November 15, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
We end the Liturgical year with a bang: The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. And we read and hear the words of our Gospel: “Above him there was an inscription that read, this is the King of the Jews.” Our church has picked up on this title “king” and created this feast day in honor of Christ, as King. For us, in a leading democratic country that elects its presidents, this may seem a rather odd way to honor Christ.
But, if we look closely at today’s Gospel (Lk 23:35-43), we get some amazing insight into what it means for Jesus, to be a king. This means something very different than it has meant for King Charles III.
First, we see that Jesus does not rule from a throne but hangs on a cross. He gives his life for us on a cross. He gives God’s life to us. Then, we see that Jesus knows the value of silence. He remains silent in the face of ridicule and mockery. He does not strike back verbally. His silence shows his goodness and peace and creates the space for others to calm down. Then, connected with the silence, Jesus does not grow hardened, much less, vengeful. Instead, he remains compassionate and forgiving. And finally, in all of this, we see that Jesus is not excluding. He does not shun or push away or refuse to have anything to do with those who are imperfect or unacceptable.
So, this title “King” helps us to see Jesus as a leader or ruler in an entirely different way…counter-cultural indeed! He leads by example, by spiritual power, not by coercive power. The conclusions for us as individuals and as community and as an institutional Church are obvious. He has empowered us to be like him, to foster his kingdom, to be daughters and sons of God.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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Our Lord Jesus Christ,
King of the Universe
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November 20, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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Rocky Hill Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 21, 2022
7 PM
St. Andrew the Apostle Church
331 Orchard St, Rocky Hill
Thanksgiving Day Mass
Thursday, November 24, 2022
8 AM
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Fall Faith Activity
The Thankful Pumpkin
Try a faith tradition that focuses on thankfulness. Every night leading up to Thanksgiving, gather as a household and add a message, passage, name, or prayer on your Thankful Pumpkin! It can be a real pumpkin, a personal hand-crafted pumpkin, or non-perishable store bought pumpkin.
You can do this as a household of one or with everyone (mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandparents, cousins, god-parents and grown-ups)! Be creative and have fun!
You will have a beautiful, thoughtful Thanksgiving decoration!
Please send pictures of your Thankful Pumpkin to the Faith Formation Office so that we can share them. Our Office is located on the Saint James Campus, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill or email them directly to reo@sjbrh.org.
Enjoy a few pictures of parish pumpkins:
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Adult Spirituality Opportunities |
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Centering Prayer Workshop
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish welcomes all ages to join in an Introductory Centering Prayer Workshop on Zoom to be held on two consecutive Wednesdays: November 30 and December 7. The Workshops will run from 6:30-8:30 PM led by presenters Fran Mastro and Mike Smoolca (the Contemplative Outreach Coordinator at the Holy Family Retreat Center). Centering Prayer is a way of opening to the presence of God in prayer. We will practice this prayer of letting go and emptying to create a readiness for a new kind of fullness with God. Please sign up in either church by November 21. For more information, please contact Fran Masto at fmed6@icloud.com.
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Interested in Becoming Catholic? We Can Help!
Times such as those we are living through now often prompt people to examine what we believe, how we make sense of the world and examine just what we live by, and why, and where “this all seems to be going.” Christian faith as offered in and through the Catholic Church brings 20 centuries of belief and wisdom to bear on these very questions.
Entering the Catholic Church through Baptism at Easter after exploration and instruction in the faith is the typical path for those entering the Catholic Church as adults. If you (or someone you know) are interested in exploring this possibility with us, we are certainly happy and eager to help. Anyone interested should contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org.
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Sweet Treat Returns
Last year, thanks to our community's overwhelming generosity, we were able to provide a sweet treat as a small Christmas gift to numerous organizations. The Faith Formation Confirmation Program would like to continue this tradition and are asking for your help.
Do you have any leftover Halloween candy or is there a sale you see at the store? If so, we will be accepting donations of chocolate or hard candy for the next few weeks. Boxes labeled “Sweet Treat Candy Collection” will be in the foyers of both churches.
A small chocolate treat brings large smiles to so many. Thank you for supporting this annual project!
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Catholic Campaign for Human Development Special Collection
November 18 – 19
Did you know that nearly 34 million Americans live below the poverty line? You can help by supporting the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development through our special collection the weekend of November 18-19, 2022.
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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. Learn more, Click Here.
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Winter Clothing Collection
We accept Winter 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. Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com
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Thanksgiving Food Baskets &
Grocery Store Gift Certificates
Create a Thanksgiving Food Basket for a household of 4-6 people to donate to Rocky Hill Human Services and deliver to either church the weekend of November 19-20.
OR
Donate gift certificates to local grocery stores to compliment the Food Baskets and enable families to buy turkeys and perishable foods.
Please indicate your intention to donate a basket by signing up in either Church Foyer. Learn all about where to donate and how to build your basket, Click Here. |
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Saint Josephine Bakhita
Holiday Fair
Saturday, November 19
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saint James Parish Center
Silent Auction & Teacup Auction
Crafts & Homemade Ornaments
Cookie Walk & Bake Sale
Fun Foods to Buy & Enjoy
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Attention Bakers: Drop Off Instructions
Please bring your donated baked goods to the Parish Center on Friday, November 18 between 2 - 6 PM. Include a slip of paper with your name and description of your baked goods, and any allergens, as labels will be prepared to identify items for shoppers. Someone will be available to check in your donations so please speak to a volunteer at the time you drop off your donations. Thank you!
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We Need Volunteers
We can't wait for our annual Holiday Fair and we need lots of help to make it happen. There is a job for everyone! Check out all the opportunities and volunteer to help make 2022 the best year ever! If you prefer to talk to someone about volunteering rather than using our e-form below, call Kathy Alexander at 860-563-5859.
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The Season of Advent is right around the corner, starting on Sunday, November 27. Our parish has a wide variety of devotional & faith-filled opportunities planned!
Do you have a nativity scene/crèche that you set up every year? Send a picture along with one or two sentences about where it is from, where you got it or what it means to you to communications@sjbrh.org. We have something special planned to share our beautiful home nativities this Advent. |
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Advent Bible Study
Mary has had a profound influence on Christian spirituality, theology and history. Join us to reflect on three incidents in the life of Mary on three Wednesdays during Advent: December 7, 14 and 21. Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will be offering a 3-part read and reflect series on Mary by exploring three scenes from her life that are critical to our own lives as disciples of her Son. This is a profound and powerful “Advent way” to prepare for the joy of Christmas.
The series begins on Wednesday December 7th. Two identical sessions are offered each week, one at 10:00 AM at St. James Church Parish Center 767 Elm Street in Rocky Hill, and at 7:00 PM ONLINE.
Participation details can be found online, Click Here.
All are welcome. No special knowledge of Scripture is required. Pre-register by Tuesday November 21st. $6 fee for materials.
Please register by signing up via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by calling and leaving a message at 860-529-3222 Ext. 14.
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Advent Taizé Prayer Service
Sunday, December 4 at 7 PM
Saint James Church
Imagine the scene. Silence. Church lights dim. In the sanctuary, dozens of candles flicker near icons. Worshipers sing chant together, slowly repeating a single line over and over as they walk to the sanctuary to light their votive from the already burning candles.
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.
There is no preaching, no teaching, no talk of sin or repentance or forgiveness. There is just this elegantly simple service: short chants, often in Latin, repeated over and over in the dark. Plus short Scripture readings and psalms. And silence, at least 8 or 10 minutes, sometimes more. In 45 minutes, it’s over and you return to your life.
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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.
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Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council welcomes your feedback, questions and concerns and will respond as appropriate. Please contact the Council via email by sending a message to parishcouncil@sjbrh.org. Learn more, Click here.
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Daily Mass Schedule
Monday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
Tuesday: 8:00am-St. James
Thursday: 8:00am-St. James
Friday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
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Evening Prayer
Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome! During Advent, Wednesday Morning Prayer will also be offered.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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