History of our Chapel

In 1984, parishioners approached Father Pfister about having a Perpetual Eucharistic Exposition Chapel at Saint Jude. Bishop John D'Arcy gave permission after just a few minutes. Originally the suggestion was made to convert part of the cry room in the church for this purpose, but Father Pfister suggested using the Sisters of Notre Dame’s chapel. The sisters were very excited about this, so the room was modified, painted and furnished. A priest spoke at all the Masses and time slots were filled within a short period of time. On October 28, 1985 - the Feast Day of Saint Jude - the Perpetual Adoration Chapel was opened.

Several years later, the original altar in the chapel was reduced to more appropriately display the Monstrance. In 1999, the chapel was re-carpeted, repainted, and handicap ramps were added to make it more accessible. The chapel is located in the Parish Center (the old convent). The entrance is on the north side, across the parking lot from the church.

Benefactors include Bert and Catherine Dahm. They were original charter members of St. Jude in 1939.

History of Our Monstrance

In February of 1980, Mary Derheimer, a St. Jude parishioner, passed away from cancer. Her parents wanted to use money from her estate for St. Jude Parish. They suggested to Father Pfister the donation of a Mary vestment.

Around that time, someone had broken into St. Jude Church and tried to steal the original Monstrance, but cut himself in the process and was taken to Parkview Hospital. The crucifix on top was broken off in the process.

The Sisters of St. Clare in Evansville, Indiana built a new Monastery which was smaller than its predecessor. Having a single chapel, these sisters required only one Monstrance, and attempted to donate their second Monstrance to the Historical Religious Museum in the Cathedral in Fort Wayne. This Monstrance had been used in the outside public chapel of the old Mother house for Sunday Benediction with the rosary. Since these sisters are cloistered, they only saw the Monstrance from behind a grill and curtain. It was later moved inside and seen only through a grill for Benediction. The nearest estimate is that this Monstrance is close to 100 years old.

Father Widman, who was Curator of the Historical Religious Museum at that time, and Mary Derheimer’s dad began discussing the subject at the Knights of Columbus. Father Widman approached Father Pfister about purchasing the Monstrance for St. Jude's developing Adoration Chapel. Mary’s name was engraved on the Monstrance by a jeweler who did the work for "no charge." A few years later, the gold was replated due to wear.

Mary Derheimer’s family considers it "a blessing" to know that Mary "provided the resting place for Jesus in our Chapel."

 

"If we did not have the adorable Eucharist here below, Jesus our God-with-us, this earth would be much too sad, this life too hard, and time too long. We must be grateful to the divine goodness for having left us this hidden Jesus, this pillar of cloud and fire in this desert."