January 10, 2023

Welcome to Winter Ordinary Time at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

January 10, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Happy Feast of the Baptism of the Lord! Normally this feast is celebrated on a Sunday following the Feast of the Epiphany. Due to the complexity of the Church’s Liturgical Calendar this year the Feast of the Baptism falls on Monday January 9^th.

This morning I celebrated this Feast with a nice crowd of folks attending. We all had a chance to renew our own baptismal promises and recommit to our discipleship to the Lord Jesus.

This feast is the official kick-off of Jesus’ ministry as he is baptized by John in the Jordan River. His ministry is three-fold: to bring liberty to captives, light to the darkness, and renewal of our covenant relationship with our God. Essentially it is to bring salvation to all and to initiate the Kingdom of God in our midst.

By our baptism we commit ourselves to the goals of Jesus’ ministry as well as being washed of our sins. So, it is a wonderful idea to renew, every so often, our baptismal promises (originally made by our parents and God-parents, if we were baptized as an infant). To renew our promises is an awesome reminder of our lives in Christ and our participation in the life of the Church.

This Sunday we enter Ordinary time for a brief period, and we soon will be entering into the season of Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday February 22^nd. Our dedicated parish staff has already met and started the planning process for Lent and the Holy Week that follows. Even though we are exhausted after a very active Advent and Christmas….we are eager to make our Lenten Journey a nourishing experience for all. Keep your eyes and ears open for much information to come.

I remind our parish of the upcoming Connecticut March for Life. We are a parish that promotes and advocates for the protection of all life from the “womb to the tomb,” especially the unborn. The March will be held at the State Capitol, Hartford on March 22, 2023. There will be a rally at the Capitol at noon and then a march in Bushnell Park starting at 1:00 p.m. For more detailed information and registration go to CTMarchforlife.org. Hope to see some of you there!

Peace and blessings,

Fr. George Couturier

Welcome to Ordinary Time

We transition from the Christmas Season to Ordinary Time on our Liturgical Calendar. Ordinary Time is anything but "ordinary." When referring to Ordinary Time, the word "ordinary" means counted time. This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Sunday after that is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, and so on until we enter the Season of Lent on February 22. The liturgical color for the season is green as seen in the vestments Fr. George and Deacon Mike wear for Sunday Mass.

Prayer for Ordinary Time

God of Eternity,

As I walk the path of Ordinary Time,

help me to count the

many ways you are present:

In the comings and goings of family,

friends, coworkers and neighbors;

In the sounds of winter and

the beauty of your magnificent creation;

In the daily routines and responsibilities

that make up the rhythm of my days.

Make all time extraordinary

as I seek to become

more attuned to your presence.

Amen.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 15, 2023

4 PM Vigil-St. James

9 AM-St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

11 AM-St. James

*Masks are strongly recommended in our worship spaces!*

Giving Opportunities

Food & Cereal

Collection

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location. Learn more, Click Here.

Winter Clothing

Collection

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection continues. 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). Absolutely NO household goods.

Monthly

Blood Drive

The next blood drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, from 1PM-6PM.

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or Click Here to register to give.

Pray With Us

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Adoration

First Thursdays

8:30AM @ St. James

Every Thursday

3:00PM @ St. James

Rosary

Tues & Thurs

8:30AM @ St. James

Saturdays

3:20PM @ St. James

Looking for a great read? Check out our selections in our Little Free Libraries located on both our church campuses! Take or leave a book!

Retrouvaille Weekend

The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing difficult challenges in their relationship. Give your marriage a weekend to rediscover your love. Join us January 20-22, 2023. Call 203-710-6207 for more information.

Get Connected. Stay Connected.

Read the Parish Bulletin

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Visit our Parish Website

Lisa OrchenJanuary 10, 2023