February 22, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
I am happy to announce that Archbishop Blair graced our parish, once again, with his presence this Monday evening with a Mass and a reception to kick-off the start of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for our Hartford area Deanery. This Sunday the Archbishop will be preaching at our parish Masses via a prerecorded video that we will play at all Masses. He will be inviting each of us to participate in this year’s Campaign “STRONGER TOGETHER.”
Considering the past few years of COVID challenges along with world and church issues, it is only together and with our Lord that we can take steps in faith and with strength pushing ahead in confidence and hope. With your generous help we can pull ahead together and continue the awesome mission and ministry of our Archdiocese, through the Appeal.
I am asking for your continued support and participation in this year’s appeal so we can successfully reach our parish goal of $145,000. Your support will concretely help, for example, the support of Catholic education, charitable programs, support of seminarians and countless local programs such as our own parish prison ministry and sew good works, etc.
What an awesome way to enter the Lenten season that begins on Ash Wednesday March 2, 2022. Lent calls upon us to engage evermore in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Appeal offers a significant way to participate in the Lenten practice of almsgiving. I do hope you will willingly and significantly participate in this year’s Appeal.
Finally, here is a summary of the Lenten practices we are asked to observe wholeheartedly during Lent. These practices should be a desire of the heart to assist us in growing spiritually during this holy season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent: everyone 14 years of age and older is asked to abstain from eating meat. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday everyone 18 years of age to 59 years of age are asked to fast, unless exempt due to medical concerns. To fast means that we have one full meal per day, with two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal and no snacks. Also, during the duration of Lent, we are asked to make a sacrifice that reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. For some this may mean “giving up” something and for others it may mean “doing something” that makes a significant impact on our spiritual growth.
Peace and blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
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Check Out Our Social Media Facelift |
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Our parish communications committee is happy to announce the launch of our new parish website to go along with the new parish logo introduced a few weeks ago. As we continue to grow in unity as one parish, this new website will serve as another innovative way to tell our story and invite others to join us and learn about our faith. You might notice that the introductory pages are designed with the "seeker" in mind. These days, if someone is looking for a church to call home, they will start on google. Our website is designed to showcase that we are a vibrant and welcoming faith community. We are grateful to Eric Melanson of Melanson Media for his beautiful design and outstanding collaboration on this project.
In addition to our website, e-newsletter and bulletin, we also communicate through our Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel. Be sure to "like," "follow," and "subscribe" to each of them - as we seek to broaden and deepen the creative ways we communicate, evangelize and stay connected.
Check Us Out At All The Following Locations:
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Eighth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
February 27, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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February Faith Activity
All members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community are invited to join in the faith activity for the month of February. Engage in a service project to help people in our local community. By engaging in service, children and adults alike live out the teachings of Jesus to love and serve one another, especially those most in need of our help. To learn more, Click Here. Please share a description and/or pictures of your service activity to the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org.
“We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love, be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.”
-Pope Francis
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Lent Reflection Series
The Spirituality of Fasting:
Rediscovering a Christian Practice
Rediscover fasting this Lent!!! Deacon Michael will be leading an ONLINE 4-part book discussion series on the recovering of the christian spiritual discipline of fasting starting Wednesday March 9th.
- Session 1: Loss and Recovery of the Tradition of Fasting
- Session 2: Fasting And Our Relationship With God; What The Ancients Have To Teach Us
- Session 3: The Christian Notion Of The Body And Fasting; Fasting And Our Relationship With Others
- Session 4: Fasting Prayer and Charity as Practical Program; the Spirituality of Fasting
Registration deadline February 23, 2022. To learn more and register, Click Here.
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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:
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 located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.
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Winter Clothing
Collection
This week our Winter Clothing donations generated 12 large bags of men’s, women’s and children’s winter clothing. The donations were delivered to the appreciative folks at House of Bread in Hartford for distribution to the those in need in Hartford’s north end. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider).
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Thank You for Your Generosity!
Our Winter Glove Collection resulted in 75 pairs of gloves being donated to ImmaCare’s Outreach Program, providing some warmth to the many men living on the streets and under bridges in Hartford. The folks at ImmaCare are extremely grateful!
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Blood Donors Needed
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, February 24 from 1PM-6PM. Go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register to give.
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During the month of February we will be highlighting Our Haitian Promise. Our parish established a "twinned" relationship with the parish of Saint Anne in Saintard, Haiti in March, 2001. Saint Anne Church, established in 1958, is a parish of over 3000 people, located on the coast just north of Port-au-Prince. Michael and Maryann Lonergan share their reflections and pictures below.
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It was the year 2014 when I had the opportunity to visit Haiti. Going with my wife and two others was such a gift. I also had a side mission to try to unite the children of Saint Anne Parish in Haiti with our eighth grade faith formation class. The reception from the students from both communities was amazing and inspiring. In this picture Haitian children are plastering their handprints on a poster board to be given to Saint Elizabeth Seton students. This picture was done as a result of the SES students doing something very similar. The gift was seeing the excitement of two cultures coming together with the common purpose to share their faith of good will of Christianity through the simple jester of handprints and messages of hope. Isn't this what having a twin parish is about? It is not just about giving money but finding creative ways to love each other. Even if we can't visit right now and there are limits of what can be done, how can you share and receive your inspiration? Sometimes we just have to ask what we can do.
-Michael Lonergan
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I traveled to Haiti in 2004 and again in 2014, both full immersion trips. We visited orphanages, feeding programs, hospitals, museums and St. Anne’s parish in Saintard. We learned of their history of political oppression and strife, natural disasters and extreme poverty. And yet, what I remember most about those we met was their beautiful spirits, their desire to help other Haitians, their sense of hopefulness and their deep love of and relationship with God. I thought I went to help the people of Haiti but instead they helped me to see my life and relationship with God in a different way. For that I’m so very grateful.
-Maryann Lonergan
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Join Us For The
Men's Retreat Weekend
The opportunity go on retreat is back. Our scheduled men’s weekend, February 25-27, 2022 is coming up fast. Typically around 15 men from our parish attend. Please join us!
This year at Holy Family, the theme will explore the Spirit of Trust. The retreat begins with a buffet dinner at 6PM Friday evening and concludes Sunday with Mass followed by brunch.
For everyone’s peace of mind, protocols are in place. Vaccination card and temperature checks as your arrive on Friday and mandatory indoor masks are required. Approximately 50 people attend each weekend retreat, allowing for plenty of room for social distancing. Individual rooms, spaced out dining or “takeout” to your room is also provided.
There are 7 other dates available this spring. To learn more and register, Click Here.
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Poland Pilgrimage 2022
*** Rescheduled ***
Our pilgrimage to Poland hosted by Deacon Michael and Krystyna Ward has been successfully rescheduled for September 12-21, 2022 and registration is open.
We will visit Warsaw and Krakow, the modern and ancient capitals of Poland with their historic Old Towns, places associated with Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint John Paul II, Jasna Gora Monastery to see the Black Madonna icon, the solemn Auschwitz Holocaust memorial site and museum and a day trip to the beautiful alpine village of Zakopane.
This promises to be a rich and surprising experience of discovery. If you are itching to travel once again and this has been on your “To-Do” or “Bucket” list for years this is your moment, whether you are of Polish heritage or just curious! Friends and family are very welcome to join us!!!
The 10-day pilgrimage starts at $3,318 including airfare, hotel, breakfast and dinner daily, deluxe motor-coach, guide and all transfers.
E-mail Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com of call him at 860-836-8218 with any questions and for further information about registration.
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Irish Knit Sweaters Available
Looking for an Irish Knit sweater for St. Patrick's Day? Knit, Crochet and Sew Good Works has some available. Contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com or text 860-906-7433. |
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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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