Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Perhaps the most-beloved Advent song is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Each verse begins with O Come, followed by a title of Jesus. But this song has a long and beautiful history that is worth learning about!

In addition to the Mass, the other official prayer of the Church is the Liturgy of the Hours. Ancient monks used to pray the Psalms continuously – as soon as they prayed all 150 Psalms, spaced out over a few days, they would begin again. This soon coalesced into a set format of praying the Psalms at different times during the day. There are seven official “hours” as part of the Liturgy of the Hours: Lauds (prayed at midnight), Matins (morning), terce, sext and none (prayed at 9am, noon, and 3pm – from the Latin words for third, sixth, and ninth…hours after sunrise), Vespers (evening) and Compline (before retiring for the night). Diocesan priests like myself take a vow, binding under pain of sin, to pray five of the hours each day (we only have to pray one of the daytime hours, instead of all three).

Each Psalm begins and ends with an “antiphon” (kind of like the response for our Responsorial Psalm). Every Advent, the final seven days of Vespers have a special series called the “O Antiphons” – all of which speak of a title of Jesus (O Emmanuel…O King of the Nations…O Wisdom from on High, etc). These antiphons are particularly ancient – there is evidence that they were written before the sixth century AD. Interestingly, each of the first letters of the seven antiphons, in Latin, spell out ERO CRAS, which means, “Tomorrow I will be there” – the antiphons end on the day before Christmas Eve, promising that the Lord will arrive on Christmas Eve night!

Here is the full text of each of the seven Antiphons, which make up the gist of our famous “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” song:

O Sapientia: O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. 

O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. 

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas is coming up! Our Mass schedule at St. Jude's is:

Christmas Eve:

4pm (in church, with overflow in Social Hall watching a livestream of the Mass)

5:30pm (with Children's Choir singing)

10pm

Christmas Day:

7:30am

9:30am

11:30am

Hope you can join us for this most festive occasion!

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.

The Parish Council is hosting, with the help of the Hospitality Ministry.

This event will be a Pot Luck lunch. If you are attending and wish to bring “finger food” it 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 blessed Merry Christmas.  

Parish News

Confession Weekend

Prepare yourself for Christmas with the great Sacrament of Confession! We will be having Confession before and after every Mass on the weekend of December 17/18. Come and take advantage of this holy Sacrament!

Food Pantry Update

“Many items in our pantry have been depleted due to high demand. We are currently in need of the following: boxed children’s cereal, oatmeal packets, jarred pasta sauce, coffee, tea and canned soups.

We would also like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a healthy, merry and blessed Christmas. Thank you again for your continued support of our ministry”

Heart-to-Heart Healing Adoration

We have the great privilege of holding a Heart-to-Heart Healing Adoration Night here at St. Jude's on Saturday, December 17^th at 7pm!

This is a night for families and people in all seasons to gather and gaze upon our Lord, to be renewed in his presence, and encounter his Mercy. There will be preaching, confessions, an opportunity to receive prayer for healing, and hospitality. Childcare is provided!

In these Heart to Heart nights, all are welcome to meet new and old friends as we sit in Adoration to be renewed by Christ's Real Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament. We will have the opportunity to be stirred by God's Word, encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and have our hearts lifted in reverent praise & worship.

We hope this evening provides an opportunity for all folks in all seasons to encounter Christ's light, love, mercy, and renewal, which knows no bounds.

Join us - Jesus is waiting for you!

Thank you!

St Jude Parish (through the Floral Ministry) will be receiving a donation of 10 large poinsettias for our Christmas display from Scott Mason (owner of Mason's on Route 25). They are in memory of his in-laws, Kay and Bob Lennon who were parishioners for many years.

Calling All Youth Musicians! 

St. Jude Families,

I spoke at all Masses several weeks ago about our active Church Music Ministry. Here are some exciting opportunities for our parish youth to consider. Please reach out to me by email to discuss how you can help. It is a great opportunity for many, and for teens I will count their participation as service hours for either their Confirmation or High School. 

A Blessed Advent to All,

Lou Vollono, Jr.

Parish Director of Music & Organist

Children's Choir: Rehearsals Begin for Christmas

I am looking for a group of children reading age and up to participate in our St. Jude Youth Choir. They will sing this Christmas at the 5:30 P.M. Vigil Mass. Children will learn primarily Christmas Carols along with a special song to sing at Mass. Rehearsals are as follows: 

12/17 at 2:00 P.M. (Saturday)

12/19 4pm ***extra rehearsal added***

12/23 (a Friday early evening at 3:00 P.M.)



Rehearsals last approximately 45 minutes. I will also provide music via email for individual practice. Let's get a big group together all dressed in your Christmas best and worship our newborn King.

Middle and High School Students: Do You Play an Instrument?

If any of our older students play an instrument in their respective school districts, I would like to know. If there are any brass, wind, reed, or string players who would like to play for Christmas, you are welcome to join us. The music will be easy, this counts as service hours, and it is a great way to give back to your church. Please reach out to me. Let's get a group together!

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

Silver Rose Prayer Service

Hosted By

St. John XXIII Council 5987

Knights of Columbus

   Monday December 19^th at 6:15 PM in the church

      Prayer service to share the message of our Lady of Guadalupe and promote respect for life. Prayer service consists of prayers, scripture readings and litany. 

Feed My People

The Feed my People ministry is in need of volunteers to deliver the unsold bread, rolls, pastries, etc. from Stop and Shop and Purdy Hill Bakery to various Food Pantries, shelters, churches, soup kitchens in Bridgeport as a regular or as a substitute when our regular volunteers are unable to make it. All information on format and locations would be provided. Please contact Hank and Kathy Banville (Tel. 203-268-3368 or email khbanny617@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining this ministry. 

Christmas Caroling this Sunday 12/18

Help us spread some Christmas cheer to homebound parishioners! Inviting parishioners of all ages to join us!

Thanks to all who came caroling on Tuesday! The seniors at Spring Meadows and the nuns at Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth greatly enjoyed our visits!

Sunday, December 18 we will visit homebound parishioners to sing some Christmas Carols. Meet at St. Jude's at 2 pm



Contact Jessica Iannotta for more information

Caroling at the Community of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth

Caroling at Spring Meadows

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.

Our Mother's Holiday Board and Brush Night was a a fun night of painting Christmas wooden signs, food and fellowship!

Be on the lookout

for another event in the Spring!

Youth Encounter and Kid's Club Reminders

Next Encounter 12/16 and Kid's Club 1/8

Gift Catalog

Your gift of essential items from the gift catalog will help rescue babies at risk of abortion and restore the lives of moms & dads who have experienced abortion, sexual trauma, or pregnancy loss.

How it works:

• Click on the gift item/s and see how you can make a difference
• Choose the gift or gifts you wish to give
• Save a baby’s life and help set moms & dads free in Christ

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 P., and 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 December is:

May the star which illuminated the Child Jesus in the Manger in Bethlehem, illumine our hearts and souls to the Real Presence of the Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist....

     We pray to the Lord 

Upcoming Mass Intentions

Sat    Dec17        4:00 pm                Elvira Ferreira

Sun   Dec 18       7:30 am                 Mary and Margaret Gallagher

Sun   Dec 18        9:30 am                 St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Dec 18        11:30 am               Maria Amelia Monteiro

Mon Dec 19         9:00am                 Estelle Murray

Tue   Dec 20       9:00am                 Erich and Rose Weingerl

Wed Dec 21        9:00am                 Noella Sidarweck           

Thu  Dec 22        9:00am                 Joseph and Margaret Mende

Fri    Dec 23        9:00am                 Everett Michael Culhane

Sat    Dec 24       4:00pm                Benjamin Deitz

Sat   Dec 24        5:30pm                Jose Lage

Sat    Dec 24       10:00pm               St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Dec 25       7:30am                 Juanita McLaughlin

Sun   Dec 25        9:30am                 Rosemary Ilardi Ellis

Sun   Dec 25        11:30am               Garry Gasso

The Tabernacle Candle will burn in memory of Dom Arribas during the month of December

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 and 9:30 Masses are live streamed.

Christmas Eve

4pm

5:30pm

10pm

Christmas Day

7:30am

9:30am

11:30am

Please note that if we need overflow seating, people are invited to go to the Social Hall downstairs where the Mass will be livestreamed on our screen.

(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.

Advent Season is approaching.

Advent Candles, Wreaths and Calendars will be on sale: weekend Nov. 19 & 20. Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24th and weekend Nov. 26 & 27th after Mass. More info call Fran 203-261-2673. 

Also available for sale is the Oplatki wafers. $2.00 each.

Come in and browse. Call Fran Cambra 203-261-2573 or Parish Office 203-261-6404.