that day!
Confession Weekend!
This weekend, before and after all Masses, Confessions will be available in the Day Chapel. As we prepare for the Feast of Easter, come and prepare your soul by washing it clean through the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Confession!
|
|
St. Jude Parish Lenten Services and Programs |
|
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:
Confessions Available:
Every Saturday from 3-4pm
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
|
|
Fr. Joseph and the cast of Restless
will be providing live music for this event!
|
|
PRO-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL
Please join St. Jude Pro-life Ministry on Sunday, April 3rd from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. for Prayer Vigil as St. Jude Parish continues to witness to the sanctity of life and the evil of abortions in front of Planned Parenthood, at Commerce Park, Main Street, Bridgeport.
For additional information, please contact Karin Tierney, email: kjt1046@att.net
|
|
Please note that the Lenten Mission was 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
|
|
Lenten Mission Prayer of Thanksgiving
Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the great gift of our Parish Lenten Mission. We have already felt the outpouring of your Graces upon our parish of St. Jude. You have gifted us with the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. May we be beacons of light enflamed with these virtues to a world that is in desperate need of them. Increase our strength so we may witness our Faith. Let us not despair so we can offer Hope to the hopeless. And May our hearts be full of your Divine Love so that all we come into contact with will feel your loving presence within us. Help us to love our enemies so they no longer will be our enemies.
We thank you for the gift of Sr. Meghan to our parish and are so grateful for the many priests and parishioners of St. Jude that nurtured her faith to become the holy woman that she is. Continue to bless her and her ministry abundantly.
We humbly ask the Blessed Mother to continue to cover our parish with the mantle of her love and protection.
May we go forth with confidence in the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love, always giving glory to you, our Heavenly Father.
We ask all these things, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Note this is the last weekend for orders!
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:
3/26-27.
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.
|
|
Saint Jude Parish
We Stand With Christ Campaign Redemption Update
Total Pledged:
$740,540.54
Total Collected (As of 3/21/22):
$400,651.08 (54%)
or call 203-648-9050.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Regina Caeli Academy
Come join our exciting mission to form the next generation of Catholics! Regina Caeli Academy (www.rcahybrid.org) provides a university-style hybrid™ education in the Catholic tradition. Pre K3 - 12th grade students attend Socratic classes two days a week and homeschool on the remaining days. Lesson plans are provided and optimized for in-home education.
Touring Event: Monday, April 4 at 10 A.M.
Events include a tour, classroom observation, and Q&A!
|
|
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.
|
|
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, Catherine Belanger, 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.
|
|
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
|
|
Upcoming Mass Intentions
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
Mon Mar 28 9:00am Patty Eng
Tue Mar 29 9:00am John Kriskey
Wed Mar 30 9:00am Sophie Saloomey
Thu Mar 31 9:00am Peter Cella
Sat Apr 2 4:00pm Luis and Elvira Ferreira
Sun Apr 3 7:30am Mildred Brenna Yorke
Sun Apr 3 9:30am Alex Skultety
Sun Apr 3 11:30am St Jude Parishioners
The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Jennifer Cannon during the month of April.
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church
"Jesus we Trust in You"
|
|
Flame of Love Rosary
Thursday mornings after 9 am Mass
"Spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity"
|
|
St. Jude Religious Gift Shop |
|
|
|
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 |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
St Jude Parish
707 Monroe Tpke
Monroe, CT 06468
203-261-6404
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
