April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023 Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish, The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. As John chapter 10 is proclaimed, we hear Jesus boldly claim his identity as the Good Shepherd. Since young children are especially drawn to this image of Jesus, faith formation programs explore it to help children discover the voice of God calling each of his sheep by name. This relational analogy of Jesus the Good Shepherd calling his flock by name to follow him through the sheepfold gate resonates deeply. Listeners to this reading can contemplate all the ways a shepherd cares for his sheep, provides for all their needs, protects them, seeks them out if they stray, and guides their paths. Children easily see themselves as the sheep and intuit that Jesus’ offer of love, care, and protection is for each of us. This analogy communicates God’s unceasing desire to be close to us. God entered into humanity and became one of us so that we might know and believe the possibility of true relationship with him. God knows each of us. God knows every part of us. God calls each of us by name. He leads us in right paths and stays by our side as protector and provider.  Good Shepherd Sunday offers a beautiful opportunity to place ourselves in this rich image and discover anew that we are called and beloved by Jesus, our Good Shepherd.  We continue to bask in the joy of Easter. Our photo gallery of Holy Week is loaded with pictures of all our celebrations, especially the Easter Vigil. Special thanks go out to parishioner, Bill Betterini, for so generously and skillfully serving as our photographer on Holy Saturday. Enjoy this gallery of pictures from the Easter Weekend Fourth Sunday of Easter April 30, 2023  4:00 PM at St. James 9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton 11:00 AM at St. James PLEASE NOTE: SAINT ELIZABETH SETON CAMPUS CLOSED MAY 1 - 19 DUE TO VERY NECESSARY PATIO RECONSTRUCTION AT SAINT ELIZABETH SETON CHURCH, THE BUILDING WILL BE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FROM MAY 1-19. THIS INCLUDES THE WEEKEND OF MAY 7-8 & MAY 13-14. IF THE WORK IS NOT FINISHED, THE CAMPUS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED MAY 20-21. THE 9:00AM MASS ON SUNDAYS, WEEKDAY MASSES AND MONDAY CONFESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT SAINT JAMES. News from Faith Formation The children in our First Reconciliation preparation program will celebrating this beautiful Sacrament for the first time on Saturday, April 29 at St. James Church. Please keep them in your prayers this week. The grand total for the Faith Formation Program Rice Bowl Challenge is $1,651.50. The students earned this money on their own through chores, allowances, and giving up favorite treats. We are pleased to announce the winning grade for the Catholic Relief Service challenge is Grade 5 with a total of $450.53 raised. They will enjoy an ice cream social as part of their last class. Because of everyone's hard work, we will have a special treat for the other classes as well. Thank you to our entire parish community for your amazing generosity. As a parish we raised over $8000.00 to benefit Catholic Relief Services. Thank you also for the privilege of allowing us to share our Catholic faith with the children of our community this year. We look forward to continuing the journey next year. Please watch your email for: Bakhita Bible Camp Registration July 17 - 21(vacation bible school) coming next week. Faith Formation '23 -'24 registration announcement (with an early enrollment discount) before the end of school this year. Have a wonderful summer, Monica Piombino and the entire Faith Formation Team Charismatic Prayer Group Our Charismatic Prayer Group gives praise, honor, thanks and love to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our gatherings include Christian music, charismatic prayer, discussion of biblical readings and sharing prayer petitions. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:30 PM online. Contact Kristie Witherspoon to learn more: kblicharz@gmail.com. Centering Prayer Workshop Join us for a Centering Prayer Workshop on May 1 & May 2 from 6:30-8:30 PM on Zoom. Mike Smoolca, Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach at Holy Family Monastery and Fran Mastro will present this two-part workshop. We will discuss the basics of Centering Prayer and practice it as a group, deepening our relationship with God. Sign up in the foyer at St. Elizabeth Seton or St. James Church. Any question call Fran at (860)810-2403 or Email at fmed6@icloud.com. Evening of Reflection for Couples Join us for an evening of reflection for couples led by Lil and Rick Baruffi on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. The focus of the evening will be on navigating communication and conflict in our relationships. Learn more and sign up HERE. Eucharist: Meal, Sacrifice, Presence May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13 Saint James Parish Center 7:00 P.M. Our Catholic Christian faith sees the Eucharist as central to the nature of our lives as disciples. There is so much that the various dimensions of this rich and beautiful sacrament seeks to communicate to us. For so many of us that last structured learning we had on the Eucharist was in childhood. Updating our “software” on this critical sacrament may help us to deepen and refocus our faith and spiritual lives. This May and June Deacon Michael will lead a six-part series on the Eucharist using Bishop Robert Barron’s study program “Eucharist: Sacred Meal, Sacrifice Real Presence.” The series will be held on May 9, 16, 23, 30, and June 6, 13 at 7:00 at the Saint James Church Parish Center 767 Elm Street. There is a $10 fee for materials. Please register via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com (BEST!!!) or by leaving a message at 860-529-3222 Ext 14. The sessions are free and open to all members of the parish community and friends. Learn more here. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal changes lives through service. In addition to assisting the under served of our communities, your gift helps those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift to the Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith. Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge to the 2023 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please prayerfully consider a gift today. Please know that every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life. All donations 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. Donate to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal Give Blood The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. The next blood drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more. Food & Cereal For Our Local 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. Learn more, Click Here. New England Catholic Biblical School (NECBS) enrollment is now open. For over 25 years, the New England Catholic Biblical School (NECBS) has helped adults understand, love, and serve God better. They teach Scripture in the Catholic Tradition and welcome adults of all ages who want to learn to read the Bible with greater understanding and to engage the biblical texts in ways that will bring them to a deeper understanding of their authentic identity found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Scan the QR code above for more information. Evening Prayer Join Fr. George for Evening Prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00PM on FaceBook. Adoration First Thursdays 8:30AM @ St. James Every Thursday 3:00PM @ St. James Rosary Tues & Thurs 8:30AM @ St. James Saturdays 3:20PM @ St. James Parish Visitors 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. 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