April 4, 2023

Journey With Us Through Holy Week

April 4, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Celebrating Easter is like watching the sunrise in the most beautiful place ever visited. All along our journey through Lent our eyes have been tuned for directional arrows in the Scriptures pointing our steps toward God, who summons us unceasingly.

At Easter we open our hearts fully as the Son rises gloriously and his rays fill us with joy. Together with the community of faith, we renew our baptismal vows. Like a long-married couple renewing their marriage vows, we baptized Christians renew our commitment to Jesus Christ and the Church. We welcome sprinkles of blessed baptismal water as a symbol of our bond in faith. It is a joyous response to God’s invitation to return to him with ready hearts. The resurrection is celebrated with our jubilant renewal of faith as the Gloria and Alleluia are sung and trumpets and bells resound. Our sanctuaries and homes are filled with fragrant flowers and our tables hold choice foods to share with those we love. The Son is alive and with us always! Alleluia!

We invite you to join us in person or online for as we journey together through this most holy week of the year.

Wishing all near and far a most blessed and holy Easter!

Click Here to See Everything We Have Planned for Holy Week

The Sacred Triduum

at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Holy Thursday

April 6, 2023

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

7PM ~ St James (livestreamed)

Adoration until 10:00PM

Good Friday

April 7, 2023

Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion

3PM ~ St. James (livestreamed)

Tenebrae & Veneration

7:30PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton

Holy Saturday

April 8, 2023

Blessing of Easter Foods

Noon ~ St. James

Easter Vigil

8PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

Easter Sunday

April 9, 2023

9AM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

9AM ~ St. James

11AM ~ St. James

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 8, at Noon at St. James Church!

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!

Reconciliation

April 2 at 4:00 PM

St. James

April 4 at 6:00 PM

St. James

April 5 at 6:00 PM

St. Elizabeth Seton

The Faith Formation Team wishes you and your family a very blessed Holy Week and Easter Sunday celebration. We pray that the joy of the risen Lord remain in your hearts throughout the Easter season.

We would like to share with you this Holy Week prayer as well as this special Easter Table prayer to share with your family.

Peace and Joy,

Monica, Beth, Carol, Linda, and Lori

Easter Table Prayer

At this Easter table

We pray to God and rejoice—

Jesus brought new life

After Death and sacrifice.

At Easter time, new life

Is present all around

From the robins that will sing

To the fresh buds that are found.

As we breathe the scent of lilies

And enjoy signs of new life,

We remember the Death and Resurrection

Of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Alleluia!

Holy Week Prayer and Easter Table Prayer provided by Sadlier Religion.

Other Fun Tidbits

Eldercare Healthcare Informational Panel

On Tuesday, April 18 from 6:00-7:30 PM, St. Josephine Bakhita will host an Eldercare/Healthcare Panel to share information on a variety of resources available to caregivers and older adults. Industry professionals, which will include Father George and members of our parish, will speak on homecare & hospice, private duty in-home assistance, skilled nursing, Estate Planning, Medicare wellness benefits, dementia resources and spiritual counseling. Following the speaker panel, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers. The event will be held at St. James Parish Hall located at 767 Elm Street. Complimentary pizza will be provided. Please sign up in advance so we have a head count. Call our parish office at 860-529-8655 or email frgeorge@sjbrh.org.

Centering Prayer Workshop

Join us for a Centering Prayer Workshop on May 1 & May 2 from 6:30-8:30 PM on Zoom. Mike Smoolca, Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach at Holy Family Monastery and Fran Mastro will present this two-part workshop. We will discuss the basics of Centering Prayer and practice it as a group, deepening our relationship with God. Sign up in the foyer at St. Elizabeth Seton or St. James Church. Any question call Fran at (860)810-2403 or Email at fmed6@icloud.com.

Click Here to Sign Up for the Earth Day Celebration

It is important that when you give to any charitable organization, you are confident that the funds received are being used wisely. Be assured that your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal supports the ministries and programs indicated in the 2023 Appeal literature! Please visit the Appeal website to learn more and make your gift today.

All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found here. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.