August 23, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
Recently, I was shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond and noticed folks with carts and carts of back-to- school and dorm room products. A bold reminder that summer is coming to an end and school will soon be in full swing. While waiting in the LONG check-out line I had time to reflect on those wonderful long days of summer vacation from school…memories, fun, adventures and learning from relationships with summer friends.
Certainly, I want to wish, all our young ones from kindergarten to university, the very best for a year of new adventures, much learning, good relationships, and good health. They should know of our sincerest prayers and support as they move into the mystery of school life. May they not only be open to “head knowledge” …but, also, heart and spirit knowledge.
As you may already know, our sister parish of St. Anne in Haiti has a small school for their youth, not only of their parish, but the surrounding town as well. I ask that we all remember them in prayers for all those things I prayed and wished above…but, also, for peace and hope. For we all know Haiti suffers, as a nation, the scourge of social and economic unrest and violence. I believe that St. Anne and their school offers a bit of an oasis in the storm…a place of spiritual and social stability, peace, hope and spiritual and religious support.
This past month, here at St. Josephine Bakhita, we recommitted ourselves financially to the support of our sister parish by taking a collection on the Feast Day of Saint Anne July 26th. By your generosity, we will be able to continue our quarterly monetary support to St. Anne Parish in a strong way. Your generosity through this collection amounted to $17,878. On behalf of our sisters and brothers in Haiti, I express sincerest gratitude.
Finally, I do hope you will be able to join us for our parish picnic on September 11, 2022 marking the 5th anniversary of becoming St. Josephine Bakhita Parish starting with Mass at 11:00am outside behind our parish center on the St. James campus. Be sure to sign up (online or call into office) to attend. And, if possible, sign up as a volunteer to assist with the variety of tasks that make this gathering a huge success. Million thanks to the leaders and volunteers that have already stepped up in such a generous way.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
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August 28, 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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The deadline for registration is Thursday, September 1st. If you register after this date we cannot guarantee we will be able to assign your child to a class.
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.
We are still in need of volunteers who would be willing to serve as catechists. At this time, we are in need of catechists for the 3rd, 4th, and 7th grades. If you serve as a catechist, you will get the benefit of the registration fee waived for all of your children. We will provide all the information and support you need to serve this important role.
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Interested in Becoming Catholic? We Can Help!
Times such as those we are living through now often prompt people to examine what we believe, how we make sense of the world and examine just what we live by, and why, and where “this all seems to be going.” Christian faith as offered in and through the Catholic Church brings 20 centuries of belief and wisdom to bear on these very questions.
Entering the Catholic Church through Baptism at Easter after exploration and instruction in the faith is the typical path for those entering the Catholic Church as adults. We are presently planning the process for those who may wish to enter the Church at Easter in the spring of 2023.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in exploring this possibility with us, we are certainly happy and eager to help. Anyone interested should contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14.
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Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 11
Saint James Campus
11am - Outdoor Mass
Noon - Picnic
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Prefer to call in your picnic reservation? Call the Parish Office between 9am - 2:30pm Monday - Friday at 860-529-8655. |
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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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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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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 first Tuesday of the month at St. Elizabeth Seton from 7:00-8:30 PM, both in person and online. Contact Mike Lonergan to learn more: Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net
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15th Annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference
The 15th annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference is happening Saturday, September 24 at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. This year’s theme is the Most Holy Eucharist. Featured speakers include four nationally known priests who have given up their lives for the Eucharist:
- Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Diocese of Bridgeport
- Fr. Larry Richards, Diocese of Erie
- Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
- Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes, CPM
Registration is required. Click here for more information or to register.
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Our new, convenient Text-to-Give enhancement for Online Giving users provides you the opportunity to give from your mobile phone. You can text an amount followed by the word ‘text’ to 860-821-7962. If your phone number is not recognized, you can associate your number with an existing account or follow the simple steps to create an account. To send a donation of $25.00, tour text would look like this: 25 text
To find out more about Online Giving and how it benefits our church, Click here.
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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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