Reflection from Fr. Joseph

Last week I went golfing for the first time in ten years. A couple days before the event, the parishioner who invited me sent an email and said, “Just a reminder that you have to wear a collared shirt – the clubhouse told me that your priestly collar will count!”

My attire at the golf outing wasn’t even on my radar screen! I was honestly thinking of going in a tee-shirt – I’m glad he reminded me that it wouldn’t be appropriate! But as summer wanes into fall, it got me thinking about the attire that we wear at Mass.

I must admit that I have done a 180 about this issue in my life. I went to Mass daily in college, and I was the consummate slob – didn’t even comb my hair (when I had hair!) or bother to shower half the time. It’s only now as an adult (and a priest) that I see the value of presenting one’s best to God.

Whenever I speak about dressing up for Mass, I inevitably get the same response – “God doesn’t care what we wear! God’s just lucky that we are coming. Don’t we want to be welcoming?” Permit me to address these three objections.

First, it is absolutely true that God is not so petty as to be offended by what we are wearing. Rather, we wear fine clothes because we want to respect the One we are visiting (and receiving). We do it for us – because we act differently when we take the trouble to dress appropriately. I notice that I act better when I am wearing my collar, so I try to wear it everywhere.

If we are invited to dinner at a friend’s house, we don’t wear pajamas or mud-stained clothes. We want to honor the person we are visiting, so we do it for them. Would they still love us if we didn’t? Yeah, probably. But what would that say about our opinion of them? We think so little of them that we can’t take the time to clean up, dress a bit more finely than our usual lounge-clothes? So it is with us – it shows that we love God when we go to a greater effort to make ourselves presentable. We’re not going to the movies – we’re going to the House of God.

Second, God is not satisfied with just showing up. That’s the bare minimum – but authentic love doesn’t want to give merely the minimum, but the maximum to the Other. How sad it would be for a Christian to say to God, “I will give You only what I am obligated, and nothing more. An hour on Sunday, but I will not go to any extra effort.” How sad! Plus, God is not “fortunate” to have us show up – it is the other way around. He has invited us to a banquet with every grace and blessing – we are the fortunate ones to be welcomed into His house!

Finally, we do want to be welcoming? Of course! We should “come as we are”, but the Lord never wants toleave us where we are. He wants to take us into a deeper relationship with Him, which involves not only the spiritual preparation of a clean soul but also the physical preparation of our bodies to reflect our inner dignity. We are body and soul, and our soul is impacted by our bodies and what we wear.

Plus, dressing finely shows respect for others around us. It helps take attention off of ourselves and directs it to the Lord, where it belongs. It helps elevate the whole community, because when we realize that others take their worship and prayer seriously, it will be easier for us to do the same. Recently I attended a concert at Carnegie Hall, and was amazed by the formal wear of the patrons (and felt totally out-of-place in my hoodie!). Because of everyone’s attire, the entire event had a sense of dignity, elegance, beauty – it was a communal experience of enjoying something profound together.

So, I would like to propose that we take a look at our clothing when we attend Mass. A good minimum is “business casual” – would I wear this to the office? Things like collared shirts, nice shoes, and pants or skirt show a greater dignity and are worthy of the Lord.

Of course there are exceptions to this. If you’re coming from the beach or sports field, and are running late and have no time to change, I’d rather you come to Mass dressed casually than not attend Mass at all. But most of the time I believe we can “step it up”. Maybe bring a change of clothes to the sports field so you can change before heading to church. Maybe it means setting out our clothes the night before, so we are ready. A little bit of effort, for the Lord, will multiply graces in our community and in our souls!

Monday Adoration Resumes - Adorers Needed!

Once again this year, we will be offering weekly Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9am-9pm, starting Monday, September 9th. We are in need of parishioners who can commit to a weekly Holy Hour of Adoration in the presence of the Lord Himself in the Eucharist! If you are interested, please sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A45ABA62FA0F49-monday#/ . Even if you are unable to commit, please make an effort to stop by the Church to visit Our Lord and keep Him company on Mondays - He will richly reward you with graces beyond measure!

Red Cross Blood Drive

The Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes are co-sponsoring a blood donation drive in the St. Jude Social Hall, 707 Monroe Turnpike on Saturday, September 21, 9 AM until 2 PM. If you would care to donate, you can schedule a time slot at www.redcrossblood.org. Blood donations during the summer are decreased because of vacations and supplies are lowered. This drive has the ability to add many new pints into the Connecticut supply.

Thank you. Frank Flynn

Diocese of Bridgeport

Save the Dates!

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

St Jude-St Stephen Seniors

The St Jude-St Stephen Seniors will meet on Thursday, September 12th at 1:00 PM in the St Jude Social Hall.

We will view and share our thoughts on a video from the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in July.

All are welcome. No need to register.

Any questions, or if you need transportation to the meeting, please contact:

Ellen or Doug at 203-268-9229

GIFTOBERFEST!

The Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will be hosting their GIFTOBERFEST! fundraiser taking place throughout the month of October.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to various charitable efforts that the Columbiettes sponsor, such as special needs camperships, Hopeline, the St. Jude Food Pantry, support for local veterans organizations and Christmas baskets for the disadvantaged.

GIFTOBERFEST! Is a raffle that consists of a daily drawing from October 1-31, 2024. Each day a gift card in various denominations will be awarded to a lucky winner. Participants can win multiple times. Raffle tickets will be $10.00 each and are good for the entire month.

The Columbiettes will be selling tickets after Saturday and Sunday masses at St. Jude’s Church at 707 Monroe Turnpike throughout September or if you would like to purchase a ticket and cannot attend mass, please contact Elizabeth Edgerton at 203-258-3354 or Jan DeMayo at 203-520-9796 or Debra Gallant at 203-414-9861 or you can email eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

For additional information, please call (203) 258-3354 or e-mail eaedgerton24@gmail.com.

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference

The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will take place this year on September 21, 2024 at North West Catholic H.S. West Hartford , CT. The Keynote speaker will be Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes, CPM. This is a day of spiritual reflection, prayer, and fellowship with Catholic men from across the state. To access more information on this faith filled day please visit https://ctcatholicmen.org/.

If you wish to attend, the cost will be covered by St. Jude. 

For further questions please email Ken Noonan at  kjnoonan19@gmail.com or call at 914-837-3588. This is an opportunity open to all the men of the parish. There may be a chance for carpooling also for this truly inspiring day.

Family News and Updates

Our monthly digital subscription to Rooted Magazine has arrived for September, the month of the Our Lady of Sorrows and celebrating the upcoming feast day of Saint Padre Pio!

It is full of ways to bring the faith alive to children and families.

Check out the latest issue here! You can also view any past issues that you may have missed here!

Copies will be available at the Family Ministry Table in the vestibule.

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 joining us in our 54 day rosary novena or have input on Fall events, email Jessica

Knights of Columbus News

Tootsie Roll Drive

The Knights of Columbus will conduct its annual campaign to raise funds to help adults, teens, and children with intellectual disabilities over two weekends on September 21^st and 22^nd and October 5^th and 6^th. Knights of Columbus volunteers collecting donations will be wearing bright yellow aprons and handing out Knights of Columbus branded Tootsie Rolls in front of Stop & Shop, Capital Spirits and Dunkin Donuts in Monroe and Stop & Shop in Newtown. 100% of your contribution goes toward Knights of Columbus programs helping people with intellectual disabilities including the Southbury Training School, a local home for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

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.

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, Tom Pleva, James Buturla, Patti F., Anne DeVita, Anna Harper, Jack Lane, Frank Kerekes, 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, Mildred Blasko, Father Krzysztof, and Baby Henry Taylor, Garren Kiett, Becky M., Flo Guite, Michael, and Donna, Darryl Patterson, Louise Noll, Chrystal Archuletta and Alice Gumpert, Diane Cummings, Chloe Capra, Irma Camacho, Lucy Hanson, Mia

Please join us in praying our Monthly Parish Intention.



Our Petition for September is:

We pray our schools are a welcoming place for our students and teachers, and that parents are assured their family values

are being protected...

   We pray to the Lord

Mass Intentions for  September 7 – September 15

Sat    Sept 7         8:30am       Nicole LaQuesse

Sat   Sept 7         4:30pm       Efrem Ortiz

Sun  Sept 8         7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Sept 8         9:30am       John and Gladys Maloney

Sun  Sept 8         11:30am     Lorraine and Henry Pacheco

Mon  Sept 9         9:00am       Ben Seamons

Tue   Sept 10       9:00am       Silio Costantini

Wed  Sept 11       9:00am      Robert Atkin

Thu   Sept 12       9:00am      Stephanie Stanley

Fri    Sept 13       9:00am       Thomas Byrne

Sat   Sept 14       4:30pm       The Lluch Family

Sun  Sept 15       7:30am       St Jude Parishioners

Sun   Sept 15       9:30am       Bill Thibodeau

Sun  Sept 15       11:30am     Maria Emilia Monteiro

Tabernacle Candle: In memory of Deceased members of the

                                               Tranzillo and Bonitatibus families

Wine and Hosts: In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Piazza



Adoration Candles: In memory of Andrew Henn

Weekday Masses (Monday thru Friday) 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

Men’s Bible Study resumes: All men are invited to join for a discussion-based Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 8am in the School Meeting Room beginning September 14, as we study the week’s Sunday readings. 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.