As we all know there has been a serious concern about the “supply chain” due to the pandemic. There has been a major slow down in deliveries of all products especially from abroad. Recently, I read this interesting and thought-provoking observation on several Facebook posts.

Please know that I am not Ebenezer Scrooge saying "humbug" to the season. But I am startled enough by this thought-provoking quip to step back and ponder the heart and soul of the season of Advent and Christmas. I invite you to do the same. Like many of us, I am easily captured by the commercial and marketing that often lures us away from the heart of the season. Maybe this year we are gently invited to take a deeper look.

This coming weekend begins the Advent Season. The season of Advent (from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming”) is the time of preparation for the birth of Christ. During this season we prepare for three Advents. The first is the coming of Jesus two thousand years ago. The second is the coming of Christ among us now. The third and final advent is the anticipation of Christ coming again at the end of time, gathering God’s beloved people into one embrace and mending with mercy what sin has torn apart.

Our beloved parish will offer a variety of opportunities for your spiritual enrichment during 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.

So, keep your eyes peeled, your ears opened, your hearts and minds open and available to the renewed in-breaking of Jesus. Watch our various avenues of communication to learn more about these opportunities. Our supply chain to Jesus is not broken.

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

With the ending of the war in Afghanistan there are many Afghan people facing the threats to life and limb. Many people who helped our US military. They are now seeking our help, a place of refuge.

The Sacred Scriptures remind us:

“I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Mt 25:35

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” Eph. 2:19

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2

The Churches of Glastonbury are planning to sponsor an Afghan family and are requesting some volunteers from our parish to assist them in this act of Mercy. For more information, please contact either Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org or Fr. George at frgeorge@sjbrh.org.

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.

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.