December 21, 2021

Join Us For Christmas at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Saint Josephine

Bakhita Parish

December 21, 2021

Christmas at

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings and Merry Christmas!!

As we enter the Christmas feast and holy season to follow, one can only wonder why God sent Jesus to us. Jesus was sent to us so we could all become just like Jesus. On this Christmas Feast we celebrate the fact that God stepped into our midst in person and began 33 years of showing us what a real life looks like…from the first breath to the very last. It looks like Jesus, our brother.

What Jesus is, we hope to be. But Jesus is more than a model for us. He is God-With-Us, God-Who-Will-Never-Leave-Us, God-Who-Has-The-Power-To-Heal our hearts and lighten our spirits.

When we take on wholeheartedly the eyes of faith and see…the world looks very different for us, if we let him light our darkness, warm our coldness, challenge our selfishness, and wipe away our tears…if we let him show us the way home.

Immediately following the Feast of Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family. What a wonderful and insightful way to be assisted to our “way home” than by the poignant example of the Holy Family. Influenced by this powerful example of the Holy Family may our families, even if troubled and struggling, our gathering of friends, co-workers, classmates, fellow citizens of nation and world be impacted by the tenacity, courage, wisdom to follow the way, truth and life of the Christ born into our world.

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Christmas Schedule

Christmas Eve

Friday, December 24

4:00 PM at St. James

4:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

5:30 PM at St. James**

10:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

(9:30 PM Concert)**

Christmas Worship Aid, Click Here

Christmas Day

Saturday, December 25

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

11:00 AM at St. James**

Christmas Worship Aid, Click Here

The Holy Family

Sunday, December 26

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

11:00 AM at St. James**

The Holy Family Worship Aid, Click Here

New Year's Eve

Friday, December 31

4:00 PM at St. James**

New Year's Eve Worship Aid, Click Here

Epiphany

Saturday, January 1

4:00 PM at St. James

Sunday, January 2

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

11:00 AM at St. James**

** denotes Mass will also be livestreamed on Facebook

Join Members of the Music Ministry in

singing your favorite Christmas Carols

To Watch and Sing-Along, Click Here

To Download the Lyrics, Click Here

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.

Grace for Christmas Dinner

God of all gifts,

we thank you

for the many ways

you have blessed us this Christmas.

We are grateful

for every person

gathered around this table

and we remember with love

those who join us from heaven.

We ask you to bless

our food so lovingly prepared.

In our gratitude,

we remember your humble birth

and pray for those who

do not have enough to eat this day.

We remember the stable

in which you were born

and pray for those

who have no place to rest this night.

We remember the discord in our world

and we pray for peace in families, communities

and nations around the earth.

We bless you and give you thanks

through Christ

who brings our hearts

to life the Christmas Day.

Amen.

Share Your Home Nativity Scene

All parishioners are invited to share pictures of your home nativity sets. Send your pictures to reo@sjbrh.org.

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

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