August 16, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Every year, as part of the Mission Cooperation Plan, every parish in the Archdiocese of Hartford gets to host a group from the missions. The purpose of this program is twofold; first a reminder that we are a universal body of Christ, the Church. Secondly, is to provide an opportunity to support the spread of the gospel and to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in the mission countries. This year, Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish shall have the Diocese of Soroti, Uganda the weekend of August 20-21, 2022. Fr. Richard Pius Okiria, a native of Uganda will be visiting us. Here is a brief background of the Diocese of Soroti.
The Diocese of Soroti located in Eastern Uganda was erected by Pope St. John Paul II on the 29th November 1980. It geographically covers the ten civil districts of the Teso Sub-region and a land area of 33,130 sq.km (20,586 sq.miles). The total population of the area covered is 3.5 million people and the Catholic population is 1.7 million people representing about 45%.
At its founding, the diocese was staffed mostly by priests from the Mill Hill Missionary Society (some of whom were from the United States) as there were few native priests. In the course of the years, native vocations were nurtured and blossomed so much so that today a great majority of the 68 priests are natives and there are more than 50 Seminarians at different levels of Major Seminary formation.
Soon after its creation, the North and Eastern regions of Uganda (including the entire area covered by the Diocese of Soroti) was plunged into a civil war, which lasted almost two decades and left the population devastated economically and socially. The people who survived this turmoil were sustained by their faith which by the grace of God was strengthened and grew in the midst of the turmoil. And now just like the rest of the world, they suffered and are recovering from the effects of Covid-19. For more information you can visit www.soroticatholicdiocese.org.
The Catholic faith continues to spread leaps and bounds in the Diocese of Soroti. Masses are filled with standing room only, baptisms abound (31,309), confirmations in 2019 were 22,600, etc. To meet the overwhelming need for pastoral care, the new Bishop created 15 new parishes in 2019 and additional 11 since then. The new parishes are in dire need for buildings and other facilities. The proceeds from this mission appeal here at St. Josephine Bakhita will therefore be applied towards facilitating the development of these new parishes (procuring for example: cement, iron bars, roofing materials, iron sheets and paint). Also, since many of these new parishes are rural, they have little to no access to a power grid or water systems. Therefore, proceeds will also be applied to securing solar electricity systems and water wells.
So, every donation counts, and nothing is too small. Please consider a gift by making a check to St. Josephine Bakhita Parish with a notation on the memo— “Mission Uganda”. I will forward the proceeds immediately to the mission office of the Archdiocese of Hartford, who then forwards it to Uganda.
Blessings to one and all and God bless your generosity to the missions!!
Fr. George
The Bakhita Bible Campers created a beautiful video card for the children of our sister parish in Haiti, St. Anne. Enjoy it here: https://youtu.be/8wW27Ig5E4c
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The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
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August 21, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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2023 Mass Intention Calendar
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Office Staff will be opening the 2023 Mass Intention Calendar soon. We will be in the Parish Center at Saint James on the following dates to schedule reservations:
Tuesday, September 13: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday, September 14: 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday, September 15: 9:00am- 12:30pm
Please Note there is a maximum of 3 Masses per parishioner. Please be considerate of the entire parish community and understand we will attempt to accommodate everyone’s request.
Offering’s are $10 for Weekdays & $15 for Weekends and Holy Days.
Office phone: 860-529-8655 ~ Office email: office@sjbrh.org
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Register Now For
Faith Formation
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Electronic registration and payment form all in one! Scan the QR code to access our easy to complete online registration form! |
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Please note, families must be registered as members of Saint Josephine Bakhita parish for their children to be enrolled and participate in the faith formation classes. Should you need to complete a parish registration form, Click Here.
It is important for your children to participate in all faith formation years, not just sacramental years. Participation, especially in grades 7 and 8 is a requirement for them to enter the Confirmation preparation program in 9th grade.
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Did You Miss Confirmation the First Time Around?
We Can Help With That
It’s never too late. Even if you are way “past the age” or even a little ;-) ...and not yet Confirmed...you can be. You certainly are not alone. It happens for a variety of reasons. We will help you get “caught up.”
If you have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to, contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222 Ext 14. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
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Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 11
Saint James Campus
11am - Outdoor Mass
Noon - Picnic
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We Need YOU!
Many hands make light work!
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Planning for our annual Parish Picnic is well underway. The date has been set for Sunday, September 11, 2022. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our 5th Anniversary as Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish - the Catholic Community of Rocky Hill. We are calling for volunteers to help out during the picnic weekend. Here is a list of the help we need:
- Set-up Volunteers
- Greeters
- Lunch Packers
- Dessert Bakers
- Drink Station Volunteers
- Bakhita Lunch Servers
- Mass Procession Volunteers
- Children & Family Activities Volunteers
- Trash/Recycle/Custodial Volunteers
- Parking Lot Attendants
- Tear down & Clean up Volunteers
Learn more about each of these opportunities and sign-up using this form.
If you have any questions about the picnic or prefer to volunteer by phone rather than using the electronic form, call Laura Murray at 860-818-9765.
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Join Our Music Ministry
The St. James Music Ministry is seeking new members to join our choirs in singing to the Lord!
St. James Adult Choir meets on Wednesdays at 7PM beginning in late September to prepare anthems for our weekly 11AM Mass and holidays.
St. James Children’s Choir meets after the 11AM Mass and sings one Sunday per month and on holidays. To join, children should be able to read.
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Knights of Columbus Receive Star Council Award
Our Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knights of Columbus Council 10651 has received the distinction of Star Council, the international organization’s top award for local councils. The Star Council Award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of membership, sponsorship of faith formation programs and service-orientated activities. Our local Council supported the following activities this past year:
Donated $500 to each of three seminarians
Donated $500 to Laboure Society for religious vocation tuition
Donated 50 rosaries to the Confirmation candidates
Provided ~2,400 sandwiches to St Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen
Managed the kitchen for the Holiday Fair
Sold 108 Palm Crosses for cemetery remembrance
Donated $504 for 24 new coats for children in need
Provided 600 bags of assorted candies and word puzzles for the Prison Ministry
Provided 120 dinners to St Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen (Lasagna / Green Beans / Salad / Garlic Bread / Ice Cream)
Donated $1100 to homeless shelters
Donated $1800 to Greater Middletown Special Olympics
Donated $200 to A Better Choice Women’s Pregnancy Center
Donated $1000 to Ukraine Family Relief
Provided ~200 Brian bags (~4800 toiletry items at $900 cost) for people with special needs
The money to fund these services came from the fundraising we do and our own personal donations.
If you are interested in joining us at the Knights of Columbus, we welcome you. Please contact David Mikol by phone at (860) 726-3585 or email at irene.mikol@comcast.net
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Food & Cereal
For Our Local Pantries
Households who struggle with hunger need our help even more in the summer time. 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 here.
St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins are near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.
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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: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
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The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, August 18 from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.
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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.
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Text-to-Give
We are keeping up with technology! With 97% of smartphone users texting at least once a day, Saint Josephine Bakhita has decided to add the option to give via text. You can text any amount followed by the word ‘text’ to 860-821-7962, and your transaction will be processed through the Online Giving account associated with your mobile phone number. If your phone number is not recognized, you can associate your number with an existing account or follow the simple steps to create a Text-to-Give account.
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Daily Mass Schedule
Monday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
Tuesday: 8:00am-St. James
Thursday: 8:00am-St. James
Friday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
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Reconciliation
Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.
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The Parish Pastoral Council welcomes your feedback, questions and concerns and will respond as appropriate. Please contact the Council via email by sending a message to parishcouncil@sjbrh.org. Learn more, Click here.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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