FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR 

November 26, 2021

Dear friends in Christ,

As we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent this weekend, we also mark the beginning of a new liturgical year: the Year of Grace 2022. The liturgical year is called the “Year of Grace” because by our participation in it, we remember all the mighty deeds God has done for us, and we allow God the opportunity to pour out his grace into our hearts. The start of a new year is always a new beginning. This year, as we hopefully move beyond COVID, is good time to get back to the basics of our faith. It is a good time to make some “new year of grace” resolutions. Let me suggest a few to help us grow in our sacramental life together.

1.  Take some time to reflect on the readings before coming to Sunday Mass.  By reflecting on God’s Word throughout the week, you will hear the word of the Lord speak to you more profoundly.

2.   Come to Mass a little earlier. Allow yourself five to ten minutes to pray and prepare as an individual or as a family before entering into the liturgy. You would be amazed at what difference this makes. We take time to prepare in every important thing we do, and what could be more important that our weekly encounter with the Lord!

3.   Come to Daily Mass - one in a while, once a week, or every day! At St. Jude, Daily Mass is offered Monday,

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9AM.  What a great way to grow in the Lord and sanctify the day.

4.   Take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We all need God’s mercy. It is a great way to remove those things from our lives which hinder us from following the Lord and loving our neighbor as we should. Confessions are heard at St. Jude every Saturday from 3:30-4:30 pm.  This year we will once again have an Advent penance services with individual confession on Monday, December 13 at 7 PM

5. Make daily prayer a priority - as an individual and as family. Pray the rosary together after dinner. Take 20 minutes in quiet prayer to speak to God and listen to him. The time set aside to converse with God will nurture your most important relationship and will strengthen you and bear you up through many things.

Let us make this new Year of Grace a year for the Lord to transform us into the disciples he desires us to be.   May God bless you throughout this Advent season of preparation for the coming of the Lord!

ADVENT GIVING TREES

Once again, the Giving Trees are up at St. Jude.  Please take a tag or two and go shopping for someone in need. to brighten their Christmas. It is a wonderful way to get into the spirit of the season and brighten the Christmas season; by looking after others before ourselves, we are emulating God’s generosity to us.

STEWARDSHIP

Thank you to the many who have returned your stewardship commitment cards.  Your generosity amazes me. As a parish, we need everyone’s help to do God’s work. If you haven’t returned a pledge card, I invite you to pray over how God is calling you to give throughout the coming year and return your card either in hard copy or online.  Even if you are an online giver, it is important to pray over and return your card. This helps us plan for the future. Many thanks to you al

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS, AND MANY OF THE WOMEN OF THE PARISH

I want to thank the folks who, over the last several weeks, have a given a deep cleaning to the church and made it sparkle.  We so appreciate all your wonderful efforts.  It looks great!

A blessed Advent to you all!

Fr. Johnson

A PRAYER FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Eternal God, your promise is spoken in the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, in the dream of Joseph. Your promise is spoken, eternal God, and takes flesh at last in the womb of the virgin. May Christ find welcome in our hearts, take flesh in our lives, and be for all peoples the welcome advent of redemption and grace. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose Day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen