March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023 Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish, This coming Sunday, Palm Sunday, marks a major turning point in the liturgical year, and the way the liturgy is celebrated signals the transition. The assembly processes and waves palm branches just as did the crowds that gathered to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem. In the Liturgy of the Word, we participate in the proclamation of the Gospel account that follows that day, detailing the arrest, trial, conviction, torture, crucifixion, and death on the cross. It is heart-wrenching and mystifying. In looking back at the last three Sundays of Lent, we recall that Jesus reveals his full identity to the woman from Samaria, the man blind from birth, and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. On trial, however, he is mute before Pilate. His humility and obedience to God reveal his divinity. Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of our most sacred week of the entire liturgical year. Each year Holy Week offers us the opportunity to walk alongside our Lord from the cross to the garden. This week is sacred. Approach it like a week-long retreat. Make arrangements to fully participate in the liturgies of Holy Week and to prayerfully accompany our Lord through it all. We look forward to being with you through it all! Click Here to See Everything We Have Planned for Holy Week Passion (Palm) Sunday April 2, 2023 4:00 PM at Saint James 9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton 11:00 AM at Saint James Lenten Fasting Cup Activity The Campailla Family Fasting Cup Lifting Up Intercessory Prayer in Our Churches Prayer Walls This Lent our parish Faith Formation Program has placed “Prayer Walls” in both of our churches. All are welcome to write a prayer intention on small strips of provided construction paper and tie them with a ribbon on the wire “wall.” Prayer Intention Books Along the back wall of St. James and in the foyer of St. Elizabeth Seton, you can also find prayer intention books. These intentions are then prayed for during the celebration of Mass, and the rosary offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays following daily mass. Light a Candle Along the back wall in St. James Church and in the Reservation Chapel at St. Elizabeth Church there are votive candle stations which represent our “Sacrifice of Praise.” The word “votive” comes from the Latin word "votum," which originally meant “expressing a desire.” The next time you are in the chapel, feel free to light a votive candle as a sacrificial offering, expressing your desires and petitions to God. Lent Prayer & Devotions Pray the 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. Friday Evenings 5:30PM at St. James 7:00pm at St. Elizabeth Seton Daily Mass Mon-8:30AM @ Seton Tues-8:00AM @ St. James Thur-8:00AM @ St. James Fri-8:30AM @ Seton   Evening Prayer Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome!   Reconciliation Mondays at 6:00 PM St. Elizabeth Seton. 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 Lent Almsgiving Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Challenge Continues Our faith formation students in grades 4-8 have been busy collecting money in their rice bowls as the competition continues! Many of them have been donating their own money that they had already saved, doing chores in return for money from Mom and Dad, and putting money in their rice bowls as they give up special meals or snacks that they enjoy. We are so proud of all of them and their efforts to give to all those in the world who are served by Catholic Relief Services. The grade that collects the most money will be treated to an ice cream party served by our Confirmation students! God bless all your ongoing efforts to aid the less fortunate in our midst! Easter Food Baskets Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish will be collecting Easter food “baskets” for families within our community on the weekend of April 1-2 so that they can be delivered before Easter. Rocky Hill Human Services is asking for "generic" baskets for families of four to six people. Please bring your basket (any container is acceptable as long as it looks nice) to the Rectory garage at Saint Elizabeth Seton or Father Shea Hall at Saint James on Saturday afternoon, April 1 or Sunday morning, April 2. A list of suggested items is available here. Please do not include perishable foods. People will be given gift certificates to use for their fresh foods. During this weekend we will also be collecting grocery store gift certificates which Rocky Hill Human Services will add to the baskets when they are distributed. Please bring the gift certificates to Mass April 1-2 and place them in the collection basket. Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion April 2, 2023 4PM ~ St. James 9AM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed) 11AM ~ St. James 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 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. Charismatic Prayer Group Our Charismatic Prayer Group gives praise, honor, thanks and love to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our gatherings include Christian music, charismatic prayer, discussion of biblical readings and sharing prayer petitions. We meet on first Tuesday of the month online. Contact Kristie Witherspoon to learn more:  kblicharz@gmail.com. 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. Read the Parish Bulletin Visit our Website Parish Visitors Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners and those recuperating from surgery or illness. Please contact the parish office to request a visit: 860-529-8655. Stay Connected Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish l The Catholic Community of Rocky Hill

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