May 14, 2024

Join Us for Pentecost at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

May 14, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

With the new technology available, in our contemporary times we tend to analyze things scientifically. In so many ways that is outstanding. For example, we can look at the way we breathe and measure the lung capacity of athletes, astronauts and smokers.

By way of contrast, in ancient times we tended to view things mythologically. Ancient cultures often associated their breath with the wind. They often reverenced the wind as the source of life and felt as if they were inside it.

And when an ancient person died, they relied on the wind to blow away their footprints so that no one would be under the false impression that that person was still living. Moreover, they believed that upon their death they would rejoin the great wind from which they came.

Today’s Gospel for Pentecost (John 20:19-23) uses another kind of ancient image about breath, wind and life. The risen Jesus appears to his disciples in the upper room on the evening of Easter Sunday. After greeting then with the words of peace “He breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Before Pentecost the disciples were huddled together behind closed doors. Paralyzed by fear, confusion and hesitancy, they could only wait and pray. But when the Holy Spirit came, the Spirit’s fire kindled their hearts, the wind drove them out into the world to proclaim the good news.

That was the beginning of the Church’s mission to make disciples of all nations. What those early disciples began is yet to be finished. That is why we need a new coming of the Holy Spirit in our own day, and every day.

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

Join Us For Pentecost Sunday

May 19, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Bring Your Worries & Concerns Prayer Service

Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Saint Elizabeth Seton Church

Are you feeling overwhelmed with what’s going on in the world, with your health or that of loved ones? Are you struggling with anger, forgiving others or yourself? Do you feel burdened by concerns you hold deep in your heart? All are invited to bring their struggles, burdens and worries to a special prayer service planned for Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM. There are no solutions being offered in this prayer service but an opportunity to reflect, pray, accept, let go, and, hopefully, experience Christ’s peace and support within a community that has deep concerns as well.

If you have found prayers, reflections, poetry or writings that have helped you with your concerns, consider sharing them with us. Email or deliver copies of these by Pentecost (May 19, 2024) to Elizabeth Husmer, Joy O’Sullivan, Father George or Lisa Orchen and they will be compiled to share that evening.

Giving Garden Plant Sale

The Giving Garden Ministry is sponsoring a Plant Sale of vegetable starters on Sunday, May 26 after the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton. The proceeds will assist the team in upkeep of the garden. The vegetables of the garden support local soup kitchens.

The May Crowning took place at the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday, May 5. Children who received their First Eucharist on Saturday morning returned to honor Mary along with other children from the congregation. Many also joined the Children's Liturgy of the Word! Thank you to Bill Betterini for taking these beautiful pictures!

Other Fun Tidbits

Our SJB Shop is open through May 24, 2024 to give everyone the opportunity to purchase warm weather swag. The summer sale will offer short and long sleeved t-shirts, polos and aprons, all boasting our beautiful parish logo!

Click Here to Order Today

Inviting Greeters

Can you smile? Can you greet people? Can you pass out church bulletins? Now is your chance to play a bigger part in our church community. We are looking for more greeters for the 4:00 PM and 11:00 AM masses at St. James Church. It could be as little or as often as you want and requires no skills other than a friendly face.

Please email Margie Ruschau at ruschau@aol.com to learn more and volunteer.

Sunday, June 2, 2024

12:00 – 1:00 PM

St. James Church

In union with the worldwide Eucharistic Revival, Saint Josephine Bakhita parish will host a Holy Hour in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament on the Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. All are welcome to gather at St. James Church immediately following the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass for an hour of quiet prayer. Our communal prayer intentions will be for ministerial vocations, the people of Haiti and world peace.

Support Walk MS

Knight of Columbus, Will Shivell, will be participating in the MS Walk on Saturday, May 18. Will and others will be walking to raise money to help people with Multiple Sclerosis and to fund research for a cure. Please consider supporting Will by donating to this very worthy cause. Thank you!

Click Here to Donate

Summer Clothing Collection

Our Parish Summer Clothing Collection continues through the coming weeks. We accept warm weather clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods.

St. James Church is open Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

Archbishop's Annual Appeal

The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal changes lives through service. In addition to assisting the under-served of our communities, your gift helps those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift to the Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith. Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge commitment to the 2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet had the opportunity, please consider prayerfully supporting the many “Good Works” of the Archdiocese. Please know that every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life. 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.