Join Us For Thanksgiving Day Mass
Thursday, November 24, 2022
8 AM
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Thanksgiving Greetings from Faith Formation |
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Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day, I would like to share with you a special prayer that connects deeply with me about the meaning of real gratitude. In a world where we often experience fear, anxiety, and hopelessness, it is important to remember that there is always something for which to be grateful. The precious gift of faith and love that we share is the source of this hope. We just need to be aware and present in our everyday surroundings to appreciate all the good there is in the world. Simple things like a smile or kindness from a stranger, a hug from a friend, or an old familiar song on the radio can bring us unexpected joy.
I am particularly grateful this Thanksgiving for the support and encouragement that I receive from our faith formation team, our catechists, our parish staff, and all the families who bless my ministry every day.
So in the midst of the chaos and challenges that life can sometimes bring, this is my why...why I am thankful and why I look forward with hope this Advent. Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
Peace,
Monica Piombino
Director of Faith Formation
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this is why
Lord of Life,
They ask me why I stop to pray
And why I begin my prayers with thanks
In a world fraught with pain and loss,
with cruelty and injustice.
Sometimes I ask myself this too.
And then I look again
And gratitude fills my heart anew.
Because when somebody is hungry, another is dividing their portion.
When somebody is thirsty, another is digging a well.
When somebody is asking questions,
another is opening a book and teaching answers.
When somebody is lost, another is searching.
Because when somebody is cursed, another is blessing.
When somebody is sick, another is giving healing care.
When somebody has been driven from their home, another is making room.
When somebody has despaired of all hope, another struggles on for them.
Because when disaster strikes, and people flee,
somebody else, against all sense,
is running toward the danger
To reach out a hand,
to reach out Your saving hand, to an absolute stranger.
And when somebody dies, somebody else stops to pray,
and then makes a home for the orphan.
It’s as confounding as it is beautiful.
In this darkened world, where the face of God is veiled
In the midst of calamities,
when all instinct speaks of self-preservation,
Somebody still cares for the other.
And miracles of compassion abound.
This is why I am thankful.
Amen
Prayer by Catholic Relief Services, find it online here.
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Advent Reflections
In the time of Isaiah’s prophecy, the mountaintops were considered the gods’ dwelling. Is it any wonder that peace, well-being, and complete joy were to be found, according to Isaiah in the first reading, on the “mountaintop” of the new Jerusalem? As Christians, we are called to new life, to new ways of being. We are to discard enmity and act peacefully as we walk in the light to the house of the Lord.
St. Paul discerns between the darkness of the current time and the light that awaits us on “the day at hand.” He calls the Romans to be ready for the Lord, to reform their lives “to put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” The call is for us also so that we will “awake from sleep” and “put on the armor of light.”
Advent begins with a vivid reminder to be ready at all times to meet God. “Therefore, stay awake,” Jesus tells the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel account. Each day we must listen carefully to the message of Scripture. Our destination is the heavenly mountaintop, and our hope is for peace and justice for all.
As the Advent wreath is blessed and lighted on this Sunday that begins the liturgical year, keep within you the image of the burning flame. Allow the candle to reflect God’s presence within each pilgrim that you encounter on your Advent journey.
Our beloved parish will offer a variety of opportunities for your spiritual journey through Advent. We hope and pray that all these opportunities don’t just fill up an already busy schedule. Rather, we hope that these opportunities open a new door to the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ Birth once long ago and gives new meaning and purpose to us in our modern age.
Excerpt © 2022 Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800. Text by Patricia J. Hughes, dmin. Scripture quotations are from the New American Bible, revised edition. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & Livestreamed
11 AM - St. James & Livestreamed
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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Prepare Your Home Advent Wreath |
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One of the best known customs for keeping the season of Advent in our homes is the Advent wreath. The wreath is a circular and made of evergreens symbolizing the eternity of God. Christians use the wreath as a sign of great hope that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles on the wreath mark the progress of the fours weeks of Advent and the growth of light. Get your Advent wreath ready (or make a new one this year) so that we can mark our journey through Advent together, both at Church and in our homes. To learn more about the Advent Wreath and find a blessing prayer, Click Here.
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Advent Spirituality Opportunities |
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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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Advent Morning of Reflection
Praying with Mind, Body & Spirit
Saturday, December 10
9:45 - 11:30 AM
Saint Elizabeth Seton Church
Join us for an Advent morning as we learn, share, discuss and pray using mind, body and spirit. Expand your understanding of prayer through the experience. Adults of ALL abilities are welcome to participate. Let us know that you are planning to attend.
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Fr. George and our parish Directors of Music Ministry will lead Prayer online through Advent.
Wednesday Morning Prayer with Music: Streamed on Facebook Wednesdays at 5:00 AM and available after
Evening Prayer: Streamed Monday - Friday on Facebook at 5:00 PM and available after
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We have ordered the wonderful daily meditation books “Blue Books” to assist you on your daily journey through Advent. The books are available in the foyers of both churches. You can also order your own personal copy at the following address: littlebooks.org.
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Household Nativity Scenes
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 Lisa at communications@sjbrh.org. We have something special planned to share our beautiful home nativities this Advent.
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Advent Daily
Mass Schedule
Monday | 8:30 AM at Seton
Tuesday | 8:00 AM at St. James
Thursday | 8:00 AM at St. James
Friday | 8:30 AM at Seton
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Advent
Reconciliation Schedule
Mondays | 6:00 PM at Seton
12.18.22 | 4:00 PM at St. James
12.20.22 | 6:00 PM at St. James
12.22.22 | 6:00 PM at St. James
12.23.22 | 6:00 PM at Seton
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Advent Giving Opportunities |
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Advent Giving Project
The Christmas tree symbolizes the spirit and joy of Christmas. This year our parish is bringing back the tradition of helping others thru our Giving Trees that will be located at both churches.
This effort will be a collaborative one between our Parish Outreach Ministry and our Faith Formation Ministry. Our theme will be “the circle of life,” in collecting items for people at all ages and stages. We will be supporting four organizations that have asked for help.
Our Giving Trees will be filled with gift tags for you to take. On the tags you will find suggested gift items needed for one of our four agencies:
- Baby Bottle tags for infants in support of Birthright (e.g., diapers, “onesies”)
- Cell Phone tags for teens in support of The Solnit Center (e.g., art supplies, games)
- Bowl of Soup tags for adults / homeless in support of The Friendship Center (e.g., clothing, kitchen & bedding items)
- Nativity Scene tags for older adults in support of local nursing and memory care facilities in Rocky Hill (e.g., coloring books, slippers)
All tags will be clearly identified by “life’s chapter” and the specific items being requested.
All gifts should be returned unwrapped to either church no later than Monday, December 11, 2022.
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.
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Food & Cereal
For Our Local Pantries
Households who struggle with hunger need our help year round. 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 here.
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Winter Clothing
Collection
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection continues. 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.
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Thank You!
Thank You to all who generously donated to our Thanksgiving Food Basket Collection! The Baskets and Gift Card donations were amazing! We donated 27 Baskets and $3125.00 in grocery store gift cards. We are so happy to help Rocky Hill Human Services!
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Thank You!
Thank You to all who generously donated to our annual Holiday Fair, to all who volunteered to help make it happen, and to all who attended and enjoyed the day! We posted a gallery of pictures to the parish website, enjoy them here.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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