February 6, 2024

Winter News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

February 6, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

While it seems like we just finished observing Advent and Christmas, the season of Lent quickly approaches. Uniquely this year, Ash Wednesday coincides with St. Valentine's, a day we customarily celebrate love in a variety of ways. There is much to appreciate about the coming together of these two days!

The entire season of Lent is like a lengthy, persistent love letter from God. The daily and Sunday Scriptures echo God's longing to be in relationship with us. These scriptural invitations move from gentle calls to fervent supplications. The opening lines from our Ash Wednesday Scriptures set the theme for the entire season: “Return to me with your whole heart” (Joel 2:12).

This week leading up to Ash Wednesday offers us time to prayerfully consider how we will respond to God's invitation to return with our whole hearts. Our parish will be offering numerous opportunities for prayer, devotion, and sacrificial giving. We hope you will join with us on the journey!

Peace and blessings!

Lisa M. Orchen, M.Div.

Communications Coordinator

Check Out All We Have Planned for Lent Here

The Sixth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

February 11, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James

9:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11:00 AM at Saint James

Ash Wednesday Visits to

Recuperating or Homebound Parishioners

Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to visit on Ash Wednesday, February 14, to anoint with ashes our homebound parishioners and to those who are recuperating from recent surgery or illness. If interested, please contact Judy Sartucci, Home Visit Ministry Coordinator, at 860-690-5869 so that arrangements may be made.

Looks like it’s a rematch of Super Bowl 54 as the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers are teamed up to play in this year’s Super Bowl. On that day over 100 million Americans will tune it to the see the big Game, consume tons of chicken wings and watch clever commercials that last year cost close to 7 million dollars per 30 second commercial.

But bigger than Super Bowl will be the Souper Bowl of Caring event that our Confirmation candidates and their families will participate in that Sunday morning. The first year and second year students will have a friendly competition to see who can bring in the most food items to feed those in need.

You can get in the game too! Won’t you help them score a touchdown by dropping a $1.00 or more in the soup pots the students will be holding as you leave mass Super Bowl weekend Feb. 10 & 11.

Thank you for helping us tackle hunger. 100% of your donations will be used to stock food pantries and feed the homeless.

“Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.

Deacon Michael is Planning a Lenten Series:

Wisdom for Everyday: How to Help Faith and Life Come Together

What we profess on Sunday is for the life we face on Monday and the rest of the week. This connection is central to living our faith. Our faith has its demands, as does everyday life. Bringing them together with focus and balance can be a challenge.

In our Catholic tradition those living in monasteries and cloisters have been living this challenge for over 15 centuries. They can offer us some wisdom that can make faith and life come together more fruitfully. Their lives may look different, but the challenges are familiar ones, and their thinking has much to offer us today.

Deacon Michael will be offering a five session Lenten series of reading and reflection on how the practical wisdom of our monastic brothers and sisters can help us to live our faith each day…looking into matters such as nature of authority, our attitudes, prayer life, commitments and possessions, serving others and being “religious.”

The series will meet on Wednesdays from February 21 through March 20. Sessions will meet in person at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and at 7:00 PM in Classrooms A&B at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. Remote online access to the evening sessions may be available…tell Deacon Michael if you are interested.

There is a fee of $15 to cover printed materials to be distributed at the initial session on February 21. Deacon Michael has a supply of materials directly available on a first come basis.

Registration required by email to Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by calling the Office at 860-529-8655.

Learn More About Deacon Michael's Lenten Program Here

Save the Date - Lent Taizé Prayer Service

Sunday, February 25 at 7:00 PM

Saint James Church

*** and livestreamed on Facebook ***

Help The Knights of Columbus Support Special Olympics Connecticut!

We’re FREEZIN' FOR A REASON!

Special Olympics Connecticut provides opportunities to more than 10,000 athletes and Unified Sports^® partners to train and compete in 27 Olympic-type sports and participate in four annual state games. Join the Knights of Columbus in our fundraising efforts to support the mission of Special Olympics Connecticut! There are two ways to join in on our fun: join our team, helps us to raise funds, and plunge with us in person! Or you can join our team, help our team to raise funds, and "plunge with us" virtually!

Learn More About the Knights of Columbus Plunge Here

Take Time For A Retreat this Winter!

Members of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish and Friends are invited to join us on our annual weekend retreats in 2024. The retreat theme this year, Only Say the Word…, is based on the belief that God can – and will – heal us, and all of creation. Our faith prompts us to ask for and receive that healing in many ways.

The retreat center is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The weekend begins with a buffet dinner from 6-7:30 PM on Friday evening and concludes Sunday with the celebration of Mass at 10:45 AM followed by a hot brunch at noon.

Offering: $350, more if you can, less if you can't. Please do no allow finances to prevent your decision to attend. Scholarships are available. See Fr. George to inquire.

Couple's Retreat Weekend: February 9-11, 2024

Men's Retreat Weekend: February 23-25, 2024 Women's Retreat Weekend: March 1-3, 2024

rescheduled due to the January snowstorm

Learn More and Sign Up for Your Retreat Weekend Here