August 9, 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 Couturier
P.S. We had a fantastic week with parishioners across the generations coming together for our annual Vacation Bible Camp under the leadership of Ellen Lowrance. Thank you to all the volunteers and members of our parish staff who made this experience rich and faith-filled. Click the button below to catch a glimpse of all the fun!
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The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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August 14, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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Register Today
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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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
We Need YOU!
Sunday, September 11th
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
- Mass Procession Volunteers
- Lunch Packers
- Dessert Bakers
- Drink Station Volunteers
- Bakhita Lunch Servers
- 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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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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Calling All HomeFront Volunteers!
Prior to COVID our combined parish has fielded a volunteer ministry to renovate local homes for over thirty years! Our most recent efforts have partnered with HomeFront Inc. to help low income households in our area remain in their home by making free, critical home repairs. The HomeFront work day is a very rewarding experience, offering the opportunity to work side by side with fellow parishioners and assist a family or individual by making their home “warm, safe and dry.” This effort embodies Christian stewardship - sharing our time, treasure and talent to benefit our extended community.
Typically our team of 30-35 volunteers with a variety of skills from painting, plumbing, carpentry, general repairs and gardening completed amazing renovations for very appreciative households over the course of 1 or 2 days. We are currently evaluating whether we can field a team either for October 2022 or Spring 2023. You may have been part of our wonderful team from the past decade or know someone who has participated. Everybody from age 16 and up are welcome to join us.
If you are part of our experienced team of over 30 men & women, we would love to hear from you as well. Please respond before the end of August to communicate your thoughts and assist in understanding what our skills/talent pool will look like going forward. If you are interested or need additional information, a sign-up sheet is available in the entrance of both churches. Or you can contact Bob Manzi by phone (860-502 5097) or email at mrjfiles@sbcglobal.net.
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Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries have resumed in person gatherings.
The Knit, Crochet & Sew Good Works Ministry meets every Wednesday in Fr. Shea Hall at St. James Church from 1pm – 4pm.
Contact: Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com
The Morning Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the forth Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 9am.
Contact: Betty Catelli at catellib64@gmail.com
The Evening Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 6:45pm.
Contact: Laura Pentland at lbpent57@gmail.com
We are open to anyone who has the skills to sew, knit or crochet or who would like to learn how. Whether you knit or crochet quickly or slowly, your help is welcome to fulfill the mission of spreading God’s love through our craft. It is our hope that those who receive our crafts will feel the love that goes into making each and every one of them. Our time together begins and ends with prayer and all creations are prayed over and blessed prior to being gifted.
Need a prayer shawl or lap blanket for yourself or someone else? Please contact Laura Pentland, Betty Catelli or Sandy Rokosz.
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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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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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