February 4, 2025

Winter News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

February 4, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

This weekend’s Gospel Luke 5:1-11 is about learning to see and to recognize what has been there all along. Peter and his companions had looked for fish all night and had found none. Their nets are empty. So, Jesus shows them where to look and how to look, and within minutes their nets are full to bursting.

Awed by the sudden, massive catch of fish where before there seemed to be nothing. Peter gets the point: this is not about fish at all. It is about how vast, how awesome, and how close God is.

Peter sees through the details of the event, through those masses of fish, and gets the point: he is in the presence of God, God who was always there, God whom he had hardly noticed before, God whose presence, if seen, can give every moment light and make every day a blessing.

As life tugs and pulls us in a variety of directions hourly, we can forget or miss what really matters. And so, like Peter, we are invited to see what the whole of creation is—every single piece of it—straining to show us, and that is the awesome presence of God, who is the ground of our being, the ground from which we spring anew at every moment and breath.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

The Fifth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

February 9, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11:00 AM at Saint James

The Soup Pots are Coming Back

This Weekend - February 8 & 9

What will you be doing on Sunday, February 9, 2025? Perhaps watching your big screen TV to see the Big Game namely the Super Bowl. Excitement is building as some favorites teams have a chance to make it to the Super Bowl this year but so is the excitement building between the Confirmation candidates in our first and second year program. They have been training in anticipation of our annual Souper Bowl of Caring event held annually on Super Bowl Weekend! Our Confirmation Candidates collect food items for our local food pantries and for our homeless shelter meals and will be asking for your help.

Can you drop $1 or more in the soup pots they will be holding after all the masses on Super Bowl Weekend? Thank you for helping us tackle hunger!

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.

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

Annual Retreat Weekends

Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

Members & Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish are invited to join together on our annual weekend retreats in 2025. The retreat theme this year is In my Love, Abide. We invite you to come and explore the depths of a life of prayer and learn ways to maintain the sacred connection to God through Christ, the true vine.

The retreat center is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The weekend begins with a buffet dinner on Friday evening and concludes Sunday with the celebration of Mass. The retreat offers conferences, workshops, wonderful musical liturgies, time for contemplation or quiet walks in a clean, comfortable setting with private rooms & great food.

Parish Contacts are Kathleen Quintana at 860 680-3195 or Bob Manzi at 860 502-5097

Learn more and sign up online at: holyfamilyretreat.org/themed-retreats

Requested Offering: $350, but they emphasize more if you can, less if you can't. Couples weekend requested offering is $575. Please do not allow finances to prevent your decision to attend. Scholarships grants are available. See Fr. George or our parish contacts.

Men's Retreat Weekend: February 21-23, 2025

Couple's Retreat Weekend: February 14-16, 202

(includes Valentine’s Gourmet Dinner)

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

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Evening Prayer

Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome!

Reconciliation

Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.

Weather Cancellation of Daily Mass

Daily Mass at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish is cancelled if the Rocky Hill School System cancels or has a delayed opening due to inclement weather. If the weather is questionable, please check Channel 3 for the most up to date information about mass cancellation. It is sometimes necessary to cancel mass even if Rocky Hill Schools are in session because of delays in getting our parking lots plowed and sidewalks cleared.