Reflection from Fr. Joseph

When I lived in Italy, we used to joke that the Holy Trinity for Italians was not the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but rather Jesus, Mary, and Padre Pio! Judging by the statues of all three that sat in every storefront, mantlepiece, and roadside shrine, it would seem that these were the three most-beloved people in the entire country!

But the love for St. Padre Pio extends far beyond Italy. Born as Francisco Forgione in 1887, the young boy seemed destined for mysticism from the cradle. Like most babies, he would cry frequently, but he later said that he cried because he saw demons in his room – and he thought that was why every baby cried! His family was devout, but illiterate, and followed Jesus Christ faithfully. At the young age of five, Francisco made up his mind to give his life to God, and he never wavered from that commitment. His father ended up emigrating to the United States, to earn enough money to send Francisco to school, where he learned enough to enter the Franciscan order at fifteen years old.

He was sickly most of his life, and sometimes had to return home to be nursed back to health. At this same time, his mystical life increased – he would frequently fall into ecstasy while praying, and was even known to levitate! At the age of 23, he would receive a mystical gift: the stigmata, which is the five wounds of Christ. Excruciatingly painful wounds opened up on his hands, feet, and side, in order that he might be more conformed to the Cross of Christ. Embarrassed by this mystical gift, Padre Pio asked God to make them invisible, but allow him to participate only in the pain. This occurred for a few years, until once again the wounds became visible.

This very physical manifestation of mysticism caused quite a stir! Some thought him crazy or a charlatan, while others saw it as an act of God. He was investigated by a team of doctors, who found that he lost a pint of blood each day – under ordinary circumstances, a person who bleeds that much would be dead within a week! Doctors stayed with him around-the-clock to make sure the wounds weren’t self-inflicted, but found that they were not – and they gave forth an odor of flowers or incense!

But not everyone was convinced. The bishop of his diocese, who was jealous of the young friar’s gifts, forbade him from saying Mass publicly for nine years! To Padre Pio’s credit, he accepted his unjust punishment silently and without complaint, happy to offer this sacrifice to God.

In 1933, the Pope overruled the bishop, and Padre Pio was allowed to resume his ministry – which grew ever more, as thousands of people began to flock to see the holy priest. He was gifted with many other mystical gifts, such as bilocation (being in two places at once!), being able to read souls, levitation, healing, and prophecy. His entire life was dedicated to souls – spending hours each day in the Confessional, praying for them, offering spiritual advice to them, and sacrificing for them. He established prayer groups and urged others to “pray, hope, and don’t worry!”

But he did not neglect the body, either! He began to build a state-of-the-art hospital in his friary’s town of San Giovanni Rotundo, called “Home for the Relief of Suffering.” In that impoverished part of southern Italy, it stood out as an oasis of hope for so many poor sick people who needed medical care.

When Padre Pio died in 1968, many people already heralded him as a living saint. Indeed, he was canonized a saint in 2002 by Pope John Paul II – who had gone to confession to Padre Pio, and whom the elderly priest predicted would become pope someday!

We are tremendously blessed this Sunday to have the sacred relics of St. Padre Pio coming to our parish of St. Jude’s! One of his gloves, his vestments, and parts of his body will be here to venerate from 8am-6pm. Please come – and expect great crowds, as this saint’s devotees are still numerous! I would recommend getting to Mass early, especially for the 11:30am Mass which will be held in honor of St. Padre Pio. Come and experience the continued prayers of this great saint, who will intercede for you and for our parish!

Diocesan Eucharistic Renewal

The Diocese of Bridgeport will be having several events in conjunction with the 2024 Eucharistic Congress happening in Indianapolis this year.

2024 Diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving - June 1, 2024, Fairfield University 

 Invitations are available to all parishes in the Diocese, please see Father Joseph after Mass if you are interested in attending.

Diocese of Bridgeport 2024 Eucharistic Procession - May 19 - May 22

See enclosed flier. Copies of the flier will also be available in the vestibule.

Questions: please contact Betty Henn, 203-261-0762, ehennsr@gmail.com

Dash Through the Creed - Now Online!

Did you miss Fr. Joseph's adult faith class, "Dash Through the Creed", which he presented on Monday nights this past year? The recordings from that class are now online! Check it out at http://aflameforchrist.podbean.com to listen!

Parish News

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.

Divine Mercy Images Now Available!



Our parish order of 8 x 10 Divine Mercy images did not come in time for Divine Mercy Sunday but Our Lord wants us to proclaim His great Mercy year round!

Jesus told Saint Faustina, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory (Diary, 47, 48). I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You (327). I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world (47). 

Pick up in the parish vestibule. Jesus, we trust in You!

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

Calling all Young Adults and Couples! 

Please join us for an evening dedicated to helping young adults and couples navigate what a flourishing, healthy and holy relationship could look like. This evening is hosted by licensed professional counselors who embed Catholicism into their counseling practices. 

You will learn practical strategies to improve communication, align more clearly on values and goals, and learn how to turn toward each other in hard times and approach life as a team. 

This workshop is geared toward young adults who are trying to discern what they should look for in a relationship and for couples who would like strategies to assist them in living out a healthy and holy relationship. 

This workshop is hosted by St. Jude Parishioner, Lauren Buckley, LPC, who specializes in couples counseling and perinatal (pregnancy through postpartum) counseling. It is co-hosted by Eric Zeitler, LPCA, a parishioner of St. Rose, who specializes in men's issues, addiction and trauma. 

May 16, 2024 at 6:30 pm, St. Rose of Lima Church, Holy Innocents Center

Please see the flyer for more information and we look forward to seeing you there! 

Italian Festival News

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

We are forming a Sponsorship Sub-Committee which will be headed up by Tom Colville and need your help! We have the data base of all past corporate sponsors so it’s just a matter of contacting them. If you would like to be part of this very important committee or to learn more information, please email Paul at seperackpaul@sbcglobal.net 

THANK YOU

NEEDED

LARGE CHEST FREEZERS

If you have a large chest freezer you’d like to donate to the Italian Festival it would be greatly appreciated. Please email Paul at seperackpaul@sbcglobal.net

ALSO

Do We Have A Freezer Repair Expert In The Parish?



The large chest freezer in the Social Hall

has not worked for quite some time.

If you can tackle this repair or know someone who can,

please email Paul at seperackpaul@sbcglobal.net 

Thank You!!

Bingo with the Sisters of Nazareth

Join the Be a Saint Kid's Club on May 5 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm for Bingo, Crafts, Pizza and Adoration at the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth on Monroe

Email Jessica to RSVP or donate a food item to bring

The Painted Plank Studio is coming to the St. Jude’s Social Hall to create personalized wooden rosary hangers!! 

Open to all and hosted by Saint Jude Mom's Group

When: Friday 5/31 at 6 pm

Where: Saint Jude Social Hall

Advanced sign up required by 5/27- see below

https://www.thepaintedplankstudio.com/product-page/friday-may-31-2024-st-jude-s-women-s-group

Email Jessica to donate an appetizer to share!

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 via Zoom (note change from in person). New members are always welcome!

Knights of Columbus News

The Knights of Columbus Council 5987 and the Columbiettes are co-sponsoring a blood drive in the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall on Sat May 11, 2024, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. To donate, go to redcrossblood.org and search for our drive. 

The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring a Needs/Food, clothing, & diapers drive on Saturday April 27, 2024 from 8AM to 11AM. No FURNITURE items are being collected. Please bring your donated items to the Monsignor Sabia Social Hall. These items will be distributed to the St Jude Pantry, Blessed Sacrament parish & food pantry, Hopeline, & the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. 

To simplify our distribution process during the day of the drive, it would be much appreciated if you labelled your donated items in boxes & bags for St Jude pantry, Blessed Sacrament/Father Skip, Hopeline & Bridgeport Rescue. Please review the attached flyer for specific items needed for each.  Any questions, please contact Rocky Scali, 203-767-6053 or Frank Flynn, 203-556-5016.

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.

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.  

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

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 20 - April 28

Sat    Apr 20       4:30pm       Istvan and Jolan Holecz

Sun  Apr 21        7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Apr 21        9:30am       Elaine Edgerton

Sun  Apr 21        11:30am     Ashe and Eddy family members

Mon  Apr 22        9:00am       Lola Stephanic

Tue   Apr 23        9:00am       John J. Tuccio

Wed  Apr 24        9:00am      Mary Dunne

Thu   Apr 25        9:00am      Jose Rosa

Sat    Apr 27       4:30pm       Isabel Dantas Teixeira and Jose Dantas

Sun  Apr 28        7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Apr 28        9:30am       The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Sun  Apr 28        11:30am     Domkowski Family

Tabernacle Candle: April: 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.