December 7, 2021

Caroling on Friday, Taize on Sunday, Giving Opportunities, and so much more!

Saint Josephine

Bakhita Parish

December 7, 2021

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Advent is our time of waiting for the coming of God’s kingdom. We hear again and again that the kingdom of God will be a time of justice, compassion, and peace. Praying and working for that great moment is what the Advent season is all about. Christmas was/is God’s promise that His kingdom will come for all people.

I share (a portion) of this prayer from William V. Coleman for your reflection:

Lord, God,

may your kingdom come,

may your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

May war be no more,

may the lion lie down with the lamb.

May swords be beaten into plowshares.

May spears become pruning hooks.

May there be peace on earth.

Let our Advent prayer be for

justice and compassion.

Let our minds be filled

with visions of a time

when the poor and weak

may have a voice which will be heard,

when the oppressed will

throw off their bonds and

walk with us as brothers and sisters

in our land.

We remember Christmas, Lord,

your promise

that you will come once more

and set the world aright

if we only stretch out our arms

to those who need our love.

Amen.

Our beloved parish will offer a variety of opportunities for your spiritual journey through Advent. Learn more about Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish below!

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita at a Glance - Click Here

Immaculate Conception

of the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 8, 2021

Noon - St. James & livestreamed

7 PM - St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

Music for Mass: Click Here

*Masks strongly encouraged!*

Third Sunday of Advent

Gaudete Sunday

December 11-12, 2021

4 PM Vigil - St. James

9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

11 AM - St. James & livestreamed

*Masks strongly encouraged!*

Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

A beautiful form of prayer during Advent is the rosary. By meditating on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, we accompany Mary and Joseph as they learn that Mary will bring the Son of God into the world, and we journey with them through Christ’s birth and into his childhood.

The Joyful Mysteries:

The Annunciation: Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
The Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
The Nativity: Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
The Presentation: Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus to God in the Temple.
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: Jesus is found discussing his faith with the teachers.

Advent Rosary: Streamed on Facebook Wednesdays

at 5:30 PM and available after

December Faith Activity

Create Your Own Nativity Scene

Our faith formation students together with their families will create and construct the primary figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to make their own nativity scene. They can also add angels, shepherds and the three wise men to their scenes. Everyday household materials can be used along with your own creativity to create these figures. All parishioners are invited to join in this activity and share with us pictures of your own traditional family nativity sets. For more information, Click Here.

Send your pictures to reo@sjbrh.org.

Advent Daily Prayer

Fr. George and our parish Directors of Music Ministry will lead Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer online through Advent.

Morning Prayer: Streamed on Facebook at 5:00 AM and available after

Evening Prayer: Streamed on Facebook at 5:00 PM and available after

Advent Giving Opportunities

Advent Giving Project

Our Advent Giving Project will provide local shelters with items that are in high demand. Please consider picking up extras of the following items to donate to our collection. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those served by our local agencies.

Granola Bars, Crackers, Cookies (single serving packages)
Breakfast Cereal
Men’s T-shirts & Boxer Briefs (size L, XL, XXL)
Deodorant & Bar Soap (full size)

Donations can be dropped off at either church location:

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

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

Questions? Contact Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com, Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

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, December 8 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 started Monday, November 8. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church. Please note, we are no longer able to accept household goods.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

Advent Music Opportunities

Sunday, December 12 at 6 PM

Saint James Church

Imagine the scene. Silence. Church lights dim. In the sanctuary, dozens of candles flicker near icons. In pews, worshipers hold their own candles, long and slim, then light each others’ one by one until the church is alive with even more candlelight. They chant together, slowly repeating a single line over and over as they rise and carry candles toward the altar, adding their own flames to the ones already burning.

Returning to pews, worshipers then sit in silence just beholding this magical scene: small flames around the altar like a sunburst in shadowy darkness. There is no other light. There is no sound save the occasional cough. And nothing moves, save the flames, which dance.

This is a Taizé prayer service. Join us at Saint James Church on Sunday, December 12 to experience this moving form of prayer.

Second Annual Virtual Caroling Event

Join Members of the Music Ministry in

singing your favorite Christmas Carols

Sunday, December 19 at 7:00 PM

streamed on Facebook

We especially encourage families with children to participate in this precious tradition of singing these rich and wonderful songs about the birth of Christ and some popular Christmas season songs too. Watch the e-newsletter for downloadable lyrics to use for your at-home sing-along!