St. Jude Fiesta highlights ‘giving to those in need’

The St. Jude Parish under the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa will be celebrating the 2018 St. Jude Fiesta with a slew of events in keeping with the theme of giving to those in need.

Starting from Oct. 20, 2018, through Oct. 28, 2018, the parish, according to Fr. James Balajadia, would be hosting free health checks; free hygienic supply outreach; Bible studies in the most unexpected venues, and much more.

On Oct. 20, 2018, a health walk around Koblerville at 7am will be followed by a free health check at the parish social hall. The following day, also known as World Mission Sunday, starts with a novena at 9:30am followed by a Mass at 10am. Events will then segue to an outreach, during which hygienic supplies such as toothpaste, detergent, soap, etc., would be given away to those who need them.

Oct. 24, 2018, a biblical outreach called “Bible on Tap” would be held in the Naked Fish Restaurant in Susupe at 6:30pm. The event is a group Bible study at a bar.

Balajadia noted that this particular event targets young adults. “[Bible studies in a bar] have never been done, but we wanted to do it,” he said. “[Jesus] was out at parties. He was out where people are at, so we wanted to reach out. If people are not coming to us for whatever reason, we want to go out and meet them out there.”

When asked why the 2018 fiesta for St. Jude is special, Balajadia noted that being a “Christian in motion” is their main goal. “…Jesus was in the temple and at the synagogue, and in the church. [But] a lot of times he was out serving the needy, feeding the lost sheep, and trying to call the people back,” he said.

Oct. 25 will highlight the fellowship with a blessing of oils, followed by the trivia night and fellowship, while the following day, a Mass will be held for departed parishioners, including a blessing for their families.

Oct. 27 will feature the same novena and Mass.

Oct. 28—the official fiesta day—will feature a novena at 3:30pm, then a Mass at 4pm, followed by food, fellowship, and entertainment.

“Anyone is welcome to join our activities,” said Balajadia. “We welcome people from all walks of life.”

St. Jude Thaddeus, the parish’s patron saint, is the patron of those who feel hopeless. “Our fiesta is about giving hope to those in need,” Balajadia said, adding that those who are struggling with finances, family, addictions, relationships, or faith are all welcome to participate.