Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Later this month, I will celebrate my 40^th birthday. Praise God for forty years of life! But it has gotten me thinking more about mortality and the challenges of growing older, so I wanted to write a three-part meditation on aging as part of God’s plan. This is Part 1: Midlife Crisis.

One of the stereotypical things that occurs when someone hits their middle-age years is to go through a midlife crisis. Perhaps someone goes out and does something crazy like switches careers or buys a Mazerati; perhaps it takes a darker turn like leaving one’s spouse or religion. But why do people go through that? And how do we deal with it?

I believe there are two reasons why someone might have a midlife crisis. One reason is that our goals are way too small. For most of our life, we live for the goals that we set. When we’re in middle school, we may want to make the high school football team. When we’re in high school, we aim at getting into a good college. In college, it’s getting the job we want. Then we aim at acquiring a spouse, a car, a house, a couple kids, a white picket fence and a dog named Rex and all that makes up the American Dream. But once we acquire these things, we’re often left wondering, “What’s next? Is this all there is? I thought I’d be happier once I had achieved all I wanted!”

Psychologists call this “Destination Addiction” – the belief that happiness is right around the corner whenever we acquire the next goal. But once we find that our goals don’t really lead to the deep satisfaction we thought we’d find, we get restless. Where are we really going, after all?

So, the answer is to set a better, truer goal: holiness. The entire point of life is not just to live a comfortable suburban lifestyle. The point of life is to become a saint; to allow Christ to conquer your sins so that you can live in an intimate union with Him, prepared for Heaven. That is a goal that is much higher and more arduous than the material goals we set; and yet, as we pursue it, we find a deeper happiness than we could ever dream of. Aim your goals at Heaven, and you will have a reason to persevere in a difficult job, a challenging marriage, when your health breaks down, when your finances fail. We weren’t made for middle-class happiness; we were made for eternal bliss in love with God.

The other reason why people have mid-life crises is because of a spiritual vice called acedia. Acedia was often called the “noonday devil” by the desert monks, because it is the sloth that comes with being in the middle of a long, hard slog. When we set out on anything new – whether it’s a new school year, a new job, a new marriage – we feel a natural zeal and enthusiasm. But once we’ve been in the thick of it for quite some time, the passion wears off and the drudgery sets in. This is the most difficult part of any endeavor – the middle stretch where it seems like the goal is so far away, but there’s none of the initial fervor that launched us on the road.

So this vice of acedia is that apathy, lackadaisical sloth which makes it hard to continue. It’s the little voice that says, “It’s not worth it to persevere; you will be happier elsewhere with a new career/spouse/life.” I will admit that I went through a severe trial of this about four years ago. I had been a priest for seven years, and like they say in marriage, there is a “seven-year itch” where I felt restless, bored, like I needed a drastic change. My thoughts were always consumed with the idea that I could do more good for God elsewhere – which, looking back on it, was a temptation. Thankfully in the midst of this trial, I was given a book (appropriately called “The Noonday Devil”) which spoke about this vice of acedia. I recognized this vice in myself and worked through it with the help of a spiritual director (and I’m sure glad I did!).

How do we overcome acedia, if that’s what we’re struggling with? We don’t make a change but we go deeper into our commitments. We choose to love our spouse more deeply. We choose to make deeper sacrifices for our children. We choose to reinvigorate our relationship with God – perhaps on a retreat, or engaging with our Catholic Faith in a new way. Rather than abandoning the path we’re on, embrace it more fully.

Midlife crises are opportunities for growth. Perhaps we have not achieved everything we set out to do, and look back with regret; or perhaps we have achieved it all and found that it doesn’t fully satisfy us. In either case, our midlife is a time to rededicate ourselves to our vocation, seek holiness more profoundly, and sacrifice our lives more fully for God and for those whom He has entrusted to us.

More on aging next week…

Parish News

The Feast of Mercy is THIS Weekend! Take Advantage of the Greatest Day of Grace!

Join our Holy Hour and prayer service at 3:00 PM

Saturday April 6th before 4:30 Mass. 

Confession will be available and our music ministry will be singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet. 

See information for Sunday's celebration events below!

Please bring your families and take advantage of this great day of grace!

Sunday is the Feast of Mercy, the day the Lord promises great graces for those who turn to Him with trust for mercy, forgiveness, healing, and restoration. Jesus told St. Faustina: "My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy."

All of your sins and all the punishment due for them (Purgatory time) can be completely wiped away. And not only that! Jesus also promises that on this day, "all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened," meaning you can ask for all kinds of blessings such as physical and spiritual healings, reconciliations, financial solutions, and more. Jesus promises, “In this hour [3:00 pm], I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion." In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking. 

Divine Mercy Sunday Parish Celebration

All parishioners and families are invited to join our family Divine Mercy celebration! We will be praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet together after 11:30 Mass and then head down to the social hall for hospitality.

Crafts and coloring will be available for children and teens of all ages.

To RSVP or if you would like to donate an item to bring, sign up below!

The Women of Walking with Purpose

Invite you to join us for a study on Prayer:

Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God

Though prayer is one of the essentials of a thriving faith, we often feel as if we’re talking to ourselves—or, worse, as if we’re talking to no one at all. How can something so vital to the Faith be so elusive? Lectio: Prayer was created to help us find intimacy with God through effective, conversational prayer.

Wednesday evenings 6 – 7:30,

beginning April 17^th, through May 22^nd (6 weeks)

Our evening will consist of a 30 minute video followed by a discussion.

Cost - $10 for the Study Guide

Please RSVP to Annette Bonomo – abonomo200@earthlink.net

Or Regina Schwartz – regschwartz@gmail.com

Join us on Friday mornings for Fr. Michael Gaitley’s preparation for Marian Consecration.

During this study, you will find the best Marian teachings of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Mother Teresa and St. John Paul II – all presented so simply and clearly.

33 Days to Morning Glory will deepen the understanding of Marian consecration for both those who desire to make the consecration for the first time and those who have already made it. You will be led to a closer union with Our Blessed Mother as she draws you closer to her Son.

We will meet Friday mornings in the Social Hall

from 9:30am to 11am

for 6 consecutive weeks beginning April 26^th

and running through May 31^st, the Feast of the Visitation.

Even if you have read or attended a previous 33 Days to Morning Glory study, please join us and re-consecrate yourself! It is suggested to renew the consecration yearly.

Cost of the materials is $25, which includes the book and study guide. If you already have the book, the study guide alone is $20.

Please contact Mary Beth Rauser to register in advance by emailing to rausermb@gmail.com or calling/texting to 203-516-1821.

Camp Veritas Catholic Summer Camp!



It's time to start signing up for Camp Veritas Catholic Summer Camp! Each year we get a group to go to the best week of sleep-away camp you will ever experience. Camp Veritas (www.campveritas.org) combines sports, swimming, boating, zip-lines, go-karts, and all the fun camp activities with daily Mass, Rosary, Adoration, spiritual talks, and a powerful encounter with Jesus. Every single kid who went last year had a blast and we hope to double attendance this year! We are offering a special scholarship for kids who are part of Youth Encounter - $300 off! Sign-up online and experience the fun!

Family News and Updates

CAMP ADORE REGISTRATION

SPACE IS FILLING QUICKLY, REGISTER NOW!

Camp Adore 2024 

June 17-21 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

For children entering Grades 1-6

E-mail Jessica if you are an adult or teen interested in volunteering

Join us in praying a novena to our Camp Patron Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati! His birthday novena is March 28 - April 6. Click here for novena prayers or pick up a copy at the Family MInistry Table in the church foyer.

Upcoming Family Ministry Events!

April 7, 12:30 pm: Divine Mercy Family Event RSVP here

May 5, 2:30 pm: 2nd Annual Bingo with the Sisters of Nazareth RSVP to Jessica

May 31, 6:00 pm: Women's Craft Night - Making Wooden Wall Rosary Holders. Sign up here

Youth Encounters

All of our young people grades 6-12 are invited to join us for our Youth Encounters! These nights of games, food, fun, prayer, fellowship, and honest conversation about our Catholic Faith have been awesome...come and join us for a new year! This year for the first time, we'll be having separate tracks for high school and middle school. 7-9 pm at St. Jude Social Hall.

Please click on the image to view the flyer.

Mom's Group Announcements

INVITING ALL PARENTS (mothers and fathers) to our 2024 weekly Zoom Rosaries on Wednesdays at 9 pm. Please email Jessica Iannotta for more information. To submit prayer intentions for our monthly Rosaries, click here.

Next Mom's Group meeting Thursday April 25 at 7:30 pm in the social hall. New members are always welcome!

Knights of Columbus News

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

PASTA DINNER

HOSTED BY THE 4^TH DEGREE

DATE:       SATURDAY April 13th

PLACE:      Msgr. John Sabia SOCIAL HALL

TIME:        5:30 PM

PRICE:       $12.00 PER PERSON; $10.00 FOR SENIORS & $30.00

FOR FAMILY OF 4 ($5.00 EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER)

Ziti

Meatballs, Sausages & Pepperoni

Salad, Garlic Bread, Desserts, Drinks

BYOB

Tickets Will Be Sold After Masses On

April 6 & 7

Tickets At The Door Or

PLEASE CALL KEVIN DONOVAN - 203-570-4372

50% OF NET PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO

THE Homes for the Brave

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Virtual Tea Party

The Saint Pope John XXIII Columbiettes from St Jude Church cordially invite you to a virtual tea party fundraiser to support our charitable works. After all masses the weekends of April 13 and 14 and April 20 and 21, 2024, members of the Columbiettes will be distributing invitations to parishioners.

Each envelope includes a tea bag, a request for prayer response card and a return envelope. Please write the names of your loved ones, living or deceased that you would like us to include in prayer. At the Columbiettes 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 4, 2024. You can drop the response card in the envelope provided in the basket at mass, drop off at the parish office or mail to:

St Jude Parish 

Columbiettes

707 Rt 111

Monroe, Ct 06468

We appreciate all your support.

Parishioners that toured the Blessed Father Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center and Saint Mary’s. Photo of the mortal remains of Blessed Father Michael McGivney reverently placed in a sarcophagus at Saint Mary’s church. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on size newborn and wipes, as well as bottles and pacifiers.Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers in the outer vestibule of the church. Monetary donations, with checks made out to the Hopeline Pregnancy Center, as well as gift cards from Amazon, Target and grocery stores are most welcome. As always, your continued support is greatly appreciated by Hopeline and our Knights of Columbus Council.

A message from Hopeline:

In 2023 we administered 807 free pregnancy tests. Of the positive tests, 97.1% of those women chose LIFE for their unborn children.

Thank you for all the ways you support Hopeline and the unborn! Your prayers are coveted, and your gifts are cherished.

Food Pantry Update

"....and the cupboard was bare"... Following our successful Easter distribution we are in need of the following items to replenish our pantry: pasta, tuna, oatmeal, jelly, jarred pasta sauce and Mac & cheese. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.  

Watch Divine Mercy and the Second Greatest Story Ever Told

on Formed.org!

Renowned speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God's love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II.

Pray the Rosary with SoulCore at St. Jude!

SoulCore is now offered at St. Jude Church!

Sessions are held the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each month at 7 pm

St. Jude Social Hall – 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe CT

Please wear comfortable clothing; bring an exercise mat and water

(Please enter the social hall through the rear doors of the church, adjacent to the parking lot)

Every fitness level is welcome – participants are encouraged to honor their mobility and capabilities during prayer

A $10 donation to St. Jude is welcome but not required

Sessions will be led by Christine Peterson, Certified SoulCore Leader and Personal Trainer



Please contact Christine.Peterson@snet.net with questions or to register

St. Stephen Bereavement Support Group

For anyone grieving a loss, St. Stephen Church, Trumbull is offering a 10 week support group starting on Tuesday, March 12 from 2:30-4:00. Registration is required. Call rectory at 203-268-7217.

Please remember in your daily prayers:

David Nicolett, Maria Bertone, Vincent Daniello, Joe Pinto, Zoey Frigo, Daniel Louis Bianco, Max, Hung Vu, Alfred Zawadski, Dr. John Kezel, Francisca Testa & family, Catherine Belanger, Manny Cambra, Cambra, Bennett Gulyas, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, John Sansone, Paul Verespej, Patti F. , Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Robert Freeman, Frank Kerekes, Marian Nanchy, Antonia Tedeschi, Mary McDonald, Douglas Stanley, Jenn Katz, Judy Thomas, Barbara Tranchese, Mary Lopresti, Lou DiMartino, Lor C., Viola Cleo Bradshaw, Susan W. and Janet C, Larry Pisani, Vincent Pisani, Greg, Kaiti and Cameron Kessler, Michael Merola & Family, Martha Mencseli, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Becky M., Flo Guite, Michael J. Russell, Mary Ann Voytek, Michael, and Donna, Evan Tedesco



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 April is:

May we honor Christ's True Presence in

the Blessed Sacrament, and deepen our personal relationship with Him during Eucharistic Adoration in our Parish...

   We pray to the Lord

PARISH 2025 MASS INTENTION BOOK

The 2025 mass intention book will open on Monday, April 8.

Helpful information to guide you when you are requesting a Mass.

ANNOUNCED MASSES: Offered for a particular intention on a particular date. It can be in honor/memory of someone or for a special intention. 

We are offering weekday masses (Monday-Thursday), weekend masses, and our monthly first Saturday mass.

PLEASE NOTE: By Papal Decree a mass every weekend is to be said for the parishioners of St Jude. Therefore, we have only 3 masses a weekend available for intentions and will need to be limited.

SANCTUARY CANDLE: The candle burns in honor/memory of someone or a special intention for a particular month.

ADORATION CANDLES: The candles burn in honor/memory of someone or a special intention at our Monday Adoration and any other Adoration times for a particular month.

WINE AND HOSTS: The wine and hosts used at all masses can be in honor/memory of someone or for a special intention for a particular month.

Requests can be made through e-mail, by phone, or by visiting the parish office

Stipend: Mass $10.00

             Sanctuary Candle (month) $75.00

             Adoration Candles: (month) $40.00

             Wine/Hosts: (month) $25.00

Payment by cash or check at time of request (No credit cards) 

Mass Intentions for  April 6 - April 14

Sat    Apr 6          8:30am      Andrew Henn

Sat    Apr 6         4:30pm       Jennifer Cannon

Sun  Apr 7  7:30am       Maximino Monteiro

  9:30am       St Jude Parishioners

   11:30am     Anthony D’Angelo

Mon  Apr 8          9:00am       Florence Olivia

Tue   Apr 9          9:00am       Mary Charlotte Braccio

Wed  Apr 10         9:00am      Andrew Henn   

Thu   Apr 11         9:00am      Thomas Byrne

Sat    Apr 13          4:30pm      Maria Emilia Monteiro

Sun  Apr 14          7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

         9:30am       Shirley Ann Baker Greenberg

 11:30am     In Thanksgiving - Al & Rita Melisano

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Vittoria & Nunzio Guerrera

Wine And Hosts: April: In memory of Marie Goss

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Thursday) will be in the main Church at 9 am and live streamed.

The Weekend Masses inside the Church are Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Only the Saturday Mass at 4:30 pm and the Sunday 7:30 am and 9:30 Masses are live streamed.

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses ) Please note that the link is slightly changed from the previous link due to the change in the website.

Men’s Bible Study

The Men’s Bible Study will meet Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM, in the school building. Each week we will take up the readings for that weekend. All men of the parish are welcome. For more information, contact Bob Lux at mjrob08@gmail.com.

Saturday Rosary Sign up.

We have a wonderful way to prepare for Saturday Mass and that is to say the Rosary before Mass starts. We start 30 minutes before Mass so we start at 4:00 every Saturday.

Please join us as we pray. Also, please prayerfully consider joining this ministry.

If you would like to join you can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aa8ad2fa6fccf8-saturday#/

We look forward to you joining us as we pray the Rosary together.

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.

Mary's Messengers Prayer Group . Email Jessica for more information

We 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: Communion Gifts and cards, statues, rosaries and more.



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

COMMUNION ITEMS ARE IN!

Call Fran Cambra for more information:

203-400-5119

Confession Hours



Confessions on Saturday afternoon will be in the day chapel at 3:30 to 4:15 pm on Saturdays. Come take advantage of God's great mercy by coming to the Sacrament of Confession.

Confessions are also by appointment, please call 203-261-6404, to set up an appointment or email the office.