St. Jude Newsletter A quarterly newsletter dedicated to nurturing the growth and community of St. Jude Parish Oct. Dec. 2015 Why do we have a Patron Saint? By Father Jake St. Jude, our Patron, pray for us. We have probably heard this many times in our lives, but what does it mean to have a patron? Today, when we think about patrons, we think about people who donate money for things like the arts or sports programs. But, the notion of a patron saint goes back to the ancient Roman notion of patronage. In the Roman culture, the Patron (or Patronus) was much more than simply a financial benefactor. The Patronus was understood as the protector or provider. The Patronus would provide legal representation, would help attain loans, would support his cliens when they ran for political office. The Patronus did not simply write checks. Instead, the Patronus supported and encouraged the cliens in all aspects of life. No wonder the Church has used this word to represent the relationship that we have with the saints. The saints are our protectors, defenders, models, and examples. The way I see it, there are two main reasons why we have the devotion to the Saints. First, they are courageous examples of the faith. Second, they can pray for us today. The role of this modern Patronus is to support and encourage all of us by prayer and example. St. Jude lived a courageous life of faith. It s true that we don t have too much biographical information about him, but we know he was a follower of Christ and that he died in witness to the faith. We also know that through the power of St. Jude s intercession, so many people have received the answer to prayer. St. Jude known as the patron of hopeless causes. So, we should never hesitate to place things in his hands. His example and prayers continue to inspire us all today. Just as the Patronus would protect, support, and encourage his people in ancient Rome. St. Jude continues to protect, support, and encourage all of us in our daily struggles. St. Jude our Patron, pray for us.
O C T O B R St. Jude Seniors are Out and About The St. Jude Seniors group keeps busy with monthly activities ranging from lunches at local restaurants; plays at Wagon Wheel Playhouse, Blue Gate Theater, and various Fort Wayne theaters; museum trips, factory tours, sculpture tours; talks and dinner here at St. Jude; and other activities suggested by our Seniors. The group is open to anyone 50 or older (or anyone who enjoys spending time with Seniors). We have a busy fall planned and you (and your friends) are invited to join us for any of these activities: Please call the Parish Office (484-6609) to reserve a spot for any of these events or for more info. October Senior Activity Thursday, Oct. 15-3:15 in church An afternoon with Dr. Valentino Piran, our new music director, as he talks about the role of music in liturgy, shares some music and answers questions. After that, we ll gather in the basement for a simple supper. Respect Life Committee The Respect Life Committee of St. Jude helps the parish focus on greater respect for all life, the unborn, those with disabilities, and the elderly. Our mission is to show each person the love of Christ. As uniquely created individuals, we each have unique gifts which we are called to use to share Christ s love. We are continually given opportunities to do so in our interactions with the cashier at the grocery store, our spouses, children, friends and even the people we encounter in traffic. ach of these moments is valuable beyond our realization. We may never know how much a simple gesture of compassion may affect someone s life. October is Respect Life Month To celebrate life, we at St. Jude are involved in several events: *From October 1-October 16, the students at St. Jude School are asked to make an poster and for some an essay and for the Jr. High write about the Dignity of all Life by choosing a topic that is most dear to them. The Daily Prayer for Life will also be passed out to each student and will be prayed in the classrooms for the month of October. It is a busy time of year for students, so taking a moment each day to think about all life and it s great value to us is so important. *October 2 was one of St. Jude s Unified Prayer for Life Days at St. Jude Adoration Chapel *October 4 was a Memorial for the Unborn at Catholic Cemetery at 2pm. This important event gives us a chance to honor the short lives of these children and pray for their mothers and all who are or have been affected by abortion. *October 18 is our second day of St. Jude s Unified Prayer for Life at St. Jude Adoration Chapel. *January 16, 2016 will be the Fort Wayne March for Life, an annual pro-life rally protesting abortion. To find out more about St. Jude Respect Life committee, contact the parish office at 484-6609. The committee is welcoming new members and if you feel called to join this ministry, please contact us. 2
Remembering our Deceased Loved Ones November Senior Activity: Please call the Parish Office (484-6609) for reservations for this event. Meet Dr. Valentino Piran Throughout the month of November we pray in a special way for all our deceased loved ones. You are invited to inscribe the names of recently deceased family and friends in the book near the baptismal font. Names that you ve written there in previous years will continue to be included in our prayer. Join us for 7am Mass on all Soul s Day, November 2, as the church throughout the world prays for our beloved dead. On Saturday, November 7, at the 8:15am Mass we will especially remember those who have passed away in the last year. Following Mass, the Social Action Committee will sponsor a Grief Workshop from 9 noon. This year s Presenter will be Deacon Jim Tighe. In his presentation, "Grieving with God", he will talk about recognizing and healing the symptoms of grief and how God walks with us on the journey of grief. Wednesday, November 11 noon lunch at Wu s Chinese Restaurant at 4411 Coldwater Rd Our November adult education night will provide a chance to meet and hear from our new music director, Dr. Valentino Piran, as he talks on the role of sacred music in the liturgy, shares his vision for music at St. Jude Parish, and offers time for questions and answers. We begin with Mass at 6pm, followed by a potluck supper at 6:30. Valentino will speak at 7pm in church and we ll close with night prayer at 7:45. You re welcome to come for any part of this evening. Meat will be provided for the potluck; please bring a dish or dessert to share. N O V M B R Vocation Awareness Week Nov. 1-7, 2015 National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual weeklong celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. Go to www.usccb.org to learn more about vocations. At St. Jude, students will be writing and sending care packages to their adopted seminarians. We will also continue the schoolwide vocation question contest among the classes. Prayer To Know One's Vocation Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you, to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings. I know that you are in all things, and that every path can lead me to you. But of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me: into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart, to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love, with all my mind, and with all of my strength right to the end. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen 3
The Giving Tree St. Jude Advent Reconciliation Service Thursday, Dec. 17, 7:00 p.m. D C By Bernie & Lois Jozwiak The weekend prior to Thanksgiving, the Giving Tree will be placed in the back of church and will be filled with tags identifying needs of parishioners. After Masses on that weekend, parishioners will select a tag from the Giving Tree and purchase the requested item(s) to be returned December 5 th and 6 th. M On December 6 following the 11:00 A.M. Mass, parishioners will assist in moving and sorting of the Parents gifts and in delivery of gifts to the home bound or the nursing homes. We are always in great need of Day Out B parishioners willing to deliver gifts to the home bound and the nursing homes. Over the years, a number of individuals and families have found this very rewarding. Some have even developed friendships with the recipients. Saturday, Dec. 12 The Giving Tree started back in 1992 and every Junior High Youth year since the parish has provided Christmas gifts for Group will be providing families needing support. In 1993 we added gifts for a FR babysitting the parishioners in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living R facilities, and home bound. In 2006 we added tags service for the parents of for assistance with utilities, gasoline, and groceries children ages 0-5th grade. which are distributed throughout the calendar year. There will be games, The gifts are many times the only gift the nursing crafts, movies, coloring, home and home bound parishioners receive. very story-telling and a pizza year the parish receives thank you notes from the lunch. The day will recipients after Christmas. Some of the notes are begin at 10:00 am and written by the children thanking for the toys they wanted so badly and received! Some notes are from run until 4:00 pm. adults thankful that their families were provided for at a time when they were struggling. Other notes are December Senior Activity: written by parishioners who are confined to their Please call Mary Pohlman at the Parish Office (484- homes and are just thankful for being remembered 6609) for reservations and final details of this event. by the parish. Please help us provide a gift for a fellow parishioner by selecting a tag, purchasing the desired gift, Thursday, December 3 musical, Our Christmas wrapping it, and returning it on or before the date on Dinner at Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana the tag. We have many loyal, dedicated volunteers who Join us for this humorous play about family, tradition, holiday expectations, unexpected guests and the return year after year to assist with the project for whom we are extremely grateful; however, we are RAL meaning of Christmas. Lunch and show will always in need of volunteers to help sort the gifts or to deliver the gifts to a homebound or nursing home cost between $42 45. We ll leave FW about 9:30 parishioner. Please consider volunteering. If you and return about 4:30. are interested, please contact the parish office. 4
ST. JUD CATHOLIC CHURCH A D V N T P R A Y R S R V I C An evening of meditative singing praying together with Word and Song Thursday, December 3 rd after the 6:00 p.m. Mass D C M B R by John Offerle More Than Meets the ye If your tendency is to glance at the bottom line of a financial report you would say we had a pretty good year here at St. Jude last fiscal year. And that would be true. But there is a lot more to it than that, like how that happened. Most of last year s increase in Bequests/Donations income had to do with the proceeds from two large estates totaling over $528,000 and designated donations of almost $61,000 towards the new bleachers in school, the new St. Jude Statue, a new stove, refrigerator and freezer in the parish hall kitchen, and for the updates and improvements on the new rectory. In the Other Income a rather large portion of it was from the sale of the rectory and Deacon Fred s house. So, we are very grateful to those benefactors and donators who obviously embraced the life of stewardship and who helped us to finish the year in the black. They also allowed us to not only get the improvements noted above but also to install a new phone system for the campus, to paint the church ceiling, install new speakers in the church, put in new HVAC controls in the school and church, to upgrade and repair our air conditioning system in the church and do some needed repairs on the parts of the school HVAC system. As you glance at the School Income note that most of the increase was due to increase in our tuition. But another new piece was from another benefactor who left a large estate to the parish with the yearly interest from it going to help our school each year. Actual Actual July 1, 2014- July 1, 2013- June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014 Church Income: Offertory 1,353,203 1,370,456 Bequests/Donations 631,554 98,969 Other 193,631 80,172 Sub-total 2,178,388 1,549,597 School Income: Tuition/fees/etc. 1,760,774 1,603,636 Total Income 3,939,162 3,153,233 Church xpenses: Personnel 495,075 503,675 Maintenance 185,887 62,695 Utilities 54,501 51,002 Other 277,488 281,190 Sub-total 1,012,951 898,562 School xpenses: Personnel 1,987,026 1,887,427 Maintenance 119,173 95,990 Utilities 66,174 66,733 Other 203,030 218,288 Sub-total 2,375,403 2,268,438 Total xpenses 3,388,354 3,167,000 Building/Property Improvements 339,942 98,583 Total xpenditures 3,728,296 3,265,583 Finally when looking at our expenses you may notice that there were three that really went up much. The Maintenance for both the church and school were up with the church side because of the steeple repair, the church ceiling painting, other repairs of the HVAC system outside of the ones noted above, and the updates and improvements to the rectory, as noted above. On the school side it was some additional repairs of the HVAC system other than those noted earlier and the overall increase in costs of supplies. The other expense that went up much was the School xpenses: Personnel which was mostly due to salary, health insurance, and retirement benefit increases and the number of those who were on health insurance. 5
A D V N T A N D C H R I S T M A S A T S T. J U D First Sunday of Advent Mass Nov. 28 5:00 pm Nov. 29 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Food Collection, all Masses Anointing of Sick 12:30 pm --Begin Year C of the Sunday Lectionary, the year of St. Luke-- Advent Prayer Service Dec. 3 after 6:00 pm Mass A time to STOP and center our lives toward the Advent season with prayers and simple melodies. -- Dec. 6, St. Nicholas, bishop Second Sunday of Advent Mass Dec. 5 5:00 pm Dec. 6 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Giving Tree Gifts, all Masses Immaculate Conception Mass Dec. 8 6:30, 8:15, 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. Holy Day of Obligation --Dec. 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas and of Mexico --Dec. 13, St. Lucy, virgin, martyr Vigil Mass of Christmas Dec. 24 4:30 pm Children s Choir- Family Mass Dec. 24 7:00 pm Youth Mass Dec. 24 10:00 pm Chancel choir, organ, piano, orchestra. Music begins at 9:30 pm Christmas Mass during the day Dec. 25 10:00 am --Dec. 26, St. Stephen, first martyr --Dec. 27, St. John the vangelist Feast of the Holy Family Mass Dec. 26 5:00 pm Dec. 27 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Food Collection, all Masses Mary, Mother of God & World Day of Prayer for Peace Mass Dec. 31 5:00 pm Jan. 1 10:00 am Third Sunday of Advent Mass Dec. 12 5:00 pm Dec. 13 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Parish Reconciliation Service Dec. 17 7:00 pm Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Dec. 19 5:00 pm Dec. 20 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Set up manger scene Noon piphany of the Lord Mass Jan. 2 5:00 pm Jan. 3 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Blessing of Chalk, all Masses Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, end of the Christmas season Mass Jan. 9 5:00 pm Jan. 10 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Immaculate Conception, Christmas, New Year and every Sunday are holy days of obligation. 6
by Ted Nitza Saint Vincent DePaul Ministry at Saint Jude The Saint Vincent De Paul Ministry at Saint Jude (SVDP) is adding programs to better serve those in need. For years at St. Jude, the SVDP ministry has helped parishioners and non-parishioners with basic needs such as rent and utility assistance, food, clothing, basic furniture and helping hands. Volunteers in this ministry also visit the sick and lonely in their homes, nearby Saint Anne s, Parkview and Irene Byron hospital. very year SVDP members lead the assembly and delivery of food baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and aster. Dave Gillig, President of St. Jude s SVDP explains that, The aim of the SVDP is to bring social justice and the friendship of true charity to all those in need. Saint Jude volunteers are pleased to announce that the ministry is now sponsoring fresh fruits and vegetables at the nearby Forest Park United Methodist Food Pantry located at 2100 Kentucky Avenue (www.fpumc.com). The first delivery was in July of this past summer and included carrots, strawberries, peaches, potatoes, broccoli, blueberries, green beans, corn, cabbage and more. Dave Gillig is encouraged by the good start saying, We feel it was a great way for us to better help those in our community struggling with hunger. We hope that the healthy fruits and vegetables will lead to better nutrition and better results for those working to get back on their feet. The produce is provided by Green Bean Delivery (www.greenbeandelivery.com), an Indiana company that strives to provide a wide variety of locally grown foods throughout the region. Because produce is perishable, this newest effort by St. Jude had to overcome several logistical challenges. Green Bean Delivery only travels to the Fort Wayne area on Friday afternoons, so a food pantry partner that was regularly open on Saturdays was needed. The drop off location also needed to be easily accessible and secure for the Green Bean Delivery vehicle. Forest is Adding Programs Park s volunteers were happy to meet these criteria. Reusable ice packs are placed in a signature green bin and then stuffed with plenty of fresh produce and delivered to the front porch of an active Forest Park parishioner. Other Forest Park volunteers make sure the bin gets to their food panty by Saturday morning. The empty bin is returned for the process to repeat the next Friday and Saturday. St. Jude volunteers administer and monitor the weekly orders and track their progress and effectiveness. The weekly produce supply is funded through the end of this year with previous donations to the St. Jude SVDP ministry. The SVDP ministry is funded through ministry members, special and anonymous donations and an annual added collection at Sunday mass. Forest Park UMC s food pantry has been providing a wide variety of food items to those in our 46805 zip code for several years, often serving more than 1000 households each month. Dave and Sandy Knepple, long time parishioners at Forest Park lead this active ministry. Dave states, My wife Sandy and I take Jesus s command to feed the hungry very seriously. We are thankful and excited about St. Jude s partnership and see benefits every single week that the fresh produce is available. It has been a healthy and helpful way for us to better serve those who come through our doors. The Forest Park UMC s food pantry is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to noon. Other future added programs for SVDP include an effort to provide desks for needy students at home and other pathways for families to obtain household furniture and repairs. Saint Jude s SVDP ministry meets every second and fourth Monday evening at 7pm in the Parish Center. Those who are interested in this type of stewardship are encouraged to attend or contact Mary Pohlman at 484-6609 or mpohlman@stjudefw.org for more information. HASA Needs Your Box Tops, Campbell Soup Labels, Coke Product Lids & More Did you know by saving and turning in Box Tops, Campbell s Soup Labels(labels for education), and Coke products lids you are helping St. Jude Parish and school financially. In addition, if you shop at places like Kroger and Office Depot St. Jude Parish and school receive a percentage back. No fundraising, just everyday things you buy and places you shop at regularly. DO YOU SHOP KROGR? Now through the Kroger Community Rewards program you can support St. Jude. It s simple; just register your Kroger Plus Card online at www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Just follow the prompts and be sure to select St. Jude Catholic School as your organization to support (ID#11163). Then every time you shop and swipe your Kroger Plus Card at checkout, you will earn money for St. Jude. It s that easy!! The more people we have participating the more we can earn. For example last June St. Jude received a check from Kroger for $339, just because parishioners shopped at Kroger. Thanks to all who have already signed up and selected St. Jude. OFFIC DPOT: Do you shop at Office Depot? If so when you check out tell them you want St. Jude Catholic school to get credit. They look up our code and we get a percentage back on all purchases made. It is that simple!! BOX TOPS, CAMPBLL SOUP LABLS(LABLS FOR DUCATION) AND COK PRODUCT S are another great way to help St. Jude receive funds. Just clip your Box Tops and Campbell's soup (labels for ducation) and save any Coke products lids or box code and return them the parish vestibule or the school office. It is that simple!! If you have any questions about any of these programs please contact Christine Nix at cjnix4@frontier.com 7
-mail address: hcisz@comcast.net Web site: www.stjudefw.org Heather Cisz ditor Liz Sanders The deadline for the next issue is Dec.10th, 2015 Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend St. Jude Parish The Grapevine 2130 Pemberton Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46805 There is more to living as Christians than just calling ourselves Christians. To live as Christians means that we have responded to the call of Jesus to follow him and imitate his way of life. The imitation of Jesus is a stewardship way of life. Our Catechism teaches, The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of providence...those who hold goods for use and consumption should use them with moderation, reserving the better part for guests, for the sick and the poor (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2404 and 2405. In other words, we are caretakers of something that does not truly belong to use, and we have a responsibility for how we use these gifts. In the end, we must give an account to the One Who Provides God. A Christian steward has a deep understanding, an insight of a certain way of seeing life and all that life holds. This insight is a grace in which we can see God present and active in the works of creation, not only at the beginning of time, but moment to moment, throughout our lives in the here and now. This outlook of life is the outlook of a Christian stewards. My brothers and sisters, what good is it to profess faith without practiceing it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day and you say to them, Goodbye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed, but do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless. (James 2:14-17)