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April 23, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Happy Easter!! May the blessings of this Holy Season be with one and all!
What would we like folks to say at our funerals? If we died today, what could they say that was true? Certainly, it will all be good and noble stuff, and all of it could be true about us. But none of it gets to the heart of what Jesus is talking about when he tells us to go out and bear much fruit (John 15:1-8). None of those things will last: not how smart, cute, or wealthy. They will all run their course and be gone.
There is only one thing that lasts, one thing that we can carry with us when we go home to God, and that is our loves. Not our sentiments, which are passing—but our loves. True love is a doer not a talker (I John 3:18-24). It helps the most important thing in the world to happen: it helps people to flourish and thrive. And that is the good fruit that Jesus will be looking for in us.
To build that kind of love, wishing is not enough. We need a strategic plan. It begins with learning the habit of seeing how much our words and deeds affect others. And then we have to build the habit of asking the key question before we speak or act: will this help my neighbor to thrive—or not?
The day will come when our friends and family will speak their final words over each one of us. May we live our days so that when that final day arrives, they will say: “She/He made folks thrive.” It seems to me, that is all, in the end, there is—that lasts!!
Peace,
Father George Couturier
Pastor
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Join Us For The Fifth Sunday of Easter | |
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April 28, 2024
4:00 PM Vigil at St. James
9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton
and livestreamed
11:00 AM at St. James
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Adult Faith Formation Opportunities | |
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Introduction to Bible Study
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Saint James Parish Center
May 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
Deacon Michael will be offering an easy and fun 7-week series introducing the Bible. It will build your confidence and knowledge about the Bible…what it is, how to navigate it and how we read and use it as Christians.
No prior knowledge or experience…. no problem…that’s the point!!
The series will be offered starting on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM starting Tuesday May 14, 2024 at the Saint James Parish Center. Session should be about 75 minutes long. It will be possible to join these sessions online as well, via Google Meet. Please indicate interest at registration to help us plan.
Preregistration is required by May 5, 2024 to help with ordering materials. Friends and family are welcome. There is a $10 fee for the text. Low-cost bibles will be available for those who need or wish to purchase one (please indicate interest in purchase at the time of registration).
Register as soon as possible by email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by phone leaving a message at 860-563-5151.
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Introduction to The Mass
Wednesdays
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM
May 15, 22, 29
June 5, 12, 19
We gather to pray together at Mass each week. Worship of God in the Mass is the most distinctive activity of the Church. It is a thing that we all do together.
Understanding the roots of the Mass in scripture can help us experience this prayer more deeply together.
Starting in May, Deacon Micheal Ward will be offering a 6-part series exploring the Scriptural foundations of the Mass. Exploring these foundations of each part of the Mass will help us to see just how the saving truths of Scripture are made present to us and for us in the liturgy that we share so often.
Please come along as we journey into this encounter with what is so familiar, which we hope to see in a new and deeper way.
The series begins on Wednesday May 15, 2024. Two identical sessions are offered each week at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and then again at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. It will be possible to join the 7:00 PM evening session online as well, via Google Meet (please indicate interest at registration to help us plan).
All are welcome. Familiarity with Scripture is helpful but not necessary. There is a $10 book fee. Registration required by May 5, 2024 to help us plan. Please register as soon as possible by email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by phone leaving a message at 860-563-5151.
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Archbishop's Annual Appeal | |
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Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge commitment to the 2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. We have raised over $90,000.00 towards our parish goal of $140,000.00 If you have not yet had the opportunity, please consider prayerfully supporting the many “Good Works” of the Archdiocese. Every gift will be gratefully received and sincerely appreciated. All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found here. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.
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Inviting Altar Servers
Girls and Boys who are in, or above, grade 4, and have received their first Eucharist are invited to become an altar server. In addition to children, we invite teens and adults to join our ministry. Those who serve at Mass learn about the liturgy firsthand and assist in the action during the Mass. Being an altar server teaches children from a young age to love, revere and praise God. Please contact Joy at Joy@sjbrh.org for more information or to sign up at either or both campuses.
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Bereavement Support Group
A new Bereavement Support Group will begin in April under the leadership of Bill Pilkington. Bill recently retired from Hartford Healthcare where he served in Spiritual and Bereavement Services for over 30 years. The group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at the St. James Rectory.
Contact Fr. George at frgeorge@sjbrh.org to learn more and to sign up to attend.
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Support Walk MS
Knight of Columbus, Will Shivell, will be participating in the MS Walk on Saturday, May 18. Will and others will be walking to raise money to help people with Muscular Sclerosis and to fund research for a cure. Please consider supporting Will by donating to this very worthy cause. Thank you!
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Summer Clothing Collection
Our Parish Summer Clothing Collection continues through the coming weeks. We accept warm weather clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods.
St. James Church is open Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
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Bring Your Worries & Concerns Prayer Service
Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Saint Elizabeth Seton Church
Are you feeling overwhelmed with what’s going on in the world, with your health or that of loved ones? Are you struggling with anger, forgiving others or yourself? Do you feel burdened by concerns you hold deep in your heart? All are invited to bring their struggles, burdens and worries to a special prayer service planned for Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM. There are no solutions being offered in this prayer service but an opportunity to reflect, pray, accept, let go, and, hopefully, experience Christ’s peace and support within a community that has deep concerns as well.
If you have found prayers, reflections, poetry or writings that have helped you with your concerns, consider sharing them with us. Email or deliver copies of these by Pentecost (May 19, 2024) to Elizabeth Husmer, Joy O’Sullivan, Father George or Lisa Orchen and they will be compiled to share that evening.
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Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners and those recuperating from surgery or illness. Please contact the parish office to request a visit: 860-529-8655. | |
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish l The Catholic Community of Rocky Hill | | | | |
