February 25, 2025

Winter News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

February 25, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Next Wednesday, March 5, 2025, (Ash Wednesday) begins our Lenten Journey toward Easter. I do not know about you, but I need reminders, someone or something to point out what we are missing. Lent is that reminder, affording us the time and the space to go deeper, to sit with the stories of faith and let them speak to us as if for the first time. This Lent, what is calling you to transformation? What speaks to your mind, heart and soul? What needs to be forgiven…or….what do we need to forgive? When we receive our ashes on Ash Wednesday we will be asked to “Repent and believe in the Gospel!!”

The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through the three pillars we journey to develop a closer relationship to and with God.

The parish will be offering multiple opportunities to enter into prayer and reflection: Bible study, the “Little Black Books” for daily reflection and prayer, Stations of the Cross, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer and adoration groups, daily online opportunities, special music events, etc.

For Almsgiving we will be starting the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal which provides powerful opportunities to give and support vital outreach and ministry efforts by the entire Archdiocese. I strongly encourage you and your family to consider a gift or pledge to this awesome event. Last year, for the very first time in the history of Rocky Hill Churches we not only reached our parish goal but went $25,000 beyond the goal ($171,000). This is a powerful testimony of our wholehearted support of this appeal.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Check Out All We Have Planned For Lent Here

The Eighth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

March 2, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11:00 AM at Saint James

***Stay for coffee & conversation after the Sunday morning masses***

March 5, 2025

8:00 AM Mass & Ashes at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

12:00 PM Prayer Service & Ashes at St. James

7:00 PM Mass & Ashes at St. James

Save the Dates!

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Vacation Bible Camp

June 23 - 27, 2025

Campers entering Kindergarten - Grade 6

Teen Volunteers entering Grades 7-12

Adult Volunteers of all ages!

Registration coming soon! If you have any questions and/or would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Lisa Torneo at biblecamp@sjbrh.org.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 PM

St. James Parish Center

Join us for games, music, dancing and a potluck dinner to celebrate Mardi Gras! We will provide the traditional pancakes, you bring a potluck dish to share!

Call Joy at 860-529-8655 for more info or to volunteer to help!

There are signup sheets and suggested recipes in both church foyers and on SignUpGenuis.

Click Here To Sign Up To Attend

This Lent, Deacon Michael will lead an Adult Bible Study called: People of the Passion

During our Lenten bible study we will look at the passion through the characters who participated in some dramatic way in the suffering and death of the Lord. Well-known characters include Peter, Pilate, and Mary Magdalen; lesser-known include Simon of Cyrene, the daughters of Jerusalem, and the woman who anointed Jesus. The series begins on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Two identical sessions are offered each week at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and then again at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. It will be possible to join the 7:00 PM evening session online as well, via Google Meet (please indicate interest at registration to help us plan). Register to attend by emailing Deacon Michael at: saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.

Learn More Here

Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the Saint Josephine Bahkita Faith Sharing Group. Our next meeting will be Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10:00-11:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. This group grew out of our parish Awakening retreat in November 2024. At our meetings we start with a presentation of a gift of the Holy Spirit and then we break into small groups to share how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. A main focus is how we keep the Holy Spirit as an active component of our everyday life. For additional information, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.

Celebrate St Patrick's Day With Us!

St Patrick’s Day Dinner

Join the Knights of Columbus for our annual St Patrick’s Day celebration featuring a traditional corned beef dinner with all the fixings and dessert.

Saturday, March 15

4:00 - 7:00 PM

St James Parish Center

Tickets on sale February 15 - March 9. Take out dinners will be available. Adults: $20.00 - Children (under 12): $12.00

Family Special (2 adults & 2 children (under 12): $52.00

Note: NO tickets at the door

For more info call Dave 860-726-3585.

The Knights Will Take

the Penguins Plunge Again!

March 15, 2025

For the last several years members of our Knights of Columbus Council have committed to Special Olympics Annual Penguin Plunge. A chilling adventure to say the least! Might you want to “Dip Your Do Too"?

Our “Penguins in the Knights” of Columbus Council 10651 are seeking young and old Penguin Participants” (Wet ones) and “Team Sponsors”! (Warm ones)!

Last year, only Willie and Mike became “BRIEFLY” wet, yet we all raised over $2,000 for their charity’s works. Wet or dry, you can help and we will welcome your support! Click Here To Support The Knights Plunge

Click Here To Support The Knights Plunge

Give Blood

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, March 6, 2026 from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

Home Visits

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.

This weekend marks the start of the 2025 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in our parish. If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a letter from Archbishop Coyne seeking your support. As Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford we can have a profound impact on our local communities not only spiritually, but intimately connected to it, the realm of social services and many charities and outreach services performed by, or with help from, our Church.

We hope you can help us meet our parish goal of $145,000.00. If you would like to make a gift, please mail in your pledge card. You may also visit the Archdiocesan website at www.archdioceseofhartford.org or call the Appeal Office at (800) 781-2550. Keep in mind that an early pledge will allow you to best use the monthly payment plan.

All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 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.