A Message from Father Henry |
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Fellow St Jude Parishioners:
In this weekend’s Gospel reading, Jesus appears to his Apostles. They are startled and terrified and think him to be a ghost.
To calm them, he asked to enter into a very common and everyday experience of sharing a meal, “Have you anything here to eat?”
In reply, they gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. And then he proceeded to lead them in the greatest Bible Study of all time: “‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opens their minds to understand the Scriptures.” After sharing, Jesus closed with the mandate that his teaching would be preached to all the nations.
I think of my own experience growing up with my mother’s side of the family being very Italian. My own mom, a half-dozen aunts, a grandmother would cook up a storm for us kids — my siblings, cousins and other extended family. And then with our bellies full, we were all ears. My mom, my aunts, my grandmother would pass on what they had to teach us, which was a multidimensional message of family and faith and respect and duty all deftly intertwined and wrapped up in as a single coherent way of living.
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As did the Apostles begin to carry out Jesus’ mandate that the faith be passed on, so generation after generation over the past two-thousand years has continued to pass down the message.
And so we have the responsibility to pass on the faith to others.
And in passing on the faith, I ask that we imitate Jesus and embrace the most ordinary of circumstances to do so. Throughout his life, Jesus spent ordinary time with his disciples, eating with them, walking with them, even attending a wedding reception with them. It is still that way.
Certainly Jesus is present at our high and beautiful liturgical celebrations, but he is also present in your kitchen, on your drive to work, and wherever you are!
Don’t only search for Jesus in the extraordinary moments of your life. Keep an awareness of Jesus throughout your day, in everything you do. And look for those opportunities to pass on the faith to others.
Many of our 8th and 9th graders have received the faith and are ready to make their Confirmation next month. You can keep them in your prayers and also visit our Confirmation Padlet (password is Jude) to read some of their thoughts: https://padlet.com/amyhermanns/xyiqd9e7dnvi7idk
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr Henry
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As of April 8th, St Jude Parish has pledged $118,472 against our Annual Catholic Appeal goal of $84,600!! Thank you to all for your generous pledges and gifts supporting the many needs of the Diocese!!
Since we have already attained our goal, all additional gifts and pledges will be split between supporting Fr. Skip's efforts at Blessed Sacrament and Faith Formation programs here at St. Jude.
Many thanks for your continuing generosity and may God bless you all!
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A few weeks ago we, the St Jude Annual Catholic Appeal Team, asked you to “Love thy neighbor” through your donations to the Annual Catholic Appeal.
To love:
Our youth neighbors
Our religious neighbors
Our neighbors in need
Our less-well-off parish neighbors
We told you that we had a Diocesan ACA goal of $84,600. We noted that any amounts pledged above that goal, any “overage”, would be split between St. Jude and Blessed Sacrament in Bridgeport.
The St. Jude ACA Team want you to know that you have truly “loved thy neighbor”.
We are pleased to announce that through your generosity St. Jude Parish has exceeded our Diocesan goal. As of April 15, we have received pledges totaling $125,168 and 148% of our goal!
The St. Jude ACA Team congratulates you, the parishioners, for what you have done.
Praise God and God Bless You!
All of this was achieved through pledges from approximately 244 donors and is a truly remarkable accomplishment.
We know not everyone acts at the same pace. Some of you may have not yet pledged, and are still prayerfully considering doing so. For that reason we are going to “keep the pledge window” open for a while to give you the opportunity to pledge. Know that because we have reached the Diocesan goal, these pledges will be beneficial to your more local “neighbors”. Half of the overage is going to our St. Jude Parish for the Youth and Adult Formation Ministries, and half is going to Blessed Sacrament our “sister’ parish.
We know that the amount you pledge is a very personal decision. No pledge is too small. The pledge process accommodates one time pledges or monthly pledge amounts for a period of up to 10 months.
A little bit every month helps a lot. Just imagine 100 additional donors pledging $15 per month for 10 months, $150 per donor, adds $15,000 to directly help St. Jude and Blessed Sacrament.
Again: CONGRATULATIONS for reaching the Diocesan St. Jude ACA goal.
You are a wonderfully compassionate parish.
God Bless You,
The St Jude ACA Team
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We are hopeful that 100% of our registered households will respond to the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal. While the level of sacrifice will differ from parishioner to parishioner, an Appeal gift this year is within the reach of the majority of our people. Please prayerfully consider supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal with a pledge or one-time gift as your means allow. Your support is much needed and will be greatly appreciated! |
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Foundations in Education 2021
Virtual Hybrid Spring Benefit
Foundations in Education invites you to its re-imagined Virtual Hybrid Benefit on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Join Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano to celebrate our Honorees Dr. Julia M. McNamara and Lynn and Frank Mara of the New York Giants and participate in an online auction from the comfort of your home. All to celebrate and support Catholic education! Proceeds support Foundations in Education, whose mission is to provide hundreds of children from low-and middle income families with quality education focused on Christian values and character formation. To purchase tickets and sponsorships or for more information, please contact Megan Quinn at 203.416.1671 or mquinn@foundationsineducation.org.
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FEMA Funeral assistance program for COVID related...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program is providing financial assistance of up to $9,000 for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred between January 20, 2020 and December 31, 2020. To be eligible for the assistance, you need to ...
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www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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2021 Messages of Divine Mercy
A Program with Relics of St. Faustyna Kowalska
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Relics Used to Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Jude ...
MONROE- St. John XXIII Council 5987 of the Knights of Columbus hosted a unique presentation in celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday on April 11 th at St. Jude Parish in Monroe, CT. In partnership with the Apostolate for Holy Relics, Reverend Henry...
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www.bridgeportdiocese.org
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WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS |
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Together let us pray on April 25th the Marian Prayer for Vocations so that hearts and minds of men and women be open to the vocation to which the Lord is calling them.
O Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Mother of the Church, to you we commend our young people, in particular those called to closely follow your Son as brothers, sisters, deacons and priests.
You know, O Mary, the difficulties, the struggles, doubts, and obstacles they must face. Assist them to answer "yes" to the divine call, as you did at the invitation of the angel.
Draw them near to your heart so that they can understand the beauty and the joy that awaits them when they answer your Son’s call to be witnesses of His love in the world.
Amen.
The Serra Club of Bridgeport
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Group Zoom Study for Consecration to St. Joseph
to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph
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Pope Francis has given the Universal Church a gift in proclaiming this year, a year of St. Joseph. The Church and the entire world needs the intercession of St. Joseph!
If you are interested in learning more about St. Joseph, his role in the Church, and powerful intercession that every Catholic should know, please join us for this Consecration Group Study.
This is a 33 day long preparation for Consecration to St. Joseph. Each day, you will read a few pages from the Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC book Consecration to St. Joseph – The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. This book can be found anywhere books are sold. The link to Amazon and The Marians of the Immaculate Conception sites are below.
We will meet Friday mornings via Zoom from 9:30am to 11am to discuss the study questions in the book. Even if you have never participated in a group study, please consider joining us. No experience necessary! The group aspect of the Consecration is a time to share and learn with fellow parishioners. If there is enough interest, an evening Zoom group will be added.
Even if you can’t join us on Zoom, please consider giving yourself the gift of reading this book! Your faith and love of St. Joseph will be changed for the better!
The start date for the Consecration will be April 11th, which is Divine Mercy Sunday, or the Sunday following Easter. We will prepare for 33 days to Consecrate ourselves to St. Joseph on May 13, The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
Zoom meetings will begin on Friday, April 9 and will meet for six Fridays until May 14th. You do not need to attend every session to join us.
If you have any questions and to register, please contact Mary Beth Rauser at
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Coming Soon: St. Jude Movie Nights! |
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Back By Popular Demand
Outdoor Movie Nights
Disney's Soul and Night At The Museum
Friday May 14th and Saturday May 15th
We are so pleased to announce the return of St. Jude's Outdoor Movie Nights
So save the dates!
On Friday, May 14th bring your family and friends to enjoy the heartwarming Disney movie Soul.
On Saturday, we'll be showing the popular Ben Stiller movie
Night At The Museum.
An added treat this year will be JMG Music! Starting at 6:00,
JMG will provide music during dinner.
So come with your appetite and your lawn chairs and enjoy dinner, music, and a movie with your St. Jude family and friends!
Donations appreciated. No registration required.
Movie begins approximately 8:00pm
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Knights of Columbus Needs Drive
Saturday, April 17
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The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Needs Drive on Saturday, April 17 from 8AM to 10:30AM. Donated items will be distributed to St Jude Food Pantry, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Change Ministry, & Hopeline.
Because of the Covid virus, we are only accepting items listed in the flyer. To minimize contact & ease of distribution, we ask that you place labelled items for these organizations in bags or boxes which can be placed in your vehicle's trunk & can be unloaded by our volunteers.
A note on FURNITURE... we are hoping that most parishioners can bring these donations directly to St. Jude's on the day of the drive. If assistance is required to unload the furniture, we can help! If furniture transportation is not possible, we will make limited pickups the day of the drive at the donor location BUT only if the items are located in the garage or in the driveway. We will not enter homes for pick ups to minimize risks.
Questions, please contact Rocky Scali, 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn, 203-556-5016.
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The Parish Council wants you!
The Parish Council is looking for some new members. The Parish Council acts as an advisory council for the Pastor and Deacons and helps the overall outreach of St. Jude Parish. The new Pastoral year starts on July 1st and we would like to have new members. Please contact Rich Lane at
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Please remember in your daily prayers:
Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Patty Eng, Joseph Bisignano, Sr., Jim Tierney, Sr, Bennett Gulyas, Vincent Daniello, Armando Aversa
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 April is:
May the Light of our Risen Christ continue to shine on our world,
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Apr 17 4:00pm Agnes Dubyoski
Sun Apr 18 7:30am Lucy Casola
Sun Apr 18 9:30am Anthony Bifulco
Sun Apr 18 11:30am Maria Emilia Monteiro
Mon Apr 19 9:00am Bill Thibodeau
Tue Apr 20 9:00am Mary Dunne
Wed Apr 21 9:00am Steven J. Crowley
Thu Apr 22 9:00am John J. Tuccio
Sat Apr 24 4:00pm Albert Aulet
Sun Apr 25 7:30am Patrick Ryan
Sun Apr 25 9:30am The Pinto and DeAndrade families
Sun Apr 25 11:30am Robert Kilpatrick
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.
Please note that we will no longer be doing Pre-registration for Masses!!
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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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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: 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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