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History
of St. Jude Parish
 St. Jude parish was canonically erected
on July 23, 1962. Our first pastor, Fr.
Richard Krapfl, along with his
associate, Fr. James Flanagan, took up
residence on August 8, of that year, and
the first Sunday Mass was offered on
August 12 in the southwest wing of the
school. Masses were held there until the
summer of 1966. The parish center was
opened at that time.
The land had been purchased some years
earlier by Fr. Donald Peters, then the
administrator of St. Patrick's parish.
Fr. J. Robert McDonald was responsible
for the construction of St. Jude School.
Our present parish rectory at 3601 First
Avenue, SW was purchased in 1984. Our
new church was dedicated in March of
1989. The former LaSalle high school
property was purchased in 1999 to be
used as part of our Holy Family School
consolidation.
Fr. John Gregory was our second pastor
from 1968 to 1976. Fr. Eugene Kutsch
served this parish from 1976 to July,
1987, Fr. Donald Bruggeman served from
1987 to 1999, Fr. Richard Ament served
from 1999 - July, 2005. Our present
Pastor, Fr. Mark Reasoner, arrived in
July 2005.
Our boundaries include the area of Cedar
Rapids west of 18th Street west, south
of the Cedar River, north of 33rd Avenue
SW, and east of West Post Road.
A "Bit"
of History About Saint Jude
Saint Jude
was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus
Christ. Little is written and recorded
about him. It has been said he was
almost forgotten for centuries after the
death of Christ. Some believe this was
because his name, St. Judas Thaddeus was
often confused with Judas Iscariot the
apostle who betrayed Christ.
Thus, people were afraid to seek
intercession for fear of confusing the
two.
Centuries passed before people began to
recognize St. Jude. It is speculated
that many thought he may have had some
"stored-up" power from all the time when
he was forgotten and he has since become
known as the saint to petition for
hopeless causes.
Today, there are numerous schools,
churches and hospitals that use his
name. And it is common to see classified
publications of with testimonials
thanking St. Jude for prayers answered
via his intercession.
Prayer to
St. Jude
Glorious Apostle, St. Jude
Thaddeus, I salute you through
the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Through His Heart I praise and
thank God for all the graces He
has bestowed upon you. I implore
you, through His love to look
upon me with compassion. Do not
despise my poor prayer. Do not
let my trust be confounded! God
has granted to you the privilege
of aiding humankind in the most
desperate cases. Oh, come to my
aid that I may praise the
mercies of God! All my life I
will be your grateful client
until I can thank you in heaven.
St. Jude, pray for us and
for all those who invoke your
aid. Amen.
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