Our Parish Journey Through Advent:
A Season of Hope
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December 15, 2020
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
At any given moment, these days, there are all sorts of worries, large and small, lurking in the shadows of our minds, waiting to steal our joy. Countless “what ifs” seize our imaginations and try to terrify us about things. Memories of past mistakes steal our confidence and try to crush our hopes for the future.
None of it makes any sense, if we believe what we say about God holding us in the palm of God’s hands. If we really do believe that, we shouldn’t be such easy prey to worry and fear. Confidence and joy should be the trademarks of our lives. And gratitude for the love that fills our lives can impel us to share what we have and what we are without any expectation of any return not just on Christmas, but every day of our lives.
There is a great paradox in all this, for as we give ourselves away, we become more, not less. St. Francis understood this well (in the prayer attributed to him): “It is in giving, that we receive. It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned. And it is in dying—our final gift of self to God—that we are born to eternal life.”
And so, this Advent Week dedicated to Joy, let us try not to be afraid. Give thanks and rejoice, for the Lord has already given us what we need. Let us listen closely, for from our hearts will come a whisper and a nudge suggesting our next step, for that is where the Holy Spirit lives all our life long.
Peace,
Fr. George Couturier
Please note: Due to the precautions about the COVID-19 virus, the Archbishop has suspended the obligation for all Sunday and Holy Day Masses until Ash Wednesday. This includes Christmas and New Year’s Day: Mary, the Mother of God. Our parish will continue to livestream Masses on all these days to both the Parish Facebook Page and the Parish Website. Plan to join our community in prayer and worship virtually during these sacred days.
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish will livestream the 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Sunday Mass using Facebook Live. The livestream of the Mass can also be viewed on the front page of our website. The recordings remain available afterward on the Parish Facebook page. Join us for for the First Sunday of Advent Mass online!
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Virtual Christmas Caroling Event |
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Virtually Join Members of the Music Ministry in singing your favorite Christmas Carols
Sunday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Livestreamed on Our Parish Website and Facebook Page
We especially encourage families with children to participate in this precious tradition of singing these rich and wonderful songs about the birth of Christ—the true reason for celebrating Christmas.
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Pray Every Day Virtually With Fr. George |
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Fr. George will livestream Evening Prayer on Monday-Friday at 5:00 PM using Facebook Live and the Parish website. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. The recordings remain available afterward on the Parish Facebook page.
On Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. during Advent, Fr. George will lead us virtually through livestream in the Joyous Mysteries of the Rosary.
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The O Antiphons offer a beautiful way to pray through Advent. They are sung or recited to introduce the canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) at evening prayer from December 17 to December 23, the octave before Christmas. These antiphons are based on Isaiah’s prophecies and refer to the different ancient titles given to the Messiah:
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) See Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29.
O Adonai (O Lord) See Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22.
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) See Isaiah 1:1; 11:10.
O Clavis David (O Key of David) See Isaiah 9:6; 22:22.
O Oriens (O Rising Sun) See Isaiah 9:1.
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) See Isaiah 9:5; 2:4.
O Emmanuel (God with us) See Isaiah 7:14.
We can bring these responses into our own daily prayers in the days leading up to Christmas, as reminders of the one whose coming we are joyfully expecting, as introductions to our own prayers of praise of Jesus, or as words of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness throughout the ages and our lives. Here are reflections to use and ideas for incorporating the O Antiphons.
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Christmas Mass Schedule
Reservations Required
Thursday, December 24th
4:00 p.m. @ St. James
Capacity: 80 people by advance reservation and VIRTUAL on Facebook and Parish Website
6:00 p.m. @ St. James
Capacity: 80 people by advance reservation and VIRTUAL on Facebook and Parish Website
9:30 p.m. Christmas Concert
10:00 p.m. Mass
VIRTUAL ONLY on Facebook and Parish Website
Friday, December 25th
9:00 a.m. @ St. Elizabeth Seton
Capacity: 50 people by advance reservation and VIRTUAL on Facebook and Parish Website
11:00 a.m. @ St. James
Capacity: 80 people by advance reservation and VIRTUAL on Facebook and Parish Website
To reserve a seat to attend a Christmas Mass:
Reservations open Sunday, December 20 at Noon through Wednesday, December 23 at 10:00 p.m. (until filled).
OR
Call the parish office at 860-529-8655
Reservations open Monday, December 21 - Wednesday, December 23
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. each day (until filled).
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Virtual Journey Together in Faith
December Activity: The Christmas Manger
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All members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community are invited to join in the faith activity for the month of December called The Christmas Manger. To learn more, Click Here. Email pictures of your Christmas Manger to the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org.
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Advent Giving Opportunities |
Help Our Annual Advent Giving Project
Our annual Advent Giving Project will look different this year due to COVID restrictions. We will forego gift tags and wrapping but the following items are greatly needed:
Men's socks, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, gloves and toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, lip balm, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, etc.)
Items 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 in church entry, Mon - Fri (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.), or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.
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Fill Our Local
Food 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 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
St Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located in church entry, Mon - Fri (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00. Contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com
with any questions. As always, thank you for kindness and generosity!
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Enjoy this beautiful sung piece by members of our music ministry as a form of prayer and meditation during the Season of Advent.
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Complete this simple online form to update your contact information for our parish. |
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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Follow Us at Saint Josephine Bakhita Facebook |
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