Reflection from Fr. Joseph

This news may be totally Catholic nerd-ish, so don’t feel bad if you missed the story - but recently the Vatican excommunicated a bishop who consistently and obstinately opposed Pope Francis, to the point of calling him an imposter and an anti-Pope. Not good, as he was fomenting considerable division among the Church, perhaps even fostering schism. But when people read that story, many of them wondered – what is excommunication? Do we really still practice that?



Excommunication is chemotherapy for the soul. I’m no doctor, but as I understand it, chemotherapy works by introducing destructive chemicals into the body, so that the bad cells die (and many good cells do, too) but in the hopes that the good cells will recover. In the same way, excommunication seems to cut the person off from the Church, but only so that the evil will die and the person will spiritually recover. It is meant, not to punish, but to be a medicine. It “shocks” the person awake to the gravity of their sin, so that they are able to repent.

The good news is that it’s quite hard to get excommunicated! There are only six things that will automatically get someone expelled from the Church. The six are: 1. Desecration of the Eucharist (if someone would steal it from the Church for the purpose of trampling on it or using it in occult ceremonies), 2. Physically attacking the Pope, 3. A priest who breaks the seal of Confession and reveals what someone else confessed to them, 4. If a bishop tries to ordain another man a bishop without the Pope’s permission, 5. If someone impersonates a priest (if a regular layman attempts to “hear” a confession or say Mass), 6. If a priest absolves an accomplice of the sixth commandment (in other words, if a priest absolves his lover in Confession).

All of these incur an automatic excommunication. Others can be excommunicated by decree for particularly egregious crimes (for example, some have petitioned certain bishops to excommunicate “Catholic” politicians who are pro-choice). Only the Vatican can absolve someone who has been excommunicated, and there is a special Vatican office called the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary whose role is to reconcile those who have been excommunicated.

Technically those who procure, encourage, or enable a person to get an abortion are also excommunicated, but recently Pope Francis allowed any priest to reconcile this particular sin in Confession. But the fact that it is an excommunicable offense shows its gravity!

I know this is Catholic minutia, but you may find it quite interesting! The good news is that it’s very hard to get excommunicated, and even when the Church takes this step, it is an act of great mercy, as the Church seeks to apply this strong and bitter medicine to those among the Body of Christ who are the most wounded, that they may be reconciled again to God!

FLORAL MINISTRY

On July 14^th, Msgr Sabia will celebrate the 11:30am mass at St. Jude’s. In thanksgiving for his spiritual direction, counseling, leadership and support for 36 years to the parishioners at St. Jude, the Floral Ministry has chosen apricot and white flowers for the arrangements that will be placed in front of the altar. Our choice of flowers is always prayerfully made based on the liturgical season, special feasts, and special reasons. In this case, we have been led to apricot roses and white flowers to symbolize gratitude, genuineness, sincerity and purity.

All are welcome to come watch or play in our annual Saint Jude Parish softball game this Sunday 7/14 at 2 pm.

Location: Wolfe Park Field #4 next to overflow lot/soccer field and by the fountain pond. Non-residents can easily park in the overflow lot.

Email Jessica if you plan to come so that we can have a rough headcount for our teams!

Parish News

Italian Festival News

ST JUDE ITALIAN FESTIVAL

707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe CT 06468

August 21-24, 2024

Dear business neighbors,

It’s that time of year and the Italian Festival is back!  St Jude parish is delighted to invite you to join the business sponsor program for our 34th annual Italian Festival held this year from August 21st through the 24^th. Thousands of people will be attending the festival to enjoy rides, games, raffles, nightly entertainment and of lots of great food.

For our business sponsors, we offer a display of a professionally made sign (18” x 24”) for your business throughout the festival.  As a bonus, a complete list of all the sponsors will be added to the weekly newsletter following the festival. Please complete the form below and mail into St Jude Parish by August 12^th. Please make your checks payable to St Jude Parish (707 Monroe Turnpike) or call the parish office at 203-261-6404 to pay by credit card or if you have any questions.

Business Name _____________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

Contact Person ________________________   Phone No ____________________

Check One Option

_______ One Sign ($150)                              ________ Two Signs ($250)

St. Jude Blood Drive - Saturday July 20th

A blood drive is being held in the Social Hall on Saturday, July 20 9 AM until 1:45 PM. The drive is being co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes. If you care to donate, please log into www.redcrossblood.org and search for our drive. There are quite a few slots still available. Thank you.

Blood donors report feeling a sense of great satisfaction after making their blood donation. Why? Because helping others in need just feels good. Donate blood today to help those in need.

www.redcrossblood.org

Family News and Updates

Summer Events - Save the Dates

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

Sunday, July 28 - Backyard Family Adoration, 7 pm

Monday, August 26 - Backyard Family Adoration, 6:30 pm

Friday, August 30 - End of Summer Music Festival, 5:30-7:30 pm

Email Jessica for more information and to RSVP!

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.

If you are interested in participating in a summer book club, email Jessica for more information

Knights of Columbus News

Hopeline Pregnancy Center has a continued need for disposable diapers. They are currently low on sizes 4 & 5, wipes and jars of baby food 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

With school in recess the summer now upon us our pantry needs shift a bit to with the season. Current items in greatest need are jarred pasta sauce, beans, children’s snacks and boxed cereal. Please keep checking the newsletter for additional information regarding the Knights of Columbus upcoming CHRISTMAS IN JULY food drive to be conducted at Stop & Shop the week of July 27-28. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

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, 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, Darryl Patterson, Michael, Debra and Mike Patten, Louise Noll, Chrystal Archuletta and Alice Gumpert, Diane Cummings, Chloe Capra

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.

Our Petition for July is:  NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL PILGRIMAGE

May the graces and fruits of this Holy Spirit-

inspired Pilgrimage be a source of healing, conversion and increased devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in our hearts, our Diocese and our Country...  

       We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  July 13 – July 21

Sat   July 13       4:30pm       Pietro Michele Guerrera

Sun  July 14       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   July 14       9:30am       Joe Buturla, Jr

Sun  July 14       11:30am     Enzo and Alda Melissano

Mon  July 15      9:00am       Special blessings on the 1^st wedding anniversary of       John and Marianne Hagendorf

Tue   July 16       9:00am       Henry Nicolett

Wed  July 17       9:00am      Isabel Everett

Thu   July 18       9:00am      Yolanda Angelini

Sat   July 20       4:30pm       Lori Conwell

Sun  July 21       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   July 21       9:30am       The Pinto and DeAndrade Family

Sun  July 21       11:30am     Brett Southard

Tabernacle Candle: July: Blessings during the 1^st wedding anniversary

                                       month for Marianne and John Hagendorf

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 and may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses

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.