January 2, 2024

Christmas Blessings from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

This coming Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Little is known about the three visitors from the East who paid the Holy Family homage. Still we can’t help but marvel at their determination to meet Jesus despite the distance and that their only guide was a star.

In many cultures, Epiphany is celebrated with as much festivity as Christmas. The day may be marked with parades, parties, gift-giving, the three kings cake, and holiday meals. Create annual traditions to make Epiphany special in your household. The liturgy offers a house blessing on this day. Inscribe 20+C+M+B24 with chalk on the door frame. It stands for Christus mansionem benedicat, “let Christ bless this house” and the current year. Custom attributes the letters to the names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Bring the figurines of the three Magi closer to the manger, light candles, and sing your favorite Epiphany and Christmas carols.

The Christmas season ends on Monday, January 8, at sundown on the Baptism of the Lord. As the Christmas season draws to a close, I invite you to look back upon your journey since the beginning of Advent. From waiting for the coming of Christ, to welcoming him anew into our lives, and then making a permanent home for him in our hearts, we have traveled far.

What new insights did you uncover along the way about the in-breaking of God into humanity?

How will your faith journey bring you closer to Christ in the coming year?

Lisa M. Orchen, M.Div.

Communications Coordinator

Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–11, 12–13; Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12.

The Christmas Season at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

The Feast of the

Epiphany

January 7, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at St. James

A warm thank you from Fr. George and the staff at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish for all the ways you generously gifted us this Christmas Season. Thank you for your kind gestures, cards, gifts and support through this holy time of year! We are truly grateful!

New Year ~ New You

Our SJB Shop Will Be Open Until Jan 18, 2024!

The Pastoral Council of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is excited to announce the opening of our parish store featuring high quality apparel branded with our beautiful parish logo. Our parish store will open several times a year, allowing parishioners and friends of the community to place orders. The apparel and accessories available will change with the seasons and in response to feedback from the community.

This offering is meant to be a ‘fun-raiser’ rather than a ‘fund-raiser.’ It is our hope that we can share the good news of our vibrant parish through sporting our brand out and about in the community.

Our store opening sale is offering short and long-sleeved T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, quarter-zip sweatshirts, full-zip sweatshirts, long sleeve polos, and a canvas shopping bag.

Members of the Pastoral Council will be available after all the masses the weekend of January 6-7, 2024, to show off samples of the apparel and answer any questions about the online ordering process. You can choose to have items shipped directly to your home address for a fee or pick up your purchases after mass in mid-February (no fee).

Learn More Here

Give Blood

The American Red Cross needs our help. All eligible blood donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, January 11, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

Christmas Ornaments for the Holiday Fair

As you are taking down your Christmas trees, set aside the ornaments you no longer want and either box them for next year’s Holiday Fair Ornament Collection or drop them off at either church campus by the end of January! Thank you!