Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Across the nation, the Church in the United States is wrapping up a three-year Eucharistic Revival campaign, aiming to renew our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. At the same time, Bishop Caggiano decided to launch our diocese on its own Eucharistic Revival campaign, beginning this weekend and going through the next several years. This weekend is the overlap between the two campaigns, which will intersect beautifully in the local church!

Across the nation, the Blessed Sacrament is being carried in four simultaneous processions from Minnesota, Texas, California, and New Haven, CT to converge upon Indianapolis for one of the largest Catholic gatherings in our nation’s history at the National Eucharistic Conference in mid-July. It promises to be quite a gathering of tens of thousands of Catholics, celebrating our Catholic Faith together and proclaiming to the world that Jesus Christ, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, is the Source and Summit of our Faith.

This procession will be coming into our diocese on May 19 through May 23, and we at St. Jude’s have the privilege of joining in the spiritual exercises! St. Jude’s has been invited by Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bridgeport to join them for an hour of Adoration on Sunday, May 19 from 1-2pm. Please take advantage of this awesome opportunity – there will likely be thousands of other Catholics joining in the activities this coming week, which include talks, Adoration, processions, special Masses, and other devotions centered around Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

As part of this year’s Eucharistic focus, we as a parish are also hoping to increase our devotion to Our Lord. We want every parishioner to experience His love through reverent Masses, fervent and worthy reception of Holy Communion, and a Eucharistic-centered love for our neighbor. We will be dedicating many of these columns this coming year – as well as homilies and post-Mass announcements – to a greater appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament, how to receive Him well, and how we as a parish can glorify and praise God for such an ineffable gift. My vision for St. Jude’s is that this parish become a place where every parishioner hungers for Him, gives Him reverence and due honor, and receives Him worthily – for everything else we do as a parish (pastoral ministries, formation, service, social activities) flows from the Source and Summit which is our Eucharistic Lord.

Stay tuned for more about the Eucharist in the coming months!

Pentecost Vigil

The third-biggest Feast in the Church Year is fast approaching - Pentecost, which celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. As we did last year, we will celebrate the Pentecost Vigil, which is an extended Mass with extra Scripture readings focusing on the Holy Spirit through Salvation History. Come and join us for the 4:30pm Mass on May 18 for the beautiful, holy Vigil Mass of this great feast!

Corpus Christi Procession

We are bringing back our annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession on June 2nd! Join us immediately following the 11:30am Mass as we process with our Eucharistic Lord around our campus, giving Him the honor that is His!

Confession Weekend

Spring into summer with a clean conscience! Confessions will be offered before and after every Mass on the weekend of May 25/26. Take advantage of the lavish mercy of God!

Please support Service Corps missionaries!

Parishioners Marguerite and Philomena Lock will have the privilege of serving this summer at the Apostolate for Family Consecration’s “Catholic Familyland” as Service Corps missionaries! Catholic Family Land offers seven one-week-long spiritual retreats for families offering encouragement and growth in relationship with Our Lord and Our Lady - it’s like Camp Adore or Camp Veritas, but for whole families. In order to serve the 5,500 people coming this summer, they have been asked to raise $2,000. Any support raised will go toward the Apostolate to cover the basic costs of hosting a missionary, such as food and lodging. Any donations above their goal will go towards funding other missionaries. Donations can be made at https://rootfunding.com/campaigns/philomena-and-marguerite-lock-afc-missionary-campaign-2024 or by the QR code underneath. Marguerite and Philomena wrote, “We humbly ask that you consider supporting us during our time of missionary service. We are truly grateful for any way you can support this mission!” You can contact us at margueritelock1@gmail.com for more information, or visit afc.org. Thank you for your support and prayers! Please be assured of ours!”  

1,000 Friends of Blessed Sacrament

To the Friends of Blessed Sacrament Church and Father Skip:

The fundraising committee of Blessed Sacrament invites you to become one of the “1,000 Friends of Blessed Sacrament”. Over 100 years old, the Church needs many improvements and repairs to keep the buildings safe and functioning, and to keep the Food Pantry open which distributes 700 bags of groceries to the hungry each week. The cost to do this is substantial.

Father Skip, amazingly, by all his hard work physically, and in so many other ways, has given tirelessly to keep Blessed Sacrament open and well maintained for almost 12 years. In order to continue doing so, he needs our help. That is why the Parish’s Fundraising Committee is reaching out to friends and asking 1,000 people to donate $100 each to help with these needs, and to become one of the “1,000 Friends of Blessed Sacrament”. In Thanksgiving for your gift, a permanent memorial will be erected outside the church with your name engraved on it.



To donate online click the link below.  https://www.osvhub.com/blessedsacramentbpt/giving/funds/1000-friends-of-blessed-sacrament

Or, make your check out to Blessed Sacrament Church, and in the memo write

                       1,000 Friends of Blessed Sacrament

Mail to: Blessed Sacrament, 275 Union Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06607

In the Notes section online, or with your check, please indicate how you would like your name displayed (ex: John Doe, Doe Family, Mr. and Mrs. John Doe) 

If you have any questions, please contact Lori Black at 203-258-6380.

Blessed Sacrament, and Fr. Skip, are very appreciative of your support. God bless you for your help!

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

Save the Date - Pentecost Birthday Party !

All are invited to join us for some birthday cake, crafts, food and fellowship to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, our Church's birthday!

When: Sunday, May 19 after 9:30 Mass

Where: Saint Jude Social Hall

What: Hospitality, Cake, Crafts for children

All are welcome!

Italian Festival News

Family News and Updates

Seeking children who just received First Communion to help carry flowers for our May Crowning after 4:30 Mass on Saturday, 5/25

Email Jessica if your child is interested!

Spring Family Newsletter

is available!

COMING UP IN TWO WEEKS!

Join us on the Feast of the Visitation 5/31

WOODEN ROSARY HOLDER CRAFT NIGHT!

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 (you can arrive any time after 6 pm)

Where: Saint Jude Social Hall

Advanced sign up required by 5/27- see below

You can order a premade sign or kit to go even if you can't make it!



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.

Save the dates for summer Youth Encounters:

Friday July 12 & July 26

Monday August 5 & Tuesday August 20

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 Friday, May 31 for Rosary Holder Making Night

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!

Knights of Columbus News

St. Matthew Parish Family extends an invitation to the St. Jude Parish Family to join us on Saturday May 18th at our 4pm Mass as we celebrate the remarkable milestones of Msgr. John Sabia - his 90th Birthday and 60th Ordination Anniversary! A reception will follow the Mass in the Great Room, 216 Scriber Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854.

Msgr. Sabia Communion Breakfast Celebration

St. Matthew's K of C in Norwalk is having their annual communion breakfast 6/2 & Msgr. Sabia is the guest speaker. Msgr. Sabia will be celebrating his 90th birthday, 60 year ordination anniversary & 10 yrs of helping at St. Matthew's. Attached is the flyer/order form if you would like to attend. 

MAY FAMILY ROSARY

 May is a month traditionally dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Join Us in Prayer at The

“Mary, Madonna of Peace” Statue

7:00 P.M.

Weather permitting if not in the church.

Please bring your own chairs

Monday May 6          Joyful Mysteries                    

Tuesday May 7         Sorrowful Mysteries             

Wednesday May 15   Glorius Mysteries                            

Thursday May 16      Luminous Mysteries  

May Crowning

Mary, Madonna of Peace Statue

Saturday, May 25 After 4:30 PM Mass

May Crowning is a ritual celebrated in the month of May where the statue of Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers and honored as the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God.

Rededication of Memorial

To the Unborn

This is an outdoor mass to thank God for the gift of life, to atone for the sin of abortion, and to pray for an end to abortion and the remembrance of the unborn. 

Gate of Heaven Cemetery

Daniel’s Farm Rd.

Trumbull, CT.

Saturday May 18th 9:00 A.M.

Celebrant Father Joseph Gill



Please join the Knights of Columbus

In praying for the

Souls of the Unborn

Thank you!



A sincere thank you to all St Jude parishioners for their generosity supporting the Domingo Arribas Memorial Needs Drive last Saturday. We collected clothing, shoes, etc for Bridgeport Rescue Mission, much needed food along with bedding & blankets for Blessed Sacrament parish, food items for the St Jude pantry, & diapers/wipes for Hopeline. These donations mean so much for the less fortunate in our community. Father Skip, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, our Food pantry, & Hopeline thank you for your support. Also a BIG thank you to all the Knights who assisted to make this another successful event as well as Father Joseph for supporting our efforts. See you again in October.

Rocky Scali & Frank Flynn

Tonight!

The Knights of Columbus Assembly 119 and the Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will be jointly hosting a fundraiser tasting of wines, whiskeys and beer presented by 574 Wines of Monroe.   The event will take place on May 17, 2024. Admission is $25.00 per person. 

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to various charitable efforts that the Knights and Columbiettes sponsor. Attendees must be 21 years of age to attend (Proof of Age will be requested to enter the event). 

Cost of admission will include a pasta dinner, dessert and a tasting of various wines, whiskeys and beers as presented by 574 Wines.   Only orders for alcohol will be taken by 574 Wines on the night of the event. Alcohol will not be sold and only samples will be available. 

You can pay for the event at the door using credit card, cash or check. 

The event will be held in the Msgr. Sabia Social Hall at St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe CT 06468. Hours for the event are 6:30-9:30pm.  Doors will open starting at 6:15 pm. Seating will be limited. So sign up as soon as possible!

For additional information, please call (203) 258-3354 or e-mail eaedgerton24@gmail.com. You can also RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D48ABAA2AA4F49-49011209-tasting. 

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on all sizes from Newborn to size 6, wipes, as well as bottles and pacifiers. They have also requested baby formula such as “Similac 360 Total Care”. Should you wish to help you can leave the diapers, etc. 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.

Food Pantry Update

Pantry items in greatest need at this time are pasta, pasta sauce, Mac & cheese, snack foods and the always needed boxed children's cereal. Thank you for your continued support.  

Catholic Charities Kitchenware Needs

Once again there is a great need through Catholic Charities for gently used kitchenware for people getting off the street in Bridgeport and into section 8 housing. Currently the need is for pots and pans, silverware, kitchen utensils like large spoons, spatulas, can openers, glasses (not wine glasses), dishes with no cracks or chips, cereal bowls and serving bowls and dish towels. There are collection baskets in the doorways of both entrances to the church. The collection will begin the weekend of May 4-5 and will run for three weeks ending the weekend of May 17-18

We are most grateful for your contributions!!! Thank you!!

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, 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, 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, Darryl Patterson



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 May is:

As we celebrate our own Mothers this Mother's Day, may we always be grateful 

for the gift of Our Blessed Mother Mary,



Queen of Peace, as we pray for peace in our Country and our World....

     We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  May 18 – May 26

Sat    May 18      4:30pm       Stephen Labowsky

Sun  May 19       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   May 19       9:30am       Anthony and Veronica Felice

Sun  May 19       11:30am     Vittoria Guerrera

Mon  May 20       9:00am       Isabel Dupont

Tue   May 21       9:00am       Jose Rosa

Wed  May 22       9:00am      Richard Osiecki

Thu   May 23       9:00am      Thomas Cunningham

Sat    May 25       4:30pm       Deceased members of the Grabiac and Tavella

                                               Family

Sun  May 26       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   May 26       9:30am       Robert Kilpatrick

Sun  May 26       11:30am     The Bernath Family

Tabernacle Candle: May: Elvira Ferreira and Jennifer Cannon

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.

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



Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wednesdays at 3 pm in the Church

"Jesus we Trust in You"

thedivinemercy.org

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.