October 27, 2026

Daly November Notes

Dear Friends,

As we enter the month of November, many of us find our hearts drifting toward memory. It is a season where the changing leaves remind us of the changing of times and seasons.

Whether this month brings you celebration, grief, or a mix of both, please know that you are not walking through these seasons alone. As a parish family, we hold space for all of it—our shared joys and our shared sorrows.

In the Catholic tradition, November is dedicated to the Holy Souls, balancing our grief with the hope of eternal life and gratitude for those we love.

November holds personal meaning for me as well, November is the month of my sister’s birth, her wedding anniversary, the anniversary of my father’s passing. And of course, Thanksgiving!

Next week, I will be joining Archbishop Coyne and priests across the Archdiocese for our annual Priests’ Convocation. It is a wonderful time for us to step away, pray together, dive into some deep theological discussions, and enjoy some great company.

Please note the following temporary changes to our parish schedule this week:

Monday, November 2, All Souls Day: Morning Mass will be celebrated as usual. There will be no Confessions on Monday evening.

Tuesday, November 3 – Friday, November 6: Daily Mass will not be celebrated.

(And for those wondering about Election Day—don’t worry, I made sure to vote early!)

Please keep me and all of our priests in your prayers this week. Be assured that I will remember you and your intentions in my Masses and prayers while I am away.



I look forward to seeing you all when I return for our weekend Masses!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us For The 
Feast of All Saints

Join Us In Praying For Our Parish Youth

Our Faith Formation classes began in September and will run through April. We pray that our students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 9 have a year where their faith and relationship with God grow. Our parishioners have been so generous to our faith formation classes and outreach programs. Our youth face many challenges in their day to day life. They could be carrying stress in their personal life, navigating friendships, holding themselves to high expectations in academics and sports, caring about family, and more. We have asked each of our students to write intentions on how we, as a parish, could pray for them throughout the year. Prayer intention cards will be placed in the foyers at the end of each mass on the weekend of November 14-15, 2026. Please consider taking a card and holding that child in prayer throughout the year. Our students really poured their hearts into how we can best pray for them and are appreciative to have the support of a prayer team. Thank you!

Other Fun Tidbits

Save The Date for The Holiday Fair

Holiday Fair Committee Members Needed

The 2026 Holiday Fair Committee is looking for volunteers to organize, coordinate, and plan this year’s Holiday Fair! The Committee is looking for committee members to help with the Tea Cup Raffle, Volunteer Coordination, and Publicity. Each committee member attends monthly meetings leading up to the Holiday Fair. Contact Erica McKenzie (mckenzie.ec@gmail.com) and Kathy Alexander (alexandjk@aol.com) for more details.

Early Access to Holiday Fair Items Available NOW!

Knit, Crochet and Sew Good Works has Holiday Fair items available again this year for early purchase, or to order. Come shop for Irish knit sweaters, table runners, quilts, cobbler aprons and more, including specially priced items not available at the Fair. Great Gift ideas! For more information or to make an appointment, contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com, or text 860-906-7433 and leave a message.

2027 Mass Intention Scheduling

It is time to schedule your Mass Intentions! This year will be just like 2026.

Due to Mass Intentions being so popular we need to limit each household to 2 Mass intentions for the year so that everyone in our parish community has an opportunity to reserve a mass.

MOTHER’S AND FATHER’S DAY MASS INTENTIONS:

Due to the popularity of these dates we will no longer schedule individual names but together as a parish will celebrate All of our Mothers and Fathers together as one.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Call the office anytime between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (860-529-8655) and we will make a phone/office appointment for you on one of the following dates:

November 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6

SCHEDULED TIMES WILL BE BETWEEN

10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

On your scheduled day and time you may call the office or stop by the Rectory Office at Saint James and we will put your request in the calendar book.

Call the Parish Office with any questions at 860-529-8655.

Carrie & Pam

Parish Administrative Assistants

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Rectory Office

on the campus of St. James Church

767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill

860-529-8655

Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Stay Connected

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish l The Catholic Community of Rocky Hill