November 30, 2021

Join Us for Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Saint Josephine

Bakhita Parish

November 30, 2021

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

As you know, our Christian tradition during Advent is for all people to join in the waiting, anticipation, welcoming and preparation of this holy season. Why? We are invited to take on these actions not only to remember the great world-changing event of Jesus’ birth two thousand years ago…but actions for us to consider and do in this present age for the birth of Christ more profoundly in each of our lives.

If you needed to prepare a room for a highly favored guest, what kind of clean-up would you do? Would we do less for the Lord?

Think of some personality trait, attitude, or behavior we have that is long overdue for a major evaluation or renovation. Are there petty faults that constantly get on the nerves of those we love? Do we have a habit or mannerism that grates on the people we work with? Where has “dust” settled in our lives? Where have we become apathetic and neglectful?

There is no better time than the present for a good dusting. Let us work at it this Advent as a Christmas gift to ourselves. Make straight some path that will facilitate the Lord’s coming more completely in our lives.

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.

Also, 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.

Learn more about Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish below!

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

Advent at Saint Josephine Bakhita at a Glance - Click Here

Second Sunday of Advent

December 4-5, 2021

4 PM Vigil - St. James

9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & Livestreamed

11 AM - St. James & Livestreamed

*Masks strongly encouraged!*

Bless Your Home Nativity Set

The practice of setting up a nativity scene begins in Advent and continues through the Twelve Days of Christmas until the Celebration of the Epiphany on January 6. Saint Francis of Assisi began the custom of the nativity scenes when he celebrated Christmas with his brothers at Greccio in 1223 with a Bethlehem scene which included live animals. This tradition quickly spread and people began to construct their own nativity scenes in their homes, churches, schools and public spaces. You might set up your entire scene at the beginning of Advent, leaving the crib empty for the Christ Child to arrive on Christmas Eve. Or set up the scene slowly, placing the figures far from the scene and moving them closer day by day. The three kings arrive on Epiphany bearing gifts for the child Jesus. For a simple blessing of your nativity scene, Click Here.

Advent Mini Day of Reflection

An Advent Experience of Jesus

Sunday, December 5

11 AM - 2 PM

11 AM: Mass at St. James Church

Noon - 2 PM: Light lunch followed by

reflection session at Saint James Parish Center

The most essential and life changing truth of our Catholic faith is the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is the Kerygma and it is our timeless love story with God! Come and find some rest for your soul as you experience the Good News in a new and different way. This is a perfect occasion to ready yourself for the Advent season and enter into Christmas with a renewed heart and with your face turned toward the Lord Jesus. Our guest speaker will be Kelly Henderschedt, Archdiocesan Director of Faith Formation.

For more information, contact Monica Piombino at Monica@sjbrh.org.

Space is limited to the first 25 people. To register to attend, Click Here.

Advent Daily Prayer

Fr. George and our parish Directors of Music Ministry will lead Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer online through Advent.

Morning Prayer: Streamed on Facebook at 5:00 AM and available after

Evening Prayer: Streamed on Facebook at 5:00 PM and available after

Advent Rosary

On Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. during Advent, Fr. George will lead us in the Joyous Mysteries of the Rosary online. By meditating on the Joyful Mysteries we accompany Mary and Joseph as they learn that Mary will bring the Son of God into the world, and we journey with them through Christ’s birth and into his childhood.

Advent Rosary: Streamed on Facebook Wednesdays

at 5:30 PM and available after

Advent Giving Opportunities

Advent Giving Project

Our Advent Giving Project will provide local shelters with items that are in high demand. Please consider picking up extras of the following items to donate to our collection. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those served by our local agencies.

Granola Bars, Crackers, Cookies (single serving packages)
Breakfast Cereal
Men’s T-shirts & Boxer Briefs (size L, XL, XXL)
Deodorant & Bar Soap (full size)

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.

Questions? Contact Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com, Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

Blood Donors Needed

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 Wednesday, December 8 from 1PM-6PM. Go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register to give.

Sweet Feet Repeat

Last year our Confirmation classes collected candy and new socks as part of their Sweet Feet Project. They filled men, women and children’s socks with candy and delivered them to numerous agencies as a special gift for Christmas. The project was huge success, and we would like to “repeat” it again this year but need lots of donated candy and socks. From now until the beginning of December, drop new socks and candy in the boxes labeled Sweet Feet Project located in the foyers of both churches. Thank you for making Christmas a little “sweeter” for others.

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:

St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Questions? Contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com

Winter Clothing

Collection

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection started Monday, November 8. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church. Please note, we are no longer able to accept household goods.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

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 22 Baskets and $4830.00 in grocery store gift cards. We are so happy to help Rocky Hill Human Services!

Advent Music Opportunities

Sunday, December 12 at 6 PM

Saint James Church

Imagine the scene. Silence. Church lights dim. In the sanctuary, dozens of candles flicker near icons. In pews, worshipers hold their own candles, long and slim, then light each others’ one by one until the church is alive with even more candlelight. They chant together, slowly repeating a single line over and over as they rise and carry candles toward the altar, adding their own flames to the ones already burning.

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. Join us at Saint James Church on Sunday, December 12 to experience this moving form of prayer.

Second Annual Virtual Caroling Event

Join Members of the Music Ministry in

singing your favorite Christmas Carols

Sunday, December 19 at 7:00 PM

streamed on Facebook

We especially encourage families with children to participate in this precious tradition of singing these rich and wonderful songs about the birth of Christ and some popular Christmas season songs too. Watch the e-newsletter for downloadable lyrics to use for your at-home sing-along!

Join Dynamic Catholic for the Best Advent Ever

What Draws You To The Light?

There are things that draw you toward the light. And there are things that draw you into the darkness. So much of the world wants to draw you into the darkness of worry, fear, procrastination, negative self-talk, toxic relationships…the list goes on.

This Advent, discover and choose the things that draw you to the light! Get inspiring daily video reflections sent straight to your inbox—for free. Sign up for Best Advent Ever with Dynamic Catholic, Click Here.