Urgent Needs at St. Jude Shrine
Dear Friend of St. Jude,
You are an indescribable blessing to our mission and ministry! Thank you for all you’ve done to help us achieve a major milestone in 2017 – our 100th anniversary!
In 1917, the Archbishop of Baltimore entrusted St. Jude Shrine to the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers. Regular Novena Services were established around the outset of World War II, when devotion to St. Jude reached remarkable proportions. At first, the Novena Services attracted only the local parishioners, but in a short time, it became a city-wide Center where people from all walks of life came to pray to St. Jude. It was not long before the Shrine was known beyond the city limits of Baltimore, and people from the suburbs – in increasing numbers – began coming to the Shrine. This increase made it necessary to have four Novena Services every Wednesday, which still continue today.
St. Jude Shrine is the Nationwide Center of St. Jude Devotions, and is known around the world. For 100 years, the doors to St. Jude Shrine have been open to people in need of hope. With your continued support, St. Jude Shrine will remain a place of peace, serenity and hope for another 100 years and beyond.
Our magnificent Shrine has weathered the 100 years beautifully, thanks to you and everyone in our Circle of Hope who answer the call when a need arises. It is my sincere hope that in this centennial year, you will help again with these current critical needs…
Recent heavy rains have damaged the Shrine’s roof and water has leaked into the interior of the Church as you can see in this photo. We are currently waiting for estimates to repair the damage.
We are very proud that St. Jude Shrine is the only Catholic Church in the downtown area that has free parking for all who visit. Needed repairs to the gate and asphalt cost $6,600 which ensures that the lot will remain in good condition for years to come.
Two other needs include upgrading our video system and internet capabilities at a cost of more than $19,000; and replacing our warped gift shop doors, which do not close properly, at a cost of $15,000
Please consider a generous offering today to help with these critical needs. Know, too, that your offering will help us reach out to the poor through ministries of hope in 54 countries around the world. Thanks to you, we are able to provide tangible relief aid to the poor, including food, shelter, medicine and clean water…along with the love of Jesus Christ.
When you send your gift, remember to include your prayer requests. Our priests and brothers are honored to pray for St. Jude’s help in bringing your requests before God.
Thank you for your prayers, generous giving and support that has helped us achieve this remarkable anniversary. In this year of 2017, we celebrate our past, recognize Christ’s presence among us, and look forward to our bright, hope-filled and faithful future together!
Wishing you the Hope of St. Jude,
Fr. Peter Sticco, S.A.C.
Novena Director
P.S. Your gift today helps support all of our ministries, particularly our St. Jude Shrine and the poor we serve around the world. Please be as generous as possible and be sure to send your prayer requests so they can be remembered in the prayers, Novenas and Masses at our Shrine and on the tomb of St. Jude in the Vatican.