REFLECTION FROM THE PASTOR

DSC_6617 2It is often said that a person's first and lasting impression of what "Church is" comes from one's parish experience. While news headlines and official documents might impact us, still 'what happens in the life of the parish' is where our relationship with God unfolds. How we experience God's presence in prayer and interaction with others in parish settings reveal the depth of our faith. The foundation of a parish stands upon Christ and His Gospel, lived out in the traditions of our faith. However, a foundation is "underground". What is built upon it reveals what is underneath. So the testimony that a parish is truly founded upon Christ and His Gospel remains with its parishioners. They are who reveal "the face of God".

Since my arrival at St. Jude's in September 2002, I have many times seen this 'face of God' reflected to me. The warmth, openness, willingness to forgive and generosity of giving, volunteering and supporting those in need have shown me that St. Jude's is truly founded on the principles of what a parish is called to be. I feel gifted to be a part of this community.

A number of years ago, parishes, organizations, companies and almost every 'group' of people were directed to develop a Mission Statement to describe who they are and how they want to be known by others. Following this lead, I developed a Mission Statement with a "Vision" to implement it for myself. These are my statements:

MISSION: "As a Christian, priest and pastor my goal is to live the Gospel by living to make a difference."

VISION: "I want to grow into a willingness to lose my life for the sake of the Gospel. As a pastor, I want to aid people of the Church to face the future. I want to do this by not blaming others for why things are not the way they might be, but by using the talents given me by God to spread love rather than hate, to grow in wisdom by intellectual reflection and listening to others, to be active in offering solutions to problems, to seize opportunities and to learn to live happily with uncertainties. I want to live the example of Christ, His love and His good news by being involved with parishioners and in the community in which I live. I dedicate myself to do this by being a person of integrity and aiming to live generously rather than greedily, to be loving, compassionate and forgiving."

In trying to live out these words, some days are better than others; however, this is my vision of how I feel called to serve the parish community of St. Jude's. I call upon God's grace to assist me and parishioner's prayers to truly be a person of integrity in sharing in this ministry of Christ.

May everyone coming to our doors feel  welcome. May everyone feel valuable and a living part of the Body of Christ incarnated in the parish community of St. Jude. I invite you to browse and travel through this Parish Website. Check us out! Click on the various ministries and activities the parish offers. Also, I invite you to visit us at 5353 McFarland Road and check us out in person!

Peace,

Fr Steve Signature transparent

 

 

Fr. Stephen Banet

Pastor

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS!

 "St. Paul the Apostle" presentation

May 21, 7 p.m., Parish Center.  RSVP/more information

Embracing Christ and His Parish: Baptism Preparation Class

Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 p.m. RSVP/more information

Worldwide Hour of Adoration

Sunday, June 2, 1-2 p.m., Church.

Summer Festival Volunteer Weekend

June 1 and 2. Following all Masses in Narthex.  Click here to sign up online


 

Update your email address with the parish

Help us communicate more effectively with you via email and update our parish database.  Click here to provide your current email address.

Friend us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/stjudeindy

Prayer warriors make a difference

The power of prayer can lead to healing and miraculous change in people's lives. Join with the St. Jude community to pray for those in need of our prayers.  Contact the St. Jude Prayer Line by email at: stjudeprayers@googlegroups.com or 317-786-4371.

 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Worldwide Hour of Adoration & Prayer for the Year of Faith—Sunday June 2

monstranceOn the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Holy Father will preside over a special Eucharistic Adoration that will extend at the same time all over the world involving the cathedrals and parishes in each diocese. For an hour (5 p.m. Rome time), the whole world will be united in prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Because of normal Sunday Mass schedules, the 11 a.m. local time cannot be met by most parishes. Here at St. Jude, we will observe our hour following the Noon Mass with Exposition of the Eucharist until 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 2.  We invite all to join our worldly brothers and sisters as we spend this special hour with Christ. This will serve as our regular monthly Adoration hour.

Congratulations to our adult confirmands

Congratulations to the following on receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at Archbishop Tobin’s special Confirmation Liturgy for Adults on Sunday, May 19 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral: Amy Diersing, Charles Edmonds, Laurie Hatcher, Ryan McGuiness, Brendan McMahon, Mary McMahon, Jeffrey O’Brien, Rachel O’Neil, Claire Petry, Laura Schlenz, and Jeremy Warren.  Please hold them in prayer and wish them well on their continuing journeys of faith!

St. Jude is currently hiring a part time Gym Manager

If you are interested in applying for this position or have any questions, please  contact and/or send your resume to Scott Williams, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, at swilliams@stjudeindy.org.  

Are you interested in serving on the Pastoral Parish Council?

The Parish Council is in need of an “at large” member to serve a four-year term.  Members must be Catholic, 18 years of age and be an active registered member of the  parish.  Council meetings are held monthly, except June and December. If interested please contact Parish Council Chair Jay Erickson at 317-670-5423 or jerickson03@comcast.net no later than June 2.

Vocations  Collection— weekend of June 1 and 2

vocations 2The Vocations Office receives funds each year throughout the Archdiocese to cover the expense of educating our future priests.  The Archdiocese has 25 seminarians, 18 of whom are in theology school approaching their final years of study.  Please be generous in support of this collection by using the envelopes provided in your packets or through Faith Direct.  Please continue to pray for vocations!  If you know of a young man or woman you believe would serve well in priesthood or religious life, please call (317)236-1496 and leave the individual’s name with the vocation director, Fr. Eric Augenstein.

Parish Center volunteers needed

The St. Jude Parish Center is in need of additional volunteers to answer the phone, handle mailings, greet visitors, complete computer work and general office details. Days would be Mondays 1-4:30 p.m. June through August and every Tuesday 1-4:30 p.m.  If interested, please contact Joan at the office, 786-4371, or jmckinley@stjudeindy.org.

Festival Second Collection—June 1 and 2

In lieu of requesting condiment and paper good donations for the Summer Festival, a second collection will be held the weekend of June 1 and 2 to offset the cost of these items.  This is a cost-effective measure that allows the festival committee to purchase these items in bulk and reduce waste.  Please be generous!

St. Paul the Apostle: What his life and teachings mean to us

In anticipation of this year’s Vacation Bible School, Bil Danner will present on St. Paul to all interested adults of the parish on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Center. Join us as we delve into the life and teachings of St. Paul, and see how the arguably greatest conversion story we’ve ever heard becomes the foundation for our lives as Christians today.  Watch for further details!

Embracing Christ and His Parish: Baptism

water-baptism1The next parents’ class for infant baptism will be on Wednesday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m.  This is a required gathering for all parents wishing to have their children baptized at St. Jude.  Contact Tammy to reserve your space at tstewart@stjudeindy.org or 780-7591.

Trip to the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John, Indiana

A daytrip to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Indiana is being planned for Friday, June 28.  This day-long trip will include a tour of the beautiful Church of St. John the Evangelist and an opportunity to visit and pray on the interactive half mile winding pathway of life-sized Stations of the Cross.  And of course we’ll stop by the beautiful Visitor Center and huge gift shop!  All are invited to join us for this trip – details about specific times and the cost will follow in this space next week.  Mark the date on your calendars!

Registration open for Vacation Bible SchooI

VBS logoIn less than a month, we're taking a journey back to ancient Athens with the apostle Paul.  Plan on coming to VBS to visit with Paul and find out what happened on his dangerous journey to share the truth about God.  Vacation Bible School will be held June 10-13, 9 a.m.-Noon.  Fees will be due on the first day of VBS - $10 per child/$20 maximum per family.  Register online today to participate or volunteer at: www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/hl/stjudevbs.

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE & OUTREACH

Social Justice and Outreach for May

canned food donations

Please remember to drop of your non-perishable food items in the Food Drive bins located next to the entrance to church.  All donations go to support Anna’s House and St. Vincent DePaul Society.

 

Community service opportunities

  • Help with Beggars for the Poor breakfast - Contact Lynda Knable at: kkmomma1@yahoo.com
  • Volunteer at the SVdP Distribution Center - Contact Barb Niezgodski at: barbara-niezgodski@comcast.net
  • Volunteer to help at the SVdP Pantry - Contact Don Striegel at: Info@SVDOPindy.org
  • Volunteer for food distribution at The Lord's Pantry at Anna's House - Contact Julie Molloy at: julie@lordspantry.org

Food items always needed: canned foods such as meats, sweet potatoes, fruit, chili, stews, soups, fish, peas, boxed mashed potatoes, spaghetti & sauce, cereal, oats, cake mixes and icings.

St. Vincent de Paul Helpline: 317-687-0169

Pick-up or Donation Line: 317-687-1006