Friday 28 October 2011

ST. JUDE PRAY FOR US






ST JUDE PRAY FOR US!

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Jude who is one of the saint patrons of our parish. Jude (following article is taken from wikipedia) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude, "brother of Jesus", but is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, another disciple, the betrayer of Jesus.

The Armenian Apostolic Church honors Thaddeus along with Saint Bartholomew as its patron saints. In the Roman Catholic Church he is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes.

Saint Jude's attribute is a club. He is also often shown in icons with a flame around his head. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles. Another common attribute is Jude holding an image of Jesus Christ, in the image of Edessa. In some instances he may be shown with a scroll or a book (the Epistle of Jude) or holding a carpenter's rule.

New Testament

Jude is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, another disciple and later the betrayer of Jesus. Both "Jude" and "Judas" are translations of the name Ιούδας in the Greek original New Testament, which in turn is a Greek variant of Judah, a name which was common among Jews at the time. In most bibles in languages other than English and French, Jude and Judas are referred to by the same name.

"Jude of James" is only mentioned twice in the New Testament: in the lists of apostles in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13.

The name by which Luke calls the Apostle, "Jude of James" is ambiguous as to the relationship of Jude to this James. Though such a construction sometimes connotated a relationship of father and son, it has been traditionally interpreted as "Jude, brother of James" (Luke 6:16) though Protestants (for instance, the New International Version translation) usually identify him as "Jude son of James".

The Gospel of John also once mentions a disciple called "Judas not Iscariot" (John 14:22). This is often accepted to be the same person as the apostle Jude, though some scholars see the identification as uncertain.

In some Latin manuscripts of Matthew 10:3, he is called Judas the Zealot.

Possible Identity with Thaddeus

In the comparable apostle-lists of Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18, Jude is omitted, but there is a Thaddeus (or in some manuscripts of Matthew 10:3, "Lebbaeus who was surnamed Thaddaeus") listed in his place. This has led many Christians since early times to harmonize the lists by positing a "Jude Thaddeus", known by either name. This is made plausible by the fact that "Thaddeus" seems to be a nickname (see Thaddeus).

A further complication is the fact that the name "Judas" was tarnished by Judas Iscariot. It has been argued that for this reason it is unsurprising that Mark and Matthew refer to him by an alternate name.

Some Biblical scholars reject this theory, however, holding that Jude and Thaddeus did not represent the same person. Scholars have proposed alternate theories to explain the discrepancy: an unrecorded replacement of one for the other during the ministry of Jesus because of apostasy or death; the possibility that "twelve" was a symbolic number and an estimation; or simply that the names were not recorded perfectly by the early church.

Thaddeus the apostle is generally seen as a different person from Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy Disciples.

Brother of Jesus?

Opinion is divided on whether Jude the apostle is the same as Jude, brother of Jesus, who is mentioned in Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55-57, and is the traditional author of the Epistle of Jude.

Some Catholics believe the two Judes are the same person, while Protestants do not.

Tradition and legend

Tradition holds that Saint Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya. He is also said to have visited Beirut and Edessa, though the emissary of latter mission is also identified as Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy. The 14th-century writer Nicephorus Callistus makes Jude the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana.

The legend reports that St. Jude was born into a Jewish family in Paneas, a town in Galilee later rebuilt by the Romans and renamed Caesarea Philippi. In all probability he spoke both Greek and Aramaic, like almost all of his contemporaries in that area, and was a farmer by trade. According to the legend, St. Jude was a son of Clopas and his wife Mary, a sister of the Virgin Mary. Tradition has it that Jude's father, Clopas, was murdered because of his forthright and outspoken devotion to the risen Christ. After Mary's death, miracles were attributed to her intercession.

Although Saint Gregory the Illuminator is credited as the "Apostle to the Armenians", when he baptized King Tiridates III of Armenia in 301, converting the Armenians, the Apostles Jude and Bartholomew are traditionally believed to have been the first to bring Christianity to Armenia, and are therefore venerated as the patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Linked to this tradition is the Saint Thaddeus Monastery (now in northern Iran) and Saint Bartholomew Monastery (now in southeastern Turkey) which were both constructed in what was then Armenia.

Death and remains

According to the Armenian tradition, Saint Jude suffered martyrdom about 65 AD in Beirut, in the Roman province of Syria, together with the apostle Simon the Zealot, with whom he is usually connected. Their acts and martyrdom were recorded in an Acts of Simon and Jude that was among the collection of passions and legends traditionally associated with the legendary Abdias, bishop of Babylon, and said to have been translated into Latin by his disciple Tropaeus Africanus, according to the Golden Legend account of the saints.

Sometime after his death, Saint Jude's body was brought from Beirut to Rome and placed in a crypt in St. Peter's Basilica which is visited by many devotees. According to popular tradition, the remains of St. Jude were preserved in an Armenian monastery on an island in the northern part of Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan at least until the mid-15th century. Later legends either deny that the remains are preserved there or claim that they were moved to a yet more desolate stronghold in the Pamir Mountains. Recent discovery of the ruins of what could be that monastery may put an end to the dispute.

Iconography

Jude is traditionally depicted carrying the image of Jesus in his hand or close to his chest, betokening the legend of the Image of Edessa, recorded in apocryphal correspondence between Jesus and Abgar which is reproduced in Eusebius' History Ecclesiastica, I, xiii. Eusebius relates that King Abgar of Edessa (now Şanlıurfa in southeast Turkey) sent a letter to Jesus seeking a cure for an illness afflicting him. With the letter he sent his envoy Hannan, the keeper of the archives, offering his own home city to Jesus as a safe dwelling place. The envoy painted a likeness of Jesus with choice paints (or alternatively, impressed with Abgar's faith, Jesus pressed his face into a cloth and gave it to Hannan) to take to Abgar with his answer. Upon seeing Jesus' image, the king placed it with great honor in one of his palatial houses. After Christ's execution, Thomas the Apostle sent Jude to King Abgar and the king was cured. Astonished, he converted to Christianity, along with many of the people under his rule. Additionally, St. Jude is often depicted with a flame above his head, representing his presence at Pentecost, when he was said to have received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.

Veneration

The Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) began working in present day Armenia soon after their founding in 1216. There was a substantial devotion to St. Jude in this area at that time, by both Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians. This lasted until persecution drove Christians from the area in the 18th century. Devotion to Saint Jude began again in earnest in the 19th century, starting in Italy and Spain, spreading to South America, and finally to the United States (starting in the area around Chicago) owing to the influence of the Claretians and the Dominicans in the 1920s.




Monday 24 October 2011


  • The Novena to St. Jude continues this week. The Triduum of Masses begins onWednesday 26th October and closes with Feast of St. Jude on Friday 28th. Masses will be at 6.00pm each evening. Deacon Jeffrey Supersad will preach about Revitalization of our Catholic Culture and Identity.
  • Reminder to collect an envelope or two for the Masses for Deceased members of our family.. We will celebrate Masses in November for eternal rest for them till the Solemnity of Christ the King (Nov. 20th). Prayer is an expression of love. What more can we do for our departed beloved ones than celebrate the Mass for their intention.
  • From this weekend we are introducing 2 new envelopes. Like the pledge envelopes, we invite you to take a few, but please remember to bring it back. One envelope will be used for flowers – it is so beatiful to contribute to keep our church beautiful. Secondly, we have printed envelopes for the Mass intentions. One of our long standing Christian traditions to celebrate the Masses for various intentions and to support the life of the Church in this way.
  • Every Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 am, before the midday Mass, we invite you to pray the Rosary with us in more solemn way, to be followed with Benediction.
  • The Mass for the Sick will take place Saturday 5th November @ 10AM here in St. Joseph. If you would like to assist, please check with Chris Singh for more information..
  • Due to the Divali holiday on Wednesday, there will be only a morning Mass @7am
  • Finally we would like to once again encourage you to join one of our parish groups, or services. Various activities are taking place in our parish, different services are needed. Please find yourself at home here, sharing responsibilities and seeing to common good of our parish family.

Wednesday 19 October 2011




  1. St. Jude Novena at Mt. D’or Chapel begins on Thursday 20th October to Friday 28th at 6pm each evening. Triduum of Masses in preparation for the Feast starts on Wednesday 26th October to Friday 28th. Deacon Jeffrey Supersad will preach about revitalization of our catholic identity and culture.

  1. Lectio divina, under the guidance of Sr. Gail will meet every Wednesday at 6.30 pm in the Parish Centre – the room closest to the parish office. There are still a few spaces for anyone interested in participating. Lectors are encouraged to be part of this exercise.

  1. We invite you to take envelops for the November Masses for the dead. We will celebrate masses for eternal rest for them till the Solemnity of Christ the King (Nov. 20th).  Prayer is an expression of love. What more can we do for our departed beloved ones than celebrate the Mass for their intention?

  1. Every Wednesday and Friday at 11.30 am, before the midday Mass, we invite you to pray the Rosary with us in more solemn way, to be followed with Benediction.

  1. World Mission Sunday, a yearly event on the Church’s calendar. Promoted by the Vatican’s Congregation for Propagation of the Faith, as a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. To assist with the Church’s missionary activities, the entire collection from all parishes next weekend will be forwarded to Rome. In this regard, please give generously.

  2. The Mass for the Sick will take place Saturday, 5th of Novemebr in St. Joseph Parish Church. If you would like to help, and we would like to encourage you to do so, please check with Chris Singh for more information..

  3. And finally we would like to once again encourage you to join one of our parish group, or services. Various activites are taking place in our parish, different services are required. Pleace find yourself at home here, sharing responsibilities and taking care for the  common good of our parish family

Tuesday 11 October 2011


A beautiful meditative piece from Hillsong "Above All"
Catholics Make Bold Claims

  •  We are Christ’s presence on earth today
  •  We cooperate with God to build God’s kingdom in the world.
  •  In the Eucharist, we partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus. We become the Body of Christ. 
  •  Each sacrament is similar.  Take confirmation for example.  The Holy Spirit comes we say through the ritual gesture of imposing of hands and chrism signed on the forehead.  The same Spirit transformed terrified disciples who had locked themselves in a room in fear of the authorities.  The same Spirit transfigured the whole world through the efforts of 12 people who were not especially bright or powerful.  This same Spirit is ours! 
For your Reflection: How are you Christ’s Presence in the world?  Do you call on the Holy Spirit to empower your faith and action?
Fr. Michael Driscoll and Rosemary will be doing Training Sessions for the New Missal
on Wednesday 12th and Friday 14th October 2011, at 7.00 pm at St. Michael's.
There will be a session on Thursday 13rh for the Choirs at St. Cecilia's Chapel at 7.00 pm.
Each session is complete, so you can either attend on Wednesday night or on Friday night.

Monday 10 October 2011

Discernment Retreat
Dominicans of Sinsinawa
 
5 Picadilly Street 
St Joseph 
Date: Saturday October 29th 
Time: 9.30- 1.00pm with lunch
 
No Charge. 
 
Contact: 770-9941 (Sr. Gail) or 663-1530 (House)

Announcements


Announcements for the 9th of October 2011
  1. St. Jude Novena at Mt. D’or Chapel begins on Thursday 20th October to Friday 28th at 6pm each evening. Triduum of Masses in preparation for the Feast starts on Wednesday 26th October to Friday 28th.
  1. We are re-introducing in our parish the practice of Lectiodivina. The group, under the guidance of Sr. Gail will meet every Wednesday on 6.30 pm in the Parish Centre – the  room closest to the parish office. If the initial group is too large, we will establish more groups, meeting in different days of the week.
LectioDivina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," A traditional Catholic practice of prayerfully and spiritual reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. It is a way of praying with Scriptures that calls one to study, ponder, listen, and finally, pray and even sing and rejoice from God's Word, within the soul.
  1. We invite you to pray with us on Rosary in more solemn way. Every Wednesday and Friday at 11.30 am.
  1. Next Tuesday – October 11ththere will be a meeting of the Parish Council. If you have any suggestions how to improve the life of our parish, what should be done or changed, please tell the Parish Priest or Deacon Jeffrey or a member of the council.
  1. Please be reminded about the retreat for divorced, separated and widowed persons organized by the Family Life Commission. They will take place in the next weekend at the Mt St. Benedict. Check notice board for further details.

Friday 7 October 2011

Dominican School of Faith

Dominican School of Faith



Topics of the weekly meetings in October 2011


Towards the Fulfillment of our lives  

By Fr. Karol Wielgosz o.p.


10th of October: Theotokos – this and others titles of the Mary.

17th of October: Venial and Mortal sins. Are our actions stronger than Love of God?

24th of October: Indulgences – can we buy our salvation?

On Mondays 10th, 17th and 24th of October, at 6.00 P.M. at the Thomas Aquinas Room, St. Dominic’s Pastoral Centre, Four Roads, Diego Martin.
For more information please contact: Fr. Karol Wielgosz O.P. at 773-7403 or karolek@dominikanie.pl or Karen at 680-6796. 

Monday 3 October 2011

St. Joseph


St. Joseph Pray For Us!

We Are The Community That Remembers Jesus

We see this especially in the surrendered lives of those who show us Christ’s face, His hands and eyes and words, and compassionate touch. We call it the Mystical Body, but it means that we recognize Jesus in the laughter and voices around us: little kids, retired folks, teenagers, all those in whom Christ continues to take flesh.

While all Christian communities continue to remember Jesus, Catholics do so in a particular, liturgical way. When someone we love has died and we try to recapture memories of that person, we usually do so through our senses. We remember Grandma’s sugar cakes, or the song that Grand pa sang off-key or someone’s perfume.

It is the same with Jesus. When we remember Him, we grope for the touch of His hands on a loaf of Bread, the sound of His voice telling stories, the words He breathed into wine. We find Him still in the simplest human activities, eating, drinking, gathering with friends and telling stories.

There is a beautiful hymn that we sing on Holy Thursday the first line of which reads: ‘We remember how you loved us to the end and still we celebrate that you are with us still….”

For Your Reflection: When you gather in your Parish Community on a weekend for Sunday Eucharist, is it to remember Jesus? Why do you come? Share this with us.