November 26, 2024

Welcome to Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

November 26, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

This coming Sunday, we being the liturgical season of “Advent” (from the Latin “adventus” meaning “coming”) is a special time set aside in our liturgical calendar to prepare for the coming of Christ. Actually, we prepare for three Advents at the same time. The first is our remembrance of the coming of Christ two thousand years ago. The second is the coming of Christ among us now. The third is anticipation of Christ coming again at the end of time.

The coming of the Lord, Our Justice, promised to save the people of Israel, is imminent. Sunday’s scriptures press us to be both vigilant and hopeful in our preparations to welcome the Lord. The apostle Paul, writing to the Thessalonians long ago, and to us today, urges us to strive for holiness and conduct ourselves in a manner that pleases God.

The intentional practice of Advent traditions helps direct our focus towards the coming Christ and strengthen our hearts to welcome Him anew. Together we will explore an array of Advent practices over the next few weeks.

One of the best-known customs is the Advent wreath. The circle of evergreens symbolizes the eternal time of God. Christians use the wreath as a sign 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 Advent time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday (“Gaudete Sunday”), symbolizing joy as we draw closer to the birth of Christ. Bless your Advent wreath as you light the first purple candle and invoke Sunday’s psalm as your prayerful entry into Advent, “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

Uniquely this year, the end of the Advent season segues our Church to the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Hope. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, Pope Francis will open the Jubilee Year Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica and invite all the faithful to become pilgrims of hope.

Our parish community will be marking the days through Advent with a variety of prayer opportunities, devotions, and celebrations. You can learn about them below. All are invited to join the journey. We wish you every joy and blessing this Advent Season.

Lisa M. Orchen, M.Div.

Communications Coordinator

Text by Lisa M. Orchen, M.Div., edited by Suzanne Gagne Bregman, M.A., used with permission.

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita at a Glance - Click Here

The First Sunday of Advent

December 1, 2024

4:00 PM at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Faith Formation

We would like to extend to all of our faith formation families best wishes and blessings for a joyous Thanksgiving Day!

We are thankful for your prayerful support and especially for the opportunity to share the faith with you and your children throughout the year. We offer this prayer for you and your families at this special time of year!

God Bless you all!

Thankful Trees Created by Our Grade 4-7 Students

Click Here To RSVP for the Pageant and Pizza Party

Advent Spirituality Opportunities

Saint Josephine Bakhita Bible Study~ Advent 2024

This Advent, Deacon Michael will be leading a three session Bible Study called: Advent Anticipation - Meditating on the Gospel Christmas Story. The focus will be on the Gospels that tell the story of the Angel Gabriel’s Annunciation to Mary, the Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth, and the Birth of the Lord. We will be reading through these accounts together and consider their meaning to us today.

There is no text or fee for this series. Registration is required for:

reproduction of materials for our meetings together
forwarding of reading materials for each session and
access to the on-line option described below.

The series runs on Wednesdays: December 4, 11, 18. Two identical sessions are offered each week at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and then again at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. It will be possible to join the 7:00 PM evening session online as well, via Google Meet (please indicate interest at registration to help us plan).

Consider joining others in person or online for this three week reflection on the deeper Christian meaning of the Nativity. To register please email Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.

Festival of Lessons & Carols

Sunday, December 15 at 4 PM

Saint James Church

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. In this hour long service, we listen to nine short scripture readings, “lessons,” which recount the fall, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other song led by our Adult and Children’s Choirs that reflects on the lesson's message and a brief prayer.

Many made this a part of their annual holiday celebrations. Make this the Advent that you do something for yourself. Take an hour to nourish your soul. Join us as we sing and read through our faith in a contemplative and joyous service. All are welcome!

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.

Advent Giving Opportunities

Christmas Caroling Caravan

To Bring Our Homebound Cheer

Sunday, December 22

3:00 PM

Meet at Saint James Church

(eastern side of parking lot)

Small groups will sing 3-4 carols at the homes of elderly and homebound community members and friends. Family groups are encouraged! This a great memory-making event for the carolers and for homebound. Please email Joy at Joy@sjbrh.org to sign up to carol. If you know someone who would appreciate a Christmas visit from our merry band of carolers, email that information to Joy as well. There is a limited number of people we can visit based upon the number of volunteer carolers, so contact Joy ASAP!

Advent Giving Project

The Christmas tree symbolizes the spirit and joy of Christmas. Last year parishioners of our parish made that spirit and joy come alive for so many.

The "Giving Trees" are back again this year, again following a "Family to Family" theme covering infants/children, teenagers, adults and seniors.

This effort is a collaborative one between our Parish Outreach Ministry and our Faith Formation Ministry for the benefit of the Solnit Center, Friendship Service Center, Apple Rehab & Oasis Center for Children.

Our Giving Trees will be filled with gift tags clearly identified with specific items being requested.

All gifts should be returned unwrapped, with the tag attached, to either church NO LATER than Sunday, December 15, 2024.

Donations can be dropped off in designated bins 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

Give Blood

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

We collect 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.

Thank you to all our generous parishioners for donating 33 Thanksgiving Food Baskets and $5100.00 in grocery store gift certificates to be distributed to families in our local community by Rocky Hill Human Services!

Our Holiday Fair was a HUGE Success. We are so grateful for all who planned, all who hosted booths, all who baked, cooked, and served, all who donated, all who attended and spent so generously! Click the image below to get a first glimpse of a gallery of pictures from a fantastic day!

Advent Daily

Mass Schedule

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Advent

Evening Prayer

Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome!

Advent

Reconciliation Schedule

Mondays | 6:00PM @ Seton

12.19.24 | 6:00PM @ Seton

12.20.24 | 6:00PM @ St. James

Christmas Season Liturgy Schedule

12.24.24 ~ Christmas Eve

4 PM at St. James & 4 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

12.24.24 ~ Christmas Eve

9:30 PM Concert, 10 PM Midnight Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton

12.25.24 ~ Christmas Day

9 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

11 AM at St. James

12.28.24 ~ The Holy Family

4 PM Vigil at St. James

12.29.24 ~ The Holy Family

9 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

11 AM at St. James

12.31.24 ~ Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God

4 PM Vigil at St. James

01.01.25 ~ Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God

9 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

01.04.25 ~ Epiphany of the Lord

4 PM Vigil at St. James

01.05.25 ~ Epiphany of the Lord

9 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

11 AM at St. James

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.