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St. Jude Church Welcomes New Priest
Newly ordained priest assigned to church for the summer.
St. Jude Church parishioners recently celebrated the arrival of Reverend Michael Novajosky, ordained into the priesthood in June and assigned to serve in Monroe this summer.
Rev. Novajosky, 27, is a graduate of St. Joseph's High School, attended St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford, Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and graduated from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy.
He is currently on summer break from his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy just a short distance from the Vatican, where he is completing his Masters Degree in Sacred Theology.
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Rev. Novajosky was ordained along with three other seminarians by Bishop William E. Lori at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport on June 5.
Rev. Novajosky is a "local boy," who grew up in Bridgeport with his parents and is the oldest of four children with two brothers and a sister.
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Novajosky and his family attended St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull throughout his childhood.
He also worked as a Deacon at St. Jude Church under the guidance of Rev. Monsignor John Sabia and Rev. Skip Karcsinski during the summer of 2009.
Novajosky said St. Jude is a good place for men to learn who are studying to be priests or have recently been ordained.
"Msgr. Sabia and Rev. Karcsinski are two good role models of the priesthood who are helping me understand who I am now," he said. "The parishioners are also very supportive, which will help me along the way."
Rev. Karcsinski said Novajosky's arrival to Monroe and the priesthood is like welcoming a new member into the family.
"This has a certain paternal feeling and adds richness to our lives and the community," he said.
Karcsinski said during Rev. Novajosky's stay, he will be celebrating mass, performing baptisms, weddings, funerals and working with the church's youth Bible study group.
In addition, Novajosky will be visiting the sick at area hospitals and nursing homes.
Rev. Novajosky led his first mass at St. Jude Church before his family and more than 200 parishioners June 13. It was followed by a reception to welcome him to the priesthood.
Ginny Jessup, a parishioner who attended Novajosky's reception considers his arrival a "real blessing" and looks forward to getting to know him over the summer months.
"He is very confident in his priesthood and was very well received at the reception," she said. "This was a lovely way for him to meet the parishioners."
Rev. Novajosky said he is happy to be working in the Bridgeport Diocese, close to his parents who still live in Bridgeport.
"What is nice about working in Fairfield County is that I am never too far from home," he said.
St. Jude Church, located at 707 Monroe Turnpike and established in 1974 has 2400 families registered as parishioners in town.
For information about the church and its activities, visit saintjudechurch.net or call the church office at (203) 261 -6404.