Religious Education

At St. Jude the religious education of our parishioners is a life long endeavor, not just an educational opportunity for the children. In addition to preschool and elementary school programs for the children, we also have programs for junior and senior high school youth as well as several adult programs. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunities to learn more about our faith.

Please take the opportunity to browse the programs below. Contacts are listed for each program.

Preschool Religious Education

The Sunday Preschool Religious Education classes at St. Jude provide a unique way of assisting the spiritual development of your preschool child.

Classes are held 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (during the 9:00 a.m.) Mass from September through March.  Please see the schedule located at the stjudes.org website. Children, ages 3-5, are given the opportunity to experience caring, sharing and loving, through fun and active Bible-based lessons, prayer, music and crafts

The foundations of our Catholic Faith begin to take root in these young children as they are introduced to the unconditional love of God, His most precious gift to us, our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the beauty of all His creation.

You can be a part of the spiritual development of your preschool child by taking an active role in teaching with dedicated staff already in place. Childcare is available for toddlers, when preschool classes are in session, free of charge.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is held each summer, the last week in July. Students must be 4 years old (by September 1st) through 5th grade.

We need volunteers for teaching and co-teaching, crafts and teen helpers. If you are interested or need more information, please give us a call.

Elementary Religious Education

The St. Jude Elementary Religious Education Program has been designed to help parents, the children's principal teachers, in the important task of passing on the Catholic Faith. Students learn the value of the Sacraments, the wisdom of the commandments and the sacredness of Scripture. In learning about God and the Church, the students also learn about themselves and their role as Catholic Christians. The Religious Education Program helps to form young minds and hearts through instruction by dedicated volunteer teachers. These teachers are ordinary men and women who love and understand their Faith and are willing to give of their time and talent to pass on their Faith to the next generation.

The Elementary Religious Education Program is sometimes in need of volunteers. Anyone who feels that they might be able to make a contribution to this important ministry is welcome to volunteer in one of the following areas:

Elementary R.E. Teacher (grades 1-6)
Tutor for special needs students
Elementary Substitute Teacher

St. Jude Youth Program

St. Jude Youth Program-Jr. High Youth Minister/Coordinator -Marilynne McBride-463-4223
Junior High Religious Education is a sacramental program for preparation of Confirmation. This is done over a period of two years with the knowledge of faith, community service, and spiritual growth as the primary ingredients for reception of Confirmation. Confirmation is the "choice" of the Catholic faith community on the part of our candidates. It is the third of our church's initiation sacraments, and the first for our students to choose. We continue to prepare students in the love of God, His Word, His Church, and all of His people. This is done with the help of many volunteers. We are in need of catechists, community service project workers, chaperones, and clerks to maintain the variety of important information and programs. We have a Jr. High Advisory Board to maintain many committees that help us in all our projects all year. We also wish to enhance the faith and knowledge of the volunteers who participate by having workshops for training and retreats. There is a Diocesan Certification Program for all new catechists; and everyone who is interested in helping to work with our students will attend a workshop for "Protecting God's Children" and complete a background check. We welcome your help on one or many of our projects whatever time you wish to share. The success of the program has been due to the many involved parents who show their faith and love of Christ by example. Contact Marilynne for questions or more information. My office is located in the Parish Office(old church).

St. Jude Youth Program-High School Youth Ministry-Director Jenny Krumdrick-463-4266 KWEST Webpage
The St. Jude Sr. High youth program includes events, retreats, St. Jude Teen Kwest, liturgical involvement, socials and outings, service, and more. This program aids teens (and adults) in their personal, social, and spiritual growth. The success of this program is centered on God's love expressed through the dedicated service of many teens and adults in our parish. Your help is much needed in the following areas:

1) Adults-a chance to build relationships not only with the teens, but also with other adults who support the program by their service.
2) Teen participation in the Senior High School Program(grades 9-12). If you are in High School and would like to join, it is never too late.
3)Teen and Adult involvement in running retreats.
4)Teen involvement in Sunday Mass as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, or Ushers, or by singing in the Teen Music Ministry.
5)Adult Chaperones at activities.
6)Adult drivers for activities.
For more information on the Youth Program, call Jenny at 463-4266.

Adult Formation Mission Statement

To enable and encourage adults to attain a deeper level of faith.

Adult Formation Lending Library
The library has a wide selection of titles and authors to borrow or browse through. In addition to books covering Church documents and law and social justice, there are books that help with grief, divorce, and spiritual growth. The library is open Monday from 1:00-4:00 PM and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For further information, call 485-8049.

Baptism Hospitality
Baptism Hospitality ministers represent the Catholic Community of Saint Jude at the celebration of of the Sacrament of Baptism. As parish representatives, you will extend the warmth of our parishcommunity by welcoming and assisting the young families who are bringing their babies to be baptized, their relatives and friends. To those you greet-you are the heart and hands of Jesus Christ. Some of the people you greet may not have been in the church for some time. Others are not of our faith; and, still others may be searching for a faith community.What a wonderful opportunity to reach out to them as Jesus would. In fact, Jesus will be reaching out to them-through you! In addition to your role as minister of hospitality, you will be asked to prepare the worship space for the baptism liturgy. The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on three Sunday afternoons each month. Baptism Hospitality ministers typically serve once in a two-month period. You can participate in this ministry as a couple or as an individual. If you feel called to this important ministry, or would like more information, call Sharon Seliga at 462-0079.

Bible Study
Catholic Perspectives...a journey into the Bible consists of small-group discussions on Scripture using an easy-to-follow study guide along with occasional large-group lectures related to the topic of study. Meetings usually take place in parishioners' homes. Various days and times are available. No prior experience or knowledge of the Bible is necessary to participate. The purpose of Catholic Perspectives is to help enrich our faith, increase our knowledge of Scripture, and learn to apply God's Word to our daily lives. For more information, contact Frank Palmasani at 485-8049 or Peg Coughlin at 463-4217. If you are interested in joining an on-going Friday morning group, please call Marianne Been at 485-8049 or Verona Sawyer at 485-8049.

Catholics Returning Home-485-8049
Twice a year, after Christmas and after Easter, St. Jude Parish offers a six-week series entitled "Catholics Returning Home". The sessions are held from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. These sessions are an open door for non-practicing Catholics who are seeking answers about returning to Church, If you know someone who has left Church, please invite them to join us.

Divorce Support Group
The divorce group is for anyone experiencing or who has experienced the trauma of divorce. For more information, please call Maureen Dunne-McGraw at 463-4212.

E-Team
The mission of the E-Team is to live and share the Gospel message, enhance the faith life of people at St. Jude, and reach out to the unchurched. For further information, please call Frank Palmasani at 485-8049.

Grief Support Group
The grief group is for parishioners grieving the loss of a loved one due to grief death by any cause. For more information, please call Maureen Dunne-McGraw at 463-4212.

Marriage Blessings or Annulments-Parish Office-485-8049
A frequent reason people stay away from Mass and/or the Sacraments is because their marriage has not been blessed in the Church. Whatever the reason you happen not to have been married in the Church, the feeling of being excluded from the Sacraments can be heartbreaking. For some couples, this situation can be resolved by calling for an appointment with a priest and arranging for the blessing of their marriage. For others, an annulment may be needed. Our priests can answer your questions about this and, if necessary, help you through the process. If you are in either position, we encourage you to call the Parish Office to make an appointment with one of our priests. We care.

Peace and Social Justice
The mission of the Peace and Social Justice Ministry is to deepen an awareness of the Gospel's call to love one's neighbor. Using the Catholic Social Principles as a foundation, the group's goal is to educate, organize, and act on social issues. In addition, members of this Ministry will provide parishioners with the opportunity to participate in the human mission of Christ. If you feel called to this important ministry and/or would like more information, call Lorrie Tracy at 485-8049.

Respect Life Ministry
The mission of the Respect Life Ministry is to educate and promote the dignity and sanctityof all life from the moment of conception until natural death. If you have any interest in respect life issues, you are invited and encouraged to join this important ministry. For further information, call Irene Vickers at485-8049.

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
R.C.I.A. is the process through which people become fully initiated members of the Roman Catholic Church. With its vision that includes a life of ongoing conversion, RCIA begins with Inquiry, the first in four-stage process. Held in the Parish Conference Room at 7 PM on the first and third Thursdays January through August, Inquiry meetings are for any of the following:

1)anyone interested in becoming Catholic;
2)baptized Catholics who have not received Holy Communion and/or Confirmation;
3)Catholics who wish to update their faith; or
4)individuals in interfaith marriages who wish to gain some understanding of their partner's faith.

Although R.C.I.A. is a yearlong process, the formal phase begins in September and continues through Pentecost. Candidates, sponsors and team members meet on a regular basis and are interested in learning more about RCIA or becoming part of the process, please call Carolyn Shaw at 485-8580 or Deacon Bob Fitt at 463-4215.

St. Jude Prayer Line Ministry
The prayer line is available for anyone with a prayer request. The prayer line is for anyone who feels the call to pray for the needs of others. If you feel called to be part of this ministry, call Kathy Green at 485-8049. If you have a prayer request, call 463-4284.