February 7, 2023

Get Ready for the Souper Bowl of Caring

February 7, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Jesus says in this weekend’s Gospel, “If you are going to the altar, and remember that your brother (sister) has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go and be reconciled with your brother (sister) first.” These words show how important reconciliation is in the eyes of God…especially when it comes to anger.

It is impossible to live without getting angry at one time or another. Now, we may have been taught that anger is sinful—in fact, one of the seven deadly sins. As a result, we feel guilty getting angry, and are tempted to deny it or repress it.

It needs to be said that anger is normal and even healthy. If we love and value ourselves, we naturally get angry if we are treated badly. We should not deny our anger. Anger is just a feeling. It is neither good nor bad morally.

However, anger is no resting place. Anger can be very damaging if allowed to fester. Anger needs to be released, but this must be done in a wholesome way. When anger is given a means of appropriate expression relief follows.

When Jesus says to us, “Do not get angry with your brother (sister),” he is not condemning anger in itself. After all, he himself got angry when he drove the traders out of the temple. There are times when we ought to be angry. An unjust situation should make us angry. Anger need not give way to a lessening of love, much less to hate.

It is when anger turns into hostility that it becomes dangerous. Hostility rather than anger is the real deadly sin. It causes us to act out our anger, and leads to deep resentments, negative attitudes, insults, and so on. We probably can not avoid getting angry, but we can avoid hostility and broken/irreparable relationships. Pray for peace of mind, heart, and spirit! Remember if our heart is filled with anger, there is no room in it for love.

Peace and blessings,

Fr. George Couturier

Lent starts February 22 - Click Here to See All We Have Planned

Sixth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

February 12, 2023

4 PM Vigil-St. James

9 AM-St. Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11 AM-St. James

*Masks are strongly recommended in our worship spaces!*

Our Confirmation Preparation Program has a long standing tradition of participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. You can get in the game and share God’s love by dropping donations in the Soup Pots as you leave church on Saturday, February 11 & Sunday, February 12. 100% of every dollar goes directly to prepare and serve homeless shelter and soup kitchen meals as well as replenishing needed items at area food pantries.

Giving Opportunities

ImmaCare

Shelter Dinner

With ImmaCare back to near full capacity the Saturday Night Shelter Dinner Food Group will once again be requesting food and paper donations. Sign-up sheets will be posted in entrances at both churches. Our first monthly opportunity to donate will be for the Saturday, February 18th dinner.

Give Blood

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

2023 HomeFront Team

Looking for Volunteers!

After a 3 year pause, we are looking to define interest and our talent pool for this worthwhile ministry for a Spring 2023 project. Prior to the pandemic our parish fielded talented teams to renovate local homes for the past thirty years! Our most recent efforts have partnered with HomeFront Inc. to help lower income households in our local area remain in their home by providing 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 help make a difference in someone’s life. We complete amazing renovations for very appreciative households over the course of 1 or 2 weekend days. In conjunction with non-profit HomeFront Inc., we provide supplies, tools, meals and even accident insurance, (which has never been required). This effort embodies Christian stewardship - sharing our time, treasure and talent to benefit our extended community.

We are currently evaluating whether we can field a team in May-June 2023. Everybody from age 16+ are welcome to join us. Typically our team has a variety of skill levels including painting, plumbing, carpentry, simple repairs, gardening or even general project organization. If you have renovation contractor experience we would love to have you on board.

Whether you are part of our previous team of over 30 men & women, or would like to join now, we need to hear from you. Friends or relatives outside of our church community are also welcome. Please respond by email or sign up boards in the next few weeks. We will reply to all inquiries, provide additional information and clarify how the program works.

A sign-up sheet is available in the entrances of both churches beginning Feb 10.

You can also contact Bob Manzi by phone (860 502-5097) or email at mrjfiles@sbcglobal.net.

Learn more about Homefront Inc, Click Here.

What Are You Doing For Lent This Year?

Lent Reflection Series:

Lent as a Season of Transformation

Wednesdays

March 1, 8, 15

10:00AM at St. James

7:00 PM online

Led by Deacon Michael

All members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community are invited!

Learn more & sign up here

Lent Evenings of Reflection for Couples

Tuesdays

February 28 & March 21

7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

Presented by Lil & Rick Baruffi

Learn more & sign u p here

Lent Afternoon of Reflection

Saturday, March 4

1:30 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

Praying with Mind, Body & Spirit

Learn more & sign up here

Women of SJB - Make a Retreat this Lent

Women of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish are invited to join us for a weekend of rest, relaxation, refreshment and renewal on March 10 to 12, 2023, on retreat at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center in Farmington, CT. The retreat begins at 7:00 PM on Friday (there is a Soup Supper from 5:30 to 6:30 for those who prefer to arrive earlier) and ends at 12:30 PM on Sunday after Mass and brunch. Financial assistance is available for those who find themselves in need. For more information, contact Pat Meskill at (860) 613-2288 or patmeskill@aol.com.

To register, contact Our Lady of Calvary at (860) 677-8519 or Click Here.