ANNUAL BISHOP'S APPEAL:
Kathy and Stratford Wallace are dedicated to assisting the poor in our community and around the world. In 2007, Kathy and Strat offered a generous gift to Bishop Lori to purchase a mobile unit to establish a new program in Danbury. We launched Morning Glory, a community service sponsored by Catholic Charities to serve nutritious breakfast to the poor and needy in the region. On the first day of operation, Bishop Lori visited with student volunteers of Immaculate High School who serve breakfast for the Morning Glory Program. We are also in partnership with Western Connecticut State University and New Hope Baptist Church. Michele Conderino, our Program Coordinator drives the mobile unit each day to serve those in need. Morning Glory is one example of the impact that your support makes through the 2008 Living Our Faith Annual Bishop’s Appeal. For every dollar raised in the Appeal for Catholic Charities, we are able to leverage $10 in private and public funding. Please consider supporting the Appeal this year. If you have already made your gift to this year’s Appeal – thank you! If you haven’t done so yet, your help is still very much needed. Every gift makes a difference. Early gift pledges allow a payment plan. Many companies offer a matching gift program. You may also visit www.bridgeportdiocese.com to make a pledge or donate by credit card. Please participate in the Appeal to the best of your ability. Pray for its success and let us remember God’s love for us and the grace and blessings of sharing that which we have with others. Pastoral Plan-Active in Charity

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS INTO HEAVEN:
The Ascension was the “going up” into Heaven of Christ by His own power in the presence of the Apostles, the Blessed Mother and the disciples 40 days after the Resurrection (Acts 1:6-12). We who believe are given the promise that we shall one day share His glory.

ASCENSION THURSDAY IS A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
Wed. April 30 - Vigil Mass 7:30pm
Thur. May 1 - Masses 9:00am, 5:30pm, 7:30pm

ALTAR SERVERS FOR ASCENSION MASSES:
Wed. April 30 7:30pm Teams A, B, C
Thurs. May 1 5:30pm Teams D, E, F
Thurs. May 1 7:30pm Teams G, H, I

HOLY HOUR:
Please join us on Fri., May 2, 7:30-8:30pm for our First Friday Holy Hour. Pastoral Plan-The Liturgy

HELP WANTED:
Our Retired Priest Ministry has to be updated. We have to find out the newly retired priests and then contact them to see if they wish to be sponsored by parishioners. We then publish their names on the bulletin board in the church vestibule for parishioners to choose. Retired priests like to receive cards throughout the year from parishioners. Want to help in the ministry? Please attend our meeting on Tues., April 29 at 7:30pm in Room 104 of the Parish Center.

ALLELUIA CHOIR:
We invite men and women who have a free hour in the morning to sing at funerals. No rehearsals. And come when you can. Call the Parish Office to add your name to the call list.

CHILDREN’S MASS:
Thank you to the following for their help in Sunday's 4/20/08 Children's Mass. Readers: Brittany W., Meghan N. and Zacob Z. Petitioners: Emily Z., Sam N., Johnny M. and Gianna P. Offertory: Sophia P., Katie Z., Ava P., Claire M., David V., Robert M., Caroline G. and Anna M. Thanks to the members of the committee who helped on and behind the scenes - see you in May!

PENTECOST:
We celebrate Pentecost on May 11. We would like to continue our tradition of having some petitions read in foreign languages on Pentecost Sunday. This is an external way to show that our Church is universal – Catholic. Do you speak a second language (German, Portuguese, Polish, etc.)? Would you like to read a petition for the Prayer of the Faithful? The petitions are already written in the foreign language. Please call the Parish Office (261-6404) to volunteer. We also invite all parishioners to wear something red at the Masses on Pentecost Sunday. A symbol for Pentecost is the Flame – the tongue of fire, the power of the Holy Spirit.

ALTAR SERVERS:
Do you have any extra white albs at home? If so, please return them to the Sacristy so other servers may use them.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT:
When asked to volunteer and help, be empowered to say YES! Join the 1,235 parish/school volunteers in compliance. All volunteers 18 and over must do the 4 part mandate. Plan ahead and be ready to volunteer for Rel. Ed., School, Emmaus, all committees and ministries.
Seminars are scheduled throughout the diocese. Next parish sponsored seminar here is May 10. Call the Parish Office for dates and to register: 261-6404.
*Video/Discussion Virtus "Protecting God's Children"
*Policy & Procedures Signed Receipt
*Background Check
*Code of Conduct Receipt
If you attended a seminar in another location, please return the paperwork to the parish office. Pastoral Plan-Adult Enrichment

BAPTISM POLICY:
Please prepare for the baptism before the baby is born by attending a Pre-Baptism class which is held the 1st Sunday of every month. Call the Parish Office to register for the class. The Catholic Godparents chosen should go to their pastors to get a letter stating that they are qualified to act as godparents for Baptism. After receiving both Godparents’ letter and filling out the baptismal registration form, bring them to the Parish Office. Baptism celebrations are held on the 2nd Sunday of every month. No date may be set for the baptism until all the papers have been received in the parish office.

VBS 2008:
Son World Adventure Park. Our Vacation Bible School program has been very successful due to the wonderful volunteers that donate their time and talents during the VBS week. VBS will be held the week of July 14-18 from 9am – Noon. We are looking for volunteers to fill the following Coordinator positions for us: Recreation, Youth Aides, Crafts, and Teachers. Please consider volunteering to ensure our children are given the opportunity to have a beautiful and safe week experiencing Jesus’ awesome LOVE! To volunteer, please call Donna Lane at 459-4852. Pastoral Plan-Inspiring Youth

SAINT JUDE RELIGIOUS GIFT SHOP:
Many Communion & Confirmation gifts/sets, bibles, rosaries, ties, medals, statues and new items. Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-2pm. Located in the Parish Center (school).

CHILDREN’S LITURGY:
On Sun., May 18 our 9:00 Mass will be celebrated with our youngest parishioners in mind. Please join us for the planning meeting in Msgr. Sabia’s office on Tues., May 6, 7:00-8:00pm.

STORE CARDS:
St. Jude School will be taking orders for Big Y gift cards throughout the month of April. Please use the order form insert and drop off with your check at the School office. We also have Stop & Shop cards available in the school office. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Beth Rauser at 925-0710. Thank you for your support!

BOOK FEST!:
Mark your calendars for Book Fest! Which will be featured at Hospitality Sunday, in the Social Hall on May 4, after the 9:00 and 10:30 Masses. Browse through a wide selection of Catholic books, bibles, and music cd’s for your reading and listening enjoyment. Book Fest! Has something for all ages…children, teens and adults. Stock up on gifts for all those important occasions including First Communion, Confirmation, Mother’s and Father’s Day, graduations and birthdays. Book Fest! Is quick and convenient. All purchases are tax free. Profits from this parish-based project will go to a children’s book fund. Only cash or checks can be accepted. For more information, please contact: Cathy Ritch 452-5918, cathydennyritch@cs.com or call Therese Romano 445-0395.

PARISH REGISTRATION:
We welcome all Monroe residents to our Parish Community. Please register at the Parish Office Mon.-Fri., 9:00am to 5:00pm. We want to know and serve you, and hope you become an active part of our parish family. Parishioners please notify the Parish Office regarding change of address or phone number.

HOSPITAL VISITS:
When hospitalized at either Bridgeport or St. Vincent’s Hospital – please be aware that there are strict legal and ethical guidelines regarding patient information given by the hospital to clergy. Therefore, if you are hospitalized and desire pastoral support, you or your family members must do two things: First, notify us of your hospitalization several days before a scheduled admission. Second, upon admission to the hospital, state that you are Catholic and you’re a St. Jude (Monroe) Parishioner for inclusion in your medical record. If you fail to do either of the above, the clergy have no way of knowing you are a patient at the hospital. Please note: If a family member is admitted to the hospital through the emergency room, they might not be included in the list given to clergy. Please call the Parish Office to inform us of the admission.

PAPER REQUEST:
Is your company merging or changing its logo? The Parish Office, Religious Education Office and School Office would make good use of cases of 8˝ x 11 paper for copying fliers, etc. Please call the Parish Office at 261-6404.

TRAVELING:
Nationwide Mass locations and times are available at 1-800-MASS TIMES and www.masstimes.org

SCHOOL NEWS

1. Registration is ongoing for Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. Please call the school office for information. (261-3619)
2. Save the date: Golf Tournament, Mon., May 19.

HAPPENINGS IN THE DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT
If you are looking for a special group call
the CatholicCenter @ 372-4301.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY CATHOLIC:
The monthly newspaper of the Diocese of Bridgeport is mailed free of charge to every Catholic household in Fairfield County. If you are not receiving Fairfield County Catholic, please call 203-372-4301 ext. 452 or email your name and address to: fcc@diobpt.org

CT CATHOLIC CONFERENCE:
The CT Catholic Conference has created a new web site (www.ctcatholic.org) to help keep you informed, and educated, on current issues of concern to CT Catholics. Please visit the web site, save it as a favorite site to visit, and sign-up to receive informative emails and action alerts related to pending State/Federal legislation.

DIOCESAN VOCATIONS WEBSITE:
HEAR THE CALL! Please visit the Vocations website of the Diocese of Bridgeport, www.HearTheCall.org, for info on upcoming events and activities for men and women, as well as a schedule of prayer requests and intentions.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Bishop William Lori has started a "blog" to share news, perspectives, and information about the Church directly and frequently. The blog is for everyone with a Internet connection. Simply log onto www.BishopLoriBlog.org to read the latest post or ask a question. Bishop Lori intends to have a new post each week and answer some questions from previous posts. Please visit and participate in this new way to communicate and share perspectives on our faith!

WORLD YOUTH DAY:
World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI will be held in Sydney, Australia, July 12-24, 2008. The Diocese of Bridgeport is organizing a pilgrimage for youth, parents, and adults. Registration is OPEN. The itinerary begins with a New York City departure on July 12 and arrival to Sydney on July 14 in time for the opening ceremonies the following day. Subsequent mornings will be taken up with catechesis, with festivals following in the afternoon. Pope Benedict will join the celebration on July 17 and celebrate a closing Mass on July 20. The trip concludes on July 24th. The pilgrimage package includes: roundtrip airfare, taxes and fees, WYD registration fees; budget accommodations; transportation; meals during the WYD, and tours of the South Coast and Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and a Sydney Harbour Cruise. The total cost is $3,506. For more information, please contact Sr. Ana Montoya: 203-416-1449 or e-mail srmontoya@diobpt.org, or visit www.officepastoralservices.org/world.htm.

NEW MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM:
“Together In Life and Love” is a two day program conducted every month (except July/August) throughout the diocese. Couples intending to marry must attend both days of the program. Please contact the Parish Office at least nine months prior to the wedding.

YOU ARE INVITED
to register online now to join Bishop William Lori and the Diocese of Bridgeport at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, June 14-23. A dedicated link is posted on the diocesan website, www.bridgeportdiocese.com. Please come as a family for this "Eucharistic Vacation"!

SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER CAMPS:
The Sequela Christi Camp for Girls will be held Mon.-Fri., June 23-27, and the Quo Vadis Days Camp for Boys will be held Sun.-Thurs., June 29-July 3, at the Seton/Neumann Center on the campus of Immaculate High School, Danbury. The Camps are open to boys and girls ages 13-18. There is a $25 registration fee per camper. To register, please visit www.HearTheCall.org. If you have any questions or need additional materials, please contact the Office of Vocations at (203) 322-5331 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.

PASTORAL PLAN:
In today's second reading, Saint Peter instructs us: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope." We have to know our faith. Have we read the Catechism of the Catholic Church or its compendium? If we do, we will surely be able to evangelize those in our life. Ours is a religion of hope, hope based on God and His salvation. Everyone - whether or not he or she knows it - is seeking God, hope and salvation. Be ready to share our divine faith with those who ask you. For more ideas on how to show the world God, hope and salvation, check out our Diocesan Pastoral Plan at www.footstepsofchrist.org.

MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES CELEBRATION:
Bishop William E. Lori will celebrate a Mass, in which the commemoration of significant marriage anniversaries will occur, at Saint Theresa Church, Trumbull, on Sun., June 1, at 3pm. Bishop Lori will be the homilist and will administer both the renewal of marriage vows and the presentation of commemorative certificates. Couples who have or will be celebrating (during the months of January - June, 2007) one of the following wedding anniversaries -- 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, and 50-plus years -- are invited to participate with family and friends. Interested couples should register with the parish office as soon as possible. The deadline for registration is May 19.

U Remember in your prayers the sick of the parish!

SAINT JUDE YOUTH GROUP!!

All teens (6th-12th grade) are welcome. Any questions or if you would like a copy of our Mission Statement - please call the parish office at 261-6404. The Mission Statement is also available on the Youth Group Page of our website.

1. .5 HOUR OF PRAYER:
   Every Thursday 7:00-7:30pm. Each week we will offer prayer for a Special Intention:
   5/1 For the handicapped, for increased awareness of their needs, and for all who share their challenges.
2. YOUTH: Gr. 6-8, gym, Fri., 5/2, 6-8pm.
3. EMMAUS: Reunion #2, 5:30 on Sun., 5/4.
4. YOUTH BOARD: Tues., 5/6 at 7:30pm.
5. 18 YRS AND OLDER: Please attend a Safe Environment Seminar and be ready for all youth and parish activities.