Reflection from Fr. Joseph

This is our FOURTH installment for our series on the Eucharistic Revival sweeping our diocese!

How beautiful it has been to see our young people worshipping our Eucharistic Lord this past week at Camp Adore! Kudos to Jessica Iannotta, Aimee Domenici, Heather Kid, and all of the myriad of adult and teen volunteers who led 80+ school-aged kids into an unforgettable encounter with the Eucharistic Lord through Adoration, talks, games, and love this past week (not to mention lots of snacks and our portable Gaga pit!).

One of the things that draws kids – and people of all ages – into Eucharistic worship is all of the “smells and bells” of our Catholic Faith. We are blessed to have a very sensual faith, with all of our senses engaged at Mass and in Adoration.

Here’s an overview of some of the accoutrements which help draw all of our senses into worship:

Bells – Bells are rung during Mass to draw the attention of the congregants to the critical action happening on the altar. At St. Jude’s, we ring them at the epiclesis (when the Holy Spirit is invoked upon the gifts of bread and wine) and at theconsecration (the moment when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ).

Incense – In Scripture, incense has always been a symbol of the prayers of God’s people ascending to Heaven. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, when John gets a glimpse of the heavenly worship, he sees an angel carrying a thurible (the golden vessel for incense), lofting clouds of incense before the Throne of the Father, which are mixed with the prayers of the saints. Incense had a specific purpose, too – as the Jews practiced animal sacrifices in the ancient Temple, the sacrifices must have made the place smell like a slaughterhouse, so the incense offered a sweet fragrance to offset the odor. Although we now offer the unbloody sacrifice of Calvary at every Mass, the incense is offered as a way to consecrate the gifts and offer them to the Father.

The Organ – Why is the organ the primary instrument in most Catholic Churches? It actually goes way back. For the first century, the only music allowed in church was vocal music only (which is why it’s called a capella – literally meaning, “to the chapel”). Early Christians associated musical instruments with bawdy lyrics, immodest dancing, and frivolity – so church music was always simple, with vocals only. It wasn’t until the 1200s when the organ became accepted (after much disagreement), and it was allowed only because it is the instrument that most mimics the human voice (with air passing through pipes!).

Stained Glass Windows – While beautiful, stained-glass windows had a very specific purpose. As most of the populous couldn’t read until the late Renaissance, the windows served as a “visual Bible” and “visual Catechism” to illiterate Catholics!

How blessed we are to have a Church that ministers to all five senses!

Fr. Joseph Releases New CD of Christian Folk-Rock Music!

Recorded right here at St. Jude's, Fr. Joseph has released a new CD of original Christian music. Entitled "Out of Darkness", it is his fifth studio album. Hard copies will be available in the St. Jude Religious Articles store, but one can also stream it on Spotify, iTunes, Youtube Music, or other streaming websites. They can be found here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6huIBvWoRWqs7x1WYZMbZa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCki07thX3bL4Zjbt7awzCOQ

All for the glory of God and the salvation of souls!

Parish News

Italian Festival News

Family News and Updates

We had over 80 children and over 40 teen volunteers as well as many adult volunteers who helped to make it an amazing week for our campers. It was a grace filled week with daily Mass, fun games, snacks, crafts and daily Eucharistic Adoration. Our Patron Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati helped intercede for us to take our faith "To the Heights - Verso L'Alto!" May Jesus continue to draw all of these young people closer to Him.

Thank you to all who contributed in making this great camp possible!

Summer Events - Save the Dates

Sunday, July 14 - Parish Softball Game - 2pm Wolfe Park Field 4

Sunday, July 28 - Backyard Family Adoration

Monday August 26 - Backyard Family Adoration

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 this summer!

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.

Mom's group dinner gathering: Friday June 28 email Jessica for more information

Friendly Visitor Program 

If you, a loved one, or someone you know, would like a visit at home from a St Jude parishioner once a month

please contact Elizabeth Lynch 203-270-9072. 

If you are available to be a volunteer please join this group.

Knights of Columbus News

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

Items in greatest need at this time are oatmeal, chili, coffee, condiments of any kind, canned tomatoes and boxed children’s cereal.



Thank you again for your continued support!

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, Michael, Debra and Mike Patten, Louise Noll, Chrystal Archuletta and Alice Gumpert, Diane Cummings

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for June is: 

  Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

We consecrate ourselves to Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as we pray...

      JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU

Mass Intentions for   June 22 – June 30

Sat     June 22        4:30pm        Deceased members of the Henn family

Sun    June 23        7:30am        St Jude Parishioners

Sun    June 23        9:30am        Nicholas Scorza

Sun    June 23        11:30am      Rita and Ronald Broderick

Mon   June 24        9:00am        Maria Emilia Monteiro

Tue    June 25        9:00am        Theresa Tuccio

Wed   June 26        9:00am       James Tierney, Sr.

Thu    June 27        9:00am       Richard Spede

Sat     June 29        4:30pm        Pasquale and Vincenzina Cusello

Sun    June 30        7:30am        Mary Ellen Mason

Sun    June 30        9:30am        Frank Dunne

Sun    June 30        11:30am      St Jude Parishioners

Tabernacle Candle:  June: Isabel Dantas Teixeira and Lucinda Dantas

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.

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.