Reflection from Fr. Joseph

As summer continues on, many of us might be traveling to visit family or friends, some of whom might be non-Catholic Christians. Perhaps they are of a devout Protestant background, or attend a non-denominational church, and they may ask us to go with them one Sunday. Is it allowed for Catholics to attend a Protestant/Christian service? The answer is…it depends.

Most Protestant services have several things in common with our Catholic Mass. There is usually a reading from the Scriptures, worship music, and a sermon. We recognize all that is good in other Christian denominations. At the same time, there are some fundamental differences between a Protestant service and a Catholic Mass.

At its core, the Mass is a re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Calvary, made present on the altar in the Holy Eucharist. As such, it is primarily an act of God, and not something that we do. We offer the One Sacrifice of Calvary in the Holy Eucharist, allowing us access to all of the graces that Christ won for us on the Cross. In contrast, a Protestant service is primarily what people do for God – offering Him praise, reflecting on His Word. So in its very essence, there is a huge difference between how Catholics and other Christians worship: the Mass is what God does (and we are blessed to participate in it), while a worship service is what men and women do for God.

Even churches that have some form of Communion (such as Lutherans, Episcopalians, and a few other Protestant branches) do not believe the same thing we believe. They may say that it is Jesus, but their understanding is that it is a symbol of Jesus, or that we are somehow spiritually united to Him when we receive Communion. But we believe that it is not a symbol, but His true Flesh and Blood, hidden under sacramental signs. We are not just spiritually united to Him, but physically and sacramentally united to Him, so that He literally comes to dwell within our flesh.

With that said, there are many good elements in Protestant Christian worship that we acknowledge and respect. I love their emphasis on the Word of God, the fervor of their sermons, the openness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, their rich community spirit, and the passionate worship that they offer.

So, as a Catholic, it is fine to occasionally attend a Protestant church, with a few caveats. First, we must still attend a Catholic Mass on Sunday even if we are attending a Protestant church that weekend. Our obligation to “keep holy the Lord’s Day” is fulfilled by Mass, not by other Christian worship experiences. Second, we must refrain from receiving Communion in a non-Catholic church. Communion is a sign of unity within the church, and it would be dishonest to participate in the sign of unity if we are still separated from our Protestant brethren. Third, we must be able to share with our Protestant friends/family why we are Catholic, and the differences between our faiths. We must make sure we are so deeply rooted in our understanding of the Mass and our Catholic Faith that we are not in danger of having our faith shaken. Some non-Catholic services are quite good in the externals (music, preaching, community) and while we can learn a great deal from that, the Catholic Church alone has the Eucharist, which is the worship that Jesus desires (when He said, “Do this in memory of Me.”). Some Protestant services also teach doctrines that directly contradict our Catholic Faith (such as sola scriptura, the error that Scripture alone is the only authority in our faith), and we need to be able to know the differences. Finally, attending a Protestant service should be a rare occurrence, not something that becomes a regular part of our spiritual life. Although we have a great deal in common with fellow Christians, we cannot pretend that our faiths are equal. As Catholics, we believe that we have the fullness of truth and the means of salvation. 



Let us pray for the day when the sad divisions within Christianity cease, when we can all gather around the Eucharistic Altar in communion with the one true Church that Jesus Christ founded!

RECEPTION

Please join us in the Social Hall after all the SUNDAY Masses for a light Reception to say goodbye to our Seminarian Dominick Angiolillo who is returning to the Seminary to continue his studies for Priesthood.

PARISH 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEARBOOK

This is also a great opportunity to view our newly published PARISH 50th ANNIVERSARY YEARBOOK as well as see a PICTORAL HISTORY OF OUR PARISH through the past 50 years.

4:30p.m. Saturday MASS -PLEASE NOTE: Following the Mass, all are welcome to join us in the Social Hall for refreshments and to view the YEARBOOK and PICTURES.

Diocese of Bridgeport

Youth & Young Adult Program - 2024 Schedule

Day of Encounter for College Students

August 10, 2024

1:00 - 7:30 pm

Join us for worship, fellowship, service, Mass with Bishop Caggiano and more! Keynote speaker Sister Susan Francis Graham, ASCJ, will share her story. 

Schedule

1:00 pm Catechesis and small group discussion

2:30 pm Service project

3:30 pm Catechesis and small group discussion

5:00 pm Vigil Mass with Bishop Caggiano

6:00 pm Dinner with Bishop Caggiano

7:30 pm Adoration and Confession

Save the Date!

High School Youth Event with Bishop Caggiano

Saturday, September 21, 2024

3:00 - 9:30 pm

Saint Matthew, Norwalk

Young Adult Event with Bishop Caggiano

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Late afternoon/evening

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

Holy Trinity Catholic Academy Announcement

HTCA is currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 School Year. Unlike our Public School counterparts, HTCA will be using December 31st as a cut-off date for Kindergarten age requirements. Tell your friends and family. Interested families should call 203-929-4422 for more information.

If you or someone you know wants to make some extra cash, HTCA has the following positions available:

-After School Supervisors

-Part Time Spanish Teacher

-Part Time Admissions Director

For more information, please reach out to our Head of School, Mrs. Lisa Lanni, at (203) 929-4422.



Friday, August 30

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

(rain date 8/31)

More details coming soon!

Family News and Updates

Summer

BACKYARD ADORATION

this SUNDAY!

Sunday, July 28 - Backyard Family Adoration, 7 pm

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

Email Jessica for more information and to RSVP!

Saint Jude Parish has received a Foundations in Faith Grant for family formation and plans to host a Parent Retreat some time this Fall or early Spring. If you would like to be on the planning committee, email Jessica.



Part of this project will also include parent formation sessions during religious education. We are planning to offer a class during the 10:30 am Sunday session and possibly other days if interest. If you would be interested in attending a parent class during your child's religious education class, email Jessica.

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 Rosaries, click here.

If you are interested in participating in a Fall bible study, 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, 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 27 – August 4

Sat   July 27       4:30pm       John Koch

Sun  July 28       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   July 28       9:30am       Deceased members of the Bonitatibus family

Sun  July 28       11:30am     Maria Emilia Monteiro

Mon  July 29      9:00am       Patrick Ryan

Tue   July 30       9:00am       Jose Rosa

Wed  July 31       9:00am      Erika and Michael Gulyas

Thu   Aug 1         9:00am      John Braccio

Sat   Aug 3         8:30am       Jean Elizabeth DeVietro

Sat   Aug 3         4:30pm       Isabel Dantas Teixeira and Lucinda Dantas

Sun  Aug 4         7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Aug 4         9:30am       Marica Jovic and Gojko Jovic

Sun  Aug 4         11:30am     Maria Emilia Monteiro

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

                                       month for Marianne and John Hagendorf

                              August: Elaine and George Edgerton

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.