First of all, happy Thanksgiving! I can do no better than quote George Washington, on his first "Thanksgiving Proclamation" of 1789: "Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have enjoyed--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us."
On another topic, in two days, it'll be Advent (or according to the secular world, it’s the Christmas season…or rather, the Christmas season started on November 1 when I saw the first Christmas ad of the season). And every year we are admonished to remember the Reason for the Season – Jesus Christ, not Santa Claus.
But this year, why not do so radically? A few years back I came across an amazing website: Advent Conspiracy (www.adventconspiracy.org). The website – and the movement – was started by three Protestant pastors who felt like every year they got so caught up with all the busy-ness of the season (presents! parties! cookies! ugly sweater contests!) that they never felt connected to the amazing wonder of the Incarnation of our God.
The Advent Conspiracy movement asks people to enter into Advent with four tenets:
~ Worship Fully. Put God-centered traditions into this season. Growing up, my family would light an advent wreath every day and say prayers around it – a powerful recognition of Who we are celebrating. Perhaps a daily family prayer around a crèche scene would be helpful. Definitely come to Mass every Sunday, or perhaps more frequently if possible!
Also, did you know that Advent is supposed to be a penitential season, like Lent? What would it be like if you decided to “give up” something for Advent like we do with Lent? I’m going to do that this year – anyone else want to give it a try? That will make Christmas a day bursting with joy!
~ Spend Less. We often buy things because we think we have to. “Gotta get a gift for my kid’s piano teacher!” Why? Do we think the piano teacher will despise us if we don’t give them the $10 Dunkin Donuts gift card (when he doesn’t even drink coffee?). We feel the “peer pressure” to make sure our list is long so that we don’t become “that one parent” who didn’t give the teacher a gift, or “that one employee” who didn’t do something for the boss. Why not this year say, “Enough!” Instead of buying all these gifts, maybe say a Rosary for these people on your list. Or give a donation to charity in their name. Or just not do anything at all, because there is no requirement whatsoever that you have to give more stuff to people at Christmas!
~ Give More. The gifts that truly matter are time and relationships. The toys will soon get broken and gather dust. But maybe instead of another Saturday out shopping FOR your kids, you can spend a Saturday WITH your kids – making cookies, going for a walk, or doing something else fun. Instead of buying another coffeeshop gift card, take your coworker OUT for coffee, and really listen. Give less of your money and more of yourself.
~ Love All. Remember all that money we saved by not buying gift cards for your boss? Why not give that money to the poor, or to a charity, or to the Church? It would do so much more good in the hands of the needy than yet another Christmas ornament on a tree stuffed full of them.
I truly, ardently believe that the materialism and frantic busyness of the Advent season is a work of Satan. He wants us to focus on toys, gifts, and parties, while Christ wants us to focus on peace, love, and worship of His Incarnation. Satan has so distorted this season that the vast majority of the world sees it as only a secular “winter celebration” filled with reindeer, snowflakes, and cookies. And while it is harmless to bake cookies and attend parties; while there’s nothing wrong with buying presents for others, we cannot let it consume us to the point that we do not remember the why behind all of the frantic stuff on our to-do list.
The “why” is Jesus Christ, the Word-Made-Flesh.
This year I’ll be observing the Advent Conspiracy. Will you join me?
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Advent devotionals available next week |
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We are ordering Advent devotionals for our parishioners. They will be available after Masses next weekend. Some booklets will be available in the office as well for pick up there, while supplies last. |
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Brother Francis Daily Advent Videos for Children
Coming to FORMED on November 28!
Each day during Advent Brother Francis leads us on a daily journey in this special seasonal celebration of the coming of the Lord! Featuring meditations, prayers, and suggested activities to keep our focus on Christ this Christmas.
Look for the Advent strip on FORMED to view these each day. Videos are available in English and Spanish.
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BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM At Saint Theresa
Grieving the death of a loved one is a challenging journey and holidays can offer unique challenges to all of us suffering the loss of a loved one.
We will be offering a support session to assist you: Saturday, December 11th, 12 noon
Additionally, our full six -week (6) Spring Bereavement Program begins March 2022.
For further information, please register with Susan O’Connor, Bereavement Leader: oconnors724@gmail.com - 203-450-4369
Thank you,
Susan O’Connor
Bereavement Leader
St Theresa
Trumbull, CT. 06611
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Eucharistic Adoration on every Friday during Advent
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28-30
We will have Eucharist Adoration every Friday from 7:00 – 8:00 PM during Advent
This is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus
Please join us on Dec 3, 10, and 17
Confession will be celebrated on the first Friday, December 3rd”.
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PRO-LIFE INVITATION
We invite and encourage all parishioners to join us for First Friday ADORATION December 3rd at 7:00 P.M. in Church to pray for your own intentions as well as to join our Pro-life Ministers as we pray to overturn Roe vs Wade and end the evil of abortion in our Country.
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PRO-LIFE at St.Lawrence Church, Shelton
St. Lawrence Church has scheduled overnight ADORATION on Nov. 30th from
9:00 P.M. until 9:00 A.M. Dec. 1st to pray for our Supreme Court Justices as they deliberate on the Dobbs case before them.
They are inviting all local Parishes volunteers to spend an hour Adoring Our Lord during this Vigil. If you are able to join them, please contact :
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Caroling for our Homebound Parishioners
What better way is there to ring in the Christmas spirit than to go Christmas caroling! We encourage all parish families to join us on either Sunday, December 5 from 3-5pm, or Wednesday, December 8 from 4-6pm (note: the time is different than the previous email) to bring the joy of the Newborn King to our older parishioners. We will meet at St. Jude's in the parking lot and then drive to High Meadows and/or individual homes of our homebound parishioners. Families of all ages are welcome!
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Save the date!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
A party for children with their ‘grown ups’, focused on the real meaning of Christmas.
Saturday, December 4, 2021
10am to 1pm in the St. Jude social hall
Sponsored by the Columbiettes
Arts and crafts*****Games *****Caroling*****Birthday Cupcakes
Nativity set raffle
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St. Jude Parish-wide Consecration to Jesus Through Mary
Friday, November 26th – We begin our 4th week of reading 33 Days to Morning Glory by focusing on the example and words St. John Paul II, “the most Marian Pope. He profoundly deepened the Church’s understanding of Marian consecration. He provides us with a thoroughly biblical treatment of Marian consecration – which he also calls entrustment.
We are so close to our consecration day!! Please note that at all the masses for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we will have the opportunity to consecrate ourselves to Mary. Fr. Joseph will also be consecrating our parish of St. Jude to Mary, our Heavenly Mother and Mother of the Church.
Copies of the magazine are in the vestibule of the church, or call Mary Beth Rauser at 203-516-1821.
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FLORAL MINISTRY
Though the holiday of Thanksgiving may have passed, we, at St Jude Parish continue to have many blessings that we are thankful for as we enter the hopeful season of Advent. We are grateful for our new Shepherd, Father Joseph, and the spirit of camaraderie, activity and volunteerism that has continued to flourish even during this Pandemic. One brilliant example of this is the new manger that is a part of our Nativity scene this year. In the tradition of St Francis of Assisi, who built the first manger in an Italian village in 1223, Brian Veo, a parishioner, has used his skills to construct a manger that will be in our Nativity Scene this year in Monroe.
As we prepare ourselves during this Advent season to celebrate the Nativity, and pray thoughts like those expressed below, let us remember to be grateful for our Parish community and all those who give of their skills and talents.
Lord,
Bless all who look upon this manger;
May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,
And raise our thoughts to him,
Who is God-with-us and Savior of all,
And who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.
From Catholic Household blessings and prayers
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HEALING SHAWLS ARE AVAILABLE!
Happy Thanksgiving!
HEALING SHAWLS ARE AVAILABLE! The Healing Shawl Ministry would like you to know that they are free of charge and are made with love and prayers for the purpose of providing a tangible form of caring and compassion to those who are sick, bereaved, or in need of a hug. WE NEED YOU to let us know when someone in your family, a dear friend, or a neighbor might be in need of one. To request a shawl (we have them for men, women, and children), contact Angela Baril, anbar123@aol.com or 203-452-0432. All requests are confidential.
PRAYER SQUARES are always available in baskets located in the entries to the church. Christmas colored PS's will be available during the Advent season. And remember to give a Prayer Square to anyone you know who might need to have a pocket size reminder that God is always with us.
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Save the Dates
Rectory open house 12/19 2-6pm, it will be potluck
Blessings & Carols on 12/12 starting at 2pm in the Church
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The Christmas Wafers – Oplatki – are available in the parish office and at the religious gift shop . Supplies are limited. Cost $1.00 per packet.
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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.
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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, David Bath, Martha Zenobia, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Daniel Louis Bianco, Zoey Frigo, Koswenda Family, Max, Hung Vu, Jamie Addesa
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 in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.
Our Petition for November is:
May we be thankful for all our blessings, most especially, the gift of the Eucharist, which itself means Thanksgiving...
We pray to the Lord
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Upcoming Mass Intentions
Sat Nov 27 4:00pm Luis Ferreira
Sun Nov 28 7:30am 50th Wedding Anniversary of Denny
and Cathy Ritch
Sun Nov 28 9:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Nov 28 11:30am Mary Ellen Bolton
Mon Nov 29 9:00am Margaret Oakley
Tue Nov 30 9:00am Kathryn A. Hofmann
Wed Dec 1 9:00am Julia DeSousa
Thu Dec 2 9:00am Deceased of the Buonassisi and
Nicolett families
Sat Dec 4 4:00pm Ray and Nette Bourdeau
Sun Dec 5 7:30am St. Jude Parishioners
Sun Dec 5 9:30am Mary Ellen Bolton
Sun Dec 5 11:30am Harriet Kilpatrick
The Tabernacle Candle will burn in loving memory of Jose Dantas 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.
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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.
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People can call the parish office to arrange to be added to the sick bound and home communion call list, for a clergy to bring them communion at their homes beginning in July. |
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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.
NOTE: Adoration also will be held during Advent on Dec 3, 10, and 17
Confession will be celebrated on the first Friday, December 3rd”.
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St. Jude Religious Gift Shop
Gift shop will be selling Advent Wreaths & Candle Sets and Calendars at a special price this weekend. Sunday is First day of Advent - 11/28/21. Shop early while supplies last. Also, Christmas Wafers - Oplatkis are available for a donation. Many Blessings!
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: Graduation, 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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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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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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