Some News You Can Use - Our Recent Flocknote to Our SJC Community

Greetings to our St. Jude Chapel Community,

The last time we sent you an update, it was right before the Holy Week and Easer Season. At that time we provided an overview of the projects that we have completed as part of Project 55+ repairs and modifications. We are including this again with an update. Please reach out to me if you would like a walking tour of the items we’ve done.

This would not be possible without your financial support or without the support of the Catholic Foundation of Dallas who awarded us a grant in the amount of $42,000. This money helped us automate two sets of our doors and modify three rows of our pews for our wheelchair and walker assisted guests. (It’s also convenient for those with baby strollers.)

We will participate again in North Texas Giving Day which will be on September 19^th and with #iGiveCatholic as part of Giving Tuesday on December 3^rd. (Mark your calendars as we have an unexpected project that came up yesterday.)

A stray bullet entered our chapel on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning. It made a hole in one of our new skylight windows and a hole in our repaired stained-glass window. We’ve filed a police report and are making plans to repair it. You will see this on our North Texas Giving Page and, on our website, soon.

 

Here are some dates for the remainder of 2024:

On Friday, August 9^th, we will close the chapel to the public after the second Mass to have the carpets cleaned. Our gift shop will remain open until 4 p.m. Please make plans now to visit us early in the day as we will close around 12:45 p.m. Thank you!

We celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, August 15^th, a Holy Day of Obligation. In addition to confessions at 11 a.m. and our two Masses at 11:40 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., we will have a 5:30 p.m. Mass with music.

September 2^nd the chapel is closed in observance of Labor Day

September 19^th North Texas Giving Day

October 4^th Feast of St. Francis (please bring your pets in a carrier or on a leash for a blessing after the 2nd mass)

October 14th the chapel is closed in observance of Columbus and Indigenous Peoples Day 

October 28^th Feast of St. Jude (and St. Simon)

November 1^st All Saints Day (A Holy Day of Obligation) 5:30 p.m. Mass with Music added to the regular schedule

November 11th the chapel is closed in observance of Veterans Day

November 28^th and 29^th the chapel is closed in observance of Thanksgiving

December 1^st through 4^th is the Diocese of Dallas Synod

December 3^rd Giving Tuesday and #igivecatholic

December 9^th Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this is not a Holy Day of Obligation

December 24^th Christmas Eve Masses at 4 and 6 p.m. (carols start 20 to 30 minutes before each Mass)

December 25^th Christmas Mass at 9:30 a.m.

December 26, 2024 through January 2, 2025 the chapel is closed for holiday break

January 1, 2025 New Year’s Mass at 9:30 a.m.

 

Update on Project 55+ repairs and enhancement initiative:

To date, we have raised $114,659.84 which includes a grant from The Catholic Foundation in the amount of $42,000, $5,450 from North Texas Giving Day and $1,710 from #iGiveCatholic.

1. Repaired the exterior wall and then cleaned and painted it. We also painted the underside of the mural and removed the outdoor speakers.
2. Exposed the skylight window in the front stairwell and outfitted with a sleeve that matches the stairwell (this provides more light for those using the stairwell). We have also had the stairs filed and evened out, so it is not a trip hazard.
3. Repaired the transitions in the back stairwell to prevent any tripping. We also replaced the emergency exit carpet with new carpet (also to prevent tripping). There were also a couple of more transitions that were upstairs that needed to be finished out.
4. The AED has been hung in the lobby with care. Please make sure that there is always direct access to it. Be sure to familiarize yourself with where it is and how to get to it just in case.
5. Thanks to a generous volunteer, the carpets have been cleaned just in time for Christmas (and the 4^th Sunday of Advent). We will not allow any drinks into the chapel for a long, long time to keep them clean.
6. The two vents in the upstairs restrooms have been replaced with working motors.
7. The interior lights of the chapel have been switched out for newer more efficient LED bulbs and the bulbs at the statues and mosaics have been switched out for bulbs that fit the fixture (no more bulbs that stick out)! You may have also noticed the lights on the ambo(s) that have been outfitted with different bulbs and moved to provide more light for the readers and cantors.
8. There were a couple of light fixtures that needed repair as there were electrical shortages (Infant Prague and the Sacristy). Our sitting room now has lighting too although the lamps provided such a mood.
9. Modified three pews to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. Installed automatic door openers on two sets of doors for ease in entry. We also adjusted the height of the lock on the wheelchair accessible restroom door.
10. Repaired the concrete outside of our front doors leading to the sidewalk.

 

Thank you for making all this possible. It is because of your commitment and dedication that we are able to address the chapel’s physical needs.

We remain in service to you and the St. Jude family!

Thank you!

Tino

Augustine “Tino” Jalomo

General Manager

214.718.2384 m

214.742.2508 w

[email protected]