April 10, 2022

Holy Week at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

April 10, 2022

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

Today begin the best week in the whole liturgical year. Centuries ago, it was called the “Great Week.” Now we call it “Holy Week.” We follow Jesus every step of the way.

We start with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where he is welcomed, applauded, and acclaimed, by a big crowd of followers.

On Thursday we will join him at table and receive the gift of himself in bread and wine and where he washes the disciples’ feet in reminder of our own call to servant discipleship.

After dining with him we walk with him along the path that leads from the Upper Room to the Garden of Olives. There we will see him falling to the ground in fear and anxiety about the cruel death that awaits him.

Friday will find us standing beside his mother at the foot of the cross and feeling compassion for both his physical agony and his mental torment. There we will be feeling especially some of his sense of being alone and abandoned, betrayed, and deserted, not only by friends and followers, but even by God.

On Saturday we will be quiet and silent around his tomb, as we remember the injustice, hostility, and cruelty of all those evil people who killed him. Then, late on Saturday, we will move from the darkness of our journey to the place of the brightly burning fire. There we will join the procession of the great Easter Candle, representing the risen Christ, as he lights up the darkness of our church and our lives and our world.

There and then, the pain and sadness of our journey with Jesus to Calvary, will give way to the hope and joy that comes with our awareness. Jesus Christ is not dead and gone. No, he is alive, strong, and powerful, alive in himself, and alive in us.

This week is sacred. Approach it like a week-long retreat. Make the necessary arrangements to fully participate in the liturgies of Holy Week and to prayerfully accompany our Lord and one another through it all.

Peace and Blessings through it all!

Fr. George Couturier

Click Here to See All We Have Planned for Holy Week

Holy Week Schedule 2022

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

April 10, 2022

4PM ~ St. James

9AM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

11AM ~ St. James (livestreamed)

Holy Thursday

April 14, 2022

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

7PM ~ St James (livestreamed)

Adoration until 10:00PM

Good Friday

April 15, 2022

Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion

3PM ~ St. James (livestreamed)

3PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton

Stations of the Cross & Veneration

7PM ~ St. James

7PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton

Holy Saturday

April 16, 2022

Blessing of Easter Foods

Noon ~ St. James

Easter Vigil

8PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

Easter Sunday

April 17, 2022

9AM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

9AM ~ St. James

11AM ~ St. James (livestreamed)

More details can be found here.

Bring Your Bells To Ring

Rejoice! The Gloria is sung again on Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil & Easter morning. Bring your bells from home to ring during the singing of this joyful hymn!

Blessing of Easter Foods

Bring your Easter Foods to be blessed on Holy Saturday, April 16, at Noon at St. James Church!

Holy Week Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross invite us to use all our senses as we reflect prayerfully and walk intentionally with Jesus through his suffering, death on the cross and resurrection. Here are some of the ways available:

Attend The Stations of the Cross

Good Friday, April 15

7:00PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

7:0pm at St. James

led by our Confirmation Program

and livestreamed

Pray The Stations of the Cross with Fr. George Virtually

Available anytime on YouTube

Pray the Stations of the Cross for

Children, Families & Everyone Virtually

Available anytime on YouTube

Bring Your Rice Bowl Collections Back to Church

All households who have filled their Rice Bowls during Lent are asked to convert your change into cash or a check made out to Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish. Drop your envelope labeled "CRS Rice Bowl" into our collection boxes in the entrance ways of our church buildings. Thank you!

Good Friday Reflection Film

When our Prayers Don’t Seem to Work

All are invited to gather and watch a 35 minute video reflection on finding God in times of loss and pain called "When Our Prayers Don't Seem To Work," featuring Noelle Garcia McHugh.

Friday, April 15 at2:00PM

Saint Elizabeth Seton, Room E

Questions: call Ellen & Steve Lowrance at 860-759-0614.

Easter Season Bible Study

All Are Welcome!

Jesus: A Man of Prayer

This Easter Season, Deacon Michael

will be leading a Bible Study

on “Jesus: A Man of Prayer.”

This six-session series will be

held in-person and online.

Jesus and prayer—two topics that are of immense interest to Christians and that are inextricably linked together.

On Wednesdays starting April 27th Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will be offering a 6-part read and reflect series on praying with Jesus Christ. In this convening of Jesus: Man of Prayer, we will consider prayer by studying the way Jesus prayed as offered in Scripture. We will gain greater understanding of Jesus—and prayer—as we work our way through this helpful and practical Bible study.

The series begins on Wednesday April 27th. Two identical sessions are offered each week, one at 10:00 AM at 7:00 PM at St. James Church Parish Center, and one at 7:00 PM ONLINE via Google Meet.

Registration and participation details can be found here.

All are welcome. No special knowledge of Scripture is required. Preregistration is requested by Tuesday April 12th. $8 fee for materials. Please register by signing up via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by calling and leaving a message at 860-529-3222 Ext. 14.