Saint Jude Parish
Monroe CT

Our parish is a welcoming community that lives the Good News of the Gospel in its actions and programs. Saint Jude is a place to grow spiritually, to put our faith in action, and to use your gifts of time and talent as disciples of Christ.

Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here.

I encourage you to browse our website to see the many activities we have to support you in your faith.

We invite you to share your time and talent with us by participating in our various ministries, social services, activities and spiritual experiences. Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here.

If you have any more questions please call the Parish Office at 203-261-6404. You can also learn more about our parish from the links below.

​ Father Joseph Gill Parochial Administrator

 

https://www.stjuderc.org/  

 

We are on Rte 111 near the intersection of Rte 110  

You can park in the school building lot or in the lot behind the Church  

Saint Jude Parish was established December 12, 1973 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of Bridgeport, to accommodate the growing number of Catholic families moving into Monroe. An unprecedented plan involved the people of Saint Stephen Parish, Trumbull, Connecticut, in determining its division that resulted in the formation of the new Saint Jude Parish out of the original single parish that formerly covered all of the town of Monroe and part of Trumbull. Under the division plan, Saint Jude Parish acquired the Saint Stephen School, which became the Saint Jude Parish Center, and the 17 acres of land. Saint Jude Parish is entirely within the Town of Monroe from Cutlers Farm Road east.

In selecting the name for the new parish, a unique means was employed which also involved parishioners. A ballot was provided that contained the names of 14 saints and Saint Jude was the majority choice of the people as the name for the new Monroe parish. This is the first instance of the use of Saint Jude who was one of the Apostles, as the name for a parish within the Diocese of Bridgeport.

The historical spiritual venture took place in the Saint Jude Parish Center on December 15, 1973 at the 5:15 Mass whereby Bishop Walter W. Curtis installed Rev. Arthur Norton as the first pastor of Saint Jude Parish.

Rev. John Sabia was installed as the second pastor on September 10, 1978. In November of that year a Parish Food Pantry was established to serve the needy. Ministry of Hospitality was also formed to welcome people who moved into the Town of Monroe

Since the parish had many young parishioners it was deemed to have a Summer Vacation Bible School. This would be the beginning of a long history of Vacation Bible school for Saint Jude Parish.

The Saint Jude Annual Novena was established in the month of October to prepared for the Feast of Saint Jude on October 28th

With the burning of the mortgage of the rectory, the consensus of the parishioners was to begin thinking of building a new church. In November 1980 a Building and Development Committee was formed to plan for building a Saint Jude Church.

The Mission Committee sponsored the annual Adopt an Appalachian Child for Christmas benefiting the children of Whitley City, Kentucky. Now hundreds of children receive gifts each Christmas.

On the tenth Anniversary of the parish the Parish Center was renovated for weekend Masses. Bishop Curtis celebrated the liturgy for the dedication of the altar and figure of Christ in Glory on the reredos of the Parish Center.

Construction of the new church began with the ground breaking ceremony on November 29, 1987.

The new Saint Jude Church was dedicated on October 28, 1989 at a special Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Edward M. Egan, Bishop of Bridgeport, during which the Altar and the walls of the church were anointed with holy oil.

The year 2001 saw the completion and dedication of the Saint Jude Social Hall located in the lower church. With the beautiful stained-glass window of our patron saint, it is a wonderful location to enjoy coffee and fellowship after Mass. During the year 2001, we were also able to celebrate the burning of the church mortgage.

The years 2003-2004 saw the redesign and improvement of the sidewalks and plaza around the church.

The Rectory Committee was established on October 4, 2000, to plan for a new rectory for the growing parish. The rectory on Monroe Turnpike was too small to accommodate another priest. Groundbreaking with Bishop William Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport was on March 21, 2004. Dedication of the new Rectory/Office Building by Bishop Lori was June 25, 2006.

Msgr Sabia Retired in 2014 after many years of service to St. Jude

Msgr Darius Zielonka was installed as pastor by Bishop Caggiano in July 2014 and served the parish from then until 2018.

On July 1 2018 Father Henry Hoffman became pastor of St Jude and will be formally installed by Bishop Cagggiano on August 12 2018.

​Father Joseph Gill became Parochial Administrator in July 2021

Saint Jude School became a part of the Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Shelton in June 2017. Over the years the Saint Jude School has provided more than 3,200 students with a Catholic education.

The school building is now being used as the Parish Center hosting over 600 children in Religious Education classes, and serving as the meeting spaces for parish organizations and groups. ​