Advent Reflections
Isaiah’s prophecy reinforces the vision that a new king will come from the “holy mountain” upon which Jerusalem will be built. The scene that Isaiah imagines is much like the Garden of Eden, where animals have no enemies and the kingdom is peaceful. The prophet puts forth the hope that one day God will reign over the earth and the will of God will bring true harmony and peace.
The refrain for Psalm 72 parallels justice and peace. Peace will result when a king governs with justice, when the poor are rescued and saved. To govern with integrity, the king must be blessed. From that blessing, “all the tribes of the earth” can be blessed. Listen carefully to this psalm that proclaims that a leader protects and serves those who are defenseless, vulnerable, and victims of injustice. What better way to anticipate the second week of Advent than to find a way to treat with kindness a victim of injustice? What better way to “think in harmony,” as St. Paul states in the second reading, than to seek reconciliation with a family member or friend? Keep in mind St. Paul’s instruction to “welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomes you.”
The reading from Romans today speaks of endurance, encouragement, unity, harmony, and hope. Each day this week, as you contemplate John the Baptist’s call to repent, read Romans 15:4–9 and choose a different phrase to ponder.
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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Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & Livestreamed
*Stay for coffee & sweets after the Sunday morning masses!*
*Masks strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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The Giving Manger
We invite our families in Faith Formation as well as all our parishioners to join us in our Advent Faith Activity. Create a simple manger for Jesus out of a basket or small box and fill it each day with straw or strips of paper every time you perform an act of kindness.
The Giving Manger is a tradition that focuses on preparing for Jesus' birth through acts of kindness and service to others. During Advent, a piece of straw (or other material like hay, yarn, paper, ribbon, etc.) is placed in the manger for each kind deed or act of service performed during Advent
Click on the link below to download "The Giving Manger" kit with samples acts of kindness for adults and children in your household.
When your manger is full at Christmas, please share pictures with us by email to reo@sjbrh.org.
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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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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 at St. Elizabeth Seton from 7:00-8:30 PM, both in person and online. Contact Kristie Witherspoon to learn more: kblicharz@gmail.com.
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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. For more info, contact Fran Masto at fmed6@icloud.com.
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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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Christmas Caroling Caravan
To Bring Our Homebound Cheer
Sunday, December 11
4:30 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!
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Fr. George and our parish Directors of Music Ministry will lead Prayer online through Advent.
Wednesday Morning Prayer: 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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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 communications@sjbrh.org. We have something special planned to share our beautiful home nativities this Advent.
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Pray the Rosary this Advent
Our parish community gathers to pray the rosary at St. James Church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30am and Saturday afternoons at 3:20pm. All are welcome!
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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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One of the best known customs for keeping the season of Advent in our homes is the Christmas Tree. The tradition hearkens all the way back to St. Boniface (680–754) , the Apostle to the Germans. Pointing to a great tree one Christmas eve, he implored his fellow citizens with this message: “This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace… It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.” Prepare your own tree with this spirit and make a point of blessing it as a household this week. You can find a lovely blessing prayer, Click Here.
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Parish Tree Lighting
Carol Sing & Christmas Pageant
Saturday, December 10
5:00 PM
Saint James Church
Labyrinth Adjacent to Parish Center
Join our community after the 4PM Vigil Mass in celebrating and lighting our tree in the center of the Labyrinth on the campus of Saint James. We will enjoy pizza, cookies and cocoa in the Parish Center after. Free will offering. All are welcome!
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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 12, 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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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 8, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.
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Hospitality Sunday is Back!
First Sunday of the Month
December 4, 2022
Coffee, treats, visiting with friends has returned to the first Sunday of the month. Parishioners who have volunteered to make this possible will serve treats after the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton and after the 11:00 AM Mass at St. James. Consider joining this ministry to keep this great social time going. A few teams of parishioners or families taking turns would keep this commitment feasible going forward. Contact Elizabeth@sjbrh.org or Joy@sjbrh.org to find out how you can help.
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Help us to stay connected and keep you up to date with the information you need to know about Faith Formation and St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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