ST. JUDE CHRONICLEShrine of St. Jude Thaddeus
THE DOMINICANS
1909 S. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60608
OUR NEXT NOVENA MAR. 18TH - MAR. 26TH
A Message From Father Bede
Dear Friends of St. Jude, March, 1998
As we move into the New Year and find ourselves a year closer to a new millennium, we are inclined to take a long look into the past and an equally long look into the future. For all the good that God has done in our lives we say, "THANKS". For all the good that God will do in our lives we say, "YES".
This past year has been one of changes. The number of our clients and patrons of St.
Jude has grown by leaps and bounds. In July I replaced Fr. Matt Walsh, O.P. as director of the Shrine of St. Jude. Fr. Walsh has resumed his missionary work in the Solomon Islands. To my extreme relief and benefit the same staff is at the Shrine as under Fr. Walsh.
Remarkably, I feel there has been an upsurge in prayer during these past several months. Perhaps it is only a personal reflection, but I find people more attuned these days to speaking and listening to God. I know that this is taking place in my own life, especially as I pray with my community the psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours, but also as I pray with the friends of St. Jude each day at our on-going Novena at noon at the Shrine of St. Jude. One cannot help being amazed at the strength of faith of those who come day by day to pray the Rosary, say the St. Jude prayers and celebrate the Eucharist. We are all blessed by their presence.
I hope that the friendship you have built up with the Shrine of St. Jude will continue into the future. I like to think of you as family and treat you as such. Your many letters with prayer petitions tell us of your faith and your constancy in going to St. Jude. Thank you for being such a loyal friend.
I ask you to watch for the publication of a new St. Jude Novena Prayerbook ready to come off the press. There will be two versions, one in English and one in Spanish. It will contain special prayers and reflections for each of the nine days of our Solemn Novenas. Therefore, people living at home and unable to attend the Novena will be praying the same prayers as those participating in the Novena at the Shrine of St. Jude. I am looking for other ways to help you become both more acquainted with the Shrine and ways to serve you better. Perhaps you might write or E-Mail me to give me some hints.
I value your friendship with the Shrine of St. Jude and the prayerful and financial help you give us. Never forget our appreciation as you provide for the preaching mission of the Dominicans both at home and overseas. I look forward to deepening our relationship with you in 1998.
| In Jesus' name, |  |
 | |
| Rev. Bede Jagoe, O.P., Director |
DEALING WITH THE "BLUES"
Sometimes we get the "blues." Sometimes we just feel sad, lonely, worthless, and wonder why we should even bother getting up for another day.
I remember when I was ministering in one of our Dominican parishes, feeling like that. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was alone in my room feeling miserable. "What good am I?" "Who cares if I live or die?" "Why bother doing anything?" As I was sitting there licking my wounds, the phone rang and I was informed that someone was downstairs who desired to talk to a priest. As I hung up, my first thoughts were "not now!" But down I went.
The person had an important issue to discuss, and as the hour progressed, I forgot all about myself as I got involved in the conversation. As she was leaving, she thanked me for helping her. As I began walking up the steps, I realized how much she had helped me. As she shared her difficulties, I got out of myself and was released from my sad state. I was released for the rest of the day.
One of the things I learned that day was how important it is to get out of ourselves when feeling blue or depressed. We are, after all, interconnected with one another all the time. When we close down into ourselves and ruminate about our sorry condition hour after hour, little good comes from it. Getting out of ourselves and caring about others helps us as much as them.
This does not mean that there should not be times when we are quietly, attentively with ourselves. Productive solitude is an essential element for personal growth. But when we experience our misery-making thoughts just going around and around it might be time to make contact with someone else and take an interest in them.
The key to dealing with the "blues" is to take an interest in someone or something. What is important to remember here, is that often the interest doesn't come first and then the activity. Many times it is best just to start doing something, a phone call, exercise, a hobby, and the interest follows. First I left my room and started visiting with the person who wanted to see a priest, then my interest, and freedom, followed.
| In Christ's love, |  |
 | |
| Fr. Richard de Ranitz |
Father de Ranitz is a member of the Shrine of St. Jude Staff. He also gives retreats and workshops on physical, mental and spiritual health.
THE PRESENCE OF GOD AMONG US
In the midst of the Lenten season we fast and abstain from meat on certain days to
align ourselves with the suffering Jesus. Our little hunger pains are nothing compared to
the passion of Jesus who was mocked, spat upon, crowned with thorns, and then made to
carry the instrument of his assassination, the cross, through the streets of Jerusalem.
Upon Golgatha he was nailed to that cross and gave himself to the Father and in this
death-rising event he won for us our salvation. Jesus died for
the love of us.
Not only do we attempt to join in the suffering of Jesus at this time, but through the ages many have tried to imitate Jesus. We think of the early martyrs, and present day martyrs, who gave their lives for their Faith. We think too, of the early hermits in the Egyptian desert who exiled themselves from society. We think too, of the early monks of Ireland who took on various penances and mortifications and often went as exiles to foreign lands never to return to their homeland. We remember too, the countless number of missionaries who have gone overseas to proclaim the Good News of salvation. And each of us knows someone who is lonely or in pain, suffering from disease or frailty of old age. All imitate the suffering Jesus, who is called the "suffering servant of Yahweh."
Suffering remains a human mystery. St. Paul tells us that in suffering we make up the lack in the suffering of Jesus. This is Jesus suffering throughout the ages, and applied to all of us, for the sake of its body, the church. We know that we are called to be saints. As St. Paul again reminds us, "Jesus chastises those whom he loves."
Rather than focusing on the negative side of suffering we take great heart and courage that we are marked by God. Through suffering, God calls us into a more intimate relationship with himself. To alleviate the pain of suffering, we come to prayer. We pray ourselves, and we ask people to pray for us. We call upon St. Jude to help us in these dire necessities. Perhaps it is not so much a cure of suffering that we seek, but an overall healing in our lives.
MARCH NOVENA
Father Michael M. Burke,
O.P., a member of the Southern Dominican Province, lives in Raleigh, NC at
De Porres House, a community of six friars. Father
Burke, originally from Detroit, was ordained June 13, 1968.
He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and
the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He
has the STL degree in theology, an AB in Church Music
and the Doctor of Ministry from Andover Newton
Theological School in Newton Center, MA. Father Burke's hobby
is piano and he integrates it in all preaching. He is
engaged in a full time preaching ministry.
Guest Preacher
FRIENDS OF ST. JUDE REPORT ... WHAT GOD HAS DONE
J.A.
One day I was at an intersection and I saw a driver, who apparently did not see that she had a red light, and her car struck the front end of my car knocking it in a bouncing way, then struck a brick wall of a restaurant and ended between a bus stop sign. The bus sign was not knocked down and the car did not break the glass door to the restaurant. Miraculously, I had enough room to open the door on the drivers side, but had to crawl to the other side to get out. I only received a bruised chest from the air bag. I pray to St. Jude everyday. Thank you!
L.K.
I would like to thank St. Jude for the favor granted. No visitation rights were granted for my grandson. Thank you again St. Jude.
S.M.
This past month has been somewhat wearisome & stressful. Different things were happening to my parents regarding their health. I pray that their illnesses would be treatable & medical tests would prove good results. Thanks to St. Jude and Infant Jesus things are looking brighter. I will continue to pray. Thank you!
Many people write asking us to publish their thanks. So, please tell us your story of how St. Jude has helped you. We cannot publish all those letters that just say "thank you" without giving details. (Also, we do not publish anonymous stories.) It's your story that gives others hope!
Shrine Services
Rosary, Novena Prayer, Mass
Daily Services
Monday thru Saturday
Noon
(No Services on Sunday)
Perpetual Novena
Thursdays
Noon
6:30 p.m.
Solemn Novena
Monday thru Saturday
10:00 a.m.
Noon
6:30 p.m.
Sunday
11:00 a.m. only
Come if you can -- or join in the
prayers in your home!
St. Jude Legacy Club
The St. Jude Legacy Club is our special way of recognizing those people who have remembered us in their will. On the 28th of each month, all the members are remembered in a Mass celebrated at the altar of St. Jude in the Vatican.
If you have remembered us in your will and we have not listed you as a member of the St. Jude Legacy Club, please let us know. If you have not yet remembered us in your will but would like to do so, please contact us for details. Our legal title is:
Dominican Fathers
Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus
1909 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60608-2994
(312) 226-0020