January 4, 2022

Hope for a New Year, The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Blood Drive and more...

Saint Josephine

Bakhita Parish

January 4, 2022

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings, blessings and Merry Christmas once again!!

A warm thank you from me and the entire staff for all the ways you so generously gifted us this Christmas season. Thank you for your kind and generous gestures, cards, gifts, and support through this holy time of year! We are truly grateful!!

This coming weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We are reminded of the powerful waters of our baptisms where we entered the life of God—a God who has entered our lives in the person of Jesus.

God has loved us, cried with us, endured our pain and fear, experienced our despair, disappointments, and anger. God our Creator and Father is present in our tears and laughter, in our struggles and triumphs, in our joys and grief.

This weekend’s Feast invites us to embrace again the Spirit of God that first embraced us in our own Baptisms and the Baptisms of our children.

As we come to the end of the Christmas season, perhaps pull out pictures or video memories of family baptisms, baptismal garments and momentos. Create a table centerpiece with a bowl of water and baptism candles if you still have them. Call or text or send a card to Godparents.

Let the Spirit continue to lead and nudge us along, especially this New Year, as we continue to seek and realize the goodness and meaning of the precious moment when God claimed us as His own!

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

Saint Elizabeth Seton, pray for us!

On January 4th we celebrate the Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, one of our parish patrons and the patron saint of Catholic Schools, teachers, and widows. Learn more at the website for the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Click here.

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Christmas Schedule

Baptism of the Lord

Saturday, January 8

4:00 PM at St. James

Sunday, January 9

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

11:00 AM at St. James**

Baptism of the Lord Worship Aid, Click Here

Please Note: Masks are required in our worship spaces!

** denotes Mass will be livestreamed

Happy New Year from Faith Formation!

As we look forward to beginning the new year of 2022, we look back fondly on your support and involvement in your children’s faith journey. We thank you for your participation in their lessons and for sharing your own faith through the monthly family activities and participation in the activities and resources on our faith formation website. We look forward with hope to a blessed new year filled with much joy and growing together in the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Nativities

Saint Josephine Bakhita Nativity Scenes 2021

Pray and reflect with this compilation of nativity scenes shared by members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community and crafted by faith formation students set to “Song of The Nativity” from Every Knee Shall Bend, Passionist Sacred Music (1997).

Giving Opportunities

Blood Donors Needed

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12 from 1PM-6PM. Go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register to give.

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for our monthly delivery to the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location:

St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Questions? Contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com

Winter Clothing

Collection

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection continues through the coming weeks. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods.

St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Blesses Confirmation Candidates

We are grateful for the generosity of our Prayer Shawl Ministry for crafting 50 red scarves for our Confirmation Candidates & presenting them with blessings to the young people in December. The scarves kept our Candidates warm and they walked our outdoor labyrinth and enjoyed a bonfire.